In partnership with
Profit
PM, BILAWAL DISCUSS BUDGET, DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND REGIONAL SITUATION Thursday, 18 June, 2026 | 2 Muharram, 1448
g
BILAWAL MEETS PM SHEHBAZ TO DISCUSS NATIONAL AND POLITICAL ISSUES
P
ISLAMABAD
g
Mian abrar
RIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday held separate meetings with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and women parliamentarians of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), discussing national affairs, the federal budget, development initiatives and the prevailing regional situation. During a meeting at the Prime Minister’s House, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, accompanied by Senator Sherry Rehman and MNA Syed Naveed Qamar, exchanged views with the prime minister on issues of national importance, political developments and matters of mutual interest. According to an official statement, the two leaders reviewed the progress of federal development projects in Sindh and discussed measures to further strengthen cooperation between the federation and provinces. The meeting also focused on the federal budget for fiscal year 2026-27, with Prime Minister Shehbaz stressing that close coordination between federal and provincial governments was indispensable for national development and economic progress. Both leaders agreed that sustained collaboration among federal and provincial institutions was essential for the timely completion of projects of national significance and for improving public services and facilities. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari paid tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts aimed at pro-
g
PRIME MINISTER SAYS PEACE ESSENTIAL FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
g
WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS PRAISED FOR ACTIVE BUDGET PARTICIPATION
FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL COOPERATION KEY TO DEVELOPMENT, LEADERS AGREE
moting peace amid the evolving situation in the Middle East. The PPP chairman also thanked the prime minister for his support during the government formation process in Gilgit-Baltistan. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema attended the meeting. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met women parliamentarians belonging to the PML-N and appreciated their active participation in the ongoing budget session. Addressing the gathering, the prime minister said the positive economic impact of the government’s policies would reach the people once lasting peace was restored in the region. “Regional peace and stability are essential for economic growth and prosperity,” he said, adding that improved conditions would create greater opportunities for public relief and development.
Nawaz Sharif urges AJK protesters to end sit-ins, calls for dialogue and peace
The prime minister noted that the government had made every effort to provide maximum relief to citizens in the Budget 2026-27 and had proposed several initiatives aimed at empowering women and enhancing their participation in national development. He reiterated that women’s empowerment remained one of the government’s foremost priorities. Referring to recent regional developments, Shehbaz Sharif said tensions had subsided and peace efforts had succeeded due to the collective endeavours of Pakistan’s leadership and institutions. He expressed gratitude to friendly countries for supporting peace initiatives and acknowledged the contributions of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other members of the government team in promoting regional stability. The prime minister said the government had worked tirelessly over recent months to shield citizens from the effects of global inflation and
LAHORE
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed concern over the prevailing political situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), urging protesters to end sit-ins and demonstrations and pursue dialogue with the government to resolve outstanding issues. Speaking at a meeting in Lahore convened to review the political and administrative situation in AJK, the former prime minister emphasized that the people of the region enjoyed full civil liberties and democratic rights under the Interim Constitution Act of 1974. “Under the Interim Constitution Act of 1974, the people of AJK enjoy full civil liberties and democratic rights. I urge them to end sit-ins and protests and instead engage in meaningful dialogue,” Nawaz Sharif said. The meeting was attended by senior leaders of the PMLN’s AJK chapter, who had requested the party leader to play a role in addressing the emerging situation in the region. According to a statement issued by PML-N Central Information Secretary and Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Nawaz Sharif expressed hope that all stakeholders, including the people of AJK, the regional government, the federal government and political parties, would work together to restore peace and ensure a smooth electoral process ahead of the legislative elections scheduled for next month. “I hope that the people of AJK, the AJK government, the Government of Pakistan and all political parties will collectively contribute to restoring peace in the region and advancing the electoral process,” he said. The PML-N president stressed that all available resources should be utilised for the welfare and development of the people of Azad Kashmir and maintained that any movement for public rights should remain within constitutional and democratic boundaries. AJK has witnessed heightened political and social tensions in recent weeks, with protests over issues including the allocation of 12 reserved refugee seats in the Legislative Assembly, inflation, electricity tariffs and the rising cost of living. Several people, including law enforcement personnel, lost their lives during clashes that erupted earlier this month. Reviewing the situation, Nawaz Sharif said the PML-N had consistently maintained a principled stance on the Kashmir issue and remained committed to protecting the rights and interests of the Kashmiri people. He reiterated support for the right of selfdetermination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with United Nations resolutions.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
