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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday held funeral prayers for military personnel martyred in an army helicopter crash near Muzaffarabad, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior civilian and military leaders attending the ceremony, according to the military&#39;s media wing. The funeral prayer was offered at Chaklala Garrison in Rawalpindi for the martyrs of the Mi-17 helicopter crash, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. PM Sharif, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, senior civil and military officials, relatives of the martyrs, and members of the public attended the service. The crash occurred Wednesday near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, during takeoff.&nbsp; The military said the helicopter went down because of a technical fault, and all personnel on board were martyred. A board of inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the accident. Earlier in the day, a separate funeral service for two Christian soldiers martyred in the crash was held at Christ Church in Rawalpindi and attended by political and military leaders. The ceremonies highlighted the participation of Pakistan&#39;s diverse communities in national service and remembrance. Addressing the gathering, PM Sharif said the martyrs&#39; &quot;devotion to duty, professionalism, and commitment to safeguarding the motherland will remain a source of inspiration for future generations.&quot; He said the sacrifices made by Pakistan&#39;s armed forces for &quot;peace, security, and national sovereignty can never be forgotten,&quot; and reaffirmed the nation&#39;s support for the families of the martyrs. The ISPR said the martyrs would be laid to rest in their respective hometowns with full military honors. Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Sharif expressed grief over the crash and offered condolences to the families of the martyrs. &quot;The entire nation pays tribute to the great sacrifice of the martyrs and shares the grief of the families,&quot; Zardari said in a statement. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed condolences, extending sympathies to the families of the personnel martyred in the accident. The military leadership, including Field Marshal Munir and all ranks of the Pakistan Army, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.

Security

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, senior military commanders and government officials attended funeral prayers in Rawalpindi for army aviation personnel lost in the Mi-17 accident, while separate services were held for two Christian soldiers before burial with full military honors.

Pakistan honors helicopter crash martyrs at Rawalpindi funeral service

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan Army Mi-17 helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad on Wednesday during takeoff, martyring all personnel on board, the military&rsquo;s media wing reported. According to a statement from Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a technical malfunction caused the crash. There were no survivors. Rescue and recovery teams arrived at the crash site immediately. The military has ordered a board of inquiry to determine the exact technical cause of the accident. Pakistan Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and all ranks of the Pakistan Army expressed grief over the deaths. They extended condolences to the families of those martyred. PM offers condolences Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the tragic crash of the military helicopter. He paid tribute to the personnel martyred in the accident and said the entire nation salutes the sacrifices of its brave sons.

Pakistan Army Mi-17 Helicopter - (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

A technical malfunction caused the crash, as per the military's media wing, with a board of inquiry ordered to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Pakistan Army helicopter crashes in Muzaffarabad, no survivors reported: Military

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan carried out precise and calibrated strikes on terrorist hideouts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border following a series of recent terrorist attacks inside the country, killing 26 terrorists linked to the banned Fitna Al Khwarij, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday.&nbsp;In a statement, Tarar said the action came in the wake of several major terrorist incidents, including an attack on a Federal Constabulary post in Musa Dara on June 9, a vehicle-borne suicide attack on a military post in North Waziristan on June 2, and a suicide attack on a police station in Bannu on May 9.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 624px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2064614232579354701&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=e456e591a915652da6c221e587c897312be8809c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>He said the operation was conducted based on credible intelligence and targeted hideouts and safe havens of the masterminds and planners behind the attacks.&nbsp;According to the minister, four terrorist facilities were completely destroyed during the operation, including a training center, a hideout, an ammunition cache, and command centers linked to Fitna Al Khwarij commanders Aleem Khan Khushali and Akhtar Muhammad Jani Khel.&nbsp;Tarar said the terrorists killed in the strikes were &quot;Indian-sponsored khwarijs&quot; involved in terrorist activities against Pakistan.&nbsp;He reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to peace and stability in the region but stressed that the protection of its citizens remains the country&#39;s foremost priority.&nbsp;&ldquo;The relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, will continue at full pace to eliminate the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,&rdquo; he said.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar speaks during a National Assembly session in Islamabad, Pakistan, on November 5, 2025. (National Assembly of Pakistan)

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar says the terrorists killed in the strikes were "Indian-sponsored khwarijs" involved in terrorist activities against Pakistan.


Pakistan strikes terrorist hideouts along Afghan border, killing 26 terrorists: Minister

ISLAMABAD: Six officers from the Federal Constabulary were martyred in an attack by armed terrorists in northwestern Pakistan, the country&rsquo;s Ministry of Interior reported Wednesday. The Federal Constabulary is a paramilitary force that operates nationwide under Pakistan&#39;s Interior Ministry, responsible for security across the country&#39;s regions. In a post on X, the ministry stated that the attack occurred in Hassan Khel, near Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Peshawar sits just 53 kilometers from the Afghan border, a region that has witnessed persistent violence from across the border. The terrorists belong to Fitna-ul-Khawarij (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan). The group operates with backing from the Afghan Taliban, Afghanistan&#39;s interim government. The TTP has carried out several attacks across Pakistan in recent years. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi attended the funeral service for the officers at Federal Constabulary headquarters in Peshawar, where senior civil and military officials attended and paid tribute to them. &quot;We stand with the families of these officers. We will not abandon them,&quot; Naqvi said. Pakistan&#39;s government pledged to step up military operations against terrorist groups in the region. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the nation remains committed to fighting terrorism. &quot;We will intensify our operations,&quot; he said. Senior security officials from across the province attended the funeral, including police commanders and intelligence agency directors.

Six federal constabulary officials martyred for the Motherland in the Hassan Khel area. 

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi attended the funeral service at Federal Constabulary headquarters, pledging to stand with the families of the martyred officers.

6 Pakistani paramilitary officers martyred in terrorist attack

Muhammad Ibrahim

Faraz Saeed

Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb gestures while presenting the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26 during a news conference in Islamabad on June 11, 2026. (Faraz Saeed/Pakistan TV Digital)

Economy

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb says stronger fiscal performance, rising remittances, expanding technology exports and improving investor confidence are helping strengthen economic resilience as Pakistan advances reforms to support private-sector activity and sustainable growth.

Pakistan records 3.7% growth, economy reaches $452 billion milestone

ISLAMABAD: The State Bank of Pakistan has launched its first-ever Research Agenda for 2026-2029, outlining a comprehensive roadmap aimed at strengthening evidence-based policymaking and addressing the country&rsquo;s most pressing economic challenges, said a statement from the country&#39;s central bank on Thursday. According to the statement, the initiative seeks to deepen research on inflation, financial stability, and long-term economic development as Pakistan navigates an increasingly complex global and domestic economic environment. The SBP statement added that rapid technological change, climate-related disruptions, geopolitical uncertainties, and persistent structural weaknesses have made economic policymaking more challenging than ever.&nbsp;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 649px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2064968546929795250&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=e22c25f3fe8e9f979775494362a6886772c197fe&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px"></iframe></div></div> &quot;The new agenda is designed to provide policymakers with stronger analytical tools to respond to these evolving realities.&quot; The statement further said that the three-year framework is built around three major themes: Inflation Dynamics and Monetary Policy; Financial Sector Deepening; Soundness and Efficiency; and Structural Transformation and Economic Development. &quot;Under the first theme, the State Bank plans to examine inflation behavior, monetary policy transmission, inflation expectations, and the potential adoption of a flexible inflation-targeting framework. The agenda also highlights emerging issues such as digital finance, virtual assets, central bank digital currencies, artificial intelligence, and the transition towards a more Shariah-compliant banking system,&quot; it elaborates.<img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/8dc2d89d-fad9-4d1e-8121-83265d7d41f8.png" style="width: 781px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> The statement further explains that the second theme focuses on strengthening Pakistan&rsquo;s financial sector by exploring ways to improve financial inclusion, expand credit access, enhance banking efficiency, and evaluate the impact of liquidity management and regulatory policies on economic growth. &quot;The third theme addresses broader structural challenges facing the economy, including informality, export competitiveness, foreign investment, remittances, climate risks, technological change, and governance reforms needed to support sustainable growth,&quot; the statement added. Importantly, the SBP has invited academics, policymakers, researchers, and industry experts to collaborate on the agenda. The central bank also plans to support selected priority research projects, encouraging a wider national effort to generate actionable policy recommendations. Officials say the initiative aligns with SBP Vision 2028 and will help strengthen the foundations for price stability, financial resilience, and inclusive economic development in Pakistan.

