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Sunday, 26 April, 2026 | 8 Dhul-Qadah, 1447
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 31 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
TRUMP CANCELS US ENVOYS' VISIT AFTER IRANIAN DELEGATION LEAVES ISLAMABAD US–IRAN PEACE TRACK STALLS
g FM ARAGHCHI-LED IRANIAN DELEGATION
DEPART AFTER MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER SHEHBAZ AND CDF MUNIR
g US PRESIDENT TELLS FOX NEWS HE HAD
CANCELLED A PLANNED TRIP TO PAKISTAN BY ENVOYS KUSHNER AND WITKOFF
g ASKED WHETHER CANCELLATION MEANT
g IRANIAN DELEGATION DISCUSSES
HE WOULD RESUME THE WAR, TRUMP TOLD AXIOS: ‘NO. IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT. WE HAVEN’T THOUGHT ABOUT IT YET’
OVERALL REGIONAL SITUATION, BESIDES MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST IN SEPARATE MEETING
Dar engages Türkiye, Egypt to push diplomatic momentum for regional peace ISLAMABAD
U
Staff CorreSpondent
ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON Staff report/agenCieS
S President Donald Trump cancelled a planned visit to Pakistan by envoys Jared and Steve Kushner Witkoff for peace talks with Iran following the departure of the Iranian delegation from Islamabad on Saturday. The Iranian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left Islamabad after holding highlevel meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. US envoy on Middle East Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner were expected to depart for Pakistan later in the day for talks involving Iranian interlocutors. However, the planned visit was
called off after the Iranian delegation concluded its engagements in Islamabad and returned, marking a sudden shift in the diplomatic schedule. Earlier, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had discussions on the overall regional situation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir in separate meetings. The meetings focused on the evolving regional landscape and broader diplomatic efforts linked to ongoing Iran–US engagement channels. Trump cancels US envoys’ visit Hours after Araghchi departed the federal capital, the US president told Fox News he had cancelled a planned trip to Pakistan by envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff for peace talks with Iran. “I’ve told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, ‘Nope, you’re not making an 18-hour flight to go there. We have
Iran inflicted ‘extensive’ damage to US bases than previously disclosed: report TEHRAN/ANKARA anadolu agenCy
Iran has inflicted more “extensive” damage to United States bases and equipment in the Middle East since the start of US and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28, NBC News reported on Saturday, citing sources. The report said that the damages from Iran’s retaliatory strikes against US military bases in seven Middle Eastern countries were “far worse than publicly acknowledged and is expected to cost billions of dollars to repair”. Iran has hit dozens of targets, including warehouses, command headquarters, aircraft hangars, satellite communications infrastructure, runways, high-end radar systems and dozens of aircraft, the report said. It added that Iran used missiles, drones and even F-5 fighter jets to target US bases in the region, despite previous claims by US authorities that the Iranian air force had failed to use fighter jets against American targets. The Pentagon has not detailed the extent of the damage to US military bases publicly, according to the report, with US Central Command declining to comment on battle damage assessments. According to the report, some Republican lawmakers privately expressed their dissatisfaction with senior Pentagon officials for refusing to provide information on the extent of the damage or a cost estimate for repairs.
all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you’re not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing,’” Fox News reported the president as saying in a phone call. Asked whether the cancellation meant he would resume the war, Trump told Axios: “No. It doesn’t mean that. We haven’t thought about it yet.” Subsequently, he posted on his Truth Social platform, reiterating that the visit had been cancelled. “Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their ‘leadership.’ Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!”
As part of Pakistan’s sustained diplomatic outreach, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday held separate telephonic conversations with his counterparts from Turkey and Egypt, underscoring dialogue and diplomacy as essential tools for ensuring regional peace and stability. In his call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Dar briefed his counterpart on Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts amid evolving regional dynamics. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan, he stressed that sustained engagement through dialogue remains the only viable path to resolving conflicts and promoting stability both regionally and globally. The two leaders also exchanged views on key regional and international issues of mutual concern and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close coordination. Earlier, Dar also spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, during which both sides reviewed ongoing diplomatic initiatives, particularly those being facilitated by Pakistan in the current crisis environment. The Foreign Office said both leaders emphasised the importance of continued engagement and constructive dialogue to advance peace and stability in the region.
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President Zardari embarks on weeklong visit to China to deepen strategic, economic ties ISLAMABAD
Staff report
President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday departed for a week-long visit to China aimed at advancing bilateral ties, expanding economic cooperation and marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, state-run PTV News reported. Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider saw off President Zardari at Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore ahead of the official engagements. In a statement, the Foreign Office said the visit will focus on strengthening economic and trade cooperation, with particular emphasis on the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship project of the broader Pakistan-China strategic partnership. The statement said that under the itinerary, President Zardari will visit Changsha in Hunan province from April 25 to 27, followed by Sanya in Hainan province from April 28 to May 1. During the visit, the president is scheduled to hold meetings with provincial leadership to review the full spectrum of Pakistan-China ties, with discussions expected to centre on trade expansion, investment cooperation and progress on CPEC-related initiatives. The FO said the visit forms part of the longstanding tradition of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China and carries added significance as both countries commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year. It said the trip reflects the “deep commitment” of both sides to further consolidate their strategic cooperative partnership and deepen collaboration across key sectors. President Zardari last visited China on a 10-day official trip in 2025, during which he held meetings with the Chinese leadership and senior officials to strengthen bilateral relations, broaden cooperation in diverse sectors and advance shared strategic objectives. During that visit, six memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed between the Sindh government and business-to-business partners in sectors including agriculture, defence, energy, rail connectivity and farmer training, with plans later announced to expand those initiatives to other provinces.
