MOSCOW: Russia called on countries neighboring Afghanistan not to host US or NATO military forces after they pulled out of Afghanistan earlier this year.
“We call on Afghanistan‘s neighboring countries not to allow a military presence of US and NATO forces that plan to move there after leaving Afghanistan’s territory,” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
Earlier, on Saturday, Russia’s defence minister accused NATO of gradually gathering forces near Russia’s borders and being unwilling to discuss European security with Moscow on equal terms, Interfax news agency reported.
Shoigu’s comments were the latest sign of mounting tension between Russia and NATO after defence ministers from the Western alliance agreed a new plan on Thursday to defend against any potential Russian attack on multiple fronts.
Germany’s defence minister described the plan as “the way of deterrence” but the Kremlin said on Friday that the plan showed Moscow had been right to cut ties with NATO. Russia shut its diplomatic mission to NATO and the alliance’s mission in Moscow this week after NATO expelled eight Russians accused of spying.
“NATO is gradually gathering forces near our borders amid calls for military deterrence of Russia,” Interfax quoted Shoigu as saying in a statement, without giving details.
TEHRAN: Neighboring countries of Afghanistan have to sent a clear message to the Taliban Government that it should fulfill its commitments made with the international community.
This came in a joint statement issued after a meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighbours, including Russia, held in Tehran on Wednesday.
The foreign ministers of Iran, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Russia attended the meeting while Afghanistan was not invited to the moot, where the UN secretary-general sent a video message. The third round of the meeting will be held in China in 2022.
The statement asked the new Afghan rulers to ensure that Afghan territory will not pose any threats to the neighbouring countries and that it will not be used by criminal, terrorist and separatist groups.
It also urged Kabul to cut ties with all terrorist groups and decisively eliminate them.
The declaration in the joint statement pointed out that the neighbouring countries supported a durable and realistic settlement of differences through dialogue and negotiations among the relevant parties for achieving national reconciliation, lasting political solution and the formation of an inclusive government.
The foreign ministers also called on the relevant Afghan parties to take a friendly approach toward neighbouring countries and respect universally-accepted principles of international law and fundamental human rights and protect the safety and legitimate rights of foreign nationals and institutions in Afghanistan.
All the FMs agreed that the countries primarily responsible for the difficulties in Afghanistan should earnestly deliver on their commitment, and provide Afghanistan with urgently-needed economic, livelihood and humanitarian assistance to help realise a stable transition of the situation in Afghanistan.
It also called on the relevant Afghan parties to implement modest and prudent internal and external policies, return to the normal order of the society as soon as possible, realise the effective operation of government agencies, provide basic public services to people, take actions to improve people’s livelihood and protect the fundamental rights of ethnic groups, women and children in Afghanistan.
Some of the other issues that were of importance for the various Afghan parties related to confronting various threats and challenges, including terrorism, drug smuggling and human trafficking, crackdown on organised crime and other criminal acts originating from Afghanistan and taking into consideration the terrorism threats and counterterrorism effectiveness, discuss through bilateral or multilateral channels the possibility of restarting counter-terrorism cooperation with Afghanistan in due course, Geo News reported.
The international community, as well as the relevant Afghan parties, were asked to address the root causes of forced displacement in Afghanistan to avoid any destabilising activity that would deteriorate the situation and cooperate for a permanent solution for the protracted situation of Afghan refugees.
The international community and donor countries were asked to provide continued, adequate and proportionate financial support to the host countries of Afghan refugees, especially Iran and Pakistan and other neighbouring countries of Afghanistan.
ISLAMABAD: Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed Interior Minister on Wednesday announced that the Federal Government has decided to call the Punjab Rangers to maintain the law and order situation in the province amid the ongoing protests staged by the proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
He was addressing a press conference in Federal Capital Islamabad, ahead of the TLP announcement to start long arch towards the capital city.
The Interior Minister said that the government wants to establish peace as there is a lot of pressure on Pakistan.
The minister said that since the ambassador of France is not present in Pakistan, the proscribed organisation seems to have “another agenda”.
“Yesterday, I had warned that foreign powers want to impose sanctions on Pakistan,” Rasheed said.
Earlier, briefing the media on the cabinet’s decision today, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said “TLP is not a religious organisation, it is a militant wing”.
The minister said the cabinet had decided to deal with TLP like a militant organisation, as he slammed the proscribed political party for blocking roads and central arteries for their protests.
“They have already put up a show six times. The proscribed TLP cannot blackmail the state; it has no status. In the past, we have defeated terrorist organisations,” he said.
The information minister, noting that six police officials were martyred during the protest, asked that till when would the state act as a silent spectator.
“We do not want bloodshed,” he said and slammed the TLP for blocking the roads “without reason”.
He asked the proscribed organisation to not underestimate the state’s writ, as the government had waited long enough.
