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RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday held a key telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who reaffirmed Ankara’s unwavering support for Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and pledged assistance in restoring the ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan. According to a statement shared by the Turkish Presidency on X, President Erdogan condemned the recent terror attacks in Pakistan and assured that Türkiye would continue standing “by Pakistan in its anti-terror fight.” He also said Türkiye would contribute to the re-establishment of the Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire that had previously been reached through Turkish diplomatic initiatives. The two leaders also discussed the rapidly escalating situation in the Middle East. President Erdogan underscored the importance of reengaging diplomacy following the conflicts triggered by attacks against Iran, stressing that renewed dialogue would be “extremely beneficial” for regional stability. He reiterated Türkiye's readiness to provide all possible support to facilitate diplomatic efforts. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly con-
demned the Israeli attack on Iran and described subsequent attacks on brotherly Gulf countries as regrettable. He informed President Erdogan about his outreach to Gulf leadership and reaffirmed Pakistan’s full solidarity with them, as well as Islamabad’s readiness to play a constructive role in promoting de-escalation and dialogue. Both leaders agreed that maximum restraint by all parties was imperative to prevent
Operation Ghazab Lil Haq: 464 Taliban fighters killed, dozens of posts destroyed in escalating border war ISLAMABAD
staff report
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday said Pakistan’s security forces had killed 464 fighters of the Afghan Taliban regime, destroyed 188 check posts and captured 31 others during “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq,” launched in response to what he termed “unprovoked action” from across the border. The operation was initiated late Thursday following renewed clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier, after Afghan Taliban forces reportedly opened fire on multiple locations, prompting swift retaliation. Cross-border fighting has escalated since Afghanistan launched a border offensive in response to Pakistani air strikes last week. Islamabad maintains that its February air strikes targeted terrorist hideouts, accusing Kabul of failing to act against militant groups staging attacks inside Pakistan — a charge the Afghan Taliban government denies. Heavy losses claimed Providing a summary of losses as of 4pm, Tarar said more than 665 Afghan operatives were injured, while approximately 192 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery pieces were destroyed. He added that 56 locations across Afghanistan had been “effectively targeted by air.” The minister described the recent fighting as the most intense since clashes in October that killed more than 70 people on both sides. Land border crossings between the two neighbours have largely remained shut since then.
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further escalation. The conversation also covered recent developments in Afghanistan, where relations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban remain at their lowest point since the latter assumed power four years ago. Following border clashes last October along the 2,600-kilometre frontier, Türkiye and Qatar had stepped in to mediate. While initial talks in Doha produced a fragile ceasefire, subsequent
AFGHANISTAN TENSIONS IN FOCUS AS CEASEFIRE FALTERS
rounds failed to yield a durable mechanism for verification, with the third round concluding without a concrete agreement. Tensions flared again after Pakistan conducted targeted strikes on terrorist camps in Nangarhar and Paktika on February 22, prompting cross-border attacks by the Afghan Taliban. In response, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq on February 26. Pakistan Signals No Rush to End Operation Ghazab lil-Haq A senior security official stated on Monday that Pakistan was in no hurry to conclude Operation Ghazab lil-Haq and would continue cross-border actions against terrorist sanctuaries inside Afghanistan until Kabul provides verifiable guarantees against terrorism facilitation. “Operations in Afghanistan will end when Afghanistan’s Taliban regime provides verifiable assurance of compliance to Pakistan’s demand of quitting facilitation of Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan. We are in no hurry,” the official said. He maintained that Pakistan’s operations were intelligence-driven and targeted specific infrastructure supporting terrorist groups, rejecting claims of indiscriminate strikes. The two leaders agreed to remain in close and frequent contact as they pursue coordinated efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region.
PPP delegation meets PM Shehbaz to discuss political, regional situation ISLAMABAD
staff report
A delegation from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) held a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Tuesday to deliberate on the prevailing political climate in the country as well as regional developments. According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the PPP delegation comprised Senator Sherry Rehman, Raja Pervez Ashraf, and Members of the National Assembly Naveed Qamar and Aijaz Jakhrani. The meeting was also at-
tended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, along with Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal and Azam. The statement noted that the discussions focused on the current political situation within Pakistan and the ongoing regional situation in the Middle East. However, no further details regarding the content or outcomes of these discussions were provided in the official communication. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as quoted in the statement, acknowledged the PPP as an important coalition partner in the government. He expressed gratitude for the PPP’s support in key governmental decisions
aimed at national development and progress. Sources indicated that the meeting was part of ongoing consultations between coalition partners to address both domestic and regional challenges. Specifics of the discussions, particularly regarding the situation in the Middle East, were not disclosed in the press release. The meeting underscores continued engagement between the PPP and the government, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to collaboration on national issues. Further details on any agreements or decisions reached during the meeting were not made available by officials.
Pakistan pushes for US-Iran de-escalation as Dar warns against escalating Middle East conflict ISLAMABAD
staff report
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told the Senate on Tuesday that Pakistan is actively pursuing diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran following what he described as a “sudden” coordinated attack by Washington and Israel on Tehran. Addressing lawmakers, Dar said Islamabad had remained in close contact with multiple countries over the past three
days to encourage a return to dialogue. “Through dialogue, a path of understanding can emerge,” he said, stressing that Pakistan had immediately condemned the strike, calling Iran a neighbouring and brotherly Muslim country. Dar maintained that diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran had been progressing positively before the escalation. He referred to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to Austria, during which Pakistani officials met Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy
Agency. According to Dar, Grossi had expressed optimism that negotiations were heading in a constructive direction. He also cited a late-night conversation with Oman’s foreign minister, who informed him that the most recent round of US-Iran talks had concluded “on a positive note”. The Omani envoy later travelled to Washington and conveyed to US leadership that discussions were moving forward constructively, Dar added.
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Govt calls in-camera briefing for parliamentarians on regional situation ISLAMABAD
staff report
The government has extended an invitation to parliamentarians for an incamera briefing on the regional situation, scheduled to take place on Wednesday. This was announced by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar during a session of the National Assembly on Tuesday. According to the law minister, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited parliamentary leaders and party heads to participate in the briefing. The purpose of the meeting is to "sit down and develop a course of action so we can move forward," the minister stated. Minister Tarar emphasized the sensitive nature of the current regional environment, noting that there are matters which cannot be discussed openly. He highlighted the importance of considering the prevailing tension in the region as well as Pakistan's relations with other countries, particularly "brotherly Muslim countries." He further elaborated that while Pakistan maintains friendly relations with Iran, it also has longstanding ties with other nations. The minister specifically mentioned Saudi Arabia, referencing a defence agreement between the two countries.