ISLAMABAD, Jul 23 (DNA): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the National Export Development Boar wherein he tasked the authorities concerned to take the country’s annual exports to $60 billion within three years.

The prime minister asked the commerce ministry and other relevant departments to take all necessary measures to achieve the given target.

He said the country’s exports crossed the $30 billion mark during the previous fiscal year, and the government’s policies also took the IT exports to over $3.2 billion.

The prime minister asked the ministry to resolve the issues pointed out by the exporters and present a report within two weeks. He said that he would personally chair the National Export Development Board meeting every one-and-half months.

Calling for collective efforts for the country’s development, he paid tribute to the business community and investors for their role in increasing exports despite tough circumstances.

Prime Minister Shehbaz asked the commerce ministry to finalise the policy proposals, in coordination with representatives of the potential export sectors. He also tasked the Ministry of National Food Security to improve extension services, in coordination with provinces, to enhance agricultural exports.

He instructed for exporting of quality seeds and agricultural products after further processing and taking measures to introduce crop varieties with high yields.

He said that the delivery time of Pakistani goods to Europe and America should be reduced by solving the problems related to the shipping of exports immediately. Similarly, the commerce ministry and Board of Investment should ensure cooperation regarding the transfer of Chinese export industries to Pakistan.

He also called for carrying out research and development, innovation and brand development to increase the export of Pakistani goods.

The prime minister warned against any delay by the Federal Board of Revenue in refunds to the exporters, besides emphasising the trade officers in Pakistan’s missions abroad to promote Pakistan’s exports and for guiding the exporters.

The prime minister tasked the power ministry to present a comprehensive plan to provide low-cost electricity to the industries.

Highlighting the crucial role of the private sector for national development, he called for the sector’s inclusion in the policymaking process.

The representatives of the export sector appreciated the prime minister for his frequent meetings to resolve their problems and called his keen interest in the export sector “very encouraging”.

They also appreciated the prime minister’s initiative to ensure timely refunds by the FBR to the export industry

The meeting was briefed about the steps taken for the uplift of the export sector. It was told that the country’s exports crossed the $30 billion mark this year and a five-year plan to double the exports was also presented in the meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Jam Kamal Khan, Ahad Khan Cheema, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Abdul Aleem Khan, Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Sardar Awais Leghari and Dr Musaddiq Malik, Ministers of State Ali Pervaiz Malik and Shaza Fatima Khwaja, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Jahanzaib Khan, State Bank Governor, PM’s Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal, relevant FBR officers and representatives of textiles, IT, leather, agriculture and other sectors attended the meeting.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 22: Secretary-General of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Omar Ayub, stated on Monday that the narrative of “digital terrorism” was being constructed and that laws were being used to undermine their party.

Party’s chairman Gohar Ali Khan and former NA speaker Asad Qaiser, also interacted with the presser that was led by Ayub at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad today (Monday).

Islamabad Police arrested PTI’s Information Secretary Raoof Hasan from the party’s Central Secretariat on Monday for allegedly running a digital media cell engaged in propaganda against Pakistan and its integrity.

“The PTI’s digital media cell has become a centre for [spreading] international disinformation, from where anti-Pakistan propaganda is disseminated globally,” the police said after the raid on the PTI office.

Shortly before the PTI statement, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry told a press conference in Rawalpindi, “It is time for the nation to stand up against militants and digital terrorists.”

“Digital terrorism is being done on social media. The army is standing up against terrorists and digital terrorists. The time has come for the entire nation to stand up against them,” the DG ISPR said without naming any entity.

Condemning Hasan’s arrest, the PTI chairman said the party would fight for him and added that the police had seized all records from the party’s main office. He stated that the party would leave no resource untapped to get Hasan released at the earliest.

The PTI chief hoped that the court would set him free as there were no cases against him. “We haven’t been briefed about the FIR (first information report) so far,” he said.

The government had said it would take parliament into confidence over the plan to launch a military operation, the Azm-e-Istehkam operation, against terrorism, Gohar said adding that the briefing never took place however.

He said that several PTI lawmakers had been booked ever since the Supreme Court announced its short order in the reserved seats’ case, adding that, the apex court’s ruling would be implemented.

The PTI’s central secretariat was sealed before noon on Monday and police took away all the affidavits of the PTI’s MNAs and MPAs regarding their affiliation with the party, Gohar said.

The PTI chief said that he had stayed with Hasan for a while after the latter’s arrest because the PTI information secretary was unwell; however, the police asked him to leave as there was no case against him.

