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Saturday, 25 July, 2026 | 10 Safar, 1448
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 120 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
PM REAFFIRMS FULL FEDERAL BACKING FOR BALOCHISTAN'S DEVELOPMENT, VOWS EQUAL PROGRESS FOR ALL PROVINCES g
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PM ANNOUNCES RS300BN KARACHI, CHAMAN DUAL CARRIAGEWAY, VOWS TIMELY COMPLETION
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INDIA BLAMED FOR FUELLING TERRORISM; KABUL URGED TO PREVENT MILITANT SANCTUARIES
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BALOCHISTAN'S DEVELOPMENT ESSENTIAL FOR PAKISTAN'S PROGRESS, SAYS SHEHBAZ FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EXPANDS SCHOLARSHIPS, LAPTOPS AND FASTTRACKS KACHHI CANAL PROJECT
pM says india’s role in terrorism inside pakistan is ‘absolutely clear’ ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
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ISLAMABAD MIAN ABRAR
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed the federal government's unwavering commitment to the development and prosperity of Balochistan, stressing that Pakistan could only move forward if all provinces progressed together on an equal footing. Addressing participants of the National Workshop Balochistan in Islamabad, the prime minister announced that the Rs300 billion Karachi-Chaman dual carriageway project would be completed within the next one-and-a-half to two years, describing it as a transformative
initiative for the province's connectivity and economic growth. He said Punjab had contributed Rs150 billion to Balochistan under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, while other provinces had also supported the province's development. He added that Balochistan's quota for laptops and scholarships had been increased by 10 percent, while the Kachhi Canal project would be completed on a priority basis. Emphasising good governance, the prime minister said Pakistan's challenges could only be overcome through transparency, accountability and efficient institutions. Referring to the security situation, Shehbaz Sharif accused India of sponsor-
Pakistan rejects India's Kashmir claim at UN, calls for resolution under UNSC mandate UNITED NATIONS
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said India’s role in terrorist attacks inside Pakistan was ‘absolutely clear’ and called for a united national response to the threat of militancy. Addressing participants of the Balochistan National Workshop in Islamabad, the prime minister said India was backing terrorism in Pakistan. He also said Balochistan’s leadership had consistently placed the federation above personal interests and added that the province’s people had played an important part in the creation of Pakistan. Shehbaz said Punjab had made a generous contribution to Balochistan’s share under the National Finance Commission Award and added that national development depended on balanced contributions from all four provinces. He further said work was in progress on the KarachiChaman dual carriageway project. Referring to the country’s security
ing terrorism in Pakistan and said the country must confront the threat with unity and determination. He added that Pakistan had repeatedly urged Afghanistan's interim authorities to pre-
situation, the prime minister said 90,000 people had embraced martyrdom in the fight against terrorism. He also noted that a sessions judge had been killed in Mastung a day earlier. The prime minister said the Afghan Taliban administration had ‘completely failed’ to prevent terrorists from using Afghan soil for attacks on Pakistani civilians and security personnel. He maintained that terrorism had been eliminated by 2018 but later resurfaced under what he described as an organised conspiracy. Shehbaz said the sacrifices of the people of Balochistan would not be wasted and added that Pakistan had registered important successes in recent days. Turning to diplomacy, he praised Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for their role in efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran. vent the use of Afghan territory for terrorist activities against Pakistan but had yet to receive the desired response.
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dar urges all sides to build on islamabad Mou as pakistan pushes diplomacy amid renewed uS-iran conflict –, Wang Yi review bilateral ties, regional cooperation
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan on Friday firmly rejected India's assertion that Jammu and Kashmir is its "integral part" or an "internal matter", telling the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that the territory remains an internationally recognised dispute that must be resolved in accordance with UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Exercising Pakistan's right of reply during a UNSC open debate on strengthening mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes, Counsellor Saima Saleem said Jammu and Kashmir's disputed status could not be altered through unilateral claims. "Jammu and Kashmir is neither a so-called integral part of India nor its internal matter," she said, adding that India's assertions could not rewrite history, change the territory's internationally recognised status or conceal decades of alleged human rights violations and denial of the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination. Responding to remarks made by the Indian representative during the debate, Saleem accused New Delhi of attempting to undermine the discussion through denial, distortion and misrepresentation of facts. She noted that India itself had brought the Kashmir issue before the Security Council but later disregarded its resolutions. "Security Council resolutions do not have an expiry date," she remarked, stressing the importance of adherence to international law for maintaining global peace and security. The Pakistani diplomat also criticised India's record in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), alleging arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, political repression and restrictions on civil liberties. Drawing a contrast with Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), she said residents there exercised political rights and enjoyed freedom of expression, whereas dissent in IIOJK was allegedly suppressed.
