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g US PRESIDENT SAYS HE IS
g 'THEY ALL WANT TO MAKE
WASHINGTON, DC
Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. Trump added that Pakistan was "continuing to work with us" in the negotiation process. Iranian state media reported earlier that Iran submitted its latest proposal for negotiations with the US to mediator Pakistan. IRNA reported that according to its foreign policy correspondent, the country "delivered the text of its latest negotiation plan to Pakistan on Thursday evening, May 10, as a mediator in negotiations with the US". The White House said it would not detail private diplomatic conversations when asked about Iran’s new proposal. “We do not detail private diplomatic conversations. President Trump has been clear that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon, and negotiations continue to ensure the short- and long-term national security of the United States,” spokeswoman Anna Kelly said.
NOT SURE ‘WE’RE GOING TO GET TO A DEAL’ TO END THE WAR
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staff report/agencies
NITED States President Donald Trump said on Friday that he was "not satisfied" with Iran's latest proposal in negotiations to end the war between the countries. "They want to make a deal, I'm not satisfied with it, so we'll see what happens," Trump told reporters at the White House. Trump did not elaborate on what he sees as the proposal's shortcomings. The president said negotiations continued by phone after he called off his envoys' trip to Pakistan last week. He expressed frustration with Iran's leadership, which he described as fractured. "It's a very disjointed leadership," he said. "They all want to make a deal, but they're all messed up." He further said that he had "great respect" for Pakistan,
A DEAL, BUT THEY'RE ALL MESSED UP,' SAYS OF IRANIAN LEADERSHIP
pakistan, türkiye reaffirm push for Middle east peace, deepen strategic ties ISLAMABAD
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to advancing lasting peace in the Middle East, stressing continued diplomatic engagement for regional stability. DPM/FM Ishaq Dar made these remarks during a meeting with Türkiye’s Ambassador to Pakistan Irfan Neziroglu, who called on him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to the Foreign Office in a post on X. During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting peace and stability in the region, the FO said.
Continued on page 03
Flotilla activists released in Greece after Israeli interception of Gaza aid mission GREECE/ISLAMABAD
staff report/agencies
More than 100 activists, including former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, who were aboard aid vessels bound for Gaza, were released and taken to the Greek island of Crete on Friday, a day after Israeli forces intercepted their ships in international waters near Greece. The activists were part of a second Global Sumud Flotilla, launched in re-
cent months in an attempt to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian assistance. The ships had departed from the Spanish port of Barcelona on April 12. On Friday, an Israeli navy vessel transferred 168 members of the flotilla crew to Greek boats, which then transported them to shore, where buses and an ambulance were waiting, according to organisers and Reuters footage. Before communications were report-
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edly jammed, former senator Mushtaq Ahmad posted videos on social media platform X, saying: “Flotilla under attack, Israeli terrorist army has captured 11 of our boats.” Later, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed on X that the former senator, “who was unlawfully detained by Israeli occupying forces along with other humanitarian workers aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, has been released.”
Continued on page 03 “I thank the Hellenic authorities for facilitating former Senator Mushtaq Ahmad at Crete, Greece. I also express my deep gratitude to the leadership and government of Türkiye for facilitating his return to Istanbul for onward travel to Pakistan,” he added. Dar also appreciated the “effective response by the Foreign Office and our embassy in Athens” in handling the matter. He strongly condemned the “illegal detention of humanitarian workers aboard the flotilla as well as obstruction of humanitarian aid destined for the besieged people of Gaza,” adding that Pakistan “has been and will continue to extend unequivocal support for our Palestinian brothers and sisters.”
Punjab unveils new rules, regulations for kite-flying ahead of Basant festival 2027 LAHORE
staff report
The Punjab government on Friday announced a comprehensive set of rules and regulations for kite-flying ahead of the Basant Festival 2027, setting December 30, 2026 as the deadline for their full implementation. The regulations have been issued on the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to ensure the protection of life and property. The chief minister said compliance with these guidelines would be mandatory for every citizen, building owner and event organizer, according to a handout issued by DGPR. After nearly two decades, a three-day Basant festival was celebrated in Lahore in February following the decision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to lift the ban on the cultural festival of colours and kite-flying, subject to strict regulations. The festival had been banned in 2007 due to a rising number of fatalities and serious injuries caused by hazardous kite strings— particularly affecting motorcyclists and pillion riders—as well as incidents of celebratory gunfire. Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said the festival will be held in February 2027 and will be “bigger and better than the one held this year.” According to Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, “The new regulations have been issued on the directives of CM Maryam to ensure the protection of life and property.” She said compliance with these instructions would be mandatory for every citizen, building owner and event organiser, adding that kiteflying would only be permitted on secure rooftops with boundary walls at least three-and-a-half feet high.