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PRESIDENT ZARDARI, PM SHEHBAZ REVIEW SECURITY, ECONOMY AND BUDGET PRIORITIES Tuesday, 9 June, 2026 | 23 ZilHaj, 1447
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TOP LEADERSHIP DISCUSSES NATIONAL SECURITY, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS AND LAW AND ORDER
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GILGIT-BALTISTAN ELECTIONS, COALITION GOVT FORMATION AND AZAD KASHMIR SITUATION COME UNDER REVIEW
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Rs 50.00 | Vol XVII No 75 | 44 Pages | Islamabad Edition
PPP LEADERS URGE PML-N TO JOIN COALITION GOVT TO BE FORMED IN GILGIT BALTISTAN AFTER SPLIT MANDATE INTERIOR MINISTER BRIEFS MEETING ON IRAN VISIT AND REGIONAL DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENTS
pM Shehbaz urges restraint, calls for diplomatic solution to Middle east conflict ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
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ISLAMABAD MIAN ABRAR
RESIDENT Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday held an important meeting at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, where they reviewed the country's overall political, economic and security situation, with particular focus on the upcoming federal budget, regional developments and law and order. The high-level meeting was at-
tended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah. The participants held detailed discussions on national security, the internal and regional environment, economic challenges, the federal budget for the next fiscal year, recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and other matters
Maritime minister, Dar discuss release of Pakistani seamen held by Somali pirates ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Monday spoke by telephone with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar about efforts to secure the release of Pakistani seamen being held by Somali pirates, according to a statement issued by the maritime affairs ministry. The ministry said the crew members were taken hostage more than a month ago after armed pirates hijacked MT Honour 25 off Somalia’s southeastern coast on April 21. It said 11 Pakistanis were among the vessel’s crew and remain in captivity. According to the statement, Chaudhry also contacted Pakistan’s envoy in Somalia over the matter. It said the need to speed up efforts for the crew’s quick and safe release was emphasized. In the statement, Chaudhry said efforts to secure the crew’s release began soon after information about the incident was received in April. The minister added that the government remained in contact with the foreign ministry and the Somalian embassy, and was working for the safe return of the seamen.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday called on all parties involved in the Middle East conflict to exercise maximum restraint and give diplomacy a greater opportunity to succeed, stressing that peace remains within reach if efforts to resolve the crisis continue. In a statement shared on his official X account, the prime minister expressed concern over the recent escalation of violence in the region, describing it as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by fragile ceasefires and the devastating consequences that renewed hostilities can bring. He said Pakistan, together with its regional partners and friendly countries, was working earnestly and diliof national importance. During the meeting, President Zardari emphasised that the forthcoming federal budget should prioritise public
gently to support efforts aimed at finding a peaceful diplomatic resolution to the conflict. “The recent surge in violence in the Middle East is a stark reminder of the dangers associated with a tenuous ceasefire and the unbearable consequences it may lead to,” the prime minister stated. Emphasising the importance of dialogue and engagement, he noted that diplomatic efforts had made significant progress and that the desired objective of peace appeared increasingly attainable. “As we work earnestly and painstakingly, together with our brothers and partners, to find a peaceful diplomatic solution to the conflict, and especially when the final objective is just about to be achieved, we sincerely urge all sides to exercise restraint and give peace a little more chance,” he said.
welfare, safeguard the constitutional rights of provinces, and support sustainable economic stability.
Continued on page 03
IN TODAY’S ISSUE
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Pakistan rejects British MPs’ 'unwarranted and ill-informed' remarks on AJK irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Monday, rejected the “unwarranted and ill-informed” remarks made by certain British Members of Parliament and members of the Pakistani diaspora in the United Kingdom regarding Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). In a statement, the Foreign Office said it had noted with concern the irresponsible and ill-informed insinuations made by certain members of the diaspora in the UK regarding Azad Jammu and Kashmir. “These individuals are advised to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir,” the statement said, adding that they should instead contribute positively to the country of their residence. The ministry also criticized ‘unwarranted’ remarks and queries raised by certain British MPs, saying they reflected a lack of awareness and disregard for the historical background of the issue. “For those still living in colonial times, it bears reiterating that Pakistan is a sovereign and democratic republic,” the statement said. “Pakistan firmly believes in noninterference in the internal affairs of other countries and expects the same from others.” The Foreign Office emphasized that the governments of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir fully recognize and respect citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and democratic participation.
PTI rejects Gilgit-Baltistan election results, alleges 'widespread rigging' ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday rejected the tentative results of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly elections, alleging widespread rigging and electoral manipulation, and called for a re-election in a constituency of Astore district. According to preliminary results from Sunday’s polls, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is leading in 10 constituencies, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is ahead in six seats. Independent candidates are leading in five constituencies. Addressing a press conference, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan alleged that his party was systematically prevented from campaigning in the runup to the elections as part of what he described as a deliberate plan to exclude PTI from the electoral process. He said PTI-backed candidates were leading in two constituencies, including Hunza and Gilgit, while an allied candidate from Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen was ahead in Skardu. However, he claimed that PTI-supported candidates had secured clear leads in several other constituencies
before the results were allegedly altered through electoral malpractice. Barrister Gohar alleged that PTI had effectively won eight seats, including constituencies in Astore, Diamer, Nagar and Ghizer, but its victories were overturned through what he described as vote stuffing, bogus voting and result manipulation. The PTI chairman specifically demanded a re-election in the Rehmanpur constituency of Astore, claiming that the party had identified 167 bogus votes and brought the matter to the attention of the presiding officer.
“PTI rejects the entire electoral process, the vote count and the results of this election,” he said, adding that once again a mandate had been awarded to parties that lacked genuine public support. He announced that PTI would soon release a white paper documenting alleged irregularities and electoral violations. The party is also expected to launch protest demonstrations in GilgitBaltistan after consultations with its political allies. Barrister Gohar further stated that PTI would observe a “black day” when
the next chief minister of GilgitBaltistan takes oath, describing the election outcome as unacceptable. The PTI chief also demanded representation in the assembly’s reserved seats, calling for the allocation of one women’s seat and one technocrat seat to the party. During the election process, PTI repeatedly complained of restrictions on its political activities, alleging that party leaders were detained, prevented from campaigning and expelled from the region. The party also accused election authorities of delaying the issuance of official polling documentation required to verify constituency-level results. Separately, the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), led by opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, condemned what it described as efforts to exclude PTI from the democratic process in Gilgit-Baltistan. In a statement issued after a consultative meeting, the alliance termed the GB elections an “action replay” of the 2024 general elections and rejected the results. The alliance questioned the credibility of the electoral process, arguing that elections lose significance if outcomes are predetermined.