During the presser, Ayub termed Hasan’s arrest as an act of desperation on the government’s part after the SC’s reserved seats’ ruling. Today’s police raid was meant to snatch the affidavits of the PTI’s MNAs and MPAs, he said.

Court approves Imran, Bushra’s 7-day physical remand in Toshakhana case

Special Correspondent

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has admitted that he gave a call for a protest outside the army headquarters in Rawalpindi before his arrest.

The former prime minister made the admission while speaking to the journalists during a hearing of a case inside Adiala prisons.

“I had given a call for holding a peaceful protest outside the General Headquarters (GHQ) before my arrest,” Imran Khan said, adding that police and Rangers attacked my house in Zaman Park on 14 March.

“Later on March 18, the law enforcers again forcibly barged into my house,” he said, adding that on the same day, the Judicial Complex witnessed shelling inside and outside its compound.

The cricketer-turned-politician referred to an incident last year when, ahead of his appearance before the court of Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal, fierce clashes erupted between his supporters and security personnel.

Back then, he had claimed that the government was planning to either assassinate or arrest him inside the Judicial Complex.

Recalling the March 18 incident, he said he understood that he would be arrested, adding that he then called for a peaceful protest in front of the army’s headquarters before his arrest.

The PTI founder said his counsels assured him that they would be part of the investigation and surrender to the police for arrest.

Replying to a question, the 71-year-old former premier said martial law was better than a technocratic regime, adding, “An unannounced martial law, however, remains in place in the country, aleready.”

BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, in its “Pakistan Country Risk Report” published on July 18, predicted who would fill the vacuum created by the “anticipated ouster” of the incumbent government.

Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry says Azm-e-Istehkam not military operation, but comprehensive, integrated campaign against terrorism

DNA/Staff Report

RAWALPINDI: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) has said that the armed forces are already rendering sacrifices in the battle against terrorists and stressed that it is time for the nation to stand up against militants and “digital terrorists”.

The DG ISPR, while speaking during a press conference in Rawalpindi on Monday, said: “Digital terrorism is being done on social media. The army is standing up against terrorists and digital terrorists. The time has come for the entire nation to stand up against them.”

Lieutenant General Chaudhry said that unfortunately, serious issues were also being politicised in Pakistan, presenting Azm-e-Istehkam as an example.

“Azm-e-Istehkam is a comprehensive and integrated counter-terrorism campaign, not a military operation per se as it is being presented,” the DG ISPR said during a press conference in Rawalpindi.

Recalling that an Apex Committee — the country’s top security body — meeting was held on June 22 over Azm-e-Istehkam, he said that the statement following the huddle noted that “we have made an anti-terrorism policy with national consensus”.

The DG ISPR, addressing concerns over the campaign, said that no-go areas do not exist across the country, clarifying that there would be no more displacements due to Azm-e-Istehkam.

As there was much hue and cry over the newly announced campaign, the army’s spokesperson informed journalists that the Prime Minister’s Office released a statement on June 24 to clarify the matter.

“Azm-e-Istehkam is not a military operation. Why is Azm-e-Istehkam being made controversial? There’s a strong lobby which wants the objectives of Azm-e-Istehkam not to be fulfilled. It is being politicised.”

“Why did a mafia, political mafia, and an illegal mafia say that they would not let this [campaign] happen?” he questioned, adding that a certain political mafia wants to make Azm-e-Istehkam controversial.

Providing statistics over the ongoing operations, he said that the army is conducting four to five operations per hour on a daily basis — clarifying that the war against terrorism was already in full form.

The security forces conducted 22,409 intelligence-based operations this year, he said, explaining further that armed forces, police, intelligence agencies, and other law enforcement agencies are conducting more than 112 operations daily.

“During these operations, 31 high-value targets have been killed. This year 137 officers and soldiers laid their lives in the operations,” the army’s spokesperson told journalists.

Lt Gen Chaudhry explained that the army had cleared several areas of terrorists but if the governments do not ensure reconstruction of those areas, then the army will have to deploy its forces over there to “hold the area”.

“The army is clearing the areas, holding it, and then it is the provincial government’s task to build and transfer. If you don’t build and transfer to the people, then terrorists will emerge again and you will remain in a vicious cycle of ‘clear and hold’.”

The DG ISPR explained that if such a cycle continues, then it will be easier for certain elements to incite the locals of the area against the army and a false narrative would also be made against the forces.

“In conclusion, Azm-e-Istehkam is a comprehensive campaign against terrorism. If we follow it, it will not just wipe out terrorism, but also the country. The stakes are very high.”

