hailS US–iRan talkS aS hiStoRic
g PREMIER SHEHBAZ URGES NATION TO PRAY FOR SUCCESS OF ISLAMABAD NEGOTIATIONS AMID INTENSIFIED EFFORTS FOR LA STING PEACE
g SAYS DIALOGUE HAS REPLACED WAR AS GULF TENSIONS EASE, CREDITING PAKISTAN’S MEDIATION IN SECURING FRAGILE CEASEFIRE
g LAUDS FIELD MARSHAL A SIM MUNIR, FM DAR FOR ‘HISTORIC ’ DIPLOMATIC ROLE IN DOUSING FLAMES OF WAR AND BRINGING WARRING PARTIES TO DIALOGUE
g ANNOUNCES VISA-ON-ARRIVAL FACILITY FOR FOREIGN DELEGATES ATTENDING ISLAMABAD TALKS
US–iran talks must deliver peace as world has
g VANCE SIGNALS OPTIMISM AHEAD OF HIGH-STAKES NEGOTIATIONS AS IRANIAN DELEGATION ARRIVES
facilitating engagement between both sides after advocating a two-week ceasefire earlier this week
ISLAMABAD
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has intensified diplomatic outreach amid escalating regional tensions, receiving separate telephone calls from French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper as Pakistan s role in brokering a key ceasefire continues to draw international recognition
During his conversation with Barrot the French foreign minister congratulated Pakistan for its pivotal role in facilitating the initial ceasefire understanding between Iran and the United States He also expressed strong support for Islamabad’s continued diplomatic engagement aimed at securing lasting peace and stability in an increasingly volatile region
The two sides held detailed discussions on unfolding regional developments, particularly the deteriorating situation in Lebanon Both ministers expressed serious concern over reported violations of the ceasefire stressing that all parties must adhere fully to the agreement to prevent further escalation
They underscored that respect for the truce remains essential to sustaining fragile diplomatic gains
Reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening Pakistan-France relations, the leaders agreed to expand cooperation across economic, trade, and diplomatic spheres They also resolved to remain in close contact as the situation evolves
In a separate high-level exchange UK Foreign
Secretary Yvette Cooper commended Pakistan s diplomatic role, acknowledging its contribution to efforts that led to the Iran-related ceasefire According to the Foreign Office, she paid tribute to Islamabad’s constructive engagement and reiterated Britain’s support for Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to promote durable peace in the region
Dar and Cooper also reaffirmed the strength of Pakistan-UK bilateral relations, agreeing to further enhance cooperation in multiple areas The interaction was described as a positive and forward-looking
engagement reflecting growing international backing for Pakistan s diplomatic initiatives
These diplomatic contacts come against the backdrop of renewed violence in Lebanon, where Israeli military operations have intensified despite the ceasefire framework The escalation follows Pakistan’s mediation efforts that helped broker a temporary truce between Iran and the United States after weeks of heightened confrontation
Reports indicate that Israel has carried out some of the deadliest strikes in Lebanon since hostilities with Hezbollah escalated, resulting in significant civilian casualties Lebanese authorities have reported hundreds killed and over a thousand injured raising fears that continued violence could derail fragile peace efforts and trigger a broader regional crisis Amid the escalating situation, former US President Donald Trump has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to scale back military operations, expressing hope that a wider ceasefire could hold His remarks came after Washington announced a two-week truce with Iran with further negotiations planned to achieve a longer-term settlement Pakistan has maintained that the ceasefire should not remain limited to the US-Iran dimension but must also extend to Lebanon to ensure comprehensive regional stability Officials in Islamabad have repeatedly warned that continued Israeli strikes risk undermining the agreement and weakening prospects for meaningful dialogue
US–Iran talks must deliver peace as world has no ‘Plan B,’ warns Bilawal
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
During the interview Bilawal said global attention was focused on the visiting delegations arriving in Islamabad Pakistan London New York and many countries in the Middle East have been affected by this war, he said, adding that the toll of the conflict must be measured not only in human lives but also in its economic cost to populations across the world He expressed hope that the current ceasefire space would be built upon to achieve a more durable and permanent peace in the interest of the international community On Pakistan s diplomatic role he said the country s primary responsibility was to host both sides for direct negotiations in Islamabad The biggest achievement so far is that we have reached this point ” he said adding that challenges remain particularly the “wide trust deficit” between the two sides He however expressed confidence that diplomatic engagement would produce confidence-building measures to expand space for dialogue and advance the