Mariam Ellahi

ISLAMABAD: As the final whistle blew at Islamabad&rsquo;s Jinnah Stadium on Thursday night, the scoreboard read 0-0, &nbsp;but for the crowd spilling out into the cool evening air, the result meant more than just numbers.&nbsp;For many fans, it was an evening of renewed belief that football in Pakistan is finally finding its rhythm. Inside the stadium, Pakistan and Afghanistan fought a tense, end-to-end battle in their AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier. Both sides pressed hard, but neither could break the deadlock.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s defense, led by Sweden-based Abdullah Iqbal, kept Afghanistan&rsquo;s forwards at bay, while Shayak Dost and Ahmed Faraz came close on the counter. The biggest moment came when Otis Khan&rsquo;s penalty kick flew over the bar, a miss that drew collective gasps from the stands.&nbsp;But outside the stadium, disappointment quickly gave way to pride and optimism.&nbsp;&ldquo;This was a really positive performance for Pakistan,&rdquo; said Zain, a university student draped in a green flag. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve faced so many hardships in our football journey, but today felt different. You could feel the energy. The new faces, the fight. It gives hope to every young footballer dreaming of wearing that green shirt one day.&rdquo;&nbsp;Nearby, Saif, another football enthusiast, praised both teams for their spirit. &ldquo;It was a close, cutting-edge contest,&rdquo; he told Pakistan TV Digital. &ldquo;Pakistan missed a few chances, but the brotherhood between Pakistani and Afghan fans was beautiful. We were joking, cheering together, it felt like football was uniting us.&rdquo;&nbsp;The match also drew fans who usually follow cricket, signaling a cultural shift. Rimsha, a former athlete attending her first live football game, said the sight of packed stands gave her goosebumps.&nbsp;&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve grown up in a cricket-crazy country,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;but tonight showed that Pakistanis love football too. It&rsquo;s amazing to see families, women, and kids all here supporting the team.&rdquo;&nbsp;Head coach Nolberto Solano, speaking after the match, echoed the fans&rsquo; optimism. &ldquo;These players have shown great effort and commitment,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;They deserve more opportunities to compete at this level, and more support from the nation.&rdquo;&nbsp;As fans drifted out into the Islamabad night, flags still waving and chants echoing faintly, one thing was clear: even without goals, Pakistan&rsquo;s football revival has found its heartbeat and its believers.

AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifier - Pakistan vs Afghanistan (PFF)

Football

Pakistan will face Afghanistan again on October 14 in Kuwait, where both teams will fight for their first win in Group E. With morale high after Islamabad’s draw, Pakistan aims to convert promise into points.

Pakistan, Afghanistan battle to goalless stalemate in Asian Cup qualifier

ISLAMABAD: The Green Balochistan Initiative, the province&rsquo;s key socio-economic development project, is nearing completion of its first phase and has entered its second phase, the project&#39;s coordinator said on Monday. Shehzad Jaffer told Pakistan TV Digital that the initiative, launched in 2022-23, targets the needs of local communities in areas such as water, roads, agriculture, and irrigation. District administrations, the Pakistan Army, and local Baloch citizens identified and prioritized issues, which were turned into detailed projects in 2023. Implementation began in 2024. &ldquo;Phase I is almost complete,&rdquo; Jaffer said. About 80% of the work is done, and the project is expected to be finished by June 2026. Phase I details and impact Phase I includes 74 projects worth Rs21.2 billion, focusing on agriculture, roads, water supply, and small dams. The roads component features 22 farm-to-market links that will connect remote settlements to Balochistan&rsquo;s highway network. The water component includes 33 schemes, ranging from filtration plants to piped water supply, across several districts. Small dams have also been built in areas like Kalat and Awaran to improve irrigation. Jaffer described the reconstruction of a 50-60 km section of the Washuk road, which turned a previously impassable route into a paved carriageway. Talking about its importance, especially in case of emergencies, he stated how &ldquo;it can save lives when patients need to reach medical care.&rdquo; The project coordinator also mentioned a village that had lacked proper water supply for nearly 40 years. &ldquo;We [installed] a solar-powered well, underground storage, and a filtration plant at the village&#39;s doorstep. People no longer [have to] walk long distances for unsafe water.&rdquo; Similarly, in Awaran, a cluster of 54 reverse osmosis plants is being installed to provide clean drinking water to remote areas. Green Balochistan Initiative: Focus on agriculture The Green Balochistan Initiative (GBI), which includes 13 agriculture projects, is central to the program. It aims to improve farm productivity and resilience. One major element is the development of the Kachhi Canal&rsquo;s command area, which is expected to irrigate around 100,000 acres when fully developed. The initiative also includes 333 solar-powered tubewells, submersible wells, drip irrigation systems, and plantations. &ldquo;GBI will create jobs in remote areas and improve Balochistan&rsquo;s agriculture,&rdquo; Jaffer said. Phase II launches with new projects The government has approved the second phase of the project, which includes 46 new projects worth Rs15.6 billion. This phase features 20 road projects, 18 water supply schemes, and eight irrigation schemes. Work on the second phase has already begun, the project coordinator confirmed. Monitoring and transparency measures To track progress, the government has set up an online dashboard, updated every two weeks. The dashboard is accessible to all stakeholders. &ldquo;If progress is not updated on time, an alert is sent to the responsible officer,&rdquo; Jaffer said. Monitoring teams also conduct field checks to ensure projects meet deadlines and quality standards. Jaffer stated that the initiative is community-driven. &ldquo;The people encouraged us to start and expand into the second phase. They see the impact on their daily lives already.&rdquo;

The Green Balochistan Initiative is nearing completion of its first phase and has entered its second phase.

Economy

Balochistan’s socio-economic development initiative enters its second phase, with 74 projects focused on agriculture, roads, water supply, and irrigation, with the aim of improving rural conditions in Pakistan's largest province. 

Pakistan's Green Balochistan Initiative drives agricultural, infrastructure growth

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday declared that Pakistan is on course to become a &ldquo;regional hub of investment,&rdquo; as he chaired a high-level meeting reviewing the economy, foreign investment, and development projects.&nbsp;Sharif said stabilizing the economy on strong foundations was his government&rsquo;s foremost priority, pointing to recent positive indicators as evidence of renewed investor confidence. He stressed that transparency, international best practices, and swift policy implementation would be the cornerstones of Pakistan&rsquo;s economic strategy.&nbsp;&ldquo;The role of the private sector will be central in our planning, and its active inclusion will be guaranteed,&rdquo; the Prime Minister said, directing ministries and institutions to ensure maximum facilitation for international investors.&nbsp;The meeting also reviewed progress in energy, infrastructure, IT, and industrial projects. Sharif noted that attracting and retaining foreign investment, alongside expanding trade, would not only strengthen Pakistan&rsquo;s economy but also enhance public welfare and create new employment opportunities.&nbsp;Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and other senior cabinet members and officials attended the session.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting on Pakistan’s economy, pledging to make the country a “regional hub of investment,” stressing transparency, private sector inclusion, and reforms, while reviewing progress in energy, IT, infrastructure, and industrial projects.

