g PM SAYS CHINA HA S ALWAYS STOOD BY PAKISTAN 'LIKE A SOLID ROCK' DURING EVERY CHALLENGE AND CRISIS
g PRESIDENT ZARDARI TERMS CPEC A TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECT DRIVING PAKISTAN’S SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROGRESS
g SHEHBAZ PRAISES PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S LEADERSHIP FOR LIFTING 800 MILLION PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY
g PAKISTAN AND CHINA CELEBRATE 75 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH RENEWED PLEDGES FOR STRATEGIC COOPERATION
be fixed He further said he was hopeful the PTI would soon get a favourable ruling on permission to meet the party founder after Eid Petitions related to medical access and meetings Earlier, Dr Uzma Khan, one of Imran Khan s sisters, had also challenged an IHC ruling that denied facilities including his transfer to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, as well as access to personal physicians family members and lawyers That petition also requested that the matter be treated as an appeal and sought directions for Imran Khan to undergo a medical examination by doctors of his own choice on an immediate basis
MUZAFFARABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Political tensions are rising in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) ahead of the expected announcement of the election schedule, with opposition leader and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) AJK president Shah Ghulam Qadir accusing the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of trying to avoid the electoral process by supporting calls for a postponement of polls through the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC)
Speaking at a public gathering in Dhamni on the outskirts of Rawalakot on Wednesday, Mr Qadir said decision-making authority could not be handed over to what he described as mob groups He also said his party would not become part of any move aimed at weakening the state The event was organised in connection with former divisional director of the education department Dr Rashida Khanam and her supporters joining the PML-N In remarks apparently linked to demands concerning refugee seats and the election timetable, Mr Qadir alleged that the PPP was attempting to avoid elections by using the Action Committee for its own purposes which he said showed the ruling party s defeated mindset
This is perhaps the first ruling party that is running away
long-term vision and strategic leadership
from elections but the Muslim League will not allow it to escape Whoever is fond of politics should test their popularity through elections and learn the realities of governance ” he said Sharp political exchanges In a strongly worded speech delivered as political divisions sharpen ahead of the polls, Mr Qadir also accused the PPP of working against the existing system Referring to the party’s political history he alleged that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had raised the slogan of Idhar Hum Udhar Tum which according to him, contributed to the division of Pakistan He further claimed that the PPP was again pursuing what he called a formula for the division of Kashmir
This mischief is a conspiracy against the system but we have
full confidence in our intentions and leadership, and the PML-N will foil all such conspiracies,” Qadir said
Rejecting what he described as unfounded propaganda about weakening pro-Pakistan sentiment in Poonch Mr Qadir said the area was the land of martyrs and veterans and that its people had made sacrifices for the ideology of Pakistan “The people of Poonch were Pakistani before and they remain Pakistani today he said He added that those who had doubts should remove such misconceptions from their minds Claims over welfare payments and election preparations
The PML-N leader also alleged that people were being told that anyone who did not vote for the PPP would be denied payments under the Benazir Income Support Programme He said the funds belonged to the World Bank and were being distributed by the Government of Pakistan and warned that his party knew how to protect its workers if complaints of political victimisation surfaced
Mr Qadir further said the PMLN did not need any electoral alliance maintaining that the party had enough electable candidates in every constituency and would contest the elections on the basis of its manifesto and previous performance
“We will form the government with a two-thirds majority ” he said
subsequent sanitisation operations troops uncovered and destroyed underground tunnels and bunkers allegedly used by terrorists
The ISPR reiterated that sanitisation operations would continue under Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, approved by the Apex Committee of the National Action Plan in June 2024 to eliminate terrorism and extremism nationwide
The Apex Committee of the National Action Plan had approved Operation Azm-e-Istehkam in June 2024 to eliminate terrorism and extremism across the country, aiming to eradicate militancy decisively and comprehensively Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for successfully foiling the designs of Indiansponsored terrorists saying intelligence-based operations would continue until terrorism was completely eradicated According to a statement, Naqvi commended the professional capabilities of security forces for eliminating 23 Indian-sponsored militants during recent operations Security forces demonstrated timely and effective action, foiling the nefarious designs of Indiansponsored terrorists, the interior minister said, while paying tribute to the security forces for sending the militants to their “logical end” Intelligence-based operations will continue until the complete elimination of Indian-sponsored terrorism the minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari also commended the forces for the successful operations and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to Operation Azm-e-Istehkam Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has witnessed a sharp rise in militant violence since the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2022 particularly targeting security forces and police According to a recent report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, 85 verified
