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Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Indian diplomat told to leave Pakistan within 24 hours
Listen to article Pakistan has declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad persona non grata for engaging in activities "inconsistent with his privileged status." The diplomat has been given 24 hours to leave the country, according to a press release issued by the Foreign Office, it emerged on Thursday. 🔊PR NO.1️⃣4️⃣7️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ A Staff Member of the Indian High Commission, Islamabad, Declared Persona Non Grata. — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 21, 2025 The Indian Chargé d'Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to communicate the decision. Pakistan reiterated that no diplomat or staff member of the Indian High Commission should misuse their privileges and status in any manner. The development comes hours after India declared a Pakistani official posted at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi 'persona non grata' for similar reasons. Read: The Indian government issued a statement demanding that the Pakistani official leave within 24 hours, reinforcing its call for diplomats to refrain from activities beyond their official duties. A demarche was also delivered to Pakistan's Charge d'Affaires, urging him to ensure that Pakistani diplomats in India do not misuse their status. Earlier, a suicide attack targeting a school bus in Khuzdar, Balochistan, resulted in the martyrdom of at least six individuals, including three schoolchildren. Several others were injured when an explosive-laden vehicle rammed into the bus carrying students to the Army Public School (APS) in the Khuzdar cantonment. The vehicle, according to the Bomb Disposal Squad, was rigged with more than 30 kilograms of explosives. The military's media wing, ISPR, blamed India and its proxies in Balochistan for orchestrating the attack. ISPR accused India of using proxies to destabilise Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Read more: Balochistan's Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the assault, describing it as a brutal act targeting innocent children. He linked the attack to Indian proxies using Afghanistan as a launch pad, accusing India of supporting separatist insurgency groups in the region. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with military leaders, visited Quetta for an emergency briefing. The Prime Minister condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the victims' families. He vowed to bring those responsible to justice and called for further investigation into the involvement of Indian-backed proxies in the attack. The attack has drawn widespread international condemnation. The United States denounced the assault, with the US Embassy in Islamabad expressing "deep sorrow" and offering solidarity with the victims. "No child should ever fear going to school," US Chargé d'Affaires Natalie Baker said in a statement. China also condemned the attack, with Ambassador Jiang Zaidong offering condolences to the victims' families and expressing strong support for Pakistan in its efforts to counter terrorism. "China opposes all forms of terrorism and will continue to firmly support Pakistan in advancing counter-terrorism operations," the Chinese ambassador stated. Human rights groups, including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), condemned the attack as a violation of international humanitarian law. The HRCP called for the immediate identification and prosecution of those responsible and urged the Pakistani government to address the deep-rooted issues in Balochistan through lawful and peaceful means. Pakistan-India recent conflict The latest escalation between Pakistan and India began on April 22, when an attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people. India immediately blamed Pakistan for the incident. However, Pakistan categorically rejected the Indian blame. In response, India undertook a series of hostile actions the next day on April 23, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), cancelling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, ordering the shutdown of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and reducing diplomatic staff at each other's embassies. Tensions further escalated in the early hours of May 7, when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. Also Read: French intelligence official confirms downing of Rafale by Pakistan In a swift military response, Pakistan's armed forces shot down Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets. The confrontation intensified again in the early hours of May 10, when India targeted several Pakistani airbases with missile strikes. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, damaging Indian military installations, including missile storage sites, airbases, and other strategic targets. On May 10, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached following intense diplomatic efforts overnight. Minutes later, the agreement was confirmed separately by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Indian foreign secretary.