PM Sharif vows Pakistan to become ‘regional hub of investment’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expanded the federal negotiation team tasked with defusing tensions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), according to his office, amid ongoing protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).&nbsp;According to an official statement, the team has travelled to Muzaffarabad to engage in dialogue with JAAC leaders and provide recommendations to the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office.&nbsp;The expanded team now includes Senator Rana Sanaullah, Federal Ministers Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Ahsan Iqbal, senior leaders Amir Muqam, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Qamar Zaman Kaira, former AJK president Masood Khan, and Sardar Masood Ahmed.&nbsp;PM Sharif emphasized that peaceful protest is a democratic right, but warned against actions that disrupt public order and peace. He directed law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint and avoid excessive use of force, assuring protesters that the government is committed to addressing their concerns.&nbsp;Dialogue and government responseSharif also announced support for families affected by the unrest and has called for a transparent investigation into the recent violence. He said he will personally oversee the negotiation process upon his return from London.&nbsp;Federal Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry reiterated the government&rsquo;s openness to dialogue, saying it is now the JAAC&rsquo;s responsibility to help stabilize the situation.&nbsp;Background of the unrestProtests erupted across AJK on September 29, triggering a near-complete shutdown in Muzaffarabad. Markets remained closed, public transport was suspended, and most schools were empty, despite being officially open.&nbsp;The JAAC submitted a 38-point charter of demands, which included the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri migrants from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and royalty payments from regional hydropower projects.&nbsp;Government officials reported that nearly 90% of the demands were accepted. However, two key demands &mdash; reducing the number of ministers and abolishing migrant seats &mdash; were rejected, as they require constitutional amendments.&nbsp;Calls for calmAt a joint press conference on Wednesday, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq urged the JAAC to resume talks. They warned that continued violence would undermine public welfare.&nbsp;&ldquo;Public rights are affected where human lives are lost,&rdquo; said PM Anwar-ul-Haq, noting that the federal government had already engaged in extensive negotiations, resulting in a draft agreement.&nbsp;Officials added that federal ministers stationed in Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot will oversee the implementation of any agreements reached with protest leaders.

Politics

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expanded a federal team to negotiate with protest leaders in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, urging calm and restraint. Most protest demands were accepted, as talks continue to resolve the unrest.

Pakistan PM expands negotiation team to ease Azad Kashmir tensions

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said Tuesday that the country&rsquo;s leadership will soon decide its role in the Gaza peace plan, as world leaders move to implement the US-brokered initiative.&nbsp;Dar told reporters in Islamabad that the plan envisions Gaza being run by a technocratic government under international oversight, with day-to-day security handled by Palestinian law enforcement. He noted that Indonesia has already offered to contribute 20,000 personnel, while Pakistan is reviewing its potential contribution.&nbsp;&ldquo;The leadership will determine Pakistan&rsquo;s role in the coming days,&rdquo; Dar said, reaffirming Islamabad&rsquo;s commitment to a durable peace that safeguards Palestinian sovereignty.&nbsp;The plan, unveiled by US President Donald Trump on Monday night, sets out a 20-point roadmap that includes a ceasefire, the exchange of hostages and prisoners, staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, and large-scale reconstruction with international support.&nbsp;A joint statement from the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkiye, Indonesia, Qatar, Egypt, and Jordan welcomed the initiative, praising Trump&rsquo;s &ldquo;sincere efforts to end the war&rdquo; and reaffirming their readiness to engage constructively with Washington and all stakeholders.&nbsp;&nbsp;The ministers also underlined their backing for a two-state solution, with Gaza fully integrated with the West Bank under a Palestinian state recognized by international law.&nbsp;Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the proposal as a &ldquo;major step toward ending Israel&rsquo;s nearly two-year offensive,&rdquo; which has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians since October 2023.&nbsp;Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced cautious support, though some elements of the plan, particularly regarding future Palestinian governance, clash with his government&rsquo;s past positions.&nbsp;The biggest challenge lies with Hamas, which must agree to disarm under the terms of the deal. Trump has given the group &ldquo;three or four days&rdquo; to respond, warning that otherwise it faces &ldquo;a very sad end.&rdquo;&nbsp;For now, attention is turning to how swiftly the international community, including Pakistan, can move from agreement to practical implementation on the ground, amid growing urgency to halt the violence and address Gaza&rsquo;s dire humanitarian crisis.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan’s Deputy PM Ishaq Dar says Islamabad will soon decide its role in the Gaza peace plan, as regional states back Trump’s roadmap for ceasefire, reconstruction, and a two-state solution requiring Hamas’ disarmament.

