PM, SAUDI CROWN PRINCE AGREE TO ADVANCE ECONOMIC PACKAGE, DEEPEN STRATEGIC COOPERATION
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday hailed the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Iran and the United States as a historic diplomatic breakthrough expressing confidence that the agreement would usher in a new era of peace prosperity economic cooperation and stronger bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran while enhancing Pakistan’s standing on the global stage Addressing the National Assembly the prime minister said Pakistan was receiving widespread international recognition for its role in facilitating the peace agreement, describing it as a moment of pride for the entire nation “Pakistan is being acknowledged around the world for helping bring about this peace deal which in fact reflects the country s growing diplomatic stature, Prime Minister Shehbaz said He said the successful conclusion
of the agreement demonstrated Pakistan s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability and had earned the country international respect and goodwill
The prime minister thanked Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for playing a key role in efforts aimed at establishing peace in the region He also acknowledged the contributions of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi Calling the achievement a national success he urged opposition parties to join the government in projecting a message of unity saying the accomplishment belonged to the entire nation rather than any individual or political party
Prime Minister Shehbaz informed the House that he had received a telephone call from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday during which the Iranian leader thanked Pakistan and its people for standing by Iran during a difficult period
of KP where the aircraft was detected and neutralised by the Pakistan Air Force s air defence system after entering Pakistani airspace The Afghan Taliban administration regularly issues such statements to deflect attention from what it described as its support for militant violence in neighbouring countries through groups including Daesh, Fitna alKhawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan "The claims are false as usual Terrorist camps including that of Daesh and more than two dozen other terrorists organisations are factually located run and patronised from inside the territories under control of Afghan Taliban regime" The Pakistani statement came after Kabul said it had conducted air operations against what it described as militant positions in Pakistan The Taliban government s defence ministry said in a post on X that hideouts in KP and Balochistan, both bordering Afghanistan, were targeted by the Afghan air force on Thursday night
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq
Dar will embark on a visit to Egypt on Sunday (June 21) to attend the 4th
Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the R-4 Group of Countries where Pakistan Egypt Saudi Arabia and Türkiye will deliberate on regional security and diplomatic developments amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East according to the Foreign Office (FO) In a post on X the FO said the Cairo meeting marks the fourth session of the R-4 framework a diplomatic platform launched in March this year by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan amid heightened regional instability, including the USIran conflict and broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East
Conceived as a coordination mechanism for regional consultations, the grouping has since held regular meetings to discuss evolving political, security and economic challenges and to promote de-escalation efforts across the region
At the invitation of Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar will attend the 4th Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the R-4 Group of Countries to be held in Cairo on 21 June 2026 the FO said The meeting will bring together the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan to discuss regional developments and
Araghchi, Dar voice concern
exchange views on issues related to peace security and stability ” it added According to the statement the ministers will also review ways to further strengthen cooperation in areas of shared interest
During the visit, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar will hold bilateral consultations with Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty and is also expected to call on Egyptian President
Abdel Fattah El-Sisi The discussions will focus on expanding Pakistan–Egypt cooperation across multiple sectors, alongside exchanges on regional and international developments of mutual interest Pakistan has consistently described its relations with Egypt Saudi Arabia and Türkiye as a priority, noting that the R-4 framework reflects a shared commitment to consultation, cooperation and coordinated diplomacy in support of regional peace and stability
Separately Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, during which both sides exchanged views on recent regional developments and expressed concern over Israel s ceasefire violations in Lebanon
