In partnership with
Profit
Pakistan Pushes us-iran Peace efforts as trumP sees chance for nuclear deal Tuesday, 28 July, 2026 | 13 Safar, 1448
g
g
PAKISTAN, QATAR INTENSIFY MEDIATION EFFORTS TO REVIVE US-IRAN TALKS AND AVERT FRESH CONFLICT
RENEWED DIPLOMATIC MOMENTUM RAISES HOPES FOR PEACE AS PAKISTAN ENGAGES GULF PARTNERS
a
WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD
g
g
PM SHEHBAZ, CHINESE ENVOY DISCUSS MIDDLE EAST CRISIS AS PAKISTAN BACKS DIPLOMATIC PATH TO REGIONAL STABILITY
REGIONAL DIPLOMACY GATHERS PACE WITH PAKISTAN ADVOCATING DIALOGUE OVER CONFRONTATION IN US-IRAN STANDOFF
MIAN ABRAR
renewed diplomatic push to revive negotiations between the United States and Iran gathered momentum on Monday as US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about reaching a deal with Tehran, while Pakistan intensified consultations with key regional partners in support of efforts aimed at reducing tensions and restoring dialogue. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, President Trump said there was "a good chance" that Washington and Tehran could reach an agreement, although he cautioned that the United States would resume military operations if diplomacy failed. "They want to meet, and we are meeting. We'll see what happens. There is a chance we can make a deal," Trump said, adding that the recent US military campaign had compelled Iran to return to the negotiating table. "We're talking right now. We're having good talks. I think there's a good chance that something could happen, and if it does, good; if it doesn't, we go back to doing what we were doing two days ago," he said, while stressing that Washington had little patience for prolonged negotiations. Trump's remarks came after the United States suspended its two-week air campaign against Iran, opening what diplomats see as a narrow but significant window for renewed diplomacy.
Despite reports of fresh drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and continued hostilities involving Iran-backed groups, diplomatic channels have remained active, with several regional countries working to prevent another military escalation. Pakistan has emerged as one of the key countries supporting de-escalation efforts, engaging closely with Gulf states and other regional stakeholders to encourage both Washington and Tehran to resume meaningful negotiations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Islamabad's commitment to regional peace during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong at the Prime Minister House, where the
evolving situation in the Middle East featured prominently in discussions. The prime minister reiterated Pakistan's commitment to strengthening its All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with China and emphasized the importance of coordinated diplomatic efforts to preserve regional stability. The meeting, attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Syed Tauqir Shah and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch, also reviewed developments in Afghanistan and South Asia alongside the Middle East crisis.
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister arrives to deepen bilateral ties, regional security ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah will undertake an official visit to Pakistan from July 28 to 29 at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, the Foreign Office announced on Monday. According to the Foreign Office, the visiting foreign minister will hold delegation-level talks with Ishaq Dar to review the full spectrum of Pakistan-Kuwait bilateral relations and exchange views on re-
gional and international developments of mutual interest. During his visit, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah is also scheduled to call on Pakistan's leadership as part of his official engagements. The Foreign Office said the visit reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Kuwait to further strengthen their longstanding partnership and expand cooperation across multiple sectors for the mutual benefit of both countries. The visit comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf following renewed Iranian attacks on Kuwait
and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states during the latest escalation of the US-Iran conflict. Earlier, Kuwait reported intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, while several firefighters and oil sector workers were injured during emergency response operations. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had targeted the US military support facility at Camp Arifjan and a radar installation at Ali Al Salem Air Base. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation also reported damage to one of its oil facilities following repeated Iranian attacks.
Army Chief, US lawmakers discuss defence, trade and investment cooperation RAWALPINDI
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Two members of the United States House of Representatives called on Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ) on Sunday, where both sides discussed regional security, bilateral defence cooperation and opportunities to expand economic engagement between Pakistan and the United States. The visiting delegation comprised Congressman Ryan Keith Zinke of Montana and Congressman Michael James of Washington. During the meeting, discussions
focused on matters of mutual interest, regional security, bilateral defence cooperation, and avenues for
enhancing economic collaboration and shared prosperity.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
PM expresses national resolve to eliminate hepatitis ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif while reaffirming commitment to eliminating hepatitis, said ensuring equitable access for every citizen to quality screening, diagnosis and treatment services for the prevention and control of the most severe and life-threatening forms of hepatitis remained one of the government's foremost priorities. In a message on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day being observed on July 28, he said, Pakistan joined the international community in reaffirming its unwavering commitment to
eliminating hepatitis and protecting its people from the devastating disease. He said the federal government remained committed to making the best possible use of available resources while further strengthening collaboration with provincial governments, development partners, healthcare professionals and the private sector to minimize the impact of this disease and ensure that no deserving patient was deprived of treatment. The prime minister further observed that success in the fight against hepatitis and other communicable diseases required not only the government's efforts but also the active participation of every individual and the
Rs 50.00 | Vol XVII No 123 | 48 Pages | Islamabad Edition
wider community, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. He urged all Pakistanis to undergo timely Hepatitis C screening, encourage their family members, friends and colleagues to get tested, and adopt safe healthcare and hygiene practices that help prevent the spread of infection. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment saved lives. Commending doctors, nurses, laboratory professionals and frontline healthcare workers, he said they were at the forefront of this national effort to prevent and combat disease, adding their dedication and service deserved the highest appreciation.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
Chinese Ambassador Jiang reaffirmed Beijing's continued support for Pakistan's sovereignty and described Pakistan as China's "iron brother," while expressing China's readiness to further strengthen cooperation for regional peace and economic development. Pakistan's diplomatic outreach also extended to Qatar, another country playing an active role in efforts to prevent further escalation between Washington and Tehran. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Qatar's Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad, in Doha to review bilateral security cooperation and discuss regional developments. According to officials familiar with the diplomatic initiative, Pakistan and Qatar have significantly intensified contacts with both the United States and Iran over the past several days, facilitating the exchange of messages between the two sides after each conveyed responses to a jointly proposed framework designed to halt months of hostilities. The proposal, developed after consultations with regional partners, urges Washington and Tehran to return to their pre-July 9 military positions as an initial confidence-building measure before resuming comprehensive negotiations on outstanding disputes. Diplomatic sources said the framework is intended to create political space for direct engagement while preventing further military confrontation that could threaten regional security and global energy markets.
Pm reaffirms Pakistan-china strategic partnership in meeting with chinese envoy ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to further strengthening its AllWeather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with China during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong at the Prime Minister House. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Prime Minister's Adviser Dr Syed Tauqir Shah and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch were also present. The prime minister conveyed his warm greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang and fondly recalled his visit to China in May this year. He reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering commitment to the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, saying both countries would continue to work closely to implement the important decisions and agreements reached by their leadership for the mutual benefit of their peoples. The meeting also reviewed the regional situation, including developments in the Middle East, Afghanistan and South Asia. Ambassador Jiang thanked the prime minister for receiving him and reiterated that China regarded Pakistan as its "iron brother." He reaffirmed Beijing's continued support for Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and expressed China's commitment to further strengthening cooperation to support Pakistan's socioeconomic development.