IRAN URGES GULF NATIONS TO EXPEL ‘US FORCES’ AS TRUMP THREATENS STRIKES ON SHORELINE
China urges Pak istan, Afghanistan to resolve tensions through dialogue
Wang Yi urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation rather than force during a phone call with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China on Friday Wang called on both sides to remain calm exercise restraint and hold face-to-face talks at the earliest opportunity to secure an immediate ceasefire and address their disputes through diplomatic channels
“The further use of force will only complicate the situation and intensify tensions Wang said during the conversation as quoted in the ministry s statement China also expressed readiness to assist efforts aimed at easing tensions between the two neighbours In a post on X Xu Feihong said Beijing was willing to play an active role in helping promote reconciliation and de-escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan The diplomatic outreach came shortly after Pakistan carried out strikes targeting militant camps and associated infrastructure in Afghanistan
During the call Wang and Muttaqi also exchanged views on the situation in Iran Wang said China was prepared to work with the international community, including Afghanistan, to promote peace and stability in the region
Rising tensions Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated in recent years, particularly since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021 Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban administration to dismantle militant sanctuaries on Afghan territory especially those linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan which Pakistan blames for numerous cross-border attacks
Tensions escalated further after a vehicle-borne suicide bombing on February 16 targeted a joint security forces post in Bajaur District near the Afghan border According to officials militants attempted to breach the Malangi check
post before ramming an explosivesladen vehicle into its perimeter wall The attack resulted in the martyrdom of 11 Pakistani soldiers, while a young girl was also killed and seven others including women and children were injured when a nearby residential building was damaged in the blast
Investigators later identified the suicide bomber as Amad, also known as Qari Abdullah or Abu Zar, who was allegedly linked to the Afghan Taliban’s special forces from Balkh Province The Tehreek-e-Taliban
HoW ARe fUel PRIceS Set In PAKIStAn?
PSX adds Arif Habib Corp, Power Cement to KSE-100 index; Unity Foods and Pakgen Power dropped
ket capitalisation-based rule, which determines eligibility for the KSE-100 benchmark
added to the KSE-100 Index replacing Unity Foods Limited and Pakgen Power Limited The changes will come into effect from April 1 2026 The adjustment follows PSX s routine index review covering the period from September 2025 to February 2026, conducted in accordance with the exchange’s index rules The exchange said the companies were included or excluded based on the mar-
The KSE-100 Index serves as the primary benchmark of Pakistan s equity market and tracks the performance of the largest and most liquid listed companies across various sectors Recomposition exercises are carried out periodically to ensure the index accurately reflects shifts in market capitalisation and sector representation among listed firms Under the latest revision, Arif Habib Corporation s inclusion reflects its improved market standing during the review period while Power Cement’s entry highlights the continued prominence of cement sector companies in the index Conversely, Unity Foods and Pakgen Power will exit the index following the review, indicating that their relative market capitalisation fell below the threshold required to main-
tain their place among the top 100 companies tracked by the benchmark Alongside the changes PSX also released an updated list of all constituent companies that will form part of the recomposed KSE-100 Index from April 1 The index continues to include firms from a wide range of sectors, including banking, oil and gas, fertilizers automobiles cement pharmaceuticals technology and consumer goods Market participants closely watch such revisions because index inclusion can influence trading activity and institutional investment flows Companies entering the benchmark often attract increased investor attention while those exiting may see reduced weighting in index-tracking portfolios The updated index composition will be implemented simultaneously for both the KSE-100 Index and the KSE100 Price Return Index from the beginning of the new review cycle in April
a fire caused by a drone strike is extinguished Reuters reports citing provincial officials Work will remain suspended until the extent of the damage is assessed, officials at the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Natural Resources told Reuters D R O N E I N T E R C E P T
This war proved one thing quite clearly: American bases in our region do not protect anyone they are a threat, he has written on X America sacrifices everyone for Israel and does not care about anyone but Israel ” He adds “Anyone clothed by the US is literally naked!” Iran has vowed to attack the facilities of US companies in the region if its energy infrastructure is targeted, Reuters reports
N: US President Donald Trump has said that many countries would send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, but did not provide details on which countries would do so, Reuters reports In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he hoped that China France Japan South Korea Britain and others would send ships to the area US President Donald Trump has said on social media that four of five KC-135 refuelling aircraft targeted by an attack in Saudi Arabia suffered “virtually no damage” adding that the base was hit a few days ago Reuters reports