State Bank of Pakistan launches its first Research Agenda 2026–2029; Focuses on inflation, financial sector reforms, and economic transformation; Invites academics and researchers to support evidence-based policymaking.

Pakistan's central bank launches 3-year research roadmap for smarter economic policymaking

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has established its first-ever public sector data governance institution, marking a major step toward improving transparency, decision-making, and investor confidence in the country&#39;s power sector, said a statement from the Ministry of Energy on Thursday.&nbsp;According to the statement, the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) formally launched the Power Sector Data Governance Council (PSDGC), a high-level body tasked with overseeing data management across the energy sector.&nbsp;The statement said that the council has been created to address longstanding challenges arising from fragmented and inconsistent data systems maintained by various generation, transmission, distribution, and regulatory entities.&nbsp;&ldquo;The government has also introduced a comprehensive Data Governance Framework aligned with internationally recognized DAMA-DMBOK standards,&rdquo; added the statement. The statement further said that a key component of the initiative is the development of a Centralized Data Repository, which will consolidate sector-wide information into a single authoritative platform.&nbsp; The council includes representation from major power sector institutions and has been established in collaboration with the Pakistan Digital Authority to ensure compliance with national digital governance standards.&nbsp;It described the PSDGC as a pioneering model that could eventually be replicated across other sectors, including health, water, transport and finance, to improve governance and policy outcomes nationwide.

Launches its first public-sector Data Governance Council, introducing a centralized power sector data system aimed at improving transparency, planning, efficiency, and attracting greater international investment.

Pakistan establishes first-ever Council to boost transparency, investment

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan recorded its highest-ever monthly workers&rsquo; remittances inflow, receiving a record US$ 4.25 billion in May 2026, according to the latest data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday. The landmark figure represents an increase of more than 20% compared to April 2026 and over 15% higher than the amount received during the same month last year, highlighting the continued confidence of overseas Pakistanis in the country&rsquo;s economy. The latest inflows have pushed cumulative workers&rsquo; remittances during July-May of fiscal year 2025-26 to US$ 38.1 billion, reflecting a 9% year-on-year increase. With one month remaining in the fiscal year, Pakistan is now on course to surpass the US$ 41 billion mark in annual remittances for the first time in its history, according to financial experts.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 898px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2064575139464044980&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=4fa70f2c1c55d42c742db5f5da3a3e5307dd6fd3&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Khurram Schehzad, advisor to Pakistan&rsquo;s finance minister, in a post on X said that the unprecedented inflow is a major boost for Pakistan&rsquo;s external sector at a time when the country is focused on strengthening macroeconomic stability and rebuilding foreign exchange reserves. Workers&rsquo; remittances remain one of Pakistan&rsquo;s most reliable sources of foreign exchange, providing critical support to the balance of payments and helping ease pressure on the national currency.&nbsp; The sustained growth in inflows has also enhanced the country&rsquo;s ability to manage external financing requirements and improve investor confidence. Schehzad&nbsp;also described the record inflows as a powerful vote of confidence by overseas Pakistanis, whose contributions continue to play a vital role in supporting economic resilience.&nbsp; Millions of Pakistani expatriates working across the globe, particularly in Gulf countries, regularly send money home to support their families and communities.<img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/ed33fd04-e2bd-4253-b2a4-d4e90f0b5857.png" style="width: 655px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Pakistan is among the world&rsquo;s largest recipients of workers&rsquo; remittances, receiving tens of billions of dollars annually from its diaspora. For countless households, these funds serve as an economic lifeline, helping cover essential expenses such as food, housing, education, healthcare, and other daily needs. According to SBP data, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates remained the largest contributors to Pakistan&rsquo;s remittance inflows, accounting for more than half of the country&rsquo;s record $38.3 billion received during fiscal year 2024-25.&nbsp; Other major sources include the United Kingdom, the United States, and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries. State Bank of Pakistan said that remittances during May 2026 were mainly sourced from Saudi Arabia ($1,025 million), the United Arab Emirates ($1006.6 million), the United Kingdom ($645.5 million), and the USA ($349.8 million). Analysts believe the continued growth in remittances reflects stronger formal banking channels, improved digital transfer mechanisms, and sustained employment opportunities for Pakistani workers abroad. Khurram Schehzad&nbsp;further said that the May performance further reinforces the importance of overseas Pakistanis in the national economy and underscores the increasingly strategic role remittances play in maintaining financial stability and supporting long-term economic growth.

Pakistan receives a record $4.25B in remittances in May 2026, pushing FY26 inflows to $38.1B and strengthening foreign reserves, currency stability, and household incomes nationwide.

Pakistan records historic $4.25B remittances in May

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday pledged to bolster the nation&#39;s fight against three major infectious diseases that claim thousands of lives annually during a meeting with international health financing officials in Islamabad. According to the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office, PM Sharif met with a delegation of the Global Fund, led by Head of Grant Management Mark Edington. Senior Portfolio Manager Izaskun Gaviria and Deputy General Counsel Natasha Heffinck also attended. PM Sharif told the delegation that Pakistan values its partnership with the Global Fund as essential to strengthening the country&#39;s healthcare infrastructure. He announced plans to establish a joint task force with the organization to prevent HIV transmission in Pakistan. &ldquo;The government is determined to eliminate all three diseases,&rdquo; the prime minister said. Pakistan&#39;s health ministry provided the delegation with details on current disease prevention initiatives. The Global Fund representatives commended the government&#39;s efforts and pledged continued partnership. The meeting included federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Syed Mustafa Kamal, and Attaullah Tarar, as well as the prime minister&#39;s polio eradication coordinator. Pakistan&#39;s expanding health response Pakistan has gained ground in its fight against the three infectious diseases in recent years. The National AIDS Control Program reported more than 76,000 documented HIV cases nationwide, with roughly 55,500 people accessing treatment. The virus spreads primarily among high-risk populations, among which targeted prevention strategies are yielding measurable results. Malaria cases, meanwhile, had peaked following the devastating 2022 floods. The Directorate of Malaria Control reported that cases surged above 2.8 million during the crisis, but recent interventions have begun to reverse&nbsp;that trend. The year 2025 recorded a 10% decline from 2024. Balochistan and Sindh provinces, traditionally the hardest hit areas, were seeing improved outcomes through expanded prevention efforts. Meanwhile, tuberculosis remains a challenge, but the government has been mobilizing resources to combat it. According to the National TB Control Program, the country ranks fifth worldwide in TB burden and carries roughly one-third of all infections across its region. The program reported nearly 670,000 people received treatment annually, with approximately 51,000 deaths, as the government works to reduce cases through new treatment networks.

A delegation of Global Fund meets with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (PMO)

Health

Government announces the formation of a new joint task force to accelerate efforts to prevent HIV and strengthen overall disease control measures nationwide.

Pakistan PM pledges full government efforts in fight against malaria, HIV and tuberculosis

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday called for collective efforts to strengthen food safety standards and ensure access to safe and nutritious food, marking World Food Safety Day 2026. In separate messages, the two leaders stressed the importance of food safety for public health, food security and sustainable development. President Zardari urged all stakeholders to promote safe food practices and ensure compliance with food safety standards across the food chain. He said safe food protects public health, strengthens consumer confidence, supports livelihoods and contributes to economic growth. The president emphasized the need for science-based food safety measures, stronger inspection systems, improved laboratory capacity and greater investment in food safety infrastructure and awareness programs. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan remains committed to ensuring access to safe and nutritious food free from disease and contamination risks. Referring to this year&#39;s theme, &ldquo;From Burden to Solutions: Safe Food Everywhere,&rdquo; the prime minister highlighted the importance of preventing and managing foodborne diseases. He cited a World Health Organization report showing that around 866 million people fall ill annually due to contaminated food, while nearly 1.5 million lose their lives from foodborne diseases worldwide. The prime minister said Pakistan was pursuing a comprehensive strategy to strengthen food security and agricultural productivity through research, technology, improved seeds, modern farm machinery, better storage facilities and stronger market systems. According to the prime minister, unsafe food also contributes to reduced productivity, rising healthcare costs, economic losses and disruptions to tourism and trade. Sharif said Pakistan&#39;s agriculture sector, despite being supported by fertile land and significant agricultural potential, faces challenges including climate change, water scarcity, population growth, changing consumption patterns and inadequate research. He said the Ministry of National Food Security and Research was implementing a range of measures based on agricultural research and technology to strengthen food security, increase productivity and mitigate the effects of climate change.&nbsp; These measures include the provision of quality seeds, improved access to agricultural inputs, greater use of farm machinery, stronger value chains, enhanced storage facilities and improved market systems. Both the president and the prime minister called for cooperation among governments, research institutions, the private sector, civil society and citizens to build a safer, healthier and more resilient food system in Pakistan.

