Web Desk/AFP

Americas

Middle East

Decision follows the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, brokered by Pakistan, under which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif served as mediator between the United States and Iran in a landmark diplomatic breakthrough.

PM Sharif postpones Switzerland visit as Iran-US deal enters implementation

Muhammad Usman Amin

PESHAWAR: As the blistering summer sun dips below the horizon, the evening air transforms. The heat gives way to the sharp glare of floodlights snapping on. A familiar thud echoes across the pavement: the sound of a football meeting turf, accompanied by the urgent shouts of players. For decades, Pakistan&rsquo;s sporting identity has been singular, dictated entirely by the language of cricket. Even the national game of hockey hasn&#39;t been able to nudge cricket off its pedestal. But on these small, enclosed courts, a pivot is underway.&nbsp; Driven by global trends, larger-than-life players, and the massive spectacle of the FIFA World Cup, a new generation is aggressively claiming its stake in the game. Futsal -- the fast, five- or seven-a-side variant of football -- has erupted from a pastime into a cultural phenomenon. The catalyst for this has been a recent, unprecedented boom in modern facilities. In Peshawar alone, the landscape has rapidly transformed.&nbsp; Where open, dusty fields, devoid of grass or amenities, once sat empty, custom-built futsal arenas and clubs like Total Futsal, Uptown Sports Arena, and Hayatabad Futsal Ground now signify a changing culture. The city now boasts more than 15 active courts, creating an accessible place for the youth. &ldquo;Now that we have the facilities and the courts, I&#39;m sure more and more talent will come forward, and hopefully we will also be competing in FIFA soon,&rdquo; says Mustafa, a student and player at the Hayatabad Futsal Club.&nbsp; &quot;As evening approaches, fans throng to futsal courts,&quot; explains Ahmad Bangash, a local lawyer and a regular player at Total Futsal Club.&nbsp; &ldquo;For busy professionals and students, the sport fits perfectly into modern life. The courts are so heavily booked, especially on weekends, that missing a slot means waiting days for another chance,&rdquo; adds Ahmad.&nbsp; Hidden talent surfacingThis sudden access to proper pitches is doing something once thought impossible in Pakistan&rsquo;s neglected football ecosystem: unlocking an untapped reservoir of talent. Young players who previously had nowhere to play are now honing their skills under the lights, showing their potential and giving their full effort on the courts. Futsal&rsquo;s rise is also radically transforming traditional sporting habits. Though many of the players are young kids, usually accompanied by their parents, a lot of the athletes dominating the courts aren&#39;t newcomers. They are former eleven-a-side players who have willingly shrunk the pitch. In a standard eleven-a-side match, logistical nightmares -- such as finding a regulation-sized pitch, organizing 22 players -- often stall the game. Futsal strips away those barriers. All it requires is a ball, a few friends, and a small space. By playing in tighter spaces with fewer players, athletes are forced to develop strong physical fitness and sharp reflexes. The game is unforgivingly fast, demanding quick thinking, rapid transitions and absolute ball control. As local players adapt to this high-octane format, the overall quality of play in the region is rising. Pakistan&#39;s association with the FIFA World Cup has been purely industrial. The country takes immense pride in manufacturing the official match balls used on the grandest stages of the FIFA World Cup, including this World Cup&rsquo;s &quot;Trionda.&quot; Yet, while a piece of Pakistan was always present on the pitch, its national team remained invisible. Football has a future in PakistanNow, the tide is hopefully turning. Sports analysts and enthusiasts agree that a sustainable, highly competitive future for football is finally within reach. With the Pakistan Football Federation restructuring and especially overseas Pakistani talent returning to support the domestic core, the national team has begun securing historic competitive wins.&nbsp; Haider Azhar, a sports analyst speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, says, &ldquo;The most beautiful thing about football or futsal is that you need a ball, and you can play this in a small space. That, plus the FIFA World Cup, is the perfect time right now to restart interest in football in Pakistan.&rdquo; He said it is important to develop a system, a long-term vision, and most importantly, its continuity.&nbsp; &ldquo;I think that will happen, a system and development will start from there, then you will automatically see that more players will emerge, and they will represent Pakistan and win honors for us,&rdquo; he adds.&nbsp; Hope runs deep at the prospect of a Pakistani team on the FIFA pitch, alongside the Pakistani balls, and the dream is no longer seen as an impossibility. Across Peshawar and the wider nation, there is a collective, unyielding hope that, very soon, the country will step out of cricket&#39;s shadow.&nbsp; The ultimate goal is clear: to see the green shirts competing alongside the world&rsquo;s elite, ensuring that the next time Pakistan arrives at the World Cup, it will be to play the game -- and supply the balls.

