ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that the country’s economy was finally back on its feet and was ready to take off again following a year of dedicated efforts by the government’s economic team.

“Pakistan’s journey from darkness to light in a year is the result of a collective effort,” the premier said while addressing a ceremony commemorating ‘Youm-e-Tameer-o-Taraqqi’ (Day of Development and Progress) as the government completed its first year in power.

He highlighted that the financial sector had overcome significant challenges and was now on a path to sustained recovery and progress.

The premier elaborated that the government successfully engaged with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to secure a $7 billion loan programme which saved the country from declaring a default.

Although the nation faced challenges due to the IMF’s tough conditions, he emphasised that the economy had now stabilized and was ready to move toward sustained progress and development.

PM Shehbaz said the salaried class had to suffer the most due to the IMF programme as it was now collectively paying Rs300 billion in taxes. He also paid special tribute to the salaried class for contributing such high taxes.

The prime minister stated that the inflation rate had been reduced from 40% to as low as 2.4% in January 2025, leading to a decline in the policy rate.

He urged the business community to support the government’s efforts to stabilize the economy, emphasising that their involvement was crucial.

He assured that the government would fully engage the business community in the policymaking process, as economic growth could not be achieved without consulting the private sector.

The premier emphasised that the government was actively working to curb smuggling across the borders. “By legally exporting sugar to Afghanistan, the government secured $211 million in foreign exchange,” the prime minister said, adding that this valuable revenue would have otherwise ended up in the hands of smugglers.

He also acknowledged the dedicated and sincere efforts of the Pakistan Army and law enforcement agencies in helping to curb smuggling activities across the country.

Regarding the government’s privatisation policy, the prime minister stated, “We are now moving towards a massive privatisation process, as the government has no role in business activities.”

He said terrorism had almost been eliminated from the country in 2018, however, due to the policies of the subsequent government, the menace had resurfaced in the country. “Without uprooting terrorism, the country could not attain the targets of growth and development,” he added.

The country, he said needed peace, stability, unity, prosperity and economic growth for which people belonging to all segments of the society would have to work together.

The prime minister said he wanted to leave behind a legacy that set the country on the path of sustainable development.

He also expressed confidence that the government’s recently launched “Uraan Pakistan” programme would become successful and achieve all its set targets.

Speaking on the occasion, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stated that the incumbent government’s prudent policies had successfully reduced the inflation rate from a steep 40% to 2.4%. Additionally, the policy rate was lowered to 12%, easing the government’s debt servicing burden.

He emphasised that for the first time in the country’s history, the government was rigorously implementing structural reforms, right sizing and pension reforms.

LHC directs the Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi, Director PHATA and DG Co-operative housing society to address the petitioners.

Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) appreciates LHC decision, hopes its implementation and legal action against those responsible.

By our staff reporter

RAWALPINDI: Justice Jawad Hassan of the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench on Friday directed the Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi, Director PHATA and DG Co-operative housing society to remove encroachments/illegalities from two residential plots, located in sector A of the Media Town (Rawalpindi Press Club Housing Society) on Monday and to report to the court.

Justice Hassan while hearing the petitions of senior journalists Muhammad Asghar and Abdul Latif filed against denial and encroachment by the management of Media Town despite allotment and clearance of all the dues.

Justice Hassan directed the DC Rawalpindi, Director PHATA, DG Co-operative Housing Society and management committee to ensure the handing over the possession of the plots to the petitioners on Monday as the court will be adjourned only after the compliance of court orders.

The court had also observed that the court will initiate proceedings against the concerned government officials/officers for not handing over possession of the allotted plots to the petitioners as per provision of the relevant law.

According to advocate Saeed Yousuf Khan, counsel for the petitioners the management of media town deprived the senior journalists from their plots in order to facilitate an influential figure of PML-N and also produced the proof of the encroached land before the court.

Mr Saeed also produced an investigation report of government of the Punjab’s Housing, Urban development and public health engineering department on Feb 6th regarding “probe into the matter regarding investigation of the layout plan of the house scheme “Rawalpindi press club cooperative housing society”.

The committee comprised, director (special planning) PHATA, convener, Headquarter Lahore, Director PHATA Region Rawalpindi and Deputy Director (P&D) PHATA Headquarter.

The committee said: “So in view of above, Rawalpindi Press Club Cooperative Housing Society is bound to give possession to the owners of plot # 334-A and 335-A as per approved LOP and is responsible for violation of approved layout plan of Rawalpindi Press Club Housing Society. Action may be taken against representatives of RPCCHS as per law.

