Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder remains in jail
or not it has nothing to do with Pakistan’s progress Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said in an informal chat on the sidelines of the Munich security conference
The PTI s founder has a role if today s young generation is frustrated, Chairman People s Party Bilawal Bhutto said He said that the military, parliament and judiciary all belong to Pakistan We will not allow anyone to challenge the writ of the state, PPP leader added He said the democracy required generations to be strengthened and flourish he said “PTI’s founder has destroyed everything for his personal interest ” Bilawal alleged Now he has pinned hopes with Sharifs and other political parties PPP chairman said We are tackling various challenges, he said He said the people from the whole world have gathered at the artificial intelligence moot ongoing in France
“We are not ready for the digital age nor are we
working
ernment to provide training programmes to equip Pakistani youth with modern and relevant skills required by the Saudi job market, according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif s office Pakistan KSA vow to further strengthen economic ties Earlier, FinMin Muhammad Aurangzeb and his Saudi Arabia vowed to further strengthen economic ties for a shared future
During a high-level meeting between Finance Minister Aurangzeb and his Saudi counterpart Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan on the sidelines of the Emerging Markets Conference, they underscored the shared commitment to build bridges of economic cooperation and advance mutual prosperity
equipping our children and youth for this transformation, he said We have to prepare our children, youth and the economy for the modern age”
“We have faced challenges before and we have successfully tackled terrorism in the past We will not allow anyone to challenge the authority of the state he asserted Bilawal also emphasised the need for technological advancement and digital transformation, expressing concern that Pakistan is not adequately preparing its youth for the IT and digital era
R e u t e R s OpenAI on Friday rejected
unit, a decision Bilwani described as far below expectations Karachi consumers had been hoping for a more substantial relief especially since KE had requested a reduction of up to Rs4 98 per unit for November While any reduction is a positive step, the Rs1 23 per unit reduction falls far short of the anticipated relief, leaving behind an unaddressed benefit of Rs5 444 billion ” said Bilwani He added that despite the tariff being calculated at a reduction of Rs5 0029 per unit only a fraction of this benefit was passed on to K-Electric consumers He criticized Nepra for failing to protect consumer rights and ensure that the full benefit was transferred to the people
“Karachi’s consumers already struggling with high living and business costs are now being victimized by
this injustice Nepra which is supposed to safeguard consumer rights, has not lived up to its responsibilities, while KE continues to benefit from these unjustified delays ” Bilwani stated He also voiced concerns about the lack of transparency in the regulatory process stressing that Nepra s failure to enforce the full tariff reduction was highly troubling K-Electric s failure to provide the full benefit of Rs5 444 billion, which could have eased the financial burden on the people amounts to economic betrayal he remarked Bilwani urged both Nepra and KE to act quickly to ensure that the full benefit of tariff adjustments is passed to consumers without further delay He also called for greater accountability to protect consumer rights especially in the face of tough economic conditions
We demand that Nepra and KElectric correct this oversight and ensure future adjustments are transparent,
fair and directly benefit consumers
The business community and citizens of Karachi deserve better, and we will continue to fight for their rights,” he said Meanwhile Bilwani highlighted the dissenting opinion of Nepra Member (Tariff) Mathar Niaz Rana supported by Member (Technical) Rafiq Sheikh, who both opposed the limited relief granted to KE consumers Rana argued that the full benefit, amounting to a Rs5 0029 per unit reduction and a direct benefit of over Rs7 215 billion should have been passed on The KCCI fully supports Rana s dissenting view as it reflects the concerns of Karachi s business community and consumers, who are unfairly burdened,” Bilwani stated He also pointed out that Rs8 7 billion is still under consideration by Nepra with a final decision pending He criticized the delay in making a decision calling it unusual
Two Pakistani students in China praised for life -saving act
Two Pakistani students at Gannan Medical University in China Yousaf Khan and Muhammad Rafeeullah
Jawaad have been lauded for their courageous and benevolent action in saving the life of an elderly man who suffered a sudden medical emergency at a Shanghai railway station
According to a media report, the incident occurred in the early hours of February 7 at Shanghai Songjiang Railway Station Yousaf and Jawaad during their trip to Shanghai noticed an elderly man lying unconscious on the ground
Recognizing the urgency they immediately rushed to his aid Upon assessing the man, they found him unresponsive, with no breathing, a faint pulse, and cyanotic lips clear indicators of a lifethreatening condition
Without hesitation Yousaf began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and mouth-tomouth resuscitation while Jawaad assisted by monitoring the man s condition
After four rounds of CPR, the elderly man gradually regained consciousness and began
breathing again
