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Friday, 3 July, 2026 | 17 Muharram, 1448
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 98 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
PM heads to Iran, türkIye as PakIstan Presses ahead wIth Us-Iran Peace dIPloMacy g
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ TO ATTEND AYATOLLAH KHAMENEI’S FUNERAL IN TEHRAN TODAY
SAYS PAKISTAN PUSHES 'EARNEST FOLLOW-UP' ON ISLAMABAD MOU BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND TEHRAN
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ERDOGAN-SHEHBAZ TALKS TO FOCUS ON TRADE, INVESTMENT AND REGIONAL SECURITY CLAIMS PROGRESS MADE IN DOHA TALKS, ISLAMABAD TO CONTINUE MEDIATION WITH QATAR
REJECTS INDIA'S ATTEMPT TO TREAT INDUS RIVER SYSTEM AS ‘STRATEGIC ASSET THAT CAN BE CONTROLLED’
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ISLAMABAD
SALEEM JADOON
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif will undertake a threeday visit to Iran and Türkiye from July 3 to July 5 as Pakistan intensifies diplomatic engagement with key regional and international stakeholders, as well as the principal interlocutors, to facilitate the “earnest follow-up” and “implementation” of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the United States and Iran on June 18, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Andrabi confirmed on Thursday. “During his visit to Iran, Prime Minister Shehbaz will participate in the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in USIsraeli strikes on February 28,” Andrabi said during the Foreign Office’s weekly media briefing in Islamabad. He said the prime minister would travel to Iran first, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, cabinet members and senior officials. “The prime minister will convey condolences on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan to the Iranian leadership and the bereaved families while reaffirming solidarity with the brotherly nation in its hour of profound
– hails record Rs12.957tr FBR haul, sets sights on Rs15tr revenue target ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
grief,” he said. Following the Iran visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz will travel to Istanbul at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Andrabi said. He added that the two leaders would hold wide-ranging discussions on bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on boosting trade and investment cooperation between the two brotherly countries. “The leadership meeting will also reflect on issues concerning regional peace and security,” he added. The prime minister will also address a business conference hosted by Pakistan to showcase the country’s trade and in-
second roof collapse in three days kills child in lahore, five injured LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
vestment potential in priority sectors, including Special Economic Zones (SEZs), energy, trade, information technology and privatisation, Andrabi said. The conference will bring together leading Turkish businessmen and investors, along with senior government officials, dignitaries and other prominent members of the business community, he added. The FO spokesperson said the prime minister’s visits to Iran and Türkiye reflected Pakistan’s deep-rooted, historic, cultural and fraternal ties with the two brotherly countries.
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PTI not to partake in AJK elections under 'current circumstances' ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
An eight-year-old boy was killed and at least five others were injured when the roof of an under-construction building collapsed in Lahore’s Baghbanpura neighbourhood on Thursday, police and rescuers said, in the second fatal roof-collapse incident in the city within three days. The latest tragedy comes just two days after the roof of a tuition centre collapsed in Lahore’s Kahna area, killing 14 children. According to Baghbanpura police, the deceased was an eight-year-old boy, while four men and another child sustained injuries and were shifted to hospital for treatment. Speaking to the media, Baghbanpura Station House Officer (SHO) Rizwan Khan said the school administration was expanding its 14-marla building by constructing an additional two-marla structure. “During the construction of the aforesaid area, rubble from the roof fell on the road, killing a young boy and injuring a bike rider along with the construction workers,” he said. Television footage showed several women, reportedly associated with the adjacent school, being escorted away in a police van. However, the SHO denied that anyone had been taken into custody, saying the teachers were moved from the site to prevent any untoward situation in view of public sentiment. Earlier, Rescue 1122 said seven emergency vehicles and 25 rescue personnel participated in the operation. The injured were shifted to Services Hospital after receiving first aid at the scene. The incident follows another deadly roof collapse at a tuition centre in Lahore’s Kahna area two days earlier that claimed the lives of 14 children. On Wednesday, hundreds of mourners attended funeral prayers at a local mosque before the victims—most of them between four and 12 years of age—were laid to rest.