I N 4 5 - M I N C A L L W I T H P E Z E S H K I A N , P M R E A F F I R M S
g ‘ DURING WARM AND CORDIAL’ TALKS, PREMIER SHEHBAZ REAFFIRMS PAKISTAN COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINED REGIONAL PEACE AND STABILITY EFFORTS
g ‘APPRECIATES IRAN ’S ‘ CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS ’ WITH CDF AND COA S FIELD MARSHAL SYED A SIM MUNIR DURING HIS RECENT VISIT TO TEHRAN
g BRIEFS IRANIAN PRESIDENT ON RECENT ENGAGEMENTS WITH SEVERAL WORLD LEADERS, INCLUDING LEADERSHIP OF SAUDI ARABIA, QATAR AND TÜRKIYE
g TEHRAN PRAISES PAKISTAN ’S ROLE A S BOTH SIDES VOW STRONGER BILATERAL TIES AHEAD
The discussions took place as a Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran remained in effect, set to expire on April 22, pausing hostilities that began following USIsraeli strikes on Iran on February 28 The prime minister thanked President Pezeshkian and the Iranian leadership for sending a high-pow-
ered delegation led by Iran s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for the first round of talks in Islamabad on April 11–12 He also briefed the Iranian president on his recent engagements with several world leaders including the leadership of Saudi Arabia Qatar and Türkiye, noting that these interactions had helped build consensus in favour of sustained dialogue and diplomacy aimed at lasting peace in the conflicthit region
Dar drives diplomatic push with key talks on M iddle East p eace
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday underscored the importance of dialogue diplomacy and sustained
Pakistan, 11 other Muslim nations reject Israel’s diplomatic appointment in ‘so-called Somaliland’
engagement to resolve ongoing issues in the Middle East and Gulf region reaffirming Pakistan s commitment to promoting peace, stability and constructive engagement during telephonic conversations with his Iranian, Egyptian,
Canadian and Polish counterparts the Foreign Office (FO) said In a statement on X, the FO said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a detailed telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during which both sides stressed that continued dialogue and engagement were essential for the timely resolution of current issues and for promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond The statement added that both leaders agreed to remain in close contact and also concurred on a possible phone call later in the day between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
g CEA SEFIRE DIPLOMACY CONTINUES A S PRESIDENT TRUMPS ANNOUNCES HIS DELEGATION HEADS FOR ‘ NEW ROUND OF TALKS ’
ISLAMABAD r a j a K a s h i f a s h faq
Amid anticipated high-level peace talks between Iran and the United States the federal capital has been placed on an unprecedented security alert with the district administration suspending public and heavy transport across the city until further notice Authorities have urged citizens to cooperate fully with security agencies and avoid unnecessary travel According to official sources security teams accompanying the negotiating delegations are expected to begin arriving from
SBP flags faster-than- expec ted macroeconomic recover y as inflation, reser ves and growth strengthen
He said the improved macroeconomic fundamentals have strengthened Pakistan s resilience compared to earlier external shocks, including the 2022 Russia–Ukraine conflict However, he warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict has introduced fresh uncertainty particularly through higher global energy prices freight costs and insurance premiums
The governor said Pakistan is now in a comparatively stronger position to manage external shocks, supported by tighter policy coordination He noted that monetary policy remains cautiously restrictive with real interest rates kept significantly positive to anchor inflation expectations
On the fiscal side, he said the government has maintained primary surpluses while deploying targeted subsidies and demand-management austerity measures in response to external pressures Ahmad made these remarks during meetings with global investors and financial institutions, including JP Morgan, Barclays, Citibank, Jefferies and Franklin Templeton alongside credit rating agencies Fitch Moody’s and S&P Global He also held discussions with senior leadership of the
IMF and World Bank during the Spring Meetings in Washington held from April 13 to 18
He said Pakistan s stabilisation trajectory was already evident before the latest geopolitical disruptions, driven by coordinated monetary and fiscal adjustments that helped stabilise inflation and rebuild external buffers
He also referred to the staff-level agreement with the IMF covering the third review of the Extended Fund Facility and the second review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility, describing it as external validation of reform progress
A recent credit rating reaffirmation by a major agency was also cited as supporting evidence of improved macroeconomic stability
Separately, the governor highlighted strong inflows through the Roshan Digital Account which have surpassed $12 4 billion across more than 917 000 accounts
He said recent regulatory enhancements, including the inclusion of nonresident entities, are aimed at expanding participation and further integrating Pakistan into global financial markets while attracting broader foreign investment flows
K I S TA N C U S T O M S L A U N C H E S D U A
A j A K A s h I f A s h fAq
A K I S TA N S Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has constituted two separate inquiry committees to investigate the alleged embezzlement of 400 kilograms of silver at the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement in Quetta where authorities suspect the metal was replaced with lead bars in a sophisticated act of internal manipulation
According to official orders, a high level fact finding committee has been formed at the FBR board level, headed by Collector Customs Enforcement Peshawar Ayesha Wani The committee has been tasked with
Dar drives diplomatic push with key talks on Middle East peace
