Ali Andaz Haider

DHAKA, Bangladesh: Ali Riaz, special assistant to chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, has said participation of more than 50 political parties in the parliamentary elections reflects their enthusiasm, pointing out that New Delhi has not been able to recognize the change in Bangladesh. Talking exclusively to Pakistan TV in Dhaka, Ali Riaz said the broad political participation demonstrates that Bangladesh is entering a new political phase following years without a credible electoral process. He said many Bangladeshis had not previously had the opportunity to participate in a free and fair vote. &ldquo;So far the voters have been very much enthusiastic because they did not have an opportunity to participate in a free and fair vote,&rdquo; he said, adding that nearly one-fourth of the electorate is under the age of 37, meaning they have never voted in what is widely regarded as a genuinely competitive election. Ali Riaz went on to say that around four million voters are casting ballots for the first time, making this their &ldquo;first test of democracy&rdquo;. With nearly 130 million registered voters, Riaz described the polls as one of the largest electoral exercises globally in 2026, saying that the elections follow a popular uprising that ended a 16-year autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina. The special assistant said the elections offer an opportunity to establish an accountable democratic government, adding that proposed constitutional reforms placed before the electorate could usher in a more accountable governance structure. He said the interim government had inherited a &ldquo;hollowed-out&rdquo; economy and focused on stabilizing it, leaving longer-term reforms to the next elected administration. Ali Riaz was critical of Sheikh Hasina regime&rsquo;s approach toward India, saying it was overly aligned with Indian interests. He said the Indian establishment has not been able to recognize the change and accept the change in Bangladesh. &ldquo;But this cannot continue. India will have to rethink its policies,&rdquo; he added. He said any incoming government would have to prioritize Bangladesh&rsquo;s national interest in its foreign policy, stressing that relations should be based on mutual respect and benefit. While acknowledging potential post-election challenges, including economic pressures and destabilizing forces, Riaz said he remains optimistic that a government emerging from strong voter participation would pursue accountable governance at home and a balanced, sovereign foreign policy abroad. He further said the parliamentary elections represented both a democratic reset within Bangladesh and a signal to regional actors that the country is charting a new direction.

SAT News Desk

Ali Riaz, special assistant to chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, has said participation of more than 50 political parties in the parliamentary elections reflects their enthusiasm, pointing out that New Delhi has not been able to recognize the change in Bangladesh.

BD chief adviser’s aide says political parties show enthusiasm for polls

Dhaka, Bangladesh: Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to Chief Executive Muhammad Yunus, has said the interim government faced an Indian misinformation campaign but remained steadfast in its commitment to ensure free and fair elections, and put in place strict security and administrative measures. Talking exclusively to Pakistan TV in Dhaka, Shafiqul Alam said the interim government has deployed some 900,000 police and other security forces, including over 100,000 military troops. &ldquo;We have never seen such unprecedented level of security before,&rdquo; he said. Alam said several thousand voting centres identified as vulnerable have received reinforced security, with 16 to 19 officers deployed at each location. He said the army will function as a striking force, ready to respond immediately to any disruption, while border guards will secure centres along the borders. The press secretary said the administration has carefully appointed neutral officials at every level, from district commissioners to police chiefs, to ensure no partisan influence over the electoral process. &ldquo;There is no way anyone can attack a voting centre or a voting booth, and then snatch a ballot box,&rdquo; he said, adding that, &ldquo;I think it will be a safe and very peaceful election&rdquo;. He said these arrangements reflect the government&rsquo;s commitment to neutrality and transparency. Central to the vote is the proposed July National Charter, a sweeping reform package developed after nine months of dialogue between the interim government and political parties. According to Alam, the reforms reflect a broad public demand for &ldquo;sanskar&rdquo;, or structural change, a call echoed widely by young people and civil society. He said whoever assumes power will have to implement the changes due to widespread national consensus. Shafiqul Alam also voiced concern over what he described as an unprecedented wave of misinformation and disinformation from sections of the Indian media. He said the government was &ldquo;taken aback&rdquo; by unprecedented level of misinformation and disinformation propagated by the Indian media. He said there was flood of misinformation coming from Indian media about the interim government and the minority Hindu community. &ldquo;These stories are false and fabricated,&rdquo; he said, rejecting allegations of widespread violence. Shafiqul Alam said the interim government had invited Indian journalists to visit Bangladesh, offering expedited visas and access to locations where alleged incidents were reported. Despite the tensions, he reiterated that Bangladesh seeks constructive regional relationships based on mutual respect and fairness. Alam said the country&rsquo;s focus remains firmly on protecting democracy and ensuring that its future is determined peacefully through the ballot box.

