NEWS: Pakistan President Dr Arif Alvi has condemned the brutal Israeli air attack on a Gaza hospital. Expressing deep sorrow over the tragic loss of innocent lives in the air attack, he said Israel violated all international and moral principles by attacking a hospital.   Israel, he said, is indiscriminately targeting civilian population and health facilities. He asked the international community to take steps to stop this human carnage immediately. The caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar has also strongly condemned the Israeli attack on Gaza hospital, and said that targeting the hospital is an inhumane and unjustifiable act.  He said that the international community work quickly to make accountable those who are responsible for the massacre of innocent Palestinians. He added that the supporters of the Israeli occupation need to reconsider their policies, which have allowed Israeli terrorism against the people of Gaza. (Qudrat Daily) 

• Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Siraj-ul-Haq has said that the occupying state of Israel is involved in the genocide and war crimes of the Palestinians. The US President’s visit to Israel at a time when hospitals and schools are being targeted in Gaza and innocent children are being martyred is proof that Washington has openly supported the aggressor. The world is being warned that no one dares to blame the oppressor, Israel. History will never forgive the rulers of Islamic countries if they do not take a bold stand; all 2 billion Muslims are looking at them. The decisive moment for the liberation of Palestine has arrived; the joint army of 40 Islamic countries, headed by a former army chief of the Pakistani army, should not remain silent. If the Muslim Ummah does not react unitedly, the plan of a Greater Zionist State will swallow up the territories of the neighboring Arab countries. Palestinians have the right to resist; they were deprived of their lands and properties. Every brave nation will take the same path as that of Palestinian Muslims. Siraj-ul-Haq appealed for generous donations to the Palestine Fund established by Jamaat-e-Islami and suggested that Islamic countries should jointly establish an International Palestine Fund. Addressing a rally and party workers’ convention in Chitral, Haq further said that before Gaza becomes a heap of rubble and Israel destroys 23 lakh Muslims with chemical bombing, 58 Islamic countries should take practical measures to stop the oppression. Resistance was continued even before the existence of the Hamas. Israel is involved in war crimes, and this case should be taken to the International Court of Justice. MNA Abdul Akbar Chitrali, Deputy Secretary General Jamaat-e-Islami Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Maulana Hidayatullah and Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Chitral, Qari Jamshed also participated in the events. (Jasarat, Dunya Daily)

• Chairman of the People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto has asked the Election Commission to declare the date of the general elections immediately, and kick started his election campaign. Speaking in Karachi, he said that people should get the right to choose their representatives. Unless national unity is established and the politics of hatred, division, and abuse is abandoned, the country’s problems will not be solved. The whole of Pakistan is united on the issue of Palestine. The people of Palestine helped the PPP in difficult times; we stand by their side in every difficulty and assure them that we will not leave your side under any circumstances. For today’s Pakistan, there is a need to enter a new era with new thinking, new politics, and new leadership – a leadership that is not stuck in the past. We do not want the Pakistan of 1990 or 2017, but we have to run Pakistan according to the requirements of 2023.  (Aeen Daily) 

• In the FIA challan of the Cipher case, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi were shown as accused. According to a private TV, the FIA challan in the Cipher case mentions the criminal actions of PTI Chairman, and the resulting damage to foreign relations, and it has been said that the accused, through his act had put the safety of the country at stake. The challan has included former Prime Minister’s close aide Azam Khan’s statement and names thirty witnesses. It has been stated in the challan that the actions of the accused served the interests of foreign forces and caused damage to Pakistan. The former prime minister and former foreign minister are accused under Sections 5 and 9 of the Official Secrets Act. (Himalya Today Daily)

• The Official Secrets Act Court has allowed Imran Khan to talk to his sons on phone through WhatsApp phone facility.   Imran Khan was represented by lawyer Shiraz Ahmed Ranjha. Judge Abul Hasnat Mohammad Zulqarnain noted that the SOPs regarding the telephonic conversation have not yet come from the Superintendent of Adiala Jail. Lawyer Ranjha pointed out that the SOPs have not come even today. The lawyer requested the court that the Chairman of PTI be allowed a bicycle for exercise. The Judge replied that he had already told the jail authorities about the bicycle.    (Qudrat Daily)