Pakistan weighing role in Gaza peace implementation plan: Dar

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;&nbsp;AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq challenged the leaders of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) to contest elections if they want to be treated as public representatives, accusing them of trying to &ldquo;hold the state hostage&rdquo; through coercion. &ldquo;If you claim to be a public representative, there are only two constitutional paths: local bodies or Legislative Assembly elections,&rdquo; he said in an interview with PakistanTV Digital on Sunday. &ldquo;A small group cannot hold the entire system hostage by force.&rdquo; While acknowledging the legitimacy of demands such as, affordable power and flour, he maintained that they were leveraging a popular narrative to create political space, he added that the government had honored constitutional limits and could not accept conditions that undermined state functioning.&nbsp; &ldquo;Their concerns about subsidies and relief are understandable, but issues such as perks, privileges, or unrealistic allocations must be weighed against our financial constraints,&rdquo; he added. Linking local demands to the wider regional context, he warned against forgetting the value of freedom: &ldquo;Ask those across the LoC. Cheap electricity and cheap flour cannot come at the cost of our principles.&rdquo; He further noted that protests must remain peaceful, cautioning against attempts to paralyse civic life. &ldquo;The constitution allows protest, but no one has the right to shut down the state,&rdquo; Chaudhry underlined. Skepticism over the UN&nbsp;The PM also voiced skepticism about the United Nations&rsquo; role in resolving the Kashmir dispute. &ldquo;During the limited 32&ndash;33 years of my life, I have not seen the UN solve a single problem for the Muslim Ummah,&rdquo; the PM remarked while speaking to Pakistan TV Digital. He added his expectations were now tied to Islamic regional groupings such as Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League. Speaking during the UN General Assembly&rsquo;s (UNGA) High-Level Week in New York, the AJK premier welcomed the recently-signed Pakistan&ndash;Saudi Arabia defence pact. He argued that the agreement would lend a new urgency to the Kashmir issue at both the OIC and Arab League levels.&nbsp; &ldquo;I believe that due to this, Kashmir will once again become a flashpoint in the Muslim Ummah&hellip; not only will it remain on the OIC platform, which it already had, but now it will be raised with full force in the Arab League as well,&rdquo; the PM said. Governance and salariesResponding to criticism over rising public expenditure, the premier defended government salaries, saying that these were in line with service requirements. He insisted that his administration had prioritised development projects, particularly road construction and infrastructure in rural areas, despite limited fiscal space. &ldquo;The federation provides a certain volume of funds. We are utilising them transparently, whether for subsidies, health, education or infrastructure. But we cannot stretch beyond our means,&rdquo; the PM noted. Kashmir struggleTurning to the broader Kashmir dispute, the AJK PM condemned India&rsquo;s crackdown in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting restrictions on political and religious freedoms. He stressed that the struggle for self-determination would continue despite repression. &ldquo;The people of occupied Kashmir have not given up their struggle, even under severe restrictions. Our responsibility is to amplify their voices at every forum we can,&rdquo; he said. The premier reiterated that while the UN had historically fallen short, the onus now lay on Muslim states to leverage their collective strength.&nbsp; &ldquo;The UNGA week may end, but the Kashmiri struggle will not. It is our duty to keep it alive through every available platform,&rdquo; he concluded.

Security

Contest elections if you want to represent people: AJK PM to Action Committee

ISLAMABAD: Russia&rsquo;s Ambassador to Pakistan Albert Khorev on Tuesday reiterated Moscow&rsquo;s commitment to a diplomatic solution in Ukraine, while accusing Kyiv and its Western allies of &ldquo;obstructing&rdquo; meaningful peace efforts.&nbsp;Speaking at a press briefing in Islamabad, Khorev claimed that President Vladimir Putin had resumed direct negotiations with Ukraine in May 2025, but &ldquo;despite three rounds of talks, Ukraine refused to engage seriously on key technical details for a ceasefire.&rdquo;&nbsp;The envoy alleged that Kyiv and its backers were &ldquo;not interested in real peace,&rdquo; instead using temporary ceasefires to &ldquo;regroup and rearm.&rdquo; He cited European Union military and financial assistance to Ukraine exceeding $70 billion since the war began.&nbsp;&ldquo;Ceasefires are being exploited by Ukraine and its sponsors,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve seen this pattern before, calls for peace only to gain time for rearmament.&rdquo;&nbsp;Khorev also accused Ukrainian forces of violating multiple temporary truces this year, including &ldquo;nearly 4,900 breaches during the Easter ceasefire alone.&rdquo;&nbsp;No Putin-Zelensky summitAddressing speculation over a potential summit between President Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Khorev dismissed the possibility.&nbsp;&ldquo;Zelensky&rsquo;s term expired in May 2024. A summit must conclude a peace process, not initiate one,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Until Kyiv abandons its neo-Nazi policies, stops persecuting Russian-speaking communities, and halts NATO expansion onto Ukrainian territory, peace will remain elusive.&rdquo;&nbsp;Prisoner exchange and children&rsquo;s allegationsKhorev acknowledged recent progress in humanitarian matters, including prisoner exchanges and repatriation of remains.&nbsp;&ldquo;Over 1,000 prisoners have been exchanged in recent months, and a working group for ceasefire verification is under discussion,&rdquo; he noted.&nbsp;He also rejected Ukrainian claims that thousands of children had been abducted by Russia. &ldquo;Only 339 names have been submitted through official negotiators. The rest is misinformation,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Criticism of Ukrainian lawsKhorev strongly criticized new Ukrainian legislation banning Soviet-era symbols and the term &ldquo;Great Patriotic War,&rdquo; calling it &ldquo;a violation of Ukraine&rsquo;s own constitution and international conventions.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Such laws are an attempt to erase history and impose a revisionist narrative. Under martial law, Ukraine has descended into authoritarianism, censorship, and a crackdown on civil liberties,&rdquo; he claimed.&nbsp;Remarks on the UNThe Russian envoy also criticized the United Nations Secretariat, accusing it of bias.&nbsp;&ldquo;The UN under Secretary-General Ant&oacute;nio Guterres has consistently adopted anti-Russian positions while remaining silent on U.S. actions in Israel and the occupied territories,&rdquo; Khorev said.&nbsp;He added that Russia, alongside partners like Pakistan, would continue to challenge &ldquo;racist and neo-colonial approaches&rdquo; in global institutions.&nbsp;Relations with PakistanKhorev praised Islamabad&rsquo;s neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict and its call for dialogue.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan strongly supports a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, a position that aligns with Russia&rsquo;s stance,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We are grateful for Pakistan&rsquo;s balanced and independent foreign policy despite external pressure.&rdquo;&nbsp;He also welcomed the recently announced Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defense agreement, calling it a positive development for regional stability.&nbsp;&ldquo;Russia appreciates Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts to build strategic partnerships and promote dialogue over confrontation,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;Drone incursions deniedResponding to reports of alleged Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace, Khorev denied any aggressive intent.&nbsp;&ldquo;Moscow has no interest in escalating tensions with NATO. We are open to bilateral consultations to prove these allegations are unfounded,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Concluding his remarks, Khorev reaffirmed Russia&rsquo;s openness to dialogue with &ldquo;any nation genuinely interested in peace and stability.&rdquo;

Russia's ambassador in Islamabad blamed Ukraine and its allies for stalling peace efforts, while reaffirming Moscow’s readiness for dialogue and praising Pakistan’s neutrality in the ongoing conflict.

