PAKISTAN, IRAN REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO REGIONAL STABILIT Y, ENHANCE BIL ATERAL COOPERATION
TEHRAN/ISLAMABAD
a s a d n z a m i
INTERIOR Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni on Saturday reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral engagement and enhancing cooperation in addressing regional security challenges as Naqvi began a two-day official visit to Tehran
According to Iranian state-linked media reports, Momeni received Naqvi upon his arrival, marking the start of discussions focused on regional stability, border security, and broader Pakistan–Iran cooperation During their meeting both sides underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and coordination to promote peace, security, and stability in the region
They reaffirmed their resolve to deepen interactions and strengthen the longstanding “brotherly relations” between the two neighbouring countries particularly in the context of evolving regional developments Iranian media further reported that Interior Minister Momeni appreciated Pakistan s recent diplomatic and security efforts aimed at promoting regional peace He also commended the role of Pakistan’s military leadership in supporting de-escalation efforts and facilitating regional understanding describing such contributions as constructive and sincere Senior officials from Iran and representatives of the Pakistani Embassy in Tehran were also present during the talks reflecting the high-level nature of the engagement
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LAHORE s a l e e m j a d o o n Federal Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar on Saturday dismissed reports of any imminent move toward a 28th Constitutional Amendment saying there were neither “any indications” nor “any immediate discussions on the matter while stressing that any such move would only proceed after extensive consultations with coalition partners “Constitutional amendments are not possible without consultation with coalition partners and in the case of the 28th Amendment all coalition partners would first be taken into confidence, Tarar said while speaking to
journalists after attending a conference on minority rights in Lahore He maintained that constitutional changes could only be introduced through broad-based political agreement recalling that the landmark 18th Amendment was also passed through consensus among political parties “Constitutional changes can be introduced, but only if an agreement is reached ” he emphasized
The law minister said consultations with all stakeholders were continuing as several national issues remained unresolved and required consensusbased solutions He added that legislation and constitutional reforms were part of an ongoing democratic process rather than a new development
Responding to a question, Tarar disclosed that issues such as population control and the possible creation of Hazara and Saraiki provinces were among matters currently under discussion He further noted that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had long been demanding constitutional amendments aimed at strengthening local government systems
Tarar said the coalition government which had remained in place for several years, had faced multiple political and governance challenges that could only be addressed through consensus and cooperation among allied parties
had recognised it as a model for emerging economies He said the spectrum allocated for cellular mobile operators had increased from 274 MHz to 754 MHz adding that the government remained committed to the accelerated rollout of 5G completion of the national fiberization policy, and promotion of local device manufacturing
ISLAMABAD ag e n C e s
US Congressman Jack Bergman, co-chair of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, has praised Pakistan’s role in ongoing peace efforts between the United States and Iran thanking Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for what he described as their leadership in the process According to the reports, Bergman sent a letter dated May 15 to the prime minister and the army chief on official US House of Representatives letterhead
Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov on Saturday appreciated Pakistan s role in promoting peace and mediation efforts in the Middle East during a telephone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office the two foreign ministers exchanged views on bilateral relations regional developments and multilateral
cooperation reaffirming their commitment to strengthening ties between Islamabad and Tashkent The Foreign Office said Saidov particularly appreciated Pakistan’s “constructive role in mediation for regional peace and security amid ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions linked to the Iran-US-Israel crisis Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact and continue consultations on regional and international developments of mutual interest
district Peace Committee President Hazrat Ullah said operations against militants would continue with full force, adding that the sacrifices of police martyrs would not go unavenged He said ensuring protection of life and property was a shared responsibility of the police and the committee and all available resources would be utilised to maintain order The
