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DAr meetS rUbio iN WAShiNgtoN AS PAkiStAN PUSheS irAN-US PeAce effortS Saturday, 30 May, 2026 | 13 ZilHaj, 1447
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PAKISTAN PUSHES DIALOGUE AND REGIONAL STABILITY THROUGH DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENTS
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WASHINGTON, TEHRAN EDGE CLOSER TO CEASEFIRE EXTENSION AND NUCLEAR TALKS
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 63 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
FO SAYS DAR'S VISIT REFLECTS COMMITMENT TO STRONGER PAKISTAN, US PARTNERSHIP
dar urges pakistani-americans to invest in pakistan during new York event NEW YORK
NEWS DESK
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WASHINGTON
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
EPUTY Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday held talks with US Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio in Washington, as Pakistan intensified diplomatic efforts aimed at facilitating a peace agreement between the United States and Iran. The two leaders participated in a photo opportunity ahead of their meet-
ing, while a joint statement was expected later in the day. Dar was also scheduled to address a press conference following the talks. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the deputy prime minister arrived in Washington earlier in the day after concluding a three-day visit to New York, where he attended meetings linked to the United Nations. Upon arrival, Dar was received by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh along with senior officials of the Pakistani embassy.
Pakistan urges immediate Ukraine ceasefire, warns escalating war worsening humanitarian crisis ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan has renewed its strong call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomacy to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, warning that continued military escalation is intensifying humanitarian suffering and posing serious risks to regional stability. Addressing an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on Ukraine, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, voiced grave concern over the latest surge in fighting and its devastating humanitarian consequences, according to a statement shared on X by Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the UN on Friday. Ambassador Ahmad reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled position on strict adherence to international law and international humanitarian law, stressing that all parties must fully uphold their obligations, including the protection of civilians and diplomatic compounds under customary international law and treaty commitments. ‘Imperative of peaceful settlement’ “The recent escalation demonstrates yet again the imperative of peaceful settlement,” the ambassador stated, emphasizing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable route toward a comprehensive and lasting peace.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has told PakistaniAmericans that Pakistan’s economic outlook is improving and invited them to invest in the country, according to a transcript of his speech released by the Foreign Office on Thursday. Dar made the remarks while addressing an Eidul Azha dinner for leaders of the Pakistani-American community in New York. The Foreign Office said he had arrived in the city two days earlier to attend a high-level meeting of the United Nations Security Council. According to the Foreign Office, Dar said the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had guided the country out of a period of serious economic difficulty and towards stability. He pointed to lower inflation, better
The Foreign Office said the meeting between Dar and Rubio focused on reviewing bilateral relations and exchang-
credit ratings, a stronger external account and growing investor confidence as signs of what he described as a positive economic direction. The deputy prime minister also said the government was pursuing an export-led growth strategy aimed at earning foreign exchange, creating jobs and linking Pakistan more firmly with the global economy and international supply chains. The Foreign Office said he described the diaspora as a major national strength in advocacy, investment and people-to-people ties with the United States. In that context, Dar called on overseas Pakistanis to deepen their role in the country’s future. The Foreign Office said he invited the Pakistani-American community to honour their roots by investing in Pakistan and becoming partners in its onward journey.
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ing views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.
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Pakistan pays glowing tribute to UN peacekeepers, reaffirms commitment to global peace RAWALPINDI
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
On the occasion of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2026, Pakistan paid rich tribute to the sacrifices and invaluable contributions of UN “Blue Helmets,” reaffirming its unwavering commitment to global peace, security and humanitarian service under the United Nations flag. In a statement issued on Thursday, Pakistan highlighted its more than six-decade-long association with UN peacekeeping missions, describing it as a reflection of the country’s steadfast dedication to international peace and stability. Since 1960, over 237,000 Pakistani peacekeepers have served in UN missions across the world, while 183 Pakistani personnel embraced martyrdom in the line of duty during peacekeeping operations. The statement noted that Pakistani peacekeepers are currently serving in some of the world’s most volatile and high-risk conflict zones, including the Democratic Republic of Congo under MONUSCO, South Sudan under UNMISS, and the Central African Republic under MINUSCA. It said Pakistani contingents were carrying out a broad spectrum of multidimensional operations ranging from active military engagements to addressing climatedriven humanitarian crises and civilian protection responsibilities. Highlighting the changing nature of modern conflicts, the statement observed that contemporary war zones had become increasingly unstable, complex and asymmetric, exposing peacekeepers to hybrid threats including cyber risks, digital misinformation campaigns, political fragmentation and climate-induced emergencies. Referring to the 2026 theme of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers — “Invest in Peace” — the statement described it as a significant shift from reactive conflict management towards proactive peace preservation.
