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Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi passes away in Lahore

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 19 (APP): APP Digital NewsAllama Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the leader of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan breathed his last Thursday night at Lahore, his party announced. He was 55.

No reason for his death was given. His party officials said he was rushed to a hospital after he had problem breathing and had fever for past few days. However he was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital.

Senior TLP leader Syed Inayat-ul-Haq Shah also confirmed the news and asked the TLP workers to proceed to Lahore to participate in his last rites. The Tehreek-e-Labbaik announced that his funeral would be held on Saturday at 10 in the morning at Minar-e-Pakistan.

Videos on several social media accounts showed large number of his followers rushing to his home and crying over his sad demise.

The fire brand clerk was known for his protest marches, that often became violent and created law and order problems. His last protest was relatively shorter at Faizabad and ended only after a two day blockade of the twin cities on Monday.

Immediately after the confirmation of the news condolences poured in from all sections of society; including the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, Information Minister, Chief of Army Staff, Chief Minister Punjab and political leaders of many parties.

Prime Minister Imran Khan in a tweet expressed his grief over the sad demise of Allama Khadim Rizvi and conveyed condolences to his family.

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa also conveyed his condolences over the demise of the TLP leader.

 

Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information in Punjab also expressed grief over his sad demise.

Amir Jamat Islami also expressed his grief and prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the departed soul.

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s consistent stance on Kashmir

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Prime Minister Imran Khan’s stance on Kashmir at international fora to highlight gruesome human rights violations by India

 

Indian media’s fake “civil war” in Pakistan, falls flat on face

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APP Digital Small logo
By Shafek Koreshe

In an abortive attempt to create diversion from Narendra Modi’s human rights abuses in Kashmir, the Indian media went berserk by propagating fake news about a “civil war” like situation in Karachi, triggering a hilarious response from the twitterati in Pakistan, who enjoyed every bit of the ridiculous reports.

#CivilWarInPakistan and #KarachiCivilWar were in no time the top trends, with the young twitter users going crazy by posting video clips from action movies, comics, images of the Indian MiG pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, shot down by Pakistan Air Force inside Pakistan’s territory, as scenes from the Civil War, getting an equally enthusiastic response with numerous retweets and likes.

The arrest of PML-N leader Captain (Retd) Safdar on charges of political sloganeering at Quaid’s Mausoleum and leave applications by senior police officers was exploited by the top Indian news channels, who portrayed an administrative issue as a “civil war” and went to the extent of even reporting casualties, and armed clashes.

Indian Media ditches professionalism to dip at to its lowest 

#FakeNews CNN18News
#FakeNews CNN18News

The news reports were part of a persistent barrage of fake news from Indian mainstream media and its RAW controlled assets on social media over the past few months. The trend has witnessed a sharp spike as part of India’s fifth generation war (5GW) against Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office on the “malicious and fabricated propaganda” by Indian mainstream and social media claiming civil unrest in Pakistan, said planting such baseless stories were reflective of the “Pakistan-obsessed BJP-RSS” mindset.

“Needless to say that Indian media continues to hit new lows,” he said, when asked to respond over the series of fake news flashed as breaking news across the Indian media about a “civil war in Pakistan”.

“Indian media continues to hit new lows”: FO

The Spokesperson said through “peddling fake news and running propaganda machinery”, India could not wash away the truth about its own gross and systematic human rights violations in Indian Ilelgally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

“Rather than reporting on humanitarian crisis in IIOJK, the Indian media chooses to spread fake and sensational news about Pakistan to detract from core issues,” he said.

5th Gen War – Twitterati bust RAW’s #Fake letter attributed to COAS

 

#FakeNews - Yet another figment of imagination of Indian Media
#FakeNews – Yet another figment of imagination of Indian Media

The Indian media tried hard to appease its own consumers and to create a diversion from its human rights abuses in occupied Kashmir. However in its abortive attempt it created history by churning out fake news overpowered by the anti-Pakistan hysteria, undermining its professional ethics and credibility.

#FakeNews - India Today with its concocted news story
#FakeNews – India Today with its concocted news story

The unleashing of the Indian media did not go unnoticed, as Michael Kugelman, deputy director at the @AsiaProgram and South Asia senior associate @TheWilsonCenter in a tweet pointed that the Indian disinformation accounts were exploiting Pakistan’s current political crisis, and “falsely claiming that the country is no experiencing urban warfare.”

He described the trend as “dangerous and disturbing”, as several of these accounts were verified and had huge followings.

Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari said the Indian media was in “hyper drive with fake news on Pakistan” and regretted that it was “unfortunate that Twitter is [deliberately ignoring it].”

