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PM, CDF MunIr DeParT To aTTenD uS-Iran TeChnICal TalkS In SwITzerlanD Sunday, 21 June, 2026 | 5 Muharram, 1448
PMO CONFIRMS PM SHEHBAZ, FIELD MARSHAL MUNIR WILL ATTEND CRUCIAL DIPLOMATIC ROUND, WHICH FOLLOWS ISLAMABAD MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING g NEGOTIATIONS COME AS IRAN BLAMES US FOR FAILING TO STOP ISRAEL’S STRIKES IN LEBANON
ISLAMABAD SAYS TECHNICAL-LEVEL NEGOTIATIONS SET FOR BÜRGENSTOCK WILL INCLUDE PAKISTANI, QATARI OFFICIALS g IRANIAN DELEGATION DEPARTS AS STRAIT OF HORMUZ BLOCKADE DEEPENS PRESSURE AHEAD OF NEGOTIATIONS
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Pakistan-facilitated US Iran follow-up talks commence today ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
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ISLAMABAD/TEHRAN
SALEEM JADOON AND AGENCIES
HE United States and Iran are set to hold technical-level talks in Switzerland on Sunday (tomorrow), with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir will to attend the crucial diplomatic round, according to officials, as Tehran reimposed a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz over continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon—raising fresh questions over the durability of a
newly signed accord ahead of the next phase of negotiations. On the other hand, an Iranian negotiating team has left for Switzerland for discussions on the implementation of its agreement with the United States aimed at halting the Middle East war, Iranian state media reported. According to the official news agency IRNA, the delegation’s departure was confirmed by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, who said the team would “follow up and demand implementation of the other party’s commitments” under the deal.
Seven martyred in twin terror blasts in Bannu's mountainous region BANNU
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) on Saturday announced that technicallevel negotiations aimed at implementing the landmark Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran will commence in Buergenstock, Switzerland, on Sunday. According to the FO, representatives from the United States and Iran, alongside mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, will participate in the discussions as part of efforts to advance the understandings reached under the historic agreement. “Pakistan will continue to facilitate the process in its role as mediator, with a view to advancing the understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
naqvi holds key talks in tehran as pakistan intensifies efforts to advance uS-iran peace process TEHRAN
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held important talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on Saturday as Islamabad continued its diplomatic efforts to facilitate the implementation of the landmark USIran peace agreement brokered with Pakistan's mediation. Naqvi arrived in Iran earlier in the day, landing in Mashhad before travelling to Tehran for discussions with the Iranian foreign minister, according to Iranian media reports.
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Rana Sanaullah quashes rumours of leadership change after budget passage ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
At least seven people were martyred and three others injured in two successive explosions in Marka Bera, a semi-tribal mountainous area of Bannu’s Wazir subdivision, on Saturday in what authorities described as a terrorist attack. Confirming the casualties, Bannu District Police Officer (DPO) Yasir Afridi said security forces and law-enforcement agencies swiftly reached the area, collected evidence and launched a comprehensive investigation into the incidents. According to police, the explosions occurred in the Phang Musa Khel area and targeted two vehicles through remote-controlled explosive devices. Police said the first explosion targeted a private Datsun vehicle carrying passengers and travelling towards Domel. The powerful blast killed five people on the spot and completely destroyed the vehicle. Rescue teams and local residents immediately rushed to the scene and began efforts to evacuate the victims. Authorities described the attack as a “cowardly act of terrorism” aimed at innocent civilians. According to eyewitnesses and local sources, a second blast occurred nearly one kilometre away from the site of the first attack while the injured were being transported for medical treatment. The second explosion killed two more people and destroyed another vehicle, bringing the death toll to seven. Rescue 1122 teams shifted the bodies and injured victims to Domel Rural Health Centre and Khalifa Gul Nawaz Teaching Hospital for treatment and medicolegal procedures. Following the attacks, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to track down those responsible. Authorities also initiated a thorough sweep of the surrounding region amid concerns that additional explosive devices might have been planted. Investigators are collecting forensic evidence and examining the circumstances surrounding the coordinated attacks. President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the improvised explosive device attacks and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives.
