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Monday, 25 August, 2025 | 30 Safar, 1447
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 48 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
PAKISTAN, BANGLADESH AGREE TO REVITALIZE FRATERNAL TIES, SAARC COOPERATION AS DAR MEETS PROF YUNUS
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PROF. YUNUS EMPHASISES BANGLADESH CONSIDERS SAARC COOPERATION AND TIES WITH PAKISTAN AS ‘ONE OF THE HIGHEST PRIORITIES’
PAKISTAN LAUNCHES ‘KNOWLEDGE CORRIDOR,’ OFFERING 500 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR BANGLADESHI STUDENTS BANGLADESH, PAKISTAN EYE REVIVAL OF JOINT ECONOMIC COMMISSION AFTER TWO DECADES
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SIX AGREEMENTS SIGNED COVERING TRADE, ACADEMIA, MEDIA AND CULTURAL EXCHANGES, FOCUS ON SAARC REVIVAL DAR HOLDS MEETINGS WITH BNP’S KHALEDA ZIA, JAMAAT CHIEF RAHMAN AND OTHER POLITICAL LEADERS
ADDITIONALLY, ISLAMABAD WILL TRAIN 100 BANGLADESHI CIVIL SERVANTS IN PAKISTAN
Dar to attend extraordinary OIC CFMs’ Session in Jeddah on Palestine Crisis
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DHAKA/ISLAMABAD staff report
AKISTAN and Bangladesh on Sunday agreed to rekindle fraternal relations, deepen bilateral and regional cooperation as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Nobel laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus, during
his landmark two-day visit to Dhaka — the first by a Pakistani foreign minister in 13 years. The meeting centred on revitalising the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc), enhancing trade, connectivity, and youth linkages, according to statements issued by both governments. Prof. Yunus emphasised that Bangladesh considered Saarc cooperation and its ties with Pakistan as “one of the highest priorities.”
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar will undertake an official visit to Saudi Arabia from August 25–26 to participate in the Extraordinary Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) being held in Jeddah. Dar will travel directly from Dhaka—where he is concluding a twoday official visit to Bangladesh—to join foreign ministers and senior officials from OIC member states in the high-level deliberations.
Yunus, who took charge after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in August last year, called Saarc cooperation a “high priority”, urging deeper people-to-people linkages, youth exchanges and enhanced bilateral trade. The Foreign Office termed Dar’s visit a “significant milestone” in Islamabad-Dhaka relations, coming at a time when the two sides are
11 killed as rains, windstorm batter parts of KP; floods threaten Punjab PESHAWAR/LAHORE/ISLAMABAD staff report
At least 11 people, including three children, lost their lives and 47 others were injured as torrential rains and a powerful windstorm battered Dera Ismail Khan and Lower Dir in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, PDMA officials said on Sunday. Of the 11 casualties, eight were reported in Dera Ismail Khan and three in Lower Dir, taking the cumulative rain-related death toll in the province to over 407. The windstorm, recorded at 100 km/h, caused severe destruction, collapsing roofs and walls in residential areas. Casualties and Injuries in DI Khan Dera Ismail Khan Deputy Commissioner Abdul Nasir Khan released official figures, confirming eight deaths — five in Dera Ismail Khan Tehsil and three in Paharpur Tehsil. Of the 47 injured, 41 are admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital while six are being treated at Mian Muhammad Teaching Hospital. Three of the injured are in critical condition, 18 remain under observation, and 26 with minor injuries have been discharged. No casualties were reported from Kalachi, Darazandha,
Parwa, and Daraban tehsils. Deputy Commissioner Abdul Nasir Khan, District Police Officer, and Assistant Commissioner Syed Arsalan visited hospitals, supervised rescue operations, and coordinated with hospital administrations to ensure immediate medical facilities for victims. Lower Dir Tragedy In Maidan, Lower Dir, three children lost their lives when the roof of their house caved in during the downpour. Rescue 1122 identified the deceased as 10-year-old Qasim, 11-year-old Murtaza, and 9-year-old Sohail. Disaster response teams rushed to the spot to assist the family. Widespread Damage in AJK Six more people, including two women, were killed while 14 were injured in rain-related incidents across four districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Commissioner Poonch Division said 129 homes were completely destroyed and 600 partially damaged. The rains also claimed 40 animals, destroyed 24 shops, and washed away four vehicles. He added that 60 kilometers of roads, 77 schools, and three health centers had been damaged. Residents were advised to avoid unnecessary travel and stay clear of drains and streams.
