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Sunday, 5 April, 2026 | 16 Shawwal, 1447
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 10 | 8 Pages | Karachi 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
PPP demands immediate GB poll schedule as election delay sparks political uncertainty GILGIT
staff report
The Pakistan Peoples Party has called for the immediate announcement of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly election schedule, as uncertainty deepens four months after the legislature completed its tenure. General elections for the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly were originally set for January 24, 2026, with long-delayed local government polls scheduled for February 14. However, both were postponed indefinitely due to severe winter conditions that left large parts of the region inaccessible. Speaking on Saturday, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shehbaz Khan confirmed that preparations for the polls were underway but said no final date had yet been decided. He assured that the public would be informed once a schedule is finalised. Despite earlier plans by the caretaker government to hold a multiparty conference on March 24 to build consensus on a new timeline, no progress has been made, fuelling frustration among political stakeholders. In a statement, the PPP’s Gilgit-Baltistan chapter urged the election commission to fulfil constitutional requirements by announcing the schedule without further delay, arguing that improved weather and a stable security situation now allow for elections to be conducted. “All political parties demand that transparent and impartial elections be held on time,” the party said, warning that continued delays risk undermining the democratic process. Caretaker Information Minister Ghulam Abbas maintained that announcing the election schedule falls within the election commission’s mandate but assured that the interim government would fully support efforts to ensure free and fair polls.
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.
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.
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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. Alongside the price hike, targeted relief measures
‘Routine Transaction’: FO rejects ‘misleading, unfounded’ commentary on UAE financial deposits ISLAMABAD
staff report
The Foreign Office (FO) on Saturday rejected what it described as “misleading and unfounded commentary” regarding financial deposits from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), stressing that the transaction was routine and any portrayal otherwise is “erroneous and misleading.” In a statement, FO Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said, “The deposits, held with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), were placed under bilateral commercial agreements, demonstrating the UAE’s strong support for Pakistan’s economic stability and prosperity.” The clarification comes a day after media reports, citing a senior Pakistani official, claimed that Pakistan had decided to return $3.5 billion in debt to the UAE before the end of this month, following a request from Abu Dhabi for immediate repayment. These funds were part of external financing support extended by the UAE in 2019 to help stabilise Pakistan’s balance of payments. “The government, through the State Bank of Pakistan, is returning the matured deposits pursuant to mutually agreed terms. This is a routine financial transaction, and any attempt to portray it otherwise is erroneous and misleading,” Andrabi emphasized. He highlighted the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the UAE,
– slams ‘fabrications’ on mediation amid Middle East escalation ISLAMABAD
staff report
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) on Saturday firmly rejected what it described as “baseless and imaginary” insinuations attributed to purported official sources regarding the ongoing regional conflict and Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote peace and dialogue, according to official statement. In a press statement while responding to media queries, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said that several reports circulating in the media, including on social platforms, had falsely cited so-called official government sources in connection with developments in the conflict and Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue. “Any attribution to official sources in this regard is incorrect. It is a matter of concern that the briefing held on Friday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been misrepresented, with refer-
describing it as “built on trust and strategic cooperation across trade, investment, defence, and people-to-people ties,” which has strengthened over the years.
ences to issues that were neither discussed nor alluded to,” the spokesperson asserted. At a time of heightened regional sensitivity, he emphasised that diplomacy required discretion and responsibility, urging media outlets to exercise due diligence, avoid speculation, and rely solely on officially issued statements and readouts for accurate and timely information. The FO’s clarification came amid remarks by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who dismissed as “fabrications” reports in sections of Western media suggesting that Iran had declined Pakistan-hosted talks. Iran appreciates Islamabad’s diplomatic outreach In a post on X, Araghchi expressed “deep gratitude” to Pakistan for its quiet yet sustained mediation efforts amid the ongoing US-Israel war, firmly rejecting claims that Tehran had ever refused dialogue in Islamabad.
The FO statement also paid tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, noting his pivotal role in forging this enduring friendship and his spe-
cial affection for Pakistan. “Pakistan remains fully committed to further strengthening this relationship for a shared, prosperous future,” it added. The senior Pakistani official said on Friday that the repayment decision has ended months of uncertainty surrounding deposits placed through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, which had been rolled over multiple times since 2019. Recent extensions had become as short as a month, reflecting Emirati caution over continuing the arrangement. Under its ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, Pakistan is required to secure around $12.5 billion in rollovers from three key partners — China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE — to maintain reserve levels and meet external financing needs. The UAE deposits are thus a critical component of this arrangement. The latest data shows Pakistan’s central bank reserves at approximately $16.3 billion. A repayment of $3 billion would reduce these holdings by roughly 18 per cent, significantly lowering the external buffer and import cover. The Ministry of Finance, in a post on X on Friday, stated that it was “continuously monitoring and managing Pakistan’s external flows to ensure stable foreign exchange reserves.” It reiterated, “The government of Pakistan remains committed to fulfilling all its external obligations.”
Kh Asif warns India against another 'false-flag drama', vows decisive response ISLAMABAD
staff report
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday warned that India was planning a “false-flag operation” to malign Pakistan, cautioning New Delhi of a strong and decisive response to any such move. Speaking to media in Sialkot, Asif alleged that India could stage an incident using “its own men or Pakistanis in their detention,” placing bodies to fabricate a narrative of terrorism. He described such a move as a calculated attempt to create justification for escalation. “The kind of humiliation they faced last year still haunts them,” he said, adding that despite India’s larger size in terms of population, resources, and military strength, it continues to face criticism both globally and domestically. Recalling last year’s confrontation, the minister pointed to the performance of the Pakistan Air Force, asserting that India would continue to face backlash over its ac-
tions. He warned that any attempt to repeat such a “drama” would be met with a forceful response, stating that Pakistan would “take them to Kolkata,” referring to the eastern Indian city. Asif’s remarks come amid heightened tensions and recent warnings from Pakistani security sources that India may be preparing a staged operation involving Pakistani nationals who inadvertently crossed the border. In a parallel development, Asif also expressed optimism about Pakistan’s growing diplomatic role, particularly in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran. He said Islamabad was playing an “important role” in ongoing efforts to bring both sides to the negotiating table, emphasising Pakistan’s commitment to regional stability. The latest warning also follows an exchange of sharp statements between Islamabad and New Delhi. Earlier, Asif had cautioned his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh that any notion of war between two nuclear-armed states was both dangerous
and unrealistic. His remarks were seen as a response to Singh’s recent statement warning Pakistan against any “misadventure” amid the backdrop of the Middle East conflict. In a strongly worded post on X, Asif said India’s repeated rhetoric reflected “strategic anxiety,” particularly as the anniversary of the Pahalgam attack approaches—an incident Islamabad maintains was used to level baseless allegations against Pakistan. The April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last year triggered a brief but intense military escalation between the two countries. While New Delhi blamed Pakistan without presenting conclusive evidence, Islamabad denied involvement and called for an independent investigation. The Pakistan Army later termed the ensuing conflict, spanning from April 22 to May 10, as Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, also referred to as Marka-i-Haq (battle of truth), underscoring what it described as a decisive response to Indian actions.
“History is a stark reminder that miscalculation carries consequences,” Asif said, warning that any future confrontation would invite an even stronger and more calibrated response. Reaffirming Pakistan’s stance, he said the country remains committed to peace and
regional stability but is fully prepared to defend its sovereignty. “Let there be no ambiguity,” he said. “Pakistan’s resolve is absolute, its preparedness complete, and its response will be swift, calibrated, and decisive.”