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Mediators intensify Us-iran diploMacy after trUMp orders 'paUse' in strikes: soUrces
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Monday, 27 July, 2026 | 12 Safar, 1448
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 122 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
PAUSE IN STRIKES FROM BOTH SIDES RAISES HOPES FOR RESUMPTION OF STALLED TALKS
Iran threatens response to Ukraine attack on its ship in Caspian Sea
Dar, IAEA chief discuss US-Iran crisis as Middle East conflict enters fragile pause ISLAMABAD
SALEEM JADOON
M
ISLAMABAD/DOHA ANADOLU AGENCY
EDIATORS Pakistan and Qatar have intensified the exchange of messages between the US and Iran after the two warring sides communicated their responses to a joint formula to end their months-long war, Pakistani government sources told Anadolu on Sunday. The development came after US Presi-
dent Donald Trump ordered a "pause" in the latest bombing campaign on Iran after two weeks of consecutive nights of strikes, the sources added. Earlier this week, Islamabad and Doha proposed a joint de-escalation formula, urging the US and Iran to return to their pre-July 9 positions "as a first step" to resume stalled talks to permanently end the conflict, according to an official familiar with the matter. Although the sources did not elaborate on details of the responses, they said both
Minster eyes up to $50m annually from mangrove carbon market, urges stronger conservation efforts ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Sunday said Pakistan could generate $20 million to $50 million annually through its mangrove carbon market, calling for coordinated national efforts to protect and restore the country's vital coastal ecosystems as they play an increasingly important role in climate resilience, biodiversity conservation and sustainable economic growth. Mangrove forests play a critical role in combating climate change, preserving biodiversity and protecting coastal communities from erosion and natural disasters, according to environmental experts. In a statement issued on the occasion of World Mangrove Day on July 26, Chaudhry said Pakistan is home to the world's seventh-largest arid-climate mangrove forest, concentrated mainly in the Indus Delta in Sindh, with smaller mangrove belts located along the coast of Balochistan. A mangrove carbon market allows the carbon dioxide absorbed and stored by mangrove forests to be converted into carbon credits that can be traded with companies or organizations seeking to offset their greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Press Information Department (PID), the minister estimated that Pakistan's mangrove carbon market could generate $20-50 million annually, depending on carbon credit prices and trading volumes.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi on Sunday discussed the evolving situation following the US-Iran conflict in the Middle East, with both sides emphasizing the importance of sustained diplomacy and dialogue as Washington and Tehran paused attacks against each other after nearly two weeks of fighting. The diplomatic engagement came as efforts gathered pace to preserve fragile de-escalation and revive negotiations around an interim ceasefire arrangement
sides have communicated their consent for dialogue and diplomacy to end the latest hostilities and return to negotiations. The sources said the pause in strikes from both sides has raised hopes for resumption of the stalled talks.
that had been strained by recent exchanges of fire between the two countries. The United States suspended its attacks on Iran for a second consecutive day on Sunday, while Tehran also announced it had halted military action, as diplomatic efforts continued to bring both sides back to negotiations on an interim ceasefire agreement. The nearly two-week escalation began after Iran fired at ships attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, prompting US strikes on Iranian coastal areas and infrastructure. US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told Fox News that President Donald Trump was "giving talks some space."
AFP
A source, however, cautioned that the pause was fragile with a "strong" possibility of violations or another flare-up of hostilities in the near-closed Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday warned that his country would respond to a deadly attack by Ukraine on an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea. It came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv had carried out longrange strikes in the Caspian Sea against vessels transporting military cargo involving Iran, underscoring the increasingly international dimensions of Russia’s war in Ukraine. “Zelensky has attacked an Iranian commercial vessel, killing a sailor,” Araghchi said on X, describing it as “a blatant UN Charter violation done at Israel’s behest to drag Europe into its war.” He added that, during calls with the European Union’s Kaja Kallas and Russian top diplomat Sergei Lavrov, he “made clear that what the freeloader in Kyiv did CANNOT GO UNANSWERED.”