Grievances of the complainants could be addressed by giving them physical possession in the same area as per approved LOP by removing encroachment/illegalities, if possible, or in another area of the scheme if prevailing rules and regulations allows. Accordingly, the requisite documents for construction may be handed over to complainants.

In light of the directions of the Hon’ble Lahore High Court, Lahore followed by the findings of the Probe Committee, director of PHATA, Region Rawalpindi is hereby directed to assist the competent authority in the demarcation of the plots in question.

Upon demarcation of plots, the concerned department/office/management committee shall ensure compliance with the court’s directions and address grievances of the petitioners by handing over possession of plot # 334-A and 335-A in Rawalpindi Press Club Cooperative Housing Society, Rawalpindi.

Copies of the probe committee’s report was sent to the secretary information and culture department Punjab, Regional Police Officer Punjab Police Rawalpindi, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Rawalpindi and Director PHATA, Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile: RIUJ president Tariq Usmani appreciated the LHC decision regarding removing encroachments from the two plots of media town and to hand over the processio…

SIALKOT, FEB 8 /DNA/ – Pakistan Hockey Federation President Tariq Hussain Bughti, Secretary General Rana Mujahid and the entire hockey family have condoled the demise of the mother of Olympian Asif Bajwa who was brief in Sialkot today (Saturday).

In a joint statement the PHF President Tariq Bughti, Secretary General Olympian Rana Mujahid, Olympians Manzoorul Hassan, Akhtar Rasool, Shahbaz Ahmed Senior, Tauqir Dar, Tahir Zaman, Kamran Ashraf, Zeeshan Ashraf, Qamar Ibrahim, Islahuddun, Qasim Zia, Khawaja Junaid, Malik Shafqat, Shakeel Abbasi, Anjum Saeed, Danish Kaleem, Tariq Sheikh, Sheikh M. Usman, M. Kashif and international players Babar Abdullah and Mian Zahid Iqbal have expressed their heartfelt condolence to Asif Bajwa and prayed ALLAH to give him strength to bear this irreparable loss. They also prayed for the departed soul.

KARACHI, FEB 8 /DNA/ – At a special session of the Karachi Literature Festival (KLF), Senator Sherry Rehman engaged in an insightful discussion with historian and author Victoria Schofield, reflecting on their shared journey and friendship with Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. The session delved into Bhutto’s political vision, personal resilience, and enduring legacy, shedding light on her struggles, achievements, and her unwavering commitment to democracy, human rights, and particularly, women’s empowerment in Pakistan.

Senator Sherry Rehman recalled her transition from journalism to politics, a shift she had never envisioned but was encouraged to take by Benazir Bhutto. “I never thought I would leave journalism for politics, but Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto encouraged me to take the leap,” she shared. “She saw something in people before they saw it in themselves. She had an innate ability to inspire and mentor.”

Reflecting on Benazir Bhutto’s political journey, Senator Rehman emphasized her unbreakable spirit and refusal to compromise on her principles, just as her father, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, had once declared: “I will not compromise.” She said, “Benazir Bhutto followed in her father’s footsteps, standing firm in the face of immense challenges. Her life and politics were shaped by struggle, resilience, and an unshakable belief in democracy.”

Speaking about the dangers and threats Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto faced, Senator Rehman shared, “We walked into one of the largest terrorist attack Pakistan had ever seen. She knew the risks, yet she persisted because she was waiting for us—not for herself, but for Pakistan’s women, so they would not be left behind.” She added, “Till her last day, she was committed to the empowerment of women. She could have chosen an easier life, but she chose to fight for Pakistan.”

Benazir Bhutto was a trailblazer for women’s rights in Pakistan, introducing groundbreaking reforms and policies to uplift and empower women at every level of society. “She was the first female Prime Minister of a Muslim country, and she never pulled up the ladder behind her—she always looked back to help others rise,” said Senator Rehman.

Senator Rehman elaborated on Benazir Bhutto’s landmark initiatives aimed at empowering women, “BISP was built under her vision and remains the largest social safety net in Pakistan today. It has uplifted millions of women, by providing them financial independence.” She added, “Whereas, the Lady Health Worker program revolutionized healthcare access in rural Pakistan, improving maternal and child health outcomes while also providing thousands of women with employment opportunities.”