The two students remained by his side ensuring his stability until an ambulance arrived to transport him to the hospital for further medical care
Their swift and professional response earned them widespread admiration from onlookers, police officers and medical personnel at the scene
Many praised their courage composure and medical expertise which proved critical in saving the man s life
Hailed from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Yousaf and Jawaad are pursuing their Bachelor s degrees in clinical medicine at Gannan Medical University in southern China
“The university’s focus on ethics and morality has always motivated us to do good deeds Our medical studies here have equipped us with the knowledge and skills to provide first aid and save lives in critical situations, Jawaad said
Yousaf, who performed CPR for the first time during the incident, expressed immense pride and joy at being able to save a life
Saving lives is the sacred duty of every doctor and
and efficiency concerns as the reason for the cuts, the move is expected to face resistance from affected employees and labour unions
Five people killed over old enmit y in Peshawar
dismissal of 2,500 to 2,600 daily wage employees by the government Protests will be held outside press clubs across the country with a major demonstration planned at the USC head office in Islamabad’s Blue Area at 2 PM Union leaders warned that a sit-in may take place in the federal capital and protests will continue until their demands for reinstatement are met The government has decided to lay off daily wage employees from utility stores across the country as part of its “rightsizing” policy, sources revealed on Saturday
The move which affects an estimated 2 500 to 2 600 workers was approved earlier by the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) board of directors
According to sources, directives for terminating employees have already been issued by the respective zonal offices, signalling the start of the downsizing process
The layoffs are in line with the government’s broader policy of rationalising the workforce and reducing expenses
The decision comes as part of ongoing restructuring efforts within the USC, which has been under financial strain While officials have cited economic challenges
The USC board had deliberated the matter in previous meetings ultimately concluding that reducing the number of daily wage staff was necessary to align with budgetary constraints and operational efficiency goals The government s rightsizing policy aims to streamline operations in state-run entities, potentially impacting other sectors in the future
It is pertinent to note that Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain recently clarified that the government has no plans to shut down utility stores but will instead restructure them
Responding to concerns raised in the National Assembly by PPP leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, he assured that the stores would continue operating though reforms were needed to enhance efficiency
The minister noted that utility stores were originally set up to provide affordable essential goods, but many were established in unnecessary locations due to political influence He acknowledged instances of political appointments within the organisation, which would be addressed during restructuring while assuring that regular employees jobs remained secure
It is worth noting that there were rumours that the government would discontinue subsidies on sugar wheat, and cooking oil
COMMENT
Fire still burns
IBOs show the insurgenc y is not yet under control
TH E martyrdom of three soldiers and the killing of 15 militants in two intelligence-based operations one in Dera Ghazi Khan district and the other in the ex-tribal district of North Waziristan, show that the flame of insurgency has not been uprooted in the area This is not for want of military effort as the area has been subjected to continuous military operations for over two decades including by a multi-division task force What may have been lacking, is an ideological component to the military force provided by the Army The Army escapes blame entirely because apart from its not being its job to provide that component, the job is that of the state and society from which all; militants, military and government; originate from It is not a matter of sending people into militant areas with loudspeakers shouting how great the society is The society must by example show the militants the kind of society they would live in once they put down their arms Pakistani society is such that militants already radicalized, are seen as representing the evil they are fighting against One consequence is that the militants will always have a supply of recruits, for its best recruiting agent turns out to be ‘the slings and arrows of outrageous Fortune’ cast by everyday society It is not enough to contain the militancy in one area The badlands of Waziristan flow naturally into Dera Ghazi Khan and thus into Sindh and Baluchistan These are all areas where the state has failed even on its own terms of development It is not enough for these areas to be thrown the bone of better job opportunities, but for the youth of the area to be given an alternative vision to that offered by the militants KP has got two different militant insurgencies to overcome, though it is possible to see that they may have the same origin It is also worth noting that the victim list of the Libyan boat tragedy had a larger number of names fairly screaming their origin in this area While militancy in North Waziristan may result from underdevelopment and the violence in Kurram because of sectarianism at the same time families are doing their best to send their children abroad, for at least an illegal immigrant is live, even if he does backbreaking labour for a paltry sum and is in perpetual fear of immigration authorities