PSX SURGES OVER 3,300 POINTS AS BUYING MOMENTUM ACCELERATES
Govt forms committee to review GO
Pakistan’s Rs14b fuel price claim
g commit tee to examine inland Freight equalisation margin claim submit ted by gas and oil pakistan as Fia investigation into company operations continues
tions if proven could result in the submission of a false claim to the regulator
Rs14
submitted by Gas and Oil Pakistan Ltd under the Inland Freight Equalisation Margin (IFEM) mechanism, according to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division
The News reported that the claim covers the period from March 21 to April 2 2026 and was submitted to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority Ogra had been directed to reimburse any differential arising from imports made by Pakistan State Oil following changes in the petroleum pricing mechanism
The government however raised concerns over the operations of Gas and Oil Pakistan which are currently under investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency
The notification stated that although proceedings related to the matter were presently subject to stay orders issued by the Sindh High Court the allega-
The government considered the size of the claim and the interim progress report submitted by the FIA sufficient grounds for detailed scrutiny in the public interest
The committee has been tasked with reviewing the claim and making recommendations to Ogra for further action The committee will be headed by Sajjad Azhar, Joint Secretary Corporate Finance at the Finance Division
Other members include Director General Oil at the Petroleum Division Imran Ahmad Deputy Director Directorate of Investigation Inland Revenue at the Federal Board of Revenue Amin Yasin, Director Audit (P&NR) at the Auditor General of Pakistan Imran Ali Noor and Ogra Senior Executive Director Finance Misbah Yaqoob who will serve as member secretary
According to the notification the committee has also been authorised to seek records and information from relevant organisations and co-opt technical experts where required
In a statement Gas and Oil Pakistan Ltd denied allegations that it had withheld petroleum products or engaged in stockpiling to benefit from expected price revisions
The company stated that it continued lifting products from refineries according to allocations and operational requirements during the relevant period and maintained uninterrupted supply across its retail network
It added that industry data showed the company’s market share increased between mid-March and early April which it said reflected active participation in the market rather than deliberate curtailment of sales The company further stated that inventory levels and storage positions had been regularly reported to authorities in line with regulatory requirements and that it remained compliant with all applicable guidelines
Officials said the formation of the committee reflected the government s efforts to ensure transparency and safeguard public funds amid increasing scrutiny of petroleum sector claims and subsidy mechanisms
Pakistan seeks extension in Saudi oil facilit y as Riyadh yet to
cured $4
billion in foreign inflows during April 2026 through multilateral and bilateral financing, deposits, Eurobond-related financing and commercial loans, compared to $570
in the same month of the previous
The data further showed that Pakistan received
foreign loans and financing of $11 06 billion during July-April FY26 compared to $6 08 billion in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year
Xi, Zardari reaffirm 'rock-solid' Pakistan-China friendship on 75th anniversar y of diplomatic relations
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
He added that both countries should accelerate efforts to build an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era so that bilateral relations could continue benefiting both peoples while contributing to regional peace and development For his part President Zardari said the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership had stood the test of time and emerged as a key pillar for peace, stability and development in the region He highly praised the global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, describing them as carrying “far-reaching significance” for international cooperation and development Zardari also appreciated China s consistent support for Pakistan s sovereignty territorial integrity and economic development, reiterating Islamabad s firm support for Beijing on issues concerning China’s core national interests “Pakistan will continue to support China on issues concerning its core interests and further elevate Pakistan-China friendship to new heights the president said Separately Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Shehbaz Sharif also exchanged congratulatory messages on the occasion Premier Li said China was ready to strengthen solidarity and strategic coordination with Pakistan while jointly advancing the upgraded Version 2 0 of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan-China relations were founded on mutual trust sovereign equality and a shared commitment to peace and development The premier reaffirmed Pakistan s determination to promote the high-quality development of CPEC and explore new avenues of cooperation between the two countries across multiple sectors
warns Hormuz
blockade could trigger global food crisis within 12 months
g
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that the continued blockage of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a global food price crisis within the next six to 12 months citing disruptions to energy fertiliser and agricultural supply chains In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Rome-based agency said the closure of the strategic shipping
