RAWALPINDI
KP Governor vows decisive response to any threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty
PESHAWAR, Feb 27 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday said that no compromise would be made on the defence of the country amid the recent tensions along the Pak-Afghan border.
In a statement, the Governor said Pakistan is a responsible state that seeks peace, stability and brotherly relations in the region, but it would not compromise on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He made it clear that if anyone mistook Pakistan’s efforts for peace as weakness, they would be given a firm and decisive response.
The Governor said Pakistan had hosted its Afghan brethren for decades and consistently supported a stable and peaceful Afghanistan at every forum. However, he expressed concern over the involvement of Afghan soil and Afghan nationals in suicide attacks and other acts of terrorism in Pakistan.
Faisal Karim Kundi said safeguarding the country’s borders and protecting the lives and property of its citizens was the foremost responsibility of the state, adding that all institutions were working in full coordination to achieve this objective.
He lauded the professional capabilities of the security forces, saying that the armed forces and law enforcement agencies were fully capable of dealing with all kinds of threats.
“The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with its brave armed forces and any act of aggression will be responded to in a befitting manner,” he added.
Six-Nation Conference in Warsaw Applauds Pakistan’s Crackdown on Illegal Migration
ISLAMABAD, Feb 27 (APP): A high-level six-nation conference on irregular migration convened in Warsaw, bringing together interior ministers from Europe alongside Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who led the Pakistan delegation.
The meeting focused on preventing illegal migration, dismantling human smuggling networks, and expanding security cooperation.
The conference was hosted by Marcin Kierwinski of Poland. Other key participants included Igor Taro of Estonia, Richards Kozlovskis of Latvia, Heikki Tamminen of Finland, and Gintaras Aliksandravicius of Lithuania.
All six ministers praised Pakistan for its firm actions against illegal migration and human smuggling, acknowledging the country’s aggressive crackdown and its “visible and encouraging results.”
The participating countries agreed to develop a joint road-map aimed at discouraging illegal migration while promoting regulated and safe migration pathways. In a significant decision, all the European countries present agreed to open official employment opportunities for Pakistani citizens under legal migration frameworks. The ministers also decided to appoint focal persons in their respective interior ministries to enhance coordination and information sharing.
The delegates held detailed discussions on internal security, counter-terrorism, border management, and anti-narcotics strategies. Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefed the conference on the evolving Pakistan–Afghanistan border situation, stating that 22 terrorist organizations are currently operating inside Afghanistan. He added that “Pakistan today is a wall between terrorists in Afghanistan and the rest of the world.”
Naqvi highlighted that Pakistan’s crackdown on human smuggling networks has resulted in a 47% decrease in illegal migration from Pakistan to Europe. He emphasized that Pakistan and European nations can collectively overcome migration challenges through sustained cooperation.
The Pakistani delegation also included Ambassador Muhammad Sami, DG FIA Dr Usman Anwar, DIG Ahsan Younas, Dr Abid Khan, and Sohail Chaudhary, who participated in discussions throughout the conference.
LHC extends stay on Sheranwala, Taxali Gate projects
LAHORE, Feb 27 (APP): The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday extended, until the next hearing, the existing stay orders on the Sheranwala Gate and Taxali Gate projects while hearing a case related to smog mitigation.
The proceedings were conducted by Justice Shahid Karim, who also reviewed progress on the matter of tree cutting at Punjab University.
The court directed the prosecutor general to initiate steps for cancellation of bail of the accused involved in illegal tree cutting. It was informed that the nominated suspects were not cooperating with the investigation, prompting the court to order that the issue be formally taken up with the prosecutor general.
Member of the Environmental Commission, Syed Kamal Haider, submitted a report on the commercial use of public parks, recommending a complete ban on commercial activities in parks. He further proposed that the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) appoint dedicated tree officers for maintenance and protection of trees. The commission also placed before the court a draft re-transplantation policy.
The court instructed the PHA to immediately forward a summary to the Law Department for approval of the tree transplant policy rules. It ruled that in cases where tree transplantation is required, the relevant department must submit a feasibility report. Responding to an argument by PHA’s counsel, Barrister Haris Azmat, that the law does not mandate such a report, the court observed that the law also does not bar it.
Justice Shahid Karim stressed that environmental protection requires not only judicial orders but effective implementation. The PHA informed the court that two model parks had been selected and that the Environmental Commission would soon be facilitated with site visits. The court directed authorities to avoid unnecessary construction in these parks and to preserve their natural character.
During the hearing, the court was told that Punjab University plans to plant 100,000 bamboo trees along Maulana Shaukat Ali Road. The court directed that indigenous tree species should also be given priority alongside bamboo.
Further hearing of the case was adjourned until March 6.
ICT Police bust drug network near educational institutions; Four peddlers behind bars
ISLAMABAD, Feb 27 (APP): Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police arrested four alleged drug peddlers during a targeted operation near educational institutions in the jurisdiction of Shalimar police station, recovering a significant quantity of “ice” (crystal meth) from their possession.
An official told APP on Friday that the operation was conducted as part of a focused crackdown to eliminate drug peddling around educational institutions and protect students from narcotics.
He said police teams acted on credible information and apprehended the accused in the vicinity of academic institutions, recovering a large quantity of ice during the raid.