• Leader of Muslim League (N) Nawaz Sharif has approached the Islamabad High Court to schedule hearing on his bail application today and thus avert his arrest.   It has been further stated in the petition that if he has to face the cases, he should not be arrested till he reaches the court, and security bail should be given. Nawaz Sharif will land in Islamabad on October 21. Until he reaches the court, safety precautions should be taken from the special flight to Islamabad Court. It has been stated that the application for protective bail has been filed in Avon Field and Al-Aziziya reference. (Qudrat Daily) 

• The federal government has moved the Supreme Court challenging the verdict on NAB amendment law. The appeal states that the judgement was against the law and constitution because the Federal government was not given enough time to explain its stand while the applicant was heard thoroughly. The Federal Government through lawyer Makhdoom Ali Khan pointed out that while the petitioner was allowed to present his case at 22 hearings in 6 months, the federal government was limited to answering the court’s questions only. (Qudrat Daily)

• The Supreme Court, while dismissing the police case of treason against the Director of a private news channel, ARY News, Imad Yusuf, said that the treason charge not only intimidated the broadcaster but also affected the media industry. It also had profound effects. Justice Jamal Mandukhel, who wrote the judgment, criticised the government’s conduct of involving citizens in malicious and frivolous legal proceedings on flimsy basis. He said that abuse of power creates a sense of fear and insecurity in the society, which creates hatred against state institutions. He said that for the promotion and protection of freedom of expression, the state should exercise its powers and powers according to the constitution, adding that print and electronic media are the means of obtaining and imparting information to the people. He expressed concern over FIRs registered against politicians, media persons, human rights activists, and even their families to achieve political ends. He said that the media cannot perform its duties freely in such a hostile environment, adding that the constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and access to information, was undermined, which led to distrust in the institutions. (Dawn Daily) 

• Two rival groups of Mengal tribes involved in weeks-long armed clashes in the Wadh area of Khuzdar district of Balochistan finally vacated their trenches, which were taken into custody by law enforcement agencies. Caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Ali Mardan Domki has confirmed this development.  Officials in Wadh said “Police, Levies, and Frontier Corps have taken control of these trenches.” The district officials said that the situation in Wadh has returned to normal after the ceasefire and the withdrawal of armed men who were sitting in trenches with heavy weapons including machine guns, rocket launchers, and mortar shells. Due to continuous exchange of fire in Wadh and adjacent areas for the last two months that claimed 10 lives, and left around 18 injured, including the passengers in a bus, all the shops, markets, and shopping centers were closed and a large number of people moved to Hub, Khuzdar, and Quetta. (Dawn Daily)

• Addressing workers’ convention in Multan, former interior minister Rana Sanaullah said that upon the arrival of Nawaz Sharif, the journey of progress and development of Pakistan will start from where it stopped. Nawaz Sharif was removed from power as a result of a conspiracy which laid the foundation of revenge politics in the country. Nawaz Sharif is coming back on 21st October. He will be warmly welcomed. (Daily Khabrain)

• A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja to review preparations for the general elections. He said that all resources should be used to conduct impartial and peaceful elections because fair and transparent elections are an important national responsibility. The caretaker government has a role to fulfil national duty. The Election Commission will provide full support to the caretaker governments, and no negligence will be tolerated in the conduct of peaceful elections. The deployment of staff without any political commitment should be ensured, and if any complaint is found, immediate action will be taken against the guilty. The Chief Election Commissioner further said that the transfer of officers would be done entirely on merit, and political pressure would not be entertained. (Qudrat Daily) 

• An important meeting was held at the Quetta Secretariat regarding the preparations for the upcoming general elections. Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja presided. And Secretary Election Commission, four ECs, Provincial Election Commissioner, Balochistan Chief Secretary and other officials Balochistan participated. Raja told the meeting that negligence will not be tolerated in the process of conducting peaceful elections. Fair and transparent elections are an important national responsibility. The caretaker government should play its role and the Election Commission will provide full support Balochistan Provincial Election Commissioner informed the authorities about the preparations for the general elections, while the Chief Secretary gave a briefing. (Daily Khabrain)  

• Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar attended the third Belt and Road Forum held in Beijing, where he met with his Chinese counterpart, Premier Li Qiang. Both leaders reiterated their determination to further develop bilateral relations. The two leaders agreed to expand political, economic, education, science and technology, cultural and people-to-people relations. Both Prime Ministers attended the signing ceremony of MoUs between China and Pakistan on cooperation in various fields. These areas include commerce, communication (including the ML1 project), food security and research, media exchange, space cooperation, sustainable urban development, industrial cooperation, manpower development, mineral sector development, climate change and Sectors including vaccine manufacturing. The Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar met with the UN Secretary General, President of Kazakhstan and Sri Lankan President and other important personalities on the sidelines of BRI summit. (Daily Khabrain, Daily Intekhab)

• A MoU for a 1.5-billion-dollar investment was signed between a Chinese company, United Energy Group and Pakistan to increase Pakistan Refinery’s petrol production from 250,000 to 1600,000 metric tons and diesel production from 600,000 to 2000,000 MT. Care taker Federal Energy Minister Muhammad Ali was also present at the MoU signing ceremony. (Jasarat)

• Due to non-implementation of the Sindh Witness Protection Act 2013, leaders of the Muttahida, Lyari gang war and the terrorists of banned organizations have begun to benefit. According to a report, the witnesses are reluctant to record their statements due to a sense of insecurity. A lawyer has approached the Sindh High Court for the implementation of the Witness Protection Act. (Ummat)

• 250 Afghans residing illegally in Pakistan were deported through near Chaman border crossing.  These Afghans were arrested from Karachi and other cities. They were handed over to the Afghan authorities at the border, say Levies officials. (Nawaiwaqt)

• According to the ISPR, Pakistan has successfully launched the Ababil missile weapon system to test the performance of various parameters. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza witnessed the test launch. Senior military officials, scientists and engineers were also present on the occasion. The ISPR said that the missile system is a key element of defense and strategic capability. President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar and General Sahir Shamshad Mirza congratulated the scientists and engineers on the successful experiment. (Daily Khabrain, Daily Dharti)

• All illegal foreigners have been given the deadline of 1st November to leave Pakistan. Visa holders or Afghan card holders will, however, be able to stay for a specified period as documented. The arrival of new refugees will be subject to UN Refugee Convention. Those who talk about forcibly stopping illegal foreigners residing in Pakistan are unjustly inciting illegal foreigners against the state. If any terrorist or anti-Pakistan element tries to take the law into their hands, they will be dealt with severely. The Army Chief has said that the state will deal with full force against all terrorists, their facilitators, those who encourage them, and those who are working at the behest of hostile forces to destabilize Pakistan. (Daily Intekhab)

• During a press conference at the Quetta Press Club on Wednesday, caretaker Provincial Minister for Information, Jaan Achakzai said that 1,000 families of foreign immigrants living in the country have voluntarily returned to Afghanistan through Chaman border crossing so far.  250 families are leaving going daily.  There are 2.5 to 3 lakh illegal immigrants in Balochistan alone. After 1st November, others, including Afghan refugees living in Pakistan illegally, will have to go back or face legal action. He said that such refugees who have legal documents including visa or migrant card will not be deported. (Daily Intekhab)

• A hand grenade was recovered near an army post in the Jusak Board area of Turbat Town. According to the police, it was defused. (Daily Intekhab)

• The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has arrested nine terrorists during 157 intelligence-based operations in various cities of Punjab.  The ops were conducted in Lahore, Faisalabad, Nankana Sahib, Rahim Yar Khan, Sheikhupura and Rawalpindi. Also nabbed were two important ISIS commanders from a border village. Explosive materials, 12 detonators, Prima Card, mobile phones, weapons and cash were recovered from the possession of the terrorists, who have been identified as Raf, Zubair, Zia, Waqar, Amin, Masood, Sarfraz, Hameed Khan and Shahid. (Urdu Point)

• Sindh High Court Justice Nematullah Phulphuto has said that it seems families of missing persons are helpless and the judiciary is their last hope. And ordered use of modern devices for tracing the 11 missing persons. The court also ordered departments concerned to present a report within four weeks. (Jang)