The DPM/FM congratulated Iran s leadership, government and people on the signing of the historic “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” with the United States and extended best wishes for the next phase of negotiations expressing hope for a smooth and positive outcome
Foreign Minister Araghchi expressed appreciation for Pakistan s constructive and sustained mediation efforts He also thanked Pakistan for facilitating the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals including eight fishermen rescued at sea by the United Kingdom and 22 crew members recently intercepted by the United States, with transit arrangements currently being coordinated by Pakistan
ISLAMABAD
Tcreditors included TRGI, which holds the arbitration award and the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to which he reportedly owes approximately $10 million in
The dispute traces back to an arbitration decision issued in early 2025 The arbitrator found that Chishti had violated contractual commitments owed to TRGI by pledging company shares in favour of JS Bank and ordered him to pay $9 1 million to the company Under the latest ruling TRGI may recover assets up to the remaining unpaid balance of that award The court also stated that the obligation may be satisfied through the transfer of TRG Pakistan shares held by Chishti s spouse, should she elect to do so TRG Pakistan said it had received details of the development from its associated company, TRGI, and would continue to monitor the implementation of the court s order while making any further disclosures required under applicable laws and regulations
OFIT N e W s D e s k
Selling pressure returned to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday after talks planned between the United States and Iran in Switzerland were called off with the benchmark KSE-100 Index shedding more than 2 400 points during intraday trading According to the PSX website, the market had opened on a positive note, and the KSE-100 gained over 700 points in the early trade to climb to the 182 185 87 level But sentiment weakened after Switzerland said US talks with Iranian negotiators on a pact to end the Middle East conflict would not take place on Friday, as Vice President JD Vance dropped his travel plans, adding to uncertainty over the prospects for a lasting truce Around 2:30 pm the market
to 177,836 16, shedding 3,562 05 points Selling was recorded across
includ-
automobile assemblers automobile parts &
TL extends Por
and Dutch terminal operator Royal Vopak said the agreement also reflects continued confidence from its foreign partner in Pakistan s regulatory environment and economic potential The terminal plays a key role in the country’s import supply chain, handling about 70% of Pakistan’s bulk liquid chemical imports and around 50% of LPG imports arriving through marine routes The imported products support a wide range of industries, including agriculture, textiles, construction, energy and plastics Commenting on the development EVTL Chief Executive Officer Syed Ammar Shah said the renewal ensures operational continuity for infrastructure that supports multiple sectors of the economy He also acknowledged the support of government institutions involved in the process including the Port Qasim Authority, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) Ministry of Law and Justice Ministry of Finance Maritime Taskforce, National Coordination and Management Council (NCMC), and the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC)
PAKISTAN, IRAN DISCUSS $10B TRADE
cials said that if a plot was worth Rs8 million at the time of the owner ’s death and was later sold for
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue has endorsed a proposal to impose capital gains tax (CGT) on the sale of inherited properties and plots
The committee considered amendments relating to inherited properties and family settlements as part of tax measures proposed by the Federal Board of Revenue Federal Board of Revenue officials proposed a valuation mechanism under which the cost of an inherited property would be treated as its market value on the date of the original owner s death
They said this value would be used as the acquisition cost for calculating capital gains tax when the property is later sold Explaining the mechanism offi-
be determined from the date of transfer of ownership
The committee was also informed that inherited properties transferred through family settlement arrangements would receive legal protection under the proposed framework For such assets the valuation date would remain the date of the original owner ’s death to provide certainty in determining
need for sustained engagement between the government and industry to strengthen the cotton ecosystem improve competitiveness and encourage investment across the supply chain
TH E signing of the ceasefire agreement between the USA and Iran was perhaps as chaotic as it should have been What should have been a carefully choreographed ceremony turned into a hasty electronic signing, with all three signatories Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif was one of the signatories, as mediator in what was called the ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding’ Instead of taking place on Friday in Switzerland, the signing took place a day earlier, on Thursday With Mr Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signing in their respective capitals while US President Donald Trump signed in Versailles where he is to attend the G7 Summit As a result of the accord being signed early the 60-day deadline it sets for US-Iran nuclear talks begins one day earlier, so that the negotiating period runs out on August 17 instead of August 18