Shafiqul Alam said Bangladesh’s interim government will hold free and fair elections despite alleged Indian misinformation. He cited unprecedented security deployment, neutral officials, and electoral reforms, rejected violence claims, and reaffirmed commitment to a peaceful, transparent, and credible democratic process

Despite India-led misinformation campaign, interim govt stands firm on holding credible polls - Shafiqul Alam

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced sweeping fuel subsidies and relief measures to shield citizens from increasing global oil prices driven by the ongoing Middle East conflict, as the government intensifies efforts to manage economic fallout. In a televised address, PM Sharif acknowledged the growing burden on households and farmers as energy prices spike worldwide. &ldquo;I am addressing you once again in these difficult times when war is raging in the Gulf and the prices of oil are skyrocketing,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It is a bitter reality that the poor are suffering and the farmers are facing new challenges.&rdquo; The measures come as Pakistan faces rising import costs and supply pressures amid instability in key energy routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, which has pushed global oil prices sharply higher and strained economies across Asia. The prime minister said his government had delayed passing on the full impact of rising oil prices to consumers over the past three weeks. &ldquo;I have not considered it appropriate to burden you with the prices of oil&hellip; because I know very well how a common man in Pakistan spends his life,&rdquo; he said. As part of the new relief package, the prime minister announced a significant reduction in petrol prices. &ldquo;I am announcing a reduction of Rs80 [$0.29] per liter in the price of petrol&hellip; the price&hellip; will be reduced to Rs 378 [$1.36] per liter,&rdquo; he said, adding the cut would remain in place for at least one month. The government also introduced targeted subsidies aimed at easing transport and agricultural costs. Motorbike users and public and goods transport will receive Rs100 ($0.36) per liter support, while small and large transport operators will be provided monthly subsidies to offset rising fuel expenses. Support has also been extended to farmers, with Rs1,500 ($5.39) per acre announced to help mitigate the impact of higher input costs. Officials say the measures are being financed partly through adjustments such as levies on higher-end fuel consumption and broader fiscal reprioritization, allowing relief to be directed toward lower- and middle-income groups. The announcement follows a series of high-level consultations involving federal and provincial leadership, aimed at coordinating a national response to the crisis. &ldquo;There was a lot of discussion&hellip; a comprehensive program was announced,&rdquo; PM Sharif said, highlighting efforts to ensure supply stability and avoid shortages seen in other countries. Additional steps have been rolled out across the country. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said public transport in Islamabad would be free for 30 days, with the government covering Rs350 million ($1.26 million) in costs. Provincial authorities have also introduced parallel measures. In Punjab, free public transport has been announced across major systems, while other regions are implementing targeted subsidies for commuters and fuel users. PM Sharif stated that the government would continue efforts to cushion the impact of the crisis. &ldquo;We will not rest until you return to your daily life in peace and tranquility,&rdquo; he said. The developments highlight how the conflict has extended beyond the battlefield, driving inflationary pressures and forcing governments to adopt emergency economic measures to protect vulnerable populations.

Economy

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announces fuel subsidies, petrol price cuts and free public transport to ease inflation pressures, as surging global oil prices driven by the Iran war strain Pakistan’s economy and household budgets.