peace process Responding to a question about reported discussions regarding a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for Pakistan’s leadership and criticism over prioritising international image Bilawal said it was the first time he had heard such talk He said Iran and Afghanistan are Pakistan s neighbours adding that Pakistan had already endured decades of regional conflict and could not afford further escalation in the region The people of Pakistan can’t afford it I would argue people across the world can’t afford it ” he said stressing that Pakistan’s motivation was to see peace achieved on all sides He further noted that the situation also carried significant economic risks warning that global instability could trigger major economic shocks, and reiterated that Pakistan s priority was peace rather than international recognition In a separate interview with BBC, Bilawal was asked about US President Donald Trump’s past remarks accusing Pakistan of “lying and deceit during his first term and the subsequent shift in relations He said he would view those remarks as past statements, adding that ground realities had changed significantly and Pakistan had improved its international perception, particularly in Washington Bilawal said Pakistan seeks to build on these gains for the benefit of regional and global peace particularly in facilitating understanding between Iran and the United States He added that Pakistan maintains strong relations with China as well as long-standing ties with the United States, and has historically acted as a bridge between major powers He recalled Pakistan’s role in facilitating US–China diplomatic engagement during the Nixon era and noted that during current Iran–US discussions Pakistan s Foreign Minister visited China where both sides endorsed a five-point framework supporting the ceasefire
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
PM Shehbaz said both sides had agreed to resolve their issues through dialogue and thanked the leadership of the United States and Iran for accepting Pakistan’s invitation to hold talks in Islamabad
He reiterated his gratitude to Iran and the US for agreeing to the two-week ceasefire proposal and for participating in talks aimed at restoring peace
He said Pakistan hosting these negotiations was “not just a proud moment for Pakistan but for the entire Muslim world ” The prime minister added that Pakistan s leadership had successfully persuaded both sides to agree to a temporary ceasefire and come to the negotiating table in Islamabad
“For this, I laud Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for working day and night with sincerity I particularly commend Field Marshal Asim Munir and his team who played a key and historic role in dousing the flames of war and bringing the warring parties to dialogue, he said, adding that history would remember their services in “golden words ” He noted that while the temporary ceasefire was a major breakthrough the more difficult phase would be achieving a long-term ceasefire and resolving issues through sustained diplomacy calling it a true makeor-break stage
FIVE-YEAR
security solutions to protect more than 10,000 employees nationwide, an area widely viewed as a critical frontline defense against cyber threats in the financial sector
S indh enforces new business hours as energy-saving measures take effec t
g MARKETS TO CLOSE BY 8PM IN MOST DISTRICTS AND 9PM IN DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS, WITH RESTAURANTS AND MARRIAGE HALLS RESTRICTED TO LATE-EVENING OPERATIONS
Highlighting the economic impact of the Middle East conflict the prime minister spoke of a devastating storm of inflation and recalled his earlier commitment to pass on the benefit of falling global oil prices to the public
He said international oil prices had recently declined and noted that although he was advised not to pass on the full relief immediately to help recover Rs129 billion spent by the government to cushion price shocks he rejected the proposal I immediately rejected that recommendation, he said, adding that it was his moral and political responsibility to transfer the benefit to the people He said the government’s fiscal discipline and resource management had also contributed to reducing petrol and diesel prices Because wheat harvesting has begun, it is important to reduce costs for farmers; otherwise, their hard work will be wasted and food prices will rise,” he said, before announcing a reduction in petrol and diesel prices
PA K I S TA N is preparing at its end for the coming US-Iran talks in Islamabad, due to begin on Saturday (today), but Israeli bombing of Lebanon continued on Thursday This not only proved a distraction from the talks but also was a violation of the ceasefire that had been agreed to It also provided a focus on a conflict that had been pursued all through its massacre in Gaza, and it is difficult to avoid the impression that Israel gives its offensive against Lebanon as much importance as the offensive against Iran
