Author: none@none.com (Dawn.com)

US State Department expresses solidarity with Pakistan in combating terrorism The US State Department recently expressed its support for Pakistan in combating terrorism, stating that no country should have to endure the kind of terrorist attacks that Pakistani people have suffered from. The department emphasized a shared interest with Islamabad in addressing threats to regional security. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led federal government approved a national counter-terrorism campaign, now known as Vision Azm-i-Istehkam, to eliminate extremism and terrorism from the country. This initiative was launched with the consensus of all stakeholders, reflecting a unified commitment to combating these challenges. The State…

Balochistan Home Minister Exposes TTP and BLA Collaboration Balochistan Home Minister Exposes TTP and BLA Collaboration During a press conference in Quetta, Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langau revealed that banned outfits Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) are working together to carry out terrorist attacks in Pakistan, with India as their main backer. Security forces recently apprehended TTP commanders Nasrullah and Idrees, shedding light on their nefarious plans. Langau emphasized the link between the TTP’s aim to establish an Islamic system and the BLA’s anti-government stance, pointing to a common source of funding from India’s RAW. Langau…

The National Assembly witnessed Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb’s announcement that next year’s fiscal budget will prioritize reducing the fiscal deficit through revenue enhancement and reducing unnecessary expenditures. Aurangzeb presented the budget on June 12, with the lower house of parliament deliberating over it for the upcoming fiscal year. Despite initial reservations, the PPP decided to support the budget bill, emphasizing the importance of stability in the country. Criticism from MQM-P members highlighted concerns over taxes impacting the middle-class and causing inflation. PTI leader Asad Qaiser and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman rejected the proposed budget as “IMF” and “anti-people.” FM…

Pakistan Stock Exchange’s KSE-100 index has emerged as Asia’s best performing market this year, with a remarkable 27% surge in dollar terms. According to a report by Bloomberg, the prospects for further growth are strong due to cheap valuations and the government’s efforts to secure a new loan from the IMF. Despite trading at a record high, the index boasts a one-year forward earnings-based valuation of 3.8x – a 50% discount to its average, indicating lucrative investment opportunities. However, political instability remains a concern, as the government’s weak mandate and austerity measures could lead to potential challenges. With a focus…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif clarified that the upcoming counterterrorism campaign ‘Vision Azm-i-Istehkam’ will focus on intensifying ongoing intelligence-based operations (IBOs) rather than launching a new large-scale military offensive. The aim is to decisively root out terrorists, crime, and violent extremism from the country. The campaign will not involve mass displacement of the local population. After opposition parties raised concerns, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif assured that their reservations would be addressed. The proposed campaign will involve intelligence-based operations and aims to address the rising wave of terrorism in the country. The decision to launch Azm-i-Istehkam follows a meeting of the Central…

The federal government recently launched Operation Azm-i-Istehkam as part of a renewed national counter-terrorism campaign. This operation aims to combat extremism and terrorism in a comprehensive manner. Despite some opposition in Parliament, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed support for the operation, highlighting the importance of unity in this crucial fight. Kundi suggested that meetings on security and law enforcement should be held in terrorism hotzones across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, involving KP assembly members and federal cabinet officials. He emphasized the need for these discussions to take place in the affected areas rather than in distant, air-conditioned rooms in Islamabad. The…

The federal government recently approved Operation Azm-i-Istehkam, a national counter-terrorism campaign aimed at eradicating extremism and terrorism in Pakistan. Chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Central Apex Committee on the National Action Plan (NAP) launched this campaign with the consensus of all stakeholders, including provinces. With a 20-point NAP in place since 2014, Pakistan has seen a rise in terrorism-related incidents, prompting the need for a more robust strategy. The renewed campaign will involve multiple efforts to combat extremism decisively. The meeting also focused on enhancing security for Chinese nationals in Pakistan and emphasized a whole-of-government approach for fighting…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need for a collective effort in combatting terrorism during an apex committee meeting for the National Action Plan (NAP). The 20-point NAP was established in response to the 2014 attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar and aims to address terrorism and extremism. Pakistan has seen an increase in terror incidents, with a record high of 1,524 fatalities and 1,463 injuries from 789 attacks in 2023. PM Shehbaz stressed the importance of rule of law and stability for growth and development in the country, stating that terrorism affects the economy and discourages investors.…

Pakistan is urging the United Nations Security Council to take decisive action against terrorism in Afghanistan, emphasizing the threat of allowing terrorists to operate in the region with impunity. This call comes as the Afghan Taliban authorities prepare to attend UN-hosted talks in Qatar. The Taliban government’s participation in discussions has been uncertain, but they have now confirmed they will be represented at the upcoming conference. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Munir Akram, highlighted the presence of terrorist organizations like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State in Khorasan Province (IS-K) in Afghanistan, posing a direct threat to Pakistan.…

Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Slams Budget as “Economic Terrorism” As the debate on the finance bill for fiscal year 2025 began in the National Assembly, Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub criticized the budget as “economic terrorism” against the people of Pakistan. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb’s budget, featuring a total outlay of Rs18.9 trillion, aims for a 3.6% GDP growth and a Rs13 trillion tax collection target. Ayub accused the government of undermining Aurangzeb and criticized the alleged interference of the establishment in economic decisions. He claimed that the budget was designed by “economic hitmen” to harm the nation’s future…