TRUMP HINTS AT CEASEFIRE EXTENSION AS PAKISTAN MOVES TO SALVAGE ‘ISL AMABAD TALKS 2.0’
g ‘ US PRESIDENT SAYS HE EXTENDED CEASEFIRE, ORDERS MILITARY TO MAINTAIN BLOCKADE POSTURE, FOLLOWING HIS WARNING ‘TO GO BACK’ TO WAR IF NO DEAL MADE BY WEDNESDAY DEADLINE
g ‘ TRUTH SOCIAL POST SAYS IRAN MUST PRESENT ‘UNIFIED PROPOSAL’ FOR TALKS TO PROCEED
s ta f f r e p o r t / ag e n c i e s
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would extend the ceasefire with Iran and directed the military to maintain a “blockade posture ” even as he earlier warned that Washington could “go back to war if no deal is reached by Wednesday amid intensified diplomatic efforts by Pakistan to secure the second round of Islamabad Talks
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said: “Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured not unexpectedly so and upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister She-
hbaz Sharif of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal ” He added: I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted and discussions are concluded one way or the other Earlier on Tuesday in an interview with CNBC the US president said he did not want to extend the ceasefire, stressing that Washington remained in a strong negotiating position and expected what he called a “great deal ”
g CLAIMS MOVE MADE AFTER REQUEST FROM PAKISTAN’S LEADERSHIP INCLUDING FIELD MARSHAL ASIM MUNIR AND PM SHEHBAZ SHARIF
g CEASEFIRE DEADLINE SET FOR 4:50AM PST APRIL 22 AS DIPLOMATIC RACE INTENSIFIES
Pakistan ‘still awaiting’ Iran response on second-round talks, says Tarar
ISLAMABAD
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Tuesday that Pakistan is making sustained efforts to persuade Iran to join the second round of peace talks with the United States, but a formal response from Tehran on its participation remains awaited “Pakistan remains in constant touch with the Iranian side but a formal response from Tehran regarding participation in the Islamabad Peace Talks had not been received as of 7:30pm PST,” the minister said on X He warned that time was running short, noting that the ceasefire is set to expire at 4:50am PST on April 22 A decision from Iran to attend the talks before the end of the two-week ceasefire is critical, he said, adding that Islamabad’s diplomatic outreach to the Iranian leadership is ongoing The minister ’s remarks came after Iran signalled hesitation over joining the talks
Global support grows for Pakistan's mediation as Dar engages China, US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt on regional peace
ISLAMABAD m i a n a b r a r Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions gained further international backing on Tuesday as key global and regional partners, including China, the United States, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, expressed support for Islamabad’s role in facilitating dialogue between Washington and Tehran Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong called on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and discussed the evolving regional situation During the meeting, the envoy conveyed Beijing’s appreciation for Pakistan’s continued efforts to facilitate engagement between the United States and Iran reaffirming China s support for peace and stability in the region Dar reiterated the strength of the Pakistan-China “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership
Fazlur Rehman urges Gulf states to review security arrangements amid regional tensions
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief
Jamiat
Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Tuesday called on Gulf countries to reconsider their security arrangements, saying the presence of United States airbases in the region had created strategic dangers instead of providing protection
He made the remarks during a special meeting with senior journalists in Lahore where he also warned that changing regional conditions and intensifying competition among major powers could push the world towards a broader conflict
Speaking about Pakistan’s role in diplomacy Fazlur Rehman praised Islamabad s efforts to mediate between the US and Iran and said the country was trying to help avert what he described as the possibility of a third world war He however cautioned that a further rise in tensions could pull major powers into a wider confrontation If escalation continues, major powers may be drawn into a wider confrontation Domestic politics and regional issues
On the domestic political front
the JUI-F chief said former prime minister Imran Khan should be freed and allowed to take part in the political process He said there had been contact with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, but added that those interactions had not produced any result
Fazlur Rehman also welcomed defence cooperation between Pakistan
and Saudi Arabia describing it as significant for stability in the region
Commenting on Afghanistan he said differences in pace between Islamabad and Kabul had led to a policy impasse that was making matters worse Pakistan is seeking urgency while Afghanistan is asking for time and this has created a policy deadlock that is worsening the situation
Referring to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, he said the project had slowed during Imran Khan’s period in office and had still not recovered its earlier momentum He also questioned continuity in policymaking saying there was no visible change in Pakistan s policy direction towards China Election allegations and madrassa policy
On elections Fazlur Rehman alleged that the trends seen in the 2018 and 2024 general elections had also appeared in by-polls He