Chaudhry said several people joined the protesters with AK-47s in their hands.
In the light of TLP’s protests, Prime Minister Imran Khan had said that the government would not allow anyone to take the law into their hands as he issued directives to stop the long march planned by proscribed organisations.
Meanwhile, due to the protests, Pakistan Railways had announced alternate routes for several trains. Operations of Subak Khram, Islamabad Express, Rawal Express were suspended, while the Orange Line’s route from Rawalpindi to Lahore was also suspended.
However, the rest of the trains would operate in line with their schedule.
Similarly, due to the ongoing six-day long protest, traffic has been suspended on GT Road, causing frustration to the commuters, as they are facing troubles.
RAWALPINDI: Two Pakistan Army perssonel were martyred as they responded an attempt of terrorist from Afghanistan to cross the fence at Durand Line, said a statement of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday.
The ISPR stated that Lance Naik Asad of Kurram and Sepoy Asif of Lakki Marwat, were the army personnel embraced martyrdom during the terroist attack from across Afghanistan.
“On night 26-27 October 2021, terrorists from inside Afghanistan attempted to cross the fence along Pak – Afghan Border in district Kurram”, the ISPR statement said, adding that the troops initiated a prompt response and thwarted the attempted illegal crossing by engaging the terrorists.
However, during intense fire exchange, Lance Naik Asad, resident of Kurram, age 24 years and Sepoy Asif, resident of Lakki Marwat, age 21 years were martyred.
Pakistan strongly condemned the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activities against Pakistan and expects that interim Afghan Government will not allow such activities against Pakistan, in future.
Pakistan Army is determined to guard Pakistan’s frontiers against the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.
LAHORE: At least one policeman was killed and over 45 personnel were injured after protesters belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) clashed with Punjab Police near Sadhoke, Gujranwala, on Wednesday.
The fresh clashes between the banned TLP and the police came as the outfit resumed its march towards Islamabad after talks with the government fell through.
The slain policeman was identified as ASI Akbar, a resident of Kasur.
The TLP said the government did not want to negotiate in a serious manner whereas the government said the TLP should let go of its demand pertaining to the expulsion of the French envoy. It said all other demands, including the release of its chief Saad Rizvi, were acceptable.
In a statement, TLP claimed that police used force to disperse the protesters near Sadhoke, injuring over 50 workers. The banned outfit also claimed that police used teargas, water cannons, and bullets to target the crowd.
“Instead of trying to resolve the issue, the use of violence by the government was further complicating the situation,” said a TLP spokesperson.
Earlier in the day, TLP Central Committee member Wazir Ali said the TLP march would remain “peaceful”, but if the police used force against the workers of the banned outfit, the party would go on a countrywide strike.
In the morning, the party started its march towards Islamabad from Muridke where it had staged a sit-in for the past three days. The decision to halt the march at Muridke was taken after Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid assured them the government would meet their demands.
The provincial government has deployed a large number of police officials on GT Road to stop the 10,000-strong TLP march. It has also dug up trenches on the highway before Chenab River in a bid to stop the supporters of the religious outfit.
As per sources, the Punjab government has also imposed a temporary ban on buses plying on GT Road and placed containers on the road to obstruct the movement of the rally.
Meanwhile, in Rawalpindi, the police have sealed Murree Road for all kinds of traffic. With the closure of major highways in the city, daily life has come to a standstill with citizens facing severe difficulties. All educational institutions and all of Murree Road and adjoining roads have been shutdown.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting at Bani Gala wherein it was decided not to give any leeway to the TLP.
The meeting was attended by army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid, Federal Religious Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Bazdar and the province’s chief secretary among others.
The premier was briefed on the negotiations with the TLP. It was decided that further talks with the religious outfit would be held only if it ended its protest march.
ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed serious concerns over Pakistan’s failure in operationalizing the Treasury Single Account (TSA-1) under which Islamabad had to close down the accounts of federal and provincial governments into private commercial banks with whopping deposits of Rs2,900 billion, reports said on Monday.
The IMF hinted at bringing attached autonomous bodies and entities, including those belonging to the Ministry of Defense and the armed forces, as part of the structural benchmark of $6 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
Under the Treasury Single Account (TSA)-1, Pakistan already agreed with the IMF to withdraw Rs2,900 billion from commercial banks and shift it into the Federal Consolidated Fund (FCA) known as the account number of the federal government with the State Bank of Pakistan.
However, the all-powerful ministries, including the Ministry of Defense and others, had not yet accomplished such assigned tasks within the stipulated time-frame.
Now the IMF is moving one step ahead to make the TSA-2 as part of a structural benchmark under which all attached autonomous departments, including those affiliated with the Ministry of Defence and armed forces, would also be required to shift their deposits into federal consolidated fund.
