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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Uzbekistan discussed strengthening institutional linkages to promote cultural exchange and people-to-people contact through the media during a meeting between Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Uzbekistan&#39;s Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev, APP reported on Monday. &ldquo;Pakistan deeply values its partnership with Uzbekistan and remains committed to turning shared ideas into meaningful outcomes for both nations&rdquo;, Tarar said in a post on X. The minister said that both sides discussed strengthening cooperation in media, film and cultural exchanges, including opportunities for joint productions and digital collaboration. The meeting focused on expanding collaboration between Pakistan and Uzbekistan in film production, including the possibility of joint short films, documentaries and drama series, the report said. The ambassador appreciated Pakistan&rsquo;s role in promoting peace in the region and acknowledged Islamabad&rsquo;s efforts in peace-related initiatives and negotiations, according to APP. Tarar said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Uzbekistan and is keen to further expand cooperation in the media, film and cultural fields. He added that such initiatives would require the involvement of experienced production houses, while large-scale film projects could also be pursued through joint funding arrangements between the two countries. The minister stressed the importance of highlighting the shared historical and cultural heritage of Pakistan and Uzbekistan through collaborative media content. &ldquo;Both sides agreed to enhance coordination between their respective social media teams for the development of joint digital content and a coordinated online promotional strategy,&rdquo; said the APP report. It was also agreed to further expand cooperation between media organizations of the two countries. The minister said study visits of journalists from both sides would help promote mutual understanding and professional exchange. He reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to strengthening cultural and media relations with Uzbekistan through sustained engagement and cooperation.

Culture

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar says both sides discussed strengthening cooperation in media, film and cultural exchanges, including opportunities for joint productions and digital collaboration.


Pakistan leads push for film diplomacy with Uzbekistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched its post-Hajj flight operations to bring home nearly 119,000 pilgrims who performed Hajj in Saudi Arabia this year, with more than 450 flights scheduled from various Saudi cities throughout June. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, the first return flight, PIA flight PK964, is scheduled to depart Jeddah for Sialkot at 10:20 pm on Monday. On the first day of the operation, June 10, a total of 21 flights will transport 5,628 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan. Of these, five flights will arrive in Islamabad while four each are scheduled to land in Lahore and Karachi. The ministry said the month-long operation will continue until June 30, with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Saudi Airlines, Air Sial, and Airblue participating in the repatriation effort. In a separate statement, PIA said it will operate 213 flights to transport around 56,000 pilgrims back to Pakistan. The airline&rsquo;s flights will arrive in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Multan, Sialkot, and Quetta. According to official figures, approximately 197,000 Pakistanis performed Hajj this year. Pakistan&rsquo;s pre-Hajj flight operation began on April 18, facilitating the travel of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan has launched its post-Hajj operations, with over 450 flights scheduled to return nearly 119,000 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia; the month-long repatriation effort will continue until June 30.

Over 115,000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims to return via 450 flights  

ISLAMABAD: More than 18 years after her assassination, Benazir Bhutto&#39;s influence continues to resonate well beyond Pakistan&#39;s borders. In his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV placed Pakistan&#39;s former prime minister alongside some of history&#39;s most revered champions of human dignity and social progress, offering a rare international acknowledgment of her democratic legacy and the sacrifices she made in public life.&nbsp; As the only Muslim figure cited in the passage, Bhutto&#39;s inclusion underscores the enduring global relevance of her advocacy for democracy, pluralism, and resistance to political extremism. Bhutto appears by name in Magnifica Humanitas, the papal document released in May, where Pope Leo XIV highlights individuals whose lives and contributions, according to the Vatican&#39;s official text, &ldquo;contributed to making history more humane.&rdquo; In Paragraph 124 of the 245-paragraph encyclical, she is mentioned alongside globally recognized figures, including Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and Marie Curie, individuals whose achievements transcended national borders and left a lasting mark on humanity. The recognition is particularly notable because Bhutto is the sole representative of the Muslim world in that section of the document.&nbsp; Every other figure cited is associated with the Christian tradition or Western intellectual history.&nbsp; Among the 57 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, no other leader or public figure is mentioned. The encyclical itself is addressed not only to the world&#39;s 1.3 billion Catholics but, as Pope Leo writes, to &ldquo;all people of goodwill,&rdquo; giving the document significance well beyond the Catholic Church. Pakistan&#39;s first female prime ministerBhutto&#39;s place in the text reflects a legacy that continues to command international attention decades after she first entered office. In 1988, she became Pakistan&#39;s first female prime minister and the first woman elected to lead a Muslim-majority nation, breaking political barriers across the Islamic world and emerging as one of the most prominent democratic leaders of her generation. She served as prime minister twice, from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996.&nbsp; After years in exile, she returned to Pakistan in 2007 to contest elections and revive the democratic process, but was assassinated in Rawalpindi on December 27 that year while campaigning for a third term. Significantly, the Vatican does not invoke Bhutto&#39;s religious identity. Instead, the encyclical recognizes her public service and commitment to democratic principles.&nbsp; According to The Pillar&#39;s reader&#39;s guide to the document, she is included among figures who &ldquo;changed history by their defense of human dignity.&rdquo; The company she keeps in the text underscores the weight of that recognition.&nbsp; The list includes canonized Catholic saints, Nobel Prize winners, pioneering educators, environmental advocates and civil rights leaders whose contributions reshaped societies across continents.&nbsp; Bhutto is the only Muslim and the only political leader from Asia named in that section. Within that broader moral appeal, Bhutto&#39;s inclusion serves as a powerful reminder of the values the Pope seeks to elevate: courage in public service, commitment to democratic ideals and the defense of human dignity in the face of violence and extremism. For Pakistan, the acknowledgment amounts to a rare tribute from one of the world&#39;s most influential religious institutions.&nbsp; Bhutto&#39;s legacy places her among a select group of historical figures whose lives continue to be seen as examples of humanity&#39;s capacity to advance justice, freedom and human progress. AI and implications for humanityThe encyclical, subtitled &quot;On the Safeguarding of the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence,&quot; was signed on May 15 and formally presented by Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican&#39;s Synod Hall.&nbsp; It represents the Catholic Church&#39;s first comprehensive doctrinal statement on artificial intelligence and its implications for humanity. Its central argument is that technological progress must remain anchored in ethical responsibility.&nbsp; The document calls for artificial intelligence to be regulated, made transparent and prevented from exercising autonomous lethal decision-making, insisting that human dignity must remain at the center of emerging technologies.

