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Sunday, 5 July, 2026 | 19 Muharram, 1448
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 100 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
PAKISTAN, TÜRKIYE VOW TO ELEVATE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP, BOOST TRADE TO $5B 'two Hearts, one soul'
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ SAYS TÜRKIYE'S SUCCESS IS PAKISTAN'S SUCCESS, HAILS 'TWO HEARTS, ONE SOUL' BOND
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BOTH LEADERS PLEDGE TO ACHIEVE $5B BILATERAL TRADE TARGET THROUGH EXPANDED ECONOMIC ENGAGEMENT
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ISTANBUL/ISLAMABAD
ERDOGAN, PM REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO DEEPER COOPERATION IN TRADE, INVESTMENT, ENERGY AND DEFENCE
ANKARA PRAISES PAKISTAN'S MEDIATION ROLE IN IRAN-US TALKS, BACKS ISLAMABAD'S REGIONAL PEACE EFFORTS
pM invites turkish firms to expand investment in pakistan
SALEEM JADOON
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday declared that Türkiye’s success was Pakistan’s success, reaffirming Islamabad’s resolve to further deepen its “unique partnership” with Ankara as he and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged to expand cooperation in trade, investment, energy, defence and regional peace while reiterating their commitment to raising bilateral trade to $5 billion. Addressing a joint press conference with President Erdogan at the Vahdettin Palace following delegation-level talks, Prime Minister Shehbaz described Pakistan and Türkiye as “two hearts of one soul,” saying their enduring friendship was rooted in centuries of shared history, common faith, mutual sacrifice and an unbreakable bond of brotherhood. “Pakistan has always found a home in the hearts of the people of Türkiye just as Türkiye lives in the hearts of every Pakistani,” the prime minister said. He thanked President Erdogan for his warm welcome and gracious hospitality, describing Istanbul as the magnif-
ISTANBUL
NEWS DESK
icent city where history meets modernity and the rich cultures of East and West flourish side by side. Quoting renowned Turkish poet and thinker Yunus Emre—“A heart makes a good home for the friend”—the prime minister said no words could better capture the depth of relations between the two brotherly nations.
AJK polls to go ahead as scheduled under legal and constitutional order: Rana Sanaullah ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Saturday challenged the PTI leadership to demonstrate political maturity and engage in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) election process, making it clear that the elections will go ahead as scheduled under constitutional and legal provisions. While speaking to a local media outlet, the Adviser to the Prime Minister said that PTI’s decision to boycott the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections reflects immaturity and an inappropriate political attitude. He stated that regardless of circumstances, PTI should participate in the electoral process, adding that the elections will be held on schedule without any delay under legal formalities. The adviser further said that candidates are expected to participate across constituencies with strong competition, claiming that in many areas, double-digit figures of candidates are anticipated. He also criticized PTI’s narrative, saying that if such a stance continues, it aligns with elements opposed to peace and stability, which he said is unacceptable. He said the PML-N has repeatedly called for dialogue and has consistently believed in the democratic process, but the PTI leadership has not agreed to engage. He added that the PTI chairman has discouraged his party’s leadership from participating in dialogue or any meaningful political engagement. The adviser further claimed that the PTI founder has restrained his leadership from taking part in dialogue or becoming part of any political process, which he described as an undemocratic approach that weakens political stability and national cohesion. In response to a query, he said Pakistan has consistently supported the Kashmiri cause through sacrifices and political backing, while the armed forces also remain aligned with the Kashmiri struggle. He said that people across AJK and IIOJK remain deeply connected with Pakistan and share a common desire for peace, stability and progress rather than disorder or conflict. He said that the bond between Kashmir and Pakistan is deep, historic, and rooted in shared emotions and aspirations, adding that both sides continue to stand together in pursuit of peace, stability and mutual welfare.
Recalling Türkiye’s unwavering support during Pakistan’s most difficult moments, including wars, earthquakes and devastating floods, PM Shehbaz particularly acknowledged President Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan’s flood-affected areas in 2010 and First Lady Emine Erdogan’s humanitarian support for flood victims.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday invited Turkish companies to increase their investments in Pakistan across a wide range of sectors during meetings with senior executives of Turkiye’s leading business groups and industry organisations, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The PMO said the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding economic cooperation with Turkiye and attracting more Turkish investment in key areas of the economy.