examining all aspects of the incident, including transportation stages, custody protocols, potential negligence or collusion by officials and systemic loopholes It has also been directed to recommend measures to prevent such incidents in the future and submit its report within a stipulated timeframe Simultaneously, a second committee has been established at the Quetta collectorate level under Additional Collector Mahmood ur Rehman Khattak with Raja Bilal Naseem and Shehryar Waseem as members This body will conduct a detailed technical and administrative review of the case at the local level, focusing on operational lapses and accountability within the enforcement unit
In initial action, two preventive officers, Samiullah Achakzai and Arif Ali Jamani were arrested on suspicion of involvement After remaining in customs custody for interrogation both were later handed over to Quetta police where they are currently under investigation Officials indicated that further arrests may follow as new evidence emerges Sources indicate the incident occurred prior to the posting of the current Collector Customs Enforcement Quetta Shahid Jan who initiated swift action upon assuming charge Within two days an FIR was registered, key suspects were apprehended, and CCTV footage was obtained to trace vehicles, routes, and the movement of the con-
signment Authorities have also identified the vehicle allegedly used in the crime Preliminary findings suggest that the stolen silver may have been smuggled into Afghanistan through informal border routes a factor that could complicate recovery efforts due to the challenging law enforcement environment and porous border conditions However, officials say the scope of the investigation is being expanded to identify facilitators handlers and any cross border networks involved in the operation Authorities further noted that
Pakistan emerging as influential UN-st yle mediator on world stage: Mustafa Kamal
Federal Minister for Health and MQMP leader Syed Mustafa Kamal on Sunday said Pakistan is lucky to have strong leadership in the form of Field Marshal Asim Munir, stating that the country is playing an active mediator role in world affairs and standing as a bridge of peace among nations In an exclusive conversation with a local media channel Mustafa Kamal said that after Marka-e-Haq, Pakistan has been elevated from earth to the skies in terms of global recognition and diplomatic standing calling it a matter of great fortune for the country to have a courageous leader like Field Marshal Asim Munir at its helm He further appreciated the Prime Minister s strategy and policies, stating that they have contributed significantly to strengthening national stability and improving Pakistan’s international image He said that such coordinated leadership has helped the country move in a positive direction despite global challenges He added that Pakistan has earned widespread appreciation on the world stage and has effectively played a UNlike mediator role among nations promoting peace dialogue and cooperation He noted that the country s diplomatic efforts are being acknowledged internationally as constructive and impactful Mustafa Kamal further said that
Pakistan is the only undisputed country capable of playing a balanced role on the global stage maintaining strong and friendly relations with China the United States, Iran, and Saudi Arabia
He added that this unique diplomatic position reflects Pakistan’s credibility and growing trust among nations setting an example for others He said this achievement is a matter of national pride and a blessing from Allah emphasizing that gratitude should be expressed through prayers and prostration before the Almighty He noted that the confidence and trust of nations in Pakistan’s role is a significant honor for which the entire nation must remain thankful
Responding to a query regarding President of the United States Donald J Trump visit to Pakistan, the minister said it would be a great honour for the
country adding that such a statement is significant and reflects positive developments He further remarked that during the same period India and Israel faced the most disappointing outcomes, stating that both countries experienced setbacks on multiple fronts, which reflected negatively on their positions
To another query regarding polio he said that the second vaccination drive of the year has been completed successfully, reflecting strong coordination and field efforts He added that continued public cooperation is essential to ensure complete eradication of the disease
He concluded by urging parents and communities to fully support the remaining phases of the campaign stressing that only collective responsibility and sustained participation can help achieve a polio-free Pakistan
Iran rejec ts second round of talks with US: state media
s Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday, citing its reporter On April 12, US and Iranian officials hold first round of peace talks in Islamabad without any conclusion United States Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday that intensive 21hour discussions with Iran did not reach an agreement He also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for a deal The US and Iranian delegations have left Islamabad to return home Earlier President Donald Trump announced that representatives from Washington were heading to Islamabad and they would be there tomorrow evening for negotiations” The US president made the announcement in a Truth Social post where he also insisted that Washington was offering Tehran a very fair and reasonable deal And I hope they take it because, if they don t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge in Iran ” he warned “NO MORE MR NICE
GUY! They ll come down fast they ll come down easy and if they don t take the DEAL, it will be my Honour to do what has to be done, which should have been done to Iran, by other Presidents for the last 47 years IT’S TIME FOR THE IRAN KILLING MACHINE TO END!
n The talks were held as a Pakistanbrokered two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran remained in effect The ceasefire, which is set to end on April 22, paused hostilities that began with the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28
In his Truth Social Post on Sunday Trump alleged that Iran had decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz A Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement! Many of them were aimed at a French Ship, and a Freighter from the United Kingdom That wasn’t nice was it?”
