ISLAMABAD: DEC 10 /DNA/ – Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a meeting with Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker in Islamabad. Country Director, International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement Lynn Nelson was also present on the occasion. Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker expressed condolences over the martyrdom of police and Rangers personnel in Islamabad.

During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on enhancing bilateral cooperation and Pak-US relations. Moreover, the holding of the ICC Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan was also discussed during the meeting. Natalie Baker expressed her best wishes for the successful holding of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Mohsin Naqvi expressed his desire to make the FIA a modern institution on the lines of the FBI. He stated that he would welcome the cooperation of the United States in this regard. During the meeting, it was agreed that the United States would provide support in modernizing the FIA on the lines of FBI. It was also agreed that the US will provide assistance in making the National Forensic Agency more effective in accordance with the modern requirements.

Interior Minister said that cooperation of USA in enhancing the capacity of law enforcement agencies is of utmost importance. He stressed the need for providing modern weapon and equipment to the civil armed forces to effectively deal with terrorism and emergencies. He said that equipping the civil armed forces with modern weapon and equipment is the top priority.

Mohsin Naqvi emphasized that Pakistan and the US have excellent relations, which span over several decades. He said that no foreigner with legal documents is being expelled from Islamabad, but illegal foreigners will not be allowed to stay in Islamabad.

Natalie Baker said that they are working with Pakistani authorities to increase the representation of women in law enforcement agencies.

Federal Secretary Interior Khurram Ali Agha and Additional Secretary Interior Riffat Mukhtar Raja were also present on the occasion.

ISLAMABAD, DEC 10 (DNA): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that the government has finalised a mechanism to ensure the safe return of Pakistani nationals stranded in Syria, in coordination with the Lebanese government.

The prime minister, addressing the meeting of the federal cabinet he chaired, said that 250 Pakistani pilgrims were stranded in Syria where the situation was charged altogether within a few days and Pakistan took a neutral position. Besides, another 300 Pakistani nationals, including teachers and students, living in Syria also expressed their desire to leave the country.

He said that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the foreign ministry were in contact with Pakistan’s ambassador in Damascus to ensure the safe return of the Pakistani nationals.

He told the meeting that he held a telephone conversation with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday, during which the latter expressed his willingness to allow the return of Pakistani nationals through a chartered flight from Beirut Airport and also expressed his gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan for their support during the crisis caused by Israeli aggression.

Regarding the economic situation, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed satisfaction that inflation had declined further to 3.57% and that foreign remittances had increased record high comparing last year.

He told the cabinet members that in their Monday meeting, the Ambassador of Azerbaijan in Islamabad emphasized the finalisation of feasibilities and other formalities for Azerbaijan’s $2 billion investment projects in Pakistan to enable the signing of agreements during the prime minister’s visit to Baku in February next year.

Reiterating that both economic and political stability were inter-linked, he referred to the meeting on the law and order situation he chaired on Monday and gave clear instructions not to forgive those found involved in conspiracies and attacking the federal capital on November 26 and not to harass the innocent people.

ISLAMABAD, DEC 9 /DNA/ – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Qatari Ambassador Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater commemorated Qatar’s National Day today with a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony, highlighting the strong bilateral relations between the two countries.

The event underscored the diplomatic ties and mutual respect between Pakistan and Qatar, reaffirming their commitment to continued cooperation and friendship.

ISLAMABAD, DEC 9 /DNA/ – The Government and people of Pakistan express deep sorrow over the tragic helicopter crash in Isparta, Türkiye, which claimed the lives of six military personnel, including Isparta Army Aviation School Commander Brigadier General Isa Baydilli.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the martyrs and the people of Türkiye. Pakistan stands in solidarity with our Turkish brothers and sisters in this moment of grief and pray for the swift recovery of the injured.

May the departed souls rest in eternal peace.

Ulema conference adopts resolution urging govt to maintain existing system of religious schools

Shamim Shahid

Peshawar: Amid the ongoing tussle between the government and the JUI-F over the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024 that deals with the registration of seminaries, party chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has accused the incumbent regime of creating divisions among religious scholars after the latter called for “keeping madrassas issue separate from politics”.

“Conspiracy being hatched to create division among the clerics […] why are scholars being pit against each other,” the religio-political leader questioned while addressing a press conference in Charsadda on Monday.

Maulana Fazl remarks came shortly after the conclusion of the Conference on Madrassa Registration and Reforms, wherein a resolution urging the government to maintain the existing system of religious schools was approved.

During the conference — which was attended by scholars and administrators of religious institutions from all schools of thought, the clerics called against turning the madrassas registration issue into a “political arena”.

Reacting to the conference, Fazl said that his party doesn’t want confrontation with the state, but registration of seminaries. “They wanted to give us a new system in 2019, but it was just an agreement,” he said.

Following the agreement, the Directorate General of Religious Education (DGRE) was established under the executive order.

The JUI-F chief said there had been an agreement on the madrassas registration bill before the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, and a draft was prepared.