The big difference between Iran and Lebanon is that Israel has no borders with Iran but does with Lebanon Israel s ambitions in Lebanon, as stated by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalal Smotrich, was to take Lebanese land to make Israel safer This involves taking southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, land which Israel had occupied from 1982 to 2000, as part of a wider occupation which extended to Beirut Israel wants to take this are permanently shifting the border in what would be the first Israeli occupation since its 1967 takeover of the West Bank and Gaza after the Six-Day War The occupation of Lebanese land is particularly dangerous for it makes Israel an expansive power and the Greater Israel project (according to which Israel absorbs West Bank and the Gaza Strip) becomes merely the first stage in a potentially limitless Israeli expansion Israel is trying to be clever: it attacked Lebanon because Iran backs Hezbollah there, but it does not accept that the ceasefire with Iran should also apply to any of its proxies Pakistan may find that Israeli aggression in Lebanon is the point where the ceasefire breaks down The USA should notice that is is the point where it may well find that its interests do not coincide with Israel’s
The reason is simple: Israel does not have to pay the bills, because it receives virtually un;imited financial support from the USA, and thus it is insulated from the Hormuz Strait closure which brought the USA to negotiate, because of the oil shock which the Trump Administration could not tolerate because of the effect on the midterm elections Iran Thus the Israeli campaign in Lebanon assumes central importance with Iran threatening to withdraw from the talks It is now to be seen whether the USA wants talks enough to rein in Israel
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
The missing tier
huge budgets or sweeping policy reforms Yet they persist, quietly shaping the daily frustrations of ordinary people What stands out is not the complaints themselves, but the absence of a straightforward way to resolve them There is no councillor to call no chairman to confront no local forum where such issues can be raised and addressed quickly In the absence of elected local governments citizens are left navigating a system that was never designed to respond directly to their needs Local government systems have repeatedly been introduced with promise, only to vanish under political hesitation or bureaucratic convenience Elections are delayed institutions are allowed to lapse and authority reverts to the
see issues as files or numbers; they see them as lived realities They walk the same streets hear the same complaints and answer to the same people every day Their accountability is immediate and sometimes uncomfortable This proximity is what gives local government its value It transforms responsibility from a distant administrative concept into a personal obligation Without this layer of governance, responsiveness falters Problems that could be resolved in days stretch into weeks Matters requiring local knowledge are handled from afar The system does not collapse but it slows It becomes less attentive less flexible and less effective There is also a deeper, long term cost to this absence Local governments are training grounds for political participation They allow new leaders to emerge people who understand their communities not as abstract constituencies but as living neighbourhoods with real stories and real stakes When local elections do not take place this avenue disappears Politics becomes more centralised, more distant, and often less representative Urban centres are expanding rapidly, placing increasing pressure on infrastructure and services Managing these realities from provincial offices is insufficient Effective governance requires local knowledge presence
Until
on paper This is where the absence of local governments becomes painfully visible An elected councillor does not
has a key similarly the dependency of Pakistan over the strait of Hurmuz needs to be minimized by taking some critical steps The foremost is the diversification of oil import markets and routes Pakistan needs to find new markets for the importation of its exports such as Russia to minimize its leaning on the Middle East for the importation of crude oil Similarly alternative routes to the Strait of Hurmuz need to be explored Pakistan can and has been exploring the Red Sea route for crude oil import Furthermore, it is a high time for Pakistan to concentrate on exploring the domestic renewable energy sources for energy production It will reduce dependence on other countries for oil import and also bring stability in the energy market For this, a rational tax policy towards renewable energy materials is needed Moreover, Pakistan has the lowest petroleum reserve capability compared with its peers It has only 10 to14 days of petroleum reserve capacity while India maintains 65 to 70 days It needs
In shor t, no one denies the significant diplomatic victor y of Pakistan in the Middle East crisis. Even the former Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni sugg ested a Nobel Peace Priz e to Pakistan for this inconceivable ceasefire between the USA and Iran. So, Pakistan has played a key role in bringing down the temperature of the war in the Middle East.
