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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 10 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
DAR ENGAGES GULF, MIDDLE EAST COUNTERPARTS TO PUSH DE-ESCALATION, DIALOGUE
g FM DAR HOLDS SEPARATE CALLS
WITH HIS COUNTERPARTS FROM BAHRAIN, EGYPT, AND IRAN
g DEPUTY PM, BAHRAIN’S FM
g ISLAMABAD, CAIRO DISCUSS ONGOING
DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS, UNDERSCORING IMPORTANCE OF DIALOGUE AND DE-ESCALATION
EXCHANGE VIEWS ON MULTILATERAL EFFORTS, INCLUDING AT UNSC AND PAKISTAN–CHINA FIVE-POINT INITIATIVE
g FM ARAGHCHI EXPRESSES GRATITUDE TO
PAKISTAN FOR ITS MEDIATION EFFORTS, STRESSING TEHRAN ‘NEVER REFUSED TO GO TO ISLAMABAD’ FOR TALKS
Iran praises Pakistan's mediation as backchannel talks with US edge toward breakthrough TEHRAN
Mian abrar
D
ISLAMABAD
saleeM jadoon
EPUTY Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held separate telephone conversations with his counterparts from Bahrain, Egypt, and Iran on Saturday, discussing bilateral ties, the evolving regional situation, and efforts for de-escalation in the Gulf and Middle East, the Foreign Office (FO) said. In a statement on X, the FO said that Dar spoke with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. The two leaders discussed the latest regional developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts, underscoring the importance of dialogue and de-escalation. Both agreed to remain in close contact on matters of mutual interest. Separately, Dar held a call with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, during which he highlighted the Pakistan–China five-point initiative aimed at promoting peace and stability in the Middle East and Gulf region. The two leaders also exchanged
views on multilateral efforts, including at the United Nations Security Council, and agreed to maintain close coordination. “FM Dar underscored the urgent need for de-escalation and emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy,” the FO statement said. “Al Zayani appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for dialogue and diplomacy towards regional peace and stability.” Pakistan has actively positioned itself as a neutral facilitator amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, offering Islamabad as a venue for dialogue. The initiative reflects Islamabad’s broader effort to deescalate regional tensions, particularly following heightened hostilities triggered by US and Israeli strikes against Iranian targets. Araghchi expresses gratitude to Pakistan Earlier on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed gratitude to Pakistan for its mediation efforts amid the ongoing US-Israel war, stressing that Tehran had “never refused to go to Islamabad” for talks.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday expressed “deep gratitude” to Pakistan for its quiet but sustained mediation efforts amid the ongoing US-Israel war, firmly rejecting claims that Tehran had ever refused dialogue in Islamabad. His remarks come at a critical moment, as multiple rounds of discreet backchannel diplomacy between Washington and Tehran have brought both sides closer to a potential breakthrough—only to fall short at decisive moments due to last-minute hesitations and internal recalibrations. n a post on X, Araghchi dismissed as “fabrications” reports in sections of Western media suggesting Iran had declined Pakistan-hosted talks. He underscored that Tehran has remained open to dialogue and appreciated Islamabad’s diplomatic outreach aimed at easing rising regional tensions. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar welcomed the clarification, calling Araghchi a “dear brother” and stating that his remarks had effectively dismantled “false propaganda” targeting Pakistan’s role. Dar reiterated that Pakistan’s engagement reflects a principled commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and reinforces its standing as an “honest broker” in a deeply polarised geopolitical climate.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
PM: Subsidy delivery for public, freight transport operators begins via digital wallets LAHORE
staff report
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday announced that the disbursement of relief funds to public transport operators and freight vehicle owners has begun through digital wallets, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensure timely support for economically vulnerable groups, state media reported. Premier Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting to review the country’s petroleum reserves and assess measures taken by the government to provide relief during the ongoing fuel crisis, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a post on X. “The disbursement of relief funds to individuals operating public transport and freight vehicles has begun through digital wallets,” the PMO quoted the prime minister as saying. “Subsidies are now being digitally transferred for public transport buses and wagons, as well as goods transport trucks and freight vehicles under an efficient and transparent system,” he added. The premier emphasised that the government is working to ensure relief reaches economically vulnerable groups as quickly as possible. “We will not abandon our people during difficult times. Providing relief to the public during challenging circumstances is our top priority. The savings generated through government austerity measures will be spent on the people,” he said. During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed on the implementation and progress of relief measures in light of the recent surge in petroleum prices, the PMO said. Officials confirmed that adequate reserves of petroleum products were available to meet national requirements and provided updates on the overall progress of relief initiatives. The development comes amid sharp increases in fuel prices due to the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran. The government initially raised petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 per litre on March 6 and introduced unprecedented austerity measures on March 9 to address the crisis. On three separate occasions, PM Shehbaz said he had rejected recommendations to further increase fuel prices despite global market pressures. However, on Thursday, the government implemented a 43 per cent increase in petrol prices and a 55 per cent hike in highspeed diesel (HSD), citing rising international oil costs.