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PSX surges to all-time high, breaches 120,000 milestone
Listen to article Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued its upward momentum on Thursday, with the KSE-100 Index climbing 695.52 points, or 0.58%, during intraday trading. The current index is at 120,626.97 and surged to an all-time high of 120,699.17, maintaining a positive tone throughout the session. The index also hit a low of 120,210.56 during the early session but remained up by 279.11 points, or 0.23%, sustaining a strong bullish momentum throughout. Strong buying activity across key sectors, coupled with easing global economic concerns, helped drive the market's gains. On Wednesday, PSX saw a strong recovery, with the KSE-100 index rising by 960.33 points, or 0.81%, to close at 119,931.46. The rally was driven by active investor participation, bolstered by pro-growth fiscal measures and investor positioning ahead of the upcoming budget presentation. Read more: Despite pressure on auto stocks due to the IMF-backed tariff relaxation and revised National Tariff Policy, the overall market sentiment remained positive. Large-cap stocks, particularly in banking, oil, and energy sectors, contributed significantly to the index's gains, adding around 480 points. The refinery sector also saw increased activity after the government approved Rs34 billion in dues clearance for refineries, paving the way for multi-billion-dollar plant upgrades. Investor sentiment remained optimistic, with some stocks nearing the 120,000-point mark. Key contributors included National Bank of Pakistan (+10%), Bank AL Habib (+2.85%), and United Bank (+1.22%). However, auto stocks like Lucky Cement and Standard Chartered saw declines. Trading volumes surged to 667.7 million shares, with K-Electric leading the volume at 103.7 million shares. Foreign investors sold shares worth Rs146.9 million. Overall, the market remains buoyed by improving macroeconomic indicators, though investor participation is expected to be selective ahead of the FY26 budget announcement on June 2.
Express Tribune
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
UK, US pushing to maintain Pakistan-India ceasefire, says David Lammy
Listen to article British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Saturday that the UK is working alongside the United States to help preserve the fragile ceasefire between India and Pakistan and to promote dialogue and confidence-building measures between the two nuclear-armed nations. Speaking at the close of a two-day visit to Pakistan, Lammy told Reuters that maintaining peace between the long-time rivals remains a priority following the recent escalation, the worst in decades, which saw both countries exchange missile fire. The ceasefire, brokered through swift international diplomacy on May 10, remains tenuous. "We're committed to ensuring that this ceasefire holds, that dialogue resumes, and that both sides move toward meaningful confidence-building," Lammy said in Islamabad. Pakistan has credited the UK, the US, and other global actors with playing key roles in easing tensions that flared after an attack on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). India blamed Pakistan for the incident, an allegation Islamabad denies. US President Donald Trump suggested post-ceasefire dialogue should take place in a neutral venue, though no date or location has yet been finalised. Lammy underscored the UK's support for the continued enforcement of the Indus Waters Treaty after India suspended its participation last month. Islamabad has warned that disrupting the water flow could be seen as an act of war. 'We would urge all parties to honour their treaty obligations,' Lammy stated. He also reaffirmed Britain's commitment to supporting Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, calling it a serious threat to both the country and regional stability. On Friday, David Lammy paid an unscheduled visit to Islamabad in what seems to be part of international diplomatic efforts at seeking direct talks between the nuclear-armed nations following their four-day military fight. Lammy held formal talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and also met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The UK was one of the countries that played a role in brokering the ceasefire between Pakistan and India on May 10. Read more: Sources said the UK foreign secretary would also travel to New Delhi as part of international diplomatic efforts to consolidate the truce. A statement issued by the British High Commission confirmed that the main purpose of his trip was to discuss the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India. Tensions between Pakistan and India recently flared up after an attack in Pahalgam, India Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), killed 26 people. India blamed Pakistan without providing evidence, triggering a series of retaliatory moves including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, cancelling visas, and scaling back diplomatic ties. Pakistan rejected the allegations and responded with reciprocal steps such as halting trade and closing its airspace to Indian aircraft. The conflict escalated on May 7 with Indian missile strikes on multiple cities in Punjab and AJK, killing dozens of civilians. Pakistan responded by downing several Indian jets and neutralising drone attacks. On May 10, Indian missile strikes targeted Pakistani airbases, prompting a retaliatory campaign—Operation Bunyan Marsoos—which hit Indian military sites. A ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump on May 11, following overnight diplomatic efforts, and was later confirmed by officials from both sides. But despite the military ceasefire the war of narratives has waged on. While Pakistan publicly credited US President Donald Trump — along with China and Gulf states — for playing a vital role in defusing tensions, India downplayed foreign involvement. Indian officials insisted the truce was the result of direct bilateral talks, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarifying that trade was never part of discussions with US officials. Trump, has however, reiterated his stance twice following the initial announcement.