latest
curity alert by the US embassy in Baghdad says: “U S citizens should leave Iraq now ” “U S citizens choosing to remain in Iraq are strongly encouraged to reconsider in light of the significant threat posed by Iran-aligned terrorist militia groups, it added
I AT TA C K: Iran s army says that Brigadier General Abdullah Jalali Nasab was killed in an Israeli attack Nasab was martyred while defending the country following an attack by the Zionist entity”, it said in a statement Iran has confirmed the deaths of several high-ranking military commanders since the start of the war including: Abdolrahim Mousavi: chief of
staff of Iran s Armed Forces; Aziz Nasirzadeh: defence minister and deputy chief of staff of the armed forces; Mohammad Pakpour: commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
statement from the Swiss government, which says
discussed today military overflight requests from the US “Citing the law of neutrality the Federal Council rejected two requests made in connection with the war in Iran, it said, adding that one maintenance flight and two overflight requests for transport aircraft were approved
S: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says there is no problem with Iran s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei after US officials reported he was wounded On Friday US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said he believed Khamenei is wounded and likely disfigured Araghchi told MS NOW, There is no problem with the new supreme leader He sent his message yesterday, and he will perform his duties ”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says the country is continuing to run as normal despite the war due to the diligent efforts of “our
How long can the government hold the oil price?
R I M E M I N I S T E R Shehbaz Sharif took good care to announce good news himself while leaving the responsible minister the bad He personally announced that the petrol and diesel prices would be left unchanged, even though the global oil price had climbed further, in an address to the nation on Friday A week before Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malikk had had the unwelcome task of announcing a record price increase Mr Sharif s good news was thus only relative, not absolute The really good news would be a decrease in the price That will only be possible if the Hormuz Strait is once again reopened for shipping and that in turn requires the Iran-USA-Israel war to end Iran is at the moment defiant, holding a mass Quds Day rally in Tehran on Friday, braving US bombs which killed one woman The USA, meanwhile, is pouring more forces in the theatre including Marines and warships which might hint at ground action Three ships are headed from Japan carrying a Marine Expeditionary Unit of 2500 Marines International oil prices have gone above $100 per barrel, which is about $30 more than before the war At the same time the closure of the Hormuz Strait is estimated to have cut global oil supply such that demand can only be cut to match it if the price goes to $150 The Pakistan government s ability to remain committed even to the current oil price will remain doubtful It will be running out of money at that point, and the prospects of inflation due to monetary expansion may exceed those of just increasing the pump price This, of course, does not factor in the reaction of the IMF, which will continue to press for the preservation of its supply-side prescriptions The government’s efforts for a swift end to the war must be seen in this context The oil price hike is already showing its effects not just in the transport fares and freight charges for both road and rail, but also in the Sensitive Price Index, which has gone up 1 89 percent in the week
Moralit y and Engaging Generation Z
PUBLIC reform in Pakistan has traditionally been discussed in the language of infrastructure legislation and administrative restructuring Yet reform in its deeper sense begins with tone conduct and the moral direction set by leadership In recent months, the governance style in Punjab under Maryam Nawaz has drawn attention not merely for policy initiatives, but for the emphasis placed on reshaping the character of public administration itself Her approach suggests that reform is not only about changing systems; it is equally about changing attitudes
One of the more striking aspects of this direction has been the insistence that officials treat citizens with dignity and avoid expressions that reinforce hierarchy and distance In a society accustomed to rigid formalities such guidance may appear minor However language within public offices often reflects deeper assumptions about power When a government signals that respect must flow towards citizens rather than revolve around official status, it subtly redefines the relationship between state and society Governance moves away from ceremony and towards service The idea that authority is a responsibility entrusted for public welfare rather than a symbol of personal elevation is foundational to administrative morality
To strengthen this moral shift it may be useful to institutionalize conduct guidelines through structured training programmes for civil servants Orientation sessions that emphasize public service ethics, communication standards and citizen-centred behaviour could transform individual instructions into systemic culture Reform achieves permanence only when it is embedded in institutions rather than dependent solely on leadership tone This emphasis on conduct aligns with a broader reform narrative For decades, public institutions have struggled with procedural delays, fragmented accountability and a culture that has often prioritized protocol over performance The consequences have been visible in stalled projects inconsistent service delivery and declining public trust Addressing these patterns requires more than technical correction; it demands moral recalibration By focusing on how officials interact with citizens and how decisions are implemented leadership introduces reform at the level where citizens actually experience the state
