WASHINGTON: The United States on Friday announced the approval of a $1.5 billion sale of MH-60R helicopters and related equipment to New Zealand. &quot;The proposed sale will improve New Zealand&#39;s capability to meet current and future warfare threats by providing greater security for its critical infrastructure,&quot; the US State Department said in a statement. &quot;New Zealand will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense,&quot; it added. The State Department said in a separate statement that it had approved a $69 million sale of MK 54 torpedoes to New Zealand. The State Department has notified Congress about the proposed sales, which still need to be approved by lawmakers.

The hearing was held to examine the State Department's budget request for fiscal year 2027. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Kevin Dietsch / NORTH AMERICA / AFP)

Americas

Australasia

The United States Department of State confirms the approval of a $1.5 billion sale of MH-60R helicopters and related equipment to New Zealand.

US approves $1.5B sale of helicopters to New Zealand

SAN FRANCISCO: Netflix has named Jay Hoag as the chairman of its board of directors, the streaming giant said in a filing Friday with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), following the departure of co-founder Reed Hastings. Hoag assumed the role after the company&#39;s annual shareholder meeting on Thursday, Netflix said. The company said in April that Hastings would step down at the end of his term to &quot;focus on his philanthropy and other pursuits.&quot; Hastings co-founded Netflix nearly three decades ago, and served as CEO for 25 years. Under his leadership, the company grew from a rent-by-mail DVD service to an entertainment powerhouse. Hoag has served as the board&#39;s lead independent director for more than a decade and has been a director since 1999. He also serves on the board for online real estate website Zillow and home-exercise company Peloton.

Film & TV

Hoag has served as the board's lead independent director for more than a decade and has been a director since 1999; also serves on the board for online real estate website Zillow and home-exercise company Peloton.


Netflix names new board chair as co-founder departs

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Russia on Saturday signed three security agreements on drug trafficking and illegal immigration during a bilateral meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the country&rsquo;s Interior Ministry reported. In a post on X, the interior ministry stated that Mohsin Naqvi met Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev at a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit of interior ministers. The two countries committed to enhance cooperation in preventing illegal immigration, strengthen mutual cooperation in repatriating illegally residing citizens, and increase efforts combating drugs and narcotics. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 631px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2063098415341552050&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F6387%2F&sessionId=a90fb796f337d4f7f6d1ccd668fd8ad110d713c0&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div><div class="fr-embed"><div><div style="line-height: 2;"> Naqvi also held four separate bilateral meetings with counterparts from the Central Asian states: Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan at a special meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization&rsquo;s Ministers of Interior and Public Security in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The interior minister congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its election as a non-permanent UN Security Council member and thanked his Kyrgyz counterpart for the excellent arrangements for the SCO Interior Ministers&#39; Meeting. </div><div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 499px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2063098441195278455&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F6387%2F&sessionId=a90fb796f337d4f7f6d1ccd668fd8ad110d713c0&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2063098441195278455"></iframe></div></div><div style="line-height: 2;"> In talks with Kazakhstan Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadinov, Naqvi committed to increasing cooperation to prevent illegal immigration. The two officials agreed to establish a working group between the ministries to increase mutual cooperation. </div><div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 479px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2063098551094366395&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F6387%2F&sessionId=a90fb796f337d4f7f6d1ccd668fd8ad110d713c0&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2063098551094366395"></iframe></div></div><div style="line-height: 2;"> A special dinner honoring all attending interior ministers was held on Friday, featuring traditional performances by Kyrgyz artists. </div></div></div>

Foreign Affairs

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also established a working group with Kazakhstan on immigration control and met with ministers from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan at the SCO summit in Bishkek.

Pakistan and Russia sign security alliance at SCO summit

GENEVA: Nearly 500 Ebola cases have now been confirmed in the deadly outbreak raging in central Africa, a WHO overview showed Saturday, amid mounting concern over the swelling scale of the epidemic. In its daily update on the situation, the World Health Organization tallied 452 confirmed cases, including 82 deaths, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the outbreak was declared three weeks ago. In neighboring Uganda, meanwhile, it counted 19 confirmed cases, including two deaths. The total of 471 cases and 84 deaths, based on numbers reported by the DRC and Ugandan governments, marked a hike of 100 cases and 20 deaths from a day earlier. The increase came amid warnings that the outbreak, which the WHO has declared an international public health emergency, could eventually swell to become the largest on record. A top official at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that models indicated that without strong public health interventions, the current outbreak risked rivalling the scale of the 2014 West Africa epidemic, which saw over 28,000 cases and more than 11,000 deaths. &quot;That scale is possible,&quot; said Jason Asher, director of CDC&#39;s Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, during a press briefing. Ebola, which is spread through close contact and bodily fluids, has killed more than 15,000 people in Africa over the past 50 years. The current outbreak was declared on May 15 in northeastern DR Congo, but the virus is believed to have spread under the radar for some time beforehand. There are no approved vaccines or treatments for the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola behind the outbreak. The WHO and the African CDC on Friday launched a $518-million plan to battle the outbreak over the next six months, focusing among other things on boosting surveillance, laboratory testing and infection prevention. &quot;The outbreak is moving fast, and we are still playing catch-up,&quot; WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters. &quot;We need to stop the outbreak where it is, support countries that are responding today, and ensure that neighboring countries are ready to detect and act quickly if cases appear,&quot; he said. &quot;This is a serious outbreak and its one we know how to stop but we need to move fast and together.&quot;