In his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV named Benazir Bhutto among global figures who 'contributed to making history more humane,' making Pakistan's former prime minister the only Muslim leader recognized in the landmark Vatican document.

Benazir Bhutto's legacy earns rare recognition in papal encyclical

Muhammad Usman Amin

PESHAWAR: Inside a small workshop near Peshawar&rsquo;s Kohati Gate, surrounded by sawdust and the sweet smell of wood in the air, Niaz Ali&rsquo;s hands move with precision over a block of sheesham wood.&nbsp;For forty-two years, he has shaped wood, straw, and palm leaves into wonders, crafting small tongas, trucks, bowls, and rubabs. &ldquo;I was only eight years old when I developed a passion for crafting things,&rdquo; he says. A child&rsquo;s pure desire to create. While other children played, Niaz would search local junk dealers for old radio cells, breaking them open just to get the small internal parts to use as tires for his cardboard trucks. Niaz comes from a long line of craftsmen. His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were traditional carpenters who made the legs of local beds called charpais, as well as tables and chairs. When Niaz was a young boy, his grandfather asked him to join the stable family trade. But Niaz, driven by an artistic spark, resisted. He wanted more. &ldquo;I told him that I wanted to create things that would amaze people,&rdquo; he shares. There are visible emotions in the way Niaz speaks about his work. To him, these objects are not mere products. &ldquo;Every item I make comes from these fingers,&rdquo; he says, holding up his hands, a note of pride in his voice.&nbsp;Work of patienceHe loves every single piece that leaves his workbench because each one requires a piece of his patience, love, and soul. Friends who watch him work often marvel at his patience because of the focus it takes to carve and assemble dozens of small pieces into one beautiful object.&nbsp; Instead of seeing tedious work, Niaz finds a sense of calm.&nbsp;A few streets from his workshop is his display area.&nbsp; The walls and shelves are covered with wooden carvings, toys, decorations, straw bookshelves, and palm-leaf implements for daily use, while the floor is barely visible under the jumble of furniture, footstools, ottomans, and tables.&nbsp; Every single piece was handcrafted by him.&nbsp;He recalls a customer asking for a replica of a specific commercial truck, a piece he had never attempted before.&nbsp; Niaz delivered a piece so beautiful that the customer insisted on paying an extra 4,000 rupees out of appreciation.&nbsp;For Niaz, that gesture was proof that his emotional investment had successfully translated through the wood.&nbsp;Keeping heritage alive&ldquo;In a world saturated with cheap, mass-produced plastic knockoffs, I have a responsibility to keep this heritage alive,&rdquo; he says. He has watched people grow tired of artificial materials and slowly return to tradition and culture, seeking out his large, beautifully carved wooden platters and straw-made almirahs, or buying hand-decorated palm-leaf fans meant for new brides. Knowing that his craft will outlast his own lifetime brings him peace.&nbsp;He has already passed these skills down to his sons, ensuring the line does not break.&nbsp; For Niaz, every piece of shaped wood is a bridge connecting the hard work and talent of the artisans of old to the generation of tomorrow.

For Niaz, every piece of shaped wood is a bridge connecting the hard work and talent of the artisans of old to the generation of tomorrow.


In a plastic world, one Pakistani artisan keeps handmade traditions alive

CHARSADDA: Despite summer heat, tens of thousands of visitors are flocking to the annual Eid fair at Sardaryab in northwestern Pakistan, where a decades-old riverside tradition comes alive with food, rides, and festivities. The three-day Eid fair at Sardaryab is in full swing on the banks of the Kabul River.&nbsp;It is one of the largest and most vibrant fairs of its kind in Pakistan&rsquo;s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Sardaryab, normally a quiet yet scenic recreational spot in the Charsadda District, becomes the focal point of the region&rsquo;s holiday celebrations.&nbsp;For three days during Eid, the riverbank transforms into a massive fair that continues a tradition spanning decades.&nbsp;Dock for local fishermenGeographically, Sardaryab holds unique significance.&nbsp;It sits at the point where the Kabul River merges with the Swat River.&nbsp; This confluence creates a vast waterfront that naturally offers a refreshing contrast to the sweltering heat of the surrounding urban and agricultural areas. Historically, the location was far quieter than it is today.&nbsp;Famous for its fresh fish, it once served as a dock for local fishermen who harvested their catch from the merging waters.&nbsp;&nbsp;Popular weekend destinationEventually, small makeshift huts began appearing along the river&rsquo;s edge, serving freshly caught fish either deep-fried or grilled over coals.&nbsp; Over time, its reputation grew as entrepreneurs began opening proper riverside fish restaurants, turning it into a popular weekend destination for people across the province.&nbsp; Today, that commercial evolution has expanded into a full-scale holiday extravaganza.&nbsp;During Eid, the influx of people is overwhelming.&nbsp; Visitors travel from neighboring regions, including Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, and the tribal districts.&nbsp;Wazir Khan, a visitor traveling with friends, noted that the fair attracts people from far and wide.&nbsp; &ldquo;The three-day Eid fair has started. People come from far away to visit this place. I came from Mohmand District myself,&rdquo; he told Pakistan TV Digital. Because of this massive regional draw, the infrastructure is pushed to its limits. Normally, Charsadda Road is adequate for regular traffic, but during the three days of Eid, congestion becomes severe.&nbsp; Lines of motorcycles and cars stretch for miles as families patiently make their way toward the waterfront.&nbsp;Loud, colorful, and fast-paced The atmosphere at the fair is loud, colorful, and fast-paced.&nbsp;To beat the summer heat, vendors set up stalls every few yards, selling cold drinks from large cauldrons filled with huge chunks of ice.&nbsp; Local street foods such as chapli kebab, tikka, and, of course, fried fish are available at nearly every corner.&nbsp;Many makeshift stalls also spring up around the fair, selling toys, sunglasses, stickers, souvenirs, temporary tattoos, and other assorted goods.&nbsp; Stallholders like Sadiq Khan, who has been visiting the fair for the past 50 years, temporarily set up shops selling watches, keychains, and other knickknacks, relying on the holiday rush for their livelihood.&nbsp; &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been coming here since I was 20 years old. Now I&rsquo;m 72,&rdquo; he said, showcasing how integral the fair is to the local economy.&nbsp;Boat and amusement ridesFor entertainment, crowds gravitate toward hundreds of traditional wooden boat rides that crisscross the wide river confluence in a myriad of pastel colors.&nbsp; On land, amusement rides &mdash; including three massive, creaking Ferris wheels &mdash; tower over the crowds, creating a classic fair atmosphere.&nbsp; Families also flock to the numerous pirate ship rides and merry-go-rounds.&nbsp;Thousands of daily visitorsThe scale of the modern festival is immense.&nbsp;According to Police Sub-Inspector Bilal Khan, the single-day turnout can easily reach between 30,000 and 40,000 people.&nbsp; Managing a crowd of this magnitude requires a highly coordinated, multi-agency security operation. &ldquo;We have the local police department, additional personnel from other regions, Civil Defense, Rescue 1122 personnel, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and Special Branch officers to maintain law and order and manage the heavy flow of people,&rdquo; said Khan, adding that interagency cooperation is essential for an event of this scale. Despite the challenges, the festival remains peaceful, lively, and cooperative.&nbsp;It has become an important part of the local identity.&nbsp; For elders in the community, the fair serves as a reminder of simpler times that has successfully endured into the modern era, while for younger people, it is an excuse to let loose and have fun.&nbsp; Despite the high temperatures this year, the mood remains festive and joyous as crowds continue to flock to Sardaryab.