Ukraine blocking peace talks: Russian envoy in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has voiced renewed alarm over the recent surge in terrorist attacks across the country, attributing much of the violence to safe havens in neighboring Afghanistan. Officials urged Kabul to fulfill its commitments under the Doha Agreement and prevent the use of Afghan territory by militant groups. Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry emphasized that Pakistan had consistently supported Afghanistan and now expects reciprocal responsibility. &ldquo;Under the Doha Agreement, the Taliban pledged that Afghan soil would not be used for terrorism or threats against the US and its allies,&rdquo; Chaudhry said. &ldquo;They should honor that commitment.&rdquo; According to data from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan has been conducting nearly 190 intelligence-based operations daily. Since January 2024, over 112,000 such operations have been carried out nationwide, resulting in the elimination of more than 2,200 terrorists. Chaudhry noted that Pakistan had repeatedly presented evidence of cross-border attacks and urged the Taliban to sever ties with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). DG ISPR also raised similar concerns on Friday in an interview with a German news outlet, stating that &ldquo;the base of operation that the Indians use is Afghanistan, the whole of terrorism that is being done is executed by the Indians over there.&rdquo; He added that &ldquo;Indians have a playbook of using terror as a tool of state,&rdquo; claiming that their &ldquo;main tools&rdquo; at the moment are terrorist outfits TTP and BLA. &ldquo;We have provided proof that their soil is being used against us. The Afghan government must not only disassociate from the TTP but take concrete action against them,&rdquo; Chaudhry said. He added that Pakistan reserves the right to act in defense of its citizens. &ldquo;We have stood by Afghanistan for decades. But if they fail to act, Pakistan will do what&rsquo;s necessary to protect itself,&rdquo; he said, adding that the TTP operates as a proxy for anti-Pakistan elements, particularly India. &ldquo;India has long used such groups to destabilize us because it fears our rise as a regional power.&rdquo; Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a recent visit to Bannu, echoed similar concerns, stating Kabul must choose between Pakistan and the TTP. Senior journalist Sami Yousafzai, speaking to Pakistan TV, highlighted the Taliban&rsquo;s internal dilemma. &ldquo;There are an estimated 6,000 TTP fighters in Afghanistan. Acting against them under Pakistani pressure could risk Taliban unity,&rdquo; he explained. While some Taliban factions view the TTP as problematic, Yousafzai said a broader confrontation is unlikely. He noted that recent relocations of TTP fighters to provinces like Ghazni were significant but insufficient. &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s expectations rise with every attack, but the Taliban&rsquo;s room for concessions is shrinking,&rdquo; he added. Security analyst Dr Khurram Abbas pointed to Kabul&rsquo;s &ldquo;inability or unwillingness&rdquo; to crack down on TTP sanctuaries as the core issue. &ldquo;Until Afghanistan takes decisive action, this cycle of militancy will continue,&rdquo; he warned. Dr Abbas outlined possible responses from Pakistan, including enhanced border security, precision counter-terrorism strikes, and expanded diplomatic engagement. &ldquo;Pakistan may also bring China into the fold as a strategic partner while increasing international pressure,&rdquo; he said. Despite rising tensions, experts agree that the path forward requires firm action against militant sanctuaries and renewed regional cooperation.

Pakistan has urged Afghanistan to curb militants under Doha pledges, with DG ISPR accusing India of orchestrating terror via Afghan soil using TTP and BLA.

Pakistan to Afghanistan: Stop harboring militants, fulfill Doha promises

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to travel to Doha on Monday to take part in the Emergency Arab‑Islamic Summit, which Islamabad has helped sponsor, the foreign office has said.&nbsp;The summit has been called in response to Israel&rsquo;s airstrikes on the Qatari capital and the worsening situation in Palestine.&nbsp;The heads of state, government leaders, and senior officials from Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member nations are expected to attend, the statement added.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;The Summit has been convened in the wake of Israel&rsquo;s airstrikes on Doha and the escalating developments in Palestine,&rdquo; the foreign office said. &ldquo;Unlike previous emergency meetings from Muslim platforms that were often delayed, this one has been convened swiftly, reflecting the seriousness of the situation,&rdquo; Mansoor Jafer, Al-Arabiya Urdu chief, told Pakistan TV, terming Israel as a &ldquo;bully state.&rdquo; He said Qatar&rsquo;s diplomatic support from Muslim countries and beyond highlights its legitimacy as a mediator and its growing weight in regional diplomacy.&nbsp;On Sunday, a ministerial meeting of foreign ministers will prepare a draft resolution condemning the Israeli strike on Qatar, according to Majed al‑Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari foreign ministry. Qatar has been vocal in calling the airstrikes an infringement of international law and a direct attack on its sovereignty.&nbsp;Analysts believe Pakistan&rsquo;s cosponsorship signals its desire to play a more prominent role in Middle‑East diplomacy. &ldquo;This is Pakistan drawing a line, it wants its voice heard beyond domestic policy,&rdquo; said Dr. Luciano Zaccara, Gulf politics expert. &ldquo;Expect more than expressions of anger. This summit could mark a shift toward coordinated regional pressure.&rdquo;&nbsp;Notable leaders expected in Doha include Iran&rsquo;s President Masoud Pezeshkian and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al‑Sudani. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan may also attend, though his participation has not yet been confirmed.&nbsp;Israel&rsquo;s strikes on Hamas officials in Doha, killing five members and one Qatari security officer, have provoked global condemnation, including from Gulf states that are typically aligned with U.S. policy. Scholars and diplomats argue the summit reflects growing discomfort among Arab nations over what they view as unchecked Israeli military actions.&nbsp;In the lead‑up to the summit, Pakistan has underlined its commitment to solidarity and regional unity. &nbsp;Islamabad emphasized that Pakistan strongly condemns &ldquo;Israeli aggression against Qatar and other regional states,&rdquo; reaffirming its support for the sovereignty and security of its neighbors.&nbsp;&nbsp;Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will also join the preparatory session of foreign ministers on September 14.&nbsp;Sharif visited Doha on September 11 to meet Qatari leaders, expressing Pakistan&rsquo;s &ldquo;unwavering support for the security and sovereignty of Qatar&rdquo; and its commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East.

Middle East

Islamabad says PM Shehbaz Sharif will attend the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha to coordinate a unified response to Israeli airstrikes.


Arab, Muslim leaders to gather in Qatar for Pakistan co-sponsored summit

DOHA: The United Arab Emirates edged past Oman 2-1 in the fourth round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Saturday. UAE now needs a draw against host Qatar on Tuesday to reach the finals for the first time since 1990.&nbsp;The loss ended Oman&rsquo;s chances of winning the three-team Group A and securing automatic qualification for a first World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. But the team can still finish second and advance to the fifth round.&nbsp;Oman, who drew 0-0 with Qatar on Wednesday, took the lead in the 12th minute when an Amjad Al Harthi shot was deflected in by defender Kouame Autonne at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.&nbsp;After holding on for most of the match, Oman&rsquo;s defense was finally opened up in the 76th minute when Marcus Meloni headed in an Ali Saleh cross at the far post.&nbsp;Seven minutes later, Caio Lucas delivered a cross from the left that eluded everyone to give the UAE the lead to the delight of 5,000 traveling fans.&nbsp;In Group B, Iraq defeated Indonesia 1-0 to move level on points with Saudi Arabia ahead of their meeting on Tuesday.&nbsp;Former Manchester United youth player Zidane Iqbal scored the only goal on 76 minutes with a low shot from the edge of the area.&nbsp;Iraq must defeat group leader Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Tuesday to qualify for a first World Cup since 1986, as the host has scored more goals, having beaten Indonesia 3-2 on Wednesday.&nbsp;The two losses mean Indonesia cannot qualify.

