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SC puts off review PAKISTAN, TURKIYE REAFFIRM SUPPORT FOR hearing of reserved IRAN’S SOVEREIGNTY, ITS RIGHT TO SELF-DEFENCE seats case, new date Sunday, 22 June, 2025 | 25 Zilhaj, 1446
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DPM DAR, PRESIDENT ERDOGAN STRONGLY CONDEMN CONTINUED ISRAELI ATTACKS IN BLATANT VIOLATION OF INT’L LAW
AGREE TO FURTHER ‘DEEPEN AND DIVERSIFY’ THE LONGSTANDING ‘BROTHERLY COOPERATION’ BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 344 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
URGE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO PLAY ITS PART IN RESTORING PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE REGION
THERE IS NO PALESTINIAN, LEBANESE, SYRIAN, YEMENI OR IRANIAN PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS CLEARLY AN ISRAELI PROBLEM: FIDAN
Turkiye’s Erdogan warns OIC against ‘new Sykes-Picot order’ in Middle East ISTANBUL agencies
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ISTANBUL
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AKISTAN and Turkiye on Saturday reaffirmed their commitment to further “deepen and diversify” the longstanding “brotherly cooperation” between the two countries, reiterating support for Iran’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and its right to self-defense under the UN Charter. The resolve was reaffirmed during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on Saturday on the sidelines of 51st Session of OIC CFM. FM Dar was accompanied by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. During a meeting, the two leaders agreed to continue diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation, urging the inter-
national community to play its part in restoring peace and stability in the region. The leaders expressed strong condemnation of the continued Israeli attacks in blatant violation of fundamental principles of international law. Both leaders reiterated their support for Iran’s sovereignty and its right to selfdefence under the UN charter. Both sides emphasized the urgency of galvanizing efforts to bring an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression in Gaza and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the besieged people of Gaza. The deputy prime minister conveyed the warm greetings of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to President Erdogan and underscored the profound importance that Pakistan accorded to its enduring bilateral relations with Türkiye. Both the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and diversify the longstanding brotherly coopera-
India failed militarily and diplomatically against Pakistan, says Bilawal KARACHI
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Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and Former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that India, after suffering a humiliating defeat on the battlefield, has also failed in its diplomatic campaign against Pakistan, while Islamabad’s narrative has prevailed on the international stage. Bilawal Bhutto made the remarks upon his return to Karachi following a successful diplomatic tour, during which he was warmly welcomed by party workers and supporters. He said the Pakistani delegation effectively conveyed the country’s message on peace, Kashmir, the Indus Waters Treaty, and counter-terrorism during its visits to New York, Washington D.C., London, and Brussels. The purpose of the visit, he noted, was to garner international support—particularly from the European Union—to prevent further escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Bilawal underscored that despite India being seven times larger, Pakistan’s armed forces dealt a humiliating blow to the Indian military, a development he said had filled the nation with pride. Reaffirming that Kashmir remains Pakistan’s most vital and longstanding issue since partition, he stressed that Pakistan raised the Kashmir issue at every international forum. “Prior to the war, India claimed that Kashmir was a bilateral matter. Today, that claim stands exposed. Kashmir is no longer an internal issue—it is now a globally recognized dispute,” he said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday warned against a “new Sykes-Picot order” in the Middle East and called for stronger solidarity among Islamic nations to counter Israeli actions and regional destabilisation. “We will not allow the establishment of a new Sykes-Picot order in our region with borders to be drawn in blood,” Erdogan said at the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul. He described the conditions in Gaza as worse than those of Nazi concentration camps, noting that “2 million of our sisters and brothers in Gaza have been struggling to survive under these conditions for 21 months.” Erdogan expressed confidence in the resilience of the Iranian people amid the current conflict. “We have no doubt
tion between the two countries. DPM Dar also congratulated President Erdogan on the Award conferred by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum in recognition of his leadership as well as the successful holding of the OIC CFM session. Israel leading the Middle East towards ‘total disaster’ Earlier on Saturday, Turkish Foreign
that the Iranian people, with their solidarity in the face of difficulties and strong state experience, will hopefully overcome these days,” he said. He also urged Islamic countries to stand firm against Israel’s actions beyond Gaza. “We must show greater solidarity to stop Israel’s acts of banditry not only in Palestine but also in Syria, Lebanon, and Iran,” Erdogan added. Welcoming Syria’s reintegration into the OIC, he emphasised: “Syria needs the support of all of us, the entire Islamic world, to protect its territorial integrity, national unity, and achieve lasting stability. Erdogan’s remarks came amid growing calls for Islamic cooperation in response to escalating conflicts across the region. The special session of the 51st OIC Council of Foreign Ministers is expected to focus on Israel’s recent strikes against Iran, including Thursday’s attack on the Khondab nuclear site in Arak.