All major media outlets in so-called world’s biggest democracy decimated all journalistic norms as none bothered to fact-check such a huge gaffe. India’s News18, India Today, Zee News, India.com and several others quoted the International Herald which showed old videos of bomb explosions in Pakistan and portrayed it as the ongoing civil war.

#FakeNews - Indian International Herald tweet
#FakeNews – Indian International Herald tweet

The Institute of Policy Research in a report said their data indicates a pattern of Indian propaganda against Pakistan on digital media that grew exponentially after 2018 General Elections in #Pakistan. The propaganda hovers around largely 4 key themes.

IPRI Timeline of Indian Propaganda
IPRI Timeline of Indian Propaganda

Minister for Ports and Shipping pointed that the Indian propaganda was at its peak and “sadly fueled by the PDM Circus.” He said the food inflation was artificially manufactured, but was being brought under control.

Minister for Kashmir Affairs also lambasted the “fake, fabricated and malicious propaganda campaign to malign State institutions of Pakistan. He urged @Twitter to take action against Indian accounts for #FakeNews against Paksitan.

However, this idiocy of Indian media gave the Twitterati a perfect chance to enjoy as the microblogging site was flooded with messages to ridicule the Indian media’s insanity.

“Karachi civil war has gotten so bad that my food panda delivery boy had to crawl through mine fields carrying his AK47, RPG & 9mm along with my nihari and Biryani. This thing is getting so serious. Multiple cows have been killed & people are dying of over eating. #IndianMedia,” commented renowned singer Fakhr-e-Alam.

Besides numerous other fake photos, the Indian media also used an image of a building collapsed following a gas leakage blast in Karachi earlier in the day to substantiate its fake news of civil war.

“A little investigation would have informed Zee News that it wasn’t a bomb blast in ‘civil war’ in Pakistan but the result of a  gas leak in Karachi. Whither truth, objectivity, balance and fairness in reporting?,” said Farhatullah Babr, former senator of Pakistan Peoples Party which rules Sindh province.

“An Aircraft shot during civil war in Karachi… and the pilot captured…,” commented another Twitter user Fasihuddin while sharing the images of Indian aircraft MiG-21 and captured injured pilot Abhinandan following an aerial dogfight during India-Pakistan standoff in 2019.

PDWP approves development schemes worth Rs. 2.5b

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LAHORE, Dec 29 (APP):Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP), in its 55th meeting, here Monday, approved development scheme with an accumulative estimated cost of Rs. 2.5 billion.
Chaired by P&D Board Chairman Dr. Naeem Rauf, the forum approved the following schemes:
Rehabilitation / Widening & Improvement / Construction of Metalled Roads in Cholistan at an estimated cost of Rs. 2,500 Million.
Procurement of 34 Emergency Vehicles, and 323 HR Posts under 17 schemes approved by DDSC, reflected in ADP 2025–26. (Position paper for creation of posts and procurement of vehicles)
Establishment of Punjab Tourism Force.( Position paper for procurement of vehicles)
Upscaling of Date Palm Research Sub-Station, Jhang & Papaya Promotion through Varietal Improvement & Management and Papaya Leaf Curl Virus (2022–23 to 2025–26). (Position paper for clearance of vehicle)
The meeting was attended by the P&DB Secretary Rafaqat Ali, Chief Economist Masood Anwar, the board members and representatives from relevant departments.

SMEDA, SECP to improve collaboration for SMEs development

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LAHORE, Dec 29 (APP):Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and Security Exchange Corporation Pakistan (SECP) have agreed to enhance mutual collaboration for strengthening SME sector of Pakistan.
This decision came up at a meeting held between SMEDA and SECP officials here at SMEDA head office on Monday. The meeting, chaired by SMEDA CEO Ms. Nadia Jahangir Seth and SECP Commissioner Muzzafar Ahmed Mirza, was concluded to develop a formal MoU, form a joint focal group, advance women-led entrepreneurship, align SME and startup definitions, formalize businesses and establish a joint SME facilitation desk.
Ms. Nadia Jahangir Seth was accompanied by her senior management team including Ms. Saleha Saeed, Raja Hassanien Javed, Arif Chaudhry and others. Whereas, the SECP delegation led by Muzzafar Ahmed Mirza was comprised a number of the senior officials including Registrar of Companies Shehzad Afzal Khan.
SMEDA Chief welcomed the visiting delegation and highlighted the need of SMEs’ formalization. She hoped that the collaboration of both the organizations would be helpful to spur the pace of SMEs registration in the formal sector. She said that a formal MoU between the two organizations may set a long-term roadmap for mutual cooperation.
On this occasion, SECP Commissioner Muzzafar Ahmed Mirza informed that over 35,000 new companies had been registered in the current year. This figure is 27 percent higher than the previous year’s record, he said, adding that the benefits coupled with the ease of registration of companies need to be projected for attracting SMEs towards registration. He was confident that SMEDA-SECP collaboration would be able to persuade the informal SMEs to get registered in the formal sector.