The United Arab Emirates defeated Oman 2-1 in Doha, moving within a draw of qualifying for their first World Cup since 1990. Marcus Meloni and Caio Lucas scored late to overturn Oman’s early lead.



UAE on verge of first World Cup appearance since 1990

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: A brilliant century from captain Nat Sciver-Brunt powered England to a commanding 89-run victory over Sri Lanka in their ICC Women&rsquo;s Cricket World Cup 2025 clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday.&nbsp;Opting to bowl first, Sri Lanka&rsquo;s decision proved costly as England posted a formidable 253 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs.&nbsp;Sciver-Brunt led from the front with a superb 117 off 117 balls, studded with nine fours and two sixes. Tammy Beaumont (32) and Heather Knight (29) provided valuable support in building England&rsquo;s total.&nbsp;For Sri Lanka, Inoka Ranaweera stood out with impressive figures of 3 for 33, while Sugandika Kumari and Udeshika Prabodhani chipped in with two wickets apiece.&nbsp;In reply, Sri Lanka&rsquo;s chase never gained momentum as they were bowled out for 164 in 45.4 overs. Hasini Perera (35) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33) offered brief resistance, but England&rsquo;s disciplined bowling attack proved too strong. Sophie Ecclestone was exceptional, claiming 4 for 17 in her 10 overs, while Charlie Dean and Sciver-Brunt picked up two wickets each.&nbsp;The emphatic win lifted England to the top of the World Cup standings with six points from three matches, moving past Australia. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, remained in seventh place with just one point from their three outings.

Cricket

England posted 253/9 as Nat Sciver-Brunt smashed 117 (117), while Sri Lanka managed just 164 in reply. Sophie Ecclestone starred with 4/17, sealing England’s 89-run win and top spot in the standings.

England crush Sri Lanka by 89 runs in Women’s World Cup

BELGRADE: Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic announced late Saturday he was quitting after his team lost to Albania 0-1 in their World Cup qualifier at home.&nbsp;&quot;This defeat should not have happened, and I accept responsibility. I&#39;m here to face the consequences,&quot; Stojkovic told a press conference after the match played in the southern town of Leskovac.&nbsp;&quot;I spoke with the president and secretary general of the Serbian Football Association.&nbsp;&quot;I have offered my resignation, they will make an announcement also, but I will not travel to Andorra and lead the team,&quot; he said, quoted by the state-run RTS broadcaster.&nbsp;He referred to Serbia&#39;s next World Cup qualifier against Andorra on Tuesday.&nbsp;Saturday&#39;s result was &quot;really poor, I did not expect this&quot;, the 60-year-old said, blaming himself for the loss.&nbsp;&quot;I have also spoken to the players and told them everything. It&#39;s not a tragedy when a coach leaves, and Serbia will always have a great supporter in me. I have led my country more than 50 times.&quot;&nbsp;The former midfielder, nicknamed Piksi, took over as Serbia coach in 2021.&nbsp;As a player he made 84 appearances for the former Yugoslavia between 1983 and 2001, and was one of the first top-tier European players to venture into Japanese football.&nbsp;Stojkovic was with J-League side Nagoya Grampus Eight between 1994 and 2001.&nbsp;After retiring as a player, Stojkovic was briefly chairman of Red Star Belgrade, before turning to coaching first Nagoya, and later Chinese side Guangzhou.&nbsp;Serbia are third in their group K, with England on top and Albania second.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Serbian media reported that Stojkovic could be replaced by former player and football manager Veljko Paunovic.&nbsp;Saturday&#39;s match has been moved from the capital Belgrade to Leskovac upon Serbia&#39;s request to UEFA over security fears.

Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic resigned after a 1-0 home defeat to Albania in a World Cup qualifier, accepting responsibility for the loss. The 60-year-old will not lead the team against Andorra on Tuesday.

Stojkovic quits as Serbia coach after World Cup qualifier defeat

Muhammad Imad Abbas

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan&rsquo;s interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is on an official seven-day visit to India, emphasizing the potential of Iran&rsquo;s Chabahar Port as a vital trade link between India and Afghanistan.&nbsp;The visit, delayed earlier due to visa clearance issues, marks the first official trip by an Afghan interim minister to India since the Taliban takeover. Previously, India&rsquo;s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited Kabul in January 2021 during former president Ashraf Ghani&rsquo;s tenure.&nbsp;Addressing a press conference at the Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi, Muttaqi underlined the significance of Chabahar Port, calling it a &ldquo;good option for trade.&rdquo; He urged both India and Afghanistan to &ldquo;remove obstacles&rdquo; to its full utilization, noting that &ldquo;US sanctions have complicated operations.&rdquo;&nbsp;Chabahar is not a new trade idea for Afghanistan. Successive governments have explored it as an alternative route connecting Afghanistan to global markets through Iran, bypassing Pakistan. Yet, questions remain over whether it can become a reliable trade corridor that benefits Afghan traders and strengthens regional ties.&nbsp;Why Chabahar matters for India?Located along Iran&rsquo;s southeastern coast on the Gulf of Oman, Chabahar holds strategic importance for India. It lies just 550 nautical miles from Gujarat&rsquo;s Kandla port and offers New Delhi a direct trade corridor to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Europe, circumventing Pakistan.&nbsp;Since 2016, India has invested heavily in the project, spending nearly half of its allocated 4 billion Indian rupees. A year ago, India signed a 10-year agreement with Iran&rsquo;s Ports and Maritime Organization to manage and develop the port through India Ports Global Limited (IPGL).&nbsp;The initiative is part of India&rsquo;s broader vision to integrate Chabahar into the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), linking India to Russia via Iran. Originally proposed in 2003 as a counterbalance to Pakistan&rsquo;s Gwadar Port, developed under China&rsquo;s Belt and Road Initiative, the Chabahar project has faced repeated delays due to sanctions and bureaucratic hurdles.&nbsp;Challenges facing the projectDespite India&rsquo;s commitment, challenges persist. Afghan experts say Kabul remains skeptical of India&rsquo;s reliability as a partner.&nbsp;&ldquo;Afghanistan continues not to see India as a dependable ally because New Delhi has traditionally remained distant from Kabul,&rdquo; said Zia Ur Rehman, a Pakistan-based expert on Afghan affairs, speaking to Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp;He added, &ldquo;India&rsquo;s renewed interest in Afghanistan is driven by geopolitical signaling aimed at maintaining influence along Pakistan&rsquo;s western border.&rdquo;&nbsp;India&rsquo;s caution stems from its fraught history with the Taliban. The hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane to Kandahar in 1999 and the 2008 Kabul embassy bombing, both linked by India to Taliban elements, continue to shape New Delhi&rsquo;s approach.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Afghan traders remain reluctant to abandon the shorter and cheaper trade routes through Pakistan. &ldquo;Chabahar increases transport costs, and those dealing in perishable goods cannot afford delays of several days,&rdquo; said Qudrat Ullah, a local trader speaking to Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp;Sanctions and strategic setbacksComplicating matters further, the Trump administration&rsquo;s decision to revoke the US sanctions waiver on Chabahar has disrupted India&rsquo;s plans. The exemption, granted in 2018, allowed India to operate freely at Iran&rsquo;s Makran coast despite broader sanctions on Tehran.&nbsp;&ldquo;This move will disrupt New Delhi&rsquo;s strategic and economic ambitions in Iran and Central Asia,&rdquo; said Rehman, adding that the decision exposes Indian operators at Chabahar&rsquo;s Shahid Beheshti terminal to punitive action under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act (IFCA).&nbsp;As Afghanistan&rsquo;s acting foreign minister pushes for renewed cooperation, India faces a delicate balancing act, navigating strained regional dynamics, economic sanctions, and a skeptical Kabul, all while striving to keep its Chabahar ambitions afloat. NOTE: $1 was equal to ₹88.72 (Indian Rupees) at the time of publishing of this article.