A farmer harvesting wheat in Pasni, Balochistan, under the sun.

President Zardari urges all stakeholders to promote safe food practices and ensure compliance with food safety standards across the food chain; PM says the government is implementing a range of measures based on agricultural research and technology to strengthen food security, increase productivity and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Pakistan president, PM call for stronger food safety measures

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s President Asif Ali Zardari has called for stronger legislation and enforcement measures to protect the country&#39;s population from the harms of tobacco and nicotine products in a message issued on May 31, World No Tobacco Day. President Zardari said tobacco continues to pose &quot;a serious threat to public health and economic well-being across the world, including Pakistan.&quot; President Zardari stated: &quot;The time has come that, besides other issues, our national parliament and provincial legislatures make laws and create effective enforcement mechanisms to protect our people and future generations and effectively resist the merchants of death.&quot; Citing World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, he noted that tobacco causes &quot;more than 7 million deaths every year worldwide, including about 1.6 million deaths from second-hand smoke exposure.&quot; &quot;These figures should compel us to reflect on the scale of a public health challenge that continues to affect millions of people and families,&quot; he said. The president said that &quot;children and young people remain particularly vulnerable&quot; and that the tobacco and nicotine industry &quot;continues to target younger generations through evolving products and marketing approaches designed to create and sustain addiction.&quot; He added that &quot;early exposure to nicotine heightens the risk of lifelong dependence and adverse health outcomes.&quot;&nbsp;Vaping and e-cigarettesReferring to recent research, President Zardari said that &quot;the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping devices, nicotine pouches and other nicotine products presents growing public health concerns.&quot; He also cited &quot;concerning patterns of poly-substance use, where tobacco and nicotine products may coexist with other harmful substances, creating serious risks for young people and communities.&quot; &quot;Stronger awareness, regulation and prevention efforts are essential,&quot; he said. The president said widespread second-hand smoke exposure increases children&#39;s vulnerability to &quot;asthma, pneumonia, ear infections, low birth weight and sudden infant death,&quot; while tobacco products are &quot;closely linked with a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic respiratory conditions.&quot; He said, &quot;As your elder and as your head of state, I must tell you that this day is a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect current and future generations from the harms of tobacco products.&quot; Call for shaping awareness&nbsp;The president&nbsp;also said that &quot;parents, teachers, artists, poets, singers, musicians, actors, playwrights, healthcare professionals and community leaders all have a role in shaping awareness, discouraging the use of tobacco products and creating an ecosystem to protect our people.&quot; &quot;Change at the household and community level can contribute meaningfully to national progress in public health,&quot; he said.

Says, ‘The time has come that besides other issues, our national parliament and provincial legislatures make laws and create effective enforcement mechanisms to protect our people and future generations and effectively resist the merchants of death.’

Pakistan president calls for stronger laws on World No Tobacco Day

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched a targeted, week-long polio vaccination campaign across 79 high-risk districts, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) announced on Monday.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-to-launch-polio-vaccination-campaign-in-highrisk-districts-from-may-18" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Running until May 24</a>, the drive aims to administer oral polio vaccine drops to nearly 19 million children under five and is being carried out simultaneously with a coordinated campaign in Afghanistan as part of regional eradication efforts.&nbsp;In Punjab, the campaign will reach about 6.19 million children across 10 districts, while Sindh will cover roughly 5.79 million children in 20 districts.&nbsp;Khyber Pakhtunkhwa plans to vaccinate about 4.61 million children in 23 districts, and Balochistan aims to reach approximately 1.99 million children in 25 districts. Around 450,000 children in Islamabad will also receive drops during the week.&nbsp;The NEOC urged parents to cooperate with vaccination teams, provide access to vaccinators and ensure every eligible child receives the life-saving drops, stressing that protecting children from polio is a shared national responsibility.&nbsp;Pakistan has made substantial progress since launching its eradication program in 1994, when more than 20,000 cases were reported annually.&nbsp;Decades of sustained vaccination, improved surveillance, and coordinated public health action have dramatically reduced the burden of disease: 31 cases were recorded in 2025, and only three confirmed cases have been reported so far in 2026.&nbsp;Health officials cautioned, however, that the virus still circulates silently in some areas, making continued vaccination essential. &ldquo;While progress is encouraging, every missed child is an opportunity for the virus to persist and spread,&rdquo; the NEOC said.

NEOC urges parents to cooperate with vaccination teams, provide access to vaccinators and ensure every eligible child receives the life-saving drops, stressing that protecting children from polio is a shared national responsibility.

Pakistan launches week-long polio drive in 79 high-risk districts

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday reaffirmed the government&rsquo;s commitment to expanding digital connectivity and transforming Pakistan into a regional information technology hub as the country observed May 17 as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day. In separate messages issued on the occasion, both leaders highlighted the role of digital infrastructure, broadband access and emerging technologies in economic growth, public services and national development. PM Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan was moving toward a &ldquo;complete digital revolution&rdquo; through effective initiatives and was strengthening its position as a global information technology hub with the help of IT and software technology parks, improved infrastructure and a young, tech-savvy workforce. Referring to this year&rsquo;s theme, &ldquo;Digital Lifelines: Strengthening Resilience in a Connected World,&rdquo; the prime minister said it was fully aligned with Pakistan&rsquo;s vision of &ldquo;Digital Nation Pakistan,&rdquo; which focuses on digital economy, digital society and digital government. He described the National AI Policy 2025 as a &ldquo;revolutionary initiative&rdquo; aimed at developing Pakistan&rsquo;s artificial intelligence ecosystem and termed the successful 5G spectrum auction a major milestone toward Digital Pakistan. &ldquo;The government is committed to the full and accelerated implementation of 5G in the country, the completion of the national fiberization policy and the promotion of local device manufacturing,&rdquo; he said. The prime minister said Pakistan&rsquo;s digital infrastructure now included more than 234,000 kilometers of fiber-optic backbone, six submarine cables, 58,000 cellular towers, and over 20 modern data centers serving more than 205 million subscribers. He added that Pakistan was rapidly emerging as a regional digital hub in South and Central Asia and was actively participating in the development of the CAREC Digital Corridor. PM Sharif said the country&rsquo;s IT exports had reached $3.8 billion annually due to government policies, skill development initiatives and incubation programs. Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari said the federal and provincial governments remained committed to policies to expand digital access and improve connectivity across the country. He said reliable and accessible digital networks had become essential for education, healthcare, commerce, banking and public services, particularly for people living in remote and underserved areas. In his message, the president said Pakistan&rsquo;s telecommunications sector attracted $838 million in investment during FY2024-25 and generated revenues of Rs1,075 billion. He noted that Pakistan has over 161 million broadband users, supported by expanding fiber-optic networks, submarine cable systems and nationwide mobile coverage. Referring to the IMT/5G spectrum auction in March, the president said the process secured $509.6 million for the national treasury and expanded spectrum availability for mobile operators, paving the way for faster and more reliable next-generation services. He also praised the efforts of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and cellular mobile operators in strengthening the country&rsquo;s digital ecosystem. &ldquo;Reliable and affordable connectivity will remain essential for economic growth, public services and wider access to opportunity for all Pakistanis,&rdquo; the president said.

Education

In separate messages issued on the occasion, both leaders highlight the role of digital infrastructure, broadband access and emerging technologies in economic growth, public services and national development.


Pakistan PM, president reaffirm commitment to digital transformation on world telecom day

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s domestic internet connections have increased sharply from 1.9 million in 2024 to 5.10 million in 2026, a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was informed on Monday. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office in Islamabad, the briefing was given during a review meeting on the affairs of the Federal Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom. The meeting was informed that Pakistan&rsquo;s IT exports are expected to reach 4.5 to 4.6 billion dollars during the current fiscal year. Officials told the Prime Minister that Pakistan recently conducted a 5G spectrum auction, which was described in the briefing as the world&rsquo;s largest auction of its kind since 2016.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 697px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2053724980081562034&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=f27a06db15f0d707d5c37bd01049a4d6788cc47b&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> &ldquo;The auction generated revenue of 509 million US dollars for Pakistan,&rdquo; the briefing stated. The meeting was further informed that Indus AI Week was organized in February 2025 across 30 cities of the country, where 88 pavilions were established and more than 100 international delegates participated. Officials said fibre connectivity has also been provided to government schools and health units in Islamabad as part of the government&rsquo;s digital development initiatives. Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said promotion of the IT sector and enhancement of IT-related exports remain among the government&rsquo;s top priorities. The Prime Minister directed authorities to expedite work on establishing Easy Service Centers in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He also instructed officials to accelerate the launch of Easy Service facilities in provinces in collaboration with provincial governments. &ldquo;To reduce the gap between urban and rural areas in the IT sector, cooperation from governments at the provincial and district levels should be obtained,&rdquo; the Prime Minister said. The meeting was informed that the provision of free internet hotspots in Islamabad is in its final stages, while E-learning pods are being installed in Saidpur Model Village and Fatima Jinnah Park.