Sindh joins Punjab in easing market closure timings ahead of Eidul A zha
Sindh exempts shops, malls, restaurants and marriage halls from austerit y-related restric tions, while Lahore admin allows businesses to stay open until 10 pm until June 1
L ahore High Cour t rules super tax c annot apply to zero -tax inherited proper ty gains
Communications
projects
g govt tells iMf second phase of national tariff policy dut y reductions will be iMpleMented through fy27 finance act as wheat, sugar and auto sector reforMs advance
Pakistan commits to targeted electricit y subsidy system linked with BISP under IMF programme
govt plans to replace tariff differential and cross-subsidy model with targeted suppor t for low-income consumers
and
been submitted to Parliament and is expected to be approved before end-June 2026 The government also informed the IMF that the personal baggage scheme had been abolished following legalisation of commercial imports while gift and transfer-of-residence schemes had been tightened to prevent misuse According to the report, a review of the Export Policy Order and Import Policy Order identified 2 662 non-tariff barriers with restrictions affecting 76 HS codes set to be removed by end-May 2026 and the remaining barriers to be reviewed in phases by end-September 2026
DRAP fixes retail prices of 35 life-saving medicines
IMF’s latest staff report, Pakistani authorities informed the Fund that they were working with the World Bank to link electricity consumers with the National Socio-Economic Registry database The government plans to complete the linkage process and validity checks by end-November 2026, after which eligibility criteria for targeted subsidies will be finalised The authorities also informed the IMF that a communications campaign for the subsidy reform programme was being launched with plans to hire an external firm by end-May 2026 alongside development of a payment mechanism for the subsidy framework According to the report, Pakistan also notified adoption of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority regulations in December 2025 mandating procurement compliant with Minimum Energy Performance Standards and is now coordinating with provincial governments for implementation at the provincial level The IMF said Pakistan was also developing a tracking system to monitor compliance with Minimum Energy Performance Standards for five electronic appliances by end-December 2026
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan has issued a notification fixing maximum retail prices for 35 advanced life-saving medicines including treatments for cancer heart disease and typhoid
Industry officials said the move would allow pharmaceutical companies to begin commercial production and import of the notified medicines, although market availability could take one to two months
According to the notification the approved maximum retail prices would not apply to medicines whose registrations had already been issued under the Drugs (Licensing Registration and Advertising) Rules, 1976 unless specifically stated
gled
The notification is also expected to support pharmaceutical exports by allowing local companies to market the approved medicines internationally Separately Federal Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal said earlier this week that Pakistan was close to achieving Level 3 certification from the World Health Organization, which could help expand pharmaceutical exports Pakistan’s pharmaceutical companies have also signed 10 memorandums of understanding with Chinese firms for local manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients vaccine collaboration and technology transfer
Officials said pharmaceutical companies had applied for registration and price fixation of 80 advanced medicines over the past two years with the remaining 45 medicines expected to be considered in a second phase Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association senior vice chairman Kamran Nasir said the notification would enable manufacturers to proceed with production and imports after prolonged delays in price fixation Industry representatives said delays in price approvals had restricted access to several
IOM urges safe, skill-based migration as LSE launches ‘Migration Report 2025’
LAHORE
S TA F F R E P O R T
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission in Pakistan Mio Sato has underscored that migration remains one of the most critical global development realities particularly for countries like Pakistan stressing that migration must be a matter of choice rather than necessity
She made these remarks as the chief guest at the launch of the Pakistan Migration Report 2025 the fourth edition of the series published by the Centre on Migration Remittances and Diaspora (CIMRAD) at the Lahore School of Economics
The event was held at the Lahore School of Economics’ Burki campus
Ms Sato highlighted key priorities for ensuring safe orderly and dignified migration from Pakistan including strengthening skill development programmes aligned with international labour market needs, improving awareness about migration opportunities and risks at all stages and promoting evidence-based policy solutions