Cricket

Futsal’s rise is radically transforming traditional sporting habits. All it requires is a ball, a few friends, and a small space.

Is cricket-mad Pakistan pivoting to futsal?

Shaharyar Khalid

Pakistan&#39;s proposed 2026-27 budget includes increased spending on social welfare, healthcare, education and housing, reflecting the government&#39;s focus on public welfare. The budget allocates Rs838 billion to the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Rs71 billion to the Prime Minister&#39;s Housing Scheme and Rs25.1 billion for health sector projects. It also sets aside Rs22 billion for Daanish Schools, Rs26.3 billion for broader education initiatives and nearly Rs8 billion for youth skills development programmes. The government says the measures are aimed at strengthening social protection and supporting human development across the country.

Shorts

Pakistan's proposed 2026-27 budget includes increased spending on social welfare, healthcare, education and housing, reflecting the government's focus on public welfare.

Pakistan boosts safety net as budget expands social spending

Syed Maisam Ali

Football

As football's biggest tournament unfolds across North America, the official FIFA World Cup 2026 match ball is showcasing Pakistani craftsmanship. Equipped with advanced tracking technology, TRIONDA is helping officials make faster decisions while bringing innovation to the game.

Pakistan-made TRIONDA powers FIFA World Cup 2026's biggest stage

Web Desk

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

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a phone call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss the latest regional developments, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs&#39; post on X.&nbsp; The call came amid continuing diplomatic efforts by Pakistan and other regional partners to reduce tensions and support peaceful engagement. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs&rsquo; post, Dar and Fidan exchanged views on the evolving regional situation. Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for the peaceful settlement of disputes. The exchange reflected close coordination between Pakistan and Turkiye on issues of mutual interest. Dar briefed his Turkish counterpart on Pakistan&rsquo;s diplomatic outreach and efforts to support regional peace. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2064957046718660642&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=ed944e922fd35313ddeef5d28bdbfc89aa71021f&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 770px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Fidan and Dar also reviewed bilateral ties and agreed on the need to maintain regular contact. Pakistan has repeatedly called for restraint and diplomacy as conflicts and tensions continue to affect regional stability. The latest conversation underscores Islamabad&rsquo;s position that dialogue remains the only viable path for resolving disputes. Turkiye has also remained engaged in regional diplomacy and has maintained close contact with Pakistan on key international developments. The two foreign ministers agreed to continue consultations as diplomatic efforts move forward.

In a call, both leaders reaffirm the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Pakistan's DPM Dar, Turkish foreign minister discuss regional developments 

Faraz Saeed

Blogs

This guide explains key terms including GDP inflation fiscal deficit debt servicing and revenue targets helping readers better understand the government's fiscal priorities and policies.

Budget 2026: Understanding key terms shaping Pakistan’s economy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed deep concern about the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East, warning that renewed conflict and rising tensions threaten regional stability and could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace. According to a statement posted on X by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN, Pakistan&rsquo;s representative, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, speaking at the Security Council briefing on non-proliferation on Tuesday, said that recent developments had highlighted the fragility of the current situation and the urgent need for diplomatic initiatives to succeed before tensions escalate further. The statement further said that Pakistan&rsquo;s envoy noted that the recent surge in violence served as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by a fragile ceasefire and stressed that continued instability could have serious consequences for regional and global peace, security, and prosperity. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 651px; 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=2064458346200269074&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard%2F&sessionId=6323c2657b960b6ab2dd3e7e6ea8e645dc9bcd04&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> &ldquo;The ambassador also expressed concern that the outbreak of hostilities had negatively affected efforts to address the Iran nuclear issue, pushing parties further apart and disrupting the International Atomic Energy Agency&rsquo;s verification activities.&rdquo; Reaffirming support for peaceful conflict resolution, the statement added that Iftikhar emphasized that dialogue, diplomacy, and sustained engagement remained the only viable path to resolving outstanding disputes, including those related to Iran&rsquo;s nuclear program. According to the statement, Pakistan&rsquo;s envoy highlighted his country&rsquo;s role in facilitating diplomatic engagement between the United States and Iran, noting that it had worked alongside international partners to encourage de-escalation and create conditions conducive to meaningful negotiations. He appreciated both Washington and Tehran for placing their trust in Pakistan and for participating in the &ldquo;Islamabad Talks,&rdquo; described as the highest-level direct engagement between the two sides in more than four decades. According to the statement, Islamabad has maintained close contact with both countries and coordinated with regional and international partners, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkiye, Qatar, and China, to promote dialogue and facilitate communication.&nbsp;Ambassador Iftikhar said Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts were aimed at saving lives, reducing hostilities, and giving diplomacy a chance to succeed.&nbsp; &ldquo;He urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and continue pursuing peaceful solutions, expressing hope that ongoing diplomatic initiatives would ultimately lead to a negotiated settlement and durable regional peace,&rdquo; according to the statement.

