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PAKISTAN READY FOR MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE WITH INDIA ON ALL ISSUES: PM Thursday, 24 July, 2025 | 28 Muharram, 1447
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ EXPRESSES SATISFACTION AT POSITIVE TRAJECTORY OF PAK-UK BILATERAL COOPERATION
APPRECIATES UK’S ROLE IN DEESCALATION OF TENSIONS DURING PAKISTAN-INDIA STANDOFF
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ISLAMABAD
staff report
RIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated that Pakistan is ready for a meaningful dialogue with India on all outstanding issues, state media reported. He was talking to British High Commissioner Ms. Jane Marriott, who called on him in Islamabad, a statement issued from the Prime Minister Office (PMO). During the meeting, the prime minister conveyed his warm wishes for King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer and said he looked forward to his meeting with the UK leadership later this year, state broadcaster PTV News said. Shehbaz Sharif also welcomed the UK’s recent decision to resume PIA flights to and from the UK. He added that this would go a long way in alleviating the hardships faced by the British Pakistani community as well as enhancing people-to-people exchanges. He particularly appreciated the role of the High Commissioner in this regard, the PMO statement said. On Pakistan-UK relations, the prime minister expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of bilateral cooperation and said that the recently held trade talks between the two countries would
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lead to mutually beneficial opportunities for both sides. He welcomed the UK government’s recent decision to resume PIA flights to and from the UK, noting it would go a long way in alleviating the hardships faced by the British Pakistani community as well as enhancing peopleto-people exchanges. “Pakistan is also cooperating closely with the UK at the UN Security Council, where Pakistan currently holds the monthly presidency,” PTV News quoted the prime minister as saying.
UK HC SHARES HER COUNTRY’S PERSPECTIVE ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTH ASIA, ME AT THE MEETING
PM Shehbaz orders full autonomy for Privatization Commission to fast-track SOE reforms CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
PROFIT
Monitoring Desk
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed that the Privatization Commission be granted complete autonomy under existing legal provisions to remove bureaucratic hurdles and inefficiencies in the denationalization of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday, the prime minister emphasized that privatizing loss-making public entities is critical to improving the country’s economic performance. He reiterated
WASHINGTON news Desk
In a key development, the US State Department indicated that the ongoing Kashmir dispute could be a topic of discussion in the upcoming bilateral talks between Pakistan and the United States. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on July 25 in Washington to address a range of critical issues, including Pakistan’s relations with the US, regional tensions, and the Kashmir dispute. This meeting is a significant moment for the USPakistan relationship, as it will be Dar’s first official engagement with Secretary Rubio. The discussions are expected to focus on the longstanding issues between Pakistan and India, particularly Kashmir, and recent tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Senior officials from both countries are set to attend the meeting, which will also touch on broader matters of mutual interest. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, speaking at a press briefing, addressed questions regarding the US position on Kashmir and whether it would support direct communication between Pakistan and India on the issue. Bruce’s response was measured, hinting that Kashmir could be part of the conversation in the talks between Dar and Rubio. “We have Pakistan who is going to be here for a bilat, and I’ll be participating in that, so I’m looking
that privatization remains one of the government’s top priorities and must be executed efficiently, transparently, and in a phased manner. The prime minister instructed concerned departments to ensure full legal compliance and uphold transparency standards throughout the privatization of designated SOEs. “Illegal occupation of land belonging to national institutions will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” he stated. At the same time, he stressed the need for caution in handling valuable institutional land during the privatization process.
forward to that as well,” she said, signaling potential discussions about the dispute. Her comments follow past efforts, including those by former President Donald Trump, who attempted to mediate between Pakistan and India, including on Kashmir, during his tenure. Trump had previously offered to host talks between the two countries, citing his role in helping ease tensions in South Asia. The remarks also coincide with growing regional concerns, following escalated tensions between India and Pakistan in recent months. Notably, a deadly military confrontation occurred after the Indian Air Force conducted an unprovoked attack on civilian targets in Pakistan on May 7, alleging the targeting of “terrorist infrastructure.” The airstrike killed multiple civilians and injured several more. Pakistan’s air force responded swiftly, shooting down six Indian fighter aircraft, including three French-made Rafales, in an intense exchange of aerial and artillery fire. This clash resulted in casualties on both sides before a ceasefire was brokered on May 10, with President Trump playing a pivotal role in mediating the temporary peace. The US President’s involvement in this de-escalation process marked an attempt to cool tensions, but India’s position has remained firm in rejecting external mediation. New Delhi has repeatedly emphasized that Pakistan and India must resolve their issues directly without third-party involvement.