cited Quetta Ziarat and Kalat as examples while arguing that the nature of rigging allegations in Pakistan differed from those in other countries
Unlike other countries where rigging allegations are directed at political actors in Pakistan they are directed at institutions
He further said that policies concerning religious seminaries had remained largely the same under successive governments, but implementation had been weak
According to him problems related to registration and access to banking services were still unresolved Views on global trends
Discussing broader international developments, Fazlur Rehman said both communism and democracy were in decline and argued that systems of governance were increasingly being shaped by a combination of capitalism authoritarianism and militarisation
Trump
hints at ceasefire ex tension as Pakistan moves to salvage ‘Islamabad Talks 2.0’
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
“I am ready to go” back to war with Iran
“if no deal is reached by the end of the ceasefire on Wednesday he said adding: I don t want to do that We don t have that much time Trump said the US would resume military action if no agreement is reached, even as Washington expressed confidence that talks with Iran would proceed in Pakistan A senior Iranian official however indicated that Tehran was still considering participation Amid uncertainty over last-minute diplomacy, Trump maintained that Iran must engage seriously in negotiations Meanwhile Pakistan has intensified diplomatic efforts to facilitate the second round of talks Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Islamabad was in continuous contact with Tehran, but a formal response from Iran was still awaited
Pakistan remains in constant touch with the Iranian side but a formal response from Tehran regarding participation in the Islamabad Peace Talks had not been received as of 7:30pm PST,” he said on X He warned that time was running short noting that the ceasefire is set to expire at 4:50am PST on April 22 A decision from Iran to attend the talks before the end of the two-week ceasefire is critical, he said, adding that Pakistan s diplomatic outreach is ongoing Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf said Tehran has “new cards on the battlefield that haven t yet been revealed I expect to be bombing because I think that s a better attitude to go in with But we re ready to go I mean, the military is raring to go, he said Pakistan has urged both the United States and Iran to extend their two-week ceasefire Pakistan s foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday
In a meeting with the US charge d affaires in Pakistan Natalie A Baker Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stressed the need for engagement between the US and Iran, and said Pakistan urged both sides to consider extending the ceasefire a statement from the foreign ministry said Regional officials have told The Associated Press that both the US and Iran are sending their top negotiators to Pakistan for round two peace talks as the fragile ceasefire is set to expire Pakistan-led mediators have received confirmation that Qalibaf and US Vice President JD Vance are expected to arrive in Islamabad early Wednesday the regional officials said speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters Also on Tuesday, Iranian state TV said a ceasefire with the US in force since April 8 would expire at 3:30 am Wednesday Tehran time (00:00 GMT)
Pakistan ‘still awaiting’ Iran response on second-round talks, says Tarar
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran had yet to decide whether to participate in negotiations with the United States in Pakistan
“Iran has not yet made a decision on whether to attend talks with the United States in Pakistan ” he told state television according to Reuters Baghaei also criticised recent US actions describing
moves against two Iranian vessels as “piracy at sea and state terrorism ” while questioning Washington’s seriousness in pursuing negotiations Amid the uncertainty Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged both sides to extend the ceasefire and allow diplomacy more time According to the Foreign Office, he conveyed these views during a meeting with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker, where recent regional developments were discussed
The timing is consistent with when the 14-day truce went into effect though US President Donald Trump recently said it would end a day later, on Wednesday evening Washington time Mediator Pakistan meanwhile has said the ceasefire will end at 23:50 GMT Tuesday W H
Trump certainly believes he has the upper hand in negotiations He has said so repeatedly and stated again and again that the US has already won the war He insists that the nuclear dust as he puts it – the reactive chemical the nuclear munitions that the Iranians say have for peaceful purposes – has all been destroyed by the bombers But at the same time he insists that he will continue with this war even though he says he has already won it
“DPM/FM underscored Pakistan’s consistent emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable means to address challenges and achieve lasting regional peace and stability the FO said adding that Dar encouraged both Washington and Tehran to remain engaged and give negotiations a chance Baker, in turn, appreciated Pakistan’s “constructive and positive role” in promoting regional peace and facilitating dialogue the statement added
Separately US President Donald Trump struck a confident tone, asserting that Washington holds a strong negotiating position in talks with Iran We re going to end up with a
Global suppor t grows for Pakistan's mediation as Dar engages China, US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt on regional peace