The amount of Rs1,665 billion of different federal ministries and divisions are lying into commercial banks’ accounts while over Rs1,100 billion of provincial governments is also deposited into private commercial banks.
Now the IMF, under TSA-2, is asking the attached departments of ministries/divisions such as NHA, OGDC, FWO, NLC, SCO and others to follow the same rules and shift their deposits into consolidated accounts.
Commercial banks are earning huge profits on deposited money of Rs2,900 billion of federal and provincial governments as there is spread of 4 to 5% because they were investing into T-bills and charging more from the government, so conservative estimates suggest that the government was losing Rs150 billion on per annum basis because of this mismanagement.
It isn’t a simple issue because the ministries/divisions and attached departments would not easily agree to shift their deposits into the consolidated fund as they wanted to bypass the Ministry of Finance and AGPR when they required funds.
“It is a grave concern of the IMF because Islamabad failed to operationalise the TSA-1,” top official sources confirmed while talking to The News here on Sunday.
The Ministry of Finance had submitted its plan before the IMF higher-ups during the ongoing inconclusive review talks. Under the existing $6 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), there was a structural benchmark for May 2021 that the minister for finance will establish and make functional the TSA-1.
The Ministry of Finance has shared a roadmap with the IMF to make TSA-1 fully functional and stated that it required at least two years to make it happen. But now the IMF is moving forward and asking the government to bring TSA-2 by forcing all attached departments to shift their deposits from commercial banks into the consolidated fund.
“The IMF may bring TSA-2 as part of structural benchmark under the existing $6 billion EFF program,” said official sources.
There is a debate whether the receipts of autonomous bodies are part of the federal consolidated fund or not but the Ministry of Finance considered it as part of the consolidated fund.
The IMF, in its last staff, report stated that while some steps have faced delays, the (Pakistani) authorities are committed to achieving a functional single treasury account (TSA-1) by May 2021 (new end-May 2021 SB), move swiftly to TSA-2 and improve, with EU’s assistance, their annual and multi-annual commitments control systems.
Improving the budget process to achieve greater spending efficiency and control remains another priority.
On Public Finance Management (PFM) reforms, the IMF staff report further stated that while we have advanced on some elements of our PFM reform strategy (including the establishment of a macro-fiscal unit in the MoF for proper identification and monitoring of macroeconomic and specific fiscal risks), more needs to be done, Geo News reported.
“In line with our PFM Act, we presented the mid-year budget review to the National Assembly in February 2020 (end-February 2020 SB) and February 2021. Going forward, we plan to intensify our efforts to establish a treasury single account (TSA-1).
“In September 2020, we prepared and shared the accounts level data with public sector entities (MDAS) for arranging closure of the accounts and transfer of funds to TSA-1. This will allow us to establish the TSA-1 and make it functional by end-May 2021 (new end-May 2021 SB). We have also initiated work on the TSA-2. Moreover, to strengthen budget execution and expenditure controls, we will with the assistance of the EU, develop guidelines related to annual and multi-annual commitments control systems by end-March 2021, the IMF report concluded.”
The team management had decided to include senior and experienced cricketers in the playing XI for much of the T20 World Cup, including the blockbuster India clash scheduled to take place on October 24.
Pakistan has decided to go with a combination of senior and experienced cricketers in the clash against India.
Unless fitness issues creep up, the same combination that is playing in the warm-up matches will be seen in action against India/
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Babar Azam-led squad look to break World Cup jinx against India. The team will look to end their losing streak against India at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup when the two rivals begin their title race in a Sunday blockbuster.
India have beaten Pakistan in all of their 12 matches at the T20 and 50-over World Cups.
However, Pakistan come into the Super 12s contest with 10 wins in a row in the UAE and former Pakistan all-rounder Mudassar Nazar believes the team has struck the right balance to challenge Virat Kohli’s India.
“A week ago I had apprehensions about the team but now they have made certain changes and they look a decent, well-balanced side now,” former Pakistan opener and all-rounder said.
“Pakistan stand a very good chance as they have experienced players who have played a lot against India. India start as favourites and they have all the areas covered but in T20 anybody could beat anybody on their day” Mudassar said.
Azam, who is in top form with two T20 centuries this year, believes his team can break the World Cup jinx.
“Definitely we have played a lot of cricket in the UAE,” Babar had said when asked about his team’s dismal 0-5 record against India in T20 World Cup clashes.
“These conditions suit us and we know how to play here. We need to keep things simple in all the departments.”
The two teams last met in the 2019 ODI World Cup in England as India only plays Pakistan in multi-nation events after cutting off bilateral cricket ties with their neighbours following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
JEDDAH: Prime Minister Imran Khan has reached Jeddah along with a government delegation and will go on to Makkah to perform Umrah, the Prime Minister’s Office said late Saturday night.