The three-day Eid fair at Sardaryab is in full swing on the banks of the Kabul River; it is one of the largest and most vibrant fairs of its kind in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Sardaryab Eid fair draws thousands despite summer heat in Pakistan

Simran Siraj

KARACHI: Under the blazing afternoon sun at Karachi&rsquo;s sprawling Northern Bypass cattle market, camel groomer Syed Ali Hassan carefully moves a pair of scissors across the thick coat of a towering camel, carving intricate geometric patterns into its fur with practiced precision. Around him, crowds gather to watch as circles, waves and traditional Sindhi-inspired motifs slowly emerge on the animal&rsquo;s body ahead of Eid al-Adha, the Muslim festival of sacrifice. The centuries-old craft, locally known as &ldquo;Oont Ki Katai,&rdquo; literally &ldquo;camel clipping,&rdquo; transforms sacrificial camels into living works of art before they are sold in Pakistan&rsquo;s bustling Eid cattle markets. &ldquo;There is no template,&rdquo; Hassan told Pakistan TV Digital while trimming another design into a camel&rsquo;s coat. &ldquo;I picture the pattern in my mind first. Then I make it with scissors.&rdquo; In Pakistan, Eid al-Adha triggers one of the country&rsquo;s largest seasonal economic activities, with millions of goats, cows, buffaloes, sheep and camels traded in temporary livestock markets across urban centers. The festival commemorates Prophet Ibrahim&rsquo;s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah, before God replaced the sacrifice with a ram. Muslims traditionally slaughter animals during the three-day festival and distribute meat among relatives, friends and the poor. While goats and cows dominate Pakistan&rsquo;s sacrificial markets, camels hold a special cultural place in parts of Sindh and Balochistan, where breeders often decorate and groom them before sale. At Karachi&rsquo;s market, regarded as one of Asia&rsquo;s largest seasonal cattle bazaars, elaborately groomed camels attract attention from buyers willing to pay extra for animals adorned with hand-cut artwork. Hassan, who comes from Sindh&rsquo;s Daulatpur area, said he learned the craft through observation and childhood fascination rather than formal training. &ldquo;When people see it, they ask if I use a computer or copy designs,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But I make everything myself.&rdquo; His father, also involved in camel grooming, gave him early guidance on forming patterns, but Hassan says years of practice helped him perfect the art. The work requires patience and near-perfect symmetry. A single mistake can ruin an entire design. Despite the growing popularity of social media videos featuring elaborately groomed camels, Hassan said many customers still underestimate the labor involved. &ldquo;People ask why I charge so much,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;They don&rsquo;t understand how difficult it is to create these designs using only scissors.&rdquo; As Eid al-Adha celebrations begin across Pakistan, artisans like Hassan continue preserving a fading folk tradition that blends livestock culture, craftsmanship and religious festivity into one of the country&rsquo;s most visually distinctive Eid customs.

A camel groomer creates intricate hand-cut patterns on sacrificial camels at Karachi’s Northern Bypass cattle market ahead of Eid al-Adha, preserving the traditional Sindhi art of Oont Ki Katai through skilled scissor work.

Ancient camel grooming tradition draws crowds at Karachi cattle market

ISLAMABAD: Millions of Muslims across Pakistan on Wednesday celebrated Eid al-Adha with special prayers, animal sacrifices and gatherings with family and friends, while worshippers also prayed for peace in the Middle East and the success of diplomatic efforts aimed at easing regional tensions following the conflict involving the United States-Israel and Iran. The three-day religious festival, observed from the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, comes at the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, where more than 1.5 million Muslims, including around 179,000 Pakistanis, are performing the sacred rites of Islam. Mosques and open prayer grounds across Pakistani cities filled early in the morning as worshippers offered Eid prayers and listened to sermons emphasizing sacrifice, compassion, unity, and care for the underprivileged. Eid al-Adha, also known as the &ldquo;Festival of Sacrifice,&rdquo; commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah before God replaced the sacrifice with a ram. The occasion is marked by the ritual sacrifice of animals, with meat traditionally distributed among family members, relatives and the poor. In his Eid message, President Asif Ali Zardari said the festival reminded Muslims of &ldquo;obedience to Allah, patience, loyalty, sincerity and sacrifice.&rdquo; &ldquo;The joy of Eid is complete only when the underprivileged, the deserving, orphans, widows, the sick and those quietly enduring hardship are also included in these celebrations,&rdquo; he said. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also urged Pakistanis to remember vulnerable communities and reaffirm commitments to unity and service to humanity. &ldquo;We also stand in unwavering solidarity with our oppressed brothers and sisters in Palestine and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,&rdquo; the prime minister said in his message. Meanwhile, the military leadership, including Field Marshal Asim Munir, Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, said Eid al-Adha symbolized &ldquo;sacrifice, faith and solidarity.&rdquo; &ldquo;The Pakistan Armed Forces remain steadfast in their sacred duty to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and stand shoulder to shoulder with the nation in pursuit of peace and stability,&rdquo; the military said in a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations. Special prayers were also offered for lasting peace in the Middle East, stability in the Muslim world and the success of ongoing Pakistan-backed diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the Gulf region after months of uncertainty linked to the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Across Pakistan, authorities deployed additional sanitation workers, security personnel and municipal teams to manage crowds, animal markets and waste disposal during the Eid holidays, one of the busiest annual periods in the country. The festival is also expected to generate significant economic activity for livestock farmers, traders, transporters and small businesses linked to seasonal Eid markets.