Pakistan unveils fuel relief, free transport as oil prices surge

<h1 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2;">TEHRAN: Iran launched a hunt for the US crew whose jet Iranian media said had been shot down by the Islamic republic&#39;s air defence systems on Friday, deploying troops and offering a bounty.</h1> US media reported US special forces had rescued one of the two crew members, and a local official television station in southwestern Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province aired footage of what it said was wreckage of the downed plane. The war started more than a month ago with US-Israeli strikes on Iran that killed supreme leader Ali Khamenei, triggering a retaliation that spread the conflict throughout the Middle East, convulsing the global economy and impacting millions of people worldwide. US Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for military operations in the Middle East, did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment on what would be the first known loss of a jet inside Iran since Trump ordered the war. &quot;Dear and honourable people of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, if you capture the enemy pilot or pilots alive and hand them over to the police and military forces, you will receive a valuable reward and bonus,&quot; said an Iranian television reporter on the official local channel. The report of the downed jet came as fresh strikes hit Israel, Iran, Lebanon and Gulf countries. Meanhwile, large blasts rocked northern Tehran, an AFP journalist said. Israel said it had launched a wave of strikes in the Iranian capital, alongside parallel attacks in Beirut.&nbsp;⁠Blown-out windowsEarlier, Israel&#39;s military reported a new missile salvo from Iran, activating its air defences. Strikes by all sides have increasingly targeted economic and industrial sites, raising fears of wider disruption to global energy supplies. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the US military &quot;hasn&#39;t even started destroying what&#39;s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!&quot;, after US strikes damaged Iran&#39;s tallest bridge. In the area around the bridge, in Karaj, west of Tehran, an AFP reporter saw a villa and residential buildings with blown-out windows -- but no military installations. According to the deputy governor of Alborz province, the attack killed eight civilians and wounded 95 others. About 70 percent of Iran&#39;s steel production capacity has been taken out, Israel said Friday. In Abu Dhabi, Iran&#39;s neighbour across the Gulf, metal giant Emirates Global Aluminium meanwhile said it could take up to a year before it can resume full production, after its site was damaged by Iranian strikes. ⁠⁠Ex-FM urges peace deal Writing in the US journal Foreign Affairs, Iran&#39;s former foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said Tehran should make a deal with the United States to end the war by offering to curb its nuclear programme and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran has virtually blocked the key waterway since the war began, where in peace time one-fifth of the world&#39;s oil and natural gas passes through. Of the few ships that have managed to cross, most have had links to Iran, with sixty percent of commodity-bearing ships crossing the strait either coming from Iran or heading there, an AFP analysis of maritime data showed. In the first known transit by a major European shipping group since March 1, the Maltese-flagged Kribi, belonging to the French maritime transport group CMA CGM, crossed the strait to exit the Gulf on Thursday, according Marine Traffic data analysed by AFP. Three other ships, including one co-owned by a Japanese company, crossed Thursday, as commodities carriers see a 94 percent drop in traffic compared to peace time, according to data from business analyists Kpler. Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari warned that, in response to Trump&#39;s threats to attack infrastructure, Iran would increase its own attacks on energy sites in the region. A drone attack on a refinery owned by Kuwait&#39;s national oil company on Friday sparked fires at several of its units, state media said. Later, an Iranian attack damaged a power and desalination complex, Kuwait&#39;s water and electricity ministry said.In Abu Dhabi, a gas complex shut after a fire broke out, following an attack that resulted in &quot;falling debris&quot; upon interception, the government media office said. ⁠Trump wants bigger defence budget&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, the Israeli military said Friday it had struck more than 3,500 targets across Lebanon in the month since fighting with Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group. It added it would attack two bridges in Lebanon&#39;s eastern Bekaa region &quot;in order to prevent the transfer of reinforcements and military equipment&quot;. Lebanon&#39;s health ministry said on Thursday that 1,345 people had been killed -- and 4,040 wounded -- since the start of the war, including 1,129 men, 91 women and 125 children. Among those are 53 healthcare workers. Hezbollah has so far not announced its losses. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said a blast wounded three peacekeepers, the third such incident in a week. A UNIFIL spokesperson said the origin of the explosion was unknown. The war&#39;s economic impact is rippling far beyond the Middle East, as energy and oil costs surge. At a protest in Lahore, Pakistan, over fuel price hikes, Naveed Ahmed, 39, told AFP: &quot;The government, overnight, has dropped a &#39;petrol bomb&#39; on its people.&quot; Meanwhile, the White House on Friday sent a spending proposal to lawmakers calling for a massive hike to the US defence budget. It remains to be seen what Congress will ultimately approve, but US media reported the $1.5 billion budget request -- a 42 percent hike -- would be the largest year-on-year increase in Pentagon spending since World War II.