He recalled that Iran recently announced that they were closing the Strait of Hormuz which he said was strange, because our BLOCKADE has already closed it
were aimed at a French Ship, and a Freighter from the United Kingdom That wasn t nice, was it? He recalled that Iran recently announced that they were closing the Strait of Hormuz which he said was “strange because our BLOCKADE has already closed it They re helping us without knowing and they are the ones that lose with the closed passage, $500 Million Dollars a day! The United States loses nothing In fact, many Ships are headed right now to the US Texas Louisiana and Alaska to load up compliments of the IRGC always wanting to be the tough guy! he insisted Meanwhile,
They re helping us without knowing and they are the ones that lose with the closed passage, $500 Million Dollars a day! The United States loses nothing In fact, many Ships are headed, right now to the US Texas Louisiana and Alaska to load up compliments of the IRGC always wanting to be the tough guy! he insisted Meanwhile, Iran s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei posted on X that the US naval blockade on Iranian ports was a violation of the ceasefire as well as an “unlawful and criminal” act The United States so-called blockade of Iran s ports or coastline is not only a violation of Pakistani-mediated ceasefire but also both unlawful and criminal,” he said Baqaei added, “By deliberately inflicting collective punishment on the Iranian population it amounts to a war crime and crime against humanity
It has been reported that the first round of US-Iran talks remained inconclusive, with unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz being one of the issues at the core of the impasse
The US has also sought long-term commitments on Iran s nuclear programme including constraints on enrichment and safeguards against weaponisation
“unlawful and criminal” act “The United States’ so-called ‘blockade’ of Iran s ports or coastline is not only a violation of Pakistani-mediated ceasefire but also both unlawful and criminal he said Baqaei added, By deliberately inflicting collective punishment on the Iranian population, it amounts to a war crime and crime against humanity ” It has been reported that the
COMMENT
IMF wish list
TH E International Monetary Fund is not showing any signs of letting go even as the current programme winds down As the current financial year comes to an end the preparations for the next are underway with the IMF already ready with its wish list designed to further the reforms it had recommended at the beginning of the current programme Though it is winding down there is the prospect of a new programme coming up Though the loan of $1 billion from the Resilience and sustainability Facility helped bolster the country’s forex reserves, the effect is that it acts as an incentive to get on a new programme, for after the current programme is exhausted, a fresh loan will only be possible if Pakistan is on another programme
The focus of the IMF, as it arrives towards the end of its current programme, will be on increasing the primary surplus to two percent of GDP This is supposed to be done by increasing the tax net, bringing within it untaxed sectors such as agriculture, exporters, IT real estate and retail This has been an old demand and may have to be combined with a reduction in the rate of tax on salaries which is the highest in the region and which is seen as a drag on growth The coming budget is supposed to be pro-growth though this might be difficult if the US-Israel-Iran war continues One of the demands of the IMF is the ending of subsidies on fuel, which the government had reintroduced as a way of giving some relief to consumers hard-pressed by the rise in fuel prices, as well as in the consequent rise in transport costs
One of the problems the IMF, as well as the government, is grappling with, is how long the war is going to last It is not so much the war that matters, as the global oil price, which depends on the reopening of the Hormuz Strait, and which will only happen if the war ends It needs remembering that the IMF might indeed be the lender of last resort, but it is also part of the Washington consensus, and is one of the instruments by which Pakistan’s nose is kept to the wheel It is the prospect of US support at the IMF and other multilateral financial institutions that keeps Pakistan aligned with it The access to the money markets is usually trotted forth as an excuse is just that: an excuse
to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)
Aseen Islamabad discussed in diplomatic corridors far beyond the region Reports briefings and quiet consultations suggest that Pakistan s leadership has been involved in encouraging restraint, conveying messages, and exploring avenues for de-escalation between Tehran and Washington Whether or not every rumour materializes into a signed document is secondary What matters is the recognition that Islamabad is being treated as a credible venue for trust-building, a neutral
IN the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank that happened during April 13-18 one clear message coming out is that global economic outlook has worsened, with the IMF indicating scenarios depicting the likely extent of impact depending on how much and how long the Middle East conflict continues which started on February 28 While the complete April edition of the flagship bi-annual World Economic Outlook (WEO) report with specific sub-title for this edition titled Global economy in the shadow of war will be released on April 30, the executive summary released in advance first of all rightly highlighted forecasting difficulty in these highly uncertain times and its scenario-based reflections pointed out Given the difficulty of underpinning in real time a consistent set of assumptions for projections this World Economic Outlook (WEO) report presents a reference forecast in lieu of the traditional baseline predicated on the assumption that the war will have limited duration, intensity and scope such that the disruptions will fade by mid-2026 consistent with commodity futures prices as of March 10 However given the fluidity of the situation the report complements the global reference forecast with scenarios in which the conflict lasts longer or expands The likelihood of these scenarios materializing rises progressively as hostilities and associated disruptions continue ’ Noted Financial Times (FT) columnist Martin Wolf in his April 15 published article The mix of chaotic politics and a resilient economy can t last indicated a high level of uncertainty and scenario-building by IMF, pointed out The IMF s latest World Economic Outlook starts with a discussion of uncertainty The current war in the Middle East is a big source of such uncertainty The ups and downs of US trade policy under Trump are another not to mention the war in Ukraine and the ruptures in the western alliance Not surprisingly various measures of political and economic uncertainty are elevated Given this background, the IMF has in recent years taken a novel
