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PM REAFFIRMS PAKISTAN–LIBYA TIES AS TOP LIBYAN LEADERSHIP HOLDS HIGH-LEVEL TALKS
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Wednesday, 4 February, 2026 | 15 Sha’ban, 1447
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ MEETS LIBYAN PM OSAMA SAAD HAMAD, FM KHALIFA HAFTAR AND LT GEN SADDAM HAFTAR
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 211 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
TALKS FOCUS ON BILATERAL COOPERATION, PEACE AND REGIONAL STABILITY AS PAKISTAN VOWS TO DEEPEN FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH LIBYA
BOTH SIDES REACH UNDERSTANDING TO MAINTAIN CLOSE CONTACT, EXPAND COLLABORATION IN MULTIPLE FIELDS INCLUDING MILITARY ENGAGEMENT
ISTANBUL
Kazakhstan President arrives on two-day visit with agenda to bolster bilateral ties RAWALPINDI
staff report
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ISLAMABAD
staff report
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fostering friendly relations with Libya as a high-level Libyan delegation called on him at the Prime Minister’s House, state media reported. According to state-broadcaster PTV, the delegation comprised Libyan Prime Minister Dr Osama Saad Hamad, Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces Field Marshal Khalifa Abu-al-Qasim Haftar, and Deputy Com-
mander-in-Chief Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, were also present during the meeting. “During the discussions, both sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral relations,” PTV said. The meeting reflected a shared desire to enhance cooperation in areas of common concern and to promote peace, stability and development at regional and international levels, it added.
Finance Minister vows support for KP NFC allocations PROFIT
staff report
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday warmly received the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, upon his arrival at Nur Khan Airbase. President Tokayev arrived in Pakistan for a two-day official visit (Feb 3–4, 2026) aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. Pakistan and Kazakhstan maintain friendly diplomatic relations, with Kazakhstan being Pakistan’s top export destination among Central Asian countries. The Kazakh president was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior cabinet ministers and other top officials. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar along with federal ministers were also present to welcome the visiting dignitary.
During the meeting, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fostering friendly relations with Libya
Children dressed in traditional attire, carrying the national flags of both Pakistan and Kazakhstan, added a vibrant welcome for President Tokayev. A 21-gun salute was presented in his honour, highlighting the ceremonial significance of the visit. During his stay, President Tokayev is scheduled to meet President Zardari, hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and address the PakistanKazakhstan Business Forum, focusing on trade, logistics, regional connectivity, and people-to-people contacts. On his arrival, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to X, posting that he was “delighted” to welcome the Kazakh President. “I look forward to our meaningful and productive engagements tomorrow. The Pakistan-Kazakhstan friendship is a time-tested partnership that continues to bring our peoples closer together. This visit marks a new milestone in our glorious journey,” he said.
and emphasised the importance of continued engagement and dialogue.
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Pakistan invited to attend US-Iran talks, likely in Istanbul: FO ISLAMABAD
staff report
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb met on Tuesday with the Advisor to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister for Finance, Muzamil Aslam, to discuss concerns over the province’s share and release of funds under the National Finance Commission (NFC) and related fiscal heads, a Finance Division statement said. Aurangzeb acknowledged the issues raised by the KP delegation and assured support from the Finance Division to facilitate the province’s rightful allocations under the NFC and other relevant categories, in accordance with established rules, frameworks and procedures. Discussions covered timely release of funds for key development priorities in the merged districts, outstanding needs linked to rehabilitation and support for temporarily displaced persons, and the broader structure of provincial entitlements and allocations. “The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa team highlighted the operational and development imperatives in the merged districts and underscored the importance of predictable and timely releases to sustain ongoing schemes and meet pressing needs on the ground. They also drew attention to pending obligations in respect of displaced families and other related commitments that require streamlined coordination and resolution,” said the press release. Aurangzeb reiterated the government’s commitment to cooperative federalism and constructive engagement with provinces, noting that effective coordination and timely reconciliation of accounts are essential for transparent releases. “Both sides agreed to continue close coordination through relevant forums and technical channels to address outstanding matters on priority and to ensure that fiscal arrangements and releases support development objectives, service delivery, and stability.”
