ISLAMABAD, NOV 17: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday that the digitisation and modernisation of the Pakistan Railways and the provision of state-of-the-art facilities would play a key role in strengthening the national economy.

The prime minister expressed these views while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the new Shalimar Express and the newly upgraded waiting rooms and CIP lounges at Karachi Cantt Railway Station.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

The prime minister said that soon after assuming office, Abbasi worked diligently to modernise the railway system. After revamping Lahore Railway Station, Karachi Cantt Station has also been upgraded with contemporary facilities.

He said that all railway stations in the province would be modernised in coordination with the Sindh government to ensure better travel facilities for the passengers.

He said like Sindh and Punjab, such coordination with the governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan should be evolved, which would ultimate make the Pakistan Railways the best transport system of this region.

PM Shehbaz said the railways freight system is also being organised, while the federal and Sindh governments have a partnership to provide transportation for Thar coal, with both governments investing 50% each in the project.

He assured that all required funds would be released in this regard so that the set targets of the projects could be achieved.

The premier said the Shalimar Express running between Karachi and Lahore has been converted into a new, upgraded train. He described Karachi as not only the economic hub but also “the heart of Pakistan”.

He reiterated that cooperation with the provincial governments of Punjab, Sindh, KP, and Balochistan would continue to ensure modernisation across the railway network and help stabilise the economy.

The prime minister praised Abbasi’s leadership, calling him the “hero of today’s ceremony”, and congratulated him for transforming the outdated railway system.

He said the federal government would work with all provinces to extend the railway network to Central Asia, specifically highlighting the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway line project.

He also emphasised reviving the Islamabad–Tehran-Istanbul rail route, which would boost our economy to the heights.

The prime minister noted that Abbasi has initiated discussions with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a $2 billion loan to further upgrade Pakistan Railways’ line from Karachi to Rohri, and that it would ultimately be connected to the Reko Diq project.

Responding to CM Shah’s request to include the KCR project in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the prime minister assured full cooperation, calling it a vital initiative.

He said he had flagged the KCR project at every international forum and we would jointly revive it as this project was inevitable for the people of Karachi. He hoped this project would soon become a reality.

The prime minister said that 54 railway stations have already been modernised, and once all stations — big or small — are upgraded, he would recommend a presidential award for the railways minister.

Earlier, Minister Abbasi said that under the prime minister’s guidance, significant improvements were achieved in just eight months, including the modernisation of Karachi Cantt Station and the renewal of the Shalimar Express.

He added that Rs1 billion is being spent on upgrading Rohri Station, while work is also underway at Karachi City Station.

The prime minister said that 14 trains are being outsourced under government policy, and railway hospitals and schools are also being given to private administration, while ensuring full protection for railway employees. Work on the ML-1 project is also progressing, he added.

The Sindh chief minister reaffirmed full cooperation from the provincial government for the improvement of the railways.

Earlier, the prime minister inaugurated the new Shalimar Express at Karachi Cantt Station by cutting the ribbon and unveiling the plaque, as well as inspecting the modernisation and digitisation works.

He visited the upgraded waiting area, CIP lounge, state-of-the-art dining hall and computerised ticketing system, accompanied by federal ministers, senior railway officials, and the Railways IG.

The ceremony was also attended by foreign diplomats and parliament members, senior officers from the federal as well as provincial governments.

DHAKA, NOV 17: Bangladesh on Monday demanded India extradite ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, hours after she was sentenced to hang for crimes against humanity.

On Monday a court in Dhaka sentenced Hasina as well as former interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in absentia, after being found guilty of crimes against humanity over a deadly crackdown against last year’s student-led uprising.

The former minister’s whereabouts are not known, but Bangladesh says he is also in India.

“We urge the government of India to immediately extradite the two convicts to the Bangladeshi authorities,” Dhaka’s foreign ministry said in a statement, saying it was “an obligatory responsibility for India”.

Bangladesh warned that “granting asylum to these convicts… would be extremely unfriendly and an affront to justice.”

India’s foreign ministry said that it had “noted the verdict” of Hasina.

“India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability,” the ministry said in a statement that does not directly address the issue of potential extradition.

Hasina’s 15-year tenure saw widespread human rights abuses, including the mass detention and extrajudicial killings of her political opponents.

Bangladesh last year said it would request an Interpol red notice for Hasina, but there was no record on the global police body alert law enforcement list.

Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus welcomed the verdict.

“The awarding of death sentences to Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in the crimes against humanity case is a historic verdict,” the Nobel Peace Prize winner said in a statement.

He called for calm and warned against any “attempt to violate public order”, urging “everyone to refrain from any indisciplined acts”.

