KARACHI: Aircraft Owners and Operators Association of Pakistan (PAOOA) on Friday opposed the coalition government’s “unilateral” decision to outsource country’s top airports without following the PPRA rules, ARY News reported on Friday.The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) had approved the draft Transaction Advisory Agreement reached with the International Finance Corporation for outsourcing of three airports.The ECC was informed that the outsourcing of three airports has been initiated within the scope of the Public-Private Partnership Act-2017 to engage private investor through a competitive and transparent process to run the airports, develop appertaining land assets and enhance avenues for commercial activities and to garner full revenue potential.In a statement today, the association condemned the government's decision to award contracts to IFC and World Bank (WB) regarding the outsourcing of three airports.“All the proceedings of outsourcing of major airports have been kept secret by government, making the whole process doubtful and dubious,” the statement read.The statement said no country outsources its money-making assets like the airports to a third country which cannot run its own airport, adding that the government has outsourced its major airports to a Singaporean company which is being run by “Indians”.Read More: GOVT INITIATES OUTSOURCING OF THREE AIRPORTS, ECC TOLDEventually, it will be Indians managing our major airports, it added.“In the next 30 years, the country’s airports have a potential of generating more than Rs2700bn and we are outsourcing them for Rs850bn,” the statement said.It further added that PAOOA Pakistan will serve a legal notice to Govt of Pakistan and the IFC, World Bank for malpractice and dodging the Pakistan laws.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the dissolution of the Supreme Court bench is not less than a national tragedy, ARY News reported on Friday. As per details, the interior minister said that the supreme court bench started the hearing on Punjab and KP election delay case with nine members but it has now left with four members.He said that the behaviour of senior judiciary is disappointing as justice Jamal Mandokhail revealed that he was not consulted before the final decision, the interior minister added.Rana Sanaullah maintained that the bench headed by Justice Qazi Faez Isa has announced a detailed verdict on the sou motu. He added that he has never seen the supreme court verdict disaffected through a circular.He lambasted PTI chief Imran Khan who started in 2014 and landed the country in an economic crisis in 2023. If the reference was not filed against Justice Qazi Faez Isa then the situation would have been different now.Read more: POLLS DELAY CASE: TOP COURT REJECTS GOVT’S FULL COURT REQUESTThe interior minister further said that the provincial assemblies also raised because the PTI chairman Imran Khan dissolved the assemblies before the completion of the tenure.He said that the election delay case should be heard by a full court because justice must be seen to be done.Earlier today, a three-member new Supreme Court (SC) bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial rejected the government’s request to form a full court on the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa election delay case. The petition PTI had challenged the election commission’s decision to change the date of an election in Punjab and KP. Punjab and KPK assemblies’ speakers Sibtain Khan and Mushtaq Ghani have filed a joint constitutional petition on behalf of the Pakistan Tehrik-i-InsafThe federation, Punjab and KPK were made parties along with the ministry of parliamentary affairs, ministry of law and the cabinet in the PTI petitionIn the petition, PTI sought directions for the federal government to ensure law and order, provisions of funds and security personnel as per the ECP’s need to hold the elections.It also requested the court to direct the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor to announce the date for elections to the provincial assembly.

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday approved the withdrawal of the curative review reference and Civil Miscellaneous Application (CMA) against senior Supreme Court judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa.The president gave the approval on the advice of the prime minister in accordance with Article 48 of the Constitution.Dr Alvi also signed his power of attorney in favour of Advocate Supreme Court Anees Ahmed Shehzad.Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday directed the law ministry to withdraw the curative review reference filed against Supreme Court’s senior judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa.According to the statement released PM Office, the prime minister has directed Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar to withdraw the curative review reference against Supreme Court Justice Qazi Faez Isa as it was politically motivated.The premier further said CRR was filed only to defame Justice Qazi Faez Isa and his family members. “This was not a reference rather a victimization by revengeful Imran Khan against an impartial person pursuing the course of constitution and the law.”“This was a conspiracy to usurp the independence of judiciary and create a division within,” the prime minister remarked.Read: Letter to President: London properties owned by children, says Justice Faez IsaThe Supreme Court (SC) on June 19, dismissed the presidential reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa after declaring it ‘invalid’.The detailed verdict released by the apex court nullified the presidential reference against Justice Isa and termed the reference as a violation of the law and the Constitution.

