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NA SPeAker iNviteS govt-Pti committeeS for diALogue iN ‘good fAith’ Monday, 23 December, 2024 I 20 Jumada Al-Akhirah, 1446

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MEETING TO TAKE PLACE IN SPEAKER’S CHAMBER AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE AT 11:30AM TODAY

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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 167 I 8 Pages I Lahore Edition

PM SHEHBAZ FORMS COMMITTEE COMPRISING MEMBERS OF RULING COALITION FOR TALKS WITH OPPOSITION

BARRISTER GOHAR HOPES ALL ISSUES WILL BE RESOLVED IN SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME

oritised. “If Pakistan is there we are all there,” the statement noted. The PTI committee comprises Omar Ayub, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Ali Amin Gandapur, and Sahibzada Hamid Raza. This development comes after PTI

Chairman, Barrister Gohar, requested Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to mediate for negotiations between the government and PTI. The speaker’s efforts were acknowledged by the PM, who emphasised prioritising national security and public interest. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated, “Pakistan’s stability is vital for all of us. I appreciate the Speaker’s initiative and hope for constructive dialogue.” Barrister Gohar welcomes formation of govt’s committee Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar welcomed the formation of the government’s negotiation committee, expressing his hope that all issues will be resolved in the shortest possible time. In a statement, he said, “We welcome the government’s announcement of the committee, and it is a positive step. The negotiations between the government and PTI should be comprehensive and result-oriented.”

lowing the events of May 9. He affirmed that the judicial system will follow its own course, and there will be no relaxation under the guise of negotiations. “The cases of May 9 will reach their logical conclusion,” he said, stressing that any misunderstanding about a potential deal or amnesty was misplaced. Malik further highlighted that negotiations can only proceed once the terms of reference (TOR) are clearly defined. Meanwhile, Bilal Azhar Kayani,

Chairman of the National Parliamentary Task Force for Development Goals, expressed openness to talks with any political party, including PTI, on pressing national issues. Kayani stated that the government is always ready to engage in discussions aimed at eliminating terrorism and achieving economic stability. However, he made it clear that such talks will not lead to exemption from punishment for those involved in the May 9 incidents.

ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

PEAKER National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on convened the first meeting of the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) negotiation committees on Monday (tomorrow). Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has invited the members of both the committees to meet at 11:30am in his chamber at the Parliament House. The NA speaker also welcomed and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for formation of a committee to initiate negotiations with the opposition. He said the Prime Minister’s move to resolve issues through negotiations was commendable. The speaker emphasised that he has extended the invitation for dialogue in good faith to both the government and opposition, reassuring that the doors of his office would always be open for members. He further mentioned that progress can only be made through communication and dialogue. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on the suggestion of Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, formed a committee comprising members of the ruling coalition. The committee formed today included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the PM’s political aide Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, according to the statement issued by the Prime Minister House. It also includes PPP’s Raja Parvez Ashraf and Naveed Qamar, MQM-P leader Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Federal Minister for Privatisation Aleem Khan, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Sardar

Khalid Magsi, it added. It went on to state that PM Shehbaz formed a negotiation committee after accepting the recommendations of Sadiq, which he expressed appreciation for. He expressed hope that the country’s security and national interests will be pri-

PTI founder’s release not on agenda of ongoing talks: Aqeel JHELUM/ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Advisor to Prime Minister on Law and Justice, Barrister Aqeel Malik on Sunday emphasized that Imran Khan’s release will not be part of the agenda in ongoing talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Malik stated that it would be impossible for someone to first call for civil disobedience and then expect relief fol-

Naqvi, PM Shehbaz discuss security, political situation LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Raza Naqvi on Sunday called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to discuss crucial national issues. During the meeting that took place at the Prime Minster’s Model Town residence, the interior minister briefed the prime minister about the law and order situation in the country. The political situation of the country also came under discussion during the meeting. The discussion encompassed ongoing efforts to maintain peace and security across Pakistan. The leaders also exchanged views on the current political scenario, deliberating on its potential impact on national stability and governance. PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction with

the measures taken to ensure law and order, commending the interior ministry’s efforts in maintaining peace and security.