Mosques and open prayer grounds across Pakistani cities fill early in the morning as worshippers offer Eid prayers and listen to sermons emphasizing sacrifice, compassion, unity, and care for the underprivileged.



Pakistan marks Eid al-Adha with prayers for peace, regional stability

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Television Corporation Ltd. (PTV) has won a major international honor at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting+ Awards 2026, earning recognition in the &ldquo;Virtual Production &ndash; Pakistan&rdquo; category for its innovative project &ldquo;Tasveer Kahani.&rdquo; The award was presented during a ceremony held at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore earlier this week, celebrating excellence and innovation in the broadcasting and media industry across the Asia-Pacific region.&nbsp; The annual awards program recognizes broadcasters, production houses and technology leaders that are redefining storytelling and media production through digital transformation, artificial intelligence and immersive audience experiences. PTV&rsquo;s winning project, Tasveer Kahani, is a unique series of fiction films inspired by real archival photographs from the 1947 Partition of the Indian subcontinent.&nbsp;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 897px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2057884138384797832&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=956eb7e6beec401652495e516e81d4aed85e6f91&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2057884138384797832"></iframe></div></div>The production combines historical storytelling with advanced virtual production techniques and artificial intelligence-driven visual enhancement to recreate pivotal moments from one of the region&rsquo;s most defining historical events. This year&rsquo;s awards highlighted the rapid evolution of broadcasting from traditional television formats into more intelligent, interactive and digitally integrated media ecosystems.&nbsp; Organizers said the winning entries demonstrated innovation, impact and technological dynamism in an increasingly competitive and fragmented media landscape. The awards were evaluated by an international panel of industry experts, including senior executives from Kearney, KPMG Singapore, PwC China and Roland Berger. Judges assessed submissions on the basis of innovation, creativity, technical excellence and industry impact. PTV&rsquo;s recognition marks a significant achievement for Pakistan&rsquo;s state broadcaster at a time when media organizations worldwide are investing heavily in next-generation production technologies and digital-first content strategies.

Tasveer Kahani is a fiction film series based on real archival Partition photographs, blending historical storytelling with virtual production and artificial intelligence-driven visual recreation techniques.

PTV wins prestigious Asia-Pacific Broadcasting+ Award for virtual production innovation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s President Asif Ali Zardari met the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim community on Wednesday, appreciating Aga Khan Development Network&rsquo;s (AKDN) contribution in healthcare, education, community development, climate resilience, and heritage conservation. Prince Rahim Agha Khan V, who is on his first visit to Pakistan, thanked the president for a warm welcome, reaffirming AKDN&rsquo;s continued commitment to supporting development and humanitarian initiatives in the country. The president, accompanied by First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan People&rsquo;s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with AKDN for the welfare and development of vulnerable communities. The president also recalled the association of the late Prince Karim Aga Khan IV with Pakistan and appreciated the historic contributions of the family. Upon his arrival at the President&#39;s House, the prince was presented with a tri-services guard of honor, comprising contingents of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, and Pakistan Air Force. A banquet was hosted in honor of the prince&rsquo;s arrival, which was attended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and several other dignitaries.

Prince Rahim Aga Khan V thanks president for a warm welcome, reaffirms continued commitment to supporting development and humanitarian initiatives in the country.

President Zardari appreciates AKDN’s contribution in meet with Aga Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan declared a three-day public holiday from May 26 to 28 to observe Eid-ul-Adha, according to a government notification. Eid-ul-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, marks the conclusion of the annual <a href="https://pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-hajj-operation-accelerates-as-thousands-of-pilgrims-arrive-in-saudi-arabia" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hajj pilgrimage</a> to the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The festival takes place on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month in the Islamic lunar calendar. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim&#39;s (Abraham) submission to God. On the festival&#39;s opening day, Muslims gather for special congregational prayers. Families engage in &quot;qurbani,&quot; the ritual slaughter of permissible (halal) livestock, including goats, sheep, cattle, and camels. The sacrificial meat is divided equally among the household, extended family and friends, and the poor. Throughout the celebration, adherents dress in new clothes, visit relatives, and greet one another with &quot;Eid Mubarak.&quot;

Pakistan's government declares a three-day public holiday for Eid-ul-Adha, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signing off on the decision

Pakistan announces three-day public holiday for Eid-ul-Adha

BUENOS AIRES: Temperatures in the Antarctic Peninsula have reached a record-breaking high of 15.4C for June, and ice is melting at abnormal rates during the current winter, climate scientists told AFP on Thursday. Esperanza Base, an Argentine research station located in the north of the peninsula, recorded the unprecedented figure on June 6. The previous highest temperature on record for that month -- 13.3C -- dates back to 1998. The current heat also significantly exceeds Esperanza&#39;s June average of -6.2C. Such a figure is &quot;very unusual for this time of year,&quot; Jose Luis Stella, a climatologist at Argentina&#39;s National Meteorological Service, told AFP. Argentine bases Marambio and San Martin also recorded unequalled temperatures between June 5 and 6. Marambio recorded 11.8C, surpassing a previous high of 9.2C and its June average of -10.7C. San Martin meanwhile saw 9.4C compared to its previous 7.8C record and June average of -5.6C. &#39;Confirms a trend&#39;The northern Antarctic heatwave is not an isolated event, University of Groningen professor Raul Cordero told AFP. &quot;It confirms a trend,&quot; he said, warning that &quot;these kinds of events will continue to occur with increasing frequency&quot; if global warming is not derailed. Thomas Caton Harrison, a polar climate scientist at the British Antarctic Survey, believes a combination of factors including climate change resulted in the current heat. &quot;There is credible evidence that climate change is playing a role, but the effect is complex in this region,&quot; he said. &quot;Because Antarctica sees such big swings in temperature, we have to collect lots of data over many years to build a picture of the underlying climate.&quot; Both specialists agree that regional temperatures have been rising for years and are already showing visible effects. &quot;A surprising amount of precipitation has been falling as rain rather than snow,&quot; Caton Harrison said. &quot;This has implications for polar ecosystems such as penguin colonies,&quot; he said, adding that &quot;it poses a challenge to my colleagues working on Antarctic bases because a lot of liquid rain has been falling and creating runoff and ice.&quot; Esperanza Base has been recording above-zero temperatures daily for three consecutive weeks. This trend has caused &quot;large areas in the far north of the white continent to remain free of snow,&quot; according to Cordero, who called it &quot;an unusual scene in the Antarctic landscape during winter.&quot;

Climate

Temperatures in the Antarctic Peninsula reach a record-breaking high of 15.4C for June, as ice melts at abnormal rates during the current winter.