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Underscoring the importance of sustained high-level exchanges and close coordination between the two countries In a separate meeting US Chargé d Affaires Natalie A Baker also met the deputy prime minister where both sides reviewed recent regional developments Dar emphasised that dialogue and diplomacy remained the only viable path to resolving tensions and achieving lasting peace He urged continued engagement between the United States and Iran and called for extending the ceasefire to create space for negotiations The US side appreciated Pakistan s constructive and positive role in promoting regional peace and facilitating dialogue between the two sides Meanwhile Dar held a telephonic conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, during which both leaders discussed the latest regional developments and stressed the importance of dialogue and engagement The Saudi minister reiterated the Kingdom s support for Pakistan’s peace efforts, and both sides agreed to remain in close contact In another interaction Dar spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, with both leaders echoing similar views on the need for diplomacy and coordinated efforts to ensure regional stability
the UN Charter and contemporary global realities
COMMENT
IMF plans
IS the country to be asked to make greater sacrifices, more than usual? The government’s anxiety to pass the last IMF review has led it to agree to 11 new conditions, including an agreement not to make any budgetary provision that will entail growth It is going to be bad enough that the government has given the IMF final approval of the budget That could be problematic but it has happened before However, the mechanism is not clear Sharing the budget proposals with the IMF beforehand could compromise budget secrecy especially as the proposals have to receive Cabinet approval before being presented to the National Assembly Then there is the mechanism of the government presenting the budget of its dreams and later making changes just before its passage Everyone would know who was responsible for the changes, and it would allow the government to preen itself on how people-friendly it was, and what wonderful things it would have done had it not been for the big bad IMF
Perceptions aside, the substance of the IMF s new conditions do not merely deal with the Budget They are also about the tax exemptions granted to Special Technology Zones and Special Economic Zones, which the IMF wants written out of the enabling legislation for the STZs and SEZs Oh, nd the IMF wants power and gas tariff hikes to continue It is easy enough to reject the IMF conditions out of hand, but some of them seem based on common sense One example is the Federal Board of Revenue being compelled to centralize its audit case selection process by June, and adopt a standardized audit manual, a published audit policy, and a comprehensive risk and integrity register The audit policy must mandate follow-up of all high-risk cases identified through the risk management system These are not measures
O R decades, frustrated reformers within the Democratic National Committee have fought for changes in party operations particularly more financial transparency accountability and internal democracy This past weekend s meeting in New Orleans represented a hopeful step in the right direction Current DNC chair Ken Martin was elected last year in part because he promised to implement these kinds of reforms and some of that work was evident in New Orleans There’s greater transparency in the budget The DNC s allocations to state parties have dramatically increased (causing some consultants to complain that there s less for them) Instead of the chair appointing all at-large members to the DNC and hand-selecting members for the decision-making standing committees, the membership elected by their states or party caucuses and councils are empowered to vote on some of the at-large positions While more can be done these initial steps are consequential The most significant developments related to stopping corporate and dark money: Martin s insisted on moving forward with reforms and the debate on this issue during the DNC’s general session At the August 2025 meeting of party members Martin was able to pass a resolution that called for banning corporate and dark money from Democratic presidential primaries Dark money is election spending that s not subject to federally imposed limits or reporting requirements It doesn t include campaign contributions by individuals or registered political action committees, which have established limits and must be reported to the Federal Election Commission and publicly at regular intervals Nor does it include actions by membership groups that may endorse candidates and spend money in consultation with their members These are also regulated by law and must be reported By contrast, mostly unregulated dark money allows billionaires to create groups with non-descrip-
tive names to spend millions of dollars to boost or tank particular candidates or causes without publicly disclosing its activity Dark money outlays have grown dramatically in recent years in some competitive races exceeding by 10 times the amounts spent by candidates or party committees In 2023 and 2024, attempts to pass a resolution banning dark money in all Democratic primaries failed, and so reformers were delighted when chair Martin took the lead His focus was limited to presidential primaries where the party has greatest control over the processes and would not require unilateral disarmament in a general election against Republicans Following his resolution s passage, Martin created a Reform Task Force to develop the plan to implement this darkmoney ban for the 2028 presidential primaries At last weekend’s meeting two separate additional resolutions on dark money were submitted by members to the party s Resolutions Committee One called for banning dark money from groups supporting