India

Experts warn India’s Chabahar ambitions face major setbacks after the Trump administration revoked sanctions waivers, exposing Indian operators to punitive action and disrupting New Delhi’s strategic trade and connectivity plans in Iran and Central Asia.

New Delhi’s Chabahar ambitions face hurdles amid Afghan FM’s India visit

TALLINN: Italy beat Estonia 3-1 in Saturday&#39;s 2026 World Cup qualifier in Tallinn before a Group I fixture with Israel which will be flanked by pro-Palestinian demonstrations.&nbsp;Goals from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui and Pio Esposito were enough for Italy to move three points ahead of Israel in second place, which offers a play-off spot for qualification to the finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico.&nbsp;Gennaro Gattuso&#39;s team are on 12 points, six behind group leaders Norway who have a goal difference which is 19 superior to Italy&#39;s and are all-but guaranteed a place at the World Cup.&nbsp;Estonia, who scored through Rauno Sappinen in the 76th minute thanks to Gianluigi Donnarumma dropping a cross at his feet, have three points and cannot qualify.&nbsp;&quot;I&#39;m very pleased, we&#39;re on the right track. The boys showed desire and professionalism,&quot; said Gattuso.&nbsp;&quot;We&#39;re progressing match after match, but often the second game (in the international break) is the one which causes us more difficulty.&quot;&nbsp;The Azzurri might be without Kean for Tuesday&#39;s match with Israel as the Fiorentina striker hobbled off the field with an ankle problem shortly after curling in his sixth goal in four games for his country in the the fifth minute.&nbsp;Kean&#39;s striker partner Retegui doubled Italy&#39;s lead in the 38th minute, making up for failing to score from the penalty spot on the half-hour mark.&nbsp;And Inter Milan forward Esposito made sure of the points two minutes before Donnarumma&#39;s howler with his first international goal, drilling home Leonardo Spinazzola&#39;s cross from the left.&nbsp;Italy have a game in hand on both third-placed Israel and Norway and can effectively secure second in the group in Udine next week, but the match is destined to be a sideshow.&nbsp;Only 5,000 tickets have been sold for the fixture, meaning that the Bluenergy stadium is set to have huge patches of empty seats while potentially thousands more protest elsewhere in the city.&nbsp;The demonstrations will be in response to Israel&#39;s military operation in the Gaza Strip. During massive strike action in support of the Palestinians earlier this month, demonstrators went to the Italian national team&#39;s training centre in Florence to demand the match be called off.&nbsp;Udine&#39;s mayor Alberto Felice De Toni has also asked for the match to be postponed over fears of potential violence in the small city, in Italy&#39;s far north-east.

Italy defeated Estonia 3-1 in a World Cup qualifier with goals from Kean, Retegui, and Esposito. The win moved Italy to second place before their next match against Israel, set amid planned demonstrations in Udine.

Italy beat Estonia in World Cup qualifier before Israel clash

LOS ANGELES: Actress Diane Keaton, known for her Oscar-winning performance in 1977&#39;s &quot;Annie Hall&quot; and her role in &quot;The Godfather&quot; films, has died at age 79.&nbsp;Details were not immediately available and Keaton&#39;s loved ones have asked for privacy, a family spokesperson told People, which confirmed that the actress died on Saturday in California.&nbsp;Keaton was a frequent collaborator of director Woody Allen, portraying the titular character in &quot;Annie Hall,&quot; the charming girlfriend of Allen&#39;s comic Alvy Singer.&nbsp;The film also garnered Oscars for best picture, best director and best original screenplay, cementing Keaton&#39;s place as one of the industry&#39;s top actresses and an offbeat style icon as well.&nbsp;The actress made her mark co-starring in eight Allen movies, from &quot;Play It Again, Sam&quot; (1972) to &quot;Manhattan&quot; (1979) and &quot;Manhattan Murder Mystery&quot; (1993).&nbsp;In &quot;The Godfather&quot; films, she played Kay Adams, the girlfriend and eventual wife of Al Pacino&#39;s Michael Corleone.&nbsp;Apart from the Allen cannon, fans adored her portrayal as Steve Martin&#39;s wife in 1991 comedy &quot;Father of the Bride,&quot; as the nervous and doting couple plan an extravagant wedding for their daughter.&nbsp;Late in her career, Keaton starred in two movies about aging women: &quot;Book Club&quot; (2018), with its message that love has no age, and &quot;Poms&quot; (2019), the story of a terminally ill woman who moves to a retirement community to die, but winds up forming a cheerleading squad.&nbsp;A BAFTA and Golden Globe winner, Keaton scored Oscar nominations three other times for best actress, for &quot;Reds,&quot; &quot;Marvin&#39;s Room&quot; and &quot;Something&#39;s Gotta Give.&quot;&nbsp;In 2017, she was honored with a Life Achievement Award by the American Film Institute, which called Keaton &quot;unconventional, iconoclastic and left-of-center.&quot;&nbsp;&quot;I feel so lucky to have spent any time with this marvelous woman, and I&#39;m heartbroken that she is gone,&quot; said actress Andie MacDowell, who starred in &quot;Unstrung Hero&quot; (1995), one of a handful of films Keaton directed.