Antarctic Peninsula sees record high June temperatures

MEXICO CITY: Mexico ignited their World Cup party with a dominant 2-0 victory over nine-man South Africa on Thursday as the biggest ever edition of the global footballing showpiece kicked off at the iconic Estadio Azteca. Julian Quinones scored the opening goal of the tournament and veteran striker Raul Jimenez added a second as the co-hosts&#39; bid for qualification from Group A got off to smooth start. South Africa meanwhile never looked like spoiling the opening day fiesta, and finished with only nine men after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off. The Mexican-colored red, green and white smoke from pre-game fireworks had barely dissipated before Quinones fired the hosts into the lead on nine minutes, drilling a low shot through the legs of South Africa&rsquo;s goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams. A deafening roar cascaded down from the stands of the Azteca, the footballing cathedral that became the only stadium to host games at three different World Cups. South Africa coach Hugo Broos had warned his players to be ready for the intimidating atmosphere created by a capacity 80,824 crowd at the imposing concrete arena. But South Africa&rsquo;s players looked to have a bad case of stage fright as Mexico&#39;s fans &nbsp;greeted each completed pass with a raucous chorus of &quot;Ole!&quot; in the opening minutes Sithole seemed particularly affected, being caught in possession trying to play out of the back for Quinones&#39; opening goal. Sithole&#39;s miserable afternoon ended with a 49th minute dismissal after bundling over Mexico&rsquo;s Brian Gutierrez when clean through on goal. Mexico rammed home their advantage in the 67th minute, with a fine counter attack culminating in Roberto Alvarado crossing for Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Jimenez to nod home at the far post. It got worse for South Africa in the 84th minute when Zwane was dismissed after a VAR review for flinging an arm into the face of Alvarado. There was still time for late drama when Mexican defender Cesar Montes was shown a red card for a clumsy challenge on Khulisa Mudau on the edge of the penalty area.

Football

Mexico launches World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa at a packed Estadio Azteca, while the visitors finish with nine men after two red cards.

Mexico beat South Africa to kick off World Cup

NEW YORK: Taylor Swift on Thursday became the youngest woman ever inducted into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame, another milestone in the 36-year-old US pop star&#39;s record-breaking career. The female record was previously held by Carole Bayer Sager, who was 43 when she joined in 1987. Stevie Wonder remains the youngest person ever admitted, at age 32 in 1983. Artists become eligible for the Hall of Fame 20 years after the release of their first commercial track. For Swift, that was &quot;Tim McGraw,&quot; released in June 2006. Her success since is undeniable: the American artist has recorded 12 albums spanning country, pop, and folk, earning her 14 Grammy Awards in the United States, including four Album of the Year trophies -- a record. &quot;Swift&#39;s ability to shapeshift as a songwriter, to inhabit different sonic landscapes and write as credibly in the world of one genre as she does another is part of her superpower as a songwriter,&quot; reads her bio on the Hall of Fame website. &quot;It also represents the boldness and bravery of her artistry: to explore new frontiers when the most practical next step would be to keep mining the material that has gotten you the success in the first place.&quot; Swift appeared on the red carpet in New York on Thursday wearing a strapless black dress with floral motifs ahead of the naming ceremony. &#39;Great honor&#39;Also inducted on Thursday were Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS, the band behind hits such as &quot;Rock and Roll All Nite&quot; and &quot;Detroit Rock City.&quot; &quot;It doesn&#39;t suck,&quot; Stanley told AFP when asked how it felt to join the prestigious songwriting ranks. &quot;It&#39;s really hard to digest the idea. I certainly don&#39;t consider myself in that rarified air of some of the writers, but if you wanna be in that club, I&#39;m there.&quot; Kenny Loggins, the hitmaker behind movie soundtrack classics like &quot;Footloose&quot; and &quot;Danger Zone&quot; from &quot;Top Gun,&quot; was inducted into the Hall of Fame as well. &quot;It&#39;s a great honor and I appreciate it,&quot; Loggins told AFP. &quot;It&#39;s the culmination of a lifetime writing, and that&#39;s exciting for me.&quot; Canadian singer Alanis Morissette, inescapable in the 1990s, and American record producer Walter Afanasieff were also among the total of nine songwriters joining the Hall of Fame this year. Estimates put Taylor Swift&#39;s worldwide sales at over 250 million album-equivalents. Her most recent tour in 2023 and 2024, titled &quot;The Eras Tour,&quot; brought in a record sum of around two billion dollars. She is also the female artist with the most songs ever to reach the top 10 list compiled by Billboard, the leading US music magazine. Swift is omnipresent in the media. After unveiling a country track for the soundtrack of the film &quot;Toy Story 5,&quot; she was at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday for a game of the NBA Finals.

Entertainment

Taylor Swift becomes the youngest woman ever to be inducted into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame, another milestone in the 36-year-old US pop star's record-breaking career.