The signing was accompanied by the news that the Strait of Hormuz was once again open for navigation, with both the USA and Iran lifting their blockades Another sign was the return of the global oil price to pre-war levels, as Brent crude went down to Rs 77 69 per barrel Another sign of returning economic normalcy was the Bank of England keeping interest rates unchanged a sign that the Bank felt inflationary pressures were receding The Pakistani consumer was quickly given the benefit of the fall in oil prices by the reduction of
mark, the government has cleared an important psychological barrier
The reopening of the Hormuz Strait is only the beginning There are still the complicated and highly technical nuclear negotiations to be carried Then there is the shadow of Israel, which has a track record of launching attacks when negotiations are taking place However, it is going to be difficult for Israel to
IN a world increasingly defined by uncertainty, it is easy to focus on Pakistan’s challenges
Headlines often highlight political disputes, economic pressures and social problems While these issues deserve attention they do not tell the whole story Beyond the daily noise lies another reality one that deserves far greater recognition Pakistan remains a nation of extraordinary resilience, untapped potential, and remarkable human talent Despite the obstacles it faces, there are compelling reasons to believe that the country’s best days lie ahead History shows that nations are not defined by the difficulties they encounter but by how they respond to them Pakistan s journey since independence has been far from easy The country has faced wars, natural disasters, economic shocks, and political instability Yet time and again, Pakistan has demonstrated an ability to endure, adapt, and move forward This resilience is not found in government buildings or policy documents alone It is found in ordinary citizens who continue to work create innovate and dream despite adversity Perhaps Pakistan s greatest asset is its people More than half of Pakistan s population is under the age of 30 This young generation is ambitious, technologically aware, and connected to the world in ways previous generations could never have imagined Across the country young Pakistanis are launching startups developing software conducting research creating digital content and competing on international platforms They are proving that talent is not limited by geography and that success is possible regardless of where one begins The rise of Pakistan’s technology sector offers a glimpse into what the future could look like In recent years Pakistani freelancers software developers and entrepreneurs have gained recognition across global markets From small towns to major cities young professionals are using digital platforms to connect with international clients and opportunities This transformation is creating a new economic landscape, one driven by innovation creativity and skills rather than traditional limitations
principle has been laid down by our superior courts by placing reliance on Kesavananda The Mehram Ali case from the Supreme Court of Pakistan is one example where the judges reinforced the principle that the three organs of the state are supposed to work independently of each other and the judiciary s role is to keep a check and balance on the use of powers by the Executive and Parliament Furthermore, India’s story, as inspiring as it is only gives us half the picture Bangladesh offers something even more powerful because it tells us something that we desperately need to hear that reversal is possible after an amendment has actually taken effect This matters a great deal for Pakistan Now moving on to what actually happened in Bangladesh In 2014, the government passed the Sixteenth Amendment that transferred the power to remove Supreme Court judges from the Supreme Judicial Council to Parliament Before this the Council was composed of judges After the amendment, politicians could remove judges Constitutional scholars condemned the move as a direct attempt to make the judiciary subordinate to political power The message was clear Do as we say or lose your job Bangladesh s judiciary refused to accept this quietly In 2016 the High Court declared the Sixteenth Amendment unconstitutional The following year, the Appellate Division upheld this decision which stated that the amendment violated the separation of powers It threatened the independence of the judiciary which they considered a core element of the constitutional structure Then came the most remarkable chapter In October 2024 Bangladesh s Supreme Court definitively reinstated the Supreme Judicial Council The reversal of the Sixteenth Amendment was cemented The power to discipline and remove judges was restored to the judiciary itself What had been undone was now reestablished The judiciary not only resisted the change it had prevailed Now think about what this means India s judiciary stopped the threat before it could take effect Bangladesh s judiciary defeated the threat after it had already become law That is a crucial distinction for Pakistan where the Twenty-Sixth and Twenty-Seventh Amendments are already in force Bangladesh proves that even when the executive has seemingly won the fight is not over The courage determination and resilience of the judges together with the force of constitutional doctrines can roll back even the most sweeping amendment disguised as reforms The above mentioned amendments can be compared with Pakistan s trajectory The TwentySixth Amendment diluted the judiciary s role in appointments by packing the Judicial Commis-