Equally central to this agenda is deliberate engagement with Generation Z Pakistan s demographic reality makes this unavoidable A significant proportion of the population belongs to a generation that is technologically aware, politically observant, and increasingly impatient with inefficiency Generation Z does not evaluate governance through slogans alone;
it looks for responsiveness, transparency, and consistency Recognising this shift Maryam Nawaz’s visits to schools and public institutions carry significance beyond routine inspection They signal accessibility When a chief minister walks into a public school speaks directly with students and visibly reviews conditions, the gesture resonates differently with young observers It suggests that governance is not confined to offices but extends into classrooms and community spaces These visits are not merely administrative reviews; they serve as symbolic affirmations that education lies at the heart of reform For Generation Z which forms and expresses its opinions rapidly through digital platforms, such actions communicate attentiveness and presence They narrow a gap that has historically separated youth from decision-making corridors To deepen this engagement structured youth advisory forums could be established at provincial levels Digital town halls periodic policy consultations with students and transparent reporting dashboards would allow young citizens not only to observe governance but to contribute to it Engagement becomes meaningful when participation is consistent and measurable rather than occasional Critics may argue that visibility alone cannot substitute for structural transformation That observation is valid However visibility combined with sustained follow through creates momentum Reform must be both seen and felt In environments where institutional procrastination has long been normalized, decisiveness becomes a reform in itself Public institutions in Pakistan have often been victims of delayed execution Files linger projects stretch indefinitely and procedural caution overshadows urgency In this context, a leadership style that emphasizes action carries its own institutional message The contrast between action and postponement is structural as much as political Where earlier patterns allowed inertia to dominate the present reform narrative stresses implementation Development initiatives in public spaces education and service delivery acquire credibility only when citizens witness change in tangible form Roads completed on schedule, schools visibly improved, and complaints addressed promptly are the markers through which reform is judged In governance actions speak with a clarity that speeches rarely achieve To sustain this momentum performance benchmarks with publicly available progress reports could further enhance credibility When timelines and targets are transparent, accountability becomes shared between administration and citizens Such mechanisms would also align governance with the expectations of a digitally conscious generation that values measurable outcomes There is also a generational dimension to this emphasis on implementation Generation Z has grown up in a digital environment where
no assets, multidimensional and obscure loan arrangements slowed down debt restructuring and increased economic distress As shown in this case issues of coordination between creditors can aggravate debt crises in the modern international financial system, but not coercion Smaller economies like Maldives and Laos are also recurrently cited The Maldives lived with huge debts on infrastructure projects that stretched its small financial capabilities with subsequent governments renegotiating the conditions of the loans Laos made huge debts to
fund a large-scale cross-border railway project which limited fiscal flexibility even to the possible long-term economic payoff These examples exemplify the ability of big infrastructure funding to limit the policy freedom in smaller states However, contrary to conventional accounts, there is an increasing literature warning that debt-trap diplomacy should not be a universal conceptualization The issue of poor domestic governance poor project planning absence of transparency and global economic shocks are normally more involved in the triggering of debt distress Seizure of assets is not common and creditor control is exercised through financial leverage and not through direct control In a prospective view there are important implications to the future of global finance as far as debt-trap diplomacy is concerned With the superior challenge of the traditionally led Western-based financial institutions by emerging creditors, the global debt architecture is straining under its weight Opportunistic developmental ideas geo-political competition and the increasing debts stress the necessity of more open lending encompassing debt-restructuring processes and sustainable finance models As seen in the case of countries such as Pakistan, the challenge of balancing economic development requirements, and protecting sovereignty is bound to define the rapidly multipolar financial world
The writer can be reached at kshaharyar999@gmail com
Pakistan is at the heart of the debate on debt-trap diplomacy, thanks to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Pakistan was benefiting greatly through CPEC in the field of energy, transport and port infrastructure, closing the existing development gaps. But the increase in external debt, capacity payments in the energy sector, and recurring balance-of-payment crises have cast the issue of fiscal sustainability into question.
