KHUZDAR, FEB 14: Tremors were felt in Khuzdar on Saturday, causing alarm among residents.

According to the Seismological Centre, the earthquake measured 3.4 on the Richter scale. Officials said the quake struck at a depth of 15 kilometres. Its epicentre lay 83 kilometres north-east of Khuzdar.

Initial reports said no loss of life or property had been reported. However, panic spread among citizens, who stepped out of their homes reciting the Kalima Tayyaba.

First-Ever National Parliamentary Dialogue Calls for Coordinated Action Against Terrorism

Islamabad: /DNA/- Pakistan on Thursday concluded its first-ever National Parliamentary Dialogue on Enhancing Parliamentary Engagement and Institutional Capacities for Counter Terrorism (CT), Countering Terrorist Financing (CFT), and Countering Violent Extremism (CVE), with participants calling for sustained and coordinated action by federal and provincial governments and legislatures.

The two-day dialogue, held in Islamabad, culminated in the unanimous adoption of a comprehensive resolution aimed at strengthening parliamentary oversight, institutionalised inter-agency coordination, and long-term investment in legal and operational capacities to address evolving security challenges.

The landmark dialogue, jointly organised by the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) and the British High Commission, brought together parliamentarians, government officials, law enforcement representatives, academia and civil society actors on a single platform to collectively assess emerging security challenges and propose actionable policy responses.

Delegates unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the establishment of dedicated parliamentary committees on Counter Terrorism (CT), Countering Terrorist Financing (CFT), and Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) marking a significant shift toward institutionalised democratic oversight and engagement.

Speakers at the inaugural session reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, while underscoring the importance of democratic oversight, whole-of-government approach, and community engagement in consolidating hard-won security gains.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, addressing the opening session, emphasised the need for unity and collective responsibility.

“Terrorism remains a shared national challenge. Unity between federal and provincial governments is not optional it is essential,” he stated.

“Parliament must lead and engage the communities in our fight against terrorism.”

National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), Jawad Ahmed Dogar, noted that while Pakistan has developed a robust legal and operational framework, emerging and increasingly complex threats require closer inter-agency cooperation and enhanced institutional capacities.

Representing the British High Commission, Alasdair Grant, Counsellor for Security and Justice, acknowledged Pakistan’s significant progress in counterterrorism and countering terrorist financing efforts, and reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s continued support.

“The UK remains committed to strengthening Pakistan’s counterterrorism framework through cooperation, capacity building, and institutional partnerships,” he said.

SSDO Executive Director Syed Kausar Abbas highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between policy formulation and implementation.

“Collective action involving parliament, state institutions, and civil society is not merely desirable it is indispensable,” he remarked.

“Strengthened parliamentary engagement and institutional coordination are key to effectively countering terrorism, terrorist financing, and violent extremism.”

Panel discussions during the dialogue focused on strengthening parliamentary oversight and engagement mechanisms. Participants observed that although legislative frameworks exist, parliamentary committees at both federal and provincial levels require enhanced technical support, regular access to security briefings, and clearly defined mandates to ensure effective scrutiny of CT, CFT, and CVE policies and budgets.

Speakers stressed that oversight mechanisms must be institutionalised rather than dependent on individual leadership or informal practices. The parliamentarians and other stakeholders needs to support the law enforcement agencies to create out reach and awareness among the local communities to ensure the effective community engagement and community intelligence.

The dialogue concluded with the adoption of a seven-point resolution calling for:

•          Establishment of dedicated parliamentary committees on CT, CFT, and CVE

•          Institutionalised inter-agency coordination frameworks

•          Updating legal frameworks and fast-track prosecutorial efforts while ensuring fair trial

•          Sustained investment in capacity building through training and resource allocation

•          Constituency level engagement through parliamentarians to engage the local stakeholders and communities

The resolution further urged tighter regulation of digital and informal financial channels, improved federal–provincial policy harmonisation, mainstreaming of CVE and prevention strategies into national and provincial development and security plans, and enhanced transparency through periodic public reporting and constructive engagement with civil society and media.

Participants called upon parliamentarians to formally transmit the resolution to the federal and provincial governments, Parliament, and provincial assemblies for consideration and follow-up.

At the concluding session, Barrister Aqeel Malik, Minister of State for Law and Justice, praised SSDO and the British High Commission for convening key stakeholders on a common platform.

“This dialogue marks a transformative step toward inclusive, constitutionally grounded action against terrorism,” he stated.

“The government remains committed to coordinated and democratic approaches to ensure peace, stability, and the rule of law.”

