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PAKISTAN DRIVES US-IRAN DIPLOMACY AS HORMUZ TENSIONS SURGE, NUCLEAR DISPUTE CLOUDS DEAL
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Sunday, 19 April, 2026 | 30 Shawwal, 1447
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TRI-NATION TOUR, HIGHLIGHTS PEACE DIPLOMACY ISLAMABAD
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STABILITY DOMINATE HIGH-LEVEL TALKS
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 24 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
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EMERGES AS KEY GLOBAL DIALOGUE PLATFORM
RAWALPINDI
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Assistant Syed Tariq Fatemi, and foreign media spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar described the visit as “productive and fruitful,” saying discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation across key areas. He highlighted the prime minister’s
“excellent interaction” with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and noted engagements with several other world leaders during the forum, which he said has evolved into a major platform for global dialogue.
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Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi have concluded a three-day official visit to Iran, the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday. According to the ISPR, the visit focused on promoting sustainable peace in the region, with detailed discussions on the evolving security environment, ongoing diplomatic engagements, and joint efforts to ensure longterm stability. Field Marshal
Regional powers step up diplomacy as Pakistan, Saudia, Türkiye, Egypt coordinate on Middle East crisis ANTALYA
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Aurangzeb engages global financial leaders in Washington to advance Pakistan's economic agenda WASHINGTON
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'PRODUCTIVE', STRESSES DEEPER COOPERATION
COAS Asim Munir concludes Iran visit, reaffirms Pakistan's push for regional peace
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RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded his three-nation diplomatic tour on Saturday, holding extensive discussions on strengthening ties with brotherly countries, Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace, and the evolving global situation, according to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office. The statement was issued as the premier departed from Antalya after visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye, later arriving in Lahore. At Antalya Airport, he and his delegation were seen off by senior Turkish officials and diplomats, including Ambassador Tolga Bermek and Pakistan’s envoy to Türkiye. According to the PMO, the tour included meetings with the leadership of all three countries, as well as interactions with global leaders attending the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. The delegation accompanying the prime minister included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special
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Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb held a series of high-level meetings with global financial institutions, development partners and private sector leaders on Saturday, aimed at advancing Pakistan’s economic priorities and strengthening international partnerships. On the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings, the minister met officials from the United States Department of the Treasury, where both sides reaffirmed strong bilateral economic engagement and explored avenues for further cooperation. During talks with Deputy Secretary Francis Brooke, Aurangzeb highlighted Pakistan’s progress on macroeconomic stabilisation, prudent external debt management and reentry into international capital markets. He also pointed to investment opportunities in the energy and minerals sectors and briefed the US side on regulatory efforts related to digital and virtual assets. Stressing the importance of continued US support, he reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to its programme with the International Monetary Fund. In a separate meeting, Aurangzeb met Kalpana Kochhar of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and reaffirmed Pakistan’s partnership with the foundation, particularly on health initiatives. He underscored that polio eradication remained a national priority and highlighted ongoing reforms at the Federal Board of Revenue, including digital compliance systems and institutional capacity building. The finance minister also held talks with Jenny Chapman, reaffirming strong ties with the United Kingdom. He noted that Pakistan had achieved a current account surplus in the first nine months of the fiscal year and remained on track to meet fiscal targets. He added that the government had addressed recent energy price shocks through targeted subsidies and expenditure controls. In discussions on climate resilience, Aurangzeb said Pakistan had financed recent flood relief efforts through domestic resources, supported by improved fiscal buffers. He also highlighted the establishment of a modern disaster management centre equipped with advanced technology. The minister met Shohei Hara of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, welcoming the resumption of its lending programme and expressing interest in leveraging Japan’s expertise in health, education and blended financing models.
Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt held consultations on Saturday to discuss the evolving regional situation, according to a statement by the Foreign Office. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. According to the FO, the ministers exchanged views on key regional developments and reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in promot-
ing peace, stability, and shared prosperity. They also expressed a collective commitment to strengthening coordination and expanding cooperation across areas of mutual interest. The meeting follows earlier engagements among the four countries aimed at de-escalating the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Two prior meetings were held — one in Riyadh and another in Islamabad — ahead of the ceasefire announcement, which is set to expire on April 22. Pakistan has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, including hosting direct US-Iran talks in Islamabad on April 11 — the highest-level engagement between the two sides in decades.
While the talks concluded without a formal agreement, both sides signalled willingness to continue negotiations, with reports suggesting a second round could take place soon. Speaking separately, Egypt’s foreign minister said that Cairo was working closely with Pakistan on a framework to achieve lasting peace between the United States and Iran. He added that the four countries were coordinating a broader regional initiative aimed at preventing further escalation and establishing a post-war security arrangement. He also emphasised the importance of safeguarding Gulf states and stabilising global energy markets, supply chains, and food security as part of the wider diplomatic effort.