Doctors Without Border (MSF) personnel stands at the Elikya clinic Ebola treatment center in Bunia, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, on June 5, 2026. (AFP)

Africa

In its daily update on the situation, the World Health Organization tallied 452 confirmed cases, including 82 deaths, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the outbreak was declared three weeks ago.

Nearly 500 confirmed cases in Central Africa Ebola outbreak: WHO

Web Desk/AFP

ISLAMABAD: India named Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in their T20 squad on Saturday, handing the 15-year-old sensation his maiden international call-up after a string of breathtaking performances in the domestic league, AFP reported. Selectors also fired Suryakumar Yadav as captain, replacing him with Shreyas Iyer for two internationals in Ireland, five matches in England and the Asian Games. Apart from Shreyas and Sooryavanshi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravi Bishnoi, and Prince Yadav have also made the cut. Meanwhile, Rinku Singh and Kuldeep Yadav have been dropped from the side that lifted the T20 World Cup, while Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested. This marks India&#39;s first T20I assignment since Suryakumar Yadav guided them to a successful defence of the T20 World Cup title in March. However, the 35-year-old&#39;s future in the shortest format is now under scrutiny.&nbsp; He will be 38 by the time the next T20 World Cup arrives in 2028, and his recent form has done little to silence the doubters &mdash; a modest 2026 World Cup campaign yielding 242 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 136.72, followed by a disappointing IPL 2026 where he managed just 270 runs in 13 innings at an average of 20.76 and a strike rate of 147.54. India T20I Squad for Ireland and England tourShreyas Iyer (capt), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (vc), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, and Prince Yadav. <hr> With input from wires.

India's captain Suryakumar Yadav (R) looks at the pitch as he interacts with the chairman of the Indian cricket selection committee Ajit Agarkar during the training session on the eve of the 2026 ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup final match against New Zea

Cricket

India name Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in their T20 squad on Saturday, handing the 15-year-old sensation his maiden international call-up after a string of breathtaking performances in the domestic league.

India fire Suryakumar as T20 captain, name young Sooryavanshi in squad

WASHINGTON: The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said Friday it has detected a second case of a dangerous livestock pest whose flesh-eating larvae can kill cattle. The new incidence of so-called New World screwworm (NWS) was detected in a calf in south Texas about 5.5 miles (10 km) from the first one, which was reported on Thursday, the department said on X. The outbreak has triggered a race to keep the pest from spreading. The NWS fly was thought to be eradicated in the United States in 1966. But Florida experienced an outbreak in 2016 that primarily impacted deer and was eliminated the following year, according to the department. The fly has remained present in South America and, in recent years, has moved northward. The first of these new cases, detected near the border with Mexico, has raised alarm among ranchers, particularly those who raise cattle. The flies lay their eggs in open wounds or mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals, where they hatch into larvae and feed on flesh. Left untreated, the infestation can be deadly, and the parasites can quickly spread. The pest can also affect wild animals, pets, and even people. Texas has established a 12-mile (20-kilometer) quarantine zone, meaning all warm-blooded animals, including pets, must be inspected before leaving the zone. The fly had been eradicated in the US thanks in large part to dropping millions of sterile flies to mate with wild females. US officials said some four million sterile flies are now being released weekly from the sky, and that some four million more in the pupae stage were being deployed in ground release chambers. A USDA study last year estimated a screwworm resurgence in Texas could cost the state&#39;s economy $1.8 billion.

An aerial view of a cow on a field on May 28, 2026, in Luling, Texas (AFP/file)

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said Friday it has detected a second case of a dangerous livestock pest whose flesh-eating larvae can kill cattle.