Pakistan's representative at the UN urges all sides to exercise restraint and support diplomacy; warns that renewed Middle East violence risks derailing ceasefire efforts, disrupting nuclear talks, and undermining regional peace and stability.

Pakistan urges restraint, calls for diplomacy as Middle East tensions threaten peace efforts

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

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

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

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

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reiterated its firm opposition to the use of chemical weapons under any circumstances and called for continued international cooperation to address outstanding issues related to Syria&rsquo;s chemical weapons file. Speaking during a United Nations Security Council briefing on the Middle East focused on Syria and chemical weapons on Thursday, Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, reaffirmed Islamabad&rsquo;s support for the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and efforts aimed at its universal, effective, and non-discriminatory implementation.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 650px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2062560761860214861&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard%2F&sessionId=88d809bfae25bd323453617d30ba61fed85e1873&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px"></iframe></div></div> Ambassador Jadoon welcomed the Syrian authorities&rsquo; commitment to extending full cooperation with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), including facilitating the work of Technical Secretariat teams and providing unrestricted access to suspected sites linked to the country&rsquo;s former chemical weapons program. He noted that such cooperation could help accelerate efforts to eliminate any remaining traces of chemical weapons activities.&nbsp; OPCW reportReferring to the latest OPCW report, the Pakistani envoy observed that 19 out of 26 outstanding issues remain unresolved, while additional locations continue to be assessed for possible declaration under the Convention. The ambassador highlighted several challenges affecting progress, including institutional constraints, limited technological capacities, security concerns, and the continued occupation of parts of Syrian territory, which impact the timely implementation of the OPCW mandate. Pakistan stressed the importance of enhancing Syrian capacities and extending international support to overcome these obstacles.&nbsp; Ambassador Jadoon commended countries assisting Syria in this regard, particularly T&uuml;rkiye and Qatar, for their contributions to capacity-building efforts. He emphasized that the OPCW Technical Secretariat must continue its independent verification work and expressed hope that ongoing engagement between Syria and the OPCW would help resolve all remaining issues and facilitate the closure of the long-standing file.

Pakistan tells the UN Security Council that cooperation between Syria and the OPCW is vital for resolving outstanding chemical weapons issues, strengthening verification efforts, and advancing regional peace and stability.

 Pakistan urges strengthening int'l cooperation to eliminate chemical weapons in Syria 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) agreed on Friday to accelerate documentation and procedural requirements for the Karachi&ndash;Rohri section of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project, as the government pushes to begin work on the long-delayed infrastructure scheme this year. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema chaired a high-level meeting reviewing implementation arrangements for the project, with senior officials from the Economic Affairs Division, Ministry of Railways, and the ADB in attendance. Cheema directed the Ministry of Railways to expedite documentation in coordination with the ADB and the Economic Affairs Division, stressing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&rsquo;s commitment to holding the project&rsquo;s groundbreaking ceremony within the current year. &ldquo;The Karachi&ndash;Rohri section is a starter and will be implemented come what may,&rdquo; the statement quoted Cheema as saying.&nbsp; It added that the government was coordinating with other development partners for the remaining sections of the ML-1 corridor and aimed to finalize agreements for the full Karachi-to-Peshawar railway upgrade. Cheema, according to statement, said the government was also engaging other development partners for the remaining sections of the ML-1 corridor and aimed to finalize agreements for the full Karachi-to-Peshawar railway upgrade. The minister said Pakistan was seeking to secure ADB financing in the upcoming fiscal year and emphasized that timely completion of documentation and procedural requirements would be critical to achieving that goal.&nbsp; He also instructed the Ministry of Railways to work closely with the Planning Division to finalize the PC-1 and other mandatory approvals. Cheema described ML-1 as a &ldquo;landmark initiative&rdquo; that would improve freight movement and strengthen railway services nationwide. ADB Country Director Emma Fan reaffirmed the lender&rsquo;s support for the project and praised efforts by Pakistani authorities to advance preparations.&nbsp; &ldquo;ADB would ensure the timely hiring of the PRF consultant,&rdquo; Fan said, adding that the bank would &ldquo;make every effort to minimize the project review timeline&rdquo; to support swift implementation of the strategically important scheme. The ML-1 project, stretching from Karachi to Peshawar, is Pakistan&rsquo;s largest railway modernization initiative and is aimed at upgrading tracks, improving freight capacity, and reducing travel times across the country.

Economy

Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank agreed to fast-track approvals and documentation for the Karachi–Rohri ML-1 railway section, as Islamabad pushes to begin construction this year under the broader Karachi-to-Peshawar railway modernization project.

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