Pakistan repays $2b UAE deposit, eyes new financing options to support reserves ISLAMABAD
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The State Bank of Pakistan on Saturday confirmed that Pakistan has repaid $2 billion in deposits to the United Arab Emirates, along with interest, as part of its external debt obligations. According to the central bank, the funds had been placed as a safe deposit with the SBP. The repayment comes amid ongoing efforts to manage foreign exchange reserves and meet external financing requirements. The development follows an agreement with Saudi Arabia to extend the maturity of its $3 billion deposit with Pakistan, pro-
viding some relief to the country’s external position. Earlier this week, the SBP had also confirmed receipt of $2 billion from Saudi Arabia, helping stabilise reserves. Despite these inflows, analysts say Pakistan’s external financing gap could widen after the UAE repayment, particularly as the country also paid around 6 per cent interest on the deposit. Recently, Pakistan repaid an additional $1.43 billion in external debt, including a $1.3 billion Eurobond. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has said the government is exploring multiple options to replace the UAE facility and maintain reserves. These in-
clude issuing Eurobonds, raising funds through Islamic sukuk, securing commercial loans, and seeking bilateral support from partner countries. Speaking on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings, Aurangzeb noted that Pakistan’s reserves currently cover about 2.8 months of imports, a level he described as critical for maintaining macroeconomic stability. He added that while Pakistan has not yet sought changes to its $7 billion programme with the International Monetary Fund, adjustments could be considered depending on the economic impact of the ongoing Middle East crisis.
Munir emphasised the importance of dialogue, de-escalation, and peaceful resolution of conflicts through sustained diplomacy. During the visit, Munir met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and held separate
meetings with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of Khatamul Anbiya Headquarters.
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Dr Zafar Mirza warns of rising HIV cases, calls for urgent health reforms and transparency ISLAMABAD
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Former special assistant to the prime minister on health Zafar Mirza on Saturday warned that the growing number of HIV cases in Pakistan was becoming increasingly alarming, urging urgent reforms in the healthcare system. Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club, he pointed to the emergence of HIV cases in Taunsa, saying the reuse of contaminated syringes and inadequate screening of blood before transfusions were major causes behind the spread of the disease. He stressed that proper screening protocols were essential to prevent life-threatening infections. Dr Mirza said Pakistan was among the countries with the highest number of HIV cases in Asia, alongside India and China. He noted that nearly 70 per cent of blood transfusions in the country were conducted without proper screening, increasing the risk of diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, and malaria. He described the situation as a reflection of systemic weaknesses in the healthcare system, calling the Taunsa incident a clear example of institutional failure. He demanded that the Punjab government make public the findings of its inquiry into the outbreak and also called for an audit of international health funding received by the country. Dr Mirza emphasised that the issue was a cumulative failure over time rather than the responsibility of a single government, but said authorities must now take the matter seriously and implement effective corrective measures. He also highlighted the need for broader structural reforms in the health sector. Separately, Dr Mirza — who is also associated with the Awaam Pakistan — expressed concern over the demolition of homes in Islamabad’s katchi abadis. He termed the ongoing operations a violation of court orders and fundamental rights, noting that hundreds of thousands of residents were facing displacement. He called for an immediate halt to demolitions, compliance with court directives, and provision of alternative housing, compensation, and protection for affected families. He urged authorities to develop a comprehensive policy in consultation with local communities, stressing that access to shelter and dignity was a basic constitutional right.
No date set for US-Iran talks as tensions persist over Hormuz, nuclear dispute TEHRAN
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No date has been set for the next round of negotiations between Iran and the United States, with Tehran saying a framework of understanding must first be finalised before further talks can proceed. The latest round of high-level talks — the most significant since 1979 — ended in Islamabad last weekend with-
out an agreement, though both sides left the door open for continued diplomacy. Speaking on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye, Iran’s deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said Tehran was focused on finalising a mutually acceptable framework to avoid failed negotiations that could trigger further escalation. He noted that while “significant progress” had been made, disagreements over US demands regarding
Iran’s nuclear programme had prevented a breakthrough. He stressed that Iran would not accept any arrangement that placed it outside international law. Despite US President Donald Trump suggesting that talks could resume soon, diplomats indicated logistical challenges made an immediate meeting in Islamabad unlikely. Iranian media also reported that Tehran had not yet agreed to a new round of talks, citing US “exces-
sive demands” and a naval blockade of Iranian ports as major obstacles. Tensions also continued around the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran had briefly allowed commercial shipping following a ceasefire linked to the Lebanon conflict but later reversed the move in response to what it called a US violation of the truce. Iranian officials warned of repercussions if Washington failed to honour ceasefire commitments.