The arrested suspects were identified as Waqar Ahmed, Muhammad Asghar, Rehman Hassan, and Khurram Shahzad.
Cases have been registered against the accused, and further investigation is underway to uncover their supply chain and possible links with other drug networks.
The official said ICT Police remain fully committed to protecting youth and maintaining a drug-free environment around educational institutions in the federal capital.
AIOU organizes ‘Ramazan Weekly Seerat Seminar’
ISLAMABAD, Feb 27 (APP): Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) organized a meaningful “Ramadan Weekly Seerat Seminar” to embrace the spiritual blessings of the holy month of Ramadan and to promote the teachings of Seerat-un-Nabi (PBUH).
The seminar was held at the university’s Central Library and was jointly organized by the Central Library and the Faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies. The theme of the seminar was “Seerat-un-Nabi (PBUH) and Patience and Perseverance.” Students, faculty members and staff attended in large numbers and listened attentively to the speakers.
The keynote speaker, Dr Syed Abdul Rahman emphasized that the golden principles of patience and steadfastness embodied in the blessed life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are essential for overcoming the intellectual, social and moral challenges of the modern era.
He stated that incorporating these principles into both individual and collective life is crucial for building a strong and resilient society.
Dr Rahman highlighted that the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) serves as a shining example of patience, tolerance, forbearance and unwavering determination. Referring to the hardships faced in Taif and the persecution in Makkah, he said that despite severe trials the Prophet (PBUH) remained steadfast and conveyed to the Ummah that difficulties are temporary, but patience ultimately leads to honor and success.
On the occasion, Librarian Syed Ghulam Kazim Ali announced that weekly lectures covering different aspects of Seerat would continue throughout Ramazan.
He also informed participants that future sessions would be streamed live on social media to enable a wider audience to benefit from these scholarly and spiritual gatherings.
The seminar concluded with a collective prayer for the peace and prosperity of the country, unity of the Muslim Ummah, and for being blessed with patience and steadfastness.
Military leadership briefs PM on Pakistan-Afghanistan situation
RAWALPINDI, Feb 27 (APP): The military leadership Friday briefed Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Pakistan-Afghanistan situation.
During the briefing at General Headquarters (GHQ) here, the Prime Minister said zero tolerance should be shown for the nexus and malicious actions of Fitna al-Khawarij and Afghan Taliban regime.
“The actions of the Afghan Taliban regime and Fitna al-Khawarij against Pakistan are unacceptable,” he said adding, “The Pakistani Armed Forces, under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, are always ready to protect the country.”
“Pakistan knows how to defend itself against any aggression,” he remarked.
The Prime Minister lauded the professional capabilities of the Pakistani Armed Forces for retaliating vigorously and repelling attacks of the Afghan Taliban regime in the border areas.
He said, “The entire nation stands by its Pakistani Armed Forces to protect the homeland.”
Pakistan’s justified response to unprovoked border aggression: Chinese scholar
BEIJING, Feb 7 (APP):: The military clash along the Pak-Afghan border is not an abrupt outburst but the inevitable consequence of Afghanistan’s years of connivance and support for terrorist activities, which has forced Pakistan to take necessary self-defense measures to safeguard its territorial integrity and the safety of its citizens.
As a responsible neighbor, Pakistan has long cherished the brotherly bonds with Afghanistan and spared no efforts to promote regional peace, yet its goodwill has not been met with corresponding reciprocity.
This was stated by Prof Cheng Xizhong, Senior Research Fellow at the Charhar Institute,
a non-governmental Chinese think-tank on diplomacy and international studies based in Beijing.
He said that on the night of February 26, the Afghan Taliban military launched a large-scale offensive against Pakistani military positions and facilities in the border areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province. Shockingly, it even fired mortars into civilian settlements, inflicting severe injuries on innocent civilians. This blatant act of aggression occurred after Pakistan conducted legitimate counter-terrorism airstrikes targeting terrorist camps in Afghanistan—camps that had orchestrated multiple suicide bombings on Pakistani soil, claiming countless lives.
Pakistan, he said, has consistently emphasized that terrorism is a common enemy of all nations and has repeatedly called on the Afghan Taliban to honor its commitment of not allowing Afghan territory to be used as a launching pad for attacks against other countries. Regrettably, the Afghan side has turned a blind eye to such cross-border terrorist activities, which have resulted in the continuous casualties of Pakistani soldiers and civilians. It is crucial to clarify that Pakistan’s response is by no means an act of aggression, but a legitimate and necessary self-defense to protect its people and defend its borders.
Pakistan has no desire for military conflict. For decades, it has hosted millions of Afghan refugees with compassion and actively facilitated peace talks mediated by regional countries. However, peace cannot be achieved through one-sided concessions or appeasement. The Afghan side must immediately cease its provocative actions, take concrete and effective measures to crack down on cross-border terrorism, and return to the negotiating table to resolve differences through dialogue, he added.
Prof Cheng believes that Pakistan will continue to take all necessary measures to uphold its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. At the same time, it remains firmly committed to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan—for a stable Afghanistan is not only in the interest of the Afghan people but also the only path to ensuring lasting regional prosperity and security for both nations.
APP/asg