Pakistan has been invited to participate in the talks between Iran and the US, likely to be held in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul later this week, an official of the South Asian nation has said. “Pakistan has received the invitation for the upcoming talks between Iran and the United Foreign Ministry States,” spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said, according to Dawn News. The report claimed that Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is expected to participate in the meeting. Earlier, US media reports said senior officials from Washington and Tehran are preparing for rare face-to-face talks in Istanbul on Friday. The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported on Monday that the planned meeting would bring together US special envoy Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with Türkiye hosting and officials from Qatar, Egypt and other regional states expected to attend. There has been no official confirmation of the venue for the talks. The talks are expected to explore parallel tracks, including Iran’s nu-
clear program and broader US demands related to missiles and regional militias, even as both sides remain far apart. ‘US strike on Iran would export chaos’ President Trump underscored the stakes as US forces massed in the region, saying Sunday, “We have the biggest, most powerful ships in the world over there, very close, couple of days… Hopefully, we make a deal.” Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei struck a defiant note, warning, “The Americans should know if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war.” Behind the scenes, mediators from Türkiye, Qatar, Egypt,
Five nations interested in Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter: Report
Oman and Iraq have been shuttling messages, while Araghchi and Witkoff have resumed direct contact via text messages, officials told The New York Times. Iran has signaled readiness to curb or suspend its nuclear activities under certain frameworks and has revisited options from the 2015 nuclear deal, including transferring enriched uranium to Russia, Iranian officials said. Analysts say the coordinated regional push reflects fears of cascading instability. Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group warned that “a US strike on Iran would export chaos – refugees, militancy, instability – faster than anyone could contain it,” according to the WSJ.
agencies
Five countries are reportedly considering the purchase of JF-17 fighter jets from Pakistan, Bloomberg reported Tuesday. Last month, Iraq, Bangladesh, and Indonesia expressed interest in acquiring the aircraft, according to Pakistan’s Armed Forces. Saudi Arabia and Libya are also weighing potential procurements, the report said. So far, the JF-17 has only been sold to Azerbaijan, Nigeria, and Myanmar, the latter being the first buyer. Pakistan manufactures approximately 58% of the aircraft, including the airframe, while China supplies the avionics, accounting for the remaining 42% of production. The engines are produced by the Russian company Klimov. The recent international interest in the Pakistan-China joint fighter comes after the conflict last May, during which Islamabad said that it shot down several Indian jets over four days. India has acknowledged losing aircraft in the fighting, but did not specify a number. New Delhi also claimed to have destroyed several Pakistani jets, a claim Pakistan denies. The JF-17 Thunder is a lightweight, all-weather fighter jet jointly produced by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex near Islamabad and China’s AVIC Chengdu facility in the country’s southwest. The program was launched under a 1999 agreement. Pakistan currently manufactures about 16–18 JF-17s annually, with each aircraft priced between $40 million and $50 million.
