In partnership with
Profit
PM SHEHBAZ URGES MUSLIM UNITY IN CALL WITH SAUDI CROWN PRINCE Thursday, 1 January, 2026 | 11 Rjabul Murajjab, 1447
g
g
PREMIER SHEHBAZ, MBS REAFFIRM PAKISTAN–SAUDI FRATERNAL TIES, STRESS DIALOGUE, DIPLOMACY FOR REGIONAL PEACE PM THANKS SAUDI LEADERSHIP FOR CONSISTENT SUPPORT AS MBS EXPRESSES DESIRE TO VISIT PAKISTAN NEXT YEAR
P
ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday underscored the importance of unity and harmony within the Muslim Ummah during a “very warm and cordial” phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), reaffirming Pakistan’s deep fraternal ties with the Kingdom and commitment to regional peace and stability, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. During the call, PM Shehbaz conveyed his warm wishes to both Crown Prince Mohammed and King Salman bin
g
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 177 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
LEADERS REAFFIRM SHARED COMMITMENT TO FURTHER STRENGTHENING LONG-STANDING FRATERNAL BONDS
Pakistan expresses full solidarity with Saudi Arabia amid Yemen violence ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Pakistan on Wednesday expressed “complete solidarity” with Saudi Arabia amid a resurgence of violence in Yemen, reaffirming its commitment to the security of the Kingdom and support for lasting peace in the region, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO).
“Pakistan expresses complete solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reaffirms its commitment to the security of the Kingdom,” the FO statement said. Islamabad also reiterated its support for the unity and territorial integrity of Yemen, as well as all efforts to establish lasting peace and stability in the country.
Abdulaziz Al Saud. “The prime minister thanked His Royal Highness for his warmth and affection towards Pakistan. Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the longstanding fraternal bonds between both countries, which had attained new heights
in recent months,” the statement read. The telephonic talks followed a Foreign Office statement reaffirming Pakistan’s “complete solidarity” with
Saudi Arabia amid a resurgence of violence in Yemen.
(GHQ), according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Highlighting continued attempts by Indian-sponsored proxies to propagate violence and disrupt development, Field Marshal Munir reaffirmed that their designs would be thwarted through stern actions by the security forces to rid Balochistan of terrorism and unrest. “Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stability, the COAS and CDF emphasised that any violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity, whether direct or indirect, will be met with a firm and decisive response,” the ISPR statement said.
The ISPR said the workshop focused on exploring Balochistan’s socio-economic development and its strategic importance for Pakistan. In his address, Field Marshal Munir paid tribute to the resilience of the people of Balochistan, underscoring their pivotal role in the country’s prosperity and development. “He lauded the wide-ranging initiatives being undertaken by the federal and provincial governments, highlighting a people-centric approach aimed at improving socio-economic conditions and unlocking the province’s vast economic potential for the benefit of its people,” the statement added.
According to the ISPR, the CDF also highlighted the role of civil society, particularly in countering disinformation and propaganda and driving sustainable development. “He stressed the importance of rejecting vested political agendas to ensure that Balochistan’s future is shaped by long-term prosperity for all its residents,” the statement said. Pakistan witnessed violations of its sovereignty by neighbouring countries India and Afghanistan in May and October, respectively.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
Any violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity will draw firm response: CDF Field Marshal Munir RAWALPINDI
Staff RepoRt
Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Wednesday warned that any violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity will be met with a “firm and decisive” response, reiterating that the Armed Forces remain fully committed to safeguarding the lives and well-being of the country’s citizens, the military’s media wing said. The CDF made these remarks while addressing the 18th National Workshop on Balochistan at General Headquarters
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
‘First handshake since May clash’: Pakistan, India officials make rare contact in Dhaka INDIAN FM JAISHANKAR APPROACHED NA SPEAKER AYAZ SADIQ AND EXTENDED A HANDSHAKE DURING KHALEDA ZIA FUNERAL DHAKA
Staff RepoRt
In a rare and symbolic gesture, Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar shook hands in Dhaka on Wednesday, marking the first high-level contact between Pakistani and Indian officials since the May military conflict between the two countries. The encounter comes amid lingering tensions following the Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan—a claim Islamabad has consistently denied while offering an independent probe. According to a press release from the NA Secretariat, Indian Minister Jaishankar approached Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and extended a handshake during Sadiq’s visit to Dhaka for former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s funeral. “Indian External Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar approached the Speaker of the National Assembly and shook hands,” the release read. “During this interaction, Dr. S. Jaishankar introduced himself to the Speaker and mentioned that he had recognised him.” The statement added that since the Pahalgam incident, Pakistan has “consistently emphasised dialogue, restraint, and cooperative measures, including proposals for peace talks and joint investigations into the alleged false-flag Pahalgam incident, in order to prevent unprovoked aggression and escalation.” Following the attack, India imposed a series of unilateral diplomatic measures against Pakistan. Among the most severe was the suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a pact brokered by the World Bank that had endured through decades of conflict, making its suspension a significant escalation. India also closed the main border transit point and described the attack as a grave provocation warranting strong diplomatic, economic, and logistical pressure on Pakistan. Pakistan consistently called for an independent and transparent investigation, rejecting India’s accusations. Nevertheless, New Delhi carried out air strikes in Punjab and Azad Kashmir on May 7, triggering a four-day clash between the nuclear-armed neighbours. After reciprocal airstrikes on each other’s bases, US intervention on May 10 secured a ceasefire.