The premier was received by Deputy Governor of Makkah region Prince Badar bin Sultan Al Saud, the PM’s Office said.
Imran Khan is in Saudi Arabia for a three-day visit, from October 23 to 25, where he is set to attend the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) Summit in Riyadh.
The prime minister had earlier arrived in Madina, where he was received by Deputy Governor of Madinah Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Faisal, who gave the delegation a warm reception.
Later, the prime minister visited the Roza-e-Rasool, where he offered his prayers and respects.
As per a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the prime minister is accompanied by a high-level delegation to the kingdom, including the foreign minister and other members of the cabinet.
“At the MGI Summit, the prime minister will share his perspective on the challenges faced by the developing countries due to climate change. The prime minister will also highlight Pakistan’s experience of launching nature-based solutions to address environmental challenges,” read the statement.
“The MGI Summit is being held at the initiative of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. The event is the first of its kind in the Middle East region,” the statement said further.
The “Green Saudi Arabia” and “Green Middle East” initiatives were launched by the crown prince in March 2021 aimed at protecting the nature and planet.
PM Imran Khan welcomed these two initiatives and offered to share experiences and lessons from Pakistan’s “Clean and Green Pakistan” and the “10 billion Tree Tsunami” projects.
The Foreign Office confirmed that PM Imran Khan will hold bilateral meetings with the Saudi leadership on enhancing trade, economic relations between the two countries and creating more opportunities for the Pakistani workforce.
“The two sides will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest,” said the Foreign Office.
The prime minister will partake in an interactive session in which he will invite investment into Pakistan. The session will be held with leading investors and businessmen from Saudi Arabia and the Pakistani diaspora in the kingdom.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long-standing and historic fraternal relations, rooted deep in common faith, shared history and mutual support, the statement said.
Saudi Arabia is home to more than two million Pakistanis, contributing towards the progress and prosperity of both countries, it added.
“The relationship is marked by frequent high-level visits, close cooperation in all fields, and mutual collaboration on regional and international issues, including at the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir,” it said further.
“The visit of the prime minister will carry forward the positive momentum of cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,” according to the statement.
QUETTA: Security forces have killed six terrorists including a commander of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) after carrying an operation on an intelligence report.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement the security forces carried out anintelligence-based operation (IBO) after receiving a reoport of confirmed presence of terrorists in a hideout near Jamboro, Harnai, Balochistan. The Operation was carried to apprehend a group of externally sponsored terrorists working against peace in Balochistan, the ISPR added.
“As soon as troops cordoned the area, terrorists tried to flee from the hideout and opened indiscriminate fire,” read a statement issued by the military’s media wing.
“A heavy exchange of fire with terrorists continued for a long time,” it said, adding, resultantly, six terrorists including BLA Commander Tariq Alias Nasir got killed.
A huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the hideout.
Such IBOs to eliminate perpetrators of terrorist acts in Pakistan will continue and they will not be allowed to sabotage hard-earned opportunities for prosperity and socio-economic growth of the people of Balochistan, the statement said.
LAHORE: The government has dug up a trench on GT Road near Gujranwala in response to an announcement by the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) that they will set out on a long march towards Islamabad.
A deep and long pit was dug with the help of excavators and cranes while the roads were also blocked in advance by placing containers. Thus, all paths via road leading to and from Gujranwala were blocked.
Meanwhile, a procession by the banned outfit, the participants of which began marching from Lahore, have reached Sadoke.
Earlier in the day, the government held talks with four members of the banned TLP, Minister for Law Punjab Raja Basharat said.
The law minister’s statement came during a meeting of the committee formed for negotiations which was chaired by Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed.
The law minister informed the committee that in the last three days, the government has spoken to the banned outfit four times.
The banned outfit announced a “peaceful protest” on Friday after jummah prayers to demand the release of their leader Saad Rizvi.
A day earlier, Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar announced the government’s decision to form a committee to hold talks with the banned outfit.
“We have formed a committee, consisting of senior members of the Punjab Cabinet Raja Basharat and Chaudhry Zaheeruddin to negotiate with the Tehreek-e-Labbaik,” Buzdar wrote on Twitter.
“According to the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PUBH), we all need to work together for peace and harmony in the country,” he added.
Today, at Lahore’s Batti Chowk, clashes between protesters and police continued for a second day, injuring six law enforcement personnel.
Meanwhile, internet services are being restored gradually, the roads in the city are being reopened, however, Orange Line Metro Train is still closed — for four days now.
In Rawalpindi, the stretch from 6th Road to Faizabad remains blocked. Containers have been placed on Murree Road, causing difficulties for commuters.
To keep Islamabad safe from the protests, the Ministry of Interior has summoned an additional force of 30,000 police personnel from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, who will be equipped with anti-riot gear. Notices in this regard have been sent to all three chief secretaries.
