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Saturday, 23 May, 2026 | 6 ZilHaj, 1447
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 58 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
FiELD MARSHAL MUniR, QATARi TEAM in TEHRAn AS US-iRAn DEAL ‘PRoSPEcTS BRiGHTEn’ g
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CDF/COAS ARRIVES IN IRAN FOR HIGH-LEVEL TALKS ON REGIONAL PEACE AS PAKISTAN INTENSIFIES DIPLOMACY ON US-IRAN TENSIONS
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VISIT COINCIDES WITH QATARI DELEGATION’S ARRIVAL FOR USCOORDINATED NEGOTIATIONS IN TEHRAN
MUNIR JOINED BY INTERIOR MINISTER MOHSIN NAQVI WHO IS ALREADY IN IRANIAN CAPITAL
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RUBIO CLAIMS PAKISTAN PLAYING KEY ROLE IN FACILITATING DIALOGUE BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND TEHRAN
ISLAMABAD/TEHRAN
SALEEM JADOON/AGENCIES
HIEF of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Friday evening for high-level talks expected to focus on the US-Iran conflict and broader regional peace efforts, as Pakistan intensified its diplomatic engagement aimed at de-escalating months of tensions between Tehran and Washington. Field Marshal Munir’s arrival coincided with the visit of a Qatari negotiating team to Tehran on Friday, which is reportedly working in coordination with the United States to help secure a possible agreement aimed at ending the conflict and addressing outstanding issues, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. On arrival, the army chief was “received and warmly welcomed” by Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. The military’s media wing added that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was also present at the reception. According to sources, the visit comes amid continued diplomatic activity involving multiple regional stakeholders seeking to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
Field Marshal Munir is expected to hold meetings with senior Iranian leadership to discuss US-Iran talks, regional stability and other key issues during his visit, according to sources. Earlier in the day, security sources had confirmed his departure for Iran. The visit comes as Pakistan has taken a more active diplomatic role in recent months, engaging with both Tehran and Washington to help prevent wider re-
Govt cuts petrol price by Rs6/Litre, HSD by Rs6.80 ahead of Eidul Azha PROFIT
AHMAD AHMADANI
In a major relief for inflation-hit consumers ahead of Eid ul Adha, the federal government on Friday reduced petroleum prices by up to Rs6.80 per litre for the next fortnight, lowering transport and logistics costs at a time of increased nationwide travel and commercial activity. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division), the price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) has been reduced by Rs6.80 per litre, bringing the new rate down to Rs402.78 per litre from Rs409.58. Similarly, the price of Motor Spirit (petrol) has been cut by Rs6.00 per litre to Rs403.78 per litre compared to the previous price of Rs409.78 per litre. The revised prices will take effect from May 23, 2026. The reduction comes at a crucial time ahead of Eid ul Adha when fuel consumption traditionally rises sharply due to increased movement of people, livestock transportation, intercity travel, and commercial supply operations across the country. The cut in diesel prices is expected to provide some breathing space to the transport sector, farmers, and goods carriers, as HSD is the primary fuel used by heavy transport vehicles, buses, trucks, tractors, tube wells, and agricultural machinery. Any reduction in diesel prices usually has a wider impact on inflation because transportation costs directly influence the prices of vegetables, fruits, food items, and other essential commodities. Petrol, on the other hand, is mainly used in motorcycles, rickshaws, and private vehicles, making it the most widely consumed fuel among middle- and lower-middle-income households. A reduction in petrol prices directly affects daily commuting costs for millions of citizens. The latest reduction is likely to be welcomed by consumers and transporters alike, particularly ahead of Eid-related travel and business activity, although fuel prices in Pakistan still remain at historically elevated levels.
ISPR SAYS IRANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER ESKANDAR MOMENI RECEIVES FIELD MARSHAL MUNIR ON ARRIVAL
gional escalation following renewed tensions in the Middle East. Iran’s state news agency IRNA earlier cited a diplomatic source in Islamabad as saying that Field Marshal Munir had departed for Tehran and would meet senior Iranian officials during the visit. “The field marshal is going to Iran,” a security source told Pakistan Today on condition of anonymity when asked about the visit.
Pakistan’s military leadership has been playing an increasingly prominent role in regional diplomatic outreach in recent months. CDF/COAS Munir is accompanied in his broader diplomatic engagements by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who has already met Iranian leadership twice this week. US says it remains in ‘constant communication’ with Field Marshal Munir Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remained in “constant communication” with Field Marshal Asim Munir, adding that senior levels of the US government were regularly engaged with him. He also praised Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue between Washington and Tehran. “The primary interlocutor on this has been Pakistan and continues to be, and they’ve done an admirable job trying to mediate a peace deal,” Rubio was quoted as saying by Fox News. “Obviously, other countries may have their own situation going on. We talk to all of them. But I would just say the primary country we’ve been working with on all of this is Pakistan, and that remains the case,” he told reporters in Sweden.
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PM Shehbaz invites Qatari investment in Pakistan's tourism, real estate and hospitality sectors ISLAMABAD
ASAD NIZAMI
Shehbaz Sharif on Friday held talks with a high-level delegation from Qatar-based Taameer Group to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan’s tourism, hospitality, real estate and construction sectors. The delegation was led by the group’s founder, Muhammad Hussein Al Ali, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. During the meeting, the prime minister described Qatar as a longstanding and trusted friend of Pakistan that had consistently supported the country during challenging periods. He said the government was
taking concrete measures to attract foreign investment and had removed major bureaucratic hurdles through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). PM Shehbaz said Pakistan possessed significant investment potential in the tourism, hospitality, real estate and construction sectors and directed the relevant authorities to fully facilitate the visiting delegation in exploring business opportunities across the country. Muhammad Hussein Al Ali briefed the prime minister on Taameer Group’s ongoing and planned projects in Pakistan and expressed strong interest in expanding the company’s footprint in the hotel, hospitality, construc-
tion and real estate sectors. The Qatari investor also appreciated the government’s efforts under PM Shehbaz’s leadership to improve Pakistan’s business environment and attract foreign investment. He said the SIFC framework had helped streamline investor facilitation and strengthen economic cooperation, reaffirming the group’s commitment to expanding its investment activities in Pakistan in the coming years. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani and other senior government officials.