FBR imposes Rs2.7b penalty on Gerr y ’s Dnata in elec tronics smuggling case
g customs Authorities recover rs221m in Duties AnD tAxes After proBe uncovers fAke gAte pAsses, conceAleD AirwAy Bills AnD illegAl cleArAnce of importeD electronics
The Federal Board of Revenue has imposed penalties worth Rs2 7 billion on Gerry’s Dnata after adjudication orders found the company involved in the illegal removal of imported electronic goods by bypassing customs clearance procedures Business Recorder reported According to customs authorities, the case involved concealment of airway bills, deletion of index numbers and the use of fake gate passes generated through the company s computerised system allowing consignments to leave the terminal without filing Goods Declarations or paying customs duties and taxes Authorities also ordered recovery of Rs221 million in unpaid duties and taxes The investigation was conducted by the Collectorate of Cus-
“Under
economic and military power whose role was indispensable for the future of the world
“The world without China cannot move forward ” Shehbaz remarked Highlighting bilateral cooperation in agriculture and education the premier recalled his initiative to send 1,000 Pakistani agriculture graduates to China for advanced training
He thanked Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong and the Chinese leadership for supporting the programme saying the graduates had returned to Pakistan equipped with modern ex-
toms (Airports) Karachi after officials intercepted consignments containing luxury electronic products including laptops, iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, PlayStations, tablets and memory cards being removed through forged gate passes
passes on the instructions of supervisors while an arrested cargo agent disclosed the
of an
volved in
and
pilferage of imported goods over several years Investigators also recovered counterfeit customs gate officer stamps allegedly used to prepare fraudulent gate passes
Subsequent investigations found that at least five additional consignments had been cleared illegally using the same method Officials said all consignments originated from suppliers based in the United Arab Emirates and had been concealed from the WeBOC customs clearance system to avoid scrutiny According to five adjudication orders customs authorities concluded that the fake gate passes reflected systemic failures, weak internal controls and institutional complicity rather than isolated actions by individual employees Authorities further stated that the company failed to provide CCTV footage and system logs required to be retained under Section 211 of the Customs Act, 1969 and obstructed the investigation despite repeated notices issued under Section 26 of the law Customs officials arrested eight individuals in connection with the case including five employees of Gerry s Dnata According to investigators, confessional statements were recorded from the accused A female employee admitted issuing
pertise to strengthen agricultural research and development
Meanwhile Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan-China relations were founded on mutual trust, unwavering support and shared development goals”
The president said bilateral cooperation had expanded into trade infrastructure technology defence and people-to-people exchanges while reaffirming Pakistan s commitment to the One China policy and appreciating Beijing’s consistent support on the Jammu and Kashmir issue
Zardari described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as a historic project playing a transformative role in Pakistan s socio-economic progress, particularly through strategic initiatives such as Gwadar Port
He also praised President Xi’s
leadership for delivering unprecedented economic growth and poverty reduction in China
Sharing personal reflections, Zardari said he had visited China 14 times and recently travelled to the birthplace of Chairman Mao Zedong during his latest visit
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Chinese Vice Chairman Cai Dafeng diplomats parliamentarians and senior officials
The event featured commemorative activities including a photo exhibition and the unveiling of special anniversary stamps and coins celebrating 75 years of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations
PA K I S TA N has returned to the sea, and is exploring for oil though it has not found any yet However, with the signing of 21 production and sales agreements on Wednesday, 23 agreements now cover 54,200sq km of sea, where the companies have committed $82 million to explore for oil by seismic and sea-based means If oil is found, then drilling rigs will be set up, with an investment of $1 billion expected This prospect conjures up a vision of the North Sea oil boom, which peaked at 173 oil rigs and which has transformed the economies of Scotland and Scandinavia That is still a distant prospect, but exploration is being embarked on in a way that should yield results
It is very premature to predict self-sufficiency which would require production of about 500,000 barrels a day of crude oil, which would in turn require a major increase in refining capacity However even a partial shift would be transformative For a start it would mean that the current almost daily struggle to keep going, the sight of the country living from one crude oil cargo to the next and the national electric grid moving into a loadshedding blackout every time an RLNG cargo is missed, can be averted It must be mentioned that, going by experience, it is not just crude oil that will be found but gas and the presence of Mari Gas Ltd among the exploring companies itself illustrates this Though some of the income from oil will go abroad as repatriated profit, not only will much remain here but there will be reduction in the import bill However these are future prospects Not only is it not certain that oil will be found, there is a multi-year lead time to full production However, there is no doubt that the current crisis provided a fillip to the granting of licences