LCCI wants level playing field on tax-free imports via Sost Border

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LAHORE, Dec 29 (APP):Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Faheemur Rehman Saigol here Monday called for a comprehensive, consultative and nationally harmonized approach to import tax exemptions, following the Federal Board of Revenue’s decision to allow tax-free import of over 2,400 Chinese goods through the Customs Dry Port Sost for exclusive consumption in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Commenting on the notification issued under S.R.O. 2488 (I)/2025, he acknowledged the government’s objective of facilitating economic activity and ensuring the uninterrupted supply of essential goods to Gilgit-Baltistan. He said that LCCI fully supports initiatives aimed at regional development, economic inclusion and improved livelihoods in underdeveloped areas. However, he stressed that such fiscal measures must be carefully structured to maintain a level playing field for businesses across Pakistan.
Saigol observed that Pakistan’s industrial and commercial sectors are currently operating under immense pressure due to high energy costs, increased cost of financing, elevated taxation and shrinking margins. In this context, selective tax exemptions on imports—particularly on a large number of tariff lines—could have spillover effects on domestic markets if not implemented with robust safeguards and prior stakeholder consultation.
The LCCI President emphasized that chambers of commerce, representing the country’s productive sectors, must be taken on board before finalizing such policy decisions. “Consultation is not only a democratic requirement but also a practical necessity to ensure policies achieve their intended objectives without harming domestic industry or distorting competition,” he said.
He noted that while the notification includes provisions such as quota limits, first-come-first-served authorization, domicile requirements and tracking through the Customs Computerized Clearance System, effective enforcement on ground remains critical. Any leakage of tax-free goods into markets outside Gilgit-Baltistan could severely impact local manufacturers and traders who are already burdened with full taxes and duties.
The LCCI President further stated that policy consistency and predictability are vital for business confidence. He urged that future decisions involving exemptions or special procedures should be aligned with a broader national trade, industry and import management policy. “If exemptions are deemed necessary for regional facilitation, parallel support measures must be introduced for domestic manufacturers, especially SMEs, to protect local production, employment and value addition,” he added.
He also highlighted that Pakistan’s long-term economic stability depends on strengthening domestic industry rather than increasing reliance on imports. “Our focus should be on reducing cost of doing business, rationalizing taxes and promoting local manufacturing, while ensuring that regional development initiatives do not inadvertently weaken the national industrial base,” he said.
Faheemur Rehman Saigol reiterated LCCI’s commitment to constructive engagement with the government and the Federal Board of Revenue. He expressed confidence that through structured dialogue and stakeholder participation, policies can be refined to serve both regional development goals and national economic interests. He concluded by urging the FBR to institutionalize regular consultations with chambers of commerce before issuing major tax or import-related notifications, stating that collaborative policy-making is the key to sustainable growth, investor confidence and economic resilience.

PRA impounds 11 outlets’ record

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LAHORE, Dec 29 (APP):Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) in its grand operation against tax defaulters across Lahore, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Taxila and Bahawalpur, impounded records from 11 outlets.
During the operation, enforcement teams carried out inspections of 58 marquees and food points, according PRA spokesman here Monday.
He added that records from 11 outlets including a well-known fast-food chain, were impounded. Due to serious irregularities, the records of four prominent hotels were also taken into custody. In Johar Town, manipulation and tampering of sales records were detected at two branches of a fast-food chain and a renowned restaurant. Furthermore, he said, notices were issued to 40 food points and seven marquees for failing to install the Electronic Invoice Monitoring System (E-IMS).
The spokesperson emphasized that collecting tax from the public but failing to deposit it into the government treasury constitutes a criminal offense. Eliminating fake receipts and ensuring a transparent tax collection system remain the Authority’s top priorities. The public has been urged to verify e-invoices through the PRA Sahulat mobile application to support transparency and compliance.

President visits Bhutto family’s shrine

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LARKANA, Dec 29 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari Monday visited the Bhutto family’s shrine at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.
He laid wreaths at the shrines of the Bhutto family and offered Fateha.
The President laid wreaths at the shrines of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Begum Nusrat Bhutto, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and others and prayed for their eternal peace.