Moving on in the press conference, he said that on July 15, eight military personnel embraced martyrdom and sent “all terrorists to hell”. He informed journalists that Sepoy Saqib threw himself onto the grenade to save everyone else.

“The very next day, people in Bannu staged a march, saying that they wanted peace. Some armed personnel were also part of the peace march,” the DG ISPR said.

Providing details about the march, in which a person died while several others were injured, he said that people participating in the demonstration had broken down an under-construction wall while they had also looted a supply depot.

“Some armed people opened fire, which led to the loss of life. In Bannu, the army personnel followed their response SOP accordingly. Similarly, people had also raised questions as to why did the army not fire on May 9.”

Explaining the SOP of the army, he said that if an “anarchist group” approaches a military installation, it is first given a warning, and then it is dealt with.

“It is the provincial government’s job to control a mob, not the army’s. However, at the same time, people can definitely hold their peace march,” the spokesperson said.

While he showed footage of the Bannu incident and said that armed personnel could be seen, he stressed: “Hold demonstrations against terrorists.”

ISLAMABAD, JUL 22 /DNA/ – Pakistan welcomed the Advisory Opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the “Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.”

The ICJ’s ruling clearly establishes that Israel’s unlawful policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are in breach of Israel’s obligation to respect the right of Palestinian people to self-determination, and that Israel is under an obligation to end its unlawful occupation; cease its illegal settlement activities; and to make reparation for the damage caused. 

It may be recalled that Pakistan had made a written submission to the ICJ on the case in July 2023, and later also shared a rejoinder with the Court. Pakistan also participated in the oral public hearing held by the ICJ on the case in February 2024. In its submissions to the ICJ, Pakistan reiterated its strong and unwavering support for the right to self-determination of the Palestinians and highlighted the illegality of the Israeli occupation.

Pakistan calls for the immediate and full implementation of the Court’s Advisory Opinion. We hope that the Court’s ruling will be an important step towards ending the Israeli occupation, realization of the inalienable right of the Palestinians to self-determination, and creation of a viable, secure, contiguous and sovereign State of Palestine on the basis of the pre-1967 borders and with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 22: /DNA/ – Brazilian Chief of Staff Admiral Andre Luiz Silva Lima De Santana Mendes visited Naval Headquarters Islamabad and called on Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf.

Upon arrival at Naval Headquarters, the visiting dignitary was received by Chief of the Naval Staff. A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Navy also presented Guard of Honour. Brazilian Chief of Staff laid floral wreath at Shuhada Monument and afterwards was introduced to Principal Staff Officers of Naval Headquarters.

Later, Admiral Andre Luiz Silva Lima De Santana Mendes called on Chief of the Naval Staff in his office. Both the dignitaries discussed matters of mutual interests, regional maritime security environment and bilateral naval collaboration. Various avenues of cooperation including training, exchange of visits and conduct of bilateral naval exercises between the two Navies were also focused. The Naval Chief highlighted Pakistan Navy’s initiative of Regional Maritime Security Patrols to ensure maritime security and peace in the region. The visiting dignitary acknowledged Pakistan Navy’s efforts and commitments in support of collaborative maritime security in the region.

The recent visit of Brazilian Chief of Staff will further augment and expand defence ties between the two brotherly countries in general and the defence forces in particular.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 22 /DNA/- The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with Beaconhouse National University (BNU), has organized an International Conference on “Strengthening Pakistan-U.S. Relations.”

The Conference will be held on July 24, 2024, at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad.

The conference aims to foster a deeper understanding of Pakistan-U.S. ties, address contemporary challenges in the bilateral, regional and global context, and identify opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration in various domains. The key subjects to be covered will include bilateral relations, economic partnership, security cooperation, and regional dynamics.

The conference will feature a distinguished line-up of diplomats, practitioners, and subject specialists including from the academia. The event will feature panel discussions and interactive sessions, providing a platform for participants to engage in meaningful conversations and explore opportunities for fruitful collaboration.

The event will be attended by a cross-section– including from the diplomatic community; academia; members of think tanks, civil society, and the media; and students of international relations. It is expected to foster a deeper understanding of the ties between Pakistan and the United States, and the role of collaborative efforts in addressing shared challenges, realizing opportunities, and advancing mutual interests.

RAWALPINDI, JUL 22: Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Maj-Gen Ahmed Sharif is currently addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi.