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
and carcinogens directly linking environmental pollution to various cancers, including lung and skin cancer Unregulated use of tobacco products such as smoking, paan, and gutka has resulted in a very high prevalence of head and neck cancers especially in southern Pakistan Genetic predisposition is another significant factor In Pakistan a large number of marriages occur between close relatives due to cultural and societal norms This increases the likelihood of inherited genetic mutations, raising the incidence of certain cancers such as breast ovarian and colon cancer Despite increased efforts there still remains a widespread lack of awareness about cancer prevention, screening, and early detection Unfortunately, symptoms are often insidious Many patients are unaware of early signs, leading to delayed presentation to the physician, which in
MA C O M B Detroit Michigan-President Donald Trump accused the US bureaucracy of massive fraud waste and abuse citing an investigation led by Elon Musk that uncovered billions of dollars in misused funds He condemned judges for obstructing his reform agenda, calling their block on his $3 billion federal grant freeze “intolerable judicial interference ” Trump also charged the Pentagon with corruption and financial mismanagement referencing a 2023 audit that found $2 1 trillion unaccounted for He accused USAID of funneling billions into mainstream media as payoffs for pro-Democrat coverage, calling it “too big, too dirty” to ignore Further, he alleged USAID provided over $697 million to terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda Boko Haram and ISIS under the guise of aid and meddled in foreign elections by sending $15 million to Pakistan s Election Commission to manipulate the 2024 vote, as exposed by journalist Ryan Grim and others For the first time in US history, President Donald Trump is spearheading an unprecedented effort to uproot not only the entrenched bureaucracy but also the military federal institutions like USAID IRS Pentagon health agencies law enforcement CIA, and FBI, as well as the judiciary and the media Trump has positioned himself as the only leader who has truly recognized the deep-seated corruption, overregulation, and misuse of tax dollars by these institutions He asserts that federal agencies have participated in unauthorized commissions and omissions directed taxpayer funds towards inefficient projects and established a bureaucratic grip that hinders economic and financial liberty He argues that instead of fulfilling their duty to serve the public these institutions including judges bureaucrats politicians and the media have formed a corrupt nexus to amass wealth secure lavish perks and misuse their power This unchecked authority, rather than facilitating public welfare, has crippled economic activities through excessive regulations, leading to inflation, soaring unemployment, and an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis These institutional failures have not only burdened American citizens but also weakened the USA s global leadership in military power economic
turn results in diagnosis at an advanced stage, significantly affecting outcomes and survival Inadequate healthcare infrastructure is a major factor impacting cancer patients Limited access to healthcare services a shortage of medical professionals, and an insufficient number of specialised cancer treatment centres particularly in rural areas severely restrict patients from receiving timely and effective care Many face long waiting times missed or delayed diagnoses and limited access to essential treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy The lack of accessibility and affordability forces a significant portion of the population to either forgo treatment or rely on alternative, often ineffective, methods, resulting in untimely and preventable deaths In light of this situation a critical question arises: How do we change this for ourselves and future generations? The answer lies in increasing public awareness about cancer its symptoms and the importance of early detection National awareness and counselling campaigns, particularly in rural areas, are essential for educating communities about the health risks associated with consanguineous marriages and promoting lifestyle choices that reduce cancer risk
dominance trade and investment Once regarded as the world s strongest economy the USA now faces the reality of losing its competitive edge to rising powers like China, the Middle Eastern economic hubs, and industrial giants in South Korea, Japan, and Europe While these nations are constructing advanced infrastructure such as highways airports and ports the infrastructure in the USA is rapidly deteriorating
A firsthand experience of this decline can be seen in Michigan, where our family arrived in September 2024, only to find crumbling roads, broken highways, and entire neighborhoods like Hamtramck in Detroit worse than many underdeveloped countries
Even major airports and subways in cities like New York which should symbolize US progress are far inferior to those in rising global economic centres
This visible decay has become a symbol of how mismanagement and corruption have weakened the country from within
President Donald Trump has laid out a powerful argument against the unchecked power of the judiciary questioning how an unelected taxpayer-funded judge can override the orders of a democratically elected president He argues that this authority is often motivated by self-interest protecting judicial power, safeguarding the bureaucracy, and maintaining strong ties with economic and political elites