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was allowed to complete his term In 2013, the reformist vote was allowed to take its logical part As the result, that period was unique in the context that if the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps wanted to wage a war in Syria the reform government facilitated them On the other
hand the JCPOA team which included the now incumbent foreign minister had the complete backing of the Nezam as well as the IRGC to get the best deal from the then Democratic administration The next elections in 2017 were a tight finish between Rouhani the reform candidate and Raeesi the principalist candidate Rouhani was finally elected as the head of the next administration It was purely his bad luck that Trump in his first term unilaterally tore up the JCPOA deal Fast forward to the 2024 elections The election went to the next round and there was again a close finish between the principalist Jalili and the reformist Pezeshkian There was much scepticism that given the atmosphere of radicalism due to the ongoing Gaza conflict and the killing of Raeesi under suspicious circumstances there were sinister forces at work However, the reformist vote was not blocked and finally their candidate took oath as the president of the next administration On the sidelines the eruption of the Mahsa Amini issue in 2022 and the stances taken by the late Supreme Leader where he went on to declare that those ladies who did not observe the customary hijab were supportive of the Nezam, was in fact an indication that the clerical system was open to adaptation and readjustment with the younger generation
Consequently one of the things the new reformist administration in 2024 among other things, did was to do away with the Morality Police powers As a result, it is not uncommon now to see in the rallies in support of the Nezam to see women young and old not wearing the trademark hijab even though they are supportive of the system
Recent demonstrations after the killing of the Supreme Leader and in support of the new one, too have been characterized by the presence of an equal number of casually
dressed womenfolk
Given the assumption that the gradual reorientation of the system is already in place visible through a bolder treatment of the social issues in the creative art scene, which might have pushed been under the rug otherwise The screening of movies like Old Bachelor (2025) or in the serial Aban (2025) where unconventional relationships are being portrayed it can be well imagined that a new leader though at the time of writing he is injured and incapacitated at a safe place, being barely 56 years old; unlike the conventional grand Ayatollahs of Qom and Najaf, is likely to grab the pulse of the younger generation and continue with the reorientation A few analysts are not wrong in branding him the Iranian Revolution s own version of Saudi Crown Prince and PM Muhammad Bin Salman
Given the fact that the IRGC is likely to back him, the new Iran might be a different Iran to say the least
The new realities are based on that firm assumption that after a radical period under Ayatollah Khomeini the Khamenei era was characterized more by peace and reconstruction Post-Khomeini Iran had situations a number of times , where it could have gone to war with the USA while siding with Saddam in 1991 a request for help from the Baath which was rejected by him war with Afghanistan and Pakistan in 1998 over the Mazar Sharif episode in 2001 and 2003 to 2013 when there were numerous situations where the founder of revolution Khomeini might have preferred war, Khamenei preferred diplomacy As a matter of fact the two recent wars with the Israeli state in June 2025 and that which is raging now were not started by the Iranians rather the international image growing out of the developments on ground has been of Iran betrayed and then aggressed upon, and not the other way round
While the late Rahbar on one hand was open to reform within the system he was
It remains to be seen how things shape up when things are in control of the new leadership, rather at the commencement of the new era The Iranian ideological state had graduated into a different era in the midst of a bloody war; where the preamble for the new social contract has been written with blood; as the proverb doing rounds in Iran makes clearer: „ This countr y will not become a homeland, unless an Akhund (religious scholar) is shrouded and buried‰; Ali Khamenei provided that instance The chang e will come from within, not what the diaspora wished and sold to Republicans to act.