Pakistan’s strength also lies in its entrepreneurial spirit Across the country small businesses form the backbone of local economies Shopkeepers manufacturers farmers traders and service providers continue to generate employment and support millions of families Even during difficult economic periods, these individuals demonstrate remarkable determination Their perseverance reflects a national character built on hard work and optimism Agriculture remains another source of strength Pakistan s fertile land and hardworking farming communities have long played a critical role in feeding the nation and supporting the economy Modern technology, improved farming practices, and better access to markets have the potential to significantly increase productivity and create new opportunities for rural communities With the right investments and policy support agriculture can become an even greater engine of national growth The country s strategic location is another reason for optimism Situated at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, Pakistan has the potential to become an important hub for trade, connectivity, and economic cooperation Geography alone does not guarantee success but it provides opportunities that many nations would envy By strengthening infrastructure expanding regional trade and encouraging investment Pakistan can transform its location into a powerful economic advantage Beyond economics, there is something equally important that deserves celebration: the generosity and compassion of the Pakistani people Whenever disaster strikes communities come together Whether responding to floods supporting vulnerable families or helping neighbors in need Pakistanis consistently demonstrate a spirit of solidarity that is difficult to measure but impossible to ignore This social strength represents one of the
The greatest strength of Pakistan has never been its g eography, its institutions, or even its natural resources. Its greatest strength has always been its people , the millions who continue to work, innovate , persevere , and dream despite ever y challeng e .
sion with political appointees The Twenty-Seventh Amendment went a step further It stripped the Supreme Court of its constitutional jurisdiction It created a Federal Constitutional Court whose first judges are appointed directly by the Prime Minister and President High Court judges can now be transferred without their consent If they refuse they face disciplinary proceedings This is not reform,but rather reengineering It is systematic dismantling of institutional independence disguised as modernization But here is what the Indian and Bangladeshi examples teach us Constitutional amendments are not irreversible The basic structure doctrine is not some exotic foreign concept It is a principle rooted in the universal requirement that constitutions, to mean anything at all, must protect their own foundations Pakistani scholars and judges have already invoked this doctrine in their jurisprudence Our Constitution rests on the supremacy of the Constitution separation of powers judicial review and judicial independence These features cannot be amended away Moreover, let us not forget our own history When General Musharraf attempted to dismiss Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry in 2007 the lawyers’ movement rose up The judiciary was eventually restored That struggle was about the same principle that guided India s Supreme Court in the NJAC case and Bangladesh s courts in striking down the Sixteenth Amendment The judiciary must be free to decide cases according to the law, not according to the wishes of those in power India and Bangladesh’s judiciaries did more than just preserve their own independence They created a deterrent The NJAC judgment and the Bangladeshi rulings sent a message to politicians across South Asia If you attempt to subordinate the judiciary, you will face a fight Not just in the streets, but in the courts themselves, where it matters most Judicial independence is not a gift from the executive to be withdrawn at will It is a constitutional birthright It must be defended by judges who understand their role as guardians of the Constitution For Pakistanis, the lesson is clear Hope does not lie in waiting for political benevolence It lies in the same determination that India’s judges showed in 2015 and that Bangladesh’s judges showed in 2024 The willingness to say no when executive power overreaches The Twenty Sixth and Twenty Seventh Amendments are currently being challenged in Pakistan s courts Whether the judiciary can summon the courage to follow the examples of its neighbors remains the single most important legal question facing this country The Indian and Bangladeshi examples prove it is possible They prove that even the most formidable constitutional assaults can be resisted and reversed They prove that judges armed with courage and constitutional doctrine can stand firm against executive power Pakistan’s judges now face a choice They can accept the erosion of their institution Or they can follow the path that India and Bangladesh have illuminated There is light It has already shone in our region We must refuse to look away
