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Tuesday, 2 June, 2026 | 16 ZilHaj, 1447
Rs 50.00 | Vol XVII No 68 | 44 Pages | Islamabad Edition
EU wElcomEs Pakistan's mEdiation in Us-iran talks as Pm EU hails Pakistan as shEhbaz, kallas PlEdgE strongEr stratEgic PartnErshiP 'key regional power', g
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EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF KAJA KALLAS HAILS PAKISTAN AS MAJOR REGIONAL POWER AND KEY STRATEGIC PARTNER PAKISTAN, EU AGREE TO DEEPEN COOPERATION IN TRADE, CLIMATE RESILIENCE, DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SECURITY
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BRUSSELS APPRECIATES ISLAMABAD'S EFFORTS IN US-IRAN DIALOGUE, BACKS CONTINUED DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENT GSP+ REMAINS VITAL FOR BILATERAL TRADE AS BOTH SIDES REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO STRONGER ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
Pakistan-China business cooperation enters new phase as $7.54bn B2B deals gain momentum: PM Shehbaz ISLAMABAD
ASAD NIZAMI
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ISLAMABAD MIAN ABRAR
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-European Union relations, while the EU strongly praised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in promoting peace and dialogue between the United States and Iran. Kaja Kallas, who is also Vice President of the European Commission, met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House during her official visit to Pakistan. The visit coincided with the 8th Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue, reflecting the growing momentum in bilateral engagement between Islamabad and Brussels. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the prime minister warmly welcomed the EU’s top diplomat and reiterated Pakistan’s desire to expand its multifaceted partnership with the European Union across a broad range of sectors. Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed
satisfaction over the successful holding of the 8th round of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with the EU in trade, investment, climate change, security, migration, sustainable development, digital connectivity and people-to-people exchanges. The prime minister highlighted the significance of the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) arrangement, describing it as a cornerstone of Pakistan-EU economic relations that has substantially contributed to strengthening bilateral trade and boosting Pakistan’s exports to European markets. Kallas, in turn, acknowledged Pakistan’s growing importance as a regional partner and conveyed the European Union’s strong interest in expanding strategic engagement with Islamabad. The meeting also featured extensive discussions on regional and international developments, with particular focus on the evolving situation in the Gulf and the ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between the United States and Iran. Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked the EU leadership for supporting Pakistan’s peace initiatives in the region and under-
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that the unprecedented expansion in business-to-business engagements between the private sectors of Pakistan and China marked the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral economic cooperation, expressing confidence that the growing partnership would contribute significantly to Pakistan’s economic transformation. Chairing a high-level review meeting to assess progress on the agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed during the Pakistan-China Business-to-Business (B2B) Conference held in Hangzhou, China, the prime minister emphasized that stronger industrial, agricultural and technological collabo-
scored Islamabad’s commitment to promoting dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred path toward lasting peace. He noted that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir had been actively engaged in efforts aimed at facilitating dialogue and helping prevent further escalation in the Gulf region. The prime minister emphasized that the international community, including the European Union, must work collectively to ensure sustainable peace and stability in the Middle East, warning that prolonged instability would have serious implications for regional and global security as well as international energy markets. During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz also shared Pakistan’s perspec-
Bilawal calls for constitutional protection of GB rights ahead of June 7 polls SHIGAR
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday called for constitutional safeguards for the rights of GilgitBaltistan (GB), asserting that any future constitutional amendment must ensure protection of the region’s political, economic and administrative interests. Addressing a large public gathering in Shigar ahead of the June 7 Gilgit-Baltistan elections, Bilawal said the people of the region deserved the same constitutional rights and opportunities enjoyed by citizens in other parts of Pakistan. “If any constitutional amendment is introduced in the future, it is essential that the rights of Gilgit-
Baltistan are fully protected,” he said, adding that the struggle for the region’s right of self-governance must continue until meaningful constitutional progress is achieved. The PPP chairman emphasized that one of the most effective ways to advance Gilgit-Baltistan’s political rights would be to hold elections in the region simultaneously with general elections across Pakistan. “When elections in GilgitBaltistan and the rest of Pakistan are conducted on the same day, the struggle for the right of rule and representation will move forward in a meaningful manner,” he stated. “If we genuinely want to strengthen the constitutional position of Gilgit-Baltistan, then synchronizing elections should be among our foremost objectives.” Bilawal reiterated his party’s
commitment to extending the spirit of the 18th Constitutional Amendment to Gilgit-Baltistan, ensuring that the region receives the same rights, resources and administrative authority available to other federating units. Speaking about what he described as the “right to ownership” (Haq-i-Malkiyat), Bilawal criticized centralized decision-making and argued that local communities should have greater control over their natural resources and development priorities. “The difference between the PPP and other political forces is that others want everything to be controlled from Islamabad,” he said. “They want to manage Gwadar from Islamabad, Karachi from Islamabad, and they also want decisions regarding Gilgit-Baltistan to be made from Islamabad.”
