PTI presents ’charter of demands’ in 3rd round of talks with pakistan govt

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) formally submitted its `charter of demands` to the government in writing on Thursday during the third round of negotiations aimed at easing political tensions in the country.

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir and Bangladesh’s Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division, Lt Gen S M Kamr-ul-Hassan, highlighted the need to strengthen defence ties during their meeting on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Twenty-seven terrorists were killed in a military operation in Pakistan`s southwest Balochistan province, the military said on Monday.

Bangladesh has eased its visa process for Pakistani nationals to foster closer trade and economic relations between the two nations.

Despite some progress in negotiations between the Pakistan government and the opposition, talks between the ruling coalition and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have hit a stumbling block over disagreements on procedural matters.

When the Afghan Taliban seized control of Kabul in 2021, Pakistan appeared optimistic about the new regime, with the then-head of Pakistan’s intelligence agency making an early visit and reassuring reporters that `everything will be okay.` However, less than three and a half years later, relations between the two nations have soured significantly.

The Pakistani army reported that Taliban have launched `unprovoked heavy weapons fire` on its outposts near the border.

The United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) have strongly criticized Pakistan`s military courts following the sentencing of 25 civilians on December 24, 2024. 

At least 16 Pakistani soldiers were killed as terrorists attacked a check post in northwestern Pakistan near the Afghan border, the military said late Saturday.

The United States said on Wednesday it was imposing new sanctions related to nuclear-armed Pakistan`s long-range ballistic-missile program, including on the state-owned defense agency that oversees the program.

Pakis­tan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has warned that he would ask overseas Pakistanis to halt remittances if the government fails to meet his demands. 

A terrorist attack on a police check-post in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday left two policemen dead and three others injured, local authorities reported.

Pakistan`s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for translating existing goodwill between Islamabad and Dhaka into `tangible cooperation,` his office said, as both countries move toward closer ties following the ouster of former premier Sheikh Hasina.

Pakistan’s imprisoned Former prime minister Imran Khan has threatened to launch a nationwide civil disobedience movement, in an apparent bid to keep his public mobilisation campaign intact and to force the country’s powerful authorities to agree to his demands.

A court in Pakistan has issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Imran Khan`s wife, Bushra Bibi, in a graft case, media reported on Thursday.

China has emerged as Pakistan`s largest creditor, with nearly $29 billion in loans, according to the World Bank`s International Debt Report for 2023. The report highlights Pakistan’s mounting external debt challenges amid a weakening fiscal position and significant repayment burdens.