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CHOLPON-ATA MIAN ABRAR
CHOLPON-ATA, KYRGYZSTAN SALEEM JADOON
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday called for renewed diplomatic efforts to preserve the commitments enshrined in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), stressing the need for dialogue, restraint and de-escalation by all sides as the conflict between the United States and Iran continues to intensify. FM Dar made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers
Meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO). The meeting took place against the backdrop of renewed hostilities between Washington and Tehran, with both countries exchanging strikes over recent days. The United States has targeted Iranian military facilities along the country’s southern coast, while Iran has responded by attacking US military bases in Gulf countries. According to the FO, the two foreign ministers reviewed the evolving regional situation as well as bilateral relations during their talks.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday held a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), reviewing bilateral relations, regional developments and cooperation at multilateral forums. According to the Foreign Office, the two ministers held a warm and productive exchange of views, with Dar thanking Wang Yi for appreciating Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace and stability, as highlighted during the SCO-CFM proceedings.
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15 martyred as terrorists target joint checkpost in Tank: ISPR RAWALPINDI/TANK STAFF REPORT
Fifteen people, including 12 soldiers, two policemen and a government forest official, embraced martyrdom after terrorists launched a suicide assault on a joint police checkpost in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tank district early Friday, the military’s media wing said. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attack was carried out by Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used by the state for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The military said the terrorists attempted to breach the perimeter of the joint checkpost, but their assault was “swiftly and decisively foiled” by the vigilant response of the security personnel stationed there. The defenders displayed “unwavering courage and professional excellence”, engaging the attackers in a fierce exchange of fire and eliminating 15 terrorists before they could overrun the post, the ISPR said. However, following the failed assault, the attackers rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the checkpost’s perimeter wall, triggering a powerful explosion that caused extensive damage to the infrastructure. “Due to the blast impact, infrastructure at the checkpost was seriously damaged; resultantly, 15 brave sons of the soil, including 12 military personnel, two policemen and a government official from the Forest Department, rendered the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat (martyrdom),” the ISPR statement said. The military said a sanitisation operation was continuing in the area to track down any terrorists who might still be present. Reaffirming the country's resolve to eliminate militancy, the ISPR said the relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of ‘Azm-iIstehkam’, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace to eradicate the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from Pakistan.
Pakistan, seven Arab-Islamic nations condemn Israeli actions at Al-Aqsa, urge end to violations
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ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The foreign ministers of Pakistan and seven ArabIslamic countries on Friday strongly condemned Israel’s escalating actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque, denouncing the continued mass incursions by Israeli settlers led by extremist ministers and carried out under the protection of Israeli forces, while calling on the international community to take decisive steps to halt what they described as ongoing violations of the sanctity and historical status of the holy site. In a joint statement, the foreign ministers also condemned the raising of the Israeli flag inside the courtyards of AlAqsa Mosque, the erection of two tents by Israeli police within the compound and other provocative actions, describing them as inflammatory measures that undermine peace efforts and further inflame tensions. The joint statement was issued by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The ministers stressed that these provocative and unacceptable actions constituted a flagrant violation of international law, relevant United Nations resolutions, and the historical and legal status quo governing the holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem. They strongly condemned what they described as illegal and extremist acts of incitement, organized calls for incursions and acts of violence by Israeli extremist ministers and groups, warning that such actions fuel hatred and extremism while undermining efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution.
Iran rejects temporary ceasefire until Strait of Hormuz demands met TEHRAN
AGENCIES
Iran will not accept a temporary ceasefire and will continue its current course until its demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz are met, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, Araghchi said Iran would not discuss a temporary truce “unless our demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz are fulfilled,” according to Iranian media. He said consultations with Russia and China were ongoing, adding that he held detailed talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the meeting. Araghchi also said Pakistan had conveyed proposals as a mediator but argued that Tehran’s dispute with Washington was “not
about mediation but about the US approach.” He reiterated that Iran would not yield to “pressure, threats or bullying” and would continue pursuing what he described as the country’s principles, including protecting the Iranian people and Iran’s interests in the Strait of Hormuz. “As long as the legitimate goals and demands of the Iranian people are not achieved, it is natural that we will continue our course,” he said. He also said many SCO foreign ministers had praised Iran’s response to the US and Israel, arguing that Tehran had demonstrated it was possible to stand up to major powers. Earlier, speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Kyrgyzstan, Araghchi said Iran reserved the right to retaliate against any acts of aggression, according to Mehr news agency. He stated that Iran has shown it is not an
initiator of any war and that regional security depended on not using double standards. The minister said that the origin of any act of aggression against Iran amounted to a legitimate target for the Iranian armed forces, underlining that Iran reserved the right to retaliate against any acts of aggression against it. “The Islamic Republic of Iran, in accordance with international law, reserves its right to take all necessary measures within the framework of legitimate defence and will consider the source of any aggression against the Iranian nation as a legitimate target for defensive actions by its Armed Forces,” he said. Araghchi said Iran had exercised its inherent right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter following military aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime, adding that Tehran has not been the initiator of any war, as per Mehr. The Iranian foreign minister condemned the US and the Zionist regime for launching
repeated attacks against Iran, saying those actions have targeted not only Iran’s national
security but also principles of the international legal order.