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Saturday, 18 July, 2026 | 3 Safar, 1448
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 113 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
PM DECLARES SECURITY OF CHINESE NATIONALS ‘PARAMOUNT’ AS PAKISTAN, CHINA SIGN $440M HEALTHCARE INVESTMENT DEALS g
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AGREEMENTS SPAN VACCINES, BIOTECHNOLOGY, DRUG MANUFACTURING AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
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SAYS DEALS MARK ANOTHER STEP IN CPEC PHASE-II’S BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS COOPERATION
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ VOWS FOOLPROOF SECURITY FOR CHINESE NATIONALS AND PROJECTS IN PAKISTAN
GOVT STEPS UP PROTECTION AROUND CHINESE-BACKED PROJECTS AMID SECURITY CONCERNS
– urges overseas scholars to help shape Pakistan’s future through innovation, research ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
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ISLAMABAD SALEEM JADOON
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday declared the security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan as his government's “paramount” priority, while Pakistan and China signed agreements worth nearly $440 million in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, marking another major step towards expanding business-to-business cooperation under the second phase of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The prime minister made the remarks while addressing the PakistanChina Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Business-to-Business Investment Conference in Islamabad, one of the largest sector-specific investment events held under CPEC Phase-II, which brought together around 300 Chinese delegates
along with leading Pakistani and Chinese business representatives. The conference took place amid heightened security concerns surrounding Chinese interests in Pakistan. Earlier this week, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said Islamabad had received security concerns from Chinese operators at the Saindak copper and gold mine in early July and had directed all relevant agencies to enhance security for installations, personnel and cargo. According to Pakistan's National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), 20 Chinese nationals were killed and 34 injured in militant attacks between 2021 and December 2024. “I would like to say with fullest force at my command that the security of Chinese brothers and sisters in Pakistan is paramount for us, it is most important,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said. “We will leave no stone unturned to provide them with best possible security.”
China, Pakistan urge US, Iran to halt fighting, revive dialogue as regional tensions deepen SHANGHAI
STAFF REPORT
China and Pakistan on Friday jointly called on the United States and Iran to immediately halt hostilities and return to dialogue, expressing deep concern over the renewed escalation in the Middle East and urging all parties to preserve hard-won diplomatic gains through peaceful negotiations. The appeal came during a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Shanghai, after which China's foreign ministry issued a statement outlining the two countries' shared position on the deteriorating regional situation. According to the statement, Wang Yi and Ishaq Dar jointly "expressed concern over the deterioration of the current situation, calling on the involved parties to immediately cease hostilities … (and) return to dialogue." China and Pakistan have both sought to facilitate diplomatic efforts during the months-long Middle East conflict, which reignited with fresh fighting over the Strait of Hormuz a month after the signing of a preliminary agreement aimed at ending the war. Describing that agreement as "hard-won," Wang stressed the importance of safeguarding the progress already achieved through diplomacy. "Peace is before our eyes, (we) cannot fall at the last hurdle and even more so cannot lose what we have gained," he said. US, Iran exchange more strikes Meanwhile, the United States and Iran exchanged another round of strikes on Friday, with Tehran accusing Washington of targeting civilian infrastructure, including an airport, a railway station and two bridges.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called upon young overseas Pakistanis to channel their world-class education, research and international exposure into Pakistan’s development, urging them to become active partners in the country’s economic transformation, innovation and long-term prosperity. The prime minister made these remarks during a meeting with participants of the URAAN Overseas Pakistan Summer Scholars Program, who are currently undertaking a sixweek internship under the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives to conduct research on key challenges facing Pakistan and contribute policy recommendations. Welcoming Pakistani students studying at leading universities across The prime minister said the agreements signed during the conference would be transformed into “actions and implementable documents,” describing them as another significant milestone in advancing the second phase of CPEC, under which both governments envision shifting from state-led infrastructure development to business-to-business investment, industrial collaboration and
the world, Prime Minister Shehbaz encouraged them to avail internship opportunities in Pakistan and remain closely connected with their homeland, emphasizing that the country’s youth are its greatest asset and are earning recognition for Pakistan through their academic and professional excellence around the globe. The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Attaullah Tarar and Ali Pervez Malik, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for National Education and Professional Training Wajiha Qamar, as well as senior officers of the relevant institutions. During an interactive session, the prime minister briefed the scholars on the government’s wide-ranging reform agenda and responded to their questions on economic, governance and development issues.
technology partnerships. He appreciated Pakistani entrepreneurs and industry leaders for their contribution to the country's pharmaceutical sector, saying they had made “great efforts just to show that these agreements will most definitely convert into action and implementable documents” that would further strengthen CPEC Phase-II.