Vance in Islamabad was not ceremonial theatre but symbolized Washington’s acknowledgement that Pakistan’s role in regional equilibrium is indispensable Discussions reportedly touched on stability counter-terrorism regional connectivity, and the evolving crisis involving Iran Such engagement elevates Islamabad s relevance from bilateral routine to multilateral consequence Parallel to this there is widespread speculation that US President Donald Trump may eventually travel to Islamabad as part of a broader understanding involving Iran Even if such a visit never takes place, the very fact that it is being discussed within diplomatic circles reflects how deeply the capital has entered the imagination of global statecraft Yet there lies a troubling contradiction While the world begins to treat Islamabad as a sanctuary for dialogue the city itself frequently becomes a theatre of disruption Containers are placed, arteries are blocked, and movement slows to a standstill during waves of protest led at different times by political parties, religious groups trade unions business communities and segments of the local population each asserting their grievances in the public space Demonstrations paralyze movement Sit-ins convert open areas into zones of confrontation These expressions may be constitutionally protected, but their frequency and intensity now clash with the capital’s rising diplomatic stature This is not a plea against political expression; it is a call for calibrated responsibility Islamabad s serenity is no longer a domestic matter but has become an international requirement Foreign delegations and mediators watch not only what Pakistan says, but how its capital functions
A coherent policy is urgently needed, one that balances democratic rights with diplomatic obligations Protest spaces can be designated without strangling the city s life Traffic management can be modernized Security protocols can be reimagined so that the capital remains accessible yet orderly Urban discipline is strategic When negotiators arrive to discuss ceasefires they must encounter an environment that reflects stability
approach to its forecasts Instead of the traditional baseline it presents a reference forecast based on the assumption that the disruptions caused by the war with Iran will fade by mid-2026 But it also adds adverse” and “severe” scenarios In the former, a more prolonged conflict would keep energy prices higher for longer In the latter there would be even more extensive damage to energy infrastructure in the region Hence growth and inflation projections under different scenarios were pointed out in the WEO report s executive summary as Under the reference forecast, global growth is projected to be 3 1 percent in 2026 and 3 2 percent in 2027, slower than its recent pace of about 3 4 percent in 2024–25 and to settle at about that rate in the medium term slower than its historical (2000–19) average of 3 7 percent Under an adverse scenario with larger and more persistent increases in energy prices, global growth would slow further to 2 5 percent in 2026, and inflation would reach 5 4 percent Under a more severe scenario in which there is more damage to energy infrastructure in the conflict region the impact would be even larger: Global growth would be cut to only about 2 percent in 2026 while headline inflation would be just above 6 percent by 2027 The impact on emerging market
Pakistan’s opportunity at this moment is historic The Iran-US confrontation has created a vacuum where trusted intermediaries are scarce Many states are seen as aligned others as irrelevant Pakistan however occupies a rare middle ground: it shares a border and cultural affinity with Iran, while maintaining longstanding ties with the United States This dual familiarity gives Islamabad credibility that few capitals can replicate Such a shift would have long-term dividends International investors interpret diplomatic centrality as political maturity Multilateral institutions respond positively to states that reduce tensions Regional neighbours view mediators with respect However, this requires internal coherence Foreign policy successes lose shine when domestic optics suggest disorder The same Islamabad that hosts envoys discussing peace must project calm in its own streets A composed capital sends silent assurances that conversations held within it are safe from chaos The government, therefore, must craft a comprehensive framework that recognizes Islamabad as a diplomatic asset Urban governance law enforcement coordination protest management infrastructure resilience and media communication should be aligned with this new reality Pakistan today stands at an inflection point amid regional turbulence, with an opportunity to be remembered not for conflict but for conciliation not for alignment but for balance not for noise but for nuance where freedom to protest without paralysis defines a living democracy Islamabad is the stage upon which this new chapter can unfold If Islamabad preserves its dignity, if the state safeguards its functionality, and if society recognizes the weight of this moment, history may record that when powerful nations struggled to communicate they chose Islamabad That alone would be an achievement greater than any signed accord
The writer has a PhD in Political Science and is a visiting faculty member at QAU Islamabad He can be reached at zafarkhansafdar@yahoo com and tweets @zafarkhansafdar
New year warnings
Dr Zafar Khan SafDar
Fthe scale to contest American power across military economic and technological domains simultaneously Accordingly, the Pentagon has repeatedly framed the Indo-Pacific as its primary theater and China as its pacing challenge Yet the USA’s military footprint in the Middle East refuses to shrink in any clean linear fashion Even as Washington aggressively shifts access agreements infrastructure and exercises toward the Pacific rolling crises in the Gulf, the Red Sea, Iraq, Syria, and the Levant repeatedly demand surge deployments Aircraft carriers, integrated air defenses intelligence-gathering platforms and critical munitions explicitly positioned to deter China are consistently diverted back to U S Central Command The Middle East functions less like a discretionary commitment and more like a strategic gravity well A complete paradigm shift to the Indo-Pacific is impossible unless Washington is willing to accept significantly higher potentially catastrophic risks including runaway regional escalation with Iran a resurgence of state fragility and terrorism in the Levant, and severe disruptions to the maritime chokepoints that anchor global energy markets