The next elections in 2017 were a tight finish between Rouhani the reform candidate and Raeesi the principalist candidate Rouhani was finally elected as the head of the next administration It was purely his bad luck that Trump in his first term unilaterally tore up the JCPOA deal. Fast forward to the 2024 elections
never seething with a sabre-rattling posture with anyone The 2024 Pakistani air strikes in January when there was a misunderstanding between the two states over Jaish al Adal an Iranian extremist group and BLA, a Pakistani Baluch separatist group, over which Iran fired missiles on Jaish hide outs, the PAF strikes were never answered and a damage control strategy was followed by the sitting administration most likely with the intervention of the late Supreme Leader
Obviously, despite the talk of following the slain leader in all respects, by the new individuals in place; the ascension of Mujtaba Khamenei is in fact that revolution which has taken place genuinely within the system despite the out of context willful thought processes espoused by the Trump Administration It might be too early for the analysts to read the new leader s mind right now, but the fact remains that being a younger member of the establishment, having inroads into the IRGC and the reformist camp Iran is set to review what has been pending in terms of a constitutional revisit
To begin with the issue of Wilayat Faqeeh is likely to draw the attention of the Nezam The new leader once on his feet can be instrumental based on popular will to call into question the current powers of the Wilayat Faqeeh and if they are found to be
bassy in Turkmenistan, located only 10 miles from the Iranian border, announcing a new era in relations Although the central Asian nation is known for its wealth of gas resources Israel didn t exactly indicate any interest in this which makes sense considering Tel Aviv already receives around 60% of its energy needs from Azerbaijan Instead the Israeli media were fixated on how this diplomatic landmark aided their posture against Iran The Times of Israel even wrote that Turkmenistan s border with Iran stretches for 713 miles (1,148 kilometers), offering Israel an enticing possible means of entry into the Islamic Republic as it tries to stop Tehran’s nuclear program ”
NEUTRALITY IN A WORLD OF “US VERSUS THEM”: Turkmenistan has maintained diplomatic relations with Israel since 1993, however, these ties have greatly strengthened over recent years Their cooperation has recently tightened in the areas of border protection and cyber security The two also now work closely in the sphere of intelligence sharing and considering that embassies often work as intelligence operations hubs, it has to be assumed that the Mossad’s influence has increased as of 2023
noting that US Air Force transport aircraft C-17A Globemaster III and MC-130 Super Hercules had landed at an undisclosed location inside Turkmenistan Of particular concern was the arrival of the MC-130 Super Hercules which is used for transporting special forces units as
Another
Since the 2010s Ashgabat has been purchasing Israeli military technology and has an arsenal of drones consisting of the Aeronautics Orbiter-1K and Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) Harop A newer addition to this arsenal has also been the Israeli SkyStriker drone designed by Elbit Systems While there are no official Israeli bases on Turkmen soil reports have emerged speculating the presence of an Israeli drone base Although Turkmenistan vows an oath of neutrality when it comes to conflicts involving their neighbours its history indicates that the lines can often become blurred as to how far that neutrality truly extends Before being granted neutral status by the United Nations in 1995, the year prior it was Ashgabat that had become the first country to join NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) program Then came the early 2000s and the US s era of endless wars which began to unravel the myth of pure neutrality Playing a balancing game between East and West, Turkmenistan originally resisted aiding the US war effort against Afghanistan, before it later caved permitting its airspace to be used for refuelling and transport In 2004 Moscow even protested over reported US construction work at the Mary-2 air base in Turkmenistan, sparking further allegations that the US had “gained access to use almost all the military airfields of Turkmenistan, including the airport in Nebit-Dag near the
Iranian border ” Another detail revealed in the midst of the US war on Afghanistan was that a small number of US special forces officers had been operating in Ashgabat While there is no way to confirm the presence of US bases inside Turkmenistan, every so often there are reports that speculate the existence of unmarked American air bases in the country’s vast desert lands The Turkmen government denies that such bases exist however the recent landing of a US aircraft that is designed to transport special forces units, is another indication that arrangements do take place between the US and Turkmenistan It would also make sense given the fact that the country has historically had US refuelling and supply operations that there have been undisclosed bases there This could work to explain why a MC-130 Super Hercules landed in the country Logistically speaking, if the US was to pursue the option of boots on the ground through Iran s north-eastern border the closest targets would likely be near the city of Mashhad The Iranian city even shares the Mary-Mashhad power line Injecting special forces into Iran in this way would likely prove much easier than traversing the terrain of Iran’s rugged mountainous north and west It could be argued that a great hindrance to such a strategy would be the deterioration of Iran-Turkmenistan ties as the Central Asian country depends upon the Islamic Republic for a large