She also pointed to persistent gender disparities in migration noting that the low participation of women in international labour mobility is not due to a lack of opportunity, but rather structural barriers such as socio-cultural constraints limited access to recruitment networks and unsafe working conditions
She further emphasised the need to maximise development gains from remittances through improved financial inclusion and their more productive use at the household level given the rising inflows from overseas workers
Earlier Lahore School of Economics Rector Shahid Amjad
Chaudhry opened the proceedings of the ceremony In his remarks, he de-
scribed migration as a critical field of study at all levels, particularly for Pakistan which remains heavily dependent on external economies for consumption support and workers remittances
The 2025 report on Pakistan’s migration trends has highlighted continued volatility in overseas labour outflows showing that migrant departures fell from 862,000 in 2023 to 725,672 in 2024, before rebounding slightly to 762,499 in 2025
The report notes that while migration patterns remain irregular and nonlinear over time the recent decline is largely driven by tighter visa regimes and policy shifts in destination countries It offers a detailed breakdown of migration flows from Pakistan to the Gulf region and the rest of the world alongside remittance trends and emerging policy challenges
According to the report a significant majority of Pakistani migrant workers continue to head to Gulf countries, which host around 92 per cent of registered migrant labour, with Saudi Arabia maintaining its position as the top destination accounting for nearly half of all migrants However it adds that remittance inflows are relatively higher from non-GCC countries, suggesting either higher wages
among migrants in those regions or possible underreporting of migrant numbers A key finding shows that around two-thirds of Pakistani labour migrants remain classified as low-skilled or unskilled, with their share increasing by 12 per cent in 2025 The report also points to a gradual diversification of migration destinations beyond the Gulf including the United Kingdom Canada Australia and emerging Asian economies which are witnessing rising inflows of Pakistani workers
At the same time, female participation in overseas labour migration remains extremely low at just one per cent of the total workforce
Irregular migration continues to pose a serious concern particularly in Europe, where Pakistan remains among the top ten nationalities attempting illegal entry The report states that 5 680 Pakistanis were apprehended at European borders in 2024 while 3 203 were detained in the first half of 2025 with around 90 per cent attempting sea crossings
On the economic front, the report highlights a sharp 25 per cent increase in remittance inflows, rising from USD 30 2 billion in 2023–24 to USD 38 3 billion in 2024–25 It describes remittances as a critical pillar of macroeconomic
A K I S TA N has issued its first Panda bond, a renminbi-denominated issue, RMB 1 75 billion, equal to $250 million, thus embarking on a journey for both itself and China Pakistan is obtaining both money and access to a capital market it has not accessed so far while China has moved a little further on the road of making its currency a world reserve currency The bond issue reflects a change of guard, best symbolized by the fact that the bankers to the issue were the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Asian Development Bank While the first is the bank set up by China to smoothen the path of its Belt and Road Initiative, the second is one of the Washington-consensus international finance institutions
Perhaps more important than merely gaining access to a new source of financing is the possibility that Pakistan is getting in at an early stage on a new way of oil and gas imports Part of the reason why the dollar is the world s reserve currency is indeed the strength of the USA s own economy, but also because the oil trade is carried out in dollars: oil exporters insist on being paid in dollars That in turn forces oil importers to seek to earn dollars from their own imports However while the world still sees oil as crucial to its energy future there is now an accompanying desire for the
ated and, at times, facilitated serious rights violations against religious minorities especially Christians Muslims and Sikhs
TH E United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has once again urged the US State Department to declare India a “country of particular concern,” citing its 2026 assessment and hearing over “ongoing systematic and egregious religious freedom conditions in the country
Last Thursday during an in-person hearing on the issue in Washington attended by commissioners lawmakers, scholars, and legal experts, very pertinent and authentic observations were made on the issue which are worth noting by all those who believe in freedoms given in the UN Charter
USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler said “India’s trajectory on religious freedom has continued to decline
The Indian government at both the national state and local levels continues to facilitate and tolerate religious freedom violation through the use of discriminatory legislation, arbitrary detention of religious leaders and failure to intervene in attacks against religious minority communities ”
USCIRF Vice Chair Asif Mahmood in his written observations claimed that The Indian government has also targeted religious minorities and advocates beyond its borders including assassination attempts predominantly of Sikhs in North America
US House of Representatives member Chris Smith said “The government of India has long toler-
Even the UN is helpless in this regard Nonetheless it is encouraging to note that there are entities which do not hesitate to highlight criminal behavior by states like India
a s t e d o n t h e t a b l e
Stephen Rapp former ambassador-at-large for global criminal justice stated For the past decade atrocities against minorities are showing signs of becoming less episodic, more normalized, where everyday violence and open calls to violence have become routine Throughout this grim history it is seldom that perpetrators have been held to account and justice done – deeply entrenching impunity
Scholar Angana Chatterji of the University of California, Berkeley, maintained, Under an authoritarian regime, freedom of religion is imperilled for minority communities This maelstrom of religionization has progressively polarized ‘majority’ against ‘minority ’ neighbour against neighbour endangering religious pluralism Raqib Naik executive director of the Centre for the Study of Organized Hate said State-led violence and dispossession against Muslims have reached an unprecedented scale The foregoing views represent an irrefutable corroboration of the report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedoms It is worth noting that the commission in its successive annual reports has been highlighting the oppressive treatment meted out to minority communities in India during the last decade, since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister The fact is that the communal politics pursued by the Modi government have also tarnished the secular face of India Modi is a staunch disciple of the RSS ideology of Hindutva which is inherently anti-Muslim He lost no time after coming into power to promulgate anti-Muslim laws as pointed out in the US commission report To begin with, the BJP government compiled the National Register for Citizens in Assam and deprived nearly two million Muslim residents of Indian citizenship The government claimed that the exercise had been undertaken to deport undocumented immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh contrary to the fact that those people had been living in Assam for decades In 2019 the Citizenship Amendment Act was promulgated It was discriminatory against Muslims and consequently sparked violent clashes in which nearly 50 Muslims lost their lives Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lamenting the violence in an article published in The Hindu said Delhi has been subjected to extreme violence over the past few weeks We have lost nearly 50 of our fellow Indians for no reason Several hundred people have suffered injuries Communal tensions have been stoked and flames of religious intolerance fanned by unruly sections of our society including the political class University campuses public places and private homes are bearing the brunt of communal outbursts of violence, reminiscent of the dark periods in India's history Institutions of law and order have abandoned their dharma to protect citizens Institutions of justice and the fourth pillar of democracy the media have also failed us With no checks the fire of social tensions is rapidly spreading across the nation and threatens to char the soul of our nation It can only be extinguished by the same people who lit it Every act of sectarian violence is a
could simultaneously improve nutrition reduce economic losses and ease pressure on imports Investment in cold storage facilities modern wholesale markets and rural-urban transport networks could dramatically cut post-harvest losses Incentives for private sector participation in logistics and preservation could transform how food moves from farm to consumer Equally important is building systems for redistribution as across cities hotels restaurants wedding halls and markets discard large