Hyderabad buries shared heritage
nooR zafaR
Rizwan ahmad
D VA N C E ' S I R A N R O L E C O U L D S H A P E H I S P O L I T I C A L F U T U R E
Vance warns
Israel against
criticising deal
security minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as having attacked the deal
Vance said: “If the Iranians don’t change their behaviour their military and their nuclear programme is still destroyed ” Vance said If they do change their behaviour then they are going to have a transformative relationship with the Middle East, and the Middle East will have a transformative relationship with the
Tata's iPhone par ts factor y in India's Tamil Nadu faces health probe after farmers' contamination complaints
WASHINGTON A G E N C I E S
The US Defence Department is preparing to ask Congress to approve roughly $80 billion to cover costs linked to the war with Iran and other expenses the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday Deputy Defence Secretary Stephen Feinberg shared the request with lawmakers this week The newspaper citing people familiar with the discussions said Pentagon officials have warned they could run short of funding for operations in the coming months unless Congress approves a new wartime spending measure The military could be forced to scale back training and troop deployments along the US-Mexico border that are part of President Donald Trump s immigration crackdown Some of the proposed funding, if cleared by Congress,
would be used for munitions, personnel pay and ship operations War costs and political pressure Last month, the Pentagon said the war with Iran had cost nearly $29 billion Democrats and other critics of the conflict however have argued that the real cost could be significantly higher when damage attributed to Iran is also taken into account Trump has faced criticism at home from Americans who say billions of taxpayer dollars are being directed to the Middle East conflict at a time when oil prices and inflation are rising in the United States Concerns over the effect of the war on US weapons inventories also intensified last month after Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao cited the conflict as a reason for pausing arms sales to Taiwan Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth later rejected the suggestion when
asked in an interview whether there was a crisis in munitions stockpiles Conflict and congressional dispute
The war began after US-Israeli strikes on Tehran in late February and has since spread across the oilproducing Middle East while disrupting the Strait of Hormuz a key route for global oil supplies
Efforts to end the conflict appeared under pressure on Friday after fighting broke out between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon and talks planned in Switzerland were postponed
The funding debate in Washington is also tied to a legal and political dispute over the war Some lawmakers have said they will not support further war funding unless the conflict is formally authorised by Congress Democrats have accused Trump of violating the Constitution by launching
gressional backing
She went on to say: I can only say it is disappointing that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the West and of the United States whose leaders he instead treats with far greater indulgence Meloni also added: There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg Italian foreign minister cancels trip Following Trump’s remarks Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that he was cancelling a planned visit to the United States that had been scheduled for June 21 and 22 In a post on X, Tajani condemned the comments and said they had insulted the country as a whole Meloni rejec
R OME A G E N C I E S Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly rejected US President Donald Trump s claim that she had begged him for a photograph at the recent G7 summit, calling his remarks false and saying she was astonished by them The exchange, reported after comments Trump gave to Italian television channel La7 signals a fresh worsening in relations between the two leaders Video from the summit in France showed Meloni and Trump in an extended conversation, but Trump later portrayed the encounter as one in
which he had simply indulged her Trump said, according to La7’s translation: She begged me to take a picture with her She wanted a picture with me so badly I wouldn t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her The channel did not air the original audio and instead broadcast a dubbed version Meloni responded by flatly denying the account and criticizing Trump s conduct toward allies Donald Trump s statements are completely made up I am frankly astonished I don't know why the president of the United States behaves like this towards his allies: it is not the first time moreover
CORPORATE CORNER
CM MARYAM APPROVES MA JOR EXPANSION OF NSM DISTRICT WITH SPECIALISED HOSPITALS