portion of its food supply As of the beginning of the current war Tehran has cut off all such projects like its gas for food exchange This is putting neighbouring Turkmenistan under strain forcing it to turn to Russia as its chief food supplier The US has been onto this, exploring alternate options to prevent the country from falling further into the Russian-Chinese sphere of influence Historically Ashgabat s denial of collaboration with US forces has been in line with its policy of neutrality For example, in 2015, then US Central Command chief Lloyd Austin remarked that “The Turkmens recently expressed a desire to acquire U S military equipment and technology to address threats to their security along their southern border with Afghanistan Even this triggered a public denial Given the fact that President Trump has privately shown serious interest” in the use of ground forces in Iran paired with the way his offensive against the Islamic Republic has put allied nations at risk upsetting Turkmenistan would be in
systems abroad in accordance with its own military needs, President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday While we have expressed opposition, the reality is that we cannot fully push through our position ” Frequent takeoffs and landings of large US military transport aircraft C-5 and C-17 at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek Gyeonggi Province have fueled speculation that the relocation of US air-defense assets from South Korea to the Middle East is underway A C-17 reportedly carried two Patriot batteries to the Middle East in June last year during US strikes on Tehran’s nuclear facilities Citing two US officials the Washington Post reported Monday that the Pentagon was moving parts of the THAAD system from South Korea to the Middle East The system intercepts enemy missiles at higher altitudes than Patriots Patriot and THAAD batteries are central to the US-South Korea shield against North Korean ballistic missiles so their withdrawal would carry serious security implications for Seoul The South Korean military also possesses Patriot batteries But THAAD is the only highaltitude missile defense system deployed in the country and covers up to half of its territory LSAM, South Korea’s THAAD-like interceptor designed to complement THAAD, is not expected to be deployed until next year If THAAD is withdrawn from the Korean Peninsula now it would inevitably leave a gap in the multilayered missile defense against North Korea South Korea must strengthen its air defenses to offset the gap left by redeployed US assets by accelerating the deployment of homegrown interceptor missiles Besides it should devote full efforts to developing drone systems which have proven highly cost-effective in the Middle East
PUNJAB COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING YOUTH IN PURSUING THEIR DREAMS: CM
Punjab Information Minister congratulates newly- elected office -bearers of NPC
LAHORE Staff report
Punjab Minister for Information and
Culture Azma Bokhari has congratulated the newly elected office-bearers of the Islamabad Press Club In her statement she extended heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the newly elected President Razaq Sial and his entire panel on their success Azma
Bokhari expressed hope that the new leadership of the Islamabad Press Club would prioritize resolving the issues faced by the journalist community and safeguarding their professional rights She said that journalists are the eyes and ears of society, and their challenges can be effectively addressed through a strong and active press club The Punjab Information Minister stated that the Islamabad Press Club has always
Türkiye welcomes its 29th Slow Cit y as Cappadocia’s Or tahisar joins Cittaslow network KARACHI S ta f f r e p o r t
played a significant and influential role in national journalism and she hoped the newly elected body would further strengthen this tradition Azma Bokhari also conveyed her best wishes to the newly elected officebearers, expressing confidence that they would fulfill their responsibilities in an exemplary manner and work for the welfare of the journalist community and the promotion of journalism
forward on a clear path of growth and development He encouraged investors and the business community to explore opportunities with Pakistan Railways, noting that this is the right time to invest as the organization expands and opens new avenues for partnership He also reaffirmed the Nishat Group s commitment to invest in Pakistan Railways assuring the Federal Minister that concrete collaboration opportunities would be explored in the near future
Islamabad to install securit y gates, fencing and CCT V cameras ISLAMABAD S ta f f r e p o r t A meeting was held at CDA Headquarters regarding measures for security arrangements in the Federal Capital Islamabad under the chairmanship of Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and
Ortahisar, a historic village in the heart of Cappadocia, Türkiye’s enchanting “Land of Fairy Tales,” has officially joined the International Cittaslow (Slow Cities) Network marking Türkiye s 29th Cittaslow city further strengthening its presence in the global slow-living movement an important milestone in the country s commitment to sustainable tourism and cultural preservation Following an extensive preparation process, Ortahisar achieved a record-breaking evaluation score recognising its efforts to protect heritage support local traditions and promote a slower more mindful way of life While commenting on the important milestone the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) representative said: Ortahisar becoming Türkiye’s 29th recognised member of the International Cittaslow Network highlights how smaller towns are increasingly being positioned alongside established destinations within Türkiye For Pakistani travellers this expanding network of slow cities provides a clearer framework for identifying places where visitors