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PM Shehbaz’s China visit to further deepen strategic partnership, advance CPEC 2.0 BEIJING/ISLAMABAD MIAN ABRAR
Shehbaz Sharif will depart for China today on a three-day official visit at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, as Islamabad and Beijing prepare to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations with renewed commitments to strategic cooperation and economic integration. The visit, from May 23 to 26 , is expected to open a new chapter
in the longstanding Pakistan-China partnership, widely regarded as one of the most enduring and trusted bilateral relationships in the region. Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad marking the anniversary of diplomatic ties, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described China as Pakistan’s most steadfast friend. “Earthquakes, floods, peace and difficult times — China has always supported Pakistan in an unwavering fashion,” the premier
was quoted as saying. Over the past 75 years, Pakistan and China have steadily expanded cooperation across diplomacy, defence, infrastructure, trade and regional connectivity. In 2015, both countries elevated their ties to an “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership,” followed by a commitment in 2018 to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.
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Pakistan, Bangladesh move to deepen civil service cooperation and administrative engagement ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar on Friday said Pakistan attached special importance to institutional cooperation and administrative collaboration with friendly countries, stressing that stronger engagement between the civil services of Pakistan and Bangladesh would help promote mutual trust and constructive bilateral relations. The minister made the remarks during a meeting with a visiting delegation of senior Bangladeshi civil service officers currently in Pakistan as part of an official exchange programme. The meeting focused on governance systems, administrative reforms, institutional capacity building and professional cooperation between the two countries. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and Federal Secretary for Information Ashfaq Ahmed Khalil also attended the session. During the interaction, Tarar briefed the delegation on the Pakistani government’s reform initiatives and policy measures being implemented across various sectors. He described the Executive Development Programme between the civil services of Pakistan and Bangladesh as a significant step forward in bilateral engagement, noting that both countries shared historical connections and a common administrative heritage. “Enhanced engagement between the civil services of Pakistan and Bangladesh will further promote mutual trust and constructive collaboration,” the minister said. Tarar welcomed the improving trajectory of PakistanBangladesh relations and expressed confidence that such institutional exchanges would contribute to deeper understanding and long-term cooperation between the two nations. He also emphasized the importance of expanding collaboration between training and capacity-building institutions through faculty exchanges, joint research projects and the development of shared training modules. The minister appreciated the successful implementation of the programme under the PakistanBangladesh Knowledge Corridor organized by the Civil Services Academy. Members of the Bangladeshi delegation expressed interest in Pakistan’s administrative framework and reform measures introduced in different sectors, describing the discussions as productive and constructive.
Tulsi Gabbard resigns as Trump's top US intelligence official WASHINGTON REUTERS
Tulsi Gabbard said on Friday she is resigning from her job as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence, saying her husband had been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer and that she was stepping away from her role to help him. Gabbard advised Trump of her intention to step down during an Oval Office meeting on Friday, Fox News Digital reported earlier. The resignation is effective June 30, it said. A source familiar with the matter said that Gabbard had been forced out by the White House. In her resignation letter posted on X, Gabbard told Trump she was “deeply grateful for the trust you placed in me and for the opportunity to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence for the last year and a half.” She cited her husband’s recent diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer. “I cannot in good conscience ask him to face this fight alone while I continue in this demanding and timeconsuming post,” she said. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Aaron Lukas, would serve as acting director of national intelligence.
Pakistan, Turkiye air forces deepen strategic defence partnership during high-level Ankara talks ANKARA STAFF REPORT
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the Turkish Air Force have reaffirmed their “growing strategic convergence” and commitment to expanding cooperation in defence, aerospace innovation and emerging military technologies during high-level engagements in Turkiye, the military’s media wing said on Friday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu held a series of important meetings during his official visit to Turkiye with Turkish Air Force Commander Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and Selçuk Bayraktar. The engagements focused on strengthening bilateral defence ties, enhancing oper-
ational cooperation and exploring collaboration in next-generation aerospace and unmanned technologies. At the Turkish Air Force Headquarters, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu was presented a guard of honour before holding detailed talks with General Kadıoğlu on expanding interoperability through joint military exercises, advanced training programmes and professional exchanges between the two air forces. The Turkish air chief also appreciated the Pakistan Air Force’s role in training Turkish pilots, highlighting the growing trust and operational coordination between the two allied nations. During his meeting with Defence Minister Yaşar Güler, the Pakistani air chief reaffirmed the “strong historical and strategic ties” between Pakistan and Turkiye, while both sides discussed avenues for deeper co-
operation in training, capacity building and aerospace collaboration. In a separate meeting with Baykar Technologies CTO Selçuk Bayraktar, discussions centered on advancements in aerospace innovation, unmanned aerial systems and emerging defence technologies. According to ISPR, the discussions reflected a “shared vision” to pursue enhanced collaboration in next-generation defence capabilities and technological innovation. The visit comes amid steadily expanding strategic cooperation between Pakistan and Turkiye across defence, security, trade and technology sectors. Earlier this year, Asim Munir held talks with Turkish Chief of General Staff Selcuk Bayraktaroglu on regional security and bilateral defence cooperation. Pakistan and Turkiye maintain long-
standing military and diplomatic relations, with both countries increasingly pursuing
closer collaboration in defence production, training and regional security coordination.