Americas

Iran launches a hunt for US crew after reportedly downing a jet, as regional strikes intensify and the conflict with the United States and Israel escalates further.

Iran searches for downed US jet crew, as US media says one member rescued

ISLAMABAD: A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan on Friday evening at 21:13 PST, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Islamabad. The quake occurred at a depth of 190 kilometers, with coordinates recorded at latitude 36.48&deg;N and longitude 70.84&deg;E. Tremors were widely felt across several parts of northern Pakistan, including Islamabad, Chitral, Peshawar, Swat, and Shangla. Residents reported feeling strong shaking that lasted several seconds, prompting people to rush out of their homes, offices, and commercial buildings in fear. Witnesses described scenes of panic as families gathered in open areas and streets, while office workers evacuated buildings as a precaution. No immediate reports of damage or casualties have been confirmed so far, but authorities are continuing to monitor the situation. Further updates are expected as officials assess the impact of the earthquake.

Climate & Environment

Tremors were widely felt across several parts of northern Pakistan, including Islamabad, Chitral, Peshawar, Swat, and Shangla.

Strong earthquake jolts northern Pakistan, Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed the need for urgent de-escalation in the Middle East, endorsing a broader diplomatic push centered on a five-point peace initiative jointly advanced by Islamabad and China.&nbsp;Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Office said in a statement.&nbsp;&ldquo;The two leaders exchanged views on the latest developments in the regional situation, emphasizing the urgent need for de-escalation and dialogue,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;The discussions come amid intensifying tensions following the ongoing conflict involving Iran, which has expanded across the Gulf, disrupted energy routes and heightened risks to global economic stability.&nbsp;Both sides also reviewed the Pakistan-China five-point initiative aimed at stabilizing the region through coordinated diplomatic efforts.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Pak-China Five-Point Initiative for peace in the Gulf and Middle East was also discussed,&rdquo; the Foreign Office said.&nbsp;The initiative calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the launch of peace talks, protection of civilians and critical infrastructure, safeguarding of maritime routes including the Strait of Hormuz, and adherence to the principles of the UN Charter.&nbsp;Officials say the framework reflects growing alignment among regional actors seeking to shift the crisis toward dialogue, as military escalation continues to impact energy markets and security dynamics.&nbsp;Dar and Prince Faisal also reaffirmed longstanding bilateral ties.&nbsp;&ldquo;Both leaders reaffirmed the strong, fraternal Pakistan&ndash;Saudi Arabia relationship and agreed to remain in close contact,&rdquo; the statement added.&nbsp;The exchange highlights continued coordination between Islamabad and Riyadh as diplomatic efforts intensify to contain a conflict that is increasingly affecting both regional stability and global economic flows.

Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar holds telephone conversation with Saudi counterpart, discussing Iran tensions and backing the Pakistan-China five-point peace initiative, while both sides stress urgent de-escalation and continued coordination amid escalating regional crisis.