Trump has rightly argued that if an unelected judge holds the power to veto presidential orders it raises serious doubts about the integrity of the democratic system A president chosen by the people to enact policies in the public interest should not have their authority unilaterally obstructed by an appointed judge Such interference, he contends, undermines the very foundation of democracy, shifting power away from the electorate and into the hands of unaccountable judicial figures
His assertion is rooted in logic: either power must rest with the elected representatives of the people or the current system is nothing more than an illusion of democracy, controlled by an entrenched elite that serves itself rather than the nation
The very foundation of American democracy is now facing an unprecedented challenge Instead of functioning as a government of by and for the people the US system has become a battleground where institutions operate with separate mandates and self-serving agendas, often at odds with the will of the public
The bureaucracy both civil and military along with the judiciary, has consolidated power to
Early screenings, timely detection, and prompt treatment are indispensable for improving survival rates and reducing the burden of advanced-stage cancers Diagnostic tools such as mammography for breast cancer colonoscopy for colorectal cancer, and Pap smear for cervical cancer offer effective ways to detect malignancies Proactive measures not only improve treatment success rates but also alleviate the strain on health systems dealing with advanced cases Institutions such as The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) have stepped up to address this challenge through awareness campaigns, community outreach programmes, and education initiatives These efforts empower individuals to prioritise early detection, which can significantly improve health outcomes and reduce the rate of untimely deaths However this is a battle that no institution can fight alone Collaborative efforts increased access to healthcare, and a sustained commitment to awareness are essential for creating a healthier future for generations to come
The writer is a Clinical Associate Professor and Section Head Medical Oncology AKUH
Globally, the economic impact of cancer is staggering, exceeding $1.16 trillion annually in direct healthcare costs and lost productivity. To reduce costs and effectively monitor and address this widespread phenomenon, the World Health OrganizationÊs International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has emphasised the urgent need for enhanced prevention, services, and research to tackle this escalating crisis
The arms trade
Secure housing for women
Dr munira moosajee
Tr ying to shore up crumbling walls
The essential role of libraries in rural areas
By extending its ser vices to rural areas, the government can help balance population distribution and reduce urban overcrowding Libraries in rural areas are not just buildings with books They are true centres of knowledg e for the empowerment and progress of the rural public Rural areas are the backbone of our nation; neglecting them will not only create challeng es for the government but also widen the digital divide between urban and rural communities It is the governmentÊs responsibility to invest in and develop libraries and educational institutions in rural areas. Ensuring the sustainability and expansion of rural libraries can significantly contribute to reducing inequalities and providing inclusive development.
Can Trump make China stop buying Iranian oil?
It remains to be seen whether B eijing’s foreign polic y is independent enough to resist intensified US pressure
i
proach is generally inconsistent with Trump s style Contrary to these figures and institutions, Hamed Vafayi, a China expert and renowned professor at the University of Tehran believes the notion that China would significantly decrease its oil purchases from Iran stems from a misunderstanding that sees Washington and Beijing s foreign policy approaches in the same light He argues, “Looking at China’s foreign policy, we see that Beijing does not allow a third country to influence its bilateral ties Citing South and North Korea as an example he explains China is the biggest economic partner of both Seoul and Pyongyang, despite the ongoing state of war between them Iran and Saudi Arabia are also strong examples Despite their regional rivalry China is the biggest economic partner to both countries and even brokered a rapprochement between Tehran and Riyadh in 2023, he said, adding that this approach stands in stark contrast to that of Washington which tends to put countries in distinct blocs
Renewed threats could still affect Iran s oil sales to China to some extent as private Chinese companies may be susceptible to intimidation, Vafayi admitted However, any resulting decline in trade would likely be temporary as has been the case in the past according to economic analyst
Majid Shakeri Since the so-called maximum pressure campaign began in 2018, there have been two distinct periods when the U S attempted to restrict Iran’s oil supply to China,”
Shakeri explained “In both cases sales decreased temporarily but they regained momentum even without Washington easing the pressure He argued that these efforts have been unsuccessful because the U S is trying to block a natural phenomenon: the world’s second-largest holder of oil reserves selling crude to the world’s largest consumer Moreover China will try to resist U S pressure due to the potential political and geopolitical consequences of replacing Iran as an oil supplier The substitutes for the approximately 15 percent of China’s oil consumption reportedly sourced from Iran are either the U S its closely allied and controlled Arab states or Russia all of which already sell oil to Beijing, Shakeri stated In either case, Beijing is unwilling to risk increased dependence China prioritizes diversifying its energy sources Purchasing oil from the American group could allow the U S to gain a pressure tool
