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PM unveils livestock ‘reforM agenda’ to unlock exPort, econoMic Potential Thursday, 16 July, 2026 | 1 Safar, 1448
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ LAUNCHES NATIONAL LIVESTOCK TRACEABILITY SYSTEM, CALLS FOR TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN TRANSFORMATION ANNOUNCES FULL FEDERAL FUNDING FOR INDIGENOUS FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE VACCINE PROJECT
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SAYS GOVT TO SEND ANOTHER 1,000 AGRICULTURE GRADUATES TO CHINA FOR ADVANCED TRAINING
MODERN LIVESTOCK PRACTICES, VALUE ADDITION AND DISEASE CONTROL KEY TO BOOSTING DAIRY AND MEAT EXPORTS
— calls for stronger global, Provincial coordination to tackle cliMate disasters ISLAMABAD
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Staff report
ISLAMABAD
Saleem Jadoon
RIME MINISTER Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday unveiled an ambitious national reform agenda to modernise Pakistan's livestock sector, saying agriculture and livestock possess the potential to significantly strengthen the national economy within a year through the adoption of modern technology, scientific research and close coordination between the federal and provincial governments. Addressing the national seminar titled "Harnessing Pakistan's Livestock Potential" after inaugurating the Pakistan Animal Identification and Trace-
ability System (PAITS), the prime minister said Pakistan had been endowed with abundant natural resources, fertile land, ample water resources and hardworking farmers, but had yet to fully harness the immense potential of its agriculture and livestock sectors because of outdated production practices and inadequate value addition. He observed that although Pakistan is the world's fourth-largest milk producer, the country continues to underperform in dairy and meat exports due to weak disease control mechanisms, inadequate traceability and limited processing infrastructure.
dar reaffirms commitment to advancing sco’s objectives ahead of Pakistan's 2026 chairmanship ISLAMABAD
Staff report
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to advancing the objectives of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), expressing readiness to work closely with all member states ahead of Pakistan assuming the Chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) in September 2026, according the Foreign Office (FO). Separately, DPM/FM Dar also pledged continued support for global humanitarian efforts led by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and is set to visit China this week to participate in the establishment of a new global artificial intelligence organization as a founding member. During a meeting with SecretaryGeneral of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Nurlan Yermekbayev in Islamabad, the deputy prime minister expressed Pakistan’s readiness to work closely with all SCO Member States.
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Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday stressed that the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters demanded stronger preparedness, greater resilience and closer coordination among national, regional and international stakeholders to effectively respond to emergencies, while directing the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to further strengthen coordination with provincial governments during the ongoing monsoon season. The prime minister expressed these views during separate meetings with United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher and NDMA Chairman Lieutenant-General Inam Haider Malik at the Prime Minister House, said separate statements issued from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
During his meeting with Tom Fletcher, Prime Minister Shehbaz appreciated the invaluable humanitarian work being carried out by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in responding to complex emergencies across the globe. Recalling Pakistan's experience during the catastrophic floods of 2022, the prime minister acknowledged OCHA's continued support and thanked the organisation for its assistance in strengthening the country's disaster response capabilities. He observed that Pakistan's national and provincial disaster management institutions had significantly enhanced their capacity over the years to respond to climate-induced disasters, but emphasised that the growing scale and frequency of such events required sustained international cooperation and collective preparedness.
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Trump warns Iran to ‘behave’ as US-Iran tensions escalate with fresh strikes, renewed blockade WASHINGTON/TEHRAN
Staff report/agencieS
United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a fresh warning to Iran, saying Tehran understood Washington's position and "better behave," as the United States intensified military operations against Iranian targets and the growing confrontation pushed the region closer to a broader conflict. Speaking after arriving in Pennsylvania, where he was scheduled to address the Defence and Innovation Summit, Trump declined to set a specific deadline for Iran but reiterated his administration's hardline stance. "I don't like giving deadlines, but they pretty much know—they know the story. They better behave," he said. His remarks came as Iran's Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf declared that while Tehran remained committed to diplomacy, it must always be prepared for war. "We have never sought war and do not seek it now, but we must always be prepared for battle and
tarar reaffirms Pakistan’s ‘enduring brotherhood’ with türkiye at democracy day commemoration ISLAMABAD
Staff report
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering commitment to its historic and deeprooted brotherly ties with Türkiye, saying the enduring bond forged by the forefathers of both nations transcended the creation of Pakistan and must be preserved and strengthened for future generations. Addressing a ceremony commemorating Türkiye's 10th Democracy and National Solidarity Day, the minister said the relationship between Pakistan and Türkiye was founded on shared history, mutual trust and unwavering support during times of trial, making it one of the strongest and most enduring bilateral partnerships in the Muslim world. He recalled that the Muslims of the subcontinent stood shoulder to shoulder with the Turkish leadership during Türkiye's War of Independence, while women from the region extended generous support to their Turkish brothers and sisters in their hour of need. "This is something that has been passed on to us through the generations," he said, adding, "our elders have given us these stories as part of our inheritance." Reflecting on his upbringing, Tarar said he had grown up listening to inspiring accounts of the historic bonds between the two nations and the sacrifices made by earlier generations to support Türkiye. "While growing up, we learnt about the contributions that have been made over time and decades," he remarked. "The Muslims of the subcontinent, when Pakistan did not exist, had this great feeling of brotherhood for their Turkish brothers and sisters," he said, emphasizing that the relationship had only grown stronger with the passage of time.
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Pakistan tells un india’s iWt’s suspension threatens water security of 240m People ISLAMABAD
Staff report
IRAN RULES OUT IMMEDIATE TALKS WITH US: Meanwhile, Iran said it had no plans to resume negotiations with Washington and remained focused on defending the country. According to Al Jazeera, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters that Tehran would honour its international commitments only if the United States fulfilled its own obligations. "Our commitments remain in effect only as long as the other side fulfills its pledges," Baghaei said. He added that Iran had suspended implementation of its obligations under the memorandum of understanding after Washington failed to honour the temporary agreement.
Pakistan on Wednesday urged the international community to uphold international treaty obligations, telling a United Nations ministerial meeting that India's unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) threatened the water security and livelihoods of 240 million Pakistanis while undermining one of the world's longest-standing examples of peaceful transboundary water cooperation. Addressing the ministerial meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said water security remained fundamental to Pakistan's sustainable development and warned that unilateral actions against internationally recognised agreements could have far-reaching consequences. "Water security is equally fundamental. For more than six decades, the Indus Waters Treaty has stood as a model of peaceful transboundary cooperation," the minister said. "Its unilateral and unlawful suspension by one party threatens the water security and livelihoods of 240 million Pakistanis and undermines respect for international treaty obligations," he added. The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank and signed in 1960, has governed the sharing of the Indus river system between Pakistan and India for more than six decades. India announced the suspension of the treaty following an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last year that killed 26 people, accusing Pakistan of supporting the militants responsible for the assault.
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stand ready to defend our national security and interests to the last breath," Ghalibaf said in a statement posted on his Telegram channel. "At the same time, we must also use diplomacy and negotiations to advance and safeguard our national interests," he added.