Minister Hakan Fidan accused Israel of leading the Middle East towards “total disaster” by attacking Iran on June 13. “Israel is now leading the region to the brink of total disaster by attacking Iran, our neighbour,” he told a summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul.
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Pakistan slams Indian home minister’s comment on IWT as ‘brazen disregard’ for int’l agreements ISLAMABAD
to be announced later ISLAMABAD
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The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Saturday postponed the review hearing of the apex court’s July 12, 2024, verdict on the reserved seats case, originally scheduled for Monday. According to Supreme Court officials, the review hearing for the case will also not take place on Tuesday. The next hearing date will be announced upon the return of Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail from Balochistan, who traveled today due to the demise of his mother. Yesterday, the Supreme Court’s constitutional bench adjourned the hearing of review petitions against the verdict on reserved seats until June 23. The eleven-member bench, headed by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, heard the case. Representing Kanwal Shauzab, senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja argued that Article 184(3) of the Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to act in the public interest and for the protection of fundamental rights, particularly in exceptional circumstances. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail concurred, stating that the Supreme Court must act if there is a constitutional violation even in the absence of a specific article. However, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar noted that Article 199 cannot be read in conjunction with Article 187, as the Supreme Court does not possess the same jurisdiction as the high courts under Article 199. Raja responded that the Supreme Court has broad constitutional powers which can be exercised wherever necessary. Justice Mandokhail inquired whether the original verdict on reserved seats involved any constitutional or legal violation. Raja replied in the negative but explained that independent candidates were allowed to join political parties within 15 days instead of three, as no alternative was available under existing law. During the hearing, Justice Mandokhail pointed out that reserved seats relate to both minorities and the general public, to which Raja affirmed, adding that the general electorate’s role is equally important. Justice Najafi asked whether securing reserved seats is a fundamental right of political parties. Raja asserted that the public, through their votes, essentially endorse reserved seats as well, making it a fundamental right of parties, albeit one regulated by law. The court then adjourned the hearing until June 23.
