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KHAMENEI SAYS US VIOLATED ISLAMABAD MOU AS IRAN, US EXCHANGE FRESH STRIKES Sunday, 19 July, 2026 | 4 Safar, 1448
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IRANIAN LEADER SAYS TRUMP'S SIGNATURE ‘WORTHLESS’ AMID ESCALATING CONFLICT
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IRAN LAUNCHES ATTACKS ON US-LINKED TARGETS IN GULF AS WASHINGTON PRESSES MILITARY CAMPAIGN
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 114 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
TEHRAN SAYS IT HAS SUSPENDED ISLAMABAD MOU COMMITMENTS AFTER ALLEGED US VIOLATIONS
RISING REGIONAL TENSIONS DISRUPT SHIPPING, ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE AND CIVILIAN SERVICES
dar urges adherence to islamabad Mou, calls for restraint amid regional tensions ISLAMABAD
SALEEM JADOON
I
TEHRAN/WASHINGTON STAFF REPORT/AGENCIES
RAN's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Saturday accused the United States of repeatedly violating the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), declaring that the alleged breaches demonstrated that US President Donald Trump's signature was "utterly worthless", as Iran launched fresh attacks on Washington's Gulf allies following a seventh consecutive night of US strikes targeting Iranian military installations, including logistics infrastructure. In a statement posted on X,
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday underscored the importance of “fully upholding ceasefire commitments” under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), urging all parties to “exercise maximum restraint” and avoid actions that could further escalate regional tensions, while reiterating Pakistan's commitment to “dialogue, diplomacy and lasting regional peace.” According to a Foreign Office post on X, the deputy prime minister received a telephone call from Kuwait's Foreign Minister, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, during which the two leaders discussed the latest developments in the region. Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah con-
Khamenei said, "The repeated breaches of the agreement by the Great Satan [the US] regarding the MOU signed by the Presidents of Iran and the US have once again laid bare a fundamental truth: the signature of the US President is utterly worthless and devoid of credibility." "Coercion, totalitarianism, and brutality are inseparable components of the US creed and doctrine," he added. Khamenei further warned that as the "American enemy seeks to ignite war and incur heavier costs and greater disgrace", it should know that the Iranian people and the "resistance front" have "unforgettable lessons" in store for it. Iran suspends commitments under
Terrorist killed, five injured as security forces foil major suicide attack plot in Wana WAZIRISTAN/ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
Security forces on Saturday foiled a major terrorist plot in South Waziristan's Wana by destroying an explosiveladen vehicle allegedly prepared for a suicide attack during a timely intelligence-based operation, killing one terrorist and injuring five others, according to state media citing security sources. State-run Pakistan Television (PTV) and Radio Pakistan, quoting security sources, reported that the intelligencebased operation was launched after actionable information regarding the planned terrorist attack. During the operation, security forces successfully intercepted and destroyed the explosives-laden vehicle before it could be used, killing one terrorist and injuring five others. According to the reports, the vehicle was intended to carry out a suicide attack, and its destruction prevented what security sources described as a potential catastrophe in Wana and its surrounding areas. The successful operation averted significant civilian casualties and ensured the safety of the local population. In a post on X, Pakistan Television said, "Security forces foiled a major terrorist plot in Wana through a timely intelligence-based operation, destroying an explosiveladen vehicle intended for a suicide attack." Quoting security sources, the broadcaster further stated, "The operation prevented a potential catastrophe in Wana and surrounding areas, with one terrorist killed and five others injured." The post added that the successful operation averted significant civilian casualties and safeguarded the lives of residents in the area. Naqvi commends security forces Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the security forces for thwarting what he described as a major terrorist attempt in Wana.
Islamabad MoU Meanwhile, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran had suspended its commitments under the recently signed Islamabad MoU, alleging that Washington had already abandoned its obligations under the agreement.
veyed Kuwait's serious concerns over the continued attacks on its territory and expressed hope that all sides would exercise restraint and ensure the full implementation of the Islamabad MoU. He also appreciated Pakistan's constructive and mediatory role in promoting dialogue, reducing tensions and fostering regional stability. During the conversation, Ishaq Dar stressed the urgent need for de-escalation and underscored the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states. He emphasised that preserving regional peace and security must remain the foremost priority and called for strict adherence to the ceasefire commitments under the Islamabad MoU. The two foreign ministers agreed to remain in close contact on issues of mutual interest and regional importance.
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"The US has violated and suspended all its commitments within the framework of the Islamabad MoU," Gharibabadi said in a statement carried by Iran's semi-official Fars news agency.
ISLAMABAD SALEEM JADOON
leum industry, the minister said the new mechanism would strengthen competition, improve transparency and ensure fair,
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan has extended its ban on Indian civilian and military aircraft from using its airspace for another month, with the restrictions now remaining in force until Aug 23, 2026, according to a fresh Notice to Airmen (Notam) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Saturday. According to the Notam, the restriction will remain effective until 11:59pm on Aug 23, 2026, as the previous airspace closure was due to expire on July 24. "Pakistan airspace not available for Indian-registered aircraft and aircraft operated or leased by Indian airlines/operators, including military flights," the Notam stated. Pakistan's airspace is divided into two Flight Information Regions (FIRs) — Karachi and Lahore — according to a Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) document issued in 2022. The latest Notam applies to both the Karachi (OPKR) and Lahore (OPLR) FIRs, keeping the restrictions in place across the country's entire controlled airspace. India and Pakistan have kept their airspaces closed to each other's airlines since last April 2025, when bilateral tensions sharply escalated following a deadly attack in Pahalgam, in Indian-occupied Kashmir. New Delhi, without presenting evidence, alleged that Islamabad had backed the attack. Pakistan strongly rejected the allegation and called for a neutral and independent investigation into the incident. The heightened tensions later culminated in the fiercest aerial confrontation between the two nucleararmed neighbours in May, during which Pakistan said it had shot down seven Indian fighter jets. On April 24, 2025, Pakistan's top civil and military leadership announced a series of retaliatory measures, including the immediate closure of the country's airspace to all India-owned and Indian-operated airlines, in response to what Islamabad described as a series of aggressive measures taken by New Delhi.