Pakistan’s internet connections rose from 1.9 million to 5.1 million in 2026, PM Shehbaz Sharif was informed, as IT exports, 5G expansion, and nationwide digital connectivity initiatives accelerated.

Pakistan’s domestic internet connections rise to 5.1 million: PM told

Pakistan TV Satellite

ISLAMABAD: Kazakhstan has expressed strong readiness to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in science, research, and higher education, as part of broader efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and promote knowledge-driven economic growth. Kazakhstan&rsquo;s Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek, in an exclusive interview with Pakistan TV, said Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a regional knowledge and research hub for Central Asia, with higher education at the core of its economic transformation.&nbsp; He noted that rapid global technological change, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence, has made investment in education, research, and human capital more critical than ever. He said Kazakhstan is building a knowledge-based economy by training its youth and attracting global expertise. Mr. Nurbek said Kazakhstan is establishing specialized research centers in key areas including mining, agriculture, nuclear research, and social sciences, aimed at supporting industrial growth and informed policymaking.&nbsp; He said Pakistan has strong universities and a large pool of talented youth, and emphasized that collaboration between the two countries could help expand access to quality education. He added that President of Kazakhstan&rsquo;s visit to Pakistan reflects strengthening bilateral relations, including in science and higher education. Highlighting people-to-people connections, the minister said Pakistan and Kazakhstan share historical roots, cultural links, and similarities in language that should bring the two nations closer. He said Kazakhstan is exploring scholarship opportunities for Pakistani students and identifying artificial intelligence and agriculture as priority areas for cooperation. Mr. Nurbek further said Kazakhstan is streamlining its visa system to provide faster processing for Pakistani students.&nbsp; He said hundreds and thousands of Pakistani students could study in Kazakhstan and also explore employment opportunities after completing their education, calling academic mobility a key pillar of future bilateral cooperation.

Kazakhstan has expressed strong readiness to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in science, research, and higher education, as part of broader efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and promote knowledge-driven economic growth

Kazakhstan ready to deepen cooperation with Pakistan in science and higher education

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;" id="isPasted">ISLAMABAD: The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan, Iqbal Hussain Khan, visited the University of Management and Technology (UMT), where he met the university president, Ibrahim Hasan Murad, to discuss bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh, with a focus on education and research partnerships.<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;"> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">During the meeting, both sides held detailed discussions on bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh, cooperation in education and research, and the expansion of higher education partnerships.<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;"> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">Speaking on the occasion, Murad said strengthening regional cooperation, trade relations, and people-to-people contacts is the need of the hour. He said educational and research collaboration between Pakistan and Bangladesh can create new opportunities for the youth of both countries and play a vital role in achieving shared goals of sustainable development.<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;"> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">In a post on X, he wrote, &ldquo;High Commissioner of Bangladesh, H.E. Md. Iqbal Hussain Khan visited Chairman &amp; President UMT, Ibrahim Hasan Murad, at his office today. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding educational cooperation, and promoting people-to-people connectivity between Pakistan and Bangladesh.&rdquo;<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 549.991px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2013238323171754270&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=ea4ebdacda112f6d173a949b7b088b1f6f6baedb&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="box-sizing: border-box; position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;"> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">The post added that both sides emphasized the importance of dialogue, academic exchange, and collaborative initiatives to foster mutual understanding and long-term partnership.<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;"> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">High Commissioner Iqbal Hussain Khan appreciated UMT&rsquo;s academic contributions, quality education system, and research-oriented environment. He said Pakistan and Bangladesh would further strengthen their diplomatic and educational ties to achieve common development objectives.<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;"> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">He described cooperation in higher education as crucial for enhancing bilateral relations and said he was committed to expanding collaboration in education, research, and people-to-people engagement in the future.

High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan, Iqbal Hussain Khan (left), in a meeting with UMT President Ibrahim Hasan Murad at his office on January 19, 2026. (X / @ibrahimhmurad)

The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan, Iqbal Hussain Khan, visits the University of Management and Technology, where he meets President UMT Ibrahim Hasan Murad to discuss bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh with a focus on education and research partnerships.

Pakistan's university hosts Bangladesh high commissioner to discuss education cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated the people of Gilgit-Baltistan on the successful conduct of peaceful and transparent elections, describing the democratic exercise as a positive reflection of the region&rsquo;s political maturity and commitment to democratic values. In a statement issued here by the Prime Minister&#39;s Office (PMO) on Monday, he said the people of Gilgit-Baltistan deserve appreciation for their enthusiastic participation in the electoral process and active engagement in political activities.&nbsp; According to the statement, the prime minister noted that peaceful elections and vibrant political competition are the true beauty of democracy and strengthen democratic institutions in the country. &quot;Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on emerging as the majority political party in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections. He also extended his felicitations to President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the party&rsquo;s electoral success,&quot; the statement added. The statement went on to say that the prime minister congratulated all successful candidates, who secured victory in the elections, expressing hope that they would work for the welfare, development, and prosperity of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. Referring to his own party&rsquo;s performance, the statement said, Prime Minister Sharif praised the efforts of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates and workers.&nbsp; &quot;He said the PML-N team worked hard throughout the election campaign and deserved appreciation for its dedication and commitment.&quot; Credible electoral process According to the statement, the prime minister also lauded the Election Commission for ensuring a transparent, impartial, and credible electoral process.&nbsp; He said the conduct of free and fair elections reflects the strength of democratic institutions and reinforces public confidence in the electoral system. Paying tribute to the security forces, Prime Minister Sharif commended the police and law enforcement agencies for their effective role in maintaining peace and order during the elections.&nbsp; He said their professionalism and vigilance contributed significantly to the peaceful conduct of the polls. The prime minister expressed confidence that the democratic process in Gilgit-Baltistan would continue to flourish and contribute to the region&rsquo;s progress, stability, and development. According to the unofficial and preliminary election results for 24 seats of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is leading the race with success in 10 constituencies.

Politics

Congratulates the people of Gilgit-Baltistan on peaceful and transparent elections, praises democratic participation, felicitate PPP and successful candidates, and commends election authorities and security agencies.

PM Sharif hails peaceful Gilgit-Baltistan elections, congratulates PPP and successful candidates

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with President Asif Ali Zardari Monday evening at the President&rsquo;s House in Islamabad.&nbsp; During the meeting, the leaders paid tribute to the martyrs of Marka-e-Haq and discussed the national and broader regional situation.&nbsp; The discussions reaffirmed Islamabad&rsquo;s commitment to national defense and public relief. The meeting also included Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister of Interior Moshin Naqvi, and Chairman of the Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, along with other senior leaders.

Leaders pay tribute to the martyrs of Marka-e-Haq, discuss the national and broader regional situation.