ISLAMABAD, FEB 14: /DNA/ – A delegation of trader leaders, led by Secretary General of the United Business Group (UBG) Zafar Bakhtawari, met with Chaudhry Yaser Sultan, Minister for Physical Planning and Housing of the Government of Azad Kashmir, at Kashmir House and expressed their heartfelt condolences and sorrow over the demise of his father, President of Azad Kashmir Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry.

The delegation included Yusuf Rajput, President of Blue Area; former Vice President Nasir Chaudhry; Ishaq Sial, Executive Member of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and former Vice President Nisar Mirza.

The delegation offered Fateha for the eternal peace of the departed soul and expressed sympathy with the bereaved family. On the occasion, Zafar Bakhtawari said that Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry was a strong and dignified name in the politics of Azad Kashmir who always raised his voice for the rights of the Kashmiri people. He said that the services and struggle of the late leader would be remembered in golden words in history, and that his political insight and role in promoting democratic traditions were unforgettable.

The delegation prayed that Allah Almighty may grant the departed soul the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous and bestow patience and fortitude upon the bereaved family to bear this great loss.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 14: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Saturday assured that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s ailing founder Imran Khan’s further checkup and treatment will be done at a “specialised medical facility by eye specialists”.

Taking to his X handle, the information minister said that a detailed report thereof will also be submitted in the Supreme Court.

“Conjecture, speculations and efforts to turn this into political rhetoric and mileage for vested interests may please be avoided,” he added.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 14 /DNA/ – President Asif Ali Zardari has extended Spring Festival greetings and best wishes to the Chinese people on behalf of the Pakistani people before the upcoming Chinese New Year.

“Happy New Year!” he said in Chinese in a recent interview with the Chinese media at the President’s Secretariat in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.

He hoped that the two countries would further strengthen cooperation in various fields and pass on the Pakistan-China friendship from generation to generation.

Zardari pointed out that there is great potential for people-to-people and cultural exchanges between Pakistan and China. He hoped that more Pakistani films could be released in China in the future and looked forward to more excellent works jointly produced by Pakistani and Chinese artists for audiences of both countries.

Zardari also emphasized that young people represent the future of Pakistan-China bilateral relations and was delighted to see more student exchange programs between the two countries.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 14: Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking suspension of the sentence awarded in the Toshakhana-2 case and his release on bail on medical and humanitarian grounds.

Filed through Barrister Salman Safdar and Salman Akram Raja, the 73-year-old incarcerated PTI founder requested the court to suspend the sentence and grant bail.

In December last year, a special court sentenced Imran and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 17 years’ imprisonment each in the Toshakhana-2 case involving the under-priced purchase and eventual sale of luxury state gifts.

Moreover, a separate application has also been moved requesting an early hearing of a plea seeking suspension of the sentence in the high-profile Al-Qadir Trust case or the £190 million scam.

“…the petitioner [Imran] is afflicted with a serious ailment of his right eye,” the miscellaneous application read and added, “the Petitioner has [an] exceptionally strong case for the suspension of the sentence on merits of the case as well as on medical grounds that recently surfaced during a hearing before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan.”

The counsel maintained that the PTI founder’s right eye has been severely damaged due to a blood clot, leaving him “with only 15% vision in his right eye”.

“Medical complication is of such gravity and seriousness that the same cannot be treated inside the jail premises,” the application read.

According to the application, the petitioner’s conviction in the Toshakhana-2 case forms part of an “ongoing campaign of political victimisation”.

It contended that since his removal from office, Imran and his spouse have faced multiple prosecutions across various jurisdictions, reflecting what it describes as a “relentless and targeted pattern of legal action”.

The plea further alleged that investigative agencies — including the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) — have been used as political tools by opponents to pursue “politically motivated cases”.

“Investigative Agencies, including NAB, FIA, ECP and others have been visibly manipulated as a political tool by the petitioner’s political opponents, with their resources repeatedly used to settle political scores,” the application added.

Toshakhana-2 case
The investigation into the Toshakhana-2 case — involving the acquisition of an expensive Bulgari jewellery set at a nominal price — was initiated by the NAB, with the corruption watchdog arresting the PTI founder and his wife in July 2024. The couple remained in NAB’s custody at Adiala Jail for 37 days.

After completion of the investigation, NAB filed a reference in the Toshakhana-2 case before an accountability court in August. Following the Supreme Court’s decision restoring the NAB amendments, the case was transferred to the FIA Anti-Corruption Court.

After conducting 80 hearings at Adiala jail, Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand found the couple guilty of two charges. According to the judgement, Imran and Bushra were jailed for 10 years each under sections 34 and 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code and an additional seven years’ imprisonment each under section 5 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) 1947.

They were also fined a total of Rs16.4 million. The judgement read that the court, while passing the sentences, considered Imran’s old age and the fact that Bushra Bibi is a woman.