Taylor Swift becomes youngest woman in Songwriters Hall of Fame

This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.<hr>Catch up: Yesterday&rsquo;s top developments<ul style="list-style-type: square;"><li style="font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Iran has not made a final decision on the deal: FM spokesperson</li><li style="font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&lsquo;We&#39;ll probably have a signing in Europe,&rsquo; says Trump on Iran war</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Islamabad backs diplomacy, dialogue</li><li style="font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Three Indian sailors killed aboard ship hit by US off Oman</li><li style="font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Kremlin calls on US, Iran to &#39;return to negotiating table&#39;</li></ul><hr> Egypt urges US, Iran to seize &#39;available opportunity&#39; for deal after Trump cancels strikesPublished: June 12, 2026 | 03:49 GMT | by AFP Egypt urged the United States and Iran to seize what it called an &quot;available opportunity&quot; for a deal to end the war, after President Donald Trump withdrew his threat to carry out further strikes on Tehran. Cairo&#39;s foreign ministry said in a statement late Thursday it hoped &quot;the available opportunity will be seized to reach a deal on the various outstanding issues and to prepare the atmosphere for reaching an end to the war and beginning a new phase of regional stability&quot;. <hr> Trump says &lsquo;we ended the war with Iran today&rsquo;Published: June 12, 2026 | 02:45 GMT | by Web Desk US President Donald Trump, during a tele-rally in support of Senate candidate Barry Moore, claimed that the war is now over, according to local media outlets. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know if you heard, but we ended the war with Iran today, and they have agreed never to have a nuclear weapon, something that we, we insisted on,&rdquo; Trump said in the audio clip. <hr style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; overflow: visible; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Japan, S. Korea markets jump after Trump cancels Iran strikesPublished: June 12, 2026 | 01:59 GMT | by AFP Japan&#39;s Nikkei share index soared more than three percent Friday after US President Donald Trump withdrew his threat of further strikes against Iran and said a deal to end the war could be signed in coming days. At around 0015 GMT the Nikkei 225 was up 3.5 percent, while South Korea&#39;s benchmark Kospi index jumped 7.59 percent. <hr style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; overflow: visible; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Iran&rsquo;s FM spokesman condemns US attacks on Indian vesselsPublished: June 11, 2026 | 23:40 GMT | by Web Desk Iran&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry Spokesman&nbsp;Esmaeil Baqaei&nbsp;condemned the US attacks on Indian commercial vessels, which killed at least three Indian nationals. In a post on X, he said that these attacks &quot;stand as clear evidence of America&rsquo;s ongoing policy of armed robbery and State piracy.&quot; <hr style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; overflow: visible; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Iran has not made a final decision on the deal: FM spokespersonPublished: June 11, 2026 | 21:55 GMT | by Web Desk Iran&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran has not made a final decision about a deal, according to Iran&rsquo;s official news agency&nbsp;IRNA. &quot;Once the relevant authorities reach a conclusion on the details of the draft text of an agreement, Iran&rsquo;s government will make a formal announcement,&quot; he said. <hr style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; overflow: visible; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page;"> &lsquo;We&#39;ll probably have a signing in Europe,&rsquo; says Trump on Iran warPublished: June 11, 2026 | 20:05 GMT | by Web Desk US President Donald Trump on Thursday said a deal to end the Middle East war was nearing completion, describing it as a &ldquo;great settlement&rdquo; and indicating that a formal signing could take place in Europe within days once the remaining documents are finalized. &ldquo;We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran,&rdquo; Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.&nbsp; &ldquo;Subject to finalization of documents, which should get done over the next few days, we&#39;ll probably have a signing, maybe in Europe.&rdquo;&nbsp; He added that the agreement would ensure &ldquo;Iran will never have a nuclear weapon,&rdquo; calling it the central objective of months of negotiations and conflict. Trump also said he believed Iran&#39;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei had approved the proposed arrangement.&nbsp; Asked whether Khamenei had personally given the green light, Trump replied: &ldquo;I understand the answer is yes.&rdquo; He described the agreement as &ldquo;a very strong memorandum of understanding.&rdquo; The US president said he had spoken with leaders from across the region, including Israel, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait, as diplomatic efforts intensified ahead of a possible signing ceremony.&nbsp; Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen once the agreement is finalized and argued that the deal had already boosted market confidence, pointing to rising stock markets and falling oil prices. Trump also singled out Pakistan for its role in the diplomatic process, praising both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir.&nbsp; &ldquo;Pakistan was fantastic,&rdquo; he said. Referring to Munir, Trump added: &ldquo;He&#39;s a great, great general. He&#39;s so great that he&#39;s actually a field marshal.&rdquo;&nbsp; Pakistan has played a central mediation role in recent months, hosting talks and maintaining engagement with Washington, Tehran and regional partners in support of a negotiated settlement. <hr style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; overflow: visible; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Read our June 11 live blog for earlier developments&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/middle-east-june-11-2026" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>

Middle East

Americas

Says a 'great settlement' with Iran has been reached and approved by Iran's Supreme Leader; Trump praises Pakistan for a 'fantastic role' in mediation, calling Field Marshal Asim Munir a 'great general'; Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson denies that any final decision on a deal with the US has been made.

