The Minister of State for Finance, Bilal Azhar Kiani, has stated that more than 20 terrorist organizations are operating from Afghanistan and pose a threat not only to Pakistan, but to the world at large. Speaking at the Asma Jahangir Conference in Lahore, he emphasized that every country has the right to take all necessary measures to protect itself, and that Pakistan is now taking strict actions and is prepared for fruitful dialogue in the future. He also noted that Afghanistan must take lasting and effective measures to combat terrorism.
Kiani expressed concern that humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan is being diverted to strengthen the Taliban regime, and that Pakistan wants peace in the country. He pointed out that many Afghan terrorists were killed in recent operations, and that the Taliban is given safe havens in Afghanistan. He also stated that Pakistan had kept its doors open for four decades to help Afghan brothers and sisters, but that it now has no option but to stop aid due to the current circumstances.
The Minister of State for Finance also emphasized that the root cause of the problem is the country’s economic situation, and that the government aims to reduce the customs duty within five years. He added that Pakistan is willing to provide humanitarian assistance on a humanitarian basis, but that the Afghan government must take steps to combat terrorism.
In a separate development, the World Bank’s Managing Director, Anna Bierman, met with Pakistan’s Finance Minister, Aun Ali Khan, in the Saudi city of Ula, at the World Conference. The Minister of State for Finance has also met with Saudi Arabia’s Investment Minister, Faisal bin Fahd Ibrahim, in the Saudi city of Ula.
Meanwhile, the President of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), Maulana Fazlur Rehman, has expressed his concern over the recent wave of terrorism, stating that despite legislation, efforts to eradicate interest from institutions have not begun. The Minister of State for Finance has also met with the Saudi Minister of Investment, Faisal bin Fahd Ibrahim, in the Saudi city of Ula.
The Amir of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, has described the recent wave of terrorism as alarming. The President of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Junaid Akbar, has stated that unfortunately, the current federal government was imposed on us.
The Member of the Pakistan Bar Council, Ahsan Bhown, has stated that some lawyers have benefited unfairly from the 2007 movement. Marad Ali Shah has stated that the Fire Brigade is divided into different sections, and that efforts are being made to bring it together. The Administrator of Hafizabad, Hamdullah, has stated that five municipal employees have been dismissed due to corruption.
The Karachi Police has arrested several leaders and workers of the Jamaat-e-Islami, including its member of the Sindh Assembly, Muhammad Farooq, and the Vice-Amir of Karachi, Muhammad Pervez.
The Senior Leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), Zahid Khan, has stated that the PTI should learn a lesson from today’s call. Mushin Naeqi, Imran Khawaja, and the President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Aminul Islam, were present at a meeting. The three-party talks were supposed to conclude at 9 pm, but the time was extended.
Sources have reported that the UAE Cricket Board has contacted the Pakistan Cricket Board and requested a review of the decision not to play the match against India on February 15. The MQM leader, Nasreen Jalil, has stated that in 2018, the founder of PTI was given seats, but the candidate of the Jamaat-e-Islami was given my seat. The opposition leader, Senator Alama Raja Najabat Abbas, has stated that the Islamabad Police and the Ministry of Interior are responsible for the mosque blast.