Islamabad, Riyadh discuss Iran tensions, back Pakistan-China peace initiative

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump asked lawmakers on Friday to approve a massive $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027, as the United States faces rising costs from its war with Iran and mounting global security commitments. The proposal would lift Pentagon spending by more than 40 percent in a single year -- the sharpest increase since World War II -- as Washington seeks to sustain military operations and rebuild depleted weapons stockpiles. The request highlights the growing financial pressure of a conflict now in its fifth week, and sets up a political battle in Congress over how to fund a dramatic expansion of military spending. US media -- citing closed-door congressional briefings -- have reported that the Iran war could be costing as much as $2 billion per day, underscoring the scale of the burden even before longer-term reconstruction and resupply costs are factored in. To offset part of the increase, the administration is proposing around $73 billion in cuts to non-defense spending -- roughly 10 percent -- targeting a range of domestic programs including environmental initiatives, housing assistance and education funding. White House officials say the reductions would eliminate what they describe as wasteful spending and shift some responsibilities back to state and local governments. Trump has framed the defense increase in urgent terms, arguing that military investment must take precedence during wartime, even at the expense of federal social programs. &quot;It&#39;s not possible for us to take care of day care, Medicaid, Medicare,&quot; Trump said at a recent private event, adding that such responsibilities could be handled at the state level while Washington focuses on &quot;military protection.&quot;<h2 style="line-height: 2;"> </h2><h2 style="line-height: 2;">&#39;Reckless war&#39;</h2>The budget outline, released in summary form, is not binding but serves as a statement of the administration&#39;s priorities as Congress begins drafting spendilegislation. Lawmakers retain the power to rewrite or reject the plan. Trump is urging Congress to approve the bulk of the defense budget -- more than $1.1 trillion -- through the standard appropriations process, while seeking to pass a further $350 billion using a party-line mechanism that would bypass Democratic support. Republican leaders have shown openness to that approach, particularly as they push for higher defense and immigration enforcement spending. But the plan may face resistance within Trump&#39;s own party, where some lawmakers are wary of deepening federal deficits. The United States is already running annual shortfalls approaching $2 trillion, with total debt exceeding $39 trillion, leaving limited fiscal space for new spending without further widening the gap. Lawmakers from both parties have also raised concerns about the scale of the proposed military increase, particularly as the administration has provided limited detail on the trajectory of the Iran conflict. There is similar skepticism about the domestic cuts, many of which Congress has previously rejected. Spending bills passed earlier this year largely preserved funding for programs the White House is again seeking to reduce or eliminate. Beyond defense, the administration is also proposing increased funding for federal law enforcement, including a boost of more than $40 billion for the Justice Department. Even so, the plan could add trillions more to the federal debt over the coming decade if enacted in full, highlighting the trade-offs facing lawmakers as they weigh wartime demands against long-term fiscal pressures. &quot;The American people want health care, not warfare. The Trump administration has spent billions on a reckless war with Iran but REFUSES to increase funding for health care,&quot; House Democrats said in a statement on social media. &quot;It&#39;s heartless and House Democrats will not stand for it.&quot;

US President Donald Trump asks lawmakers to approve a massive $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027, as the United States faces rising costs from its war with Iran and mounting global security commitments.

White House seeks $1.5 trillion defense budget as Iran war drives costs

BEIJING: China called on Friday for Palestinians&#39; rights to be protected after Israel approved a bill to allow the execution of Palestinians convicted on terror charges for deadly attacks. Under the new law, passed by Israel&#39;s parliament on Monday, Palestinians in the occupied West Bank convicted by military courts of carrying out deadly attacks classified as &quot;terrorism&quot; will face the death penalty as a default sentence. &quot;The legal rights of the Palestinian people should be respected and protected,&quot; China&#39;s foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said when asked about the bill at a press briefing on Friday. &quot;We also hope relevant parties will cease actions that escalate tensions and exacerbate conflict,&quot; she said, without mentioning Israel by name. &quot;China believes that any law should fulfil legal principles such as equality and justice and should not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, religion or nationality or political views,&quot; Mao added. A host of countries have criticized the bill, which was supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The United Nations said on Tuesday that applying the new bill in occupied Palestinian territory would constitute a war crime. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates also lambasted the bill in a joint statement on Thursday. &quot;This legislation constitutes a dangerous escalation, particularly given its discriminatory application against Palestinian prisoners, and stressed that such measures risk further exacerbating tensions and undermining regional stability,&quot; the statement read. The European Union also criticized the bill, but the United States has come out in support of &quot;Israel&#39;s sovereign right to determine its own laws&quot;. China still uses the death penalty and does not release statistics on executions. Amnesty International and other rights groups believe thousands of people are executed in the country every year.