RAWALPINDI: The security forces on Friday killed a terrorist and injured two in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted in Noshman area of Sibi district, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).According to the ISPR, the security forces had initiated an IBO from March 30 onwards to intercept a group of terrorists operating in Noshman, South of Sibi.The forces based on credible information, laid multiple ambushes along different routes in the area frequented by terrorists for the last two days, the press release said.Resultantly, a party of three terrorists was intercepted while moving towards their hideout. However, on being blocked, they opened fire onto the security forces.During a heavy exchange of fire, one terrorist was killed while two others were injured whereas a cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered.The terrorists were involved in targeting of civilians in the area besides harassment of coal mine owners.“Pakistan Army remains determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan,” the ISPR said.Earlier today, a Pakistan Army soldier was martyred during an exchange of fire with terrorists in the general area of Mir Ali North Waziristan district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.According to the military’s media wing, the security forces personnel fought bravely and effectively engaged the terrorists’ location.However, during an intense exchange of fire, Sepoy Irshadullah (age 29 years, resident of District Karak), having fought gallantly, embraced martyrdom.

KARACHI: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) on Friday announced a reduction in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) by Rs49 per kg for the month of April, ARY News reported.According to the notification released by OGRA, the price of LPG is cut down by Rs49 per kg while the domestic cylinder of LPG has been made cheaper by Rs576 and its new price has been fixed at Rs2,702.READ: OGRA JACKS UP LPG PRICESThe price of the commercial cylinder has been fixed at Rs2,214 per kg.Earlier in February, the OGRA notified an increase in LPG prices and hiked the sales tax on the domestic cylinder.The authority hiked Rs27 on the domestic cylinder and the sales tax was increased from 17% to 18%. After hiking the sales tax, the price was increased to Rs3.21 per kilogram.

ISLAMABAD: A three-member new Supreme Court (SC) bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial rejected the government’s request to form a full court on the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa election delay case, ARY News reported on Friday.Following the recusal of Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Aminuddin, the three-member bench resumed hearing the PTI plea against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decision to delay polls and rejected the full court request put forward by Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan on behalf of the government.The bench was disbanded for the second time today as the original five-member top court bench was dissolved following the recusal of Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail while Justice Aminuddin Khan withdrew himself from the Supreme Court bench a day earlier.As soon as the proceeding began, Justice Mandokhail recused himself from the case. Justice Mandokhail said that despite being a member of the bench, he wasn’t consulted regarding the formation of the new bench. Today's hearing As the proceeding commenced, the chairperson of the Executive Council of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) appeared before the top court.However, the CJP maintained that the PBC officeholder would be heard later, to which Pasha stated that the bar had nothing to do with supporting anyone.“SC should hold a full-court session if they cannot form a full-court bench,” said Pasha.Here, the CJP said that the bench was considering taking that measure and added that the relationship between the judges was “good”.Pasha, however, stated that yesterday and today, two judges excused themselves from hearing the matter, and the CJP told him to meet him in his chambers regarding that issue.“Today is the first time you have come to the court, prove yourself by actions, not by words,” Justice Bandial advised. He added that the president of the Supreme Court Bar had been in touch with him.During the hearing, the AGP requested the court to 'lower the rising temperatures across the country'.Justice Bandial said that the court always gave precedence to the Constitution and that the Constitution and democracy had to be kept alive. He added that those in prison very recently were now addressing the National Assembly.Commenting on the case, he said that the 90-day deadline for holding Punjab Assembly polls as per the Constitution stands expired in April.AGP Awan then again requested the formation of a full court to hear the case which was turned by apex court.The top court summoned the secretary defence and finance on next hearing and adjourned the further proceedings until Monday. SC sets aside Justice Faez Isa's ruling The Supreme Court (SC) office on Friday rejected Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s observation regarding suo moto notices hearing.On Wednesday, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court ordered to adjourn the hearing of cases of constitutional importance and suo motu notices.A three-member bench of the court issued the order in a case of giving grace marks to Hafiz-e-Quran. The nine-page decision was written by Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, while Justice Shahid Waheed dissented from the decision.“Justice Qazi Faez Isa used suo moto powers in judgment,” the SC Registrar Office said in a circular and added the judgment of Justice Isa and Justice Aminuddin does not apply to the larger bench hearing cases related to 184/3.The SC while rejecting the decision of a three-member bench in a case of giving extra marks to Hafiz-e-Quran, turned down Qazi Faez Isa’s ruling in the case.It may be noted that initially, a five-member bench was hearing PTI’s plea against the postponement of elections in Punjab by the Election Commission of Pakistan.Punjab and KPK assemblies’ speakers Sibtain Khan and Mushtaq Ghani have filed a joint constitutional petition on behalf of the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf. The petition PTI had challenged the election commission’s decision to change the date of election in Punjab and KP. Punjab and KPK assemblies’ speakers Sibtain Khan and Mushtaq Ghani have filed a joint constitutional petition on behalf of the Pakistan Tehrik-i-InsafThe federation, Punjab and KPK were made parties along with the ministry of parliamentary affairs, ministry of law and the cabinet in the PTI petitionIn the petition, PTI sought directions for the federal government to ensure law and order, provisions of funds and security personnel as per the ECP’s need to hold the elections.It also requested the court to direct the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor to announce the date for elections to the provincial assembly.