Trump says Iran deal nearing signing, praises Pakistan's role

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday rejected any attempt to draw a &ldquo;false equivalence&rdquo; between the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and matters relating to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), while also raising concerns over India&rsquo;s expanding strategic capabilities. Speaking at the weekly media briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan was addressing issues in Azad Jammu and Kashmir within a &ldquo;democratic and constitutional framework&rdquo; and rejected recent remarks by the Indian leadership and its foreign affairs office. &ldquo;Any attempt to conflate the two is misleading and does not withstand objective scrutiny,&rdquo; Andrabi said. Responding to questions regarding Indian statements on AJK, the spokesperson said Pakistan rejected India&#39;s remarks &ldquo;in their entirety.&rdquo; &ldquo;It&rsquo;s untenable for a state like India, which has consistently denied the people of Jammu and Kashmir their right to self-determination, to claim concerns over the rights of Kashmiris,&rdquo; he said. The remarks come amid continued tensions between Pakistan and India over the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region, a longstanding issue between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.&nbsp; Pakistan maintains that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir should be determined in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The spokesperson said India&rsquo;s statements appeared aimed at diverting attention from the &ldquo;unresolved status of Jammu and Kashmir&rdquo; and what he described as its &ldquo;abysmal record&rdquo; in IIOJK. &ldquo;We also reject any insinuation of a false equivalence between the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and matters relating to Azad Jammu and Kashmir,&rdquo; Andrabi said. &ldquo;Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir is an illegally annexed, internationally recognized disputed territory whose people have suffered systemic abuses under draconian laws and have been denied their rights, including the right to self-determination, as affirmed by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and as promised by the Indian founding fathers to the Kashmiri people,&rdquo; he added. Concerns over India&#39;s strategic capabilitiesThe Foreign Office also commented on a recent Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report suggesting India may have altered aspects of its traditional nuclear posture by reportedly deploying nuclear warheads during peacetime alongside developments in missile systems. Andrabi said Pakistan did not wish to endorse SIPRI&rsquo;s methodology but noted that the findings were &ldquo;not surprising.&rdquo; &ldquo;We do not wish to endorse or lend credence to SIPRI&rsquo;s methodology. Its findings, nevertheless, are &lsquo;not surprising,&rsquo;&rdquo; he said, adding that Pakistan had consistently raised concerns regarding India&rsquo;s continued &ldquo;vertical proliferation.&rdquo; The spokesperson said open-source assessments might not fully reflect the actual scale of India&rsquo;s nuclear arsenal. &ldquo;We also believe that open-source estimates, such as SIPRI&rsquo;s, may not fully reflect the actual scale of India&rsquo;s nuclear arsenal, which may actually be higher than the existing estimates,&rdquo; he said. According to Andrabi, Pakistan remained &ldquo;cognizant of developments in India&rsquo;s strategic capabilities,&rdquo; including the canisterization of missile systems, the expansion of sea-based nuclear-capable submarines and the pursuit of longer-range missile systems extending beyond India&rsquo;s immediate region. &ldquo;These developments enhance operational readiness, complicate crisis stability, and carry implications that extend beyond South Asia, with grave consequences for international peace and security,&rdquo; he said. Reiterating Pakistan&rsquo;s position, Andrabi said the country did not seek an arms race. &ldquo;Pakistan does not seek an arms race and matching warheads or arms and ammunition by number. However, we remain mindful of the evolving security environment. We will continue to take measures essential for preserving strategic stability and deterring India&rsquo;s aggression,&rdquo; he said. The spokesperson urged the international community to closely monitor developments related to India&rsquo;s strategic capabilities and their potential impact on regional and global security. He also called on countries supplying advanced technologies to India to consider the wider implications of emerging capabilities being incorporated into India&rsquo;s strategic posture. &ldquo;These developments threaten consequences far beyond South Asia into the wider world,&rdquo; Andrabi said.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan also voices concern over India's evolving strategic capabilities, saying recent assessments reinforce longstanding fears about regional stability and urging the international community to closely monitor developments with wider security implications.

‘False equivalence’: Pakistan rejects Indian remarks on Kashmir

PARIS: A leather bag made from Tyrannosaurus rex cells failed to sell on Thursday, the Paris auction house Drouot said, commenting that bids were well below expected. Auctioneers Giquello had touted the &quot;one-of-a-kind&quot; piece to sell for more than $500,000 but bids barely broke the $150,000 mark, said the Drouot house where the sale took place. Unveiled in the spring in Amsterdam, the bag was created from traces of collagen from the femur of a T‑Rex found in the US state of Montana 25 years ago. &quot;In recent years, we&#39;ve developed techniques -- biotechnologies that allow us to instruct a cell culture to produce, so to speak, genuine T‑Rex skin in the laboratory,&quot; Iacopo Briano, a palaeontology expert associated with the sale, recently told AFP. He noted the material differs from vegan leather, which is mostly made from plastic. &quot;In this case, it&#39;s derived from a cell culture, so it&#39;s 100 percent skin. And at the same time, it comes from an animal that went extinct 67 million years ago!&quot; he said. With no precedent to go on, Alexandre Giquello, whose auction house is organising the sale, explained they had to &quot;come up with a price&quot; that would reflect both the amount of investment required to create the bag and its rarity. Giquello estimated the value at between 300,000 and 500,000 euros ($346,000 to $576,000).

Wildlife

A handbag created from lab-grown material derived from Tyrannosaurus rex collagen fails to sell at auction, attracting bids far below expectations despite its rarity and estimated value of up to $576,000.

First leather bag made from T-Rex cells fails to sell at Paris auction

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday held funeral prayers for military personnel martyred in an army helicopter crash near Muzaffarabad, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior civilian and military leaders attending the ceremony, according to the military&#39;s media wing. The funeral prayer was offered at Chaklala Garrison in Rawalpindi for the martyrs of the Mi-17 helicopter crash, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. PM Sharif, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, senior civil and military officials, relatives of the martyrs, and members of the public attended the service. The crash occurred Wednesday near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, during takeoff.&nbsp; The military said the helicopter went down because of a technical fault, and all personnel on board were martyred. A board of inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the accident. Earlier in the day, a separate funeral service for two Christian soldiers martyred in the crash was held at Christ Church in Rawalpindi and attended by political and military leaders. The ceremonies highlighted the participation of Pakistan&#39;s diverse communities in national service and remembrance. Addressing the gathering, PM Sharif said the martyrs&#39; &quot;devotion to duty, professionalism, and commitment to safeguarding the motherland will remain a source of inspiration for future generations.&quot; He said the sacrifices made by Pakistan&#39;s armed forces for &quot;peace, security, and national sovereignty can never be forgotten,&quot; and reaffirmed the nation&#39;s support for the families of the martyrs. The ISPR said the martyrs would be laid to rest in their respective hometowns with full military honors. Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Sharif expressed grief over the crash and offered condolences to the families of the martyrs. &quot;The entire nation pays tribute to the great sacrifice of the martyrs and shares the grief of the families,&quot; Zardari said in a statement. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed condolences, extending sympathies to the families of the personnel martyred in the accident. The military leadership, including Field Marshal Munir and all ranks of the Pakistan Army, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.

Security

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, senior military commanders and government officials attended funeral prayers in Rawalpindi for army aviation personnel lost in the Mi-17 accident, while separate services were held for two Christian soldiers before burial with full military honors.