China

China urged protection of Palestinian rights after Israel's parliament approved a law enabling the death penalty for certain Palestinian prisoners, drawing widespread international criticism.

China urges respect for Palestinian rights after Israel passes death penalty law

ISLAMABAD: Nepal&rsquo;s spring Everest season has opened under the shadow of a major rescue-fraud scandal that investigators say exploited trekkers, insurers and the country&rsquo;s mountaineering industry. Police allege that trekking guides, helicopter operators, hospitals and agents worked together to stage or exaggerate medical emergencies, trigger unnecessary evacuations and submit inflated insurance claims worth nearly $20 million, local media reported on Friday. The case centres on what Nepal Police&rsquo;s Central Investigation Bureau says was a years-long racket embedded in the trekking business. According to recent reporting, investigators found 317 fake rescues between 2022 and 2025 out of 2,320 helicopter operations, with fraudulent claims totalling about $19.65 million. Authorities have said the matter is now before the Kathmandu District Court, with 32 accused in the case, while some reports have described the action as 33 charges, reflecting different snapshots of the proceedings.&nbsp; Investigators say the scam followed a repeatable script. Trekkers were allegedly frightened into believing they were too ill to continue, or were made to appear sick, and were then flown to Kathmandu by helicopter. Once there, hospitals allegedly created false or inflated admission records, treatment notes and billing documents to support large insurance claims. Reporting also says that even when several trekkers shared one helicopter, each could be billed as if they had taken a separate full-fare flight.&nbsp; Some of the most disturbing allegations involve the deliberate creation of symptoms. Recent accounts citing police findings say certain trekkers were allegedly given substances such as baking soda or excessive Diamox with water to mimic altitude sickness and justify evacuation. Those claims remain allegations under investigation rather than court-established fact, but they have become the most alarming part of the case.&nbsp; The scandal is not entirely new. The Kathmandu Post first exposed Nepal&rsquo;s fake rescue network in 2018, prompting a government inquiry and a lengthy report, but the problem allegedly persisted and worsened. Officials now fear the case could damage Nepal&rsquo;s image just as climbers prepare to arrive for the main Everest window from late April through May.&nbsp;

Nepal

Nepal’s Everest season begins amid a massive rescue scam, with police claiming 317 staged evacuations, nearly $20 million in fraudulent claims, and trekkers manipulated or sickened for profit.

Nepal Everest season opens amid $20 million rescue scam

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday issued its first-ever presidential statement on closer cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)&nbsp;to address regional challenges, including maritime security, terrorism, and food and water security.&nbsp; The statement, submitted by Bahrain&#39;s UN representative in his capacity as Council President for April, recognizes the GCC&rsquo;s &quot;position and expertise&quot; in promoting regional peace and security, and acknowledges its &quot;contributions to regional and international stability through mediation, preventive diplomacy, technical and financial support, and humanitarian engagement.&quot; The Council requested that the UN Secretary-General, Ant&oacute;nio Guterres, include recommendations on strengthening institutional ties with the GCC in his next report, and encouraged regular briefings by the GCC Secretary-General. &quot;The ongoing escalation underlines the urgent need for coordinated multilateral action,&quot; said Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General, stressing the importance of &ldquo;strengthened&rdquo; UN-GCC cooperation. He highlighted the GCC&#39;s role in de-escalating regional tensions, supporting mediation in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, and its cooperation with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism. &#39;Cornerstone of the global economy&#39;GCC Secretary-General Jassim Albudaiwi told the Council the bloc is a &quot;cornerstone of the global economy&quot;, noting its combined output exceeded $2.3 trillion in 2024 and its members&rsquo; major contribution to global oil and gas supplies. He warned that instability in the Gulf carries global consequences. &quot;Stability in the Arabian Gulf is not merely a regional concern, but is rather a global necessity,&quot; he said. Bahrain&#39;s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid al Zayani announced that his country had submitted a separate draft resolution to the Council addressing what he described as Iran&#39;s &quot;unlawful and unjustified&quot; attempts to control navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, with a vote expected Friday. Delegates from the United Kingdom and France backed GCC states&#39; right to defend their sovereignty, with France stating Iran &quot;bears the primary responsibility for the current escalation.&quot;&nbsp; Russia countered that the conflict was &quot;the direct result of an unprovoked act of aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran&#39;s territory.&quot; China and Pakistan jointly called for an immediate ceasefire and the launch of peace talks. The GCC, founded in 1981, comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Europe