WHAT THE PACIFIC ACTUALLY DE-
MANDS: Washington s desire to focus on Asia is driven by the severe unforgiving demands of high-end deterrence across vast oceanic distances China s naval modernization, its relentless pressure on Taiwan, and its steady militarization of the South China Sea require an entirely different paradigm of military readiness
Deterring Beijing demands persistent logistical focus dispersed basing long-range strike capabilities, dominant undersea warfare, and incredibly deep munitions stockpiles Because the opening days of a Taiwan contingency could be decisive US strategy dictates expanding access and hardening posture in the region today not after a crisis erupts
Furthermore the Indo-Pacific theatre re-
quires entirely new basing arrangements compared to the politically sensitive but extensive legacy mega-bases in the Middle East The tyranny of distance in the Pacific means the USA can no longer rely solely on a few concentrated hubs like Guam or Kadena Air Base in Japan, which are highly vulnerable to Chinese ballistic missiles The expansion of the USA-Philippines Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) from five to nine locations exemplifies this operational shift These sites emphasize flexibility, rapid dispersion, and agile combat employment over permanent, static garrisoning But the opportunity costs of sustaining a massive global military presence loom large High-end assets such as advanced air and missile defence systems such as Patriot THAAD, and Aegis; nuclear-powered carrier strike groups; and long-range precision anti-ship munitions, are finite Every extended Middle East deployment consumes operational readiness delays maintenance cycles and drains crucial magazine depth Every interceptor fired over the Red Sea is one not stockpiled in the Pacific IRAN AND THE ASYMMETRIC TAX: The core obstacle to a clean exit from the Middle East is not a shortage of strategic vision in Washington It is the persistent absence of political and operational conditions that would make one viable Iran remains the region s primary escalation engine for the USÁ During planned drawdowns, friction with Tehran reliably pulls high-end capabilities back into theatre Early 2026 saw this dynamic play out with characteristic clarity when the USS Abraham Lincoln entered the region amid rising tensions an episode punctuated by a US aircraft
shooting down an Iranian drone This is pre-
cisely the kind of tactical friction that triggers theatre-wide reinforcement regardless of whatever rebalancing strategy happens to be in fashion in Washington at the time
This structural reality means that Gulf basing arrangements, integrated air defence networks, and persistent maritime patrols are engineered to prevent the regional wars that would threaten oil flows endanger forward-deployed U S forces and trigger cascading global economic shocks When escalation risks spike US Presidents regardless of party, invariably opt for visible, heavy-metal deterrence
Simultaneously, the US ground footprint in Iraq and Syria is being scaled back but not eliminated Planned troop reductions in Iraq and the recent withdrawal from the Qasrak base in northeastern Syria are explicitly conditions-based Washington s primary goal remains preventing an Islamic State resurgence This forever friction underscores the acute political difficulty of formally terminating counterterrorism missions after years of immense sunk costs particularly given the catastrophic reputational risk of an ISIS comeback on Washington s watch Great power competition compounds the dilemma: a total US vacuum in the Levant would swiftly be filled by Russian mercenaries and Iranian-backed operatives
Beyond ground forces the Middle East imposes a massive and ongoing maritime-security tax on the US Navy The geography of the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb demands constant naval and air coverage during periods of crisis The sustained Houthi harassment campaign against commercial shipping in the Red Sea illustrates a brutal asymmetric cost-exchange ratio The US Navy routinely expends multi-million-dollar Standard Missiles to destroy rudimentary mass-produced attack drones In protecting these vital waterways, the USA is not merely defending its regional partners it is securing the arteries of global commerce upon which Indo-Pacific prosperity including the
t r e E a r l y 2 0 2 6 s a w t h i s d y n a m i c p l ay o u t w i t h c h a r a c t e r i s t i c cl a r i t y w h e n t h
p u n c t u a t e d by a U S a i rc r a f t s h o o t i n g d o w n a n I r a n i a n d ro n e T h i s i s p r e c i s e l y t h
MANY articles have been dedicated by Western mainstream media to the Iranian successful communication campaign launched during this war, and especially to the Lego videos that are going viral on the web
The scale of this phenomenon is more significant than it appears at first glance, because this operation undermines one of the most strenuous and fruitful efforts undertaken by the United States since it adopted an aggressive imperialist foreign policy on the international stage
This is why almost all Western articles after expressing lukewarm appreciation for the quality of the videos, invariably go on to try to denigrate them insinuating possible affiliations of the creators with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps or attempting to debunk their content (“the great Persian empire has nothing to do with the repressive fanatical and religious obscurantism of the Iranian theocracy reads an editorial published by a major Italian newspaper The BBC takes care to point out that the videos would be littered with factual inaccuracies ) The problem is that all these attempts to contain the success of the Iranian operation fall flat, because they ignore and this in itself is a significant fact that the audience to which Iranian communication primarily addresses is not the same audience that reads BBC or Washington Post articles It is a younger audience one that has not yet absorbed decades of Western propaganda and is therefore still relatively open to different points of view Unsurprisingly, this is the audience that, according to a recent survey from Pew Research Center is showing an increasing hostility towards the blatant violations of every civil and moral law committed by Israel particularly in the last two and a half years
On March 26, Forbes recorded 145 million views and tens of thousands of shares of the Lego videos produced by the Iranian enterprise Explosive Media
On X, there has been a surge in the number of followers of Iranian embassies Among the others the most active and therefore most popular seem to be the embassy in Zimbabwe with 87 000 followers and