The real high-production prospects are opened up by shale oil, for which the process of exploration has not opened up there are shale oil deposits Pakistan’s deposits are estimated at possible 200 billion barrels (but only nine billion
Kicking in the can down the road
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping finally had their Summit in Beijing and it managed to avoid any settlement of the conflict between the two countries Trump probably disappointed his base by not physically attacking XI, but that was perhaps the only positive to emerge from the meeting It probably symbolized the level of trust between the two that all those boarding Air Force One for the return trip both White House staffers and journalists were obliged to hand all the small gifts they had received in China like pens lapel pins burner phones or badges This was not a gesture of disdain as a security measure, as the White House staff wanted to ensure that there was no planting of miniaturized snooping devices which would allow China to spy on Air Force One It was an acknowledgement that China was a hostile country which would like to spy on it and also that China could successfully miniaturize spying devices so that they could be hidden on a lapel pin or burner phone, and power them so that they would last for at least some time If there is such deep mistrust that a pre-return purge becomes necessary, why go in the first place? The USA has been engaged in summits even with the USSR during the Cold War and with China ever since the 1972 Summit with China A summit means that the two countries either see eye-to-eye such as Trump s recent
it was possible for both the USA to become great again, and for China to develop prosperously at the same time After the visit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Li said that the summit had provided an opportunity for both countries to achieve a broad framework to stabilise ties expand cooperation and manage differences amid global uncertainty That was perhaps the best evaluation of the summit: it was meant to allow the two to evade the so-called Thucydides trap , whereby a prising power must fight the power that is attempting to rise Thucydides wrote The History of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta which was caused by the rise of Athens in place of Sparta Whereas Sparta had been the leading Greek power the prominent role of Athens in the defence of Greece against the Persian invasion had allowed it to parlay its military anti-Persian alliance into an empire Sparta didn’t like this, so there was a trial of strength in Sicily first It is possible to draw parallels though they would probably be forced True Persians were involved in both cases but the looming presence of the empire of Darius the Great and then his son Xerxes, cannot be compared with the present-day Iran, which is
hardly a world power and barely a regional one
However does Athens represent China the rising power, and Sparta the USA, the existing one?
The Straits of Hormuz are in the calculations of both China and the USA, though there was no true agreement on how to re-open it China was not committing its naval power to that task though it did agree on the need to re-open it China is more directly affected by the closure for whereas the USA is suffering because the closure means the world oil price is rising, China is facing actual shortages, which in turn means that its impressive economic engine is starting to sputter However Iran is a symbol of the divergence between the two powers While the USA is bombing Iran China is supplying it weapons Trump has said that China has promised to stop but he has said that before China is also getting Iranian oil by a land route of railways, which is costlier than the sea route, but does bypass the Hormuz Strait China is trying to settle the matter using Pakistan as a party which is on the good side of both the USA and the Gulf Arabs and Iran China has ties to the Gulf Arabs (as shown by the peace it brokered between Iran and Saudi Arabia), but not the USA China has also gotten a hidden agenda (not at all well-concealed) Iran is thoroughly testing its technology, the warfare is teaching China valuable lessons on how to handle US air and sea power This has a direct
As that October summit has already started looming, it is clear that the meeting in Beijing did not keep the peace permanently, so much as bump the final decision about conflict down the road The Beijing Summit did not so much end the conflict as put off the final reckoning
need training programmes and certification systems Consumers need awareness campaigns that teach them to demand hygiene not just flavour Most importantly we must recognize the direct link between what happens in kitchens and what happens in hospitals Every unhygienic food outlet is a future patient load Every contaminated meal is a potential
a system where something as fundamental as safe food has been allowed to collapse in plain sight The tragedy is not that this crisis is complex but that it is entirely preventable Clean water proper storage handwashing, pest control, and routine inspections are not costly innovations but are the bare minimum of
com and tweets @zafarkhansafdar
When image outruns truth
Dr ZAfAr KhAN SAfDAr
Culling, cour ts and communit y dogs: Islamabad’s ongoing stray dog debate
ness in addressing the issue Dr Faisal Khan Veterinarian and CEO of Pets and Vets Islamabad, said the methods used in these operations are neither humane nor effective “These cullings are carried out by non-professional people who are not properly equipped he said Ultimately it leads to pain and suffering He called for proper training in euthanasia protocols as a minimum standard, arguing that even where culling is necessary, it should be done correctly