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 87 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Saturday firmly rejected reports and speculation regarding any change in the Prime Minister's Office following the passage of the federal budget for 2026-27, describing such claims as baseless and misleading. Speaking to journalists, the senior Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) leader said certain elements were deliberately spreading misinformation and fabricated narratives in an attempt to create uncertainty and political instability in the country. Responding to a question about rumours regarding the replacement of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Sanaullah categorically de-
nied the reports and said there was no truth in such speculation. He maintained that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was leading the country effectively and had significantly enhanced Pakistan's standing on the international stage. "Pakistan has gained recognition and respect across the world due to the prime minister's leadership and diplomatic efforts," he said. The adviser added that the premier's sincerity, tireless work ethic and commitment to addressing national challenges had earned widespread appreciation from various segments of society. According to Sanaullah, the government's performance and the prime minister's determination to steer the country through economic and political challenges had strengthened public confidence in the administration. Commenting on relations with
opposition parties, the PM's adviser reiterated the government's commitment to democratic engagement and political dialogue. He said the ruling coalition had always favoured negotiations and constructive political interaction, regardless of political differences. Recalling his party's time in opposition, Sanaullah noted that despite facing legal cases and political pressures, the PML-N had continued to uphold democratic norms and institutions. "The democratic process remains the best way forward for resolving political issues," he remarked. Turning to regional developments, Rana Sanaullah welcomed recent progress regarding Iran and expressed optimism that the lifting of sanctions on Tehran would generate positive economic opportunities for Pakistan.
Qureshi acquitted, four senior PTI leaders sentenced to 10 years in May 9 riot case LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Saturday acquitted former foreign minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi in a May 9 riots case, while sentencing senior PTI leaders Dr Yasmin Rashid, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed and former senator Ejaz Chaudhry to 10 years’ imprisonment each. ATC-I Judge Manzer Ali Gill announced the verdict in a case registered at Mughalpura Police Station, where the accused were charged with attacking and setting fire to police vehicles during the violent protests that erupted in Lahore on May 9, 2023. The judgment had been reserved on Thursday and was announced during proceedings held at the makeshift court established inside Kot Lakhpat Jail, where the accused were produced. Besides Qureshi, the court acquitted 11 PTI workers after finding insufficient evidence to establish their involvement in the offences alleged by the prosecution. The case involved a total of 22 PTI leaders and workers, while two accused had earlier been declared proclaimed offenders after allegedly absconding and avoiding arrest. Several other workers named in the case were also convicted and handed 10-year prison sentences. According to the prosecution, the accused had allegedly planned and orchestrated the May 9 disturbances and incited party workers to engage in acts of violence and rioting. The prosecution presented testimony from 37 witnesses and argued that the evidence established the involvement of the accused in attacks on lawenforcement personnel and public property. After examining the evidence and hearing arguments from both sides, the court delivered its verdict, acquitting some accused while convicting others. The nationwide unrest erupted on May 9, 2023, following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from the premises of the Islamabad High Court in the Al-Qadir Trust case. The arrest triggered widespread protests across Pakistan, during which demonstrators allegedly attacked military installations, government buildings and public property. In Lahore, violent incidents included attacks on police infrastructure and the residence of the Lahore Corps Commander, commonly known as Jinnah House. Thousands of PTI supporters and leaders were subsequently detained as authorities launched a nationwide crackdown and initiated multiple criminal cases. The latest verdict is among a series of judgments delivered in cases arising from the May 9 violence. Earlier verdicts have been announced in cases relating to attacks on the Shadman Police Station, Sherpao Bridge, police vehicles near Rahat Bakery, and the burning of a Supreme Court judge’s escort vehicle near Jinnah House. In December 2025, the same court acquitted Qureshi in another May 9-related case concerning an attack on the entrance gate of Government Officers Residence-I at Club Chowk, while sentencing Dr Yasmin Rashid, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed and Ejaz Chaudhry to 10 years’ imprisonment.