US reports second case of dangerous livestock pest

NEW DELHI: Indian police tightened security in New Delhi on Saturday ahead of a protest by the satirical &quot;Cockroach People&#39;s Party&quot;, over alleged irregularities in major examinations. The parody &quot;Cockroach Janta Party&quot; (CJP) -- a play on Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) -- has won millions of followers on social media since its launch last month. The movement emerged after India&#39;s Chief Justice Surya Kant reportedly likened young people who criticized the government to &quot;cockroaches&quot; and &quot;parasites&quot; during a court hearing, sparking outrage among the youth. Kant later said his comments were taken out of context. CJP&#39;s popularity has soared, using the slogan &quot;a political front for the youth, by the youth, for the youth&quot;. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke arrived in the Indian capital from the United States on Saturday morning, after earlier announcing plans to seek police permission for a peaceful protest.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2063080246992372045&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=a921a433a3f21e306e9077473805b7f2304fdcbd&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 540px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2063080246992372045">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> &quot;We have to lead this movement with love and peace,&quot; Dipke -- a 30-year-old Boston University graduate and former political communications strategist for the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) -- wrote on social media. Dipke has called for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who has faced criticism over the irregularities, including paper leaks and technical glitches. India tightly regulates social media content, and some of the CJP&#39;s social media handles have been blocked. But its Instagram handle, still online in India, has more than 22 million followers -- more than double the BJP&#39;s nine million followers on the same site, as well as the main opposition Congress Party&#39;s 13 million followers. On Saturday, security was heightened at the airport as well as the Jantar Mantar protest site, with steel barricades set up at key points.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2063106951303798872&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=a921a433a3f21e306e9077473805b7f2304fdcbd&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 273px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2063106951303798872">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Riot control vehicles and detention vans were also deployed, AFP journalists saw. In a post on Instagram earlier this week, Dipke said the future of India&#39;s youth was &quot;getting ruined&quot;. Millions of people in the country still struggle to find stable and well-paying jobs, fueling discontent among the youth.

Founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Abhijeet Dipke (C) displays the book 'My Autobiography' by the Indian social reformer Dr. B. R. Ambedkar upon his arrival at the airport in New Delhi on June 6, 2026. (AFP)

India

A parody political movement mocking India's ruling BJP has gained millions of followers online; founder Abhijeet Dipke has returned from the United States to seek permission for a peaceful protest and demand Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.



India tightens security ahead of 'Cockroach Party' protest

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Federal Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, held a series of bilateral meetings with the interior ministers of Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan in Bishkek, focusing on security cooperation, migration management, counter-narcotics efforts and law enforcement collaboration. During Naqvi&rsquo;s meeting with Tajikistan&rsquo;s Interior Minister Ramazon Rahimzoda, both sides expressed concern over the security situation in Afghanistan. The two ministers agreed that terrorist camps and drug production inside&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-raises-alarm-over-illicit-weapons-in-afghanistan-at-un-small-arms-moot" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Afghanistan</a>&nbsp;pose serious security threats to the wider region.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2063098422543172019&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=bd865941dbd325568ee9a022d1eeb4110504da58&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 568px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2063098422543172019"></iframe></div></div>They also noted that 25 different terrorist organizations are currently active in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-china-agree-to-boost-counterterrorism-coordination-against-afghanistan-militant-activities" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Afghanistan</a>, underscoring the need for greater regional cooperation to address emerging security challenges.&nbsp;Pakistan, Russia cooperationDuring separate talks with Russia&rsquo;s Interior Minister, Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Pakistan and Russia signed a series of agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation on preventing illegal immigration, facilitating the repatriation of citizens residing illegally in either country, and enhancing joint efforts against narcotics and illicit drug trafficking.&nbsp;Islamabad, Tashkent cooperation &nbsp;In his meeting with Uzbekistan&rsquo;s Interior Minister, Aziz Tashpulatov, discussions focused on cooperation between law enforcement agencies and opportunities for joint training. The two sides agreed to establish a working group to strengthen collaboration between their interior ministries.&nbsp;Naqvi thanks Kyrgyz counterpartNaqvi also met Kyrgyzstan&rsquo;s Interior Minister, Niyaz Bekov Olan Omokanovich, where both countries agreed to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The Pakistani minister congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and thanked his counterpart for hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organization interior ministers&rsquo; meeting.&nbsp;Pakistan, Kazakhstan cooperationMeanwhile, in talks with Kazakhstan&rsquo;s Interior Minister, Yergan Sadinov, the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation to prevent illegal immigration and decided to establish a joint working group to deepen coordination between their respective interior ministries.

Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, held a series of bilateral meetings with the interior ministers of Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan in Bishkek, focusing on security cooperation, migration management, counter-narcotics efforts and law enforcement collaboration.

