Profit PAKISTAN, IRAN VOW TO FURTHER ELEVATE TIES AS PRESIDENT CONCLUDES MAIDEN VISIT In partnership with
Monday, 4 August, 2025 | 9 Safar, 1447
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TWO COUNTRIES SIGN 12 AGREEMENTS, MOUS IN DIVERSE FIELDS TO BOOST BILATERAL TRADE TO $10B PM SHEHBAZ REITERATES PAKISTAN’S PRINCIPLED STANCE OVER IRAN’S RIGHT TO A NUCLEAR PROGRAMME UNDER UN CHARTERSOILS
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Rs 50.00 | Vol XVI No 27 | 44 Pages | Karachi Edition
SAYS BOTH SIDES SHARED VIEWS AND AGREED NOT TO TOLERATE TERROR ACTIVITIES ON THEIR SOILS AT ANY COST
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ADVANCING NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY IS AMONG THE PRIORITIES OF IRAN’S FOREIGN POLICY: PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN EXPRESSES GRATITUDE FOR THE POSITION ADOPTED BY PARLIAMENT, GOVT AND PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN DURING 10DAY ISRAELI AGGRESSION
ISLAMABAD
staff report
“Israel, without any rhyme or reason, unleashed aggression against Iran, which was not only strongly condemned by the government of Pakistan but by the entire 240 million Pakistani people, as there was no reason for Israel to stoke war,” PM Shehbaz was quoted as saying. According to the report, the prime minister also expressed his condolences on the martyrdom of Iranian generals, scientists and civilians during the conflict and prayed for
the departed souls and the injured for their early recovery. He also lauded the Iranian leadership for showing bravery and wisdom during the Israeli aggression and said the Iranian forces and the people faced the aggression and exposed the Israeli defence system with volleys of retaliatory missile attacks. PM Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance over Iran’s right to a nuclear programme for peaceful purposes under the
Ex-AJK PM Abdul Qayyum Niazi taken into custody in Bhimber under MPO
MUZAFFARABAD staff report
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi, was arrested on Sunday over violations of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO), the police confirmed According to police officials, Niazi was detained in the Samahni area of Bhimber district when he arrived to address a protest rally. Footage circulating online shows a heavy police presence surrounding him, with visible tensions and heated exchanges between PTI supporters and law enforcement officers. Sardar Moteeb, Niazi’s nephew, confirmed that his uncle was arrested while heading to Bhimber
city from Samahni to attend a PTI rally related to the campaign demanding the release of party founder Imran Khan from prison. “He was arrested under Section 16 of the MPO,” Moteeb said. “A team of plainclothes personnel had arrived from Islamabad to take his possessions, but local officials refused to hand them over to them and sent them back.” Moteeb added that Niazi obtained bail from the Islamabad High Court on July 13, which was further extended on July 26 until August 17. Mirpur Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Dr Liaqat Ali said that Niazi was arrested under Section 16 (dissemination of rumours) of the MPO under the orders of the Mirpur deputy commissioner. “He is being held at the indus-
trial area guest house in Mirpur, which has been declared a sub-jail,” he said. The Mirpur DIG added that plainclothes policemen from Islamabad came to detain the ex-PM under a first information report (FIR) filed at the Karachi Company police station in the federal capital, but “we did not allow them to take him into custody”. He was also booked under Sections 7 (punishment for terrorism) and 11X (responsibility for creating civil commotion) of the Anti-Terrorism Act and Section 8 (punishment) of the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act. DIG Dr Ali added that Niazi left Mirpur last night and headed to Bhimber to attend rallies. “Apart from Niazi, two other PTI office bearers from Kotli district, Malik Nisar and Dr Shahnawaz, were also taken into custody,” he added. Niazi in 2022 tendered his resignation from his office to defuse the move by his parliamentary party, the PTI, to replace him with regional president Sardar Tanveer Ilyas through a vote of no-confidence. The MPO law in Pakistan allows authorities to detain individuals without trial for up to 90 days to prevent threats to public peace and safety.