PM, President discuss evolving regional situation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday said the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq symbolizes Pakistan&rsquo;s courage, unity, and resolve. He praised the armed forces and reaffirmed support for dialogue in the region. In a message to the nation released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) marking one year since the military conflict with India that took place from April 22 to May 10, 2025, Dar paid tribute to Pakistan&rsquo;s armed forces and citizens, saying the country had responded to &quot;imposed aggression&quot; with restraint and principle under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2052254949841818087&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=1020b0725deadd7a0416a8dfc400a125cae13c44&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 576px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Referring to Pakistan&rsquo;s response under Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos following Indian conventional strikes on civilian infrastructure on the night of May 6, 2025, he noted that Pakistan had exercised its right to self-defense in line with the UN Charter, according to the Foreign Office. The FM said the response -- led by Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir -- targeted only military installations and was &quot;determined, decisive and proportionate.&quot; He also praised the role of the Pakistan Air Force under Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, saying it had shot down multiple Indian fighter jets and neutralized key military targets. The Pakistan Navy, led by Naveed Ashraf, remained fully prepared to counter any maritime aggression, he added. Pakistan&#39;s response &#39;lawful and restrained&#39;&quot;Pakistan stands for peace, but it will never compromise on its dignity, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence,&quot; Dar said. He maintained that Pakistan&rsquo;s diplomatic outreach during the critical period helped present the country&rsquo;s position at bilateral and international forums, describing Islamabad&rsquo;s response as &quot;lawful and restrained.&quot; Dar reiterated that lasting peace in South Asia could not be achieved without resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Reaffirming Pakistan&rsquo;s support for dialogue and diplomacy, he warned that any threat to the country would be met with &quot;national unity, unshakeable resolve, and strength through all means available.&quot; The anniversary of Marka-e-Haq should also serve as a reminder of the need to strengthen Pakistan&rsquo;s economy, education system, and social sectors, while empowering youth and promoting national unity, the statement said. &quot;Let this day renew our collective pledge: to stand united; to reject division; to work tirelessly for a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan,&quot; he said. A &lsquo;defining chapter&rsquo; for PAF : ISPRMeanwhile, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq marked a &quot;defining chapter&quot; in Pakistan&rsquo;s military history, particularly for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). In a press statement, the military&rsquo;s media wing said the conflict had &quot;strengthened national confidence, reaffirmed institutional resolve and validated the PAF&rsquo;s efforts towards modernisation and operational capability enhancement&quot;. According to ISPR, the PAF&rsquo;s use of multi-domain operations demonstrated its preparedness for the evolving nature of modern warfare and highlighted the force&rsquo;s &quot;professional excellence&quot;. &quot;Pakistan is a peace-loving country, and its Armed Forces remain dedicated to preserving peace, promoting stability and ensuring security in the region&quot; the statement said, adding that &quot;peace for Pakistan has always been inseparable from honour, dignity and sovereign equality&quot;. ISPR warned that Pakistan&rsquo;s armed forces remained fully aware of the evolving regional security environment and any &quot;hostile design&quot; against the country would be met with &quot;greater strength, precision and resolve&quot;.

FILE: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar (Photo: X/@ForeignOfficePk)

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar pays tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces and citizens, saying the country had responded to 'imposed aggression' with restraint and principle under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Pakistan's response to Indian aggression 'lawful and restrained', says FM on Marka-e-Haq anniversary

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced that the dredging of the Karachi Port Trust main channel by Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited, which began on Wednesday, will represent a significant upgrade to maritime infrastructure. In a statement, the minister&nbsp;said that the work follows a formal agreement between KPT and KGTL to enhance navigational capacity and meet rising demands from international shipping.&nbsp; &quot;This initiative underscores the government&#39;s commitment to modernizing port facilities and bolstering Pakistan&#39;s role in regional and global trade. Upon completion within three months, the project will enable KPT to accommodate vessels up to 350 meters in length with a gross registered tonnage (GRT) of 100,000,&quot; the minister said.&nbsp; &quot;This will boost port efficiency by handling higher-capacity ships, reducing congestion, and shortening turnaround times.&quot;&nbsp; The dredging will deepen the upper and lower harbour channels to 14 meters for safer navigation, while 14 berths will be raised to 15.5 meters to accommodate larger ships and expand cargo-handling capacity.&nbsp; The minister said that the project will drive higher trade volumes, slash shipping costs, streamline logistics, and fuel national economic growth.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry says that the project will drive higher trade volumes, slash shipping costs, streamline logistics, and fuel national economic growth.

Karachi Port channel dredging to bolster Pakistan's maritime infrastructure

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday rejected any attempt to draw a &ldquo;false equivalence&rdquo; between the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and matters relating to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), while also raising concerns over India&rsquo;s expanding strategic capabilities. Speaking at the weekly media briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan was addressing issues in Azad Jammu and Kashmir within a &ldquo;democratic and constitutional framework&rdquo; and rejected recent remarks by the Indian leadership and its foreign affairs office. &ldquo;Any attempt to conflate the two is misleading and does not withstand objective scrutiny,&rdquo; Andrabi said. Responding to questions regarding Indian statements on AJK, the spokesperson said Pakistan rejected India&#39;s remarks &ldquo;in their entirety.&rdquo; &ldquo;It&rsquo;s untenable for a state like India, which has consistently denied the people of Jammu and Kashmir their right to self-determination, to claim concerns over the rights of Kashmiris,&rdquo; he said. The remarks come amid continued tensions between Pakistan and India over the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region, a longstanding issue between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.&nbsp; Pakistan maintains that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir should be determined in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The spokesperson said India&rsquo;s statements appeared aimed at diverting attention from the &ldquo;unresolved status of Jammu and Kashmir&rdquo; and what he described as its &ldquo;abysmal record&rdquo; in IIOJK. &ldquo;We also reject any insinuation of a false equivalence between the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and matters relating to Azad Jammu and Kashmir,&rdquo; Andrabi said. &ldquo;Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir is an illegally annexed, internationally recognized disputed territory whose people have suffered systemic abuses under draconian laws and have been denied their rights, including the right to self-determination, as affirmed by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and as promised by the Indian founding fathers to the Kashmiri people,&rdquo; he added. Concerns over India&#39;s strategic capabilitiesThe Foreign Office also commented on a recent Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report suggesting India may have altered aspects of its traditional nuclear posture by reportedly deploying nuclear warheads during peacetime alongside developments in missile systems. Andrabi said Pakistan did not wish to endorse SIPRI&rsquo;s methodology but noted that the findings were &ldquo;not surprising.&rdquo; &ldquo;We do not wish to endorse or lend credence to SIPRI&rsquo;s methodology. Its findings, nevertheless, are &lsquo;not surprising,&rsquo;&rdquo; he said, adding that Pakistan had consistently raised concerns regarding India&rsquo;s continued &ldquo;vertical proliferation.&rdquo; The spokesperson said open-source assessments might not fully reflect the actual scale of India&rsquo;s nuclear arsenal. &ldquo;We also believe that open-source estimates, such as SIPRI&rsquo;s, may not fully reflect the actual scale of India&rsquo;s nuclear arsenal, which may actually be higher than the existing estimates,&rdquo; he said. According to Andrabi, Pakistan remained &ldquo;cognizant of developments in India&rsquo;s strategic capabilities,&rdquo; including the canisterization of missile systems, the expansion of sea-based nuclear-capable submarines and the pursuit of longer-range missile systems extending beyond India&rsquo;s immediate region. &ldquo;These developments enhance operational readiness, complicate crisis stability, and carry implications that extend beyond South Asia, with grave consequences for international peace and security,&rdquo; he said. Reiterating Pakistan&rsquo;s position, Andrabi said the country did not seek an arms race. &ldquo;Pakistan does not seek an arms race and matching warheads or arms and ammunition by number. However, we remain mindful of the evolving security environment. We will continue to take measures essential for preserving strategic stability and deterring India&rsquo;s aggression,&rdquo; he said. The spokesperson urged the international community to closely monitor developments related to India&rsquo;s strategic capabilities and their potential impact on regional and global security. He also called on countries supplying advanced technologies to India to consider the wider implications of emerging capabilities being incorporated into India&rsquo;s strategic posture. &ldquo;These developments threaten consequences far beyond South Asia into the wider world,&rdquo; Andrabi said.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan also voices concern over India's evolving strategic capabilities, saying recent assessments reinforce longstanding fears about regional stability and urging the international community to closely monitor developments with wider security implications.

‘False equivalence’: Pakistan rejects Indian remarks on Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a phone call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss the latest regional developments, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs&#39; post on X.&nbsp; The call came amid continuing diplomatic efforts by Pakistan and other regional partners to reduce tensions and support peaceful engagement. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs&rsquo; post, Dar and Fidan exchanged views on the evolving regional situation. Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for the peaceful settlement of disputes. The exchange reflected close coordination between Pakistan and Turkiye on issues of mutual interest. Dar briefed his Turkish counterpart on Pakistan&rsquo;s diplomatic outreach and efforts to support regional peace. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2064957046718660642&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=ed944e922fd35313ddeef5d28bdbfc89aa71021f&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 770px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Fidan and Dar also reviewed bilateral ties and agreed on the need to maintain regular contact. Pakistan has repeatedly called for restraint and diplomacy as conflicts and tensions continue to affect regional stability. The latest conversation underscores Islamabad&rsquo;s position that dialogue remains the only viable path for resolving disputes. Turkiye has also remained engaged in regional diplomacy and has maintained close contact with Pakistan on key international developments. The two foreign ministers agreed to continue consultations as diplomatic efforts move forward.