i n f l u e n c e o u r p r i m a r i e s W h i l e t h e r e s o l u t i o n l o s t , a n o t -
i n c o n s e q u e n t i a l v i c t o r y w a s wo n A d e b a t e w a s h e l d , t h e i s s u e
a i r e d , a n d m e m b e r s l e f t e m p o w e r e d T h e r e s o l u t i o n t h a t p a s s e d
a n d w i l l n o w b e i m p l e m e n t e d by t h e R e fo r m Ta s k F o rc e w i l l b a n
a l l d a r k m o n e y f ro m a l l s o u rc e s , i n cl u d i n g A I PAC
Drowning in denial
Tearly prototypes at microscopic scales, showing that quantum systems can store and release energy with remarkable efficiency While these devices are still far from commercial deployment the trajectory is clear enough to merit serious attention The implications extend far beyond consumer convenience Energy after all is not merely a technical issue; it is a social and economic foundation In countries like Pakistan, where power shortages and grid instability remain persistent challenges, the limitations of current storage technologies are felt most acutely Load shedding is not just a disruption it affects education healthcare industry and the overall quality of life In this context, the promise of ultra-fast, efficient energy storage carries particular significance Imagine a decentralized energy system in which solar panels paired with advanced batteries provide uninterrupted electricity to homes and communities In rural areas where grid access is limited such systems could deliver reliable power without massive infrastructure investments For urban centres, they could stabilize supply and reduce dependence on fossil fuels The quantum battery if successfully developed at scale could accelerate this transition There is also a broader economic dimension to consider The global shift toward clean energy and electrification is already underway, and energy storage is a critical component of that transition Countries that invest in next-generation technologies today will shape the industrial landscape of tomorrow Those that lag risk becoming dependent on imported solutions
For Pakistan this is both a warning and an opportunity The country possesses a growing network of universities and research institutions capable of engaging with advanced scientific fields However, meaningful participation in the quantum revolution will require more than academic interest It will demand sustained invest-
The story of the quantum battery is still being written But even at this early stage, it signals a shift one that could redefine the relationship between energy and society in the years to
ment interdisciplinary collaboration and a clear national strategy that links research to industry
Equally important is the need to cultivate human capital Quantum technologies sit at the intersection of physics, engineering, and information science Preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers to work in this domain is essential if Pakistan hopes to move from being a consumer of technology to a contributor None of this should obscure the challenges ahead
Quantum batteries remain in an early stage of development
Scaling them from laboratory experiments to practical devices will require overcoming significant technical hurdles including stability cost and integration with existing systems The timeline for widespread adoption is uncertain, and expectations must be tempered with realism
Yet history offers a useful perspective Many of today’s foundational technologies from semiconductors to the internet began as experimental curiosities before becoming indispensable What distinguishes transformative innovations is not their immediate practicality, but their long-term potential
The quantum battery fits this pattern
It invites us to rethink not only how we store energy but how we organize our energy systems altogether It suggests a future in which power is abundant rapidly accessible and efficiently managed a future that aligns closely with the demands of a digital, electrified, and climate-conscious world For policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders, the message is clear: this is a development worth watching studying and where possible engaging with For the broader public it is a reminder that the frontiers of science continue to hold solutions to some of our most pressing challenges
The story of the quantum battery is still being written But even at this early stage, it signals a shift one that could redefine the relationship between energy and society in the years to come
The writer is Director Institute of
Learning in fear
TUS action
We hope that the relevant parties will adopt a responsible attitude, strictly abide by the ceasefire agreement, avoid escalating contradictions or exacerbating regional tensions and create the necessary conditions for the resumption of normal transit through the strait Guo said Compounding the complications, Israeli leaders have openly declared that a critical moment has arrived, accusing Iran of seeking to overthrow the US and the West Tel Aviv has also expressed discontent with Washington s demand for a ceasefire in Lebanon The United Nations in particular should continue to support mediation efforts and provide a platform for dialogue The US side should know that its at-
tional strain due to jet fuel uncertainty Industrial output is slowing under the weight of energy constraints In short Europe is bearing a disproportionate share of the economic fallout from a conflict it neither initiated nor endorsed This reality has reinforced a critical lesson: strategic dependence carries unacceptable risks Yet Europe’s
ities and to pursue solutions that align with its interests even when they diverge from those of Washington At the same time a quieter but equally significant transformation is unfolding in the global financial system The extensive use of sanctions by the USA has prompted many nations to explore alternatives to the dollarbased system European countries along with members of BRICS are increasingly experimenting with trade settlements in euros local currencies, and digital financial mechanisms While the dollar remains dominant, its monopoly is gradually being challenged If this trend continues, it could weaken one of the USA’s most powerful tools of influence: its control over global financial infrastructure The possibility of
rebalancing of the transatlantic relationship It does not necessarily signal a complete rupture but it does mark the end of unquestioned alignment Europe is asserting its right to define its own strategic prior-
tempts to force concessions are far more likely to harden positions than to bridge gaps Threats of military action, particularly during a ceasefire, risk deepening mistrust and reducing the space for meaningful dialogue To move from a fragile ceasefire toward more durable peace Washington needs to abandon its approach of negotiating while simultaneously escalating pressure What is required instead is consistency, restraint and a genuine commitment to rebuilding trust without which the prospects for lasting stability are dim The negotiations in Islamabad create such an opportunity for both nations to engage in meaningful dialogue It is imperative that both sides approach the negotiations with a commitment to compromise
But it is the US, in particular, as the initiator of this conflict that must shoulder its responsibility to end it It should demonstrate that it is willing to negotiate in good faith as it has repeatedly broken its promises first by withdrawing from the nuclear deal, then by imposing maximum pressure and launching strikes against Iran in the middle of negotiations and now by negotiating while maintaining a blockade When negotiations are treated as tactical tools to buy time or consolidate leverage rather than as a genuine pathway to resolution, they are nothing but a hollow exercise for public show As Guo stressed, the current regional situation stands at a critical juncture a transition between war and peace Now that a window for peace has opened favorable conditions must be created to bring the conflict to an end as soon as possible China supports the relevant parties in maintaining the momentum of both the ceasefire and the negotiations and it will continue to play a constructive role with the aim of de-escalating the situation and ultimately achieving lasting peace and stability in the region
CHINA , MOZ AMBIQUE UPGRADE TIES TO 'SHARED FUTURE'
EXPAND STRATEGIC COOPERATION
UK media has reported that the concerns surrounded the links of Mandelson s now-shuttered lobbying firm to Chinese companies Robbins recalled when he became the foreign ministry s top official in January 2025 there was a “very strong expectation coming from Number 10 (Downing Street) that he needed to be in post and in America as quickly as humanly possible
ment, insisting he formally approved Mandelson after vetting officials housed in another government department concluded he was a “borderline” case I was briefed that they were leaning towards recommending that clearance be denied but that the Foreign Office security department assessed that the risks could be managed and/or mitigated,” Robbins told MPs “I was also told that the risks did not relate to Mandelson s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein he added ‘P R E S S U R E’
I m afraid what that translated into for my team in the Foreign Office was what I felt was a generally dismissive attitude to his vetting clearance,” he said “My office the foreign secretary’s office were under constant pressure there was an atmosphere of constant chasing Mandelson was named to the coveted top diplomatic post in December 2024, just weeks before US President Donald Trump was inaugurated the following month and took up the job in February 2025 Asked about the possibility of denying Mandelson security clearance Rob-
bins conceded that would have been a “difficult problem I would have been landing the foreign secretary with and the prime minister with But he insisted that was not what was on my mind as we took this decision” while also noting a denial would have “damaged” UK-US ties Starmer sacked Mandelson in September 2025 seven months after he took up the post following new details emerging about the depth of the ex-envoy s ties to Epstein, who died in a US prison in 2019 while facing sex-trafficking charges ‘B A D P I C K’ UK police are now investigating allegations of misconduct in office by Mandelson 72 when he was a Labour minister more than 15 years ago He was arrested and released in February and has not been charged Mandelson denies criminal wrongdoing Overnight Trump who has criticised Starmer over a perceived lack of support for his war on Iran waded into the controversy
the nose said
al-Raqab a displaced Palestinian man living in a tent near the southern city of
Yunis “I am unable to sleep through the night because I must constantly watch over the children ” the 32-year-old construction worker originally from Bani Shueila told AFP With shelters erected directly on soft sand by the Mediterranean Sea, rodents can easily burrow under tent walls and wreak havoc inside, where people have established makeshift pantries and kitchens The rodents have eaten through my tent Raqab said Nearly all of Gaza s population