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the establishment of multiple state-of-the-art healthcare institutions under the Nawaz Sharif Medical District (NSM) project, marking a major expansion of tertiary healthcare infrastructure in the province According to official details the Chief Minister approved the establishment of the Institute of Surgical Orthopaedic and Medical Rehabilitation and Children’s
FAISALABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
On the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee for Faisalabad Division was held to comprehensively review security law and order traffic management and public facilitation arrangements for the first ten days of Muharram
The meeting was attended by Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bokhari, Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan and Advisor on Political Affairs Zeeshan Malik Following the session provincial ministers also visited the Central Imambargah Faisalabad and inspected various procession routes During the briefing, Faisalabad Commissioner Musarrat Jabeen and RPO Sohail Akhtar Sukhera apprised the Cabinet Committee of the Muharram security plan and admin-
istrative arrangements, informing them that a comprehensive and coordinated strategy was being fully implemented to maintain peace and order throughout the holy month Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bokhari directed all Deputy Commissioners and District Police Officers to maintain close and continuous coordination with organizers of processions and religious gatherings and to ensure strict adherence to scheduled timings She further instructed that security at sensitive locations and potential flashpoints be further strengthened to eliminate any
KARACHI STAFF REPORT
ZABEFEST 26 the flagship technology festival of SZABIST University, organized by the Faculty of Computing and Engineering Sciences at the Karachi Campus, brought together students technology enthusiasts innovators researchers entrepreneurs and industry experts for two days of technological excellence and innovation The event witnessed an impressive participation from various universities and colleges, fostering collaboration, creativity, and knowledge sharing The Opening Ceremony was graced by Dr Sajid Mirza, Former Member (Space Technology) SUPARCO and Mr Aziz Shaikh Vice President 10Pearls as Chief Guests Dr Sajid Mirza encouraged students to work hard honestly and remain modest emphasizing that success follows perseverance, while Mr Aziz Shaikh highlighted the importance of strong fundamentals and continuous learning in the era of AI In his opening remarks Prof Dr Altaf Mukati
sibility of untoward incidents Azma Bokhari also directed concerned departments to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, provision of cold drinking water, fans, and other essential facilities for participants of processions and majalis emphasizing that all arrangements must reflect maximum public facilitation
Greece envoy meets PPP MPA Imtiaz Ahmed Sh
Ambassador of Greece to Pakistan Irene Pochni called on Pakistan Peoples Party leader and Member of the Sindh Assembly Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh at his residence where the two discussed matters of mutual interest, bilateral relations, investment opportunities, women empowerment and ongoing development projects in Sindh During the meeting the Greek Ambassador appreciated the hospitality cultural diversity and traditions of the people of Sindh saying that the love tolerance and rich culture of Sindh had greatly impressed her She emphasized the need to further strengthen relations between Pakistan and Greece and expressed a desire to enhance cooperation in various sectors On the occasion, the Ambassador praised Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari s vision for women empowerment and the legislation introduced in this regard She said that effective measures for the social, economic and political advancement of women play a vital role in the development of any society Speaking on the occasion Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh said that the Pakistan Peoples Party
KP CM UNVEILS RS2.1TR ‘KHUSHHAL KHYBER
BUDGET WITH RS48B DEFICIT
Gohar clarifies KP budget move as constitutional dut y, not federal request
Family members of 10 Pakistani citizens being held by Somali pirates staged a protest outside the Karachi Press Club, urging the government to intensify diplomatic efforts for their recovery
The demonstration was organised by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and drew a large number of relatives of the abducted men Protesters said the Pakistanis had been in pirate custody for the past two months and called on the state to fulfil its responsibility to protect its citizens by acting without further delay Demands for stronger government response Speaking at the protest, acting JI Karachi emir Saifuddin Advocate urged the government to treat the matter with seriousness and step up efforts at the diplomatic level He said JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman had also called for the immediate release of the abducted Pakistanis and added that the party would continue pur-
GB cour t
suing the issue