Upstream control, downstream fear
The Hormuz Strait
Pakistan’s diplomacy redefines the Iran War
Tdiplomatic finesse Pakistan s leadership managed to introduce a moment of reflection into a rapidly escalating crisis effectively pulling the world back from the brink At the same time Iran s role in this confrontation cannot be overlooked Despite facing sustained military pressure from both the USA and Israel since the escalation began on February 28, Iran demonstrated a remarkable capacity for resilience Its ability to defend its territory maintain operational coherence and respond strategically underscored its position as a formidable regional power Tehran s actions were not limited to defense; they included calibrated offensive measures that signaled its capability to impose costs on its adversaries while avoiding uncontrolled escalation
Iran s proposed 10-point peace plan became a critical turning point in this unfolding crisis While not fully aligned with U S expectations, it nonetheless provided a framework for dialogue Key elements included the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz under coordinated oversight the lifting of sanctions the release of frozen assets and the establishment of secure transit protocols Though some demands such as compensation payments and complete US military withdrawal from the region were seen as unlikely to be accepted, the proposal itself created diplomatic space where none previously existed
This initiative allowed the USA to recalibrate its position By agreeing to a twoweek ceasefire, Trump effectively created a face-saving exit from a conflict that had grown increasingly complex and costly What was initially projected as a swift and decisive campaign had instead evolved into a protracted confrontation with no clear endgame The ceasefire provided Washington with an opportunity to step back without appearing to concede defeat a crucial consideration in both domestic and international political contexts
In the final analysis, what transpired on April 7 will be remembered not for the destruction that nearly occurred, but for the diplomacy that prevented it It is a reminder that even in an era defined by conflict and competition, the power of dialogue remains indispensable The effor ts of PakistanÊs leadership, combined with IranÊs strategic resilience and the United StatesÊ eventual recalibration.
AF T E R 40 days of intense military confrontation between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other, the sudden announcement of a two-week ceasefire has raised a central question: what compelled the parties to pause the war at this stage?
The ceasefire did not emerge from a single development, but from a combination of military, strategic, political, and economic realities that reshaped the calculations of the actors involved At the same time, the truce remains fragile and its future will depend on several critical factors
According to emerging reports high-level negotiations could take place in Islamabad on Saturday reportedly involving the speaker of Iranian parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and US Vice President JD Vance
If confirmed, such a meeting would represent the highest-level direct political engagements between the two sides after 48 years and could help test whether the ceasefire will open the path to serious negotiations or merely serve as a temporary pause in hostilities
Several major developments help explain why the ceasefire became possible First, Iran s 40 days of resistance and the powerful response of its military forces in what Tehran described as a “war of survival” challenged a long-standing assumption among some advocates of military action in Washington and Tel Aviv: that the Iranian government would collapse quickly under sustained military attack For decades this assumption served as a central argument for those advocating military confrontation with Iran The events of the war appear to have weakened that premise Over more than 15 years of academic work at Princeton University, I repeatedly argued in hundreds of articles interviews and analyses that such expectations were unrealistic
NEW CALCULATIONS: Second Iran s leverage over the Strait of Hormuz significantly altered the economic and strategic calculations surrounding the war The strait is one of the most critical chokepoints in the global energy system through which roughly one-fifth of the world s oil supply passes During the conflict fears of disruption in the waterway triggered instability in financial markets and sharp increases in global energy prices
with
For the broader Middle East, the implications were profound Regional states, many of which had found themselves caught between competing pressures were granted a reprieve Their infrastructure already strained by strikes on energy facilities transport networks, and desalination plants now had a chance to recover Economically, the stabilization of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global oil supply flows helped ease immediate fears of a global energy crisis Israel however faces a different set of lessons The assumption that it could operate as the unchallenged military authority in the region has been fundamentally questioned Iran’s response demonstrated that it possesses not only the will but also the capability to counter Israeli and allied actions across multiple domains military strategic and diplomatic The conflict has revealed that the balance of power in the Middle East is more complex than previously assumed Moreover, the discourse surrounding extreme military options including discussions in some policy circles about the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons highlighted the dangerous trajectory the conflict had taken Such considerations underscored the urgency of diplomatic intervention and reinforced the importance of restraint The ceasefire, therefore, was not just a pause in hostilities; it was a critical interruption of a path that could have led to irreversible consequences Pakistan s role in achieving this outcome marks a significant moment in its diplomatic history Traditionally viewed through a regional lens, Pakistan has now demonstrated its capacity to influence global events By facilitating dialogue between adversaries and advocating for de-escalation it positioned itself as a credible mediator in one of the most volatile conflicts of the modern era