LAHORE: Former prime minister and Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan will chair the core committee meeting of the party in Lahore on Friday (today), ARY News reported. According to PTI leader Musarat Jamsheed Cheema, the PTI core committee meeting will be held at 9pm at Zaman Park. The senior leadership of the party will attend the meeting, in which important decisions will be taken in accordance with the political situation of the country.Miss Cheema said the meeting will also consider movement regarding the independence of the judiciary. Furthermore, matters related to delay in elections will also come under discussion.Read more: SC office sets aside Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s observationEarlier, a four-member bench of the Supreme Court hearing the PTI petition against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decision to delay polls in Punjab was dissolved once again after Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail excused himself from hearing the case.The bench was disbanded for the second time as the original five-member top court bench was dissolved following the recusal of Justice Aminuddin Khan on Thursday.

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to extend the date for receiving applications under the regular Hajj scheme till Sunday while date for sponsorship Hajj scheme was extended till April 9thAccording to the Ministry of Religious Affairs spokesperson, the decision to this effect was taken keeping in view the difficulties confronted by overseas Pakistanis in sending their remittances.He said the overseas Pakistanis have to send amount to the dollar account of the Ministry of Religious Affairs through TT or wire transfer, while the applicant or any of his relative will have to maintain liaison with the concerned bank for verification and processing of the remitted amount.The spokesperson said the applicants who will send their application under Sponsorship Hajj Scheme will be declared successful without balloting.He further stated that all the designated banks will remain open for receiving Hajj applications on Saturdays and Sundays as well.

LAHORE: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Friday arrested nine terrorists of banned outfit from Sargodha and Rawalpindi, ARY News reported.According to the CTD officials, raids were conducted in several districts of Punjab including Sargodha, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala.The arrested terrorist includes Nazir, Fahad, Arshad, Usman, Sher Muhammad, Tahir and Wazir Rasheed.The CTD recovered explosives, suicide jackets and other weapons from the possession of the terrorists. Read more: CTD ARRESTS 5 TERROR SUSPECTS FROM LAHOREThe police have conducted 340 combing and search operations across Punjab and arrested 41 people on suspicion.The terrorist network had planned to carry out attacks in sensitive districts.As per details, the suspects were arrested in the CTD operation include a banned outfit commander.The arrested terrorist had already planned to carry out an attack in sensitive districts.Apart from suicide jackets, explosives, guns, ammunition and literature pertaining to terror activities were recovered from the five suspects.