A resolution adopted at the end of the protest called on the government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant institutions to immediately expand contacts with the Somali government international organisations and other concerned parties It also sought the formation of a special task force for the hostages release and demanded that affected families be kept regularly informed of progress Vessel hijacked near Puntland
The vessel carrying 17 crew members including 10 Pakistanis was hijacked on April 21 near Somalia s semi-autonomous Puntland region The protest came days after a fresh video surfaced showing Pakistani crew members aboard the hijacked vessel MT Honour 25 appealing for urgent intervention by the Pakistani authorities
In the video the ship s second officer, Syed Kashif Umar, said the 10 Pakistani crew members had been held by Somali pirates for 57 days and appealed to the government to secure their imme-
diate release He said food supplies were scarce some crew members had fallen ill, and the vessel s owners were not willing to negotiate with the pirates The ship’s Indonesian captain also appealed to his government to help secure the crew s freedom Official position and ongoing negotiations
The Foreign Office said last week that the government remained committed to securing the release of Pakistani nationals held by Somali pirates for nearly two months Diplomatic sources said the vessel remains anchored off the Somali coast while negotiations with the pirates continue According to the sources, the Somali government is in contact with the pirates through the owner of Honour 25 in an effort to obtain the hostages release
The same sources said the pirates had initially demanded a ransom of $10 million, but later lowered it to $4 million However, the negotiations have so far not resulted in a breakthrough
suspends results in three constituencies as D iamer-II outcome remains pending
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T
The Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court on Friday suspended election results in three constituencies while the consolidated result for GBA-16 (Diamer-II) could not be issued despite directions from the Gilgit-Baltistan chief election commissioner (CEC), extending delays in the formation of the regional government after the June 7 polls Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan heard multiple election-related petitions concerning PPP candidate Fida Muhammad Nashad from GBA-9 (Skardu), PPP candidate Mohammad Naseem from GBA-17 (Diamer-III) and independent candidate Dilpazeer Khan from GBA-15 (Diamer-I) who later joined the Istehkam-ePakistan Party (IPP)
Three constituency results put on hold In GBA-9, Nashad had earlier been disqualified by the returning officer (RO) for not declaring his assets in nomination papers An election tribunal judge upheld that disqualification, but the candidate later challenged the ruling in the GB Chief Court, which allowed
him to contest the election According to the regional election commission, he was later declared successful after a recount and Forms 48 and 49 were issued on Wednesday During Friday s hearing however the chief justice upheld Nashad s disqualification and suspended the release of the constituency’s result
In GBA-17, the court also ordered suspension of the result of PPP candidate Mohammad Naseem On June 15 the GB chief election commissioner had passed an order in his favour, after which the RO issued Forms 48 and 49 That decision was subsequently challenged by a rival candidate in the Supreme Appellate Court
In a separate matter the chief justice suspended the result of Dilpazeer Khan in GBA-15 A petition before the court had challenged the CEC’s decision declaring him the winner without holding a re-poll In all three matters the court directed the relevant authorities to keep the results suspended until further proceedings and final rulings
Diamer-II result still not consolidated
The consolidated result for GBA-16 (Diamer-II) also re-
mained pending The CEC had instructed the RO to count postal ballots and complete Forms 48 and 49 within one day but supporters of independent candidates gathered outside the RO s office and tried to stop the ballot count
On June 17, the CEC issued a decision on an election petition filed by PPP candidate Attaullah Khan and directed that the consolidated result be prepared after counting postal ballots He also withdrew his earlier order for repolling at three polling stations in the constituency Supporters of independent candidate Imam Malik have been protesting in favour of re-polling at certain polling stations Earlier the GB CEC had announced a repoll schedule for three polling stations on Malik s petition Attaullah had separately challenged that repolling plan for the same stations Attaullah’s supporters have also been protesting outside the district returning officer s office in Chilas calling for implementation of the CEC s orders on counting postal ballots and issuing the final result They said an attempt was being made to deprive the PPP candidate of his mandate in GBA-16
water crisis was fundamentally an issue of justice rather than scarcity arguing that vulnerable communities are increasingly bearing the combined impact of climate change and upstream control of transboundary rivers
Addressing a Transboundary Water Resources Seminar organised by the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) and the Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels,