PAKISTAN, US HAIL TIES AS ‘TRUE AND SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP’ In partnership with
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Friday, 5 June, 2026 | 19 ZilHaj, 1447
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PM SHEHBAZ MARKS US 250TH ANNIVERSARY, HAILS NEARLY EIGHT DECADES OF ENDURING PAKISTAN-US RELATIONS
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RECALLS EARLY US RECOGNITION OF PAKISTAN AND TRUMAN’S MESSAGE TO QUAID-E-AZAM
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CREDITS US ROLE IN KEY HISTORICAL MOMENTS INCLUDING AFGHANISTAN WAR AND TERROR ERA
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 71 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
SAYS PAKISTAN-US TIES ARE EVOLVING INTO A BROADER STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP, RECALLING CLOSE COOPERATION AT KEY MOMENTS WITH WASHINGTON
SAYS COOPERATION SPANS SECURITY, COUNTERTERRORISM, ENERGY, SCIENCE AND EDUCATION HAILS TRUMP’S INTERVENTION IN MAY 10 CEASEFIRE FOLLOWING PAHALGAM INCIDENT
PM seeks to elevate Pak-Saudi ties into economic partnership ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
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ISLAMABAD SALEEM JADOON
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday underscored the “true and special relationship” between Pakistan and the United States, spanning nearly eight decades, and encompassing cooperation in security, counterterrorism, energy and science, saying the partnership is now steadily evolving into a broader engagement rooted in people-to-people ties, education, investment and shared economic opportunity.
He said both countries are looking to deepen cooperation in the years ahead across emerging areas of mutual interest. Addressing an event marking the United States’ 250th anniversary, the prime minister recalled that the United States was among the first countries to recognise Pakistan following its independence. He noted that then US President Harry Truman had sent a congratulatory message to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, welcoming Pakistan into the community of nations. Prime Minister Shehbaz said Islamabad and Washington had worked
BHC suspends proceedings in FIR against Mahmood Khan Achakzai
closely at some of the most consequential moments in history, including the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s and the global war on terror from 2001 to 2021. He further said that last year, following India’s “unprovoked aggression”
after the Pahalgam incident, it was the timely and decisive intervention of then US President Donald Trump that helped secure a ceasefire between Pakistan and India on May 10.
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FO rejects claims of Iran nuclear intelligence sharing in Dar–Rubio meeting ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
QUETTA
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said Pakistan is keen to elevate its economic relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into a broadbased, mutually beneficial economic partnership, adding that agriculture and food security could serve as key priority areas for enhanced bilateral cooperation. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the prime minister expressed these views while talking to a high-level Saudi business delegation that called on him at the Prime Minister House. The prime minister welcomed Saudi investments across diverse sectors and reiterated that Pakistan attaches high importance to expanding economic collaboration with the Kingdom, particularly in areas of mutual
strategic and economic interest such as agriculture and food security. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was assisted during the meeting by Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Communications Aleem Khan, Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiyani, SAPM Tariq Fatemi, SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan, and other senior officials. Welcoming the delegation, the prime minister recalled the visit of Prince Mansour and a Saudi business delegation to Pakistan in October 2025, expressing hope that the current visit would help advance discussions and facilitate the signing of MoUs and agreements in multiple sectors.
The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Thursday suspended all proceedings in a case registered against senior opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai over alleged seditious remarks. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Kamran Khan Malakhail and Justice Gul Hassan Tareen passed the order while hearing a petition filed by the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief, who has sought the quashing of the first information report (FIR). During the hearing, Chief Justice Malakhail questioned the legal route adopted by the petitioner. He observed that Achakzai is an elected member of the National Assembly and enjoys parliamentary immunity, and said the matter should have been taken up in Parliament. The chief justice also asked why the petitioner had not first approached the relevant trial court before moving the high court. Achakzai’s counsel then presented arguments on the political and legal grounds of the petition, maintaining that the case had no sound legal basis. The FIR had been lodged on the complaint of an individual. After hearing the initial defence arguments, the bench issued notices to the state and ordered a complete halt to all police and judicial action in the matter until the next hearing.
The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday “categorically and unequivocally” rejected media reports claiming that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar shared any intelligence regarding Iran’s nuclear programme during a recent meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Addressing the weekly press briefing, FO Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the claims were “entirely baseless and speculative,” adding that they appeared aimed at undermining ongoing diplomatic efforts and the broader process of dialogue and engagement. He said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on May 29 during his brief visit to Washington, where the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation as well as regional security issues. He added that Rubio had also appreciated Islamabad’s role in “advancing peace in the Middle East.”
Pakistan reiterates no shift in stance on Abraham Accords, backs Palestinian state ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan on Thursday said its position on the Abraham Accords remains unchanged and reaffirmed support for a free, sovereign and independent Palestinian state. At the weekly press briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the past two weeks had involved very active diplomatic engagements despite the Eid holidays. He outlined recent visits by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, as well as the visit to Pakistan by Euro-
The spokesperson firmly stated that “no intelligence was shared during the course of this dialogue,” stressing that the discussions focused
pean Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. Andrabi said the prime minister visited China from May 23 to 26 at the invitation of the Chinese government. During the trip, Shehbaz Sharif met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. The premier also chaired a Pakistan-China business-to-business investment conference in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, focused on information technology and telecommunications, battery energy storage, and agriculture. The spokesperson said a detailed joint statement was issued after the visit.
on regional peace, stability, and the importance of pursuing diplomatic solutions to ongoing challenges.