Horrific details of July massacre
UN
WE welcome the long-awaited release of the fact-finding report of the United Nations Human Rights Office about the crimes and abuses committed by the Awami League government during the July-August uprising And as expected it provides conclusive proof of the systematic brutalities inflicted upon protesters as well as Sheikh Hasina s role in orchestrating them This should put to rest any lingering attempts domestic or international to distort, downplay, or whitewash the atrocities the regime carried out in a desperate bid to retain power The facts are now indisputable so the path to justice should be clearer than ever before In its 114-page report the UN based on testimonies from senior security officials, confirms that Hasina herself ordered security forces to kill protesters On July 19, she explicitly instructed them to “arrest the ringleaders of the protests the troublemakers kill
them and hide their bodies ” Her trusted lieutenant then-home minister Asaduzzaman Khan reinforced this directive in meetings with top security officials ordering the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to use lethal force These instructions and consequent measures paved the path for the killing of as many as 1,400 people including many children in what the UN describes as “crimes against humanity ” Other findings of the report are equally chilling It states that protesters were shot at pointblank range and killed It identifies the integrated role of at least seven security forces, including the Army, BGB, and RAB, as well as ruling party activists, who coordinated to arbitrarily harass arrest torture and even execute protesters The details provided by the report about these developments and the roles played by both security and intelligence agencies, are shocking The report also sheds light on the sexual violence committed against women protesters as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent It reveals that officers also obstructed medical care for injured protesters intimidating doctors and pressuring them to falsify medical reports or deny treatment to
victims Forensic pathologists were forced to misclassify causes of death erasing proof of extrajudicial killings There were also frequent internet blackouts to disrupt protesters ability to organise Following the unveiling of the report, the UN rights chief has rightly called for additional criminal investigations to determine the full extent of these violations For now it is only appropriate that the ongoing trials of for-
TEHRAN TIMES
Abid HussAin
RUBIO DISCUSSES GA Z A TRUCE WITH NETANYAHU ON FIRST LEG OF MIDEAST TOUR
Israel receives heav y shipment of MK-84 bombs from US
Trump administration fires 20 immigration judges amid major govt cuts
backlog However during the Trump administration s first term, the administration had also pressured judges to expedite case decisions In addition to the firing of immigration judges the Trump administration recently replaced five senior court officials including Mary Cheng the acting director of the agency Sirce Owen the current head of the agency, has issued a
of
deciding asylum cases The move to fire judges comes amid increasing bipartisan calls for more judges and staff to help alleviate the
The firings are seen as part of two
priorities
18 dead in New Delhi stampede to catch trains to Kumbh Mela
tims was seven years old and the oldest 79, according to
trains to the Kumbh Mela, officials and reports said The Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering attracts tens of millions of Hindu faithful every 12 years to the northern city of Prayagraj and has a history of crowd-related disasters including one last month when at least 30 people died in another stampede at the holy confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers The stampede occurred at about 8pm (7:30 PKT) on Saturday on two platforms where passengers were waiting to board trains to Prayagraj city, where the Kumbh Mela is taking place, media reports said “I can confirm 15 deaths at the hospital They don t have any open injury Most (likely died from) hypoxia or maybe some blunt injury but that would only be confirmed after an autopsy ” Dr Ritu Saxena deputy medical superintendent of Lok Nayak Hospital in New Delhi told AFP There are also 11 others who are injured Most of them are stable and have orthopaedic injuries ” she said Broadcaster NDTV reported three more dead from the stampede quoting an official of another hospital in the city The death toll included five children media reports said citing the Press Trust of India news agency The youngest of the vic-
urged the
on
expedite implementation of its approved Rs956 billion development budget, emphasized that the PPP has been ruling Sindh for the past 16 years, not the PML-N “Almost 90% of Punjab’s development projects are being funded and completed using the province s resources Azma Bokhari said while commenting on the yesterday s road accidents in Sehwan
The Punjab information minister alleged the Sindh government is trying to shift the blame onto the federal government saying with the fiscal year nearing its end the Sindh Chief Minister has yet to develop roads, streets, and highways in his constituency Every day, dumper trucks claim innocent lives in Karachi should that also be blamed on the federal government?