• The doors that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is knocking for negotiations are still firmly closed and no decision has been taken at the official level to talk with the party or start a dialogue process. The impression given by PTI after Murtaza Solangi’s meeting with Shafqat Mehmood is completely wrong as the caretaker government has not decided to initiate any such dialogue. There was also no indication from the military establishment that it was interested in talks with the PTI or wanted to be part of the dialogue process with all political parties, including the PTI. After the May 9 riots, the military authorities expressed their outrage at the masterminds and attackers. When contacted, Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said that the meeting with Shafqat Mehmood was exaggerated.  This meeting was not about negotiations or dialogue. He said that even during the meeting with Shafqat Mehmood, he made it clear that he had come to meet an old friend and that he did not come on any mission. He clarified that no decision has been taken by the government for dialogue or contact with PTI. He was surprised how the PTI people distorted the meeting, even though they did not even announce the meeting as they do with other politicians. He said that he has also met Shehbaz Sharif, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, MQM leaders and Jamaat-e-Islami’s Sirajul Haque. No press release was issued and no announcement was made as the meeting was part of a routine. He said that even if there is a decision for negotiations or dialogue, it is the work of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet and they have not taken any such decision. Political leaders can meet each other on their own. However, despite Imran Khan’s offer of talks with political parties, none of the political parties, including the PML-N, PPP and JUI-F, showed any interest in talks with the PTI. Although parties in the PDM and the PPP were reluctant to talk to Imran Khan as he had refused to shake hands with political opponents throughout his rule, the May 9 attacks left the PTI in trouble.  PTI is trying hard to negotiate with political parties and the military establishment but it is not happening. President Arif Alvi has also been requested to initiate a dialogue process between all stakeholders to make the political environment favourable for PTI so that it can participate in elections freely. However, the president has not yet decided to start the process of talks. (Jang)

Editorials

• Government’s modus operandi is very strange. It gives with one hand and takes back with another hand. This is what they have done this time. They gave good relief in petrol prices recently and now preparations are underway to recover more than what they gave by way of   100 percent hike in gas prices under IMF pressure. Gas consumption goes up in winter and 100 per cent rise in gas prices in such times is just a tyrannical decision. Hike in gas and LNG prices would have cascading effect on transportation and also add to cost of production in manufacturing sector thus making every other product costly. In other words, besides 100 per cent hike in gas tariff, every other thing /product will become costly for the public. If authorities are passing on the burden of 100 per cent hike in gas tariff to people on the pretext that loans are on rise, the government should realize that the rise in loans just reflects inefficiency on the part of government machinery and people should not be made to pay for it. Government should revisit its decision of rise in gas prices and should frame better economic policies instead of putting administrative steering in the IMF hands. (Pahenji, Edit, Oct.18)

• The announcements from PM about cut in petrol prices and also the announcement that government will ensure strict watch on price front are praiseworthy only if there is implementation of statements being made by PM and other govt functionaries. Transporters do not give any importance to the statements being made by ministers and they refuse to reduce fares in the aftermath of decline in petrol prices. Let authorities take serious note of such acts on the part of transport companies and also on the part of others who refuse to pass on the benefit of drop in petrol prices. People can get relief only if fares and prices of items of day -to -day become cheaper. (Kawish, Edit, Oct.18)

• At last, the government has taken serious steps to provide relief to the people. It has formed a committee to ensure the benefit of price reduction in petroleum products reaches the people. The committee will keep an eye on the prices of food and other items. The present inflation has taken away the two meals from the hands of the people. The defective policies of the former PDM government had broken all records of inflation. Now bringing the prices to the level of five years back is impossible. But some reduction can be done. (Edit-Daily Himalaya Today)

• It is the duty of Muslim countries to step up diplomatic efforts to find some mutually acceptable solution to the scenario building up in Gaza. Right now, except Iran, no other country has openly come out in support of Palestinians. It is right that we are living in the Age where we have become interdependent and one country depends on another. There must be some workable solution to the above problem. The powerful countries   are just looking the other way and the UN also, instead of stressing on implementation of resolutions, is just neglecting the resolutions.  (Awami Awaz, Edit, Oct.18)

