PM REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT AS INDONESIAN DEFENCE CZAR DESIRES TO BOOST DEFENCE TIES In partnership with
Wednesday, 16 July, 2025 | 20 Muharram, 1447
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LT. GEN. (RETD) SJAMSOEDDIN, PREMIER SHEHBAZ UNDERSCORE IMPORTANCE OF ENHANCING ‘MULTIFACETED’ BILATERAL COOPERATION PM REITERATES PAKISTAN’S COMMITMENT TO ENHANCE BILATERAL COOPERATION WITH INDONESIA IN ALL AVENUES, INCLUDING ECONOMIC, STRATEGIC AND TRADE SECTORS
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ISLAMABAD
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 8 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
UNDERSCORES EXPLORING AND EXPANDING COLLABORATION IN JOINT VENTURES OF INVESTMENT IN MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL PROJECTS
SAYS TWO COUNTRIES ENJOYING A ‘LONGSTANDING FRIENDSHIP ROOTED IN SHARED CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS, AND HISTORICAL BONDS
Field Marshal, Indonesian delegation discuss defence collaboration, security dynamics
staff report
NDONESIA’s Defense Minister Lt. Gen. (retired) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin on Tuesday expressed his country’s desire to boost defense ties and explore possible collaboration, especially in defense production. The Indonesian minister expressed his country’s desire during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, wherein both sides underscored the importance of enhancing “multifaceted bilateral cooperation,” according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday. Lt. Gen. (retd) Sjamsoeddin conveyed the best wishes of President Prabowo Subianto for the prime minister and people of Pakistan, the press release added. Pakistan and Indonesia maintain strong bilateral relations rooted in shared religion and culture, with both countries cooperating in trade, education, and health. The Indonesian minister reiterated his country’s desire to “further strengthen defence ties with Pakistan and to explore possible areas for cooperation, especially in defense production,” state-run broadcaster PTV News reported. Talking to the distinguished guest, PM Shehbaz “reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment
RAWALPINDI
staff report
to explore and expand collaboration with Indonesia in joint ventures of investment in mutually beneficial projects,” the statement said. The prime minister also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation with Indonesia in all avenues, including economic, strategic, and trade sectors, along with defense and defense production. He highlighted that Pakistan and Indonesia enjoyed a “longstanding friendship rooted in shared cultural, religious, and historical bonds, supporting each other at international forums.”
Iranian president hails Pakistan’s strong support in Israel conflict TEHRAN
News Desk
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday expressed his country’s deep appreciation for Pakistan’s consistent support during the conflict against Israel. During a meeting with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran, President Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of bilateral ties and stated that Iran would never forget Pakistan’s assistance during the war. The Iranian president highlighted the Zionist regime’s attempts to create divisions among Muslim nations, stressing the need for unity and harmony within the Islamic world. He expressed satisfaction with the current state of Iran-Pakistan relations and underscored the potential for further cooperation between the two countries. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi congratulated President Pezeshkian on Iran’s victory in the conflict and reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the Israeli aggression. Naqvi reminded that Pakistan’s Parliament had been the first to pass a resolution condemning the war imposed on Iran, reaffirming its support for Iran’s right to self-defense.
PTI’s Dasti disqualified as MNA over fake degrees ISLAMABAD
staff report
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday disqualified Member of the National Assembly Jamshed Dasti for holding a fake degree. The verdict was delivered by a three-member bench of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), headed by Nisar Ahmed Durrani and comprising Shah Mohammad Jatoi and Justice (r) Ikram Ullah Khan. The ECP bench gave the ruling while approving two petitions, including a reference filed by the National Assembly speaker, against Dasti seeking his disqualification. In its written verdict, the commission’s three-member bench declared the seat vacant following the lawmaker’s disqualification. The ECP bench further directed to initiate legal proceedings and to take follow-up action under Section 190(2) of the Elections Act 2017 and other relevant provisions of law. It stated that Dasti “has made false statements and incorrect declarations; therefore, he has also committed the offense of corrupt practices defined under Sections 167 and 173 of the Elections Act, 2017, punishable under Section 174 of the Election Act, 2017. In May, the commission had decided to get the educational certificates of Member National Assembly (MNA) Jamshed Dasti verified by the Karachi Education Board. Dasti, who was elected from NA-175, Muzaffargarh, in the last general elections, faced cases under Articles 62, 63, Sections 4, 9, 137 of the Elections Act, 2017. Petitions were filed against him by Ameer Akbar, Zulfiqar Dogar and Sardar Faizul Hassan. A three-member ECP bench headed by ECP Member (Sindh) Nisar Durrani had heard the petition of Ameer Akbar regarding assets and liabilities against MNA Dasti. The ECP’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) member inquired whether the MNA had any property that the Election Commission had not been informed about, to which the petitioner’s lawyer took the stand that Dasti had written FA qualification (Intermediate degree) on his nomination papers while he had not completed his matriculation, The News reported.
Both sides stressed the importance of “enhancing multifaceted bilateral cooperation”, according to the PID. “The meeting underscored the deeprooted historical, brotherly, and friendly bilateral relations between Pakistan and Indonesia,” the statement noted. Recalling his meeting last year with Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto on the sidelines of the Developing-8 Summit in Cairo, PM Shehbaz conveyed his best wishes for the Indonesian president. The prime minister also reviewed ongo-
Lieutenant General (retired) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Minister of Defence of Indonesia, leading a delegation comprising representatives from various services and intelligence agencies, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff at General Headquarters, according to the military’s media wing on Tuesday. A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on bilateral defense collaboration, regional security dynamics, and avenues to further strengthen military ties.” It said the meeting underscored the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The field marshal highlighted the importance of mutual cooperation in maintaining peace and stability in the region. The Minister of Defence of Indonesia appreciated the role of the Pakistan Army in the fight against terrorism and reaf-
ing initiatives under the Pakistan-Indonesia Defence Cooperation Agreement and agreed
president, pM discuss country’s political, security, economic situation ISLAMABAD
News Desk
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Tuesday made bold claims about his government’s revenue performance, asserting that no federal or provincial administration in Pak-
to “accelerate the implementation of key areas of mutual interest”, the PID added.