She posed a question
She asked the Sindh Chief Minister to properly brief his 100 newly-appointed spokespersons on
ground realities instead of engaging in baseless rhetoric
Responding to statements from Sindh government representatives Bokhari remarked that Maryam Nawaz has completed dozens of major road projects in Punjab using provincial resources, while 90% of Punjab’s development projects are funded independently
She also dismissed Sindh’s claims of financial neglect stating that the federal government allocates funds to Sindh annually as per standard procedures She questioned the relevance of family relationships in governance, saying, “What do family ties have to do with federalprovincial matters and why are they being used as a reference?
Azma Bokhari further said If Sindh cannot even construct roads despite receiving billions in funds, then frankly, there is no hope for them ” She remarked that inexperienced spokespersons merely parrot pre-written statements without understanding the facts She concluded When real work speaks for itself, there is no need for an army of spokespersons Good gover-
nance and development projects are visible to everyone just as Maryam Nawaz’s work speaks for itself Murad Ali Shah remains the only Chief Minister who needs federal intervention to get projects completed in his constituency Azma Bokhari greets newlyelected PUJ Leadership Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari extended her heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the newlyelected office-bearers of the Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) She conveyed her good wishes to PUJ President Naeem Hanif, Secretary Qamar Bhatti and the newly elected Executive Council On the occasion the provincial minister emphasized that the media is a vital pillar of the state She highlighted that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz holds profound respect for journalists, and under her leadership Punjab’s press clubs have received historic grants for the first time The Punjab government remains committed to addressing journalists concerns on a priority basis
KP TO SEND T WO DELEGATIONS TO AFGHANISTAN AS PART OF TRIBAL DIPLOMACY, CEMENTING ECONOMIC TIES
Akash Ansari s foster son and driver in the investigation on the basis of suspicion that his death may not have been accidental, officials confirmed on Sunday Renowned Sindhi poet Allah Bux popularly known as Dr Akash Ansari 69 died when a fire erupted in his house located in Citizen Colony, Hyderabad His cousin Jan Mohammad Ansari revealed that the deceased poet had previously filed a First Information Report (FIR) against his foster son Latif Akash accusing him of attempted murder He further alleged that his son was a drug addict and had made threats to Akash’s life The family is considering legal action following consultations Meanwhile Akash s friend Dr Ilmuddin Ansari said that the postmortem examination was conducted due to suspicions of foul play He added that the report showed signs of torture on the body Police have taken both the suspects into custody as investigations
continue Latif, after the incident came to light on Saturday, had claimed that Akash was asleep when a fire broke out in his room at around 8:30am The deceased s family members took his body to Badin for burial but at the request of the authorities, the poet s body was brought to the Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad for an autopsy Later police expressed the possibility of a short circuit that may have caused the fire They further said that his son was at home
party and its leadership from the people would be countered He accused the government of instilling fear among the public by issuing such statements after political gatherings KARACHI
S TA F F R E P O R T
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon has accused the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) of attempting to incite riots in Karachi by exploiting recent incidents Reacting to a press conference by MQM-Pakistan leader Dr Farooq Sattar, Memon said on Sunday, “Farooq Sattar and other MQM leaders must understand
that making baseless accusations will not elevate their stature For decades the people of Karachi suffered under MQM s coercive and violent politics He alleged that MQM unable to assert dominance through intimidation, was now trying to provoke unrest MQM has always used tragedies for political gain Farooq Sattar ’s statements are based on lies, hypocrisy and baseless allegations ” he said The minister criticised Sattar for accusing the Pakistan People s Party (PPP) and the Sindh government urging him to reflect on MQM s past Those blaming the Sindh government were themselves responsible for destroying the city s peace and progress Ethnic riots, extortion, and targeted killings were MQM’s trademarks,” he added Memon defended the recent arrest of MQMHaqiqi leader Afaq Ahmed saying it was lawful No one is above the law MQM should stop shedding crocodile tears While the Sindh government is working to solve public issues, MQM is busy spreading chaos, he stated He also accused MQM of fuelling ethnic tensions “For years MQM has been the one sowing discord between Pashtuns and Urdu-speaking communities The public knows who the real instigators are Memon asserted
Atta Tarar stresses impar ting religious education on modern lines