China denounces Balochistan terror attacks, reaffirms support to Pakistan against terrorism ISLAMABAD
staff correspondent
China strongly condemned the recent large-scale coordinated attacks in Balochistan and reaffirmed its firm support for Pakistan in combating terrorism, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday. Speaking during a regular press briefing in Beijing, Lin expressed condolences to the families of those killed and injured. “We mourn for the lives lost, and our hearts go out to the injured and those who lost their loved ones,” the Chinese Embassy quoted Lin Jian as saying. “China firmly opposes any form of terrorism and will, as always, firmly support Pakistan in combatting terrorism, maintaining social stability, and protecting the safety of the people.” The Chinese embassy in Pakistan had also condemned the attacks, extending “sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured” in a post on X. Other countries, including the United States, the European Union, and Iran, have similarly denounced the violence. The attacks, carried out by terrorists linked to the banned Balochistan-based group Fitna al Hindustan, targeted Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar, and Pasni. According to the military’s media wing, 92 terrorists were killed, while 15 security personnel and 18 civilians lost their lives during the coordinated assaults. The terrorists reportedly attacked police stations, banks, government offices, and private residences. In Mastung, they burned a police station and freed 30 prisoners from the district jail. In Kharan, armed men killed the Mullazai Qaumi Etihad chairman and six of his security guards. Similar attacks occurred across other districts, including Kalat, Tump, and Sariab. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi blamed India for orchestrating the attacks, accusing it of providing financial and operational support to the terrorists. The Chinese statement and the embassy’s condolences underscore Beijing’s continued support for Pakistan’s efforts to maintain security and stability in Balochistan amid rising cross-border and internal terrorist threats.
NA calls for ‘aggressive national push’ against terror sponsors after Balochistan attacks ISLAMABAD Mian abrar
The National Assembly on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution demanding an “immediate, aggressive, and coordinated” national response against the external sponsors and internal facilitators of terrorism, as lawmakers voiced grave concern over a surge in deadly attacks in Balochistan. The resolution, tabled by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, came during a debate on the deteriorating security situation in the province following a series of coordinated terrorist attacks on Saturday. Condemning the violence in the “strongest terms”, the House said innocent civilians were targeted using “heinous and inhumane tactics,” including the exploitation of women as weapons. It called for a united response across political, diplomatic, military, intelligence, legal and rhetorical fronts
to dismantle terror networks, funding channels, smuggling routes and propaganda hubs. The resolution noted that available evidence in several cases pointed to external sponsorship, raising “serious concerns” over India’s alleged role. It said terrorism was being supported from neighbouring countries through logistical facilitation, financing, training, movement and propaganda networks. Expressing sorrow over the use of women in attacks, the House said such acts were completely against Islamic, Pakistani and Baloch values. It paid tribute to the security forces, law-enforcement agencies, the Balochistan government, and civil administration for what it termed timely and effective action and reaffirmed a zero-tolerance policy against attacks on civilians, women and children. According to the military’s media wing, terrorists of Fitna-al-Hindustan carried out large-scale coordinated attacks across Balochistan. Security forces killed 92 mili-
tants during the initial response, with followup operations raising the death toll of terrorists to 177 within 48 hours. Lawmakers warn of widening unrest Members from across party lines — including the PTI, PPP and JUI-F — warned that terrorism was resurging not only in Balochistan but also in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, calling for a deeper examination of root causes. PTI MNA Asad Qaiser said frequent attacks reflected unresolved political and governance issues. “If the state does not treat its people fairly and denies them basic rights, it has to face such situations,” he said, stressing democracy as the “fundamental solution”. Qaiser also raised concerns over withheld provincial funds and alleged discrimination between provinces, while urging dialogue with Afghanistan to address cross-border security issues through diplomatic channels.
Achakzai seeks PM’s intervention for Imran Khan’s medical checkup by reputed doctors ISLAMABAD
staff report
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, seeking his “personal intervention” to ensure a comprehensive medical examination of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan by doctors of his own choice. The letter, shared by the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) on X, expressed “utmost urgency” over Imran Khan’s health, noting that he is currently detained at Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi. Achakzai said recent medical check-ups
had reportedly been conducted without the knowledge or presence of Imran Khan’s personal medical team or family members. “His personal doctors, who are fully aware of his medical history, were not informed,” the letter stated, stressing that a full medical examination by “trusted doctors” was critically needed to properly assess and manage his health in line with medical ethics, legal obligations and fundamental human rights. Achakzai named three physicians — Dr Muhammad Aasim Yusuf, Dr Prof Mazhar Ishaq and Dr Prof Aamir Awan — and urged that they be allowed to conduct the examination without delay.