tiple channels of dissemination share common traits: they are in English and use narrative and aesthetic canons typical of US entertainment products: a cartoonish graphic style, made of bright colors, sharp outlines, caricature figures; the speed and brevity of social media communication; simple messages, devoid of nuances, two-dimensional characters clear lines of demarcation; rap music as a musical accompaniment It is a total appropriation by Iran of the languages and communication strategies that the United States has used since the founding of Hollywood to impose its narratives on the world Iran appears to have carefully studied its media strategy to launch a massive counterattack on the communication front as well as on the military one
This is an operation of epochal significance because it is the first time in history that the United States has found itself on the receiving end of a media offensive of this magnitude The United States has always invested enormous resources in the battle of communication Today, the internet makes it more difficult to exercise such pervasive control; nevertheless the monopoly over information and communication technologies still guarantees the US a dominant role in shaping Western and nonWestern public opinion There are multiple tools that US platforms resort to silence dissenting voices: censorship of images (remember the removal of photos of General Qassem Soleimani following his assassination); deletion of posts containing flagged words; suspension and ban of disfavored accounts; reduction of post visibility; imposition of biased fact-checking; use of labels to denigrate specific sources (Iranian state television channels for example are labeled as Iran state-controlled media as are Russian and Chinese ones, but the same label is not applied to Western public broadcasters such as France24, the BBC, or Italian RAI) Besides, West-controlled search engines prevent citizens from finding results on the web from sources not aligned with Western ideology
All the major Iranian directors recognized by Western academies and festivals are known for their open opposition to their own government Alongside policies of extreme cultural protectionism, in fact, another tool for controlling public opinion is the construction of distorted images of countries under attack through the promotion of dissenting artists Consider the success garnered in the United States by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei or the clamor raised by the Russian rock band Pussy Riot or the celebration of Iranian artists such as Shirin Neshat and Shervin Hajipour
The promotion of these artists, combined with the disproportionate resonance given by news outlets to the voices of dissident “exiles,” generates in the Western public a false sense of familiarity with these countries making it even more hostile and impenetrable to different perspectives
One can therefore understand how the media operation promoted by Iran during this war is unprecedented in its implications: for the first time in history, a foreign country has breached the impenetrable fortress of Western culture And it did so by bypassing the controls of the establishment and mainstream media and addressing the population directly
For the first time the English language social networks and even US popular culture itself have become weapons aimed at Washington
For, while it is true that Iranian President Pezeshkian (and Sayyed Ali Khamenei before him) has not been the first political leader to address an open letter to the Amer-
ican public all his predecessors had to rely on diplomatic channels or Western media outlets to disseminate their messages (think of Putin s editorial published in the New York Times in 2013 or Gorbachev s televised message in 1986) While today, the internet has allowed Pezeshkian to do without any intermediary and speak directly to the American public in their own language
The animated videos the X posts from embassies the satirical cartoons going viral online as well as the dedications on drones all of these also address Western audiences directly And they tell a completely different story from the one imposed by decades of unchallenged US propaganda
They tell of an immoral political class, centuries of looting and aggression against defenseless populations repeated infanticides and systematic repression of internal dissent On the other hand they paint a portrait of a country as ancient as it is advanced with a refined mastery of technological tools, a very high level of education, a political apparatus far more efficient, dignified, and morally upright than that of its regressive counterpart and of a cohesive people loyal to its institutions
From a formal standpoint this communication is highly effective because it relies on the infallible weapons of irony and symbolism Consider the power with which the cartoon of a taped-up airplane limping along with a crutch destroys the myth of American military strength Or consider the stark contrast between the nooseshaped pin worn by Ben-Gvir at the Knesset on the day of the approval of the world s most criminal law,
muhAmmAd ObAidullAh
Libya recovers 17 'migrant' bodies
Ever since the U S -Israel military strikes against Iran the conflict in the Middle East has been continuing and spreading, with the shadow of regional conflict lingering and spillover risks escalating Meanwhile, calls for promoting peace and ending conflicts have grown increasingly strong and efforts to mediate and facilitate dialogue have never ceased Bringing the region back to peace stability and development as soon as possible is a shared aspiration of the international community At this crucial stage, Chinese President Xi Jinping solemnly put forward four propositions on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, emphasizing staying committed to the principle of peaceful co-existence national sovereignty international rule of law and a balanced approach to development and security The four-point proposition has contributed Chinese wisdom and solution to resolve the regional crisis and promote lasting peace and stability, and has received extensive support and high praise from the international community, including Pakistan As ironclad friends and all-weather strategic cooperative partners China and Pakistan have maintained an objective and impartial stance on this conflict and have joined together to promote ceasefire and peace talk As a responsible major country and a sincere friend of the Middle East countries, China will not cease its efforts to promote peace as long as regional peace has not been restored At the same time, Pakistan fully leveraged its advantages with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir all actively working for peace successfully facilitated a temporary ceasefire and hosted the Islamabad Talks During this period, China and Pakistan maintained close communication and cooperation, with the two foreign ministers speaking three times and jointly issuing a Five-Point Initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East Region in Beijing sending a message of peace and justice China and Pakistan are striving to inject valuable stability into the turbulent region with the high certainty of their bilateral relations The ChinaPakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership is demonstrating a leading and exemplary effect that transcends bilateral significance