PAKISTAN REJECTS TALIBAN CL AIM OF CAPTURING MILITARY POST, CALLS IT 'FALSE PROPAGANDA'
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
TH E Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (Pakistan) on Saturday dismissed claims by the Afghan Taliban regarding the capture of a Pakistani military post, terming the allegation “fabricated propaganda” aimed at misleading public opinion inside Afghanistan
In a statement posted on its factchecking account on X the ministry shared a screenshot of a post by the Afghan Ministry of Defence claiming that Taliban forces had captured a Pakistani military outpost and that 14 soldiers had been martyred
Rejecting the assertion the ministry said the claim was false as always fabricated and designed to mislead Afghan internal public opinion, adding that the narrative sought to divert attention from the losses suffered by militant groups during Pakistan’s ongoing counterterrorism operations
The statement added that damages and
losses incurred by the master proxy Afghan Taliban and their extension Fitna al Khawarij were being regularly updated by the ministry with supporting evidence The term “Fitna al Khawarij” is used by the Pakistani state for militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan
The ministry said that video and photographic evidence of operations was being shared with the media where applicable, stressing that authorities were ensuring the timely dissemination of credible information regarding targeted operations against militant hideouts and support infrastructure in Afghan territory
It further alleged that the Taliban claims were largely amplified by militant networks and Indian media or social media platforms, adding that no credible or verifiable evidence had emerged to support the repeated claims Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also rejected the Taliban s assertion calling it another false claim without any factual basis
All damages and losses being incurred by the Afghan Taliban and their
ISLAMABAD
At least four people, including two children were injured after rudimentary drones launched by the Afghan Taliban were intercepted over Pakistani territory the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday According to the military s media wing, the drones were brought down through a combination of “soft and hard kills” before they could reach their intended targets The ISPR said two children were injured in Quetta while a civilian was injured in Kohat and another in Rawalpindi due to debris from the intercepted drones
“These attacks were aimed at inducing fear among the public and reflect the terrorist mindset that drives the Afghan Taliban the statement said The military further alleged that while the Afghan Taliban attempt to portray themselves as victims to gain international sympathy, they simultaneously target civilians through militant
extension Fitna al Khawarij are being regularly updated by the Ministry of Information with irrefutable pictorial and video evidence ” he said in a post on X Meanwhile IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said that propaganda could not shield terrorist networks, asserting that Pakistan s operations against militants would continue “Taliban propaganda collapses when
PESHAWAR/LAKKI MARWAT
s ta f f r e p o r t
proxies and drone attacks Pakistan s people and its armed forces are absolutely clear about the true nature and intentions of the terrorist militia-for-hire that rules Afghanistan,” the statement added The military also reaffirmed that Operation Ghazab Lil Haq would continue until Afghanistan addresses Pakistan s concerns regarding terrorist groups operating from its territory Pakistan s armed forces stand steadfast in the fight against terrorism and its manifestations, including drone attacks by the Afghan Taliban ” the statement said adding that the military would continue to defend the country against such provocations
Earlier, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (Pakistan) said two rudimentary drones linked to militants from “Fitna al-Khawarij” were intercepted by Pakistani security forces using electronic countermeasures
The term Fitna al-Khawarij is used by Pakistani authorities to refer to militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan
confronted with facts Pakistan s operations against Fitna al Khawarij remain focused relentless and decisive Terror sanctuaries will not survive ” she said Prime Minister s spokesperson for foreign media Mosharraf Zaidi also criticised the Taliban, saying they appeared to be spending more time weaving fantasies than eliminating terrorist organisations enjoying sanctuary in Afghanistan”
"The illegitimate regime of Afghanistan, installed by terror and brute force, continues to renege on its commitments not to provide safe sanctuaries to terrorist groups Zardari said in a statement issued by the President s Secretariat He added that the regime now has the audacity to provoke a major military power of the Islamic world Zardari noted the timing of the strikes, pointing out that they came “while Pakistan remains engaged in efforts to promote peace and stability in the Gulf region and West Asia ” He said the Afghan Taliban regime s outreach for negotiations with friendly countries rang hollow against the backdrop of attacks on Pakistani civilians "The illegitimate and terrorist Taliban regime has brought grave consequences upon itself by crossing this red line," Zardari said The president reaffirmed the state s commitment to national security saying Pakistan's armed forces and security institutions remain fully committed to the defence of the country and the protection of its people He reiterated the same sentiment in a post on X The country's armed forces intercepted rudimentary drones allegedly launched by the Afghan Taliban yesterday, in what officials have described as a failed attempt to harass civilian populations according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) The military s media wing said the drones were detected and neutralised through a combination of defensive measures before they could reach their intended targets However falling debris from the intercepted drones caused injuries to civilians in multiple cities According to the statement two children were injured in Quetta while one civilian each sustained injuries in Kohat and Rawalpindi All injured individuals received medical attention and were reported to be in stable condition