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Bilawal rallies Mirpur voters, says AJK polls will decide Kashmiris' rights and future ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday launched a final appeal to voters in Mirpur Division ahead of the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections on Monday, urging them to vote for the party's 'arrow' symbol while accusing the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of portraying publicly funded development projects as personal political gifts. In a special message issued from Islamabad on the eve of polling, Bilawal said public transport projects financed through taxpayers' money belonged to the people and should not be presented as favors by political leaders. "These buses are not anyone's gift; they are the people's right," he said. Claiming that the PPP had consistently delivered practical development rather than empty promises, Bilawal criticized what he described as politically timed development announcements, arguing that projects funded by the public exchequer should never be portrayed as personal generosity. Stepping up his criticism of
TEHRAN
MQM-p begins street movement for karachi rights, seeks constitutional reforms KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
the PML-N, Bilawal said the people of "Kashmir and Kashmore, Mirpur and Mirpur Khas" shared a common determination to safeguard their rights and would not allow anyone to undermine their claim over their land or future. He claimed that just as the PML-N had been rejected by voters in previous elections in Kashmir and Kashmore, the electorate would deliver a similar verdict in the current polls. Bilawal described the election as a decisive referendum on the rights, development and future of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He urged voters to give the PPP a strong mandate, pledging
that the party would never compromise on the rights of the people of AJK and would continue its struggle to secure what he described as the rights of sovereignty, ownership and employment for Kashmiris. Referring to the historic sacrifices made by the people of Mirpur, Bilawal said they had given up their homes and land for the construction of the Mangla Dam, enabling the electrification of large parts of Pakistan. "The people of Mirpur sacrificed their homes and land for the Mangla Dam and it is because of those sacrifices that much of Pakistan was electrified," he said.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Sunday launched the first protest demonstration of its announced street movement for Karachi's rights in Shah Faisal Town, with party leaders criticising the Sindh government over civic issues and demanding greater constitutional powers and administrative authority for the city. Senior MQM-P leaders, including members of the National Assembly and Sindh Assembly, attended the gathering, where senior leader and former Karachi mayor Syed Mustafa Kamal was welcomed by party workers. Addressing the rally, Kamal alleged that Karachi had been deprived of its due rights for years and accused the Sindh government of failing to address the city's worsening civic conditions. "People in Sindh are facing genocide. This has been happening for 18 years," he claimed, adding that the time had come to decide whether the existing system, under which "our generations are being deprived of their rights", should continue. He said MQM-P was not speaking against Pakistan but was demanding constitutional rights for Karachi and its residents. "We want our rights according to the Constitution of Pakistan. We want rights for our children," he said. Kamal argued that Karachi's problems stemmed from governance rather than a lack of resources, claiming that the Sindh government had received Rs22,000 billion but had failed to spend the funds on the city.
AJK all set for general elections as chief secretary vows peaceful, transparent polls MUZAFFARABAD
SALEEM JADOON
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Chief Secretary Khushal Khan on Sunday announced that all preparations had been finalized for the general elections to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly (AJK-LA), set to begin on Monday (July 27), assuring voters of a peaceful, transparent and fair electoral process while warning of strict legal action against anyone attempting to disrupt law and order or interfere with polling. Addressing a joint press conference alongside Election Commission (EC) Secretary Raja Mohammad Shakeel Khan, the chief secretary said all logistical, administrative and security arrangements had been completed, with polling material already dispatched to returning officers across the division. He said the formal election process would commence on July 27 in accordance with the Constitution, adding that all necessary preparations had been put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls.
Khushal Khan said nearly 17,000 security personnel had been deployed to safeguard the electoral process, while police contingents from all four provinces would assist the AJK Police in maintaining peace and security during voting. He said all state institutions were fully prepared to ensure that the elections were conducted in a free, fair and peaceful environment. The chief secretary also warned that authorities were closely monitoring individuals spreading misleading propaganda on social media, adding that strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to disturb law and order or obstruct the electoral process. Referring to voter participation, he said AJK had traditionally recorded a high voter turnout and expressed confidence that this year's elections would also witness strong public participation. All Operational Preparations Finalized For First Phase Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Election Commission Raja Mohammad Shakeel Khan said the first phase of polling
would be held on Monday (July 27) across Mirpur Division. He said election arrangements throughout the division had been completed and polling material had already been dispatched to polling stations. Khan said around 22,000 election staff had been deployed and all operational preparations had been finalized. He added that the Chief Election Commissioner had visited Mirpur and expressed satisfaction with the arrangements, noting that election staff had received transparent and effective training. According to Khan, the police, Rangers and the Federal Constabulary had been placed on high alert to ensure the peaceful conduct of the elections. Describing voting as the public's most important democratic right, he urged citizens to actively participate in the electoral process. Khan said old videos relating to calls for an election boycott were being recirculated on social media to create a misleading impression, emphasizing that no untoward incident had occurred during the election campaign.
AJK gears up for Mirpur division polls today MUZAFFARABAD
STAFF REPORT
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) retired Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on Saturday called on voters to participate actively in the Mirpur Division elections scheduled for July 27, describing voting as a national, constitutional and Islamic duty, as election authorities completed final preparations and dispatched polling material under extensive security arrangements. In a public message issued from Muzaffarabad, Justice Mughal urged every eligible voter to exercise their democratic right by coming out to vote and freely electing representatives of their choice. He said exercising the right to vote was vital for strengthening democracy and encouraged citizens to play an active role
in the electoral process by choosing candidates capable of effectively addressing public issues. The chief election commissioner assured voters that comprehensive security arrangements had been made at all polling stations to ensure a peaceful, transparent and orderly electoral process. He said security forces, backed by Quick Response Force (QRF) personnel, would remain deployed throughout polling to maintain law and order and facilitate voters. Justice Mughal also warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the voting process would face legal action in accordance with the law. He added that the state would ensure the security of voters travelling to and from polling stations so they could cast their ballots without fear.