KARACHI: Pakistan customs intelligence on Friday foiled an attempt to smuggle 8103kg expired honey in Bahadurabad area of Karachi, ARY News reported on Friday.According to customs officials, the smugglers planned to sell the expired honey in the market after changing the expiry date as the officials have confiscated an expiry date machine as well.The official said that the recovered machine and honey are worth more than Rs 2 crore. In a separate raid, the customs officials recovered 30140kg Kenyan black tea from a warehouse in the Site area Haroonabad.The black tea recovered by the customs officials is worth Rs 3.6 crore. The total value of the recovered items is Rs 5.7 crore.Read more: CUSTOMS SEIZES NON-DUTY PAID GOODS WORTH RS160M IN KARACHIThe customs officials have registered FIRs against all the accused under the customs act. Earlier, Pakistan Customs in a grand operation seized non-duty paid goods worth over Rs160 million in Karachi.The raids were carried out in different areas of Karachi by Pakistan Customs’ anti-smuggling team.In an action on a tip-off in Liaquatabad, the Pakistan customs team recovered smuggled gutka, cigarettes and chalia (betel nuts) in huge quantities from a bus. The record items are said to be worth Rs26 million. 

ISLAMABAD: Rejecting the rumors about the delay in Chinese loan rollover, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has confirmed that Beijing has rolled over its $2 billion loan to Pakistan for one year, ARY News reported.Speaking in the Senate today on a point raised by PPP leader Raza Rabbani, he rejected speculative a report that appeared in foreign media that Pakistan is still awaiting the rollover of the Chinese loan.Ishaq Dar said the rollover was made on March 23. He said the documentation vis-à-vis the roll-over also stands completed and it is no longer in the pipeline.He further said currently Pakistan is having two types of safe deposits with China. One is between the Central Bank of China nad State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Islamabad is also doing business with the commercial banks of China including, Bank of China, ICBC and China Development Bank.Islamabad is trying hard to get assurance of external financing from friendly countries to unlock the stalled loan programme of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).Earlier it emerged that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is likely to raise the interest rate by 2 per cent at the upcoming meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) as per IMF's demand.

ISLAMABAD: A local court in Islamabad on Friday converted a non-bailable arrest warrant issued against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan into a bailable one in a woman judge threatening case, ARY News reported.Additional District and Session Judge Sikandar Khan announced the verdict after hearing arguments on warrant review petition filed by the former premier.The session judge also ordered the PTI chairman to submit surety bonds worth Rs20,000.It may be mentioned here that a senior civil judge had issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Imran Khan till March 29, while Imran Khan had challenged the verdict.Yesterday, the district and sessions court in Islamabad suspended the non-bailable arrest warrant issued for former prime minister and PTI chief Imran Khan for 24 hours.Read more: IMRAN KHAN’S ARREST WARRANT IN JUDGE THREATENING CASE SUSPENDEDPTI chief’s lawyers Ali Bukhari and Faisal Chaudhry appeared before the court for a review appeal hearing against a non-bailable arrest warrant in a female judge ‘threatening’ remarks case.Chaudhry, while highlighting the flaws in the decision of issuing a non-bailable arrest warrant for his client, pleaded with the Islamabad court to suspend it. The case The PTI chairman on Aug 20 condemned police as well as the judiciary over the alleged custodial torture on Shahbaz Gill and announced that his party would file cases against Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, the DIG and AD&SJ Zeba Chaudhry.He was booked under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). Besides, Islamabad High Court (IHC) also initiated contempt of court proceedings against him.