• Clashes have taken place between Juneja and Kalhora kabilas in the interiors of Shikarpur district. At least six persons died in the exchange of fire that lasted four hours and saw recourse to rocket launchers. Despite an alert, the area police visited the site only after exchange of fire had stopped. The dispute between kabilas is old and so far, 38 lives have been lost in this feud but no one feels anything for loss of precious human life and no Sindh well-wisher or member of intelligentsia has come forward to douse the fires. We think if kabila disputes are not brought to an end and people are left to fend for themselves then times to come will be scarier in our society. We urge all to take this issue very seriously and make efforts to bring kabilas closer; if this measure does not work, let law take its course to establish the writ of law in our society. (Ibrat, Sindh Exp -Edit)

• Due to decrease in cotton demand, cotton prices are falling due to which the farmers are worried. It is imperative that the Economic Coordination Committee immediately allows the Cotton Trading Corporation to procure cotton so that not only the cotton market is stabilized but also the morale of the farmers who produce one crore bales is high. Cotton farmers should play a positive role in the country’s economy by cultivating more cotton next year. (Daily Pakistan Edit)

• Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir while addressing the Corps Commanders Conference said that the moral, political and diplomatic support of Pakistan will continue for Palestinian people. It was decided to continue the principled stand by expressing concern over the use of force by Israel on Palestine and the loss of lives of innocent civilians. The declaration of support for the oppressed Palestinians by the armed forces of Pakistan is very encouraging and this stance has been well received at the national level. Pakistan holds a very important position in the Islamic world and Pakistan’s declaration of support for the Palestinians will have profound effects on the world stage. Different types of comments are being made on social media regarding the support of the Palestinians, which is not appropriate in any case. The national leadership takes cumulative decisions factoring in the national interests, and then a policy is made. Before making any policy the interest of the nation is kept ahead and the policy makers understand well what they have to do. It is not possible for the common man to understand world affairs. Therefore, unnecessary opinions and comments on any issue should be avoided. The Almighty has given the ability to the policy makers that they can make decisions keeping in mind the best interests of the nation. Negative rhetoric on social media and measures to mislead the nation are condemnable. The decisions of the country’s leadership should be supported and endorsed with consensus and unity. Strict action is needed against rampant arrows and pro-propagandists on social media, because if the propagandists are left unchecked, there is a threat of irreversible damage. National leadership and policy makers make decisions with long-term outcomes in mind and these decisions have long-lasting effects. Social media savvy should act cautiously. After all, it is only due to the far-sighted decisions of the Pakistani leadership and policy makers that the country is safe from internal and external threats and life is going on with freedom. This freedom and peace should be valued. (Siasat Edit) 

• The Supreme Court, according to the requirements of the Constitution, restrained the government from abuse of power. “The environment of fear creates hatred against the institutions of the state; in such an environment the media cannot work freely. The abuse of power creates a sense of fear and insecurity in the people,” said the apex court of the land on a petition of news channel deputy president Imad Yusuf. The judgment further stated that the Constitution of Pakistan gives every citizen the right to freedom of expression.  Protection of legitimate rights of citizens is the constitutional responsibility of the state; print and electronic media are the means of conveying information to the public. Cases are being registered against political activists, journalists and others for exercising the right to freedom of expression. It is difficult to believe that public representatives, journalists, political activists are involved in anti-state activities. Such actions of the government are against the constitutional mandate. On September 14, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan accepted the plea of Imad Yusuf, a co-accused in the case of inciting the institutions to revolt on August 8, 2022, on behalf of PTI leader Shehbaz Gul. His name was ordered to be removed from the FIR. Justice Jamal Khan Mandukhel has written this important order running into eleven pages. In more or less every era in the country, political opponents, social activists and journalists have been targeted by the tactics of fear and intimidation. After the decision of the Supreme Court declaring this method to be unconstitutional, it will certainly be difficult for the powers that be to continue with this tactic and the healthy tradition of respecting freedom of opinion in the society will be strengthened. (Jang Edit) ###