“The purpose of this press conference is to clarify the army’s stance on some important topics,” he said, adding that there was some “increase in organised propaganda, false, wrong news and concocted news” against the armed forces in recent times.

“That is why it is important to talk on these matters.”

Providing updates on counter-terrorism operations so far in the year, he said 22,409 intelligence-based operations were conducted against terrorists and their facilitators.

He said over 112 operations were being conducted daily by the military and law enforcement agencies against terrorism.

Responding to a question regarding the potential of displacement in key areas as a result of the government’s new planned operation, Azm-i-Istehkam (Resolve for Stability), DG Ahmed said that it was a “comprehensive counter-terrorism campaign” through national consensus and “not a military operation per se as it is being presented”.

He further said: “I will start by saying that our problem is that we are sacrificing even very important issues on the altar of politics and Azm-i-Istehkam is one such example of this.”

DG Ahmed said that a narrative was built to give the impression that the operation was launched to displace people, clarifying that it was only for the purpose of “reinvigorating the already in-place National Action Plan”.

He said kinetic efforts already under way would be “augmented” by law enforcement agencies empowered by effective legislation, as per the original announcement of the operation.

Referring to the original announcement, the DG ISPR questioned where it pointed to previous military operations.

“Our issue is that we make every important issue … a joke because of our politics,” he reiterated.

The DG ISPR said that a “very strong lobby” did not want the objectives of the National Action Plan to be fulfilled “because the stakes are very high”.

“A massive illegal, political mafia rose to sabotage the operation and the first move of that mafia was to make the operations controversial.”

Pointing to the National Action Plan’s 14 points, he said kinetic operations were “under way in a splendid manner” with “four to five operations under way in every hour”.

He said the problem was present in the plan’s other points. DG Ahmed said it was decided in 2014 and 2021 that Counter-Terrorism Departments would be established at the provincial levels and they would be responsible for leading operations against terrorism.

The DG ISPR said the National Action Plan also talked about the regularisation and registration of religious seminaries but only a bit over 16,000 were and thus the status of 50 per cent was unknown.

“Does the army have to do this?” he questioned.

He said if Operation Azm-i-Istehkam was properly acted on, it would not only eliminate terrorism but also lead to societal and national uplift.

Questioned about the weekend’s violence during a peace rally in Bannu and the alleged firing by security forces, DG Ahmed mentioned last week’s terrorist attack on Bannu Cantonment that martyred eight military personnel.

He said the locals had demanded carrying out a peace march the next day and it was agreed that there would be no anti-state slogans carried out. “But when the peace march began, some specific negative elements joined with it,” he added.

He said the rally marched through the point of the terrorist attack and “chanted slogans against the army and the state and pelted stones”, adding that some armed individuals were already part of the march “who [opened] fire because of which there were injuries”.

DG Ahmed said a temporary wall erected was also torn down and the supply depot was looted.

“This is how it happened. The army’s response was as per SOP (standard operating procedure) and as per orders. When the May 9 incident happened, a specific political group, a chaotic crowd, began doing propaganda that why didn’t the army stop them.”

DG Ahmed said the army’s system was “very clear”, adding that if there was a military situation then there “are very clear [directions] and the officers conducted themselves according to it”.

He said if a “chaotic crowd” set upon a military installation then it was first “given a clear warning”, then aerial firing was carried out and “if it still does not stop then it is treated how it should be.”

DG Ahmed said security forces had thus conducted aerial firing as per the above code.“The issue is why this happened. This happened because your legal and judicial system, when it gives leeway to the perpetrators and facilitators of May 9 and doesn’t bring them to justice then discord, mob mentality and fascism will further increase in the country.”

The DG ISPR said riot control and law and order were the province government’s responsibility and not the military’s. “Miscreants join a crowd and open fire and kill people, so this responsibility is of the provincial government and administration. So it does not make sense that what protest is one political party carrying out against its own provincial government?”

DG Ahmed said protests should definitely take place and the nation had a right to express its anger at terrorist incidents. Questioned about an alleged audio leak of Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, chief of the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan group, the DG ISPR questioned what brand of Islam the militant was preaching that talking about blowing up schools, colleges, hospitals and homes.

“This will be taken to its logical end,” he said, adding that such things “only strengthen our resolve that Azm-i-Istehkam is highly necessary”. Questioned about the recent sit-in by the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan, he said the issue at its core was about Palestine. “This is a very important and sensitive issue. It should be clear that the state and army have a clear stance on the issue of Palestine: it is genocide and unacceptable.”

He said Pakistan had sent over 1,100 tonnes of aid to Palestine.