Pakistan honors helicopter crash martyrs at Rawalpindi funeral service

NEW YORK: Elon Musk&#39;s SpaceX on Thursday confirmed it will begin trading on the Nasdaq exchange Friday in the biggest initial public offering in history, a blockbuster market debut that could propel the entrepreneur to trillionaire status. In a filing with the US markets regulator, the company priced more than 555 million shares at $135 each, placing SpaceX among Wall Street&#39;s most elite companies with a valuation of just under $1.8 trillion. The offering will raise a record $75 billion, easily outranking Saudi Aramco&#39;s $29.4 billion debut in 2019, until now the biggest ever. Underwriters hold an option to buy nearly 83 million additional shares, which would push the total above $86 billion if exercised in full. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America led a syndicate of more than 20 banks on the deal. The space and rocket company, co-founded by Musk in 2002, will trade under the ticker symbol &quot;SPCX,&quot; with a parallel listing on Nasdaq Texas. All eyes will be on how Wall Street absorbs the offering, which could send tremors across global markets. As is traditional for high-profile debuts, executives are expected to ring the opening bell on Friday to mark the start of the session -- in this case at New York&#39;s Times Square, home of the Nasdaq. SpaceX will be the first out of the gates among the tech and AI giants eyeing public markets, with OpenAI and Anthropic expected to follow -- both having recently filed with regulators for their own market debuts. The IPO is Musk&#39;s biggest financial gamble yet, with his xAI company and the X social media platform (formerly Twitter) also included in the offering after the multi-billionaire folded them into the company earlier this year. The offering was more than four times oversubscribed by major banks and financial institutions, according to Bloomberg, with interest from everyday investors reported to also be high. More than 20 percent of the shares will be reserved for these retail investors, a far greater proportion than is typically allocated in IPOs, giving Musk&#39;s legions of fans a chance to buy a slice of the company. Data centers in spaceThe success of the IPO rests squarely on investors&#39; faith in Musk as a visionary entrepreneur. The tech multi-billionaire will serve as chief executive, chief technology officer and board chairman of the newly traded company. The IPO is expected to mint thousands of new millionaires and many billionaires, with former and current employees -- and a long list of investors -- from the company&#39;s near quarter-century history looking to cash in. The financials of the company are giving some on Wall Street pause, as the valuation largely depends on Musk delivering on promises worthy of science fiction, including putting data centers in space as well as people on Mars using as yet unproven technology. While the company is growing fast -- revenue hit $18.7 billion in 2025 -- it is also losing money, producing a net loss of $4.9 billion. In an extraordinary prediction, SpaceX&#39;s filing claims it can pull in over $28.5 trillion in revenue from its various markets. Musk&#39;s fortune on Thursday stood at $782 billion according to the Forbes list of the world&#39;s richest people, nearing three times the wealth of number two, Google co-founder Larry Page. A successful IPO could make him the first trillionaire in history on Friday.

Artificial Intelligence

SpaceX confirms a record $75 billion IPO, valuing the company at nearly $1.8 trillion, as investors back Elon Musk’s space, AI and long-term technology ambitions worldwide for growth.

SpaceX to make historic IPO that could make Musk a trillionaire

LONDON: British Defense Secretary John Healey sensationally quit on Thursday, accusing beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the finance ministry of failing to commit enough money to protect the country. His shock resignation weakens Starmer&#39;s authority further at a precarious moment for the embattled Labour leader, a week before a by-election that could prompt a bid to replace him. In stinging criticism, Healey warned that Starmer&#39;s long-awaited Defense Investment Plan (DIP) for funding over the next decade&mdash;which the premier has yet to publish&mdash;risked making Britain &quot;less safe.&quot; &quot;You have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats,&quot; Healey wrote in a resignation letter to Starmer posted on his X account. &quot;After explaining to you that I would not be able to accept a DIP settlement that does not give our Forces the resources they need, I am now left with no other option than to submit my resignation.&quot; Healey&#39;s sudden departure comes after months of delays to the defense plan, which Starmer has insisted he will publish before a NATO summit in Turkey beginning on July 7. Starmer&#39;s centre-left government, elected in July 2024 following 14 years of Conservative rule, has pledged to ramp up defense spending, with priority given to NATO commitments. The rise comes amid threats from Russia and as US President Donald Trump repeatedly urges NATO allies to spend more and become less reliant on Washington for security. &#39;Grave moment&#39;Starmer has vowed to raise defense spending to 2.5 percent of gross domestic product from next year, increasing to three percent if Labour wins the next general election, expected in 2029, before reaching 3.5 percent in 2035. British media has for weeks been reporting on behind-the-scenes battles within the government over the DIP settlement. In his resignation letter, Healey said he was first given full sight of DIP on Monday, and it sees defense spending rise to only 2.68 percent of GDP in 2030. A source close to the former defense secretary told AFP the deal offered by the Treasury did not put a date on the three percent commitment. The plan &quot;falls well short of what is required for defense and the country at this dangerous time,&quot; Healey wrote. &quot;Without a DIP that meets the moment in this way, I am being forced to make decisions that would reduce the readiness of our forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations, and could make the country less safe.&quot; Tan Dhesi, chair of parliament&#39;s defence committee, said the government must take Healey&#39;s warning &quot;with the utmost seriousness&quot;. &quot;That a defence secretary of his integrity and commitment has felt compelled to resign in response to the inadequacy of the proposed defence settlement is a grave moment,&quot; the Labour MP said in a statement. Starmer faces political peril in next Thursday&#39;s contest when Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham stands for the Makerfield parliamentary seat. Both men have said they would participate in any Labour leadership race, although none has yet been triggered. Wes Streeting quit as health secretary last month following disastrous local and regional election results for Labour and has also said he would run in any future contest. Healey, 66, has been previously talked about as another potential contender, but there was no immediate suggestion that his resignation is linked to the leadership speculation. It &quot;underlines that Starmer has become a lame duck prime minister who cannot get decisions through his own government,&quot; Patrick Diamond, a politics professor at Queen Mary University of London, told AFP. The investment plan, originally due to be published in late 2025, has repeatedly been pushed back, to the frustration of industry and others. Healey&#39;s resignation &quot;creates a sequence of political headaches in terms of a replacement, and trying to get the defence investment plan published,&quot; said Ed Arnold, senior associate fellow at the RUSI think-tank. A government source insisted that Starmer had made Britain &quot;safer,&quot; adding the defense spending proposals &quot;will deliver the capability our armed forces need.&quot;

Europe

British Defense Secretary John Healey sensationally quit on Thursday, accusing beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the finance ministry of failing to commit enough money to protect the country

UK defense minister quits with stinging rebuke of PM Starmer

JERUSALEM: Radio France Internationale (RFI) condemned Thursday Israel&#39;s entry ban on French reporter Alice Froussard, who freelances for the station and other outlets, as &quot;an obstacle to press freedom&quot;. &quot;Israeli authorities have not provided any justification to RFI for this decision,&quot; the broadcaster said in a statement. &quot;RFI&#39;s management offers its full support to Alice Froussard and protests against this expulsion, which constitutes an obstacle to press freedom and comes at a time when journalists are facing increasing difficulties in covering current events in the region,&quot; it added.

Calls it an as "an obstacle to press freedom"