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Govt shifts to daily petroleum pricing amid regional tensions, vows greater transparency ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The federal government on Friday announced that petroleum product prices would henceforth be determined on a daily basis, replacing the existing pricing mechanism with a market-linked system designed to immediately reflect international oil price movements, following renewed regional tensions triggered by the recent exchange of strikes between the United States and Iran. The decision was announced by Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik during a joint press conference with Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, after a meeting of the federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. Malik said the new mechanism was aimed at making the fuel pricing system more transparent while protecting the state from financial risks arising from volatile international oil markets. "The federal cabinet and the prime minister decided that, without exposing the state to any risk, the responsibility would be assigned to Ogra to determine petroleum prices daily in line with international market trends. Ogra will not only publish on its website the Platts benchmark rates, which are used globally to determine petroleum prices, but will also disclose the components that make up
Govt raises petrol, diesel prices ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Just hours after unveiling a new daily petroleum pricing mechanism, the federal government on Friday increased the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs5.44 and Rs31.05 per litre, respectively, citing a sharp rise in international crude oil prices triggered by renewed military escalation between the United States and Iran. According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the price of petrol has been increased to Rs316.15 per litre, while high-speed diesel (HSD) will now be sold at Rs354.35 per litre. The revised prices will come into effect
the final price consumers pay at petrol pumps. Ogra has been directed to publish all these details so that people know why these prices are unavoidable," he said. The minister said it was unfortunate that despite Pakistan's leadership making "tremendous efforts" to steer the region towards reconciliation and a lasting ceasefire, tensions had once again escalated. "It is unfortunate that despite the sincere efforts made by our lead-
from midnight on Friday. Earlier in the day, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, accompanied by Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, announced a new mechanism under which petroleum prices will now be determined on a daily basis, citing renewed regional tensions that have pushed international oil prices to their highest level in a month. Addressing a press conference, Malik said the new mechanism was aimed at enhancing transparency in the petroleum pricing system while shielding the state from financial risks arising from volatile international oil markets.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03 ership, especially Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, to move the region towards reconciliation and a permanent ceasefire, tensions are once again rising," he said. Malik noted that petroleum prices, which had already experienced sharp fluctuations during previous periods of regional instability, were once again moving upward in response to the latest developments.
Pakistan and Kuwait discuss expanded defence pact, sources say ISLAMABAD REUTERS
Pakistan has been negotiating an expanded defence pact with Kuwait in exchange for energy cooperation and investment, according to five sources with knowledge of the talks. The talks remain at an early stage, all the sources said, and could still be complicated by heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, said one source. Reuters reported on Thursday that there were mounting concerns in Islamabad that its mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia, signed last year, could draw Pakistan into the US-Iran war. After the Houthis launched an attack on Saudi Arabia on Monday, nuclear-armed Pakistan told Iran it would treat attacks on the kingdom as attacks on itself. Any defence deal with Kuwait, which has come under heavy attacks from Iran this year, would also raise questions about Pakistan's role in future mediation between the US and Iran. Kuwait has had a more limited defence deal with Pakistan for training and joint exercises since 2023. It is now seeking a show of force by Islamabad that would be similar to Pakistan's pact with Saudi Arabia, including "thousands of Pakistani troops on the ground, fighter jets, drones, an air defence system, and other defence-related facilities", said a Pakistani government official. It is unclear whether Pakistan is willing to go this far, given that its agreement with Saudi Arabia was the result of a decades-old close alliance with Riyadh. "Kuwait's wish list includes everything," said a Pakistani security official with knowledge of the talks. "But let me be clear about one thing: We are not, and we cannot consider a deployment of combat troops at this stage." A Middle Eastern source confirmed that Kuwait has been in conversations with Pakistan, including about defence procurement, but said it was "not clear this will amount to a defence pact per se".
Balochistan to form judicial commission on Ziarat tragedy as committee ends sit-in
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QUETTA
STAFF REPORT
The Balochistan government on Friday agreed to establish an independent judicial commission to investigate the Ziarat tragedy after reaching a written agreement with the Ziarat sit-in committee, ending days of tense negotiations through reconciliation efforts spearheaded by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti. The breakthrough marks a significant step towards addressing the concerns of the victims' families, with the agreement reflecting a commitment to pursuing justice, rebuilding public confidence and reinforcing lasting peace and stability across the province. Both sides also pledged to work together to promote harmony and strengthen law and order. At the centre of the agreement is the formation of an independent judicial commission that will investigate the circumstances surrounding the Ziarat tragedy. The commission will be tasked with establishing the facts, determining what transpired and providing recommendations to facilitate legal action. The agreement also provides for a high-level meeting to be chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, bringing together opposition leaders and the families of the martyrs to discuss Balochistan's prevailing security situation and develop a broad-based consensus on measures aimed at strengthening peace and stability in the province.
Pakistan backs inclusive AI governance, access to emerging technologies on China summit sidelines ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
Pakistan has called for inclusive global governance of artificial intelligence (AI) and broader access to emerging technologies for developing nations, the Pakistani foreign office said on Friday, following a meeting of the Chinese and Pakistani foreign ministers on the sidelines of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai. The development came a day after FM Ishaq Dar signed an agreement in Shanghai that made Pakistan a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), which aims to strengthen global AI cooperation, particularly among developing countries. Pakistan is seeking a greater role in shaping global AI governance while expanding technology ties with longtime ally China,
amid Islamabad's efforts to accelerate the country's digital transformation following a series of initiatives to expand AI infrastructure, skills and regulation. Dar, who was accompanied by a Pakistani delegation, on Friday attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, and held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that focused on working with "like-minded countries" to strengthen global AI cooperation. "Pakistan supports inclusive and equitable global AI governance, wider access to emerging technologies, capacity-building for developing countries, and enhanced international cooperation to bridge the digital divide and ensure that the benefits of artificial intelligence are shared by all," the Pakistani foreign office said after the meeting between the two foreign ministers. Pakistan has increasingly sought to po-
sition itself as a participant in global AI governance while using the technology to support economic growth. The Pakistani government last year approved a comprehensive AI policy, which envisaged a Rs278 billion ($1 billion) investment by 2030, a nationwide AI training program for one million people, expanded AI infrastructure and a regulatory framework promoting ethical use of AI. The country also launched its sovereign AI cloud and a startup fund last October. Wang vowed to advance cooperation in AI with Islamabad, saying Pakistan's accession to WAICO will serve long-term interests of the country and its people. "As a responsible major country, China is ready to take up its international obligations and work with like-minded countries to strengthen cooperation on AI and develop AI for good and for all," he was quoted as saying by Reuters.
"It is particularly important that we are helping more and more Global South countries to participate and benefit fairly in this
new wave of AI development to prevent another divide in AI in the world and so that humanity can progress and develop together."