Hasina’s son and adviser, Sajeeb Wazed, told Reuters on the eve of the verdict that they would not appeal unless a democratically elected government took office with the Awami League’s participation.

During the trial, prosecutors told the court that they had uncovered evidence of her direct command to use lethal force to suppress a student-led uprising in July and August 2024.

According to a United Nations report, up to 1,400 people may have been killed during the protests between July 15 and August 5, 2024, with thousands more injured — most of them by gunfire from security forces

Hasina was represented by a state-appointed defence counsel who told the court that the charges against her were baseless and pleaded for her acquittal.

Ahead of the verdict, Hasina dismissed the accusations and the fairness of the Tribunal proceedings, asserting a guilty verdict was “a foregone conclusion.”

Bangladesh has been tense ahead of the verdict, with at least 30 crude bomb explosions and 26 vehicles torched across the country over the past few days. There have been no casualties, however.

‘Politically motivated’

Hasina, 78, who has remained in India since she was overthrown in August 2024, challenged the legitimacy of the Tribunal in an email interview with Reuters last month.

“These proceedings are a politically motivated charade,” she said. “They have been brought by kangaroo courts, with guilty verdicts a foregone conclusion. They are presided over by an unelected government which consists of my political opponents.”

She also said she was denied adequate notice of the hearings and any meaningful opportunity to mount a defence, adding that she was not personally involved in the use of lethal force or other alleged crimes.

The Muslim-majority South Asian country of 170 million people has been governed by an interim administration headed by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus since Hasina fled. Although the country has been largely peaceful since, political stability is yet to return.

In the Reuters interview, Hasina warned of growing anger among supporters of the Awami League and said that millions of party loyalists would boycott the parliamentary elections in February.

On Monday, security remained tight across Dhaka and other major cities, with paramilitary forces deployed around key government buildings and the tribunal complex.

Authorities said they were prepared for any trouble after the verdict.

MUZAFFARABAD, NOV 17: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Monday voted to remove Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq from his post, replacing him with Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Raja Faisal Rathore.

PPP’s candidate for the premier’s slot, Rathore, received 36 votes, with two against.

Overall, Rathore is the 16th AJK PM and the fourth of the current assembly. Those who have served in the top post during the incumbent assembly’s tenure, apart from Haq, include Abdul Qayyum Khan and Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan.

Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar presided over Monday’s session, attended by lawmakers of the PPP, PML-N, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, including Leader of the Opposition, Khawaja Farooq Ahmad.

Strict security measures were put in place at the Assembly Secretariat, Ministers’ Block, and Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

Speaking on the floor of the assembly, PM Haq said that no single individual could be held solely responsible for the “destruction of the constitution and administrative system,” noting that members of his cabinet also share responsibility for governance outcomes.

Haq said he was placing his remarks on record, expressing gratitude to the assembly that “gave him political life.”

He said that no formula for the division of Kashmir could succeed under his leadership and described signing off on ending reserved seats for refugees as “political death.”

The political system could only survive, he said, if the region’s borders are protected. “Without Pakistan’s armed forces, nothing will remain.”

On recent political developments, Haq said that he would have supported Rathore for the prime minister’s post had the elections been held.

“I was once asked to dissolve the assembly by February 15 this year, but I refused to do so,” he added.

The PPP had moved to consolidate its government in the autonomous region shortly after President Asif Ali Zardari revealed the political strategy last month.

The party bolstered its strength in the Legislative Assembly when 10 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers joined the PPP on October 26 during a meeting with President Zardari’s sister, Faryal Talpur, at Zardari House in Islamabad.

Among those who joined the PPP were Muhammad Hussain, Chaudhry Yasir, Chaudhry Muhammad Akhlaq, Chaudhry Arshad, Chaudhry Muhammad Rasheed, Zafar Iqbal Malik, Faheem Akhtar Rabbani, Abdul Majid Khan, Muhammad Akbar Ibrahim, and Asim Sharif Butt.

Later, the PML-N also tendered its support for the no-confidence motion, but decided against joining the government’s fold.

RAWALPINDI, NOV 17 /DNA/ – During the hearing of the case related to the November protest registered at Sadiqabad Police Station in the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi, the court took stern action against the continuous absence of accused Aleema Khanum by reissuing non-bailable warrants against her for the second time. The court also summoned Aleema Khanum’s property records from the Punjab Board of Revenue.

According to the details, the report, which has been submitted in the court here on Monday, revealed that 338 kanals (42 acres approx) of land is registered in Aleema Khanum’s name across four districts. Additionally, directives were issued to freeze her 15 more bank accounts.