This criticism links to what is happening in reality where the impact of these operations leads to conflict In I-8 resident Maha
Taher described being woken one night by screaming puppies as CDA workers attempted to remove a litter she cared for from the street She confronted the workers who said complaints came from residents of a neighbouring street The dogs were shortly released The neighbourhood takes care of these dogs she said They are vaccinated they have collars Everyone knows them The tension Maha describes between residents who live alongside community strays and those who want them removed reflects a multilayered issue of a legal and policy gap that has been unaddressed for years
Animal rights activists in Islamabad say such incidents were amongst the reasons legal action against culling practices began gaining momentum in recent years Across Pakistan, animal welfare petitions have challenged the legality of indiscriminate killings under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1890 signalling a greater shift in how the issue is being interpreted in courtrooms
Faryal Nawaz an animal rights activist filed a petition in 2018 in the Islamabad High Court against the shooting and poisoning of healthy stray dogs She argued that indiscriminate culling violated both existing animal cruelty laws and Islamic principles regarding the treatment of animals She further stated research conducted while preparing the case showed that repeated culling operations were often more costly than Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) programs a method in which stray dogs are captured sterilised vaccinated against rabies and released back into the same territory to prevent unchecked breeding and territorial replacement In 2020, the CDA formally adopted the ICT Stray Dog Population Control Policy, which prioritised TNVR over culling as
velopment Authority (CDA) These operations were initiated as a public safety measure but criticism has steadily grown over both their execution and their effective-
the Islamic Revolution against them,” the statement said “If aggression against Iran is repeated the regional war that had been promised will this time extend beyond the region and our crushing blows will cast you into ruin in places you cannot imagine, it added Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said Iran has “many more surprises” if the US and Israel renew the war on Iran “Months after initiation of war on Iran US Congress acknowledges loss of dozens of aircraft worth billions Our powerful Armed Forces are confirmed as 1st to strike down a touted
The concern of safety is shared by others, such as Sanaullah, a deliver y rider in Islamabad, who said encounters with stray dogs are now just par t of working nights „Most of the time they donÊt attack,‰ he said, „but all it takes is one aggressive dog for things to go wrong.‰ He continued by saying that more needed to be done by the government to keep dogs out of densely populated neighbourhoods „People who walk or ride at night need to feel safe too,‰ he said
How to read the Saudi position
nent attack on Iran A US military official also told the New York Times that Iranian commanders have meticulously analyzed the flight patterns of American fighter jets and bombers Referring to Iran s previous downing of advanced US aircraft, the official noted that American flight tactics have become increasingly predictable, allowing Iran to defend against them with enhanced capabilities and foresight At least based on US media reports
Trump stepped back from attacking Iran due to concerns over the far-reaching consequences of a new war The US is also aware that renewed conflict with Iran would increase economic pressure domestically, including rising inflation and fuel prices
GLOBAL REPERCUSSIONS OF RENEWED AGGRESSION: Yemen s Ansarullah has already warned that any expansion of the war against Iran by a US or Israeli military escalation could lead to the activation of new fronts in the Red Sea region, including the Bab al-Mandab Strait Ansarullah has described the strait as a strategic maritime chokepoint that could be used as leverage in a wider regional confrontation In this context Ansarullah officials have indicated that restricting or disrupting navigation through Bab al-Mandab remains an option if hostilities intensify, presenting it as part of a broader deterrence strategy alongside Iran and other allied regional resistance groups Some analysts argue that if Washington launches another attack Tehran could expand the scope of confrontation beyond the Middle East by targeting American bases in other regions
T
weigh limited preemptive strikes against US forces and installations in the Persian Gulf in response to Washington s naval blockade
TEHRAN TIMES
Zunairah Khan, sarah bangush, semira Khan
A top UAE official denounced Iran s claim of control over Emirati waters in the blockaded Strait of Hormuz as a "pipe dream"
D utch journalists challenge Indian diplomat during Modi visit to The Hague
want Nandram of De Volkskrant asked why both prime ministers were not available for questions after the visit, saying this was customary in the Netherlands, and also sought the Indian government’s response to concerns cited by Jetten regarding press freedom and minority rights including the Muslim community and smaller communities India s Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sibi George responded by saying the question reflected insufficient understanding of India "We face these kinds of questions basically because of the lack of understanding of the person who asked the question
but had been voiced by the Dutch prime minister My name is Merel Thie and I m from the Dutch newspaper NRC And as you were referring to my colleague, he was actually citing our Prime Minister who said he was worried about minorities and press freedom in India So does it upset you when our Prime Minister says this?