trump says pakistan helped Washington with iran agreement ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
United States President Donald Trump has said Pakistan played a helpful role in Washington’s memorandum of understanding with Iran, according to remarks he made in an interview with Axios. When asked which world leaders he liked, Trump mentioned Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before referring to Pakistan’s leadership. Speaking about Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, he said Pakistan’s civilian and military leaders had a strong working
relationship and added that the country had assisted the United States in its contacts linked to Iran. Trump said Pakistan had familiarity with Iran and people involved in the process. He described Field Marshal Munir in positive terms and also spoke favourably about the relationship between Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz. "In Pakistan, you have the field marshal, who is great. Munir, he’s great. And you have the prime minister, and they just get along great … He totally respects the prime minister. It’s a beautiful thing to see," He then added: "But they really helped us with this deal. They knew the Iranians, they knew the people and they were good,"
Remarks on conflict with India During the same interview, Trump was also asked what he had learned about limits on his power. In response, he said he had not yet learned that lesson, while also asserting that limits did not apply in the way suggested. In that context, he referred to last year’s military conflict between Pakistan and India and said Pakistan had asked him not to take further action because of its closeness with Washington. "There are no limits,” he said. “I haven’t learned that lesson yet. I know there are, but there are no limits. We defeated them totally militarily. I was asked by Pakistan because they’re close to please not do anymore. I said, I like them a lot,"
FY27 budget aims at export-led growth, economic consolidation: FinMin aurangzeb ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27 is designed to accelerate export-led growth and consolidate economic stabilisation achieved over the past two years, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Saturday as he concluded a parliamentary debate on the government’s fiscal plan. The Rs18.9 trillion ($67 billion) budget, unveiled on June 10, seeks to maintain fiscal discipline while supporting growth in an economy recovering from a balance-of-payments crisis that pushed Pakistan to the brink of sovereign default in 2023. The proposals triggered several days of debate in parliament, with lawmakers raising concerns over taxation measures, revenue collection targets, relief for households and the pace of economic recovery. “The fundamental goal of our government and this budget is export-led growth,
which should be sustainable and inclusive, which should increase productivity and create jobs,” Aurangzeb told the National Assembly during the budget debate. He said the government believed the economy had moved beyond a stabilisation phase and was now positioned for stronger growth, pointing to improvements in key economic indicators over the past year. “Today our industry is doing well,” he said, adding that large-scale manufacturing had recorded growth of around 6.5 percent, the highest in four years. FinMin Aurangzeb said Pakistan’s external account had also remained stable, noting that the country posted a current account surplus during the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, while remittances from overseas Pakistanis were expected to reach $41 billion by year-end. He also highlighted growth in the technology sector, saying information technology exports had increased by 20 percent
during the year and were expected to exceed $4.5 billion, while Pakistani freelancers generated record earnings of $1.6 billion. The finance minister said the government’s fiscal strategy was aimed at shifting focus from overburdening existing taxpayers to expanding and broadening the tax base. “We have changed this trend through this budget and have focused on broadening and deepening instead of burdening,” he said, adding that relief had been provided to salaried workers, exporters, industries and small businesses, alongside efforts to improve tax compliance and enforcement. FinMin Aurangzeb also highlighted ongoing reforms at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), saying the government was introducing a new operating model aimed at increasing digitisation, reducing discretionary powers and enhancing transparency in tax administration. The budget debate comes as Pakistan
continues efforts to sustain economic recovery under reforms linked to a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. The government has projected economic
growth of 4.2 percent for the next fiscal year, saying lower inflation, a stronger external position and rising exports provide a foundation for faster expansion.