Three accused appeared in person and seven through their pleaders, while the prosecution witnesses and team were fully present in the court during the case hearing presided by ATC Judge Amjad Shah.

The court summoned details of Alima Khanum’s properties to take further action against her, so that if the absence continues, she can be declared a proclaimed offender and her properties can be confiscated.

According to the Board of Revenue report, the properties registered in Aleema Khanum’s name include 51 kanals and 16 marlas in Bhakkar, 1 kanal and 4 marlas in Lahore, and 1 kanal and 1 marla (Mauza Nurpur Kamboh, Tehsil Lahore Cantonment), 64 kanals and 14 marlas in Mauza Sultan, Tehsil Raiwind, 217 kanals and 5 marlas in Mianwali, and 4 kanals and 13 marlas in Sheikhupura.

The court issued directives to freeze 7 more accounts of her in Allied Bank Limited and 15 accounts of United Bank Limited under financial measures, making the total to 37 frozen accounts.

The absence of the reply by the CDA Chairman and the Commissioner Islamabad, even after a reminder issued first and then a contempt of court notice, was reported to the court. With no response from both sides’ representatives, the court issued non-bailable warrants against them and directed the IG Islamabad to execute them immediately.

Moreover, one surety related to vehicles appeared in the court, while non-bailable warrants have been reissued against the two other sureties who have not yet been arrested.

The court adjourned the hearing until November 20.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 17 /DNA/ – Dr Waqar Masood Khan was remembered as a figure of unwavering integrity, intellectual depth, and faith-driven service, an economist and public official whose moral strength and clarity of thought guided national policymaking for decades.

His colleagues, peers, and family members reflected on a life marked by humility, wisdom, and national commitment during a condolence reference held at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad.

The reflections were shared by Khalid Rahman, chairman, IPS, Amb (r) Syed Abrar Hussain, vice chairman, IPS, Prof Dr Atiquzzafar Khan, former dean, Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities, Riphah International University, Dr Syed Tahir Hijazi, former federal secretary, and member IPS National Advisory Council (NAC), Dr Tahir Mansoori, former DG, Shariah Academy, IIUI, Syed Irtiqa Ahmed Zaidi, a retired civil servant, Wahaj us Siraj, CEO Nayatel and member IPS BoG, Dr Ashfaque Hassan Khan, principal, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, NUST, Noman Ishtiaq, consultant UNDP, Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, former chairman, HEC, and member IPS NAC, Bakhtiar Ahmad, former member, FBR, Dr Ijaz Shafi Gilani, founder Gallup Pakistan, Mirza Hamid Hassan, former federal secretary, water and power, and member IPS NAC, and Dr Habib ur Rehman Asim, chairperson, Iqbal Chair at Bahria University and member Quran House. His sons, Mehmood Masood Khan and Abdul Rahman Masood Khan, and his daughter, Rafiya Hameedah, also shared their memories and reflections.

The gathering served as a heartfelt tribute to a man widely respected for his integrity, intellect, and lifelong commitment to Pakistan’s economic and intellectual development.

The event highlighted what made Dr Waqar an extraordinary figure in public service. A distinguished economist, policymaker, and scholar, he served as Pakistan’s longest-serving secretary of finance and was known across governments for his principled, objective, and nationally driven approach. He stood above group interests and personal gain, earning deep trust across different administrations.

His life, however, extended far beyond policy leadership. As a founding member of the Quran House, he maintained a profound intellectual and spiritual bond with the Qur’an, remembered by many as a man whose humility, reflection, and sincerity were shaped by a deep attachment to faith.

His association with IPS began in the 1980s, a period when IPS was shaping its identity as a forum for critical ideas. His insight played a valuable role in developing IPS’s early work on the State of the Economy in Pakistan, a theme that still informs policy discourse. After his retirement, he continued to contribute to important debates, such as Hindutva, offering a perspective on emerging ideological issues and supporting discussions that encouraged scholarly engagement. During his two tenures on the IPS’s National Advisory Council (2002-2007 and 2019-2025), he was regarded as a thoughtful advisor whose analytical clarity and research guidance enriched institutional thinking.

Speakers collectively remembered him as a man who balanced brilliance with humility, an individual committed to learning, teaching, and serving. Many reflected on his spiritual devotion, including his dedication to memorizing the Qur’an later in life and his passion for imparting Qur’anic teachings to young people. Others recalled his early love for literature and poetry, his commitment to ethical governance, and his professionalism throughout his public service journey.

Across all tributes, the recurring sentiment was clear that Dr Waqar Masood Khan leaves behind not only impactful policies and scholarship but a legacy defined by moral clarity, intellectual sincerity, and faith-driven service, a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.