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Trump rejects Netanyahu’s objections to F-35 deal with Turkiye: ‘Nobody Tells me what to sell’

WASHINGTON:U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s objections to a potential sale of super-sophisticated F-35 fighter jets to Turkiye, stating aboard Air Force One, “Nobody tells me what we should be selling.”

“Turkiye has been a tremendous ally for me,” he said on the eve of his White House meeting with the visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, rejecting Tel Aviv’s objections to the sale.

Turkish-Israeli relations collapsed following Israel’s deadly on Gaza. killing tens and thousands of Palestinian men, women and children.

“I don’t think they should be given F-35s or engines for their fighter jets,” the Israeli prime minister insisted.

Tuesday’s meeting with Netanyahu in Washington would be Trump’s first since the United States and Israel launched coordinated attacks against Iran on February 28.

According to Turkish officials, during a NATO summit in Turkey, President Trump indicated in a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Washington would greenlight the sale of high-tech planes to Turkey.

In his remarks aboard Air Force One, Trump acknowledged the differences between Turkiye and Israel.

“Turkiye not a big fan of Israel, not a great fan of Bibi. But they’ve been great for me,” he added,

The U.S. president hailed Turkiye as a “very powerful country,” noting the country has “tremendous military, very big military, very powerful, has a lot of great equipment.”

Turkiye has been a vocal critic of Israel’s conduct of the war on the Palestinian territory, Gaza, where, according to the United Nations, a major part of the narrow Strip has been reduced to rubble with tens of thousands of people killed.

Trump also commended President Erdogan, calling him a “friend of mine”.

“ Turkiye’s been a great ally for me,” Trump said.

“I think he’s done a very good job, did a good job with Syria. He’s a friend of mine.”

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Health minister orders probe into Sindh MDCAT complaints

ISLAMABAD:Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal has taken notice of alleged irregularities in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) held in Sindh and ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the complaints.

According to official sources, the minister directed a five-member committee, including the President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), to conduct a transparent investigation and submit its report within 15 days.

The committee has been tasked with examining the complaints and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the alleged irregularities during the examination, sources said.

The minister directed the committee to complete the inquiry within the stipulated timeframe and present its findings for further action in accordance with the applicable rules.

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CDA chairman directs faster work on Expressway East project

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sohail Ashraf has directed officials to accelerate work on the Islamabad Expressway Service Road East project while ensuring strict compliance with approved designs and construction standards.

During an inspection of the project on Saturday, the chairman reviewed progress and was briefed on ongoing works and the next phase of development.

He directed the project director and relevant departments to maintain continuous field monitoring and quality control and ensure effective traffic management to minimise inconvenience to commuters.

The chairman described the Expressway East project as an important infrastructure scheme for improving connectivity, traffic flow and road capacity in the capital. He also stressed that construction quality should not be compromised in efforts to meet the project timeline.

During the visit, he was also briefed on an ongoing enforcement operation against unauthorised and illegal construction along the Islamabad Expressway.

According to the CDA, 377 buildings have been identified for action, including 281 commercial structures. So far, 58 buildings have been sealed, while 124 buildings between Sohan and Khanna bridges have been marked for demolition.

The authority said Rs234.685 million had been recovered through land-use conversion, unauthorised construction and de-sealing charges. Around Rs3 billion remained recoverable under applicable regulations in connection with land-use conversion and violations relating to unauthorised construction, setbacks, floor area ratio and covered area.

The chairman directed the relevant departments to ensure strict enforcement of building-control and land-use regulations, particularly mandatory fire-safety requirements.

The enforcement operation is being conducted by the CDA’s Building Control Section and Enforcement Directorate in coordination with the district administration and Islamabad police.

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GB ministers call on Governor Kundi

PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Saturday held a meeting with a delegation of Gilgit-Baltistan ministers at the Governor’s House here and discussed the country’s political situation and other matters of mutual interest.

The delegation comprised Gilgit-Baltistan Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Zulfiqar Ali Murad, Minister for Health Iqbal Hassan and Minister for Education Aman Ali Ameer.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the prevailing political situation in the country and various issues of mutual interest. They also discussed the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Pakistan Peoples Party’s success in the polls.

The visiting ministers were taken on a tour of the Governor’s House. Governor Kundi presented them with traditional shawls and caps.