Rain Havoc in Punjab and KP In Mardan, one person was killed and two were injured after the roof of their house collapsed in Takht Bhai. Meanwhile, more than 150 tourists stranded in Kaghan Valley were shifted to hotels after debris was cleared from the road leading to Saiful Muluk Lake. Heavy downpours in Rawalpindi and Islamabad triggered flooding in nullahs and low-lying areas, with water entering homes and shops. Authorities opened the spillways of Rawal Dam after water levels touched 1,752 feet. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) deployed heavy machinery at Committee Chowk and Murree Road to clear water and monitor drainage. In Arifwala and its suburbs, latenight rainfall plunged the city into darkness as several feeders tripped, suspending electricity supply. KP CM Expresses Sorrows over Loss of Lives Chief Minister KhyberPakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property in DI Khan. He prayed for the deceased, assured best possible medical treatment for the injured, and directed swift relief and rehabilitation for victims.
Wang Yi, COAS Munir meeting reaffirmed Pakistan China ‘Ironclad Partnership’: Chinese Foreign Ministry
ISLAMABAD
staff report
The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Saturday highlighted the outcome of an important meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, reaffirming the “all-weather, rock-solid” partnership between the two countries.
Wang Yi described the Pakistan Army as a “pillar of national stability and a strong guardian of Pakistan–China friendship,” stressing that it has always played a pivotal role in implementing the consensus reached between the leaderships of the two nations. “In uncertain global times, promoting strong Pakistan–China relations is highly beneficial to regional
peace and stability,” he remarked, adding that Pakistan has consistently remained a top priority in China’s neighborly diplomacy. The Chinese minister assured that Beijing would continue to fully cooperate with Pakistan in safeguarding its territorial integrity and national security, while also welcoming Islamabad’s constructive role in international affairs. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, for his part, reaffirmed the depth of bilateral ties, calling China Pakistan’s “iron brother” and noting that the two nations have always stood by each other in times of joy and adversity. He expressed gratitude to Chinese leadership for its support in Pakistan’s economic and social development and pledged that the Army remains committed to counter-terrorism cooperation and the safety of Chinese nationals and projects in Pakistan—a longstanding concern for Beijing, particularly in relation to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
According to the Foreign Office, the extraordinary session has been convened in view of the escalating Israeli military aggression in Gaza, its reported plans to extend full military control over the enclave, and the continued violations of the rights of the Palestinian people. Pakistan’s Position The Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan has consistently highlighted the Palestinian issue at international fora and remains a steadfast advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people. staff report
seeking to reset ties after years of strain. Six accords signed in different spheres Earlier in the day, Pakistan and Bangladesh signed six agreements and memorandums of understanding following delegation-level talks between Dar and Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain.
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PM Shehbaz to honour Gilgit-Baltistan ‘flood heroes’ who saved hundreds of lives ISLAMABAD
staff report
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited three men from Gilgit-Baltistan, hailed as heroes for saving hundreds of lives from a potential Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), to Islamabad where they will be honoured with a special award. On the Prime Minister’s directive, Wasit Khan, Ansar, and Muhammad Khan—credited with alerting local communities in time to avert disaster—have been declared “national heroes.” “They have set a remarkable example of duty and responsibility,” Shehbaz said in a statement. “I, along with the entire nation, am proud of these heroes from Gilgit-Baltistan.” Shepherd’s Warning Saves Roshan Village The recognition follows the remarkable actions of a local shepherd in Roshan village, Ghizer district, who noticed signs of an imminent flood while tending cattle early Friday morning. Using his mobile phone, he alerted residents just minutes before floodwaters surged through the settlement, prompting a mass evacuation that saved the entire population. Officials confirmed that Roshan, located about 200 kilometres from Gilgit, was completely submerged. While no lives were lost, residents lost livestock, homes, and household belongings. “He is our saviour. We were all asleep and would have met a tragic fate had he not informed us,” said Shakir Hussain, a villager. In recognition, local police awarded the shepherd Rs10,000, while the community is considering honouring him with a medal. Failure of Early Warning Systems The incident has reignited debate over Pakistan’s costly but often unreliable Early Warning Devices (EWDs) installed across G-B to detect floods and GLOFs. Despite millions spent, the systems failed to raise an alarm during recent floods that killed at least 40 people in areas where devices were operational.