Trump has repeatedly stated that five
POLITICAL DYNAMICS: Also domestic develop-
ments inside Iran have influenced the trajectory of the conflict Contrary to expectations among some planners that military pressure might trigger widespread unrest or political destabilisation, large numbers of Iranians took to the streets in support of national unity and resistance against foreign attack
At the same time many Iranians living abroad joined campaigns opposing the war against Iran This reaction complicated scenarios that had anticipated internal unrest as a result of military strikes Iran s security forces maintained firm control over the country’s borders during the conflict
One of the concerns during wartime instability is the possibility that terrorist or militant groups might attempt to exploit the situation by infiltrating the country and creating chaos Iranian forces appear to have prevented such scenarios from materialising, thereby avoiding the emergence of a broader internal security crisis The political dynamics in the United States and internationally also contributed to the decision to pause the war As the conflict continued opposition among segments of the American public increased and criticism from political figures grew International public opinion in many countries also shifted toward greater opposition to the continuation of hostilities
The potential domestic political consequences in the United States including the possibility of electoral setbacks in the November elections likely factored into Washington s calculations
FRAGILE AND UNCERTAIN: The expanding regional dimensions of the conflict played a decisive role The war inflicted significant damage on multiple sides Iran targeted Israel, US military facilities, and positions associated with allied countries in the region while the United States and Israel carried out extensive strikes inside Iran
The war is turning Iran into a major world power wrote the New York Times The cumulative damage suffered by all sides and the risk of further escalation into a broader regional war appear to have encouraged a temporary halt to hostilities
These developments explain why a ceasefire became acceptable after 40 days of fighting Yet the ceasefire itself is fragile and uncertain and its sustainability will depend on several critical factors
First, the framework of the ceasefire and possible negotiations remains unclear It is not known whether the talks will be based on the United States’s reported 15-point proposal, Iran’s ten-point plan, or a combination of both Moreover positions expressed by Washington and Tel Aviv appear to differ from what Pakistan acting as mediator has described raising doubts about whether the parties share a common negotiating framework Second, the key unknown is Washington s political will It remains uncertain whether the two-week pause reflects a genuine effort to pursue diplomacy or simply time to replenish weapons stockpiles before renewed military action
This achievement reflects not only political will but also a deep understanding of geopolitical dynamics Iran, on its part, emerges from this phase of the conflict with renewed confidence Its ability to withstand coordinated pressure from two powerful adversaries and still engage in diplomacy reinforces its image as a resilient and sovereign state The narrative of capitulation has been replaced with one of endurance and strategic patience
For the USA, the ceasefire offers an opportunity for introspection The conflict highlighted the limitations of military solutions in addressing complex geopolitical challenges It also exposed the risks associated with being drawn into regional disputes that do not directly threaten core national interests By stepping back, Washington can reassess its approach and potentially realign its strategy toward more sustainable forms of engagement The coming two weeks will be critical The negotiations set to take place in Islamabad carry the weight of global expectations Success will require not only political commitment but also a willingness to com-
This skepticism is rooted in several precedents: the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) despite Iran’s compliance and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verification; the 2025 military attack; and the 2026 war launched even as negotiations were reportedly progressing Third Iran–US engagement in the coming weeks will be decisive Direct negotiations and comprehensive dia-
Qamar BaShir
BRITAIN ACCUSES RUSSIA OF ‘COVERT’ OPERATION IN NORTH ATL ANTIC
and calling for a clear and informed stance He said that Iran will move the management of the strategic Strait of Hormuz into a new phase Khamenei told Iranians that they must not imagine that taking to the streets is no longer necessary" despite the announcement of the ceasefire
Carriers continue to be
one rotation per day,
lows more to be facilitated Additional slots will be allocated if capacity is available," it said The FIA told the Indian government the curbs were not being applied to Dubai s airlines such as Emirates and flydubai creating an uneven playing field that could lead to "substantial" revenue losses Dubai Airports and Dubai s media office did
to consider reciprocal measures on Dubai carriers including Emirates and flydubai according to a letter it sent to the Indian government on March 31 Indian carriers are already under financial pressure from higher fuel prices and longer routings to Western destinations because they have been banned from using Pakistani airspace since last year following military tensions between the two neighbours In a private email to airlines on March 27, seen by Reuters, Dubai Airports said carriers would be allowed one round trip per day to Dubai International Airport (DXB) normally the world s busiest international travel hub and the smaller Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) during the summer season between April 20 and May 31 extending restrictions implemented after the war