Film & TV

Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton, famed for “Annie Hall” and “The Godfather,” has died at 79 in California. The versatile star earned multiple Oscar nominations and a Life Achievement Award for her iconic career.

Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton dead at 79

GAZA CITY: A top Hamas official told AFP Saturday that the release of 48 mostly Israeli hostages held by Palestinian in Gaza would begin on Monday morning. &quot;According to the signed agreement, the prisoner exchange is set to begin on Monday morning as agreed, and there are no new developments on this matter,&quot; Osama Hamdan said in an interview with AFP. Hamas on the ground have not yet notified the movement&#39;s leadership about the logistics of the hostages&#39; handover, Hamdan added. Following the return of the captives from Gaza, Israel will proceed with the release of about 2,000 Palestinian detainees from its prisons, according to the terms of the first stage of a ceasefire deal signed by the two parties under US mediation. Hamdan said that the list of Palestinian prisoners slated for release was still under negotiation. Hamas&#39;s &quot;prisoners office has said that, so far, the process has not been finalized. Israel is still refusing to release certain names. However, the negotiating delegation is making every effort to secure their release,&quot; the official said, adding that the final list would be ready on Saturday night or by Sunday morning &quot;at the latest&quot;. Hamdan further highlighted that under the agreement, five entry points for humanitarian aid are expected to be opened, and said that the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt will reopen &quot;for individuals in both directions starting next Wednesday&quot;. Italy said that the Rafah crossing would reopen on Tuesday under the supervision of an EU monitoring mission, with a police presence from Italy, Spain and France.

Hamas official Osama Hamdan said the hostage-prisoner exchange will begin Monday, involving 48 hostages and about 2,000 Palestinian detainees. Negotiations continue over final names, and Rafah crossing is set to reopen next week.

Hamas official says hostages release to begin on Monday morning

Muhammad Usman Amin

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI/PESHAWAR: Afghanistan has requested Pakistan to halt its &ldquo;heavy counteraction&rdquo; after the Pakistan Army launched a strong and sustained response to unprovoked cross-border firing from Afghan forces, security sources told Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp;According to the sources, Afghan troops carried out unprovoked firing late Saturday night across multiple points along the Pak-Afghan border, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baramcha in Balochistan, allegedly to facilitate the infiltration of Khawarij formations, a faction Islamabad identifies as Indian-sponsored proxies of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).&nbsp;Pakistan Army positions responded with full force using artillery, tanks, and aerial assets, effectively targeting Afghan military posts and militant hideouts.&nbsp;&ldquo;A strong and decisive response from the Pakistan Army against Afghan forces is ongoing. Afghan forces are in a state of panic due to the intense retaliation,&rdquo; security sources said. &ldquo;Several Afghan posts have been abandoned as a result of heavy losses.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Afghan soldiers fled, leaving behind multiple bodies at their posts following Pakistan&rsquo;s effective and intense response.&rdquo;&nbsp;Security sources confirmed that Afghanistan has formally requested Pakistan to halt its counteraction, as Pakistani forces continue to target positions linked to Khawarij and Daesh elements operating from Afghan territory.&nbsp;The sources further revealed that Pakistani forces employed a combination of precision artillery and drone strikes to destroy multiple Afghan posts. &ldquo;The Army&rsquo;s timely and decisive action has neutralized key militant hideouts under the protection of Afghan authorities,&rdquo; one official added.&nbsp;District administration officials confirmed that several missiles were fired from the Afghan side targeting civilian areas across the border, prompting Pakistan&rsquo;s &ldquo;measured but powerful&rdquo; military response to protect its citizens.&nbsp;Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned Afghanistan&rsquo;s unprovoked firing, calling it a &ldquo;blatant violation of international law.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s brave forces have shown, with an immediate and effective response, that any provocation will not be tolerated,&rdquo; Naqvi said.&nbsp;&ldquo;Our forces are vigilant, and Afghanistan is being answered brick for brick. The fire and blood being played out from Afghanistan have links to our perennial enemy,&rdquo; he added, referring to India.&nbsp;&ldquo;Afghanistan will be given a strong, decisive response, just as India was, so it will not dare cast a covetous eye toward Pakistan,&rdquo; the minister warned.&nbsp;Defence analyst Hassan Khan told Pakistan TV that the current Afghan behavior reflected a deep betrayal of Pakistan&rsquo;s long-standing support.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan hosted millions of Afghans for decades. Now, their behavior has completely changed,&rdquo; Khan said. &ldquo;Afghanistan is harbouring and providing hideouts to groups like the TTP, BLA, and Majeed Brigade. Their forces are now giving cover to Fitna al-Khawarij to harm Pakistan.&rdquo;&nbsp;Another analyst, Agha Iqrar, stressed that Pakistan must reassess its Afghan strategy.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Afghan Taliban are not only hosting, harbouring, and funding TTP and Fitna al-Khawarij, but more than 42 militant groups are operating from Afghan soil,&rdquo; he noted. &ldquo;Pakistan must take decisive action and redefine its Afghan policy.&rdquo;&nbsp;Taliban officials in Kunar, Nangarhar, Paktia, Khost, and Helmand confirmed to AFP that clashes were ongoing along several points of the border.&nbsp;The escalation follows two days after a deadly terrorist attack on the Police Training School in Dera Ismail Khan, in which six policemen, including trainees, embraced martyrdom. According to ISPR, the members of &ldquo;Fitna al-Khawarij&rdquo; rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the facility but were eliminated after an intense firefight.&nbsp;In the wake of the rising tensions, Saudi Arabia and Iran have both called for restraint and dialogue.&nbsp;The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in a statement by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said:&nbsp;&ldquo;The Kingdom is following with concern the tensions and clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. We urge both sides to exercise self-restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritize dialogue and wisdom to preserve regional stability.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Saudi Arabia reaffirms its support for all regional and international efforts aimed at strengthening peace and prosperity for the two brotherly Pakistani and Afghan peoples.&rdquo;&nbsp;Meanwhile, Iran&rsquo;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed similar concern, urging both countries to resolve their differences peacefully.&nbsp;&ldquo;Iran is closely monitoring developments and calls on both sides to engage diplomatically to prevent further escalation,&rdquo; an Iranian spokesperson said in Tehran. &ldquo;Peace and cooperation must prevail over confrontation.&rdquo;&nbsp;Security officials in Islamabad reiterated that Pakistan remains resolute in defending its sovereignty.&nbsp;&ldquo;Any future aggression or attempt to aid terrorist infiltration will be met with a strong and immediate response,&rdquo; one senior source emphasized.