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Govt reiterates commitment to minority rights in meeting with Christian delegation ISLAMABAD
ASAD NIZAMI
Information Minister Ataullah Tarar on Thursday assured members of the Christian community that the government remained committed to safeguarding the rights of religious minorities, according to a report carried by state broadcaster PTV. The meeting was attended by Mr Tarar and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, who held talks with a delegation from the Christian community on issues related to minority rights as well as the welfare and well-being of Christians in Pakistan. During the discussion, participants reviewed concerns facing the community and stressed the need to address those matters through relevant laws and policy measures. According to PTV, the delegation appreciated what it described as the government’s continued commitment to protecting minority communities. The participants also welcomed the Punjab government’s recently enacted Child Marriage Restraint Act 2026 and praised official efforts aimed at ensuring equal opportunities for religious minorities. The meeting also resulted in an understanding on developing an effective mechanism to address additional matters, including Christian Personal Law. The law minister said it was of utmost importance to move forward with comprehensive legal and policy reforms in consultation with the community. Speaking during the meeting, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said: "The government is fully committed to providing equal rights and equal opportunities to all citizens," Information Minister Ataullah Tarar expressed similar views and said consultation with minority representatives was essential to ensure that the needs of all citizens were reflected in the lawmaking and policy process. He told the delegation: "Consultation with representatives of minority communities ensures that the needs of all citizens are taken into account in law and policy-making," He also said the government was committed to promoting interfaith harmony, equal citizenship and an inclusive society in which all Pakistanis could contribute to national development without discrimination. According to the PTV report, the participants agreed on the importance of resolving the issues faced by the Christian community through a more effective legal and policy framework developed in consultation with community representatives.
SC dismisses Zahir Jaffer review plea in Noor Mukadam murder case ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a review petition filed by Zahir Jaffer in the Noor Mukadam murder case and maintained its earlier ruling upholding his death sentence. Noor, 27, was found murdered at Jaffer’s residence in Islamabad in July 2021. The investigation had found that she was tortured by him before being beheaded. Jaffer was sentenced to death by a trial court in February 2022. His challenge to that verdict was later dismissed by the Islamabad High Court, and the Supreme Court had already upheld his death sentence once before the review plea was taken up. A three-member bench comprising Justices Hashim Khan Kakar, Salahuddin Panhwar and Ishtiaq Ibrahim heard the review petition. Advocate Khawaja Haris appeared for Jaffer, while Shah Khawar represented the respondents. After hearing arguments from both sides, the bench announced its verdict. Following the latest ruling, a presidential pardon under Article 45 of the Constitution remains the only legal option available to Jaffer.
Bilawal seeks ‘heavy mandate’ in GB polls to complete PPP’s ‘unfinished mission’ DIAMER
STAFF REPORT
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday urged voters in Gilgit-Baltistan to give his party a “heavy” mandate by securing a majority in the upcoming elections, saying this was essential to complete what he described as the “unfinished mission” of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto and to safeguard the rights of the region. Addressing a rally in Ghizer amid a surge of election campaigning in GilgitBaltistan, Bilawal said the PPP wanted a “heavy majority in GB — not for me, but for you,” so that the party could advance the “unfinished mission” of its founding leaders in the region. Referring to the nine seats the PPP had won in the last GB elections, he claimed that other seats had been “stolen.” This time, he said, “no one can steal seats from you,” adding that all three seats in
Ghizer would go to the PPP. The PPP chairman highlighted what he called the contributions of past party leadership, noting Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s subsidies that, according to him, continue to benefit the region, and Benazir Bhutto’s role in granting Ghizer district status. He added that former president Asif Ali Zardari had given the region its assembly, identity, governor and chief minister, saying: “Now it is my turn and yours.” “It is the new generation’s responsibility to secure more rights for GB,” he said, adding that he sought a mandate from the region so that Islamabad would be compelled to respect the wishes of the people before creating any new provinces. Bilawal stressed that a PPP majority, including all three Ghizer seats, was necessary to advance what he described as the region’s right to sovereignty. He noted that 28,000 square kilometres of land in GB had previously belonged to the
state, and said it was through the efforts of the PPP and its assembly members that legislation was passed to declare it “your land, common land” under the law. Responding to criticism, he said: “The people who say the PPP does not deliver on its promises should remember we have been in politics for three generations, and for three generations we have a record of keeping our word.” “Now what remains is implementation of this legislation,” he added. “If I do not get a government, if I do not get all three seats in Ghizer, if I do not get seats in Baltistan, Gilgit, and the Diamer division, if I am stopped from installing my chief minister, then I know the PML-N or another party will tear up our legislation like a piece of paper. My promise will remain incomplete.” Bilawal also underscored the right to ownership as a key electoral pledge, saying the PPP wanted to grant ownership of arable land to the people of the region.
He cited the Sindh People’s Housing for Flood-Affectees (SPHF) programme, under which two million houses are being built for flood-affected families with ownership of land and homes transferred directly to bene-
ficiaries. He described it as the “largest land transfer in Pakistan’s history” since the land reforms introduced by his grandfather, adding that it had also generated one million jobs in Sindh.