“All relevant stakeholders, including the agencies, agreed on the bill, which was later passed by the National Assembly and the Senate,” he said, asking why the amendment bill was returned by President Asif Zardari.

He further said that every seminary was “free to register itself anywhere”, then why they were being brought under the control of the directorate. “They [the government] were associating the seminaries with an act or agreement,” he said, adding: “We are affiliating the madrassas with law.”

In current circumstances, he said, they were not willing to accept any proposal tabled by the government.

Fazl asked the government to focus on the country’s security situation amid rising terror attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. “Focus on the country, we are here to save madrassas,” he added.

Furthermore, the JUI-F chief claimed that armed groups were present in both restive provinces — KP and Balochistan — during the February 8 general elections. “In both provinces, religious and nationalist parties were kept out of the assemblies.

He also accused the authorities of pushing the seminaries towards extremism, alleging that they want to control the religious seminaries on orders of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United States and the West.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday commended the security forces for successful operation against Khawarij terrorists in Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan. In separate statements, the president and the prime minister paid tribute to the officers and personnel of the security forces for killing two Khawarij and arresting another during the operation. They expressed the resolve to continue operations until elimination of terrorism in the country. The entire nation stands behind its security forces in this war against terrorism, they added.

ISLAMABAD, DEC 9 /DNA/ – A high-level delegation of foreign investors and business professionals, mostly based in the United States, called on Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, at the Finance Division today.

The delegation put together by Ambassador Ali Jehangir Siddiqui of the JS Bank comprised leading entrepreneurs, business practitioners and professionals from diverse sectors, including technology, academia, and finance, with lead members such as Mr. Auren Hoffman, Chief Executive Officer of SafeGraph, Mr. Kristen Edwards Marqua (Hakluyt & Company), Michael Levi (The D.E. Shaw Group), Dr. Jeff Chang (Rad AI), and others.

Ambassadar Ali Jehangir Siddiqui opened the discussion by apprising the Finnace Minister about the composition of the delegation, the purpose of their visit and their interaction with different stakeholders during the visit so far. Advisor to the Finance Minister Mr. Khurram Shehzad and senior officers of the Finance Division and FBR were also present.

The Finance Minister welcomed the delegation and briefed them about the country’s recent macroeconomic progress, highlighting significant achievements in overcoming longstanding challenges. “Pakistan has historically struggled with twin deficits; however, due to improved export performance, the economy is now operating with a surplus in both fiscal and current accounts. Foreign exchange reserves have crossed the $12 billion mark, inflation has been brought down to single digits, and the policy rate is moving in the right direction,” he noted. He further elaborated on the government’s comprehensive reform agenda, encompassing privatization, SOE restructuring, rightsizing of the federal government, and pension reforms.

Senator Aurangzeb also addressed two existential challenges faced by Pakistan: rapid population growth and climate change. “With a population growth rate exceeding 2%, we face severe implications for food security, child stunting, and out-of-school children. Climate change exacerbates these vulnerabilities, making it imperative to secure both financial and technical assistance to tackle these issues effectively,” he remarked. He also mentioned that he has emphasized the importance of these priorities in discussions with international partners, including World Bank President Ajay Banga.

The briefing was followed by a detailed question-and-answer session. Addressing a query on implementing IMF conditions and structural reforms, the Minister remarked: “The willingness and ability to execute reforms are crucial. While we have significant work ahead, as long as we maintain commitment and momentum, and stay the course, we will achieve the desired outcomes.”

Responding to another question, he stressed the role of the private sector in driving economic growth. “Policy frameworks and continuity are the government’s responsibility, but the private sector must lead the economy. The government’s focus is on creating an enabling environment to support this transition,” he stated.

The delegation appreciated the government’s efforts in stabilizing the economy and discussed opportunities for collaboration in areas such as innovation, investment, and financial inclusion. The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to strengthen U.S.-Pakistan cooperation in achieving mutual economic goals and addressing shared challenges.

RAWALPINDI, DEC 9 /DNA/ – The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the Service Chiefs, and the Armed Forces of Pakistan solemnly observe the 53rd martyrdom anniversary of Sowar Muhammad Hussain Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider, with profound reverence and gratitude.

On this day in 1971, during the Indo-Pak War at the Zafarwal-Shakargarh Sector, Sowar Muhammad Hussain Shaheed displayed unparalleled courage and extraordinary devotion to duty. By identifying enemy tanks and directing the crew of recoilless rifles, he contributed to the destruction of 16 enemy tanks. During this valiant act, he was struck in the chest by enemy machine-gun fire and embraced the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

The anniversary of Sowar Muhammad Hussain Shaheed stands as an enduring testament to the unwavering commitment and supreme sacrifices of the Armed Forces of Pakistan in safeguarding the sovereignty and dignity of the motherland.

Let us honor and draw inspiration from the sacrifices of our national heroes, whose bravery and devotion to the nation remain an eternal source of pride. The entire nation pays homage to its gallant sons who laid down their lives in the defense of Pakistan.