In a call, both leaders reaffirm the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Pakistan's DPM Dar, Turkish foreign minister discuss regional developments 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has underscored the importance of dialogue among civilizations as a vital tool for fostering global peace, mutual understanding, and international cooperation, during a high-level United Nations event marking the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, said a statement posted on X&rsquo;s account of the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN on Thursday. Speaking at the event themed &ldquo;Exploring New Pathways for Dialogue Among Civilizations and Jointly Writing New Chapters for Global Governance,&rdquo; on Wednesday, Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, highlighted the enduring value of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing contemporary global challenges. The ambassador noted that throughout history, civilizations have advanced through engagement, mutual respect and cooperation, enabling societies to achieve shared progress and development.&nbsp;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 655px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2064854446165676407&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard%2F&sessionId=c1a081e0eba11145125daf65672ce948fcfe2692&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px"></iframe></div></div> Ambassador Iftikhar said the United Nations, established in the aftermath of World War II, recognizes the close connection between international peace and meaningful dialogue among civilizations. Referring to the current global environment, he said the world is facing numerous challenges that threaten peace and harmony, making inter-civilizational dialogue more important than ever. Highlighting Pakistan&rsquo;s historical and cultural heritage, the ambassador said the country&rsquo;s unique geographical position at the crossroads of the Middle East, South Asia, Central Asia, and the West has made it a meeting point of diverse civilizations and religions. He stressed that interfaith harmony, peaceful coexistence, pluralism, and cultural diversity are fundamental characteristics of Pakistani society and continue to shape the country&rsquo;s foreign policy approach. Pakistani envoy also noted that Pakistan, together with the Philippines, co-sponsored the UN General Assembly resolution on the promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace, which was adopted by consensus on May 20. Reaffirming Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to multilateralism, he said the country would continue working closely with the United Nations and member states to advance dialogue among civilizations, cultures, and faiths in pursuit of global peace, stability, and prosperity.

Tell a UN high-level event that dialogue among civilizations is essential for peace and cooperation; Reaffirming its commitment to interfaith harmony, cultural understanding, and multilateral efforts for global stability.

At UN, Pakistan calls for stronger dialogue among civilizations for global peace

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed deep concern about the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East, warning that renewed conflict and rising tensions threaten regional stability and could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace. According to a statement posted on X by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN, Pakistan&rsquo;s representative, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, speaking at the Security Council briefing on non-proliferation on Tuesday, said that recent developments had highlighted the fragility of the current situation and the urgent need for diplomatic initiatives to succeed before tensions escalate further. The statement further said that Pakistan&rsquo;s envoy noted that the recent surge in violence served as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by a fragile ceasefire and stressed that continued instability could have serious consequences for regional and global peace, security, and prosperity. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 651px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2064458346200269074&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard%2F&sessionId=6323c2657b960b6ab2dd3e7e6ea8e645dc9bcd04&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> &ldquo;The ambassador also expressed concern that the outbreak of hostilities had negatively affected efforts to address the Iran nuclear issue, pushing parties further apart and disrupting the International Atomic Energy Agency&rsquo;s verification activities.&rdquo; Reaffirming support for peaceful conflict resolution, the statement added that Iftikhar emphasized that dialogue, diplomacy, and sustained engagement remained the only viable path to resolving outstanding disputes, including those related to Iran&rsquo;s nuclear program. According to the statement, Pakistan&rsquo;s envoy highlighted his country&rsquo;s role in facilitating diplomatic engagement between the United States and Iran, noting that it had worked alongside international partners to encourage de-escalation and create conditions conducive to meaningful negotiations. He appreciated both Washington and Tehran for placing their trust in Pakistan and for participating in the &ldquo;Islamabad Talks,&rdquo; described as the highest-level direct engagement between the two sides in more than four decades. According to the statement, Islamabad has maintained close contact with both countries and coordinated with regional and international partners, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkiye, Qatar, and China, to promote dialogue and facilitate communication.&nbsp;Ambassador Iftikhar said Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts were aimed at saving lives, reducing hostilities, and giving diplomacy a chance to succeed.&nbsp; &ldquo;He urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and continue pursuing peaceful solutions, expressing hope that ongoing diplomatic initiatives would ultimately lead to a negotiated settlement and durable regional peace,&rdquo; according to the statement.

Pakistan's representative at the UN urges all sides to exercise restraint and support diplomacy; warns that renewed Middle East violence risks derailing ceasefire efforts, disrupting nuclear talks, and undermining regional peace and stability.

Pakistan urges restraint, calls for diplomacy as Middle East tensions threaten peace efforts

ISLAMABAD: British and Pakistani officials met on Tuesday to review the Green Compact, a &pound;35 million ($46.8 million) bilateral climate cooperation program aimed at strengthening Pakistan&rsquo;s ability to withstand&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-deputy-premier-calls-for-collective-global-action-to-combat-climate-crisis" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">climate impacts</a>. According to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/finance-minister-british-high-commissioner-discuss-economic-reforms-bilateral-cooperation" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">British High Commissioner</a>&nbsp;Jane Marriott met with Pakistan&#39;s Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik. The British high commissioner presented an action plan outlining the framework&#39;s priorities and areas for collaboration between the two nations. The climate minister said the partnership must focus on producing concrete results that benefit ordinary Pakistanis. The two officials discussed several climate initiatives underway. The minister said that Pakistan was working toward establishing a &ldquo;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/govt-to-empower-youthled-climate-innovation-through-green-university-initiative-minister" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Green University</a>&rdquo; in Islamabad, with support from international partners, including Italy and members of the Arctic Circle initiative. The country is also launching a &ldquo;Green Tech Hub&rdquo; at the National University of Sciences and Technology. The hub will provide resources to young entrepreneurs developing green technologies and sustainable business models. Dr Malik said investing in young people through entrepreneurship, research, and innovation was critical to solving Pakistan&#39;s environmental and climate challenges. Meanwhile, Jane Marriott highlighted Britain&#39;s youth entrepreneurship programs and existing climate resilience projects in Pakistan, delivered through the British High Commission, that focus on green solutions. The officials also reviewed ways to improve early warning systems for climate disasters and strengthen the country&#39;s preparedness for extreme weather events.

Climate & Environment

Officials meet to discuss climate resilience projects, youth entrepreneurship, disaster preparedness and other initiatives under the £35 million Green Compact.

Pakistan, Britain review $47M climate cooperation framework

ISLAMABAD: The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is a dangerous turning point for water security in South Asia, warning that the move could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability, agriculture and human livelihoods, according to a report in the French leading daily newspaper Le Monde.&nbsp;The report published on Saturday said India had used water as a tool of political pressure following the April 2025 Pahalgam incident, raising concerns over the future of one of the world&#39;s most important transboundary water-sharing agreements.&nbsp;According to the report, the Indus Waters Treaty cannot be unilaterally suspended, and any modification to the agreement requires the consent of both Pakistan and India. The report noted that the Permanent Court of Arbitration has also affirmed that the treaty remains in force.&nbsp;It highlighted concerns over India&#39;s alleged withholding of hydrological data, saying the lack of information has made it more difficult for Pakistan to issue timely flood warnings and prepare for water-related disasters.&nbsp;The report focused on the impact of recent flooding in Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province, where farmers suffered heavy losses due to sudden floods, crop destruction and large deposits of sand left on agricultural land.&nbsp;Families living along the Chenab River told the newspaper they had lost livestock, crops and household belongings as floodwaters swept through their communities.&nbsp;The report also presented Pakistan&#39;s position that any attempt to stop or divert water flows would be viewed as a serious provocation. It cited statements by Indian leaders as examples of the political use of water resources.&nbsp;The report referred to remarks by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah regarding restricting water flows to Pakistan, noting that Islamabad had described such threats as &quot;water terrorism.&quot;&nbsp;It said Pakistan&#39;s concerns go beyond politics, touching on human rights, food security and national survival. It noted that more than 80 percent of Pakistan&#39;s agriculture depends on the Indus River system, which remains vital to the country&#39;s economy and population.&nbsp;The French daily also pointed out that India itself faces concerns over upstream water pressure from China, particularly regarding the Brahmaputra River, creating a situation similar to Pakistan&#39;s concerns over India&#39;s control of river flows.&nbsp;The report argued that the water dispute is no longer merely a bilateral issue but has become a broader question of environmental and regional security across South Asia.&nbsp;It stressed that climate change, glacier melt and rapid population growth have made cooperation between Pakistan and India on water management more important than ever.&nbsp;The newspaper emphasized that transparent sharing of hydrological data is essential for protecting human lives and reducing the risks posed by floods and other water-related disasters.&nbsp;The report warned that India&#39;s unilateral approach could set a dangerous precedent for international river laws and the rights of downstream countries, while reinforcing Pakistan&#39;s position that water should never be used as a weapon of war, coercion or retaliation.

