PM Imran Khan vows to uplift tribal areas, poor sections in line with 'state of Madina' principles

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday vowed to uplift the tribal areas and underprivileged sections of the society in line with the principles of the 'state of Madina'.

Speaking to the participants at the inauguration of Mohmand Nahakki Tunnel and Sheikh Zayed Road in Halimzai of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), PM Imran Khan said efforts should be made for the progress of all areas together.

"Every possible help will be given to the tribal areas," he promised, noting that the opportunities of education and employment were at the lowest level in these regions. "The government has an ideology and that is its roadmap.

"Our ideology is the same rules and principles from the state of Madina and that ideology is to uplift the weaker sections of the society,” he added, terming it the state's biggest responsibility.

"Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam also thought of an Islamic welfare state," the prime minister said. "We are trying our best to uplift the weaker sections of the society.

"Progress should be such that all areas are uplifted together, not that one develops and rest go down," he added, emphasising that efforts were being made to spend more funds on the tribal areas.

Earlier, officials briefed PM Imran about the development projects being carried out in the agency, while the premier was also scheduled to meet the elders at the Yousaf Khel FC Camp.

The premier also spoke of the funds given to the provinces under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, lamenting how the portion to be given to the tribal areas were not disbursed as promised.

"The provinces had promised before the [2018] elections that they would give a 3% share of the NFC award to the tribal areas but when our government came into power, they were not ready to share it.

Underlining how numerous areas of Sindh were left behind, the prime minister highlighted how the "party that gets votes from the rural areas [of the province] does nothing for Karachi".

"Areas that are left behind should be given more attention," he stressed.

Moving back to the problems faced by Pakistan's western regions, he said: "The tribal areas and Balochistan should get the full funds they deserve even if the other regions do not get them.

"The tribal areas have become part of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The KP [government] gave its fair share of the NFC to the tribal areas," he noted.

PM Imran directed for all kinds of assistance to be provided to the KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan.

He underscored that some elements did not want FATA and the KP province to merge and that "our enemies are in touch" with them. "Our enemies fund such elements and are trying their best to spread chaos.

Smuggling was destroying Pakistan, PM Imran said, but announced that efforts were being made to "open border markets" and "set up industries in the tribal areas that can export goods to Afghanistan and Central Asia".

With regards to the dialogue that began between the Taliban and the Kabul government for the Afghan peace process, he said: "I pray for the talks between the Taliban and Afghan officials to be successful.

"There are countries that do not want peace in Afghanistan. If there is peace in Afghanistan, there will be an opportunity for trade from Central Asia.

"As the peace talks move forward, trade in the tribal region will change dramatically," he added.

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Afghan Peace Process needs 'serious efforts' to move forward: FM Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi urged the Afghan leadership to make “serious efforts” in order to take the Afghan Peace Process to its logical conclusion.

The foreign minister made the remark as he welcomed High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) of Afghanistan Chairman Dr Abdullah Abdullah at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Abdullah is in Islamabad for a three-day trip, where he is expected to meet Prime Minister Imran Khan, President Arif Alvi and the Pakistani leadership.

“We respect Afghanistan's territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Qureshi said, adding that PM Imran Khan had constantly emphasised that Afghanistan’s problems cannot be solved through force alone.

The foreign minister said that the world has today acknowledged Pakistan’s stance on the problems faced by Afghanistan.

“Pakistan supports a peaceful and lasting political solution for Afghanistan through acceptable dialogue,” said Qureshi.

He also told the visiting dignitary that Pakistan will continue “playing a conciliatory role sincerely” in the Afghan peace process.

He added that Pakistan believes that peace in Afghanistan is essential for the development of the region, and warned that Afghan leaders will have to focus on the “miscreants” who try to derail the Afghan peace process. He also urged the world to come forward for the peace and development of Afghanistan.

Qureshi, while bringing up the Afghan refugees present in Pakistan, said Pakistan wants the “dignified repatriation” of Afghans living in Pakistan.

During the meeting, Dr Abdullah appreciated Pakistan for its conciliatory efforts and thanked PM Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Qureshi for their role in the Afghan process.

Upon his arrival, Dr Abdullah also planted a tree at the Foreign Office.

Earlier today, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Commerce Razak Dawood and Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq received the Afghan leader at the Nur Khan Airbase.

'New chapter' of relations

In a statement before his departure to Islamabad, Abdullah Abdullah hoped his visit will open a new chapter of mutual cooperation at all levels, especially on achieving a lasting and dignified peace in Afghanistan.

“The visit will provide a unique opportunity for the two sides to exchange views on Afghanistan peace talks in Doha, & bilateral relations,” he posted on Twitter.

PM warns against ‘hasty withdrawal’

PM Imran, in an opinion in Washington Post on Saturday, has warned the international community against a “hasty withdrawal” from the war-torn country and said abandoning the Afghan peace process for any reason would be "a great travesty".

"With the exception of the resilient Afghans themselves, no people have paid a higher price for the conflict in Afghanistan than the people of Pakistan. Through decades of conflict, Pakistan has dealt with the responsibility of taking care of more than 4 million Afghan refugees," wrote PM Imran.

The prime minister also talked about how the war in Afghanistan disrupted Pakistan's economic trajectory and radicalised fringes of the country's society. "The Pakistan I had known growing up in the 1960s and 1970s changed in some deeply unsettling ways," he noted.

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Asif Zardari, Faryal Talpur indicted in mega money-laundering case

An accountability court on Monday indicted former president and PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari and his sister, Faryal Talpur, in the mega money-laundering case, with the accused pleading not guilty to all charges.

Justice Azam Khan presided over the proceedings in an Islamabad court where Zardari, accompanied by his daughter Asifa, and Talpur were presented to hear the charges being brought against them.

The PPP leader's lawyer, Farooq H. Naik, was not present, reportedly due to a commitment at the Supreme Court.

The court also indicted Anwar Majeed, the head of the Omni Group and another accused in the case, who appeared through a video link. Majeed, too, pleaded not guilty.

The court further indicted Majeed's son, Abdul Ghani, who was present in the courtroom and also pleaded not guilty.

Lawyers of two other accused in the case, including former Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) chairperson Hussain Lawai and banker Taha Raza, were given a copy of the charge sheet after being indicted by the court.

It should be noted that at the last hearing, the court had dismissed Zardari's pleas in three corruption references and ordered that he be indicted.

Meanwhile, the PPP co-chairperson today challenged the mega money-laundering and Park Lane reference trials in the Islamabad High Court, seeking acquittal in both.

The accountability court has postponed the indictment of the former president in the Park Lane and Thatta Water Supply references till October 5.

While responding to media queries upon indictment in the alleged multi-billion rupee money-laundering case, Asif Zardari said he has walked these paths earlier as well, referring to earlier corruption trials against him.

When asked whether the PPP will stand by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif according to the decisions taken by the All Parties Conference, Zardari responded saying: “Inshallah [If God wills it]”.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari termed the indictment of Asif Zardari as “victimization” and asked why, when the opposition is facing court cases, cabinet members and Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sister are not summoned to the courts.

 

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Soldier martyred in exchange of fire with terrorists in South Waziristan: ISPR

A soldier was martyred during an exchange of fire with terrorists in South Waziristan's Shakai Vally, the Inter-Services Public Relations said Monday.

According to the military's media wing, the security troops were patrolling in the area after they had received intelligence reports about the presence of terrorists there.

The soldier, Captain Abdullah Zafar, 25, embraced martyrdom as he led the troops in during the patrol, the ISPR said, adding that he was a resident of Kohat's Lachi area.

"Area [has been] cordoned off for clearance operation," the ISPR added.

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PM Imran Khan vows to uplift tribal areas, poor sections in line with 'state of Madina' principles

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday vowed to uplift the tribal areas and underprivileged sections of the society in line with the principles of the 'state of Madina'.

Speaking to the participants at the inauguration of Mohmand Nahakki Tunnel and Sheikh Zayed Road in Halimzai of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), PM Imran Khan said efforts should be made for the progress of all areas together.

"Every possible help will be given to the tribal areas," he promised, noting that the opportunities of education and employment were at the lowest level in these regions. "The government has an ideology and that is its roadmap.

"Our ideology is the same rules and principles from the state of Madina and that ideology is to uplift the weaker sections of the society,” he added, terming it the state's biggest responsibility.

"Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam also thought of an Islamic welfare state," the prime minister said. "We are trying our best to uplift the weaker sections of the society.

"Progress should be such that all areas are uplifted together, not that one develops and rest go down," he added, emphasising that efforts were being made to spend more funds on the tribal areas.

Earlier, officials briefed PM Imran about the development projects being carried out in the agency, while the premier was also scheduled to meet the elders at the Yousaf Khel FC Camp.

The premier also spoke of the funds given to the provinces under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, lamenting how the portion to be given to the tribal areas were not disbursed as promised.

"The provinces had promised before the [2018] elections that they would give a 3% share of the NFC award to the tribal areas but when our government came into power, they were not ready to share it.

Underlining how numerous areas of Sindh were left behind, the prime minister highlighted how the "party that gets votes from the rural areas [of the province] does nothing for Karachi".

"Areas that are left behind should be given more attention," he stressed.

Moving back to the problems faced by Pakistan's western regions, he said: "The tribal areas and Balochistan should get the full funds they deserve even if the other regions do not get them.

"The tribal areas have become part of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The KP [government] gave its fair share of the NFC to the tribal areas," he noted.

PM Imran directed for all kinds of assistance to be provided to the KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan.

He underscored that some elements did not want FATA and the KP province to merge and that "our enemies are in touch" with them. "Our enemies fund such elements and are trying their best to spread chaos.

Smuggling was destroying Pakistan, PM Imran said, but announced that efforts were being made to "open border markets" and "set up industries in the tribal areas that can export goods to Afghanistan and Central Asia".

With regards to the dialogue that began between the Taliban and the Kabul government for the Afghan peace process, he said: "I pray for the talks between the Taliban and Afghan officials to be successful.

"There are countries that do not want peace in Afghanistan. If there is peace in Afghanistan, there will be an opportunity for trade from Central Asia.

"As the peace talks move forward, trade in the tribal region will change dramatically," he added.

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Afghan Peace Process needs 'serious efforts' to move forward: FM Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi urged the Afghan leadership to make “serious efforts” in order to take the Afghan Peace Process to its logical conclusion.

The foreign minister made the remark as he welcomed High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) of Afghanistan Chairman Dr Abdullah Abdullah at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Abdullah is in Islamabad for a three-day trip, where he is expected to meet Prime Minister Imran Khan, President Arif Alvi and the Pakistani leadership.

“We respect Afghanistan's territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Qureshi said, adding that PM Imran Khan had constantly emphasised that Afghanistan’s problems cannot be solved through force alone.

The foreign minister said that the world has today acknowledged Pakistan’s stance on the problems faced by Afghanistan.

“Pakistan supports a peaceful and lasting political solution for Afghanistan through acceptable dialogue,” said Qureshi.

He also told the visiting dignitary that Pakistan will continue “playing a conciliatory role sincerely” in the Afghan peace process.

He added that Pakistan believes that peace in Afghanistan is essential for the development of the region, and warned that Afghan leaders will have to focus on the “miscreants” who try to derail the Afghan peace process. He also urged the world to come forward for the peace and development of Afghanistan.

Qureshi, while bringing up the Afghan refugees present in Pakistan, said Pakistan wants the “dignified repatriation” of Afghans living in Pakistan.

During the meeting, Dr Abdullah appreciated Pakistan for its conciliatory efforts and thanked PM Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Qureshi for their role in the Afghan process.

Upon his arrival, Dr Abdullah also planted a tree at the Foreign Office.

Earlier today, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Commerce Razak Dawood and Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq received the Afghan leader at the Nur Khan Airbase.

'New chapter' of relations

In a statement before his departure to Islamabad, Abdullah Abdullah hoped his visit will open a new chapter of mutual cooperation at all levels, especially on achieving a lasting and dignified peace in Afghanistan.

“The visit will provide a unique opportunity for the two sides to exchange views on Afghanistan peace talks in Doha, & bilateral relations,” he posted on Twitter.

PM warns against ‘hasty withdrawal’

PM Imran, in an opinion in Washington Post on Saturday, has warned the international community against a “hasty withdrawal” from the war-torn country and said abandoning the Afghan peace process for any reason would be "a great travesty".

"With the exception of the resilient Afghans themselves, no people have paid a higher price for the conflict in Afghanistan than the people of Pakistan. Through decades of conflict, Pakistan has dealt with the responsibility of taking care of more than 4 million Afghan refugees," wrote PM Imran.

The prime minister also talked about how the war in Afghanistan disrupted Pakistan's economic trajectory and radicalised fringes of the country's society. "The Pakistan I had known growing up in the 1960s and 1970s changed in some deeply unsettling ways," he noted.

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Asif Zardari, Faryal Talpur indicted in mega money-laundering case

An accountability court on Monday indicted former president and PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari and his sister, Faryal Talpur, in the mega money-laundering case, with the accused pleading not guilty to all charges.

Justice Azam Khan presided over the proceedings in an Islamabad court where Zardari, accompanied by his daughter Asifa, and Talpur were presented to hear the charges being brought against them.

The PPP leader's lawyer, Farooq H. Naik, was not present, reportedly due to a commitment at the Supreme Court.

The court also indicted Anwar Majeed, the head of the Omni Group and another accused in the case, who appeared through a video link. Majeed, too, pleaded not guilty.

The court further indicted Majeed's son, Abdul Ghani, who was present in the courtroom and also pleaded not guilty.

Lawyers of two other accused in the case, including former Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) chairperson Hussain Lawai and banker Taha Raza, were given a copy of the charge sheet after being indicted by the court.

It should be noted that at the last hearing, the court had dismissed Zardari's pleas in three corruption references and ordered that he be indicted.

Meanwhile, the PPP co-chairperson today challenged the mega money-laundering and Park Lane reference trials in the Islamabad High Court, seeking acquittal in both.

The accountability court has postponed the indictment of the former president in the Park Lane and Thatta Water Supply references till October 5.

While responding to media queries upon indictment in the alleged multi-billion rupee money-laundering case, Asif Zardari said he has walked these paths earlier as well, referring to earlier corruption trials against him.

When asked whether the PPP will stand by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif according to the decisions taken by the All Parties Conference, Zardari responded saying: “Inshallah [If God wills it]”.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari termed the indictment of Asif Zardari as “victimization” and asked why, when the opposition is facing court cases, cabinet members and Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sister are not summoned to the courts.

 

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