KARACHI: Armed robbers have looted shopkeepers in the Federal B area of Karachi at iftar time, ARY News reported on Friday.As per details, the robber came inside the market when a group of shopkeepers were having their iftar in Block 15, Federal B area of Karachi.Two armed robbers looted the cash from the counter and then checked all the nine shopkeepers' pockets sitting at the shop.While the robbers looted the shop, the shopkeepers didn't stop having their iftar.After looting the entire money from the counter and the shopkeepers, the robbers escaped the spot of the incident.Earlier in February, the Additional Inspector General (AIG) Karachi Javed Alam Odho stated in his report that 131 street crime incidents took place in the metropolis within 24 hours.Read more: ROBBERS TAKE AWAY JEWELLERY, CASH WORTH MILLIONSThe AIG spokesperson report stated that 131 street crime incidents included 37 incidents of mobile phone and cash snatching in a day.In another incident on March 5, eight armed robbers took away cash and gold ornaments worth more than Rs7 million from a house in Karachi’s Scheme 33 area.The armed robbers broke into house of a businessman in Karachi’s Scheme 33 area and took the family hostage at gunpoint and looted Rs90,000 in cash 35 tolas of gold worth over Rs7 million and a 9mm pistol.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday showed resentment over the construction of underpasses in Lahore, ARY News reported.LHC Justice Shahid Karim while hearing a case related to seeking remedies for the increasing threat of smog, remarked traffic problems can be solved by re-modeling the roads instead of constructing underpasses.Justice Shahid Karim further remarked that "People don't even understand the traffic police." Traffic police need to be empowered more, he added.The LHC judge observed that no one in Dubai is brave enough to argue with traffic police if stopped.During the hearing, the court allowed all bakeries to work until one o'clock at night till Eid-ul-Fitr, while ordering the immediate sealing of illegal parking around private goods۔Later, the hearing was adjourned for a week.Read more: LHC bans tree felling to curb smogIn the last hearing, the Lahore High Court (LHC) imposed a ban on cutting trees in Lahore.LHC’s Justice Shahid Karim issued directives while hearing a petition seeking curbs to control smog in Lahore.Justice Karim remarked that the smog situation in Lahore is already very bad and it shouldn’t be worsened by cutting the trees.He also asked for introducing a law to declare tree-cutting a crime.

RAWALPINDI: A Pakistan Army soldier was martyred during an exchange of fire with terrorists in the general area of Mir Ali North Waziristan district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Friday.According to the military’s media wing, the security forces personnel fought bravely and effectively engaged the terrorists’ location.However, during an intense exchange of fire, Sepoy Irshadullah (age 29 years, resident of District Karak), having fought gallantly, embraced martyrdom.The ISPR further said, “sanitization of the area is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found there.”On March 21, an official of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was martyred and seven other members sustained injuries in gun battle with terrorists in South Waziristan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.According to a statement issued by military’s media wing, the incident occurred in Angoor Adda locality of South Waziristan district, wherein ISI official – Brigadier Mustafa Kamal Barki – encountered the terrorists.The ISPR, in the statement, said that Brigadier Barki and his team put up a valiant resistance against the terrorists during the encounter and the officer sacrificed his life for peace of the motherland.During the gun battle, seven other members of the intelligence agency got injured including two critically, the military’s media wing added.