CM Maryam greenlights Punjab Cyber Crime Unit to curb online harassment
PM&DC to act against Facult y, Institution if
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council
(PM&DC) as the national regulatory authority for medical and dental education has expressed deep sorrow and grave concern over the tragic death of a third-year medical student Fahmeeda Laghari of Muhammad Medical College, Mirpurkhas In an official statement, President PM&DC Prof Dr Rizwan Taj expressed that PM&DC strongly condemned the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly the serious allegations of harassment terming the loss of a young medical student under such distressing circumstances as deeply alarming He welcomed the inquiry initiated by the Government of Sindh and stressed that the investigation must thoroughly examine and details be provided to the PM&DC for further action Keeping an intolerable attitude on harrasment PM&DC already last year had strictly directed all the medical and dental colleges to constitute anti-harassment committees ensuring timely redressal of such complaints and safeguarding mental well-being of medical / dental fraternity PM&DC also time to time advised students that if their concerns are not addressed at the institutional level, they may directly lodge complaints with the PM&DC Harassment Committee for appropriate action
The Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab) in collaboration with Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) hosted a pre-launch investor meeting for the upcoming Punjab Investment Summit 2026 at the CBD Punjab Business Center Lahore The session brought together key stakeholders investors and industry leaders to explore emerging investment opportunities and share the strategic vision behind the summit Opening the session, COO CBD Punjab & RUDA Brigadier (R) Mansoor Janjua reaffirmed the commitment of CBD Punjab & RUDA in fostering a progressive and investor-friendly ecosystem He emphasized the importance of sustainable economic growth through strategic partnerships stating Our focus is to create an environment where investors feel confident supported and empowered to contribute towards longterm development An in-depth overview of the investment landscape of CBD Punjab and RUDA was presented by Director Sales & Marketing RUDA Shahriyar Rana who highlighted strong opportunities for both local and international investors He noted, Punjab offers a dynamic and evolving investment environment with promising prospects for sustainable returns ” The session also featured the unveiling of the official summit logo through a dedicated video presentation Director Marketing CBD Punjab, Waseem Siddiq, stated, “The Punjab Investment Summit is envisioned as a transformative global platform to showcase Pakistan s progress potential and investment readiness Through strategic mar-
keting initiatives and international outreach, we aim to enhance visibility, build investor confidence, and position Punjab as a competitive future-ready destination for sustainable growth ” CEO CBD Punjab & RUDA Imran Amin appreciated the strong participation of investors and formally invited them to the summit He remarked, “Through this shared mission, we aim to create a meaningful and lasting collective impact by strengthening collaboration and unlocking new avenues for growth and innovation He further added, This initiative is not only about promoting projects but about building a unified platform that enhances market confidence strengthens global positioning and delivers sustainable value for all stakeholders
S indh to provide single window operation facilities to
KARACHI S TA F F R E P O R T
Provincial Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that they would provide all facilities to the industrialists of Gujranwala to establish their businesses and industries in Karachi
“We would provide single window operation facilities to the industrialists from Gujranwala ” said Nasir while speaking at the opening ceremony of first Gujranwala Expo at Karachi Expo Center here on Friday Nasir added that the Gujranwala’s industry has demonstrated its capabilities by coming to Karachi and having such a large number of industrial clusters within a single city is both remarkable and encouraging
He paid rich tribute to Chamber President Ali Humayun Butt and his team for successfully organizing the event despite challenging circumstances and lockdown-related obstacles The minister also welcomed distinguished guests including Head of Vietnam Trade Mission Nguyen Thi Diep Ha, Deputy Trade Representative of Russia Boris S Gusev, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh M Saqib Sadaqat Member National Assembly Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig Managing Di-
rector of Brands Foundation Zafar Hussain, and Secretary General (PAKSEA) M Siddiq While welcoming all local and international participants at the
The School Education & Literacy Department (SELD), Government of Sindh, in collaboration with UNICEF, successfully launched the Enrollment and Retention Drive 2026–27 at Church Mission School following established standard operating procedures The launch event was attended by key dignitaries, including Secretary SELD Mr Zahid Ali Abbasi; Dr Junaid Hameed Samo Chief Program Manager Reform Support Unit (RSU); Mr Prem Bahadur Chand, Chief Field Officer, UNICEF Sindh; and Mr Muhammad Iqbal Qureshi from the Pakistan Rotary Literacy Mission M Ali Haider Deputy Governer Rotary Representatives from Muslim Hands and National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), along with development partners academia civil society and senior officials from various SELD wings, including Directors and District Education Officers (DEOs), also participated Mr Elnur Aliyev joined the session virtually and presented a detailed briefing titled Accelerating Enrollment and Retention Outcomes: SBC Evidence, Insights, and Strategic Priorities (2026–27)” highlighting key strategies to improve enrollment and retention outcomes across Sindh