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Opposition turns down KP CM announced APC invitation PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s opposition parties have rejected the PTI-led provincial government’s invitation for an all-party conference (APC), set to take place tomorrow (Thursday). KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has convened the APC at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar tomorrow to discuss the recent surge in terrorist activities. “Those who won’t attend the APC will reveal they have no concern for the people,” Gandapur told reporters in Peshawar on Wednesday after the opposition parties rejected his offer. The development comes just days after the provincial government and the opposition parties had agreed on the Senate seat distribution — showing a rare instance where they were on the same page and even followed through on it. In their statements, the Awami National Party (ANP), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Jamiat Ulemae-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) rejected the offer, with one of them terming it a mere “eyewash”. A spokesperson for the JUI-F confirmed that the party will not attend the APC called by the PTI-led government. The ANP has also decided to boycott the conference. ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain stated that the APC is being organised by the provincial government, not PTI, and that all key decisions have already been made. “There is no longer any need for an
Six FC soldiers injured in ‘terrorist attack’ on Bannu checkpoint: police
SAYS PAKISTAN COOPERATING CLOSELY WITH UK AT UNSC, WHERE THE COUNTRY CURRENTLY HOLDS THE MONTHLY PRESIDENCY
US hints at mediation on Kashmir during talks with Pakistan
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APC,” he remarked. “We will not attend a conference called by the government.” Similarly, the PPP has declined to attend. PPP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha criticised the provincial government, calling it insincere and dismissing the APC as a mere “eye wash”. “Numerous discussions have already taken place on law and order and other issues, but they have yielded no results,” he said. “The provincial government should first disengage from its sit-ins and protests and focus on addressing public concerns.” Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Additional Secretary Information Arbab Khizer Hayat also announced that his party would not attend the APC. The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and the Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) announced attending the APC. JI KP Central President Abdul Wasay confirmed that the party’s senior leader, Professor Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, will attend the APC. JI supports every step to establish peace in the province, he added. QWP Central Information Secretary Tariq Khan will represent the party in the conference, said the Aftab Sherpao-led party in a statement.
GOVT SEEKS UNIFIED STRATEGY: Invitations have been sent to the leadership of all political parties for consultations on the prevailing law and order situation in the province regarding the meeting set to take place tomorrow, according to the CM Secretariat.
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BANNU
staff report
Six personnel of the Federal Constabulary (FC) were injured in a “terrorist attack” on a checkpoint in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu on Wednesday, according to the district police spokesperson. “Terrorists attacked a Frontier Constabulary checkpoint situated in the border area of Takhti Khel Wazir in Bannu,” Bannu Police spokesperson Aamir Khan informed the media. He said that six FC personnel were injured in the attack, but prompt response forced the terrorists to flee. The police spokesperson stated that police reinforcement arrived in the area launched a search operation to track down the terrorists. He added that the injured constables were shifted to the Combined Military Hospital Bannu for treatment. Last week, President Asif Ali Zardari promulgated an ordinance empowering the federal government to transform the FC, a border security force, into the Federal Constabulary. Pakistan has been grappling with an alarming surge in terrorist attacks on the security forces, paramilitary forces, and police, especially in KP and Balochistan, after the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) broke a ceasefire agreement with the government in 2022. Over the past few months, multiple areas of KP—including Bannu, Peshawar, Karak, Lakki Marwat and Bajaur—have seen a series of attacks, particularly targeting police personnel in Bannu this month. A day ago, a police official identified as Constable Hayatullah was martyred when terrorists attacked him in the district while he was returning home from duty. On July 21, over a dozen terrorists attacked a police station in Bannu’s Bakkakhel area. However, an effective and prompt response thwarted their nefarious designs to take over the building. The police also thwarted a sabotage bid by defusing explosives in the Ghoriwala town of Bannu. An official said the explosives were seized during an intelligence-based operation in the area.