FM Dar reiterates Pakistan’s demand for end to Israel’s ‘genocidal campaign’ in Gaza ISTANBUL/ISLAMABAD staff RepoRt
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The Foreign Office (FO) on Saturday slammed Indian Home Minister Amit Shah’s “assertion that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) will never be restored” as “brazen disregard” for the sanctity international agreements “India’s [illegal] announcement to hold the IWT in abeyance “constitutes a clear violation” of international law, the provisions of the treaty itself, and the fundamental principles governing inter-state relations,” Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated while responding to Shah’s comments. “The IWT is an apolitical agreement without provisions for unilateral action,” the FO declared. “No, it will never be restored,” Shah told The Times of India earlier on Saturday. “We will take water that was flowing to Pakistan to Rajasthan by constructing a canal. Pakistan will be starved of water that it has been getting unjustifiably.” The latest comments from Shah, the most powerful cabinet minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet, reveal Delhi’s intentions as Islamabad hopes for
negotiations on the treaty in the near term. “Such conduct sets a reckless and dangerous precedent—one that undermines the credibility of international agreements and raises serious questions about the reliability and trustworthiness of a state that openly refuses to fulfill its legal obligations.” The FO added that “weaponizing water for political ends” is irresponsible and contrary to the behavior of a responsible state. It demanded that India immediately restore the full implementation of the IWT. “For its part, Pakistan remains firmly committed to the treaty and
will take all necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and entitlements under it,” the statement concluded. Delhi unilaterally suspended its participation in the 1960 IWT, which governs the usage of the Indus river system, on April 23, shortly after 26 civilians were killed in India-held Kashmir. Delhi, without evidence, blamed Islamabad for the attack. The latter has denied the allegations and called for a neutral probe. The accord remains dormant despite a ceasefire agreed upon by the two nuclear-armed neighbours last month following their worst fighting in decades.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has reiterated Pakistan’s demand for a ceasefire in Gaza, calling for an end to “Israel’s genocidal campaign” in the enclave. “Israel’s genocidal campaign against the Palestinians continues unabated, with over 55,000 Palestinians— mainly women and children—martyred and an even larger number injured in Gaza alone,” Dar lamented while addressing the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, hosted by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. “Millions remain displaced, and entire communities and neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble. Life-saving and humanitarian aid is being deliberately denied, along with [the] targeting of humanitarian workers.” Dar noted that Pakistan co-sponsored a UN Security Council resolution for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza earlier this month, which was vetoed. “We demand an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, along with unfettered humanitarian access and accountability for Israeli war crimes,” the foreign minister demanded. “Lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved without allowing Palestinians their inalienable right to selfdetermination … for a viable, secure, contiguous, and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, and with Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) as its capital.” Earlier, in a meeting with Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of 51st Session of OIC CFM, emphasized the urgency of galvanizing efforts to bring an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression in Gaza and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the besieged people of Gaza.
Pakistan recommends US President Trump for Nobel Peace Prize ISLAMABAD
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The Government of Pakistan has decided to formally recommend US President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for his “decisive diplomatic intervention and leadership” during the recent India-Pakistan crisis. The Government of Pakistan in a post on X stated that the decision has been taken in view of President Trump’s decisive diplomatic intervention during the recent Pakistan-India standoff, which prevented a potential full-scale war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The post further stated that the international community witnessed India’s unprovoked and unlawful aggression, which constituted a grave violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and regional integrity. The Indian assault resulted in the loss of innocent lives, including women and children. In response, and while exercising its in-
herent right to self-defence, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, a measured, resolute military action aimed at restoring the balance of power and safeguarding regional stability.
Pakistan praised President Trump’s farsighted leadership, which facilitated crucial diplomatic engagement with both Islamabad and New Delhi at a critical time. The government said that Trump’s strategic mediation helped de-escalate an increasingly volatile situation. The Government of Pakistan also appreciated President Trump’s sincere offer to mediate the Kashmir dispute, describing it as a constructive and commendable initiative. It reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir conflict remains the core issue of instability in South Asia, and sustainable peace in the region cannot be achieved without the implementation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions on Kashmir. Pakistan expressed hope that President Trump would continue playing an active role in promoting regional and global peace, including addressing humanitarian crises in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza, and rising tensions in Iran.
I should get Nobel prize for India-Pakistan ceasefire: Trump NEW JERSEY agencies
U.S. President Donald Trump said he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for his role in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Speaking to the media in New Jersey, Trump said the Nobel Committee should award him the prize for his global peace efforts in places such as Rwanda, Congo, Serbia, and Kosovo. “The big one is India and Pakistan — I should have gotten it four or five times,” Trump remarked. “But they won’t give me a Nobel Peace Prize because they only give it to liberals.”
Meanwhile, the Government of Pakistan has decided to formally recommend US President Donald J. Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of his decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership during the recent India-Pakistan crisis, an official statement said. The government statement issued Saturday said the international community bore witness to unprovoked and unlawful Indian aggression, which constituted a grave violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives, including women, children, and the elderly.