Generational friendship is the eternal theme of the ironclad friendship between China and Pakistan China has identified Pakistan as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, while Pakistan has reaffirmed Pakistan-
China friendship as a cornerstone of its foreign policy
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1951, the two countries have always supported each other and shared weal and woe on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence In 2015 President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to Pakistan ushering into a new era for China-Pakistan relations In 2025 the two governments issued an action plan to foster an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future, marking a new journey for China-Pakistan relations For the 75 years leaders of both countries have visited each other frequently like relatives The people from the two sides affectionately refer to each other as ironclad brothers and the phrase higher than mountains deeper than ocean, sweeter than honey and stronger than steel" vividly illustrates the friendship between our two countries The China-Pakistan relationship has set a model for friendly coexistence and common development between nations As the phrase goes “Good neighbors wish each other well China and Pakistan are committed to promoting regional peace hoping that states in the Middle East and the Gulf region will also improve their relations and live in harmony
Jointly safeguarding national sovereignty is a distinctive feature of the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperation China and Pakistan have always firmly supported each other on issues involving their core interests and major concerns Pakistan firmly adheres to one-China principle and supports all efforts made by China to achieve national reunification China firmly supports Pakistan in defending sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and supports Pakistan in pursuing a development path suited to its national realities In the current situation both countries believe sovereignty serves as a foundation for all countries especially developing countries to survive and thrive and it must not be violated The sovereignty security and territorial integrity of the Gulf states should be earnestly respected, and the safety of their personnel, facilities and institutions vigorously safeguarded
Upholding the rule of international law is a shared pursuit of China and Pakistan As members in the Global South China and Pakistan firmly support true multilateralism resolutely uphold the authority of the rule of international law, and firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter It is precisely for this reason that during the SCO Tianjin Sum-
Pope Leo downplays feud with Trump
he made two days earlier in Cameroon decrying that the world was being "ravaged by a handful of tyrants" were not aimed at Trump That speech said Leo "was prepared two weeks ago well before the president ever commented on myself and on the message of peace that I am promoting" On Sunday, as Leo prepared to embark on his tour Trump called him WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy in a post on Truth Social Trump also posted an AI-generated image of himself as a Jesus-like figure, drawing widespread criticism even from some religious conservatives who typically support him The post was removed on Monday morning Trump appeared to be responding to Leo s growing criticism in recent weeks of the US-Israeli war against Iran Pope Leo told Reuters on Monday that he would keep speaking out about the war, and Trump reiterated his criticism on Tuesday On Thursday, Pope
mit last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative, then Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif immediately stated that GGI is of great significance to world peace stability and development Pakistan would fully support and actively implement it The Five-Point Initiative recently jointly put forward by our two countries is a concrete action to implement the GGI and demonstrates our firm commitment to uphold the principles of the rule of international law
Balancing development and security is a vivid practice of China and Pakistan Security is the prerequisite for development and development is the guarantee of security As the world enters a period of turbulence and change China and Pakistan must not only jointly pursue development and share opportunities, but also jointly build security and safeguard stability On the one hand, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is progressing steadily, ushering the upgraded phase of cooperation under CPEC 2 0 The two countries are strengthening cooperation in key areas such as industry agriculture and mining jointly advancing the growth corridor livelihood corridor innovation corridor green corridor and openness corridor towards high-quality development On the other hand, the two countries are continuously deepening security cooperation China firmly supports Pakistan s fight against terrorism and appreciates Pakistan's efforts to safeguard the safety of Chinese personnel institutions and projects in Pakistan We are willing to work with Pakistan to promote a virtuous cycle of development promoting security and security ensuring development," and share our experience with countries in the Middle East and the Gulf region to nurture a fertile ground for regional development and security Currently the situation in the Middle East is still evolving in a complex way and restoring regional peace and stability remains a long and arduous task China and Pakistan are not only all-weather strategic cooperative partners but also a mainstay in upholding international fairness and justice We are ready to work hand in hand with Pakistan to stand on the right side of history and on the side of humanity's common interests take the lead in upholding principles and justice pursuing peace and promoting development unite all peace-loving countries and people around the world follow the four-point proposition put forward by President Xi Jinping, continue to implement the five-point China-Pakistan initiative, and make unremitting efforts to promote peace, stability and lasting security in the Middle East and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind
PYONGYANG ag e n c i e s North Korea fired ballistic missiles into the sea on Sunday accelerating its missile launches amid Iran war tensions and talk of possible meetings with the US and South Korea Pyongyang s intense missile activity this was the fourth such launch this month and the seventh of the year is meant to
Expand tax net, not burden, OICCI tells Minister Bilal A zhar K ayani
g CM MARYAM NAWAZ OKAYS FIRST-EVER SKY GLA SS BRIDGE IN KOTLI SATTIAN, WITH NAWAZ SHARIF JOINS HIGH-LEVEL REVIEW OF MURREE REVIVAL PLAN KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t
During the
tions Dr Najeeb Memon,
cake-cutting ceremony and commemorative items including colorful T-shirts and mugs were distributed among guests and participants by Alishan Table Tennis Club, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere Mr Fazal Karim Dadabhoy, Honorary Consul General of Ivory Coast graced the occasion as the Chief Guest He along with other distinguished guests participated in the World Table Tennis Day celebrations and inaugurated the Karachi Table Tennis Championships with a ribbon-cutting ceremony A large number of national and international players distinguished members of the city organizers and representatives from print electronic and social media attended the ceremony
at the
Auditorium, Karachi bringing
and members of the
in
of sportsmanship unity and professional collaboration In his
address, Mr Taleeque ul Karim, Sports Manager of the The Modern Hospital warmly received participating hospital teams and distinguished guests while highlighting the vision and objectives of MPL Season 3 as a platform promoting teamwork wellness and inter-hospital engagement through healthy sporting competition He also acknowledged the valuable contributions of sponsors and supporting partners whose collaboration continues to strengthen the league’s impact and outreach A detailed briefing on tournament rules and regulations including match format eligibility criteria and discipline guidelines was presented by Mr Mirza Zoheed Public Relations of The Modern Hospital to ensure clarity for all participating teams The briefing stated that the tournament will start from 22nd at the UBL Sports Complex and will continue till 26th April
IAEA Collaborating Centre Plaque Presented at INMOL , Lahore
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
Marking a major milestone in Pakistan s collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) formally presented the IAEA Collaborating Centre (CC) plaque to the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (INMOL) Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital Lahore at a ceremony held on Saturday The designation of INMOL as an IAEA Collaborating Centre follows the signing of a formal agreement on February 16, 2026, in Vienna The agreement was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi in the presence of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of a high-level event at the United Nations Office in Vienna
Pakistan has completed its Hajj preparations within the stipulated timeframe with the support of the Saudi government, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said on Sunday as the first Hajj flight under the Road to Makkah project departed from Islamabad International Airport Pilgrims were seen off at the airport by Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousuf along with senior officials Addressing the ceremony, he said the Road to Makkah initiative enables pilgrims to complete Saudi immigration and other formalities at their departure airports ensuring a smoother arrival process in Saudi Arabia He noted that the project has been expanded this year to Lahore,
KARACHI
s ta f f r e p o r t
in addition to Karachi and Islamabad, and is expected to benefit more than 95,000 pilgrims
Pilgrims will also be provided with e-SIM cards to stay connected with their families in Pakistan Additional facilities include modern comfortable tents and high-speed train services linking Makkah and Madinah to facilitate ease of travel The minister expressed gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Mohammed bin Salman and Tawfiq bin Fawzan al-Rabiah for their support and guidance in facilitating Hajj arrangements PIA resumes Faisalabad Hajj flights after four years In a related development Hajj 2026 flight operations by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have resumed from Faisalabad International Airport after a four-year hiatus
The first flight departed carry-
ing 150 pilgrims to Madinah The pilgrims were seen off by Commissioner Musarrat Jabeen and MPA Ahmed Shahryar Officials said a total of 3 680 pilgrims will travel to Saudi Arabia through 23 flights by May 19 PIA will operate 15 flights from Faisalabad to Madinah and nine to Jeddah as part of the Hajj operation, with the final flight scheduled to depart on May 19
Earlier on April 18 the first flight carrying Hajj pilgrims from Karachi arrived in Madinah where 155 pilgrims were warmly received Director General Hajj Abdul Wahab Soomro and other senior officials welcomed the pilgrims Flowers were showered and gifts presented while traditional Saudi welcome songs accompanied by rhythmic beats of the duff created a spiritually uplifting and memorable atmosphere
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) said on Saturday that it would field candidates on all 24 seats of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly in the elections scheduled for June 7 The announcement was made by
senior MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar during a press conference at the party s temporary headquarters in Bahadurabad Dr Sattar also announced that the Baltistan Students Federation (BSF) had merged with the All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organisation (APMSO) which is the student wing of MQM-P He described the development as a historic
step and said it would help end dynastic politics in the region He said MQM-P would contest every seat in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly and added that the party s candidates would be under 35 years of age Referring to the election schedule Dr Sattar said that April 20 is set as the last
date for submission of nomination papers Party priorities for Gilgit-Baltistan Outlining the party’s programme for Gilgit-Baltistan, Dr Sattar said MQMP’s priorities included setting up medical and engineering universities improving infrastructure and launching hydropower projects to address the region s electricity problems