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday hailed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for achieving a recordbreaking tax collection of Rs12.957 trillion in fiscal year 2025-26, describing the milestone as a major step forward in Pakistan’s economic recovery and the outcome of sustained reforms, digitisation and institutional teamwork, while setting a new revenue target of over Rs15 trillion for the current fiscal year. Chairing a meeting with senior FBR officers at the Prime Minister’s Office, the prime minister congratulated the officers individually and the entire FBR workforce collectively for surpassing the historic revenue collection target during the last fiscal year, according to a news release. PM Shehbaz said the timely disbursement of nearly Rs600 billion in tax refunds during the fiscal year had provided much-needed relief to the business community while supporting export growth.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), while expressing its unwavering solidarity with the aspirations of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and has decided not to participate in the upcoming elections under the prevailing circumstances. "Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, while expressing its unwavering solidarity with the aspirations of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, their right to self-determination, and their democratic rights, has decided not to participate in the elections under the prevailing circumstances. This is not a political strategy but a principled stance and an expression of solidarity with the Kashmiri people," said a statement issued by the party's central media cell. The statement asserted that it was not a political strategy but a principled stance adopted by the Party and and an expression of solidarity with the Kashmiri people. "Azad Kashmir is currently passing through a severe crisis. Thousands of citizens are sitting in protests in Rawalakot and various other areas to press their legitimate demands. Several precious lives have been lost as a result of the use of state force by the government. The supply of essential commodities from Punjab to Azad Kashmir has also been completely stopped,
AJK Supreme Court defers ECP plea against PTI's provisional registration MUZAFFARABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Supreme Court on Thursday deferred hearing the Election Commission's application seeking interim relief against a high court order directing the provisional registration of Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) as a political party. A full bench comprising Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram, Justice Raza Ali Khan and Justice Khalid Yousaf Chaudhary ruled that the commission's application for ex parte ad interim relief would be heard together with its petition for leave to appeal (PLA) after the appeal completes the scrutiny process in the court's registry. The decision means the legal
causing immense hardship to the people. Instead of pushing the Kashmiri people further into political instability in such circumstances, an immediate and just solution to their problems should be found," the statement said. The statement added that the PTI believed that the current measures
challenge to PTI's provisional registration will remain pending as the region heads towards the general elections scheduled for July 27. The controversy stems from the AJK High Court's June 23 order, which directed the Election Commission to provisionally register PTI as a political party while effectively suspending the commission's May 16 decision rejecting the party's registration application. Challenging the high court's ruling, the Election Commission approached the Supreme Court through a petition for leave to appeal and simultaneously filed an application under Order VI, Rules 1 and 2 of the Supreme Court Rules, 1978, seeking immediate interim relief pending adjudication of the appeal.
were undermining the constitutional, democratic, and political identity of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and are creating an environment that is erasing the fundamental distinction between Azad Kashmir and occupied Jammu and Kashmir. This approach is also detrimental to Pakistan’s historical Kashmir policy, it added.
