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‘NO NORMALCY’ IN TIES WITH INDIA UNLESS KASHMIR ISSUE RESOLVED: PM
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Monday, 22 September, 2025 | 28 Rabiul Awal, 1447
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ SAYS PAKISTAN FAVOURS TALKS WITH INDIA ON EQUAL FOOTING, BUT TIES CAN’T MOVE FORWARD UNLESS KASHMIR ISSUE IS ADDRESSED
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Rs 50.00 | Vol XVI No 75 | 48 Pages | Karachi Edition
SAYS PAKISTAN, INDIA MUST COEXIST BUT PEACE HINGES ON KASHMIR, HAILING MAY 10 VICTORY AS PROOF OF UNITY, BRAVERY OF ARMED FORCES
SAYS MILITARY SUCCESS, ACHIEVEMENTS ON DIPLOMATIC AND ECONOMIC FRONTS, ENHANCED PRESTIGE OF GREEN PASSPORT GLOBALLY
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PRAISES OVERSEAS PAKISTANIS FOR $38.5B REMITTANCES, CALLS THEM ‘AMBASSADORS OF THE NATION’
PM Shehbaz to meet President Trump on sidelines of UNGA: FO ISLAMABAD
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LONDON/ISLAMABAD staff report
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan and India, as neighbors, must coexist, but meaningful dialogue cannot take place without resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Addressing an event organized by the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation in London, he reminded that the two countries had already fought four wars, cost-
ing billions of dollars that should have been invested in progress and prosperity of their peoples. “Pakistan seeks talks with India on equal footing, but ties cannot move forward unless the Kashmir issue is addressed. The sacrifices of the Kashmiri people will never go in vain,” he vowed. During the gathering, the prime minister praised overseas Pakistanis for their hard work and sacrifices, terming them “ambassadors of the country.” He recalled that last year, their remittances of $38.5
Three Afghans among seven khawarij neutralized in DI Khan IBO: ISPR RAWALPINDI
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Seven terrorists were killed, including three “Afghan nationals,” in a fire exchange with the security forces during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district, the military’s media wing said on Friday. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), “The operation was carried out in the Kulachi area upon the reported presence of khawarij.” “During the conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location, and [as a result], seven Indian-sponsored khwarij, including three Afghan National khwarij and two suicide bombers, were sent to hell,” the ISPR said. The statement added that Pakistan expects the interim Afghan government, run by the Afghan Taliban, to uphold its responsibilities and deny the use of its soil to carry out acts of terror. Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have soured over the use of the latter’s territory to stage attacks. Earlier this week, Pakistan warned the UN Security Council that terrorist groups operating from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan pose the gravest threat to its national security. Kabul denies the allegations. “A sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored kharji found in the area, as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of Indiansponsored terrorism from the country,” the statement concluded. The state uses the term Fitna al-Khwarij to refer to terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-iTaliban Pakistan (TTP).
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will meet United States President Donald Trump this week during a special session of “select” Muslim leaders on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the Foreign Office (FO) announced on Sunday. According to the FO, the engagement will mark the premier’s first direct interaction with President Trump since the latter assumed office in January. The two are expected to exchange views on issues concerning regional and global peace and security. PM Shehbaz will lead Pakistan’s delegation to the UNGA “high-level
billion kept the national economy afloat. “No nation can rise without dedication and sincerity. Once we strengthen our economy and free ourselves from loans, the world will treat us with the respect it accords to leading economies,” he said. On the recent conflict with India, the
segment” beginning September 22. He will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, cabinet members and senior officials. The FO said the prime minister will use his address at the UNGA to call on the international community to address “prolonged occupations and denial of the right to self-determination,” with a particular focus on Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine. “He will draw attention to the grave crisis in Gaza and call for decisive action to end the suffering of the Palestinian people,” the FO added. The premier will also highlight Pakistan’s position on terrorism, Islamophobia, climate change, regional security, and sustainable development.
prime minister hailed the May 10 victory as a defining moment. He said after India’s aggression on May 6, which targeted civilian areas, Pakistan exercised its right of defense, shooting down six enemy fighter jets in one go.
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Kabul urges Pakistani leaders to refrain from ‘hostile statements,’ stresses brotherly ties KABUL/ISLAMABAD
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Pak-China ‘Iron-Clad’ strategic partnership reaffirmed as President wraps up China trip irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
ISLAMABAD
staff report
President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday returned to Pakistan after completing a 10-day visit to China, terming the trip a renewed commitment to the PakistanChina strategic partnership and deepening cooperation in trade, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges. At Kashgar Laining International Airport, the president was seen off by CPC Party Secretary of Kashgar and Vice Governor of Xinjiang Nie Zhuang, the President Secretariat Press Wing said in a statement. Ambassadors of both countries were also present. The president thanked the Chinese leadership for their hospitality, praised the country’s remarkable progress under President Xi Jinping’s vision—particularly in Xinjiang—and expressed hope that road travel between the two nations for tourism and trade would soon become a reality. During the visit to Chengdu, Shanghai, Urumqi and Kashgar, President Zardari held meetings with Chinese provincial leadership, reviewed bilateral ties, CPEC projects and proposed new corridors. He also exchanged views on regional peace and cooperation, with several memorandums of understanding signed. On the last leg of the trip, he visited the Kashgar Free Trade Zone (FTZ)—southern Xinjiang’s only such facility and a major logistics hub—where he urged a private Chinese airline to expand operations in Pakistan to boost connectivity. Spread over 3.56 square kilometres, the FTZ links 118 countries, exporting electric vehicles, solar cells, batteries, high-tech goods and auto parts. Officials said it is connected by road, rail and air to both Asia and Europe, while maintaining direct links with Sost port (400 km) and Gwadar port (2,000 km). President Zardari also toured the Digital Trade Centre, established in 2024 and now hosting 5,400 companies, as well as the cross-border e-commerce exhibition center. He was briefed on the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” initiative, including an Uzbekistan-backed industrial park with 72-hour delivery facilities and a Kyrgyzstan-backed park under development for auto assembly and LED production.