economic uncertainty. “By the grace of Allah, unlike some countries in the region, Pakistan did not face any crisis or long queues for fuel,” he remarked. He highlighted that the government had provided Rs128 billion in subsidies and launched a broad austerity campaign to ease the burden on the public, while ensuring economic stability through close coordination between federal and provincial governments. The prime minister also paid tribute to the people of Pakistan for their cooperation and resilience during challenging economic circumstances. He said the government had presented a people-friendly budget designed to accelerate industrial activity and promote an export-led economy. According to the prime minister, next year’s budget places special emphasis on expanding water reservoirs, information technology, agriculture and the minerals sector to strengthen Pakistan’s economic foundations. “These achievements are the result of the collective efforts of Team Pakistan,” he said, expressing confidence that the country would continue its journey towards becoming a developed nation. The women parliamentarians praised the prime minister’s efforts to promote peace at both regional and global levels and lauded the government for incorporating measures in the budget aimed at women’s empowerment and equal opportunities. They also presented recommendations regarding public welfare projects in their constituencies and offered suggestions relating to education, healthcare, youth employment, industry, communications and food security.
Pakistan, UK agree to expand cooperation on security, migration and law enforcement ISLAMABAD
Staff CorreSpondent
Staff CorreSpondent
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 84 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
Pakistan and the United Kingdom on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, expanding cooperation in security and law enforcement, and jointly addressing migrationrelated challenges during a high-level meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and British Deputy Foreign Secretary Hamish Falconer. The meeting reviewed Pakistan-UK relations and the broader regional situation, with both sides exchanging views on matters of mutual interest, including counter-terrorism, illegal migration, institutional cooperation and police training. According to an official statement, the two countries agreed to further enhance collaboration in a range of sectors aimed at improving security, strengthening institutions and promoting mutual interests. During the talks, Hamish Falconer praised Pakistan’s constructive and proactive role in facilitating understanding between the United States and Iran, describing Islamabad’s contribution as an important step towards regional and global peace. He commended Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for what he termed a historic role in promoting peace and stability, noting that Pakistan’s efforts to help ease tensions between Washington and Tehran had reinforced its image as a responsible advocate of peace on the international stage. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi highlighted the achievements of the Upskill Project, saying the initiative had yielded encouraging results and significantly
enhanced the capacity and professional standards of Pakistani institutions. He said the government remained committed to strengthening institutional capabilities through international cooperation and strategic partnerships. The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts, law-enforcement training programmes, institutional development and measures to curb illegal migration. Special attention was also given to the issue of fraudulent student visas, which both countries identified as a growing concern requiring coordinated action. Naqvi underscored Pakistan’s determination to combat illegal migration and human trafficking, stating that indiscriminate action was being taken against criminal networks involved in exploiting vulnerable individuals. “Pakistan is pursuing a comprehensive crackdown on illegal migration networks and human traffickers,” he said. Discussing regional security challenges, the interior minister expressed concern over the presence of terrorist organisations operating from Afghan territory and stressed that the Afghan authorities must ensure their soil was not used for activities directed against Pakistan. Reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to stronger ties with London, Naqvi said Pakistan highly valued its longstanding partnership with the United Kingdom and was keen to further deepen cooperation across multiple sectors for the mutual benefit of both countries. The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Talal Chaudhry and Aoun Chaudhry, Interior Secretary Muhammad Khurram Agha, British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott, as well as senior officials from the Federal Investigation Agency and other law-enforcement institutions.