quantities of perfectly edible food daily due to oversized buffets extravagant platters and waste-encouraging promotional offers Organized food banks supported by municipal authorities and protected by legal frameworks for donors, could redirect this surplus to shelters and low-income communities Civil society organizations already attempt such work on a small scale but without institutional support their reach remains limited Formalizing and scaling such efforts could turn waste into relief A cultural shift at the household level is essential, where food conservation is rarely discussed and excessive hospitality often leads to unnecessary waste Public awareness can help reframe moderation as responsibility rather than miserliness In a society where food holds deep religious and cultural value the sight of edible meals in garbage bins while children go hungry is a contradiction that should trouble the national conscience Addressing food waste is therefore not only about efficiency but about dignity especially at a time when climate change floods droughts and global conflicts are straining food systems and making it imperative for Pakistan to value every grain if it hopes to remain resilient Hunger amid abundance is not destiny; it is the direct result of failed policies careless markets and our own everyday indifference If Pakistan cannot invest in storage, enable redistribution, and change public behaviour, then the gap between food produced and food consumed will remain a man-made tragedy In a country where millions sleep fearing an empty plate, every grain, every fruit, every cooked meal is sacred Throwing food away in such a society is not just wasteful it is morally indefensible Pakistan s real failure is not that it cannot grow enough food, but that it refuses to value and protect what it already has
The writer has a PhD in Political Science and is a visiting faculty member at QAU Islamabad He can be reached at zafarkhansafdar@yahoo com and tweets @zafarkhansafdar
Hunger amid abundance is not destiny; it is the direct result of failed policies, careless markets, and our own everyday indifference If Pakistan cannot invest in storage, enable redistribution, and change public behaviour, then the gap between food produced and food consumed will remain a manmade tragedy In a country where millions sleep fearing an empty plate, every grain, every fruit, every cooked meal is sacred. Throwing food away in such a society is not just wasteful, it is morally indefensible. PakistanÊs real failure is not that it cannot grow enough food, but that it refuses to value and protect what it already has
Lessons in smoke
A perilous presidency
DR ZAFAR KHAN SAFDAR
MALIK MUHAMMAD ASHRAF
choices bet ween appeasing the IDF and managing the IRGC
For the region, the choices are hard as well as realistic Needless to say, the Iranians, despite leadership losses, have emerg ed as a necessar y interlocutor to talk to, not just for the Americans, but also for the Gulf; failing which they might have to still review their putting options all in one basket
in 1622) Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei asserted
miliating
ter” in the
Hormuz He said
neighbors in
with
which will not be dominated by outsiders who come from thousands of kilometers away He promised that new legal regulations and management systems in the Strait will benefit all of the nations of the region while yielding economic dividends for Iran This significant announcement was accompanied by an invitation to the Gulf States to accept Iranian protection for their safety as the era of American protectionism is over The same day a spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces warned that if the US attacks again the region s oil and gas infrastructure will be destroyed On May 2, 2026, Iran declared that no Israeli ships henceforth will ever be allowed to pass though the Strait unless Israel pays war reparations Mohammad Mokhber a top adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei said that the Strait of Hormuz has become one of Tehran s main bargaining chips, after Iran shut the waterway early in the war, stranding hundreds of vessels and roiling energy markets “The Strait of Hormuz is a capability equivalent to an atomic bomb ” he asserted Last week after US President Donald Trump made a U-turn on Project Freedom Iran reportedly launched a new mechanism for overseeing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz There has been a constant churn in the regional chessboard since the US-Israel attack on Iran and decapitation of its top spiritual and military leadership on February 28 Most notable is the United Arab Emirates decision to exit the Saudi-led
and
“common
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that decides the oil extraction quotas of member states, and the price at which oil will be sold in the international market In the short term Abu Dhabi s defection from the oil cartel could lead to its expulsion from the Arab League, with consequences for its identity as a safe luxury destination with unique architecture (Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame), high-end leisure (Palm Jumeirah indoor skiing) and as a magnet for affluent professionals in its tax-free centrally located business hub (Dubai) However the UAE s exit could provoke other members to weigh the value of remaining in OPEC, given the current political instability, inability to trust the US, and the grim reality of falling oil revenues More countries could decide upon their own production adding to volatility in the oil markets Increased supplies could soften prices over time and benefit oil refining and marketing companies in countries such as India Some introspection has already begun with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud asserting that the era of relying on the United States has ended If Trump could not protect his own country how can he protect ours?