Islamabad’s security sources say Pakistan Army’s strong and coordinated retaliation destroyed multiple Afghan border posts, forcing Afghan troops to flee amid mounting casualties. The clashes follow recent militant attacks in Dera Ismail Khan linked to Afghan-based groups.

Afghanistan urges Pakistan to halt ‘heavy counteraction’: security sources

KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Donald Trump to broker peace in Ukraine like in &quot;the Middle East&quot; during a phone call Saturday, saying if Trump could stop one war, &quot;others can be stopped as well&quot;. The call came a day after Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine&#39;s energy grid, knocking out power to parts of the capital Kyiv and nine other Ukrainian regions. Diplomatic efforts to end Russia&#39;s invasion of Ukraine have slowed in recent months, in part because global attention has shifted to Israel&#39;s two-year war with Palestinian group Hamas, Kyiv says. Trump, who announced the first phase of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday, met Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks in August but failed to extract any kind of peace deal. &quot;I had a call with US President Donald Trump. A very positive and productive one,&quot; Zelensky said on Facebook, congratulating Trump for his &quot;outstanding&quot; ceasefire plan in the Middle East. &quot;If a war can be stopped in one region, then surely other wars can be stopped as well, including the Russian war,&quot; Zelensky added, calling for Trump to pressure the Kremlin into negotiations. Relations between the two leaders have warmed dramatically since February, when they sparred during a now infamous televised meeting at the White House. Trump has since grown more hostile towards Moscow while expressing sympathy for Ukraine. In September, he wrote on Truth Social that Kyiv should try to &quot;take back&quot; all its occupied territory with Europe&#39;s and NATO&#39;s help. US First Lady Melania Trump said Friday she had secured the release of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia after establishing an extraordinary back channel of communication with Putin. Strikes cut powerRussian attacks on Ukraine killed at least five people on Saturday and cut power to parts of Ukraine&#39;s southern Odesa region, according to Ukrainian officials. Two of the people died inside a church in Kostyantynivka when it was hit by a strike, according to local authorities. In Russia&#39;s border region of Belgorod, a truck driver was killed by a Ukrainian strike, according to local officials. Moscow has targeted Ukraine&#39;s energy grid each winter since it invaded in 2022, cutting power and heating to millions of households and disrupting water supply in what Kyiv says is a brazen war crime. Russia denies targeting civilians and says Ukraine uses the energy sites to power its military sector. Ukrainian drone attacks meanwhile killed two people in Russia, according to regional officials. Both countries have accused each other of frustrating progress towards a peace deal in recent months. Russia blames Kyiv and its European allies for the impasse, accusing them of undermining peace negotiations with Washington. Ukraine and Europe accuse Russia of playing for time so it can seize more Ukrainian territory. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, describing it as a &quot;special military operation&quot; to demilitarise the country and prevent the expansion of NATO. Kyiv and its European allies say the war is an illegal land grab that has resulted in tens of thousands of civilian and military casualties and widespread destruction. Millions of Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes since 2022, while Russia now occupies around a fifth of Ukrainian territory -- much of it ravaged by fighting.

Americas

Asia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Donald Trump to mediate peace with Russia after major strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid, praising Trump’s Middle East ceasefire plan and calling for similar efforts to end the Ukraine war

Zelensky urges Trump to end Ukraine war like in 'the Middle East'

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed &ldquo;strong reservations&rdquo; over elements of the India-Afghanistan Joint Statement issued on October 10 in New Delhi and the accompanying remarks by the Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mutaqqi, the foreign office said, terming them contrary to international law and regional stability.&nbsp;According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Pakistan conveyed its strong objections to Afghanistan&rsquo;s diplomat in Islamabad, Sardar Ahmad Shekib, through the additional foreign secretary.&nbsp;The ministry said that the reference to Jammu and Kashmir as part of India in the joint statement was &ldquo;a clear violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions&rdquo; and disregarded &ldquo;the legal and internationally recognized disputed status of the territory.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;The statement is highly insensitive to the sacrifices and sentiments of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle for the right to self-determination,&rdquo; MOFA said.&nbsp;Pakistan also strongly rejected the Afghan interim foreign minister&rsquo;s remarks suggesting that &ldquo;terrorism was Pakistan&rsquo;s internal problem.&rdquo; The foreign office termed the statement misleading and contrary to ground realities.&nbsp;It emphasized that Islamabad has repeatedly shared credible evidence with Kabul regarding the presence of Fitna-e-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan, factions identified as Indian-sponsored proxies of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operating from Afghan soil with external support and conducting cross-border attacks inside Pakistan.&nbsp;The development comes amid heightened tensions following a deadly terrorist assault on the Police Training School in Dera Ismail Khan on the night of October 10&ndash;11. The attack, claimed by elements linked to Fitna al-Khawarij, resulted in the martyrdom of six policemen and injuries to several others. Pakistani security agencies have since reiterated their stance that such groups receive facilitation from across the border.&nbsp;&ldquo;It was underscored that deflecting the responsibility of controlling terrorism towards Pakistan cannot absolve the Interim Afghan Government of its obligations to ensure peace and stability in the region,&rdquo; the statement read.&nbsp;MOFA further noted that Pakistan has hosted nearly four million Afghans for over four decades out of goodwill and humanitarian concern. With improving conditions in Afghanistan, Islamabad reiterated its stance that unauthorized Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan should return to their homeland, while emphasizing that Pakistan continues to issue medical and study visas on humanitarian grounds.&nbsp;Reaffirming its commitment to regional peace and cooperation, Pakistan said it remains desirous of a &ldquo;peaceful, stable, regionally connected, and prosperous Afghanistan.&rdquo; However, the statement concluded that Islamabad &ldquo;expects the Interim Afghan Government to take concrete steps to prevent its territory from being used by Fitna-e-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan terrorist elements against Pakistan.&rdquo;

Islamabad says it has shared evidence with Kabul on Indian-sponsored militant groups operating from Afghan soil and reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir’s disputed status, reaffirmed by UN resolutions, cannot be altered by political statements or alliances.

Articles by Mariam Ellahi