Middle East

The statement, submitted by Bahrain's UN representative, recognizes the GCC’s 'position and expertise' in promoting regional peace and security, and calls for deeper UN-GCC coordination on terrorism, maritime security, water and food security.

UNSC backs stronger cooperation with Gulf bloc in first-ever presidential statement

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday extended Good Friday greetings to the Christian community at home and abroad, emphasizing the values of compassion, tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Prime Minister Sharif in a post on X on Friday stated: &quot;On the occasion of Good Friday, I extend sincere greetings to our brothers and sisters of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pm-sharif-extends-heartfelt-greetings-on-joyous-blessed-christmas" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Christian community</a>&nbsp;in Pakistan and members of the Christian faith across the world.&rdquo;<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" 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=2039943098672025844&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=cf1149a8b3beaafec088d9fab9bb7e3150ffa371&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 369px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>&ldquo;May this sacred day, marked by sacrifice and reflection, strengthen our shared commitment to compassion, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence,&quot; the prime minister added.

Culture

Says, ​'May this sacred day, marked by sacrifice and reflection, strengthen our shared commitment to compassion, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence'. 

Pakistan PM extends Good Friday greetings, urges compassion and tolerance

PARIS:&nbsp;Iran should make a deal with the United States to end the war by offering to curb its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief, a former Iranian foreign minister said. Mohammad Javad Zarif, who served as foreign minister from 2013-2021, claimed in an op-ed for American journal Foreign Affairs that Tehran had the &quot;upper hand&quot; in the conflict against the US and Israel, but argued Iran needed to stop the war to prevent the loss of more civilian lives and damage to infrastructure. &quot;Iran should use its upper hand not to keep fighting but to declare victory and make a deal that both ends this conflict and prevents the next one,&quot; Zarif said in the piece published late Thursday. &quot;It should offer to place limits on its nuclear program and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for an end to all sanctions a deal Washington wouldn&#39;t take before but might accept now,&quot; he added. &#39;Nonaggression pact&#39;&nbsp; Iran should also be prepared to accept a mutual &quot;nonaggression pact&quot; with the United States, as well as economic relations, he said. Tehran and Washington have had no diplomatic ties since shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution. Zarif, one of the architects of the now moribund 2015 deal over the Iranian nuclear program, is seen as a relative moderate within the Islamic republic elite, but has no official post in the current government. However this is one of the first times during this conflict that a high profile figure in Iran has called for a deal and an end to the war, with top military and political officials urging daily for fighting to continue until the US is defeated. &#39;Back to the stone ages&#39;US President Donald Trump has evoked ongoing talks with Tehran without giving details but also threatened to send the country &quot;back to the stone ages&quot; if it fails to agree terms. &quot;As an Iranian, outraged by Donald Trump&#39;s reckless aggression and crude insults, yet proud of our armed forces and resilient people, I am torn about publishing this peace-plan in Foreign Affairs,&quot; Zarif wrote in English on X Friday. &quot;Yet I&#39;m convinced that war must end on terms consistent with Iran&#39;s national interests,&quot; he added. Zarif in the Foreign Affairs piece warned that &quot;although continuing to fight the United States and Israel might be psychologically satisfying, it will lead only to the further destruction of civilian lives and infrastructure&quot;.

Mohammad Javad Zarif (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Mohammad Javad Zarif urges Iran to end the conflict with the US by negotiating a deal to limit its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief.

Articles by Ali Andaz Haider