Govt finalizes sugar import plan to stabilize domestic prices
FIRST SHIPMENT OF IMPORTED SUGAR EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN PAKISTAN IN EARLY SEPTEMBER 2025: OFFICIALS ISLAMABAD
staff report
The government has finalized its plan to import 200,000 tons of sugar in an effort to stabilize domestic prices and provide relief to consumers, according to the state-media on Sunday. According to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R), the final order has been placed, with the import process now in its final stages. According to the MNFS&R officials, the first shipment of imported sugar is expected to arrive in Pakistan in early September 2025. The main goal of this initiative
President Zardari, Iranian counterpart agree to broaden bilateral cooperation ISLAMABAD
staff report
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said that the Pakistani and Iranian leadership were eager to raise bilateral trade volume between the two countries to $10 billion at the earliest and both countries signed a number of documents to transform them into agreements to realize the potential of $10 billion trade target, according to a joint statement. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made the announcement while addressing a joint press briefing with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian after the two countries signed 12 agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs). “Both countries signed a number of documents to transform them into agreements and to realise the potential of $10 billion trade target, the premier stated, adding that the respective delegations from the two sides would further hold detailed meetings to move forward in this regard, according to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). Speaking during the joint press briefing, PM Sharif condemned how Israel, on June 13, attacked Iran’s nuclear sites. According to the Iranian government, 610 people were killed during the war, while rights groups put the figure at 974.
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is to ensure a consistent supply of sugar in the local market and to help keep prices stable for the public. A government-formed committee successfully negotiated a discount on the purchase in the international market, which is expected to help manage costs. The arrival of the imported sugar is anticipated to create a better balance in the local market, directly benefiting consumers by preventing price hikes. 53,000 MT sugar released by mills The Sargodha administration said that a total of 53,000 metric tons of sugar was released collectively by four sugar mills in the district to ensure the availability of
sugar, stabilize prices, and provide relief to the public. A spokesman for the district administration said here on Sunday that on the special direction of Sargodha Deputy Commissioner Capt (R) Muhammad Waseem, a huge quantity of sugar supply was carried out from local sugar mills to maintain ample supply in the market and prevent any artificial shortage or price hike. He said that Noon Sugar Mills released 19,000 MT, Unicol Sugar Mills 12,000 MT, SW Sugar Mills 12,000 MT, while Al-Arabia Sugar Mills released 10,000 MT. All mills reportedly have adequate stock and are maintaining daily supplies, he added.
The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, was warmly received by President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr during his official visit to Pakistan on Sunday. The cordial reception marks a significant moment in strengthening diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries. Both sides “reaffirmed their commitment to further broaden bilateral cooperation in diverse fields” and “emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral ties in wide-ranging and mutually beneficial areas,” a statement issued from the Presidency said. Upon arrival at the presidential residence, President Pezeshkian was presented with a bouquet of flowers as a gesture of goodwill. The welcoming ceremony was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The two
UN charter, saying that Pakistan would stand by its stance. In the fight against terrorism, he said both sides shared views that it could not be tolerated at any cost. “If anyone in Iran was affected by terrorism, it was akin to
presidents exchanged warm greetings, reflecting the friendly relations and mutual respect between Pakistan and Iran. President Zardari said that Pakistan and Iran enjoy brotherly relations rooted in shared religion, culture and mutual respect, the statement said. “The two leaders exchanged views on major regional and international developments and stressed the need for coordinated diplomatic efforts to prevent the escalation of conflicts and to promote peace, security, and stability in the region,” the statement added. The president appreciated Iran’s positions on regional issues and acknowledged the Islamic republic’s consistent support for regional cooperation. He expressed gratitude for Iran’s solidarity during critical moments, such as the war with India and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to working closely with Tehran for a peaceful and prosperous future.
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a victim of terror in Pakistan,” he said. The premier further said that the two brotherly countries would take effective measures to eliminate terrorism.
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