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Govt plans annual evaluation of judges, says Azam Tarar LAHORE STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar on Saturday said the government was committed to improving legal education, strengthening the professional training of lawyers and ensuring the effective administration of justice. Addressing the inauguration of the Lawyers Education Academy at the Punjab Bar Council and a certificate distribution ceremony for successful participants of the Bar Vocational Course, the minister said work was underway on introducing a comprehensive health insurance policy for lawyers and their families. He said the federal and Punjab governments were extending full support to the welfare of the legal fraternity. Tarar said lawyers
would be provided treatment for cancer, kidney, liver and heart diseases at both public and private hospitals under the proposed health scheme. He added that the Punjab government had released Rs1.35 billion in grants for bar associations and announced an additional Rs20 million for the Bar Vocational Course. The minister said the establishment of the Directorate of Legal Education at the Pakistan Bar Council was a major reform aimed at modernising legal education. He described the legal profession as a sacred responsibility and urged lawyers to strengthen their institutions and resolve disputes through institutional forums. On judicial reforms, Tarar said a seven-member committee had been constituted to ensure transparency and merit in the appointment of High Court judges. The
committee will interview candidates and submit its recommendations to the Judicial Commission. Questioning why High Court judges should not undergo interviews when Civil Judges and Additional Sessions Judges are required to pass examinations, the minister said judicial appointments must be based strictly on merit. He added that the government was introducing, for the first time, a constitutional mechanism for the annual evaluation of judges' performance through a Judges Evaluation Committee. Under the proposed system, a Judges Evaluation Committee will review the performance of judges at the end of each year. If a judge's performance is found unsatisfactory, the committee may send a reference to the Judicial Commission and recommend removal, he added.
Iran to send high powered delegation to Pakistan to deepen strategic ties ISLAMABAD
MONITORING REPORT
Iran will soon dispatch a high-level delegation led by Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni to Pakistan to expand bilateral cooperation in key sectors, including agriculture, industry, trade, transport, tourism and foreign affairs, in a move aimed at broadening ties beyond security cooperation and accelerating economic engagement, Iranian state media reported on Saturday. The planned visit reflects renewed efforts by Tehran and Islamabad to deepen bilateral cooperation by strengthening trade, investment and commercial linkages, while also expanding collaboration in agriculture, energy, border security and religious tourism. The visit also comes as Pakistan has assumed a more prominent diplomatic role in the region following months of conflict between Iran and the United States. In recent months, Islamabad has facilitated contacts and mediated talks between Tehran and Washington while simultaneously working to strengthen bilateral relations with Iran through high-level exchanges and agreements focused on expanding economic cooperation. “This delegation will include senior officials from the ministries of agriculture, industry, mining and trade, roads and urban development, foreign affairs, cultural heritage, tourism, and handicrafts,” Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported following a joint press conference between Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran. Naqvi, who travelled to Iran as part of Pakistan’s high-level delegation attending the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, welcomed the planned visit. “Arrangements have been made for the Iranian delegation’s visit to Islamabad and we are happy that the Iranian interior minister will head the delegation,” Naqvi said, according to IRNA. The report said Iran had also agreed to facilitate overland travel for Pakistani pilgrims participating in this year’s Arbaeen commemorations. Arbaeen, one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, marks the end of the 40day mourning period for Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), with hundreds of thousands of Pakistani pilgrims travel through Iran each year to visit the holy sites in neighbouring Iraq. The planned visit follows discussions held during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's visit to Islamabad last month, when the two countries agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, agriculture and security.
Pakistan opens power sector to investors as reforms slash inefficiencies: Leghari ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari on Saturday reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering commitment to power sector privatization, saying sweeping structural reforms had begun delivering tangible results, with electricity distribution inefficiencies reduced by more than 45 percent over the past two years while opening up billions of dollars in investment opportunities. Addressing Turkish investors at the Pakistan-Turkiye Business Conference, the minister said Pakistan had enacted legislation barring the government from establishing or purchasing any new electricity generation companies, underscoring its long-term commitment to a competitive and market-driven power sector.