dar, Prince Faisal welcome progress in Us-Iran peace talks ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Thursday welcomed the positive momentum in the ongoing United States-Iran peace negotiations, expressing hope that the dialogue would continue and pave the way for lasting peace and stability in the region. According to the Foreign Office (FO), the two foreign ministers held a telephone conversation during which they reviewed the regional situation, with particular focus on the latest round of indirect US-Iran negotiations held in Doha. The discussion followed separate facilitation meetings hosted by Pakistan and Qatar with American and Iranian negotiators, during which both sides reported encouraging progress on implementing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at ending the recent conflict between Washington and Tehran. "The two leaders discussed the regional situation, especially the recent round of mediations in Doha," the Foreign Office said in a statement. Both ministers expressed satisfaction over the positive developments in the negotiations and voiced optimism that the peace process would continue in the coming weeks. Prince Faisal also appreciated Pakistan's constructive diplomatic role and its steadfast commitment to implementing the Islamabad MoU, commending Islamabad's continued efforts to facilitate dialogue and promote sustainable peace in the region. Earlier in the day, the Foreign Office announced that Pakistan and Qatar had held separate meetings with US and Iranian negotiating teams in Doha, where "positive progress" was achieved on various components of the 14-point Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. The parties agreed to continue negotiations, with the next round expected to be scheduled at the earliest opportunity following the funeral ceremonies of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The diplomatic engagements come as efforts intensify to consolidate the fragile ceasefire reached after months of conflict between the United States and Iran. US Vice President JD Vance said discussions with Iran were progressing well following indirect technical talks in Doha, which focused on maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and other key issues. "It's still pretty early, but talks are going well," Vance said, while reiterating that Washington had no intention of returning to large-scale military action unless circumstances required it. The negotiations are being conducted under the framework of the Islamabad MoU signed last month, which established a roadmap for ending hostilities, reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and launching a 60-day process aimed at reaching a comprehensive peace agreement. Despite the diplomatic progress, differences remain over several sensitive issues, particularly Iran's nuclear programme, with both Washington and Tehran continuing to exchange accusations regarding the interpretation and implementation of certain provisions of the interim accord. The recent tensions also resulted in limited retaliatory military exchanges before both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the negotiation process. Technical discussions in Doha have primarily focused on ensuring the safe movement of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and addressing concerns related to Iran's nuclear capabilities. According to reports, maritime traffic through the strategically important waterway has partially resumed after being disrupted during the conflict. Before the hostilities, the Strait of Hormuz handled nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade, making its reopening a key objective of the peace process. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said the process of Iran's denuclearisation was "moving along well", although he did not provide further details on the ongoing negotiations.
Pakistan, Saudia deepen strategic partnership with security pact ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral security cooperation, while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) concluded a separate agreement to jointly develop an international-standard cricket stadium in Jeddah, marking another significant expansion of ties between the two countries. The agreements underscore the growing scope of Pakistan-Saudi relations, which have evolved beyond their traditional political and defence partnership to encompass internal security, investment, sports, tourism and institutional collaboration. The security agreement was signed during a meeting in Riyadh between Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, where both leaders reaffirmed
their commitment to enhancing cooperation in combating security challenges and strengthening institutional coordination. Announcing the development, Prince Abdulaziz said the agreement had been signed under the directives of the leadership of both countries. "Today, I met my brother, His Excellency the Minister of Interior and Minister for Narcotics Control of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mr Mohsin Raza Naqvi, where we reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthening security cooperation between our two countries and signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the security field," the Saudi minister said. He described the accord as a reflection of the strong strategic partnership and the deep-rooted fraternal ties that have long united Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. In a parallel development, the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation signed a strategic agreement to establish an international cricket stadium in
Jeddah, reflecting Saudi Arabia's growing ambitions to promote cricket under its Vision 2030 programme. The agreement was signed by Mohsin Naqvi in his capacity as Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. According to the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation, the partnership aims to develop a world-class cricket venue capable of hosting international competitions while supporting the Kingdom's preparations to stage major global cricket events. The collaboration also envisages comprehensive technical cooperation between the two cricket boards, including player development, coaching programmes, training for match officials, knowledge-sharing initiatives and institutional capacity building. Officials said the project is also expected to generate new opportunities in sports investment and tourism while contributing to the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the Kingdom's economy through major investments in sports and entertainment.
The federation described the partnership as an important step towards expanding cricket's footprint in Saudi Arabia and strengthening sporting relations between the
two friendly countries. The latest agreements add to a series of recent initiatives aimed at broadening PakistanSaudi cooperation across multiple sectors.