In line with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, a special behavioural training programme has been launched to promote positive attitudes, courtesy, and a public-friendly culture within Punjab Police On the directives of IG Punjab Abdul Kareem a comprehensive province-wide training initiative is underway under which one-day sessions are being conducted through a specially designed behavioural module A Punjab Police spokesperson said that the programme focuses on equipping officers and personnel with skills to interact with citizens in a
Pakistan emerges global Peace driver as nawa z welcomes iran–Us ceasefire
Pakistan Navy rescues 18 crew members from merchant vessel in Arabian Sea
ISLAMABAD
According
said further interrogation is ongoing and more disclosures are expected Joint teams have also been formed to apprehend the suspect’s accomplices and other operatives with raids currently underway across the city g o v e r n m e n t g r a n t s c o m p l e t e e x e
The federal government of Pakistan has granted a complete exemption to call centers from operating hour restrictions imposed during the ongoing energy crisis, providing significant relief to the country’s IT and outsourcing sector According to details, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shiza Khawaja announced the decision allowing call centers and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies across Pakistan to continue their operations without any time limitations Amid the energy conservation measures enforced across Pakistan, where markets and commercial centers have been required to close early call centers have been excluded from these restrictions The minister clarified that call centers in Pakistan are not required to shut down at designated hours and can operate 24/7 to ensure uninterrupted services In addition, the government confirmed that recently announced local holidays in Islamabad and Rawalpindi declared due to the arrival of foreign delegations will not apply to call centers This step has been taken to ensure that Pakistan s IT sector which plays a crucial role in the national economy, remains fully functional Shaza Khawaja acknowledged that there had been delays in communicating the exemption to all stakeholders, which led to some implementation challenges However she assured that the government of Pakistan is actively working to resolve these issues and ensure smooth operations for the industry To address concerns faced by call centers, particularly regarding security and operating hours, the minister has directed companies to contact the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) A dedicated support system has been established where complaints submitted through the PSEB portal will be resolved within 24 hours
The PTI has decided to organise a major power show in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa later this month after postponing its planned April 9 rally in Rawalpindi
The decision follows a meeting between Imran Khan's lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar and the PTI founder at Adiala Jail on April 8 the first substantive interaction after nearly three months
During the session Imran Khan directed the party to postpone the Rawalpindi gathering in view of the sensitive US-Iran talks taking place in Islamabad emphasizing the need to support Pakistan's diplomatic peace efforts While addressing a news conference in Peshawar on Thursday KhyberPakhtunkhwa CM Sohail Afridi praised Imran Khan's decision saying, despite all the oppression, coercion, and fascism, Imran Khan canceled his rally for the sake of Pakistan's reputation What could be a greater display of patriotism than this? In the past whenever any political party faced tough times, they orchestrated scandals like Dawn Leaks and Memogate CM Afridi announced that Imran Khan has directed the party to hold a major public rally within the next ten
days in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa "Insha'Allah, all the leadership and workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will ensure the implementation of this directive and organize a large and impactful gathering he said He added that he would meet the grand alliance TTAP leadership later and finalize the location and date for the rally within a day or two
Afridi further disclosed receiving a direct message from Imran Khan which emphasized that political decisions should be made through mutual consensus and that consultations should be held with Mahmood Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas on this matter
Afridi stated that Imran Khan has
been consistently advocating since 2002 that Pakistan should play a proactive role in promoting peace He claimed that the founder's long-standing 2002 peace policy is now being implemented and has received appreciation from the international community He stressed that the country belongs to everyone, it is not the property of the founder of PTI or any single party On Imran Khan's health the chief minister revealed that the PTI founder was suffering from a serious eye condition He questioned why proper treatment is not being carried out at Al-Shifa Hospital and why it cannot take place in the presence of his family "Imran Khan has the full right that his treatment should be done wherever his sisters desire Afridi said On Afghanistan-related issues Afridi said that engagement and negotiations could lead to positive outcomes He reiterated that individuals harming Pakistan must be removed, while Afghan refugees would be repatriated with respect and dignity in line with national policy
He also complained of continuous false propaganda against the PTI government and called for criticism to be constructive and aimed at reform