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pakistan hails us at 250, vows stronger ties with washington ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday extended warm felicitations to President Donald J. Trump and the people of the United States on the landmark occasion marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to further deepening bilateral ties and acknowledging Washington's role in promoting regional and global peace. In separate messages, both leaders expressed the hope that the United States would continue to build upon its enduring legacy of strength, innovation and commitment to the ideals of freedom, democracy and opportunity. “Pakistan joins the United States in celebrating this
remarkable milestone and the enduring values of freedom, resilience and democracy. Our two nations enjoy a partnership spanning more than seven decades, strengthened by the invaluable contributions of the Pakistani-American community,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a post on his X handle. Looking towards a bright and promising future, the prime minister said Pakistan remained fully committed to further strengthening its partnership with the United States on the basis of mutual respect, shared interests and constructive, mutually beneficial engagement. He observed that history had repeatedly demonstrated that Pakistan and the United States stood together at the most consequential moments whenever global peace and security had been at stake. “We acknowledge and appreciate President Trump’s
vital contribution to peace in South Asia, which helped save hundreds of millions of lives in a potentially devastating war, as well as his steadfast efforts that helped end several major conflicts around the globe,” he added. American people's achievements contributed significantly to global progress In a letter to President Trump, President Zardari said the remarkable achievements of the American people over the past two and a half centuries had contributed significantly to global progress and prosperity, according to a President Secretariat Media Wing press release. He said Pakistan and the United States shared a long-standing relationship founded on mutual respect, shared interests and a common commitment to advancing peace, security and prosperity.
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'Let us wail!' Iranians flock to Khamenei's funeral after wartime death TEHRAN AFP
Tens of thousands of Iranians massed in Tehran on Saturday to begin almost a week of funeral ceremonies for supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — who was assassinated in a US-Israeli strike on the first day of the Middle East conflict — an event intended to send a message of defiance to the West after the US-Iran war. Clad in black and waving blood-red flags seen as a call for vengeance and justice, mourners thronged the Grand Mosalla religious complex in Tehran, AFP correspondents said. Authorities believe the ceremonies will mobilise more than 10 million people in the
capital alone for tributes to the man who ran the country for three-and-a-half decades. Six days of funeral ceremonies are planned to commemorate Khamenei, who ruled the Islamic republic as its number one from 1989 until his assassination aged 86 on the first day of the US-Israeli war on Iran on February 28. AFP photographs showed the coffins of Khamenei and four other family members at the front on a dais. There was still no sign of Khamenei’s son and successor, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who has been unseen in public since being named supreme leader a week after the killing of his father. Other top Iranian officials who survived the war welcomed foreign dignitaries who
paid their respects at the coffin on Friday before the complex opened to the public. Chants of “death to America” and “revenge, revenge” echoed at the venue. “The leader was a father to us all. With his passing, we have all been left orphaned… There was no one like him. He was truly unique and peerless,” said Mohammad Mirsalehi, a 38-year-old cleric. “We came (to the funeral) because we promised the supreme leader we would stand by him to the very end,” 37-year-old university professor Reza, who gave only one name, told AFP. “For a long time, we shouted that we would sacrifice our lives for the leader, but it was he who sacrificed himself for us.” Javad Akbari, 43, a food-processing
plant worker, said: “I never had the chance to see the supreme leader up close, and I regret that. Today, I have come to bid him a final farewell.” An AFP journalist saw mourners walking several kilometres to reach the venue. Hundreds of supporters of the Islamic republic had begun arriving on Friday evening outside the Grand Mosalla. “We want to say a final goodbye to our leader, which is why waiting like this isn’t painful or difficult for us,” Somayye Hamedi told AFP. Significant security measures have been imposed, with roads blocked and airspace expected to be closed for what is set to be the largest-scale public event in Iran since the burial of Khamenei’s predecessor, Ruhollah
Khomeini, in 1989. ‘Final goodbye’ The coffin will lie in state until Monday, when a procession will pass through Tehran. On Tuesday, it will move to the clerical hub of Qom, before moving on Wednesday to cities holy to Shia Muslims in neighbouring Iraq, then proceeding for burial on Thursday in Khamenei’s home city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran. He will be buried with his infant granddaughter, son-in-law, daughter and Mojtaba Khamenei’s wife Zahra Haddad Adel, who were all killed in the February 28 strikes. The tiny coffin of his granddaughter Zahra Mohammadi Golpaygani, who according to state media was just 14 months old, was prominently displayed.