Terrorists, ‘facilitators, abettors and financiers’ to pay for anti-state designs: COAS

RAWALPINDI STAFF REPORT

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Sunday reaffirmed the armed forces commitment to pursuing Fitna Al Khwarij until they are eliminated along with their “facilitator, abettors and financier”, vowing they (terrorists) would “pay the price for their nefarious activities against the state,” according to the military’s media affairs wing. COAS Gen Syed Asim Munir reiterated the resolve during his visit to Wana, South Waziristan, on Sunday, said a statement issued by the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR). The Chief of Army Staff’s visit to Wana comes a day after sixteen soldiers were martyred while thwarting a terrorists attack on a checkpost in Makeen area of South

Waziristan district. During the visit, the COAS received a comprehensive briefing on the prevailing security landscape and ongoing counter-terrorism operations. On the occasion, COAS Gen Munir highlighted the “courage, resilience, and unyielding determination” of the armed forces and commended their “unwavering resilience and steadfastness in the face of terrorism”, the ISPR said. Interacting with officers and troops, the COAS commended their unwavering resilience and steadfastness in the face of terrorism, reaffirming the nation’s pride in their sacrifices. He emphasized that the martyrs (Shuhada) are the pride of Pakistan, and their sacrifices will never be forgotten. “With the resolute support of the nation, the Pakistan Army, in collaboration with law enforcement agen-

cies (LEAs), remains steadfast in its determination to eliminate terrorism and extremism in all its forms, ensuring the restoration of lasting peace and stability across the country, Insha’Allah”, the ISPR said. The Army Chief highlighted that the courage, resilience, and unyielding determination of Pakistan’s armed forces are the cornerstone of the nation’s sovereignty. He described the soldiers of the Armed Forces and LEAs as the true heroes of the nation, whose bravery and selfless dedication inspire the entire country. Earlier, upon his arrival in Wana, the COAS was received by the the Corps Commander Peshawar. Earlier this month, a total of 43 terrorists — 18 in KP and 25 in Balochistan — were killed by security forces during extensive operations conducted in the provinces since Dec 9, causing a “major setback” to the TTP and other terrorist groups operating in Balochistan. Pakistan has been grappling with a sharp uptick in the number of attacks targeting security forces and other law enforcement agencies, particularly in Balochistan and KP, after the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) broke a fragile ceasefire agreement with the government in 2022, According to the interior ministry, in the past 10 months, 948 out of 1,566 terrorism incidents reported occurred in KP, resulting in 583 deaths (out of a total of 924 martyrdom).

Lack of medical supplies in Parachinar left 50 children dead since road closure: officials PARACHINAR

STAFF REPORT

At least 50 children have died in Parachinar due to the recent shortage of medicines caused by the closure of roads leading to the city in the aftermath of armed violence between warring tribes last month in the restive Kurram tribal district, officials said. Thousands of people have been stranded in Parachinar because of clashes that have killed at least 130 people since last month. Residents have reported food and medicine shortages in parts of the Kurram district, which borders Afghanistan, as the government struggles to end a reignited feud between tribes stemming from decades-old tensions over farmland. Dr Zulfiqar Ali, a paediatrician at the DHQ Hospital in Parachinar, told Dawn.com today that 51 children in the city had died due to a “shortage of medicine”, adding that the situation was getting worse due to a lack of medical oxygen and heating apparatus. Philanthropist Faisal Edhi corroborated the figure, stating that more than 50 children had died in the hospitals in Parachinar due to a lack of treatment. Separately, at least 45 people in “critical condition” were moved to different hospitals in the provincial capital from Kurram via air ambulances over the past four days, Edhi Foundation official Saad Edhi said, adding that three dead were sent back to the conflict-ridden area. Saad said that while the Edhi Foundation would continue to provide its services in the region, the problems in the city were not solvable via an air ambulance.


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