Defence minister highlights NATO-like Muslim coalition after Saudi pact
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The spokesperson for the Taliban government in Afghanistan, Zabiullah Mujahid, has said that leaders should refrain from issuing “provocative” statements, stressing that Afghanistan could not be held responsible for attacks taking place inside Pakistan. Mujahid’s remarks came as Pakistan continues to voice concern over terrorist outfits—particularly the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—using Afghan soil to launch cross-border attacks. Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to “choose between maintaining ties with Pakistan or harboring terrorists,” but Afghan authorities have consistently rejected the allegations. The comments were made during an interview with Imtiaz Gul, executive director of the Islamabad-based Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). The interview, conducted in Pushto during Gul’s recent visit to Kandahar, focused on recurring irritants in Pak-Afghan ties, including the presence of TTP militants and media narratives harming bilateral relations. When asked whether a “joint mechanism” was needed to address such issues, Mujahid replied that leaders must avoid provoca-
IN TODAY’S ISSUE
LONDON
staff report
tive or threatening statements, warning that such rhetoric “spoils the environment.” Instead, he urged dialogue and regular visits to build trust, saying, “Giving statements to the media, spoiling the environment, and taking military action is unwise.” Mujahid also noted that militancy in Pakistan was not a new phenomenon, recalling that attacks had been taking place “since 2003.” He said Pakistan should take its own security measures and share intelligence with Kabul if it faces threats emanating from Afghan soil. However, he underlined that Afghanistan “cannot be held responsible for bomb blasts in Bannu or any other
area of Pakistan.” The Taliban spokesperson rejected Pakistan’s stance that the TTP’s presence in Afghanistan was the core issue straining relations, calling it an “internal matter of Pakistan.” He said, “Pakistan should find a solution to this problem and not spoil ties with Kabul over it.” He reiterated that Afghanistan was making efforts to ensure its territory was not used against any country, although the terrain in some areas made monitoring difficult. Mujahid’s interview followed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent stern warning to Kabul that Afghanistan must decide whether it stands with Pakistan or the TTP.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday stated that Saudi Arabia will stand alongside Pakistan if India carries out any future aggression against Islamabad. Speaking to a news channel in London, Khawaja Asif said that the recently signed agreement with Saudi Arabia covers all essential defence requirements. He stressed that if India launches another attack, Saudi Arabia will be with Pakistan. Asif further remarked that Saudi Arabia’s reliance on Western countries will be reduced, adding that “wherever we can serve their interests, we will, and in return, they will assist us in meeting our economic needs.” He also noted that more Pakistani labour could be sent to Saudi Arabia in the future, and that other Muslim countries may also join this alliance. “The Muslim world should build a NATO-like coalition,” he suggested. It is worth mentioning that on September 18, during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement. Under this pact, any aggression against one country will be considered aggression against both.
In historic shift, UK, Australia and Canada recognise Palestinian state LONDON/OTTAWA/CANBERRA agencies
In a landmark diplomatic shift, Britain, Australia and Canada on Sunday formally recognized a Palestinian state, breaking with decades of Western policy and sparking immediate Israeli condemnation. Portugal also announced it would follow suit later in the day, as international pressure on Israel mounted over its military campaign in Gaza, now nearing its second anniversary since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. “Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis and a two-state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognizes the State of Palestine,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement on X. Britain thus became the first G7 nation to take the step, alongside Canada, with France and other European countries expected to discuss similar moves at the UN General Assembly opening in New York on Monday. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declared on X: “Canada recognises the State of
Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel.” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a similar announcement, saying his country “formally recognizes the independent and sovereign State of Palestine,” stressing that the decision reflected “the legitimate and long-held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own.” The coordinated recognition marked a watershed moment for Palestinians, long told that statehood would only follow a negotiated settlement with Israel. Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas hailed the move as “an important and necessary step toward achieving a just and lasting peace in accordance with international legitimacy.” He reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, humanitarian access, prisoner releases, Israel’s withdrawal from the enclave, and a halt to settlement expansion. Hamas also welcomed the development, describing it as a “victory for Palestinian rights” and proof that Israeli “crimes” could
not erase their national aspirations. But Israel reacted with fury. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to oppose the move at the UN, declaring that recognition of a Palestinian state “would endanger our existence and serve as an absurd reward for terrorism.” The decision underscores a deepening split within Western allies. While the US has maintained its opposition, three-quarters of UN member states—over 140 of 193—already recognise Palestinian statehood. The timing of the announcement reflects growing discontent with Israel’s offensive in Gaza, which has left at least 65,208 Palestinians dead, mostly civilians, according to UN-verified health ministry figures, alongside catastrophic destruction and food shortages. Hamas’s 2023 attack had killed 1,219 people in Israel, mostly civilians. In Britain, pressure has grown sharply on the new Labour government, with mass pro-Palestinian demonstrations and polls showing strong support among younger voters for statehood recognition. Deputy Prime
Minister David Lammy had acknowledged Britain’s “special responsibility” stemming from the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which paved the way for Israel’s creation. Starmer has tied recognition to broader
demands: a Gaza ceasefire, increased aid flows, guarantees against West Bank annexation, and the release of remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas. New sanctions against the group are expected soon.