Pakistan, Tajikistan raise alarm over terrorist camps, drug production in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has rejected remarks made by India&rsquo;s representative during the United Nations General Assembly debate on the annual report of the UN Security Council, reaffirming that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains an internationally recognized issue on the council&rsquo;s agenda.&nbsp;Exercising Pakistan&rsquo;s right to reply on Friday, the Counsellor and Political Coordinator at Pakistan&#39;s Mission to the United Nations Gul Qaiser Sarwani said all delegations that spoke during the debate appreciated Pakistan&rsquo;s role in drafting the introduction to the Security Council&#39;s annual report and securing its adoption by consensus.&nbsp;&ldquo;Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognized dispute on the agenda of the Security Council. No amount of obfuscation can alter the historical, legal and international character of this dispute. Jammu and Kashmir never was, neither is, and nor will ever be so called an integral part of India,&rdquo; the Pakistani diplomat said.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 779px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2063071262075716085&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F5801%2F&sessionId=fee96707af9776f0094eef466d291336932d3322&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>He noted that the Indian representative focused only on references related to the long-standing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-rejects-indias-remarks-on-gilgitbaltistan-elections-as-baseless" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jammu and Kashmir dispute</a>&nbsp;contained in the report.&nbsp;Sarwani said the report recorded more than 20 communications on the India-Pakistan question during the reporting period and also documented the Security Council&#39;s closed consultations held on May 5, 2025, to review the regional security situation and rising tensions.&nbsp;The counsellor advised the Indian representative to read the report carefully, and accused his country of denying facts and attempting to mislead the General Assembly.&nbsp;The Pakistani diplomat said the people of Kashmir continue to be denied their right to self-determination despite UN Security Council resolutions calling for a plebiscite. He also alleged continuing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including arbitrary detentions, restrictions on fundamental freedoms and demographic changes. Referring to a joint communication issued by United Nations Special Procedures on Oct. 16, 2025, Sarwani said concerns about the situation in the region had been highlighted by UN human rights experts.&nbsp;He further argued that India&#39;s failure to implement Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir amounted to a disregard of its obligations under the UN Charter, including Article 25, which requires member states to accept and carry out Security Council decisions.&nbsp;Sarwani also rejected India&#39;s allegations against Pakistan and accused New Delhi of sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan, carrying out state-backed assassination campaigns abroad, violating minority rights and disregarding international law.&nbsp;He additionally criticized India&rsquo;s attempt to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, describing it as unlawful.

Pakistani diplomat at the United Nations Gul Qaiser Sarwani takes the floor in response to remarks made by the representative of India on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Photo: X/@PakistanUN_NY)

Pakistani diplomat says Jammu and Kashmir never was, neither is, and nor will ever be so called an integral part of India.

Pakistan rebukes India at UN, reaffirms Kashmir dispute remains on Security Council agenda

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has said that the United Nations Security Council&#39;s Annual Report for 2025 underscores the continued relevance of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the question of Palestine, stressing that both issues remain on the Council&#39;s agenda and have significant implications for international peace and security. Speaking during the presentation of the Security Council&#39;s Annual Report to the UN General Assembly, Pakistan&#39;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said that more than 20 communications concerning the India-Pakistan question were brought to the Security Council&#39;s attention during the reporting period. He noted that the Council also held closed consultations on the issue in May 2025, demonstrating that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which has remained on the Council&#39;s agenda for more than seven decades, continues to engage its attention. The ambassador said Pakistan believes durable peace in South Asia requires a just settlement of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, including their right to self-determination. Referring to the situation in the Palestinian territories, Ahmad said the continuing crisis in Gaza remained high on the Security Council&#39;s agenda.&nbsp; He stressed the need for the full and faithful implementation of Security Council Resolution 2803. He reiterated Pakistan&#39;s support for the Palestinian people&#39;s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 744px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2063062211392630878&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F5801%2F&sessionId=fee96707af9776f0094eef466d291336932d3322&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>The envoy said the Security Council&#39;s report reflected the body&#39;s engagement with a broad range of conflicts and crises across the world, as well as thematic issues related to international peace and security, including the protection of civilians in armed conflicts and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Ahmad also highlighted the unanimous adoption of Resolution 2788, sponsored by Pakistan, saying it reflected a shared commitment to strengthening conflict prevention and dispute resolution mechanisms despite geopolitical divisions within the Council. He further noted that Pakistan coordinated and drafted the introduction to the Security Council&#39;s 2025 Annual Report in its capacity as Council president in July 2025, to make the report comprehensive, objective and consensus-based. Pakistan was entrusted with preparing the report&#39;s introduction before its adoption by consensus in May 2026.&nbsp; The Security Council&#39;s Annual Report covers the body&#39;s work from January 1 to December 31, 2025, and provides an overview of its efforts to address conflicts, humanitarian crises and emerging threats to international peace and security.

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, speaking at the Security Council on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on March 26, 2026. (File photo: X/@PakistanUN_NY)

Pakistan ambassador says the Council also held closed consultations on the issue in May 2025, demonstrating that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which has remained on the Council's agenda for more than seven decades, continues to engage its attention.