No, I was giving the factual position of that So that remains to be the factual position You need to have more understanding of India to appreciate what India is " George replied So Prime Minister [Jetten] should have more understanding because it s not something we say, Thie then responded
in the Netherlands and other European Union member states about developments in India under Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party government At the official media briefing Ash-
The report said George then referred to India s population of 1 4 billion people, large voter participation and what he described as a noisy democracy supported by 900 million smartphones He also said the minority population in India had increased from 11 per cent at independence to more than 20pc and cited India s long pluralistic history, saying religions such as Christianity, Islam and Judaism had found refuge there without institutional persecution
Another Dutch journalist Merel Thie of NRC then intervened to say the concerns had not originated with reporters
"I haven t seen that statement I am referring to the question which, you know, about that topic which was raised about the freedom and I think I have clarified how beautiful a country India is Thank you George answered
The report said the exchange highlighted the strain between Dutch expectations of open media access and the Indian government’s tightly managed public communications It noted that throughout more than 12 years in office Modi has
avoided press conferences including unscripted bilateral press conferences during foreign visits, and has instead generally limited appearances to prepared joint statements with host leaders It also referred to a 2023 joint news conference announced by the White House during Modi s visit to the United States At the time a White House official told Reuters it was a big deal because Modi was known for not taking questions from the media in India The report said those were the first questions Modi had answered in an open press conference since November 2015 in London During that appearance a Wall Street Journal reporter asked Modi about allegations by human rights groups that his government had discriminated against religious minorities and tried to silence critics and asked what steps his government would take to improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities and uphold free speech The report said Modi responded by referring to the constitution It added that in the days after that exchange, reporter Sabrina Siddiqui faced intense online harassment and attacks from Hindutva politicians and supporters prompting a strong condemnation from the Biden administration
Trump -Netanyahu call turns tense over revised Iran peace proposal: repor t
WASHINGTON A G E N C I E S
A revised Iran peace proposal drafted by Pakistan and Qatar triggered a tense call between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Axios reported, as Washington and Tehran weighed a possible deal to end the war The report said Qatar and Pakistan with input from other regional mediators worked on a revised peace memo to bridge gaps between the US and Iran while Trump considered whether to order a major strike or continue pursuing negotiations Netanyahu remains deeply sceptical of the talks and wants to resume the war to further degrade Iran's military capabilities and weaken the regime by destroying critical infrastructure
rump however has continued to say he believes a deal can be reached while warning that the war could resume if negotiations fail
"The only question is do we go
and finish it up or are they gonna be signing a document Let's see what happens," Trump said on Wednesday at the Coast Guard Academy
He later said the US and Iran were right on the borderline between reaching a deal and resuming the war Trump also said Netanyahu "will do whatever I want him to do" on Iran, while adding that the two leaders had a good relationship
Pakistan Qatar Saudi Arabia Turkiye and Egypt have been working in recent days to refine the proposal One source said there was no separate Qatari draft, but that Qatar was trying to bridge gaps from the previous Pakistani proposal
A Qatari diplomat told Axios that Doha has been and continues to support the Pakistani-led mediation efforts", adding that Qatar had consistently advocated de-escalation "for the sake of the region and its people"
Iran s Foreign Ministry said negotiations were continuing based on Iran s 14-point proposal and that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was
in Tehran to assist the mediation, marking his second visit in less than a week
The latest effort aims to secure clearer Iranian commitments on its nuclear programme and more specific US assurances on how frozen Iranian funds would be gradually released, an Arab official told Axios
However, the report said it remained unclear whether Iran would accept the new draft or significantly shift its position Meanwhile Axios reported that Trump held a lengthy and difficult call with Netanyahu on Tuesday evening A US source briefed on the call said Trump told Netanyahu that mediators were working on a "letter of intent that the US and Iran would sign to formally end the war and begin a 30-day negotiating period on Iran's nuclear programme and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
Two Israeli sources said Trump and Netanyahu disagreed over the way forward while a US source said Netanyahu s hair was on fire after the call
Israeli lawmakers advance bill to dissolve parliament
CORPORATE CORNER
that Punjab has successfully achieved all wheat production targets this year, while both cultivation area and output have increased significantly