A general view of the partially damaged Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project following Indian strikes in Nausari, about 40kms from Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, on May 8, 2025. (File photo: AFP)

The report published on Saturday says India had used water as a tool of political pressure following the April 2025 Pahalgam incident, raising concerns over the future of one of the world's most important transboundary water-sharing agreements.

Indus treaty suspension by India threatens regional water security, reports French daily

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged Pakistanis to make environmental protection and climate resilience a national priority, saying the country remains highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change despite contributing only a small share to global greenhouse gas emissions. In a message on X marking World Environment Day, Sharif said Pakistan stood with the international community in reaffirming its commitment to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development. &quot;The preservation of our environment is a shared global responsibility,&quot; the prime minister said, emphasizing that international cooperation and sustained commitment are essential to securing an environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient future. Referring to this year&#39;s World Environment Day theme, &quot;Climate Action,&quot; Sharif said urgent and coordinated global efforts are needed to address growing environmental challenges. He pointed to devastating floods, prolonged droughts, extreme heatwaves, melting glaciers, water scarcity and worsening air pollution as evidence that climate change is no longer a distant threat but an immediate reality affecting millions of people worldwide. Pakistan has repeatedly ranked among the countries most vulnerable to climate change and has suffered significant human and economic losses from extreme weather events in recent years. Sharif said the government remains committed to expanding renewable energy, restoring forests, conserving biodiversity, improving water resource management, reducing pollution, advancing climate-smart agriculture and promoting green industries. He added that efforts are also underway to restore natural ecosystems and strengthen environmental sustainability across the country. The prime minister highlighted the role of young people in addressing climate challenges, saying their energy, innovation and capabilities would be critical in building a greener and more resilient Pakistan. &quot;By equipping them with knowledge, technology and opportunities, we can cultivate environmental awareness and lay the foundation for a sustainable and prosperous society,&quot; he said. Sharif called on citizens, institutions, farmers and business stakeholders to adopt environmentally responsible practices and support conservation efforts.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2062715505996423407&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=4bdf8d0a6df81ffc385a606156c16a883ac24bb7&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 794px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div> He stressed the importance of water and energy conservation, afforestation and wildlife protection, urging Pakistanis to renew their commitment to safeguarding the environment for future generations. &quot;Let us reiterate our shared resolve to build a greener, healthier, cleaner and climate-resilient Pakistan,&quot; he said. President on World Environment DayPresident Asif Ali Zardari in a message on X, on Friday, reaffirmed Pakistan&#39;s commitment to international cooperation on climate and environmental issues. He said &#39;We will continue to support efforts aimed at ecosystem restoration, renewable energy, disaster preparedness and climate-resilient development.&quot; &nbsp;&nbsp;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2062835053449892255&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=4bdf8d0a6df81ffc385a606156c16a883ac24bb7&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 873px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div> Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on climate crisisIn a message issued on X, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan joined the international community in recognizing the urgent need to protect the planet and strengthen collective efforts to address the climate crisis. Dar noted that Pakistan remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing recurring floods, accelerating glacial melt, droughts, heat waves and growing water stress. Despite these challenges, he said the country has continued to demonstrate resilience.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2062780831492407473&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=4bdf8d0a6df81ffc385a606156c16a883ac24bb7&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 901px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div> Dar also expressed appreciation to Azerbaijan for hosting this year&rsquo;s World Environment Day, commending the country&rsquo;s leadership in promoting international cooperation and constructive dialogue on global environmental issues.

Natural landscape of Pakistan - (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif marks World Environment Day by urging Pakistanis to prioritize climate action, environmental protection and sustainability amid growing climate challenges.

On World Environment Day, Pakistan reaffirms commitment to sustainability

<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;" id="isPasted">ISLAMABAD: Two women leaders were recognized for their outstanding contributions to climate action and environmental stewardship on Thursday at the fourth edition of the Pakistan Gender Climate Award (GCA), held at a local hotel in Islamabad. The 2026 award was presented to Dr Zillay Mariam Sohail for her pioneering efforts in transforming waste into sustainable value chains and promoting circular economy solutions, and to Songul Jamal for her leadership in marine ecosystem conservation and environmental awareness among coastal communities, according to a press release issued by UNDP on Wednesday.&nbsp; Each recipient received a cash prize of one million Pakistani rupees. Pakistan Gender Climate Award Established by the Embassy of France in 2023, the Pakistan Gender Climate Award honors women whose leadership and innovation are helping communities address climate challenges, strengthen resilience and promote sustainable development.&nbsp; Since its inception, the initiative has recognized 10 women climate champions across the country. This year&#39;s competition attracted a record 352 applications from across Pakistan, reflecting growing momentum behind women-led climate initiatives nationwide. The awards ceremony brought together representatives from government, development organizations, civil society, academia, media and the diplomatic community. Climate-related challenges&nbsp; In the keynote address, Senator Sherry Rehman underscored the importance of women&#39;s leadership in climate action, noting that women play a critical role in responding to climate-related challenges despite facing social and economic barriers. &quot;Women are not only affected by climate change but also play a key role in responding to it and, despite social and economic challenges, lead emergency response and recovery efforts to drive positive change,&quot; Rehman said. Federal Secretary for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Aisha Moriani praised the Embassy of France and partner organizations for supporting women&#39;s leadership in climate action. &quot;The role of women is very visible in society. Women are participating very actively to address the integrated challenges of climate change and are not just facing the impact but are part of the solution,&quot; Moriani said. French Ambassador Nicolas Galey highlighted France&#39;s commitment to gender equality and climate action, emphasizing that climate change disproportionately affects women and girls. &quot;France&#39;s foreign policy places both the promotion of gender equality and climate action at the forefront of its priorities,&quot; Galey said. &quot;Our feminist diplomacy strategy recognizes that climate change and related disasters disproportionately affect women.&quot; Inclusive climate action UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Dr Samuel Rizk stressed the importance of inclusive climate action and praised the achievements of the award recipients. &quot;The women we honor today already know the data, the impact and the differentiated toll climate change and environmental degradation have on women and girls and communities at large,&quot; Rizk said.&nbsp; &quot;More importantly, they have already taken action.&quot; The event featured two panel discussions moderated by Ambassador Nadeem Riyaz and senior journalist Arifa Noor.&nbsp; The discussions focused on opportunities, challenges and pathways for increasing women&#39;s participation in climate leadership and decision-making processes across Pakistan. Amplifying voices of women Aisha Khan of the Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change, which administers the award program, said the initiative serves as an important platform to amplify women&#39;s voices as climate risks continue to intensify. &quot;As climate risks continue to intensify, the Pakistan Gender Climate Award serves as an important platform for amplifying the voices of women and inspiring a new generation of changemakers working towards a more resilient and sustainable future,&quot; Khan said. The Pakistan Gender Climate Award is supported by the Embassy of France, the French Development Agency, the United Nations Development Program, the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, UN Women and the Aga Khan Foundation and is implemented by Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change.

The fourth edition of the Pakistan Gender Climate Award (GCA) culminated in an awards ceremony at Serena Hotel, Islamabad, recognizing two exceptional women leaders for their contributions to climate action and environmental stewardship. 

Pakistan's fourth Gender Climate Award honored women for their outstanding contributions to climate action, highlighting the growing impact of women-led environmental initiatives across the country.

Women climate leaders honored at Pakistan Gender Climate Award 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Uzbekistan discussed strengthening institutional linkages to promote cultural exchange and people-to-people contact through the media during a meeting between Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Uzbekistan&#39;s Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev, APP reported on Monday. &ldquo;Pakistan deeply values its partnership with Uzbekistan and remains committed to turning shared ideas into meaningful outcomes for both nations&rdquo;, Tarar said in a post on X. The minister said that both sides discussed strengthening cooperation in media, film and cultural exchanges, including opportunities for joint productions and digital collaboration. The meeting focused on expanding collaboration between Pakistan and Uzbekistan in film production, including the possibility of joint short films, documentaries and drama series, the report said. The ambassador appreciated Pakistan&rsquo;s role in promoting peace in the region and acknowledged Islamabad&rsquo;s efforts in peace-related initiatives and negotiations, according to APP. Tarar said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Uzbekistan and is keen to further expand cooperation in the media, film and cultural fields. He added that such initiatives would require the involvement of experienced production houses, while large-scale film projects could also be pursued through joint funding arrangements between the two countries. The minister stressed the importance of highlighting the shared historical and cultural heritage of Pakistan and Uzbekistan through collaborative media content. &ldquo;Both sides agreed to enhance coordination between their respective social media teams for the development of joint digital content and a coordinated online promotional strategy,&rdquo; said the APP report. It was also agreed to further expand cooperation between media organizations of the two countries. The minister said study visits of journalists from both sides would help promote mutual understanding and professional exchange. He reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to strengthening cultural and media relations with Uzbekistan through sustained engagement and cooperation.