Govt cuts petrol and diesel prices by Rs22 per litre ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
In a major relief measure for the public on the occasion of Eid-ulAzha, the federal government on Friday announced a substantial reduction of Rs22 per litre in the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel, aiming to ease the financial burden on citizens amid ongoing economic challenges. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said the government remained fully committed to providing maximum relief to the people and described public welfare as one of his administration’s foremost priorities. The prime minister stated that he had earlier promised the nation that whenever fiscal space became available, the government would immediately transfer the benefit to the public. He said the latest reduction in petroleum prices was a fulfilment of that commitment and a special Eid gift for the people on the third day of Eid-ul-Azha. According to officials, the reduction in fuel prices is expected to lower transportation costs, provide relief to commuters and re-
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia mull ways to enhance security ties ISLAMABAD
duce operational expenses for businesses and industries dependent on fuel. The development comes only days after the government had already announced another cut in petroleum prices, reflecting what officials described as the government’s continued efforts to shield the public from inflationary pressures and rising living costs. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the federal government had consistently tried to protect ordinary citizens despite difficult economic conditions and volatility in international energy markets.
He highlighted that the government had introduced targeted fuel subsidies for public transport, goods transport vehicles, motorcycle riders and rickshaw drivers to lessen the burden on lower and middle-income groups. The premier observed that while several countries in the region faced fuel shortages and long queues at petrol stations due to global supply disruptions, Pakistan had managed to maintain uninterrupted availability of petroleum products through timely policy decisions and effective management.
STAFF REPORT
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud, where both leaders discussed bilateral relations, internal security cooperation, and the latest regional situation. During the meeting, the two ministers exchanged Eid al Adha greetings and conveyed their best wishes. Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud also congratulated Mohsin Naqvi on performing Hajj and appreciated Pakistan’s positive role in efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the region. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the field of internal security. It was agreed that 200 personnel from the FC Special Diplomatic Protection Unit will receive professional training in Saudi Arabia. The meeting also decided that a high-level delegation from the Saudi Ministry of Interior will soon visit Pakistan to further enhance bilateral cooperation.
Trump announces end of Iran naval blockade, says now making 'final determination' on deal WASHINGTON AGENCIES
United States President Donald Trump on Friday announced the end of the country's naval blockade of Iran. He said in a social media post that he would be meeting in the White House Situation Room to make a final decision on a deal with Iran. He also listed what a potential deal would need to include: Iran agreeing not to develop a nuclear weapon, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the removal of any sea mines, the lifting of the US blockade on Iran and the removal and destruction by the US of Iran's highly enriched uranium. "No money will be exchanged, until further notice. Other items, of far less importance, have been agreed to. I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination," Trump posted on Truth Social.
A senior Iranian source told Reuters that a political understanding over the war had been reached but not yet finalised. Iran's semi-official Fars news agency, citing sources, said there was a "mixture of truth and falsehood" in Trump's comments, which were an "attempt to portray a fabricated victory". After the US lifts its blockade on Iranian ships, the strait would be reopened but under Tehran's arrangements, Fars said. There was no provision to destroy nuclear materials in the sides' Memorandum of Understanding, the agency said, though there was agreement to release $12 billion of Iran's frozen assets. Meanwhile, Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi told his Omani counterpart that reaching a deal with the US to end the Middle East war depended on Washington dropping its "excessive demands", Tehran's foreign ministry. "The Iranian minister of foreign affairs
... indicated that arriving at a final agreement depended on ending the American party's attitude based on excessive demands and shifting and contradictory positions," the ministry said in a summary of a call between the ministers. Iranian action in Strait of Hormuz 'lawful and consistent with international law': UN envoy Iranian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said on Thursday the actions of the Islamic Republic in the Strait of Hormuz are "lawful and consistent with international law." Iravani made the remarks on Thursday before the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), high-level open debate titled “Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-Centered International System.” He said that Iran "could not allow
such a critical waterway to be used as a corridor for hostile actions and military
aggression against its sovereignty, territory, and vital interests."