Page 1 - Pakistan Link - March 17, 2023

Vol. 33/11 Shaban 25, 1444 AH Friday, March 17, 2023 US & Canada $1.00

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Those Who is Sania
Battle for For news, updated
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Long Ago Date’’?

Can Newfound Flexibility Help Imran ‘Ready to Talk
to Anyone’ as PM
Calls for Unity
Bridge Govt-PTI Gulf? LAHORE: Embattled PTI Chairman Im-

ran Khan on Thursday struck a reconcilia-
tory tone, saying he was ready to “talk to
n By Amir Wasim anyone” and “render any sacrifice” for the
sake of the country’s “uplift, interest and
KARACHI: After days of pitched democracy” as Prime Minister Shehbaz
The police operation triggered clashes between battles outside Imran Khan’s Zaman Sharif again called for unity to tackle the
Imran Khan’s supporters and police in the Park residence in Lahore, both the challenges Pakistan faces.
country’s major cities government and the PTI appear to The remarks by the two leaders come
Clashes Erupt in Lahore be softening their extreme positions a day after PM Shehbaz extended an olive
branch to the PTI chief, emphasizing that
and showing willingness to enter
as Police Try to Arrest into dialogue. all political forces would have to sit for dia-
Imran Khan However, a lack of trust be- logue to rid the country of the ongoing po-
tween the two sides seems evident; litical and economic crises.
LAHORE: Clashes between Pakistan’s po- there is by now almost too big a gulf Imran, who has a number of cases
lice and supporters of former Prime Minis- to bridge in the near future. against him, has been resisting arrest and is
ter Imran Khan persisted outside his home Background interviews with holed up inside his Zaman Park residence
in the city of Lahore on Wednesday, a day leaders from the ruling coalition surrounded by thousands of supporters,
after officers went to arrest him for failing and the opposition PTI reveal that who have fought “pitched battles” with the
to appear in court on graft charges. though there is some realization on to take the first step towards recon- chief expressed willingness to “talk police and Rangers over the past few days.
The police operation triggered clashes both sides that the country cannot ciliation, blaming each other’s past to anyone” and “render any sacri- “I will not refrain from any sacrifice
between Khan’s supporters and police in afford the prevailing tensions to lin- track records for their distrust. fice” for the sake of the country’s for the sake of Pakistan’s uplift, interest and
(Continued on page 12) ger, each side is expecting the other Talking to Dawn after his party (Continued on page 12) (Continued on page 12)

IMF Wants Friendly Pakistan, US Reaffirm Commitment to Court Declines to
Nations to Give Funds to Suspend Imran Khan’s
Pakistan before Deal Promote Economic Growth, Energy Security Arrest Warrant

WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s government ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad district and
said the International Monetary Fund sessions court on Thursday rejected PTI
wants ‘friendly” countries to honor their secretary for the Bureau of Energy chairman Imran Khan’s plea seeking the
commitments to fund the cash-strapped Resources at the US Department of suspension of non-bailable arrest warrants
country before the multilateral lender signs State, according to a press release is- issued for the ex-premier in the Toshakha-
off on a $6.5 billion bailout program. sued by the Prime Minister’s Office. na case.
This has led to a delay in concluding Pyatt is in Islamabad along Announcing the verdict which was
talks with the IMF for the program, Paki- with a delegation to attend the reserved earlier today, Additional District
stan Finance Minister Ishaq Dar told the Pak-US Energy Security Dialogue, and Sessions (ADSJ) Judge Zafar Iqbal said
upper house of parliament on Thursday. a joint initiative aimed at promot- the warrants could not be suspended on the
Certain countries had made pledges to sup- ing energy security. It serves as a basis of an undertaking.
port Pakistan during the IMF’s review and platform for high-level discussions He passed the order while hearing the
it “is asking they should actually complete between the two countries on bi- Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP)
and materialize those commitments,” he lateral energy priorities, advancing reference seeking criminal proceedings
added. the transition to renewable energy against former prime minister Imran Khan
Pakistani officials have been guid- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and federal ministers meet US officials in Islamabad and exploring economic and com- for concealing details of Toshakhana gifts.
ing for an IMF agreement in a few days on Wednesday — PID mercial opportunities in the energy The written order, a copy of which is
and had planned to complete the program ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the strengthening of their overall rela- sector. The prime minister appreci- available with Dawn.com, said it was “quite
in June. However, the nation has failed to United States on Wednesday reaf- tionship. ated the holding of the dialogue on obvious from the record that the applicant
meet multiple deadlines in the past. firmed their commitment to pro- The ties between the two coun- promoting energy security, saying has never appeared in the court on any date
The bailout funds from the IMF would moting economic growth, energy tries were discussed at a meeting that it would be beneficial for both of hearing and his personal appearance has
throw an economic lifeline to Paki security, partnership in long-term between Prime Minister Shehbaz countries. been exempted on four occasions”.
(Continued on page 12) flood rehabilitation efforts and Sharif and Geoffery Pyatt, assistant (Continued on page 12) (Continued on page 12)

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