Int.Multi-Thematic Information Communication Technology Conference starts at MUET

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HYDERABAD, Dec 29 (APP):Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro organized the three-day 8th International Multi-Thematic Information Communication Technology Conference (IMTIC’25) in the auditorium of Water Center Mehran University.
Addressing the opening ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of Mehran University, Prof. Dr. Taha Hussain Ali said that in 2008, the Civil Engineering Department held its first international conference in Mehran University, after which this proud series is continuing.
He said that Professor Dr. Bhawani Shankar is a legendary professor whose efforts have made San Mehran University introduce itself to the world.
Professor Dr. Taha Hussain Ali said that more results can be achieved with help and cooperation.
He said that no research and no plan is successful without keeping the concept of sustainable development in mind.
Former Vice Chancellor of Mehran University Professor Dr. Qadir Khan Rajput addressing the opening ceremony of the conference as a special guest said that it is a matter of coming as a guest to your home in Mehran.
I understand that knowledge itself is not power, but it becomes power when it is shared.
There is no field where artificial intelligence does not play a role.
Dr. Qadir Khan Rajput said that I did my Masters in 1971 from Leeds University, UK.
He said that the concept of artificial intelligence in the world had started in the 60s and 70s.
Addressing the conference, National University of Science and Technology Islamabad Professor Dr. Syed Ali Hassan said that we are in the era of 5 G, but in the next six to eight years, it will be the era of 6 G.
Big changes are taking place in the world of telecommunication every day.
5G is being used in 90% of the countries in the world and by 2026, 5G will also be used in Pakistan.
He said that the speed of the network has increased, adding minutes are converted into seconds and seconds into microseconds.
The founder and head of the conference, Professor Dr. Bhawani Shankar Chaudhary, said that the Amtak Conference will be held in Mehran University after a journey of seventeen years.
He said that the proceedings of this conference of Mehran University are being published in the German research magazine Springer, which is a great honor for Mehran University and Pakistan.
He said that this conference has established relations with the professors of recognized universities of the world and those who are interested in knowledge, learning and training have benefited from this conference.
The professors of San Mehran University and the university that have grown in the name of publishing articles in major research journals of the world.
Talking about the conference, Dr. Umir Korai said that 95 research papers were received for presentation in the conference, out of which only 34 were approved for presentation.
He said that this conference is jointly organized by Sir Syed University Karachi and Mehran University.
In the conference, researchers, experts and scholars from Bulgaria, Ireland, Great Britain and America will present their research papers and discuss.
Dean of Sir Syed University Professor Dr. Muhammad Amir and Professor of Mehran University Dr. Faisal Karim Sheikh also addressed the opening ceremony.
Prof. Dr. Anil Kumar, Dean of Faculty, Ashfaq Hashmani, Prof. Dr. Rizwan Memon, teachers, students and presenters of Mehran University participated in the conference.

PEC, AJK government sign landmark MoU to launch Graduate Engineer Trainee Program

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 29 (APP): The Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Planning and Development Department, Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), to implement the PEC Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET) Placement Program across key engineering departments of the AJ&K.
The MoU was signed by Head Corporate Affairs Unit, PEC Engr Muhammad Sohail Khan and Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Atif Rahman.  Chairman PEC Engr. Waseem Nazir and Chief Secretary AJK Kushal Khan graced the occasion, while Registrar PEC Engr. Khadim Hussain Bhatti and other senior officials were also present.
PEC, AJK government sign landmark MoU to launch Graduate Engineer Trainee Program
Under the agreement, the Planning and Development Department will place graduate engineers in leading engineering departments, including the Central Design Office (CDO), Communication & Works (Highways), Physical Planning & Housing
Public Health Engineering, Planning & Development Department, Government of AJ&K, Electricity Department AJ&K, Power Development Organization, Machinery Division (PWD), and the IT Department, Government of AJ&K. The program aims to provide structured, supervised, and hands-on practical training to fresh engineering graduates.
Speaking on the occasion, PEC Chairman Engr. Waseem Nazir said the GET Program, modeled after the “house job” system for medical graduates, consists of a six-month training cycle, including five months of field-based learning and one month focused on soft skills development.
He said the initiative is designed to enhance employability, strengthen technical competence, and better prepare young engineers to meet the evolving demands of the engineering sector.
Chief Secretary AJK said the initiative would help bridge the gap between academic learning and practical application, while strengthening the technical capacity of public sector institutions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He added that trained engineers would contribute more effectively to development projects and service delivery across the region.
The signing of the MoU is being viewed as a significant step for the engineering community in AJK.
Through close coordination between PEC and the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the Graduate Engineer Trainee Placement Program is expected to develop a skilled, confident, and industry-ready engineering workforce to support the region’s long-term development objectives.