Culture

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar says both sides discussed strengthening cooperation in media, film and cultural exchanges, including opportunities for joint productions and digital collaboration.


Pakistan leads push for film diplomacy with Uzbekistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched its post-Hajj flight operations to bring home nearly 119,000 pilgrims who performed Hajj in Saudi Arabia this year, with more than 450 flights scheduled from various Saudi cities throughout June. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, the first return flight, PIA flight PK964, is scheduled to depart Jeddah for Sialkot at 10:20 pm on Monday. On the first day of the operation, June 10, a total of 21 flights will transport 5,628 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan. Of these, five flights will arrive in Islamabad while four each are scheduled to land in Lahore and Karachi. The ministry said the month-long operation will continue until June 30, with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Saudi Airlines, Air Sial, and Airblue participating in the repatriation effort. In a separate statement, PIA said it will operate 213 flights to transport around 56,000 pilgrims back to Pakistan. The airline&rsquo;s flights will arrive in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Multan, Sialkot, and Quetta. According to official figures, approximately 197,000 Pakistanis performed Hajj this year. Pakistan&rsquo;s pre-Hajj flight operation began on April 18, facilitating the travel of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan has launched its post-Hajj operations, with over 450 flights scheduled to return nearly 119,000 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia; the month-long repatriation effort will continue until June 30.

Over 115,000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims to return via 450 flights  

ISLAMABAD: More than 18 years after her assassination, Benazir Bhutto&#39;s influence continues to resonate well beyond Pakistan&#39;s borders. In his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV placed Pakistan&#39;s former prime minister alongside some of history&#39;s most revered champions of human dignity and social progress, offering a rare international acknowledgment of her democratic legacy and the sacrifices she made in public life.&nbsp; As the only Muslim figure cited in the passage, Bhutto&#39;s inclusion underscores the enduring global relevance of her advocacy for democracy, pluralism, and resistance to political extremism. Bhutto appears by name in Magnifica Humanitas, the papal document released in May, where Pope Leo XIV highlights individuals whose lives and contributions, according to the Vatican&#39;s official text, &ldquo;contributed to making history more humane.&rdquo; In Paragraph 124 of the 245-paragraph encyclical, she is mentioned alongside globally recognized figures, including Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and Marie Curie, individuals whose achievements transcended national borders and left a lasting mark on humanity. The recognition is particularly notable because Bhutto is the sole representative of the Muslim world in that section of the document.&nbsp; Every other figure cited is associated with the Christian tradition or Western intellectual history.&nbsp; Among the 57 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, no other leader or public figure is mentioned. The encyclical itself is addressed not only to the world&#39;s 1.3 billion Catholics but, as Pope Leo writes, to &ldquo;all people of goodwill,&rdquo; giving the document significance well beyond the Catholic Church. Pakistan&#39;s first female prime ministerBhutto&#39;s place in the text reflects a legacy that continues to command international attention decades after she first entered office. In 1988, she became Pakistan&#39;s first female prime minister and the first woman elected to lead a Muslim-majority nation, breaking political barriers across the Islamic world and emerging as one of the most prominent democratic leaders of her generation. She served as prime minister twice, from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996.&nbsp; After years in exile, she returned to Pakistan in 2007 to contest elections and revive the democratic process, but was assassinated in Rawalpindi on December 27 that year while campaigning for a third term. Significantly, the Vatican does not invoke Bhutto&#39;s religious identity. Instead, the encyclical recognizes her public service and commitment to democratic principles.&nbsp; According to The Pillar&#39;s reader&#39;s guide to the document, she is included among figures who &ldquo;changed history by their defense of human dignity.&rdquo; The company she keeps in the text underscores the weight of that recognition.&nbsp; The list includes canonized Catholic saints, Nobel Prize winners, pioneering educators, environmental advocates and civil rights leaders whose contributions reshaped societies across continents.&nbsp; Bhutto is the only Muslim and the only political leader from Asia named in that section. Within that broader moral appeal, Bhutto&#39;s inclusion serves as a powerful reminder of the values the Pope seeks to elevate: courage in public service, commitment to democratic ideals and the defense of human dignity in the face of violence and extremism. For Pakistan, the acknowledgment amounts to a rare tribute from one of the world&#39;s most influential religious institutions.&nbsp; Bhutto&#39;s legacy places her among a select group of historical figures whose lives continue to be seen as examples of humanity&#39;s capacity to advance justice, freedom and human progress. AI and implications for humanityThe encyclical, subtitled &quot;On the Safeguarding of the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence,&quot; was signed on May 15 and formally presented by Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican&#39;s Synod Hall.&nbsp; It represents the Catholic Church&#39;s first comprehensive doctrinal statement on artificial intelligence and its implications for humanity. Its central argument is that technological progress must remain anchored in ethical responsibility.&nbsp; The document calls for artificial intelligence to be regulated, made transparent and prevented from exercising autonomous lethal decision-making, insisting that human dignity must remain at the center of emerging technologies.

In his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV named Benazir Bhutto among global figures who 'contributed to making history more humane,' making Pakistan's former prime minister the only Muslim leader recognized in the landmark Vatican document.

Benazir Bhutto's legacy earns rare recognition in papal encyclical

Muhammad Usman Amin

PESHAWAR: Inside a small workshop near Peshawar&rsquo;s Kohati Gate, surrounded by sawdust and the sweet smell of wood in the air, Niaz Ali&rsquo;s hands move with precision over a block of sheesham wood.&nbsp;For forty-two years, he has shaped wood, straw, and palm leaves into wonders, crafting small tongas, trucks, bowls, and rubabs. &ldquo;I was only eight years old when I developed a passion for crafting things,&rdquo; he says. A child&rsquo;s pure desire to create. While other children played, Niaz would search local junk dealers for old radio cells, breaking them open just to get the small internal parts to use as tires for his cardboard trucks. Niaz comes from a long line of craftsmen. His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were traditional carpenters who made the legs of local beds called charpais, as well as tables and chairs. When Niaz was a young boy, his grandfather asked him to join the stable family trade. But Niaz, driven by an artistic spark, resisted. He wanted more. &ldquo;I told him that I wanted to create things that would amaze people,&rdquo; he shares. There are visible emotions in the way Niaz speaks about his work. To him, these objects are not mere products. &ldquo;Every item I make comes from these fingers,&rdquo; he says, holding up his hands, a note of pride in his voice.&nbsp;Work of patienceHe loves every single piece that leaves his workbench because each one requires a piece of his patience, love, and soul. Friends who watch him work often marvel at his patience because of the focus it takes to carve and assemble dozens of small pieces into one beautiful object.&nbsp; Instead of seeing tedious work, Niaz finds a sense of calm.&nbsp;A few streets from his workshop is his display area.&nbsp; The walls and shelves are covered with wooden carvings, toys, decorations, straw bookshelves, and palm-leaf implements for daily use, while the floor is barely visible under the jumble of furniture, footstools, ottomans, and tables.&nbsp; Every single piece was handcrafted by him.&nbsp;He recalls a customer asking for a replica of a specific commercial truck, a piece he had never attempted before.&nbsp; Niaz delivered a piece so beautiful that the customer insisted on paying an extra 4,000 rupees out of appreciation.&nbsp;For Niaz, that gesture was proof that his emotional investment had successfully translated through the wood.&nbsp;Keeping heritage alive&ldquo;In a world saturated with cheap, mass-produced plastic knockoffs, I have a responsibility to keep this heritage alive,&rdquo; he says. He has watched people grow tired of artificial materials and slowly return to tradition and culture, seeking out his large, beautifully carved wooden platters and straw-made almirahs, or buying hand-decorated palm-leaf fans meant for new brides. Knowing that his craft will outlast his own lifetime brings him peace.&nbsp;He has already passed these skills down to his sons, ensuring the line does not break.&nbsp; For Niaz, every piece of shaped wood is a bridge connecting the hard work and talent of the artisans of old to the generation of tomorrow.

For Niaz, every piece of shaped wood is a bridge connecting the hard work and talent of the artisans of old to the generation of tomorrow.


Pakistan