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ter Ahsan Iqbal, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and PM’s Adviser on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah, said the statement. “The meeting involved discussions on the country’s political, economic, and security situation. The state of law and order in the
country and measures against terrorism were also discussed. “The prime minister briefed the president on the government’s measures to improve the economy. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to work together for the country’s stability, development, and prosperity,” the statement said.
gandapur claims record revenue haul PESHAWAR
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Petrol and diesel prices hiked again as global crude rally continues
staff report
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to work together for the stability, progress, and prosperity of the country. The resolve was renewed during a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held at the President’s House on Tuesday, a statement issued by the Presidency after the meeting. The meeting comes in the wake of growing speculation about the upcoming 27th constitutional amendment and the claim that President Zardari may soon step down, potentially paving the way for the army chief to assume the country’s presidency. The meeting was also attended by Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Planning Minis-
firmed Indonesia’s commitment to enhancing defense relations with Pakistan. Gen Sahir felicitates people of China, military leadership and all ranks of PLA In related development, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI (M), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), #Pakistan Army, attends the commemoration ceremony of 98th founding day of the People’s Liberation Army of the People’s Republic of #China as a chief guest. The ceremony drew a distinguished gathering of civilian and military officials, media representatives, business leaders, and members of civil society, reflecting the broad-based support for this partnership. Chairman JCSC extended profound felicitations to the people of China, its military leadership, and all ranks of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). He commended PLA’s pivotal role under the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Xi Jinping for China’s remarkable development.
istan’s history has collected as much revenue in such a short period. In an exclusive interview with a private TV channel, Gandapur revealed that his government had raised Rs2.5 billion and declared it was only the beginning. “I challenge anyone to show me a government that has collected
more revenue than mine,” said Gandapur, emphasizing that he was not only comparing his achievements with current administrations but also surpassing the performance of the last four terms of past governments. “In one term, I have to outperform four,” he confidently remarked.
In another round of fuel price adjustments, the federal government late Tuesday night raised prices of both petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD), citing ongoing volatility in international crude markets. According to a notification from the Finance Division, petrol will now cost Rs272.15 per litre, up Rs5.36 from the previous rate of Rs266.79. Diesel has seen a sharper rise of Rs11.37, taking the new price to Rs284.35 per litre, compared to the earlier Rs272.98. The revised prices come into effect from July 16 and will remain in force for the next 15 days, impacting millions of motorists, freight operators, and public transport networks across Pakistan. The Finance Division attributed the latest revision to sustained upward pressure in the global energy markets, where crude oil benchmarks have continued to climb. Officials said the changes reflect international price trends as well as fluctuations in the rupee-dollar exchange rate, consistent with Pakistan’s fortnightly fuel pricing policy. This marks the second fuel price hike in less than three weeks. On July 1, petrol and diesel prices were raised significantly — petrol by Rs8.36 and diesel by Rs10.39 per litre — amid market turbulence triggered by the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict. At the time, the government cited regional instability and international oil supply disruptions as key drivers behind the increase. With Pakistan importing nearly 85% of its petroleum needs, the country remains highly vulnerable to external shocks in global energy markets, especially during geopolitical crises in the Middle East. The latest hike is expected to place further pressure on transportation costs, inflation, and overall consumer spending, raising concerns among both businesses and households already coping with high living expenses.
pakistan reiterates commitment to ceasefire with india but cautions against arbitrary use of force Dar meets President Xi during TIANJIN, CHINA staff report
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining the ceasefire with India but cautioned against normalizing the arbitrary use of force. “Today, Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to the ceasefire and the cultivation of a stable regional equilibrium, but we cannot accept that the arbitrary use of force is normalized,” DPM Dar declared while speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Tianjin, China. Dar cautioned that peace could not be achieved if coer-
cion and aggression were allowed to become standard tools of statecraft. The heaviest fighting in decades between Pakistan and India was sparked by an April 22 attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. New Delhi blamed Pakistan for the attack, a charge denied by Islamabad. In response to India’s cross-border strikes, Pakistan had launched Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos after downing six Indian Air Force jets, including three Rafales in response to Indian aggression. The two countries, following four days of armed conflict, agreed on a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10.
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joint call on of SCO leaders BEIJING
staff report
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Chinese President Xi Jinping as he represented Pakistan at the joint call on the foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states in Beijing on Tuesday. “Delighted to meet earlier today with President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Conveyed the warm greetings of the leadership, government, and people of Pakistan,” FM Dar said in a post on X. “As ironclad brothers and all-weather strategic cooperative partners, we remain committed to deepening Pakistan-China
enduring friendship and advancing shared regional goals,” he added. The high-level interaction comes as the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) is convening in Beijing with representatives from Pakistan, China, Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in attendance. The CFM is the third-highest forum in the SCO format. It focuses on the issues of international relations, as well as foreign and security policies. The forum also approves the documents, including declarations and statements, etc, that are to be presented for the consideration of the Council of Heads of State as well as the decisions to be adopted by the CHS.