Pakistan pressures Afghans in border province to leave PESHAWAR
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daily fuel pricing to ensure transparency, curb market abuse: ali pervaiz Malik Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik on Saturday said the government's decision to introduce a daily petroleum pricing mechanism would help curb market abuse, eliminate opportunities for windfall gains and establish a more transparent, competitive and consumerfriendly pricing system, describing the reform as a major step towards a market-driven petroleum sector. Speaking at a meeting with key stakeholders from the petro-
Pakistan extends airspace ban on Indian aircraft until Aug 23
market-based prices for consumers while reducing the scope for price distortions.
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AFP
Members of Afghan settlements in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border province hurriedly packed up belongings this week while others hid at home as police launched a “large-scale crackdown” on undocumented residents. Authorities in the northern province carried out housing demolitions, roadside identity checks and told Afghans to leave as part of a broader government pushback, community members and officials said. Residents of Mattani, a short drive from the provincial capital Peshawar, told AFP that authorities had demolished many of the Afghan settlement’s 200 houses in July. Najeeb Rehman, 50, said he first tried to retrieve his father’s medication and children’s school certificates from his home. “But the officers didn’t listen to us and just said to demolish the house,” he said, in the remains of the settlement where the walls of many homes were now in rubble. Young men nearby loaded household belongings including beds and solar panels into trucks to cross the border. In June, Pakistan’s interior ministry ordered law enforcement nationwide to arrest Afghan citizens without visas from July 10. The ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the demolitions.
pakistan, Balochistan united against every anti-state conspiracy: Bugti RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Saturday reaffirmed that the Pakistan Army and the people of Balochistan stand united in defending the country's sovereignty and defeating every conspiracy aimed at destabilising Pakistan, saying the collective resolve of the nation would ensure lasting peace, stability and progress despite continued terrorist threats. Addressing more than 4,000 students from 18 cities participating in the ISPR Summer Camp, the chief minister said Pakistan was created to endure and no hostile design or anti-state agenda would ever succeed against the country. Emphasising the enduring bond between Balochis-
tan and the federation, Bugti said Pakistan and Balochistan were inseparable, expressing confidence that the province would continue moving steadily towards lasting peace, stability and sustainable development. Referring to the security situation in Balochistan, he said terrorists had brutally martyred many courageous residents of the province because they refused to support their agenda. He added that terrorists had also targeted the Mangi Dam project, describing it as a critical source of water supply for the people of Balochistan. The chief minister said terrorism and violence could never be justified under any circumstances, reiterating the government's unwavering resolve to eradicate the menace through the collective efforts of the security forces and the people.
Referring to the recent attack on police personnel, he said the reinforcement force dispatched to assist the affected personnel had also come under attack. He added that a judicial commission had been constituted and assured that all facts surrounding the incident would be brought before the nation. Bugti said some political leaders had spread misleading propaganda against the state during the Quetta sit-in despite the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claiming responsibility for the attack. Such narratives, he said, were part of an organised conspiracy aimed at misleading the youth and weakening the state. Referring to Pakistan's recent conflict with India, the chief minister said Pakistan, under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, had delivered a strong and decisive response to Indian aggression.
president, pM reaffirm unwavering support for Kashmiris' right to self-determination on Youm-e-ilhaq-e-pakistan ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering support for the inalienable right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, saying the historic Ilhaq-e-Pakistan (Kashmir's Accession to Pakistan) Resolution reflected the collective political aspirations of the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir at a defining moment in the history of the subcontinent and symbolised the enduring bonds between the peoples of Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir. Youm-e-Ilhaq-e-Pakistan (Kashmir's Accession to Pakistan Day) is observed annually to commemorate the historic resolution adopted by the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference during its Srinagar session on July 19, 1947, calling for the accession of the State of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan.
In his message on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that through the Accession to Pakistan Resolution, the people of Jammu and Kashmir had clearly expressed their desire for the State's accession to Pakistan and called upon the Dogra rulers to respect the will of the people. He said the resolution remains an important historical milestone in the political struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The prime minister said the occasion also serves as a reminder of the enduring bonds that unite the peoples of Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir, founded on shared history, faith, culture, geography and longstanding ties. Above all, he said, it underscores the central importance of respecting the freely expressed will of the Kashmiri people. Reaffirming Pakistan's longstanding position, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the country remains steadfast in its principled support for the inalienable right to self-determination
of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as enshrined in the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. He said the unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute continues to have profound implications for regional peace and security, adding that lasting peace in South Asia requires its peaceful resolution in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The prime minister paid tribute to the courage, resilience and steadfastness of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in their just struggle for the realisation of their fundamental rights. He reiterated that Pakistan would continue extending unwavering diplomatic, political and moral support until the people of Jammu and Kashmir are able to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination. In a separate message, President Asif Ali Zardari said, "Today, we pay tribute to
the historic resolution adopted by the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference on 19 July 1947, which reflected the political
aspirations of the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir at a defining moment in the history of the subcontinent."