Suspected crime boss Daniel Kinahan flown back to …

  ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has asserted that the ruling coalition will complete its full five-year constitutional term, even as he acknowledged that political speculation intensifies after the two-and-a-half-year mark. The minister addressed a range of pressing political questions, from the possibility of an opposition alliance to the stability of the current government. Chaudhry began by offering a pragmatic observation about Pakistan’s political rhythm. “After two and a half years, the countdown for any government effectively begins,” he said. However, he quickly dispelled any notion that this countdown implies an early end for the present administration. “The five years will be completed in full,” he emphasized, “and the coalition will continue to function in exactly the same manner as it does today.” He expressed complete confidence that the ruling alliance, led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), remains cohesive and resilient against any internal or external pressures. When questioned about the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) – a key coalition partner – Chaudhry delivered a nuanced response. He acknowledged that the PPP possesses a certain political awareness, or “ehsas”, regarding its current position within the alliance. He went further to state that this awareness will only deepen with time. “The PPP has this feeling today, and more feeling will also come,” he remarked, suggesting that as the government progresses, all partners will increasingly recognize the mutual benefits of remaining united. He framed this evolving consciousness not as a threat, but as a natural part of political maturity within a multi-party democratic setup. One of the most emphatic parts of Chaudhry’s interview was his categorical dismissal of any potential alliance between the PPP and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He stated, “There is no possibility of an alliance between the PPP and the PTI,” calling such speculation unfounded and politically motivated. He further reassured the public and investors alike that the government faces no existential threat from the opposition. According to the minister, the opposition remains fragmented and lacks the numerical strength or public mandate to destabilize the elected administration. Chaudhry then elevated his argument beyond mere political expediency, framing the continuity of the coalition as a national imperative. “It is in the best interest of Pakistan and the entire political system that the current alliance continues to function as it is,” he declared. He warned that any premature disruption of the government would create a dangerous power vacuum at a time when the country is grappling with economic stabilization, security challenges, and the need for institutional reforms. He called on all political stakeholders to prioritize national unity over partisan scores. The minister also took the opportunity to defend the government’s performance on key issues, including inflation management, anti-terrorism operations, and diplomatic engagements. While conceding that difficulties persist, he argued that the government has set the foundation for long-term recovery and that the opposition’s role should be constructive criticism rather than obstructionism. He urged political parties to rise above personal rivalries and focus on the greater good of the nation. In his concluding remarks, Talal Chaudhry made it clear that while the government is not afraid of early elections, it is also not shirking its responsibilities. “We were elected for five years, and we will serve for five years,” he said firmly. He expressed confidence that the public will ultimately judge this administration on its tangible achievements, not on opposition rhetoric. He dismissed the “two-and-a-half-year countdown” as a political cliché rather than a prophecy, reiterating that the coalition will not only survive but thrive until the very last day of its term. Overall, the interview projected an image of a self-assured government determined to see through its tenure, while subtly reminding its coalition partners – especially the PPP – that their long-term political futures are best secured within the existing fold. Whether this confidence will translate into political reality remains to be seen, but for now, Chaudhry’s message was unambiguous: the alliance is stable, the system is strong, and the government is here to stay.

  ISLAMABAD:Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Sarfraz Dogar has said that public confidence in the Islamabad High Court and district courts has increased significantly, as reflected by the sharp rise in the number of cases being filed before the courts. Addressing a ceremony held at the Islamabad High Court on the occasion of Independence Day, Justice Sarfraz Dogar said that the number of cases filed in the high court had increased nearly fivefold. He noted that there was a time when the daily filing rate remained below 50 cases, whereas the court is now receiving around 250 cases every day. According to the chief justice, the substantial increase in case filings indicates that people are increasingly turning to courts in the hope of obtaining relief and having their grievances addressed through the legal system. He said the growing number of cases was also an indication of the public’s confidence in the judiciary and its ability to provide justice. Justice Dogar acknowledged that the judiciary was facing several challenges, particularly a shortage of judges. Despite these difficulties, he said, courts were continuing to perform their responsibilities with dedication and commitment. He stressed that the primary responsibility of the judiciary was to ensure that every deserving person received justice in a fair, impartial and transparent manner. He further highlighted the importance of cooperation between judges and lawyers, describing the bench and the bar as two essential pillars of the judicial system. He said effective coordination between the two was necessary to improve the delivery of justice and ensure that citizens could obtain timely relief. Speaking about the country’s future, the chief justice said that the protection and stability of Pakistan was a collective responsibility. He urged citizens to keep the country away from conflict, disorder, extremism and politics based on hatred. He emphasized that Pakistan’s progress could only be achieved through sincerity, mutual respect, unity and a positive contribution from all segments of society. Justice Dogar also referred to what he described as Pakistan’s significant diplomatic and defence achievements over the past two years. He said the country had strengthened its position internationally through effective diplomatic efforts and had emerged as an important voice for peace in the international community. The chief justice particularly highlighted developments in defence cooperation among Muslim countries. He described efforts to bring Islamic countries together on a common platform for defence cooperation as a historic development. According to him, the initiative reflected a vision that had previously been associated with former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who had advocated greater unity and cooperation among Muslim nations. Justice Sarfraz Dogar said Pakistan’s national institutions had an important role to play in strengthening the country and maintaining public confidence. He stressed that institutions must continue to work according to constitutional principles, the rule of law and national interests. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of tolerance, unity and respect in addressing differences. He said that Pakistan could move forward only when its institutions and citizens worked together to promote justice, stability, peace and national development.