Express Tribune
13-05-2025
- Express Tribune
SC adjourns Zahir Jaffer appeal in Noor Mukadam case until May 19
Listen to article The Supreme Court of Pakisrtan has adjourned the hearing on Zahir Jaffer's appeal against his death sentence in the Noor Mukadam murder case until May 19, following mutual agreement from both parties. The appeal was heard on Tuesday by a three-member bench headed by Justice Hashim Kakar and comprising Justices Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Ali Baqar Najafi. Defence counsel Salman Safdar and prosecution lawyer Shah Khawar were present during the proceedings. Safdar requested additional time to submit further documents, arguing that they could significantly affect the outcome of the case. He maintained that Jaffer suffers from mental illness, a defence he claimed had been overlooked by both the trial and high courts. 'No medical board has ever been constituted to evaluate the accused's mental health,' Safdar told the bench, adding that prior Supreme Court judgments on the matter had also been ignored. Justice Kakar questioned the justification for an adjournment, noting that both legal teams were in attendance. 'In our court, a case is only delayed if the judge or the lawyer dies,' he remarked, criticising the frequency of avoidable delays. Justice Najafi asked whether the issue of mental illness had been raised during earlier proceedings. When Safdar confirmed it had not been given adequate consideration, Justice Kakar observed that the point could still be argued without requiring a new application. Prosecutor Shah Khawar opposed the adjournment, but Justice Najafi advised him to respond only after the defence formally submits its application. The court directed both parties to return fully prepared for the next hearing scheduled for May 19. Noor, 27, was found murdered with her head detached from her body at Jaffar's residence in Islamabad's upscale Sector F-7/4 on July 20, 2021. A first information report (FIR) was registered later the same day against Zahir Jaffer, who was arrested at the site of the murder. Read more: In February 2022, a district and sessions judge convicted Jaffer of murdering Mukadam, sentencing him to death along with 25 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs200,000. His household staff, Iftikhar and Jameel - co-accused in the case - were each sentenced to 10 years in prison, while all other suspects, including Jaffer's parents and TherapyWorks employees, were acquitted. According to the cause list available on the Supreme Court of Pakistan's website, "the hearing on the appeal against Jaffer's death sentence will be held on May 13." Justice Hashim Kakar will head a three-member bench, comprising Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, that will hear the case.
Express Tribune
13-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
KSE-100 crosses 120,000 as ceasefire, IMF support drive market rally
Listen to article The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its rally, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index once again surpassing the 120,000 points mark during intra-day trading on Tuesday. The surge was fuelled by a combination of improved diplomatic and economic developments, including the recent ceasefire agreement with India, and the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) approval of a key financial package. During intra-day trading, the KSE-100 Index rose by 2,769.39 points—or 2.36%—to reach an intraday high of 120,067.12, rebounding from the previous close of 117,297.73. The momentum followed Monday's record-breaking gains, as investors responded positively to signs of macroeconomic stability and easing regional tensions. According to PSX data, the market had recorded a trading volume of 140.7 million shares, valued at Rs17.07 billion. This marks the index's return above the 120,000 threshold, last crossed on April 4. Read more: The stock market earlier on Monday staged its highest single-day rally, driven by a host of positive developments, most significant of which included the surprise ceasefire with India and President Trump's offer to mediate in the Kashmir dispute. Additionally, Trump's encouragement towards increased trade and the IMF's approval of $2.4 billion in disbursements, with $1 billion coming from its Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and $1.4 billion from the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), played a key role in the unprecedented bull run. The KSE-30 index surged over 5% for five straight minutes. The pause did little to cool investor sentiment, and the KSE-100 index shot up to the intra-day high of 10,153 points, before cooling slightly to 10,123 points at 117,297. Read more: After a week of market gloom driven by regional unrest, a surprise ceasefire breakthrough and a multibillion-dollar IMF assistance served as a cocktail of catalysts that sent the market soaring. With diplomacy soothing nerves and dollars flowing in, the PSX didn't just bounce; it roared back to life, kicking off the week with a blaze of renewed confidence, reported Topline.