‘Business timings revised’: Islamabad administration allows public, goods transport ISLAMABAD
Staff report
Pakistan to remain ‘honest facilitator’ in Iran–US diplomacy, PM tells Pezeshkian in 50-minute call ISLAMABAD
Saleem jadoon
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday held a telephonic conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to continue serving as an “honest and sincere facilitator” following the latest setback in US–Iran talks and hours after the Iranian delegation departed Islamabad. The development came after US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned visit by envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to Pakistan for talks with Iranian officials, in the wake of the departure of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation. In a post on social media platform X, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the call as “warm and constructive,” saying it focused on the evolving regional situation. “I appreciated Iran’s continued engagement, including the highlevel delegation to Islamabad led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, whom I had the pleasure
of meeting earlier today,” he said. He added: “I reaffirmed that, with the support of friends and partners, Pakistan remains committed to serving as an honest and sincere facilitator — working tirelessly to advance durable peace and lasting stability in the region.” According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the phone call lasted 50 minutes, during which both leaders exchanged views on the current regional situation and ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability. The PMO said the prime min-
ister appreciated the participation of the high-level Iranian delegation in the Islamabad Talks held on April 11 and 12, and also welcomed Iran’s decision to send a delegation led by FM Araghchi to Islamabad. It added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed the Iranian president on his recent diplomatic outreach to several world leaders, noting that these engagements had helped build broader consensus in favour of sustained dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the conflict-affected region.
The administration federal capital on Saturday night allowed all types of public and goods transport to enter the city, while also revising business timings. The administration said all bus stands across the city were operational, except Faizabad. It said that the Faizabad bus terminal would remain closed until further notice. The administration also opened hiking trails in the federal capital. It said that it had also opened all parks, including Daman-i-Koh and Lake View, to the public. Separately, the administration issued a notification revising business timings. The notification partially amended the second order issued in this regard on April 16. Changes were made in the timings of all sports facilities and clubs, including gymnasiums. Earlier, the closing time was 8pm but it has now been extended to 10pm. The notification issued from the office of Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon said that all the shops, markets and shopping malls shall close at 8pm throughout the week, including Saturdays and Sundays. It added that pharmacies, medical stores, medical supply stores, medical laboratories, hospitals, petrol pumps, CNG stations and milk/dairy shops were exempt from the restriction. The notification said that hotels, restaurants and food outlets, tandoors, grocery stores, kiryana stores, meat shops, fruits and dry fruit shops, vegetable vendors and bakeries would close at 10pm. However, it added that “there shall be no restriction on takeaway and home delivery services”. It said that marriage halls, marquees and other commercial places where festive events were held shall close at 10pm throughout the week, which will also apply to events held at private premises. “This order will come into effect from April 25 and shall remain in force till further orders,” the notification added.
Pakistan launches indigenous EO-3 satellite from China ISLAMABAD
Staff report
Pakistan has successfully launched its indigenous electro-optical satellite, EO-3, from China’s Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre, the Foreign Office said on Saturday, describing the development as a significant step forward for the country’s space programme. In a statement posted on X, the Foreign Office said the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) had carried out the launch, calling it another important milestone in Pakistan’s expanding space capabilities. The statement said EO-3 is designed for an imaging mission and also carries experimental payloads intended to test next-generation space technologies. According to the Foreign Office, these include a multi-geometry imaging module aimed at improving imaging accuracy, an advanced energy storage system, and an onboard AI-
powered data processing unit for real-time analysis and intelligent decision support. The Foreign Office said the addition of EO-3 to Pakistan’s Earth Observation satellite fleet would significantly strengthen the country’s remote sensing capacity. It added that the integrated system would improve data continuity, imaging reliability and analytical precision, supporting uses across different socio-economic sectors in Pakistan. Launch details and official response China’s Xinhua News reported that the satellite was launched at 8:15pm Beijing time aboard a Long March-6 carrier rocket and successfully entered its planned orbit. According to the Foreign Office statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Suparco’s scientists and engineers on the achievement. The statement said he reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to advancing Pakistan’s space programme and expressed appreciation for
China’s continued cooperation in the field. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also praised Suparco for what the statement described as its technical excellence and dedication. The Foreign Office said he termed the successful launch a reflection of Pakistan’s growing scientific capability and reiterated the government’s resolve to further strengthen the country’s presence in the space sector. Beyond its core imaging mission, EO-3 carries advanced experimental payloads aimed at validating next-generation space technologies. Recent satellite launches The latest launch follows other recent developments in Pakistan’s national space programme. In February, Pakistan launched its second indigenous Earth Observation Satellite, EO-2, from China’s Yangjiang Seashore Launch Centre. Earlier, in July 2025, Pakistan launched a remote sensing satellite from a launch cen-
tre in China. That satellite was intended to enhance the country’s capabilities in areas
including agricultural monitoring and disaster management.