PM Shehbaz says economy stabilised, vows export-led growth and greater relief for business community ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that Pakistan's economy had achieved stability after a period of sustained and determined efforts by the government, adding that comprehensive measures were now being undertaken to accelerate economic growth and create new opportunities for investment, production and employment. The prime minister expressed these views while chairing a highlevel consultative meeting with a delegation comprising senior representatives of chambers of commerce and industry from across the country. The meeting focused on proposals for the upcoming federal budget and strategies aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s economic foundation.
Addressing the participants, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that economic recovery had been made possible through prudent policymaking, fiscal discipline and collective national efforts. He said the government remained committed to ensuring that the benefits of economic stability translated into higher growth, increased industrial activity and improved living standards for the people. He reiterated that export-led economic development remained the cornerstone of the government’s economic strategy. “Our mission is export-based economic development, and through collective efforts we will successfully accomplish this mission,” the prime minister stated. He informed the business leaders that the forthcoming federal
budget would include additional incentives and measures designed to promote industrial development, encourage domestic production and strengthen Pakistan’s export sector. The prime minister also directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to resolve all pending tax refund cases by June 15, stressing that timely refunds were essential for improving liquidity in the business sector and enhancing investor confidence. The consultative session was attended by presidents and senior office-bearers of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) as well as representatives from the chambers of Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Quetta, Gujrat, Gujranwala and Sialkot.
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ration with China would enhance Pakistan’s export potential, attract greater foreign investment and generate thousands of employment opportunities across the country. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing, the meeting focused on evaluating the implementation status of the understandings reached during the premier’s recent official visit to China and identifying measures to accelerate the conversion of MoUs into practical investment projects. Prime Minister Shehbaz directed all relevant ministries, departments and stakeholders to ensure that the MoUs signed during the Hangzhou conference are transformed into formal agreements and joint ventures at the earliest possible stage.
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tive on developments in South Asia and Afghanistan and reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to regional peace, economic cooperation and constructive diplomacy. He conveyed his best wishes to European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, while renewing his invitation for both leaders to visit Pakistan. Earlier, while addressing a joint press conference following the Strategic Dialogue, Kallas described Pakistan as “a major regional power and an important partner for the European Union.” She noted that the dialogue had reaffirmed the shared commitment of both sides to further strengthen and deepen bilateral relations.
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vows stronger strategic partnership ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The European Union on Monday described Pakistan as a major regional power and an increasingly important strategic partner, as senior leaders from both sides pledged to deepen cooperation across trade, diplomacy, security, climate resilience and regional peace efforts during the 8th Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue held in Islamabad. The high-level dialogue was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas, who is also Vice-President of the European Commission. Addressing a joint press conference after the talks, Kallas described Pakistan as a pivotal player in regional affairs and emphasized that Brussels viewed Islamabad as an indispensable partner in addressing global and regional challenges. “Pakistan is a major regional power and an important partner for the European Union,” she said. “Today, through our strategic dialogue, we reaffirmed our shared commitment to taking EU-Pakistan relations to a higher level.” Kallas noted that her visit came at a particularly significant moment, as the international landscape had undergone profound changes since the previous strategic dialogue held in November 2025. She praised Pakistan’s growing diplomatic role, particularly its efforts to facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran during one of the most sensitive crises in the Middle East in recent years. Acknowledging Islamabad’s mediation efforts, she remarked that Pakistan had emerged as a principal diplomatic bridge between Washington and Tehran. “Your diplomatic efforts have helped prevent a return to full-scale war on several occasions, and these efforts are widely recognised and appreciated across Europe,” Kallas told Dar. She observed that Pakistan’s engagement had contributed to creating a fragile but important diplomatic opening aimed at extending the ceasefire and restoring stability in the Gulf region, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The EU foreign policy chief stressed, however, that any temporary understanding between the United States and Iran would need to evolve into a broader and more comprehensive framework addressing Iran’s nuclear programme and wider regional security concerns. “Lasting stability requires deeper and more comprehensive solutions,” she said, adding that the European Union stood ready to contribute through diplomatic engagement, economic incentives, maritime cooperation and its longstanding relationships across the Gulf region. Kallas highlighted the economic dimension of Pakistan-EU relations, noting that the European Union remained Pakistan’s largest export destination. “The EU market is larger for Pakistan than the United States and China combined,” she pointed out, describing the trade relationship as one of the strongest pillars of bilateral engagement.