Sarfraz Bugti crowned Chief of Bugti tribes, vows continued public welfare efforts

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DERA BUGTI, Dec 29 (APP):The Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Khan Bugti, was formally bestowed with the title of Chief of the Bugti Tribes after being honored with the traditional turban (Dastar) by the Bugti tribes.
The “Dastar Bandi” (turban-tying) ceremony was performed by Nawabzada Zamran Saleem Akbar Khan Bugti, brother of Nawab Mir Aali Khan Bugti along with chiefs of various Bugti sub-tribes.
The ceremony was attended by a massive gathering of tribal elders, provincial ministers, and members of the National and Provincial Assemblies.
In his address, Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that the honor conferred upon him carried great responsibility. He assured the Bugti tribes that he would make every possible effort to meet their expectations and would stand by them with sincerity and commitment.
“The turban placed on my head today by the Bugti tribes is an amanat (trust). I promise to remain with my people with complete honesty and tireless effort while striving to fulfill their expectations,” he said.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed his resolve to serve the Bugti community faithfully and emphasized that tribal leadership demands integrity, responsibility, and continuous struggle for the welfare of the people.
He added that the trust, confidence, and belief shown by the Bugti tribes would be repaid through sincere service. Emphasizing education as a priority, the Chief Minister noted that the Bugti community had lagged behind in the educational sector. He highlighted his past efforts in facilitating educational opportunities for children from Balochistan, including Bugti students, in prestigious institutions such as Lawrence College and Sadiq Public School Bahawalpur.
The Chief Minister also thanked the Prime Minister for approving a Danish School in the area, adding that tenders had already been completed and construction would be finalized soon. He informed the audience that a grand building was under construction at the same location to accommodate 300 children from the Bugti tribes. Additionally, he said an endowment fund had been established at the American School to provide quality education to local children.
Calling the chieftainship a heavy responsibility, Mir Sarfraz Bugti said he accepted the role due to the will and trust of the Bugti tribes. He pledged to serve the community day and night and to work toward resolving issues within the Bugti tribes as well as with neighboring tribes through dialogue and reconciliation. “In every matter, I will move toward peace and positive solutions,” he assured.
The Chief Minister warned that the Baloch nation was being pushed toward a futile conflict. He added that violence could never help the Baloch achieve their objectives and reaffirmed that their destiny was firmly tied to Pakistan. He urged Baloch youth on the mountains to abandon the “futile path of violence.”
He urged them to return and join national mainstream, cautioning that the state knew how to establish its authority when necessary. He strongly condemned the killing of unarmed civilians, laborers, engineers, doctors, and Punjabi workers, as well as the harassment of women, declaring that such acts were against Baloch traditions.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the Baloch people were custodians of their traditions and would not allow anyone to impose ideology at gunpoint. He reiterated his commitment to upholding the writ of the state and declared his unwavering support for victims of oppression, including a woman from Musakhel whose husband and son were killed.
“You will always find me standing with the oppressed and against the oppressor,” he said, adding that standing with the vulnerable had been a tradition of his family.

KP Cabinet approves Rs 3825mn supplementary grant for safe cities project

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PESHAWAR, Dec 29 (APP):Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet has approved a supplementary grant of Rs 3,825 million for the Safe Cities Project.
The grant was approved during a meeting of the provincial cabinet held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, in which various development and educational programs were also approved.
After the meeting, while briefing the media, Special Assistant for Information, Shafi Jan, said that a supplementary grant of Rs 3,825 million was also approved for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Safe Cities Project.
In the second phase of the Safe City project, which began in Peshawar, four additional districts have been included, namely Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and North Waziristan.
He said more than 80 percent of work on some targets of the Safe City Project and over 50 percent on others has been completed, which will help strengthen the security and urban safety system in the province.
He said the meeting also approved a grant of Rs. 25 million for the Pakistan Population Summit 2025, as well as the purchase of vehicles for the Peshawar High Court and District and Sessions Judges.
Under the Good Governance Roadmap, Rs 207 million has been allocated for the Ehsaas Education Internship Program, which will be a three-year project. Under this program, 850 talented youth will be provided internships each year to promote various fields of education.
The meeting also approved the recruitment of school leaders on a contract basis, under which 1,144 school leaders, appointed for three years, will be given another opportunity.
He said that approval has also been granted for an inquiry into the killing of martyrs in an alleged police encounter in Swat.
He said that the cabinet did not approve any funds for operations, but arrangements will be made if required and in case of the displacement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The Special Assistant for Information further said that the cabinet has decided that those who wish to return to Afghanistan will be provided fare and sent back with dignity.