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Saturday, 11 July, 2026 | 25 Muharram, 1448
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 106 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
PM URGES RESTRAINT IN CALLS WITH IRAN, QATAR LEADERS TO PRESERVE REGIONAL PEACE g
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PM SHEHBAZ URGES ALL SIDES TO HONOUR ISLAMABAD PEACE FRAMEWORK QATAR COMMENDS ISLAMABAD'S ROLE IN ADVANCING PEACE EFFORTS
IRANIAN PRESIDENT APPRECIATES PAKISTAN'S SUPPORT FOR REGIONAL STABILITY
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LEADERS AGREE TO INTENSIFY DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENT AND BILATERAL COOPERATION
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PM reaffirms Pakistan's commitment to UN reforms and multilateralism ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
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ISLAMABAD MIAN ABRAR
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday held separate telephone conversations with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian and Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to regional peace and urging all parties to exercise restraint to preserve recent diplomatic gains. During his conversation with President Pezeshkian, the prime minister expressed deep concern over the recent escalation of tensions in the region and underscored the urgent need to maintain
peace and stability. He called on Iran and all other stakeholders to avoid actions that could undermine the hard-earned progress achieved in recent months through sustained diplomatic efforts. Prime Minister Shehbaz stressed the importance of fully implementing the commitments made under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), describing it as a lasting framework for promoting mutual understanding, regional cooperation and shared prosperity. Reaffirming Pakistan's consistent policy of promoting dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution, the prime minister assured the Iranian president that Islamabad remained ready to continue playing
Petroleum Division under AGP scanner over Rs116bn RLNG diversion subsidy
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering commitment to multilateralism, calling for a stronger and more effective United Nations while simultaneously directing banks to expand financing for key sectors to accelerate sustainable economic growth. In separate meetings with candidates for the position of United Nations secretary-general — former Senegalese president Macky Sall and former Costa Rican vice president Rebeca Grynspan — the prime minister reiterated Pakistan's steadfast support for the central role of the United Nations in addressing global challenges. He expressed hope that the next UN secretary-general would ensure
a sincere and constructive role in facilitating diplomatic engagement and supporting all initiatives aimed at preserving regional stability. President Pezeshkian thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence
balanced progress across the organisation's three core pillars of peace and security, development, and human rights, while strengthening the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions and adherence to international law and treaties. The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and stressed the need to accelerate the global development agenda and enhance international cooperation to address the challenges facing developing countries. Both Macky Sall and Rebeca Grynspan appreciated Pakistan's longstanding contributions to the United Nations and commended its constructive role in promoting regional peace and international diplomacy.
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Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and other senior Pakistani leaders for attending the funeral ceremony of the late Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
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Pakistan, Bangladesh agree to expand cooperation against cybercrime and online fraud NEW YORK
NEWS DESK
PROFIT
AHMAD AHMADANI
The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has questioned the Petroleum Division over Rs116.058 billion paid as RLNG diversion subsidy to Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), while also flagging several other financial, policy and governance lapses involving more than Rs161 billion during FY2023-24. The audit's largest observation relates to the payment of RLNG diversion subsidy to SNGPL. According to the report, the subsidy was released despite the absence of approval from the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC). The AGP observed that "DG (Gas) disbursed RLNG diversion subsidies to SNGPL in violation of ECC directives. The subsidy for RLNG diversion was neither budgeted nor approved by the ECC." The audit further stated that "DG (Gas) authorized payments totalling Rs116,057.911 million to SNGPL for the subsidy on RLNG diversion," adding that the payments were made "without the approval of ECC, and without volume verification." It concluded that "inadequate oversight by the Petroleum Division resulted in irregular payments without ECC's authorization and verification of volumetric diversion." The Petroleum Division informed auditors that the Federal Cabinet had approved a supplementary grant of Rs50 billion while OGRA had carried out third-party verification of RLNG volumes. However, during the Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC) meeting, the management was directed to regularise the matter. The audit noted that "No further progress was reported till finalization of the report." Besides the RLNG diversion subsidy, the AGP identified a series of other major financial and administrative irregularities involving the Petroleum Division. The audit questioned the government's winter gas load management strategy, observing that indigenous gas continued to be supplied to industries while imported RLNG was diverted to domestic consumers. According to the report, "This diversion led to a 20% increase in RLNG usage for the domestic sector and resulted in a financial impact of Rs16,334.249 million due to the excess volume of RLNG diverted."
Pakistan and Bangladesh have agreed to broaden cooperation in efforts to curb cybercrime and online fraud, according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s interior ministry on Friday after a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Salahuddin Ahmed. The ministry said the two ministers met in New York and also agreed to widen cooperation in other areas of mutual interest. Their discussions included training and exchange programmes for police officers as part of efforts to strengthen coordination between the two sides. Regional and bilateral discussions According to the ministry’s statement posted on X, the meet-
ing also featured a detailed discussion on the US-Iran conflict and the current situation in the Middle East. The statement said Ahmed praised Pakistan’s constructive role in efforts aimed at peace. Naqvi, as quoted by the ministry, said Pakistan should use the current opening to deepen ties with Bangladesh. We must seize new opportunities to further strengthen our mutual relations, The ministry also quoted Naqvi as saying that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir had played an important role in maintaining peace. UN summit meetings in New York Naqvi is currently in the United States, where he repre-
sented Pakistan at a United Nations summit held on July 7 and 8. The gathering brought together interior ministers, police chiefs and senior law enforcement officials from around the world to discuss peace, security and stronger cooperation against transnational crime. On the sidelines of the summit, Naqvi also met UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to promote peace, according to the interior ministry. The minister separately held meetings with his counterparts from China, Russia and Sri Lanka during his visit. The latest contact with Bangladesh comes as Pakistan’s interior ministry pursues security and law-enforcement cooperation with a range of countries on the margins of the UN meetings in New York.