She noted that farmers were offered better returns than the officially announced support price and wheatrelated trade has exceeded Rs100 billion reflecting strong agricultural performance and economic activity
the province
She stated that projects such as Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar and “Suthra Punjab” received strong appreciation from international delegates and global leaders adding that under the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar scheme construction of 100 000 houses is currently underway Azma Bokhari said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz s public welfare initiatives have become a source of national pride with several countries showing keen interest in replicating these models She further added
The Information Minister strongly emphasized that hoarding and artificial shortages will not be tolerated under any circumstances adding that maintaining stability in flour prices remains a top priority of the government
Responding to questions, Azma Bokhari said it is the government s prayer that the world is protected from wars and conflicts so that global and national economies may stabilize petroleum prices may decline and inflationary pressure may ease She noted that inflation is a global challenge and extended good wishes to leaders and countries
Lahore Police have intensified operations against organized begging networks and street criminals operating under the guise of beggars, with 588 professional beggars arrested across the provincial capital so far this year According to the spokesperson for Lahore Police the crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the nexus between pickpocketing, street crime and organized begging in the city
division, 45 in the Civil Lines division and 75 in the Saddar division The CCPO said that intelligence-based operations were being carried out across the city to completely eliminate organized begging networks He said individuals disguising themselves as disabled persons and professional beggars involved in criminal activities were being brought to justice The CCPO
to pay tribute to the spirit of defending the country and to highlight patriotism, national unity and the sacrifices of the Pakistani armed forces A large number of people from different walks of life including citizens youth orphan children and wheelchair users, attended the rally and ceremony Participants were also briefed on Pak-
working for peace and stability
She clarified that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was invited to international forums purely on the basis of merit She said that the UN-Habitat studied Punjab’s flagship “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar program in detail and prepared a report which led to international recognition and participation Azma Bokhari added that Punjab government initiatives are gaining global appreciation, and various countries are showing interest in understanding and replicating these models She said Punjab is also ready to share its successful governance experiences with other provinces as national progress is a shared goal
She further stated that Pakistan’s global image has improved significantly and recent diplomatic engagements have strengthened the country s standing International leaders have expressed goodwill and appreciation for Pakistan s leadership and policy direction
Dr Nadia Farhan
istan s defense achievements, national security and stability, followed by a cakecutting ceremony to mark Marka-e-Haq and Youm-e-Takbir celebrations Among those present were Advocate Hana Farhan Director of Dr Essa Laboratory and Diagnostic Center; COO Dr Nadia Farhan; former MNA and former Chairman Central Rehan Hashmi; DG 1122 Brigadier (Rtd) Wajahat Sibghatullah Mehr; SSP Manzoor Ali; Abdul Rehman; Khalid Tawab; Ibrahim Tawab; Fazal Karim; Syed Turab Shah; Mudassar Alam; Ghulam Muhammad Khan; and program coordinator Humna Syed Speaking on the occasion, Brigadier (Rtd) Wajahat Sibghatullah Mehr
FM DAR CONFIRMS RELEASE OF SA AD EDHI,
FLOTILL A ACTIVISTS FROM ISRAELI DETENTION
interception’ of Global Sumud Flotilla
Earlier in the day the Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday strongly condemned the unlawful interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla by Israeli forces in international waters, expressing concern over reported mistreatment of humanitarian workers onboard and demanding the immediate release of all detained activists including Pakistani humanitarian Saad Edhi
In a statement the FO said Pakistan condemned in the strongest possible terms the interception of the civilian aid flotilla by Israeli occupying forces, as well as the “arbitrary detention and reported mistreatment” of humanitarian workers participating in the mission
The statement confirmed that those detained reportedly include Pakistani activist Saad Edhi, grandson of renowned philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi, and called for his immediate release along with all other detained volunteers
Poland praises Pakistan's peace diplomac y, calls for dialogue in South Asia and Middle
ISLAMABAD
Polish Ambassador Maciej Pisarski on Thursday lauded Pakistan s diplomatic outreach and mediation efforts amid rising international tensions stressing that dialogue regional cooperation and diplomacy remained the only sustainable path toward global peace and stability
Addressing a Meet the Press session at the National Press Club Islamabad, the Polish envoy praised Pakistan’s growing diplomatic role in regional affairs particularly its efforts to help ease tensions between the United States and Iran