Pakistan facilitating repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals: Dar ISLAMABAD
Staff report
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Wednesday announced that Pakistan is facilitating the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals, reaffirming the country’s commitment to humanitarian cooperation and regional goodwill. In a statement shared on social media platform X, Dar said the group comprises eight Iranian fishermen rescued at sea by a British vessel and 22 Iranian crew members from a sanctioned oil tanker that had recently been interdicted by United States authorities. “Pakistan is pleased to facilitate the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals,” the deputy prime minister said. He explained that the eight fishermen were rescued by the British vessel MMA Valour after their boat ran aground, while the remaining 22 individuals were crew members of the vessel Lenore, also known as Davina. According to Dar, both groups are expected to transit through Karachi in the coming days before returning to Iran. “We remain in close coordination with the Iranian, United States and United Kingdom authorities to ensure the safe transit and early return of our Iranian brethren to their homeland,” he said. The foreign minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to extending every possible assistance on humanitarian grounds. “Pakistan remains committed to humanitarian cooperation and to extending every possible assistance to our Iranian brothers,” he added. Earlier this month, the United States military conducted an interdiction operation involving the sanctioned oil tanker Davina in the Indian Ocean. The vessel, also known as Lenore, was placed under US sanctions in October 2024 over allegations related to Iranian oil trade. Shipping data indicated that the supertanker, capable of carrying up to two million barrels of crude oil, was nearly fully loaded at the time of the operation. The latest development comes amid Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic engagement between Iran and the United States and follows earlier confidence-building measures undertaken by Islamabad. In May, Pakistan facilitated the return of crew members from another Iranian vessel seized by US authorities.
Sindh presents Rs3.56trn budget for FY2026-27, projects Rs36.9b deficit PROFIT
Web deSk
The Sindh government on Wednesday unveiled a Rs3.562 trillion budget for fiscal year 2026-27, projecting a deficit of Rs36.9 billion as Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presented the financial plan for the thirteenth time amid opposition protests and a walkout from the provincial assembly. The chief minister said no new taxes had been imposed in the budget, describing it as a relieforiented package aimed at supporting the public and business community. He added that the fiscal framework had been presented in a challenging global environment marked by geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, inflationary pressure and market volatility. On the spending side, the provincial government proposed Rs2.56 trillion for current revenue expenditure (CRE), reflecting a 20% increase over last year’s estimates. In contrast, development spending was sharply reduced. The Annual Development Programme (ADP) for FY2026-27 was set at Rs720.385 billion, down 30% from Rs1.018 trillion in the previous year. The chief minister said the reduction would be absorbed across development components. Officials linked the decline in development allocation to rising defence and national security expenditures at the federal level and higher operational costs driven by energy market volatility and fuel price pressures, which have increased the cost of infrastructure and service delivery projects. Sector-wise current expenditure allocations include Rs446.958 billion for school education services, Rs354.271 billion for health services, Rs216.537 billion for law and order, Rs201.39 billion for local government services, Rs66.48 billion for energy, Rs41.1 billion for irrigation, Rs38.22 billion for agriculture, Rs18.291 billion for works and services, Rs27.565 billion for law and parliamentary affairs, Rs11.6 billion for livestock and fisheries, Rs8.18 billion for public health engineering and Rs10.856 billion for information and publicity.
Iran will 'work closely' with the US on removing enriched uranium: Trump WASHINGTON agenCieS
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Iran will 'work closely' with the US on removing enriched uranium, adding, he expected the accord with Iran ending the Middle East war to be signed "shortly" but added uncertainty over the exact date. "The deal we reached with Iran on Sunday will be signed shortly, tomorrow (Thursday), maybe the next day (Friday)," Trump said at the G7 summit, after previous announcements that it would be signed Friday in Switzerland. "We are going to most likely sign a deal," he added. Trump told reporters at the final press conference of the G7 that he was prepared to "bomb the hell" out of Iran if they violated the agreement. "If they are not behaving they will be hit again," he said. But he added:
"They don't want to get bombed, they don't want to get hit". In a long succession of comments on his dealings with Iran, Trump recalled at length how he had in 2020 issued the order to kill Qassem Soleimani, the head of foreign operations for the Revolutionary Guards, who he described repeatedly as a "mad genius". Trump also recalled the February 28 air strike that killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures, who he said were "having breakfast" at the time. Trump was also asked about the deadly strike on an Iranian school in Minab on the first day of the war, which left 155 dead, according to the Iranian authorities. Initially describing the question as "strange", Trump said: "Nobody did it on purpose. Mistakes are made, war is nasty."
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03