Govt finalises reform plan to boost efficiency, decision-making ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday chaired a meeting of the Committee on Improving Government Efficiency, which finalised a set of reform proposals aimed at modernising governance and enhancing the performance of the federal bureaucracy. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the committee reviewed and approved actionable recommendations prepared by five sub-working groups covering the restructuring of the federal secretariat, upgrading the e-office system into a comprehensive decision-making platform, transforming the Management Services (MS) Wing, reforming the Performance Evaluation Report (PER) system and promoting a whole-of-government approach to policymaking. The ministry said the recommendations would now be submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for consideration. The meeting was attended by the ministers for petroleum and information technology and telecommunication, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, federal secretaries of the cabinet, establishment, economic affairs and information technology divisions, along with other senior officials. Earlier this week, Dar also chaired the fourth meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Followup Committee to review preparations for Pakistan's chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026-27 and the summit to be hosted in Islamabad in 2027. The meeting reviewed progress on arrangements, including venue selection, accommodation, security, finance, transport, logistics and media management for the high-level gathering, with Dar directing all relevant sub-committees to expedite preparations.
Operation Shabaan death toll rises as 43 terrorists killed in Balochistan ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Security forces have killed 17 more terrorists during the ongoing Operation Shabaan in Balochistan, raising the total number of militants killed in the operation to 43, security sources said on Friday. The joint counterterrorism operation, involving the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police, was launched after the deadly terrorist assault on the Mangi Dam Police Station in Ziarat and continues across the province's mountainous terrain. According to security sources, forces tightened the cordon around militant hideouts over the past 24 hours, with ground troops and aerial assets targeting terrorists in multiple engagements. The latest operations resulted in the killing of 17 terrorists, while several others were reported injured. Security sources said an attack on the Zehri police station in Khuzdar was also foiled on Friday after security forces swiftly responded to the assault. Eight terrorists were confirmed killed during the initial engagement, while helicopter gunship operations reportedly eliminated another five to six militants. Subsequent ground operations accounted for four more terrorist fatalities. Officials said 26 terrorists had already been killed during operations conducted on July 6 and 7, while a total of 79 militants had been eliminated since July 5 under Operation Shabaan and other intelligence-based operations in the province.
Petrol, diesel prices raised by over Rs13 per litre ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
The federal government on Friday increased the prices of petrol and highspeed diesel (HSD) by more than Rs13 per litre, with the revised rates taking effect from July 11. According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the price of petrol has been raised by Rs13.18 per litre to Rs310.71, while high-speed diesel has become costlier by Rs13.80 per litre, taking its new price to Rs323.30 per litre.
Petrol is widely used by private motorists, motorcyclists, rickshaw operators and small transport vehicles, making any increase particularly burdensome for middle- and lower-income households. Higher diesel prices also have a broad inflationary impact as the fuel powers heavy transport, agricultural machinery, power plants and industrial generators. The latest revision comes as the government continues implementing fiscal measures agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). From July 1, the climate support levy was doubled to Rs5 per litre, while adjustments were made
to the petroleum levy. At present, the government is charging around Rs70 per litre as petroleum levy on petrol and about Rs80 per litre on high-speed diesel, in addition to the climate support levy. Consumers also pay customs duties and other charges, taking the total tax component to around Rs95 per litre on petrol and Rs101 per litre on diesel. The government is also collecting petroleum levy of approximately Rs21 per litre on kerosene and Rs16 per litre on light diesel oil. Petrol and diesel remain the govern-
ment's largest petroleum revenue sources, with combined monthly sales of around 700,000 to 800,000 tonnes, far exceeding demand for kerosene and other petroleum products.
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Iran has asked to continue talks and the US agreed, Trump says WASHINGTON AGENCIES
US President Donald Trump on Friday said the United States had agreed to talks with Iran after Tehran asked to continue negotiations, while stressing that the June ceasefire between the two nations was over. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue 'talks.' We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!" Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. The US and Iran traded strikes this week, with the Iranian armed forces launching attacks on US military infrastructure in Gulf states on Thursday following US strikes on Iran's southern coastal and eastern provinces. The two nations reached an interim deal last month to end a four month conflict that has throttle worldwide energy supplies.
Trump's inability to end the war has frustrated the president, whose Republican Party faces midterm elections later this year amid high gas prices and voter discontent. Qatar urges US-Iran to honour deal, protect Strait of Hormuz Qatar has called on the United States and Iran to honour their memorandum of understanding and continue dialogue to prevent further escalation, according to Al Jazeera. Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said in a post on X that he made the appeal during a phone call with Egypt's Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty. He also emphasised the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, warning that maintaining safe passage is vital for regional security. IRGC commander vows revenge for 'cowardly assassination' of supreme leader The IRGC’s top commander has pledged
vengeance against the US and Israel for the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying it won’t “be erased from the historical memory”. According to Al Jazeera, Brigadier-General Ahmad Vahidi called for the “full realisation of justice and a fitting response to the criminals, especially the child-killing American army”. “The criminal leaders of America and all enemies of the Islamic Revolution and the Resistance Front must know that by the cowardly assassination of this divine leader they will never … bring the flag of resistance to the ground,” Vahidi said in a statement carried by Sepah news agency. “Avenging the martyrs and the punishment of the perpetrators … will remain a definitive, legitimate, and an unforgettable demand.” Vahidi’s comments come after Khamenei was buried in his hometown of Mashhad on Thursday, four months after he and four family members died in US-Israeli air strikes.
Additionally, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council stated in a post carried by Fars that retaliation "will be car-
ried out against attacks on infrastructure, and the criminal Zionist regime will not be safe from the response of the fighters either."