Only a few countries maintain relations with both parties involved in the conflict This reflects the trust both sides place in Pakistan,” Ambassador Pisarski remarked, describing Islamabad’s position as diplomatically significant in the current geopolitical climate
The event attended by journalists, diplomats and members of the press club administration, focused on bilateral relations, regional stability economic cooperation and international security challenges
Welcoming the ambassador National Press Club President Razaq Sial and Secretary Rao
Furqan highlighted the importance of engagement between diplomats and the media in strengthening international understanding and promoting constructive dialogue
Speaking during the session Ambassador Pisarski described Pakistan-Poland relations as warm, friendly and steadily expanding across political, economic and cultural spheres
The envoy said Poland strongly supported diplomacy and negotiations as the preferred means of resolving disputes expressing hope that ongoing efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East would succeed “Peace and stability are essential not only for the region but for the wider international community he said
Referring to the RussiaUkraine conflict, Pisarski reiterated Poland s support for a resolution based on United Nations principles sovereignty and territorial integrity
These are not only European values but universal human values he stated
The ambassador said recent high-level engagements had opened a “new chapter” in bilateral relations between Pakistan and Poland
East
He referred to the recent visit of Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski to Pakistan, during which meetings were held with Shehbaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari
According to Pisarski those engagements created fresh opportunities for cooperation in political economic and strategic sectors, while follow-up contacts between both countries’ foreign ministries had continued afterward
He also highlighted recent discussions in Warsaw involving Pakistan s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on counter-narcotics cooperation, law enforcement coordination and tackling irregular migration
On economic ties the ambassador revealed that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Poland had reached nearly $1 3 billion and was steadily growing He identified technology, IT, management and investment as key sectors with strong future potential Pisarski encouraged Pakistani businesses to take greater advantage of the European Union s GSP Plus framework saying the arrangement was designed to improve Pakistani exports and contribute to economic growth and higher living standards
Four terrorists, including wanted commander, killed in Nor th Waziristan IBO
ISLAMABAD
Security forces killed four terrorists including a wanted militant commander during an intelligencebased operation in the Spinwam area of North Waziristan, according to security sources on Thursday
The sources said the slain commander was identified as Umar alias Jan Mir alias Tor Saqib They added that he was carrying a bounty of Rs3 million and described him as a key planner of attacks targeting both security personnel and civilians According to security sources, the commander had also set up underground bunkers tunnels and explosive traps in the area around Bobali Mosque in Spinwam Recent operation in Shewa
The latest action came two days after the military’s media
“once again came to this Council wearing the mask of a victim ” but argued that its record reflects state that exports terrorism abroad occupies people by force persecutes minorities at home weaponizes water commits aggression in the region She alleged that Indian terrorist prox-
wing said security forces had killed 22 India-backed terrorists during a sanitisation operation in the Shewa area of North Waziristan
The Inter-Services Public Relations had said the operation was launched on May 17 after credible intelligence reports about the presence of India-sponsored militants in the area It said troops engaged the militants in a heavy exchange of fire and killed all 22 during the past 24 hours of operations
Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the dead militants who according to the ISPR had been involved in multiple terrorist activities in the region
The military s media wing further said evidence collected from the site showed the militants had been coercing and intimidating local residents and using them as human shields
Counterterrorism campaign
According to the source report the army reiterated that the counterterrorism drive under the national vision Azm-e-Istehkam would continue at full pace with the aim of eliminating foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country
The report said Pakistan has seen an increase in cross-border militant incidents particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021
It added that Islamabad has repeatedly called on Kabul to ensure its territory is not used for attacks inside Pakistan while accusing militant groups of operating freely across the border
The source report further said that despite several rounds of talks, there has been limited progress on counterterrorism cooperation
and support networks used to launch attacks against Pakistani civilians security forces and infrastructure
Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, she said civilians continue to face killings, detentions, dispossession and restrictions on freedoms, while their right to self-determination remains unfulfilled She also referred to what