Six terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al-Khawarij were killed in an intelligence-based operation carried out by the Counterterrorism Department (CTD) in Lakki Marwat, police said According to a CTD statement the neutralized terrorists were involved in the martyrdom of seven police personnel of the Shadi-Khel Police during an IED attack on Friday The IBO comes a day after seven police personnel, including the Station House Officer (SHO) of Shadi Khel Police were martyred in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast targeting a police mobile van in Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), officials said on Friday “The police mobile van came under attack in the Bettani subdivision while on routine patrol ” said Qudratullah spokesperson for the district police officer Six officers including the SHO and five constables were killed instantly he added The terrorists had planted an IED along the Shahdi Khel-Masti Khel Road to target law enforcement personnel
tion was also recovered during the operation CTD personnel conducted the operation in Shagai area of Lakki Marwat district after authorities received credible intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the area, according to a CTD spokesman The terrorists opened fire on the CTD team during the raid triggering an exchange of fire that lasted around 40 minutes, the statement said PESHAWAR s
The CTD statement said the terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation and a large cache of arms and ammuni-
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister (CM) Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Saturday laid out a comprehensive vision for province s growth during a video link meeting of Planning and Development Department He directed to finalize PC-1 for all schemes within the upcoming 2026-27 Annual Development Program (ADP) by June 1 This new roadmap aims to drive allround provincial development with a
developments since last June, as well as the ongoing situation that started with the unprovoked and unwarranted attacks on Iran have deeply impacted the context of the Iran nuclear file he said Regretting the breakdown of diplomacy on the Iranian nuclear issue, the Pakistani envoy stressed that the fundamental principles and multilateral spirit that led to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal remain valid as does the consensus adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 in 2015 (Former US President Donald Trump, during his first term, announced in 2018 the withdrawal of the United States from the JCPOA describing it as a “horrible” and one-sided deal that failed to protect US national security interests ) More than ever and even during the current conflict and heightened tensions, it is clear that an enduring solution lies in embracing those time-tested principles rather than abandoning them for short-sighted poli-
specific focus on uplifting backward districts and prioritizing sectors that offer direct public benefits such as education, healthcare, employment, and basic amenities Reviewing current financial year (2025-26), the meeting noted that 67% of released funds have already been utilized with 218 high-priority projects slated for completion in the coming year While provincial government has stepped in with Rs 29 6 billion for the development of merged districts, the chief minister highlighted that federal funds for rapid development program in those areas are still pending Looking ahead to next fiscal cycle provincial government plans to strike a balance between continuity and innovation, allocating 80% of funds to ongoing projects and 20% to new initiatives As many as Rs 1,000 billion “Roshan Qabail” package was set to be a cornerstone for merged districts The ambitious agenda also features several specialized projects including establishment of a Health City,
cies, Ambassador Asim Ahmad said He described the JCPOA as a “unique instrument” and a manifestation of an approach based on dialogue diplomacy and pragmatism The agreement he said was the result of painstaking and arduous yet constructive negotiations that produced a comprehensive roadmap to address the concerns of all parties through reciprocal actions The arrangement, he added, embodied the principle of peaceful resolution of disputes that lies at the heart of the United Nations Charter Pakistan lent its support to the negotiated settlement of the issue, and it remains our core position till today, he said Ambassador Asim Ahmad also condemned the use of force and attacks on sensitive facilities We have condemned all use of force targeting of civilian infrastructure and strikes on nuclear sites under IAEA safeguards, he said, warning that attacks on nuclear facilities could pose serious environmental and safety risks for local populations as well as the wider region
He also cautioned against any disruption to the crucial verification mandate of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), noting that the agency is responsible for objectively and impartially verifying compliance with nuclear safeguards obligations by member states The IAEA should be enabled to fulfil
urging all parties to
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