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has released an inquiry report on a major power breakdown in the country that took place earlier this year, ARY News reported.On January 23, several parts of the country including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Quetta had plunged into darkness as a high-tension electricity supply line between Quetta and Guddu caused a major power breakdown.As per the report, NTDC, Jinco Two Port Qasim Electric Power Company have been held responsible for the countrywide blackout.The Inquiry committee while highlighting the flaws in the power system said electricity generation was increased from wind power plants in the South, while in the North, hydel power generation was decreased.Read more: NEPRA forms probe committee on countrywide power breakdownThe power system got affected due to the over supply of electricity in transmission lines, as a result, three plants of K-2 were tripped and 1,940mw electricity disappeared from the system, the report read.The system was quickly injected with 3,843mg electricity but despite of this the north region tripped, while cascading was reported in Engro, Shangai Electric and Thar Coal.The power restoration took time due to the non-availability of the Skadsystem in the NPCC. The Inquiry committee in its report has recommended upgrading the system and training of the NTDC staff regarding the dispatch system.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) office on Friday rejected Justice Qazi Faez Isa's observation regarding suo moto notices hearing, ARY News reported.The SC Registrar's Office issued a circular regarding the hearing of cases under Article 184/3.On Wednesday, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court ordered to adjourn the hearing of cases of constitutional importance and suo motu notices."Justice Qazi Faez Isa used suo moto powers in judgment," the circular said and added the judgment of Justice Isa and Justice Aminuddin does not apply to the larger bench hearing cases related to 184/3.The circular released by the SC further termed the judgment against the orders passed by a five-member bench of the top court. Only the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) can take suo moto notice.Read more: SC bench hearing election delay case dissolvedThe SC while rejecting the decision of a three-member bench in a case of giving extra marks to Hafiz-e-Quran, turned down Qazi Faez Isa's observation in the case.The Registrar's Office has been directed to pass the directions to the respondents.On Wednesday, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court ordered to adjourn the hearing of cases of constitutional importance and suo motu notices.A three-member bench of the court issued the order in a case of giving grace marks to Hafiz-e-Quran. The nine-page decision was written by Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, while Justice Shahid Waheed dissented from the decision.

SAN FRANCISCO: The microblogging website, Twitter on Friday has blocked the Pakistani government's official account in India.According to details, the social networking site Twitter blocked the Pakistani government's official Twitter account @GovtofPakistan for the third time in India.Twitter said in a notice that the official account of the Pakistani government has been blocked in India ، The company's guidelines force it to withhold accounts in response to authoritative legal demand۔The notice said that the account of the Government of Pakistan is active in other countries including the United States and Canada۔Read more: India blocks Twitter accounts of several Pakistani embassiesPakistan's IT ministry has not made any comments on the issue yet, nor contacted the Twitter۔Earlier, in July and October last year, the Pakistan government's Twitter account was blocked۔

LAHORE: Sessions court on Friday extended interim bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders in the Zille Shah death case, ARY News reported.Ali Bilal aka Zille Shah, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worker died earlier this month when police and the PTI supporters had clashed ahead of the party’s Lahore rally.Additional Session judge Muhammad Bilal Baig heard the bail plea of PTI leaders.Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed and other PTI leaders appeared before the court, while Fawad Chaudhry and Farrukh Habib sought a day exemption from appearance, which was accepted.Read more: LHC petition seeks judicial probe of Zille Shah’s deathThe Lahore court extended the interim bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders till April 13. According to the investigation report, Zille Shah was hit by a speeding car, when he was walking on the middle of the road. He was rushed to Services Hospital, but could not survive.After hearing the news of Shah's death, the accused fled the hospital, while Dr Yasmin Rashid allegedly hid the facts, the prosecutor said.Meanwhile, the PTI leaders have been rejecting the allegations and shown their consent to appear before the investigation team to be part of the probe.

WASHINGTON: Principal Deputy Spokesperson at US State Department Vedant Patel said Pakistan is a sovereign country, which can take decisions freely.He was responding to a question regarding Pakistan's non-participation in the Summit For Democaries in US, while addressing a press conference. Vedant Patel said: "We're certainly sorry that Pakistan chose not to participate. But it is a sovereign state and it can make decisions for itself."This certainly does not change our willingness to continue to work with Pakistan. Washington and Islamabad work together on a broad range of issues, the US official added.Responding to a question regarding rise of Taliban attacks in Pakistan, Vedant Patel said that there is a deep security partnership with Pakistan, including counterterrorism efforts.Read more: US distances itself from Zalmay Khalilzad’s statements about PakistanReplying to a question regarding US relations with Islamabad and New Delhi, Vedant Patel said that US values its important relationship with both India and Pakistan as well, and these relationships stand on their own and are not a zero-sum proposition.Earlier, Vedant Patel said Zalmay Khalilzad’s statement has nothing to do with our American foreign policy and his statements are in his personal capacity.“Zalmay Khalilzad’s statement did not represent the Biden administration, his statement had nothing to do with American foreign policy.”