Senator Rehman also discussed Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s leadership and his commitment to his mother’s vision. “He continues to walk in his mother’s footsteps, advocating for progressive policies and ensuring that BISP and other welfare programs remain central to Pakistan’s social fabric.” She added, “His commitment to women’s rights and social justice echoes SMBB’s vision, ensuring that her fight for women’s equality and opportunity continues.”

Victoria Schofield, a close friend of Benazir Bhutto, shared her experiences and insights, reinforcing that Bhutto’s story was not just one of political struggle but of constant learning and transformation. Both she and Senator Rehman agreed that Benazir Bhutto never sought personal glory—her mission was always about serving the people.

“She did not choose this life; this life chose her,” Senator Rehman remarked. “And even in her absence, her political legacy remains alive, shaping Pakistan’s journey forward.”

The discussion at KLF served as a powerful tribute to Benazir Bhutto’s extraordinary legacy, reinforcing that her political struggle was never about power—it was about justice, democracy, and the empowerment of women and marginalized communities.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 8: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has written a “second open letter” to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, stressing that the country’s biggest political party is being “targeted”.

“I wrote an open letter to the Army Chief (you) with sincere intentions for the betterment of the country and the nation, aiming to bridge the growing divide between the military and the public. However, the response was extremely irresponsible and unserious,” the former prime minister stated in the letter. 

He said that he was the former prime minister and the leader of the “country’s most popular and largest political party”, and he had dedicated his entire life to bringing global recognition to the nation. 

“My 55 years of public life since the 1970s and my 30 years of earnings are fully transparent. My life and death are solely tied to Pakistan,” the letter read.

Khan expressed his concerns regarding the military’s image and the potential consequences of the widening gap between the public and the army, citing them as the reason of writing this letter.

Referring to his first letter to the army chief, the PTI founder said that 90% of the public would have support the six points he had highlighted in his initial missive if they had been consulted. 

In the letter, the cricketer-turned-politician alleged that the government was installed by manipulating election results through pre-poll rigging. “The authorities passed the 26th Constitutional Amendment through parliament to control the judiciary and Peca [Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act] to silence dissent,” he added.

He noted that political instability and the “might is right” policy plunged the country’s economy into chaos. Khan regretted that the country’s “largest political party” was being targeted and all state institutions were being used for political engineering and revenge.  

Referring to his imprisonment, he claimed that he had been placed in solitary confinement and deprived of sunlight for 20 days.

“My exercise equipment, television, and even newspapers have been taken away. They restrict my access to books whenever they wish. Besides those 20 days, I was also locked up for another 40 hours. In the last six months, I have been allowed to speak to my sons only three times,” he added.

Furthermore, he said, his party members travel long distances to meet him, yet they, too, were denied access despite judicial directives. “Only a handful of individuals have been allowed to see me in the past six months. Even my wife is not permitted to meet me, despite clear orders from the Islamabad High Court,” he added.

Meanwhile, he claimed that over 2,000 of our workers, supporters, and party leaders were still awaiting bail hearings, with judges deliberately delaying their cases.

“A draconian law like Peca has been imposed to curb free speech on social media and the internet. As a result, Pakistan’s GSP+ status is now at risk,” he added.

First letter 

It may be noted that the deposed prime minister, in his first letter to the army chief, had urged him to reconsider policies and called for the formation of a judicial commission. 

The six-point letter, according to Khan’s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry, addressed “fraudulent elections” and discussed the alleged promotion of money launderers, the 26th Constitutional Amendment and the Al-Qadir Trust case verdict.

However, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan rejected notion of a “policy shift” after the first letter to the army chief, saying that Imran had wrote the letter in his capacity as former prime minister.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public and Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah claimed that Khan’s letter to COAS General Munir intended to create divisions between the military and the public or sow misunderstandings within the army’s command. He had challenged the ex-premier to engage in political struggle only in the parliament.

The letter came weeks after PTI leaders — Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan — met the army chief, with the party’s chairman saying that they discussed the overall security situation.

It also held importance as the former ruling party ended its negotiations with the PML-N-led government last month, in which the PTI had demanded two things — the formation of judicial commissions on events that transpired on May 9, 2023, and November 24-27 as well as the release of “all political prisoners”, including Khan.

In December last year, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that no political leader’s desire for power should be more important than Pakistan’s interests.

The ISPR top spokesperson’s comments came in response to a question about purported backdoor talks between the PTI and the establishment.

“All political parties and leaders are respectable to us. No individual, his politics and his desire for power are above Pakistan,” he said during a media briefing.