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg, soon after US President Donald Trump cancelled the proposed trip by US officials to Pakistan to negotiate peace with Iran will also impact the region Araghchi was reportedly seeking an extension of the ceasefire Putin assured, we will do everything that serves your interests, the interests of all the people of the region, so that peace can be achieved as soon as possible ” Araghchi told the media that the US was responsible for the failure of the first round of negotiations in Pakistan in mid-April with its excessive demands, adding that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is an important global issue ” As a mark of respect to the negotiators Araghchi met Pakistani military and civilian leader as well as Omani leaders before travelling to Russia Both Pakistan and Oman continue to be involved in backchannel efforts to prevent a return to an open US-Israel war on Iran The key role, however, will be played by Moscow, as evidenced by the 90-minute telephone call between Presidents Putin and Trump which covered a range of events including the Iran war the Ukraine conflict and the attempted attack on Trump during a high-profile dinner in Washington Araghchi later met his Chinese counter-
part, Wang Yi, highlighting the potential role Beijing could play in shaping the course of the conflict The visit came just a week before Trump’s planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing
The latest reports suggest that the exchange or proposals to end the war between Tehran and Washington, conducted
What
Is the Metaverse and What Does Its Future Hold?
It will be fascinating to observe how the concept of meta-verses evolves over the coming
Gaming: The metaverse could be a platform for gaming allowing players to interact with each other in virtual worlds
Education: The metaverse could be used as a platform for online education, allowing students to attend virtual classrooms and interact with teachers and other students
in recent years Several businesses including Facebook Google and Microsoft are investing extensively in the construction of meta-verses, and numerous new meta-verses are in the process of being created The potential applications of meta-verses are essentially unlimited, and they offer a new fully immersive approach for individuals to engage with one another They could also transform the ways in which we work learn and have fun Yet concerns regarding privacy security and addiction must also be addressed in the virtual world
Work: The metaverse could be used as a platform for remote work allowing employees to work together in a virtual environment
Shopping: The metaverse could be a platform for online shopping allowing people to browse and purchase virtual goods and services
Healthcare: The metaverse could be used for telemedicine, allowing patients to receive medical care in a virtual environment
Advertising: The metaverse could be used as a plat-
Erdogan says Israel’s 'provocations' must end for lasting Middle East peace
Karandaaz , PBA accelerate shift towards impact finance
Karandaaz Pakistan, in collaboration with Pakistan Banks Association (PBA) and supported by the Ministry of Finance, hosted a two-day workshop titled “Impact Finance Training (IFT) 2026: From Value to Vision” in Karachi on 14–15 May 2026 Building on last year s initiative the workshop brought together senior professionals from commercial banks, development finance institutions, and investment firms to strengthen the integration of impact finance principles into investment and lending decisions Led by impact finance practitioner Alex
Pak-China economic cooperation enters new phase as Karachi business leaders engage Ambassador Hashmi
Pasha Siddiqui Advisor to the Federal Minister for Finance & Revenue appreciated the initiative led by Karandaaz and highlighted the importance of capacity building and skills development
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Khalil Hashmi said Pakistan and China are expanding cooperation across 21 priority sectors with investments exceeding US$1 5 billion, underscoring the growing depth of the strategic economic partnership between the two countries He expressed his commitment to increasing the exchange of delegations between Pakistan and China including businessmen industrialists technology experts agricultural stakeholders and representatives of emerging sectors, aimed at strengthening business-to-business connectivity and unlocking new avenues of economic cooperation Ambassador Khalil Hashmi was speaking at a high-level brown bag luncheon interaction organized by Director General Foreign Affairs Liaison Office Karachi Muhammad Irfan Soomro, at the State Guest House Karachi The event brought together leading businessmen, exporters, industrialists, investors, technology leaders, logistics experts, fisheries stakeholders and representatives from multiple sectors for an interactive dialogue on the future of Pakistan-China economic
PRESIDENT, PM REAFFIRM STRONG SUPPORT FOR PALESTINE ON NAKBA DAY, DEMAND END TO OCCUPATION
in Gaza unrestricted humanitarian assistance, and accountability for ongoing violations He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for a viable, independent and contiguous State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital He urged the international community to uphold international law and work collectively towards a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue, reiterating that Pakistan would continue to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people until their inalienable rights including self-determination and statehood are realised