assuming the role, Mert has focused on strengthening in market execution, refining routes to market and ensuring decisions are grounded in consumer insights and market dynamics in Pakistan All operational circles will hold open cour ts: IESCO spokesman ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t IESCO has issued a schedule of open Kachary in all operational circles According to which open Kacharies will be organized in SE Islamabad Circle at IESCO F-8 Sub Division, Islamabad, SE Rawalpindi City Circle at IESCO Gangal Sub Division, Rawalpindi, SE Rawalpindi Cantt Circle at Government Boys High School Jhatli Main Mandra Chakwal Road SE Attock Circle at IESCO Attock Cantt Sub Division SE Jhelum Circle at IESCO Rural Sub Division Kala Gujrain SE Chakwal Circle at IESCO C S Shah Sub Division will hold Open Kachary on 23rd April 2026 (Thursday) From 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon IESCO Chief Executive Officer Engr Khalid Mahmood himself will monitor the open Kachery Consumers of IESCO Region should participate in these open Kachery for registering complaints / suggestion to power related issues For more information call on CCMC number 051-9252933-34
A ZERBAIJAN OFFERS LNG SUPPLY TO PAKISTAN AS HORMUZ DISRUPTION HALTS QATAR CARGOES
Nawaz S harif praises govt and Gen A sim Munir over
US -Iran mediation effor ts
Field Marshal Asim Munir for their part in mediation efforts between the United States and Iran
Speaking at a Gilgit-Baltistan parliamentary board meeting where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar were also present Nawaz said the role played by Dar and the field marshal was commendable He said Pakistan s standing had risen on the diplomatic front, stating “Pakistan s name has been elevated at the diplomatic level” Pakistan drew international attention after Islamabad helped secure a US-Iran ceasefire shortly before a deadline linked to US President Donald Trump’s warning of hell on April 8 Earlier this month, President Trump said he had agreed to a twoweek ceasefire with Iran following discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Munir During those efforts PM Shehbaz asked Trump to extend his deadline by two weeks to allow space for diplomacy, and the US president accepted the request
After the ceasefire arranged through Pakistan s mediation Islamabad hosted uncommon direct talks between the US and Iran earlier this month The meeting marked the first direct contact between the two countries in more than a decade The talks concluded without an agreement to stop the Middle East conflict although there was no immediate resumption of hostilities
A second round of discussions between senior American and Iranian officials is expected to take place in Islamabad this week Remarks at GB meeting
At the same meeting Nawaz also praised the performance of the Punjab government and urged other provinces to follow Punjab s example
He criticised the PTI-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over what he described as a poor law and order situation saying Is anyone breathing a sigh of relief [there]?
Punjab CM greenlights sweeping disease prevention drive
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has granted in-principle approval for the launch of the Chief Minister Punjab Disease Prevention Programme, a province-wide initiative aimed at curbing the spread of major diseases and strengthening preventive healthcare
The programme will focus on the prevention of diabetes tuberculosis (TB) AIDS and hepatitis alongside an extensive public awareness campaign to educate citizens about life-threatening illnesses and early intervention
The decision was taken at a special meeting chaired by the chief minister where Secretary Health and Population Nadia Saqib delivered a detailed brief-
ing It was agreed that a comprehensive awareness drive would be rolled out across Punjab under the chief minister ’s direct supervision underscoring the government’s emphasis on proactive health governance Officials informed the meeting that the campaign would highlight
both prevention and treatment of deadly diseases The chief minister directed authorities to take concrete steps to control such illnesses and ensure strict implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) in public hospitals particularly to contain epidemic and fast-spreading infections
ISLAMABAD
s ta
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday suspended the Senate by-election on the seat vacated after the de-notification of Pakistan Tehreek-iInsaf leader Murad Saeed after a petition questioned the legality of the de-notification process A three-member bench of the commission heard the petition and issued notices to all relevant parties During the proceedings counsel for petitioner and
MPA Jalal Khan told the commission that Saeed had been elected to the Senate but had not taken oath as a member The lawyer argued that this raised a legal question over the manner in which Saeed was later de-notified Since Saeed did not take the oath questions arise over how he was de-notified as a member," he told the commission and maintained that a person becomes a member of the house only after taking the oath The petitioner ’s counsel asked the ECP to defer the by-election and first remove what he described as ambiguity surrounding the matter After hearing the arguments, the commission accepted the request and stayed the by-election that had been scheduled for April 23 The case was then adjourned until May 7 Disqualification and vacancy On March 26 the ECP disqualified Saeed from his Senate seat following h
stronger and brighter Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in his
on Iqbal
cording to the commission’s notification the disqualification was based on
