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ISLAMABAD: India reached out to three senior Trump administration officials on May 10, 2025, the day a ceasefire was announced following the Pakistan-India conflict, to discuss &quot;media coverage&quot; of the clash, according to a report published by India&rsquo;s The Hindu.&nbsp; The newspaper cites filings made under law by SHW LLC, a US-based lobbying firm,&nbsp;under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) with the US Department of Justice. The disclosures contradict the Indian government&rsquo;s repeated denials of any US involvement in bringing about a ceasefire to the May 2025 conflict. FARA filings, including 60 entries made in December 2025, reveal a significant disconnect between India&#39;s public denials of US involvement in mediating the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict and the extensive behind-the-scenes lobbying efforts New Delhi undertook during the operation.&nbsp; While the documents do not specify whether the May 10 calls were made before or after the ceasefire announcement, The Hindu reports that &quot;they indicate close interaction on [the] day.&quot; This is when both US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly claimed credit for brokering the end to hostilities. $1.8 million contractAccording to the newspaper, India relied on&nbsp;SHW LLC to facilitate high-level outreach to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and National Security Council official Ricky Gill. They were hired two days after the Pahalgam attack, the filings show. The firm is led by Jason Miller, Trump&#39;s former spokesperson and senior adviser during his 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential campaigns. The annual contract is worth $1.8 million, paid in quarterly installments of $450,000. SHW had no other clients during the period covered by the filings. Pakistan&#39;s consistent positionThroughout the conflict, Pakistan maintained it had not sought third-party mediation and that Kashmir remained a bilateral issue. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told Al Jazeera that when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered to facilitate dialogue on May 10, Rubio informed him that &quot;India says that it is a bilateral issue&quot; and does not support outside involvement.&nbsp; Dar stated, &quot;Unless India wishes to have dialogue, we can&#39;t force dialogue.&quot; A timeline of contact refutes constant denial&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s&nbsp;government has repeatedly denied that the US played any role in mediating the four-day Pakistan-India conflict. India&#39;s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said India did not accept mediation &ldquo;at any level.&rdquo; Modi said that operations were paused only after Pakistan sought a ceasefire. On May 10, approximately 30 minutes after Trump&#39;s announcement, India&#39;s Foreign Secretary held a special briefing stating that Pakistan&#39;s Director General of Military Operations had initiated contact with his Indian counterpart. On May 12, Modi stated in a national address that the conflict, which India codenamed &quot;Operation Sindoor,&quot; was paused after Pakistan &quot;pleaded&quot; for a ceasefire.&nbsp; On June 17, during a phone call with Trump at the G7 Summit, Modi explicitly told the US president that India had never discussed a trade deal or accepted US mediation at any level during Operation Sindoor, according to Indian government statements. However, FARA filings provide a detailed account of intensive engagement with American officials during the same period. Of the 60 entries, 30 telephone calls show the lobbying firm contacted officials at the White House, the US Trade Representative&rsquo;s office, and the Department of Commerce, with the stated purpose in multiple calls being discussions on the &quot;status of US-India trade conversations.&quot; India launched Operation Sindoor on May 6-7, carrying out strikes on what it described as militant targets in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has consistently denied the presence of any such entities. Hostilities escalated over the following days, including aerial engagements, drone attacks, and cross-border fire, before a ceasefire was announced on May 10. On May 7, during active combat operations, lobbying firm SHW contacted Fox News anchor Bret Baier to &quot;pitch a media interview with Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra to discuss Operation Sindoor,&quot; the filings show. On the day of the ceasefire, the filings show four separate contacts by SHW with senior US officials, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, National Security Council officials, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. All four were logged as discussions on &ldquo;media coverage&rdquo; of Operation Sindoor. Greer was contacted twice on the same day. &lsquo;Standard practice&rsquo;The Indian Embassy did not deny the filings when contacted by The Hindu but said hiring lobbyists is &quot;standard practice&quot; to &quot;augment outreach.&quot; The embassy stated it &quot;has hired such firms, consistent with local practice and requirements, under successive governments since the 1950s,&quot; but did not respond to specific questions about the May 10 contacts or why lobbying firms were asked to arrange meetings with senior US officials. &quot;Such meetings are routinely sought by the mission directly,&quot; officials stated, noting that lobbyists are typically hired &quot;for advice and to understand the landscape&quot; but that &quot;meetings and calls are made between diplomats directly.&quot; The filings also document that SHW made calls to White House officials to &quot;flag&quot; social media posts by Modi praising Trump, including after the president made positive comments about bilateral ties on Sept. 6, and after Modi congratulated Trump on a Gaza peace proposal on Oct. 9.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with US President Donald Trump (right) at the White House in Washington, DC, on February 13, 2025. (AFP/File)

India

The Hindu reports that India's embassy in the US contacted three senior Trump officials on May 10, the ceasefire day, to discuss 'media coverage,' according to filings made by the lobbying firm hired by India, contradicting the government's repeated denials of US involvement in the May 2025 ceasefire.

India reached out to US on day of ceasefire with Pakistan: Indian media

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday inaugurated its first Fishing Technology Museum and launched the Mahi-Dost digital app, aiming to modernize fisheries, promote sustainable practices, trace catches, and enhance seafood exports in line with global standards, said a statement by the Press Information Department (PID). Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said the museum is more than an exhibition, describing it as a strategic asset for Pakistan&rsquo;s blue economy, as per the statement. &ldquo;By integrating indigenous knowledge with innovations such as AI-enabled sonar and environmentally friendly nets, we can strengthen policy decisions to combat overfishing and climate risks,&rdquo; he said. The museum, located in Karachi, showcases the evolution of fishing techniques from traditional artisanal practices to modern technologies, the statement said. It is intended as a national hub for research, learning, and policymaking while preserving the cultural heritage of coastal communities, the statement added. The Mahi-Dost app, launched alongside the museum, provides a digital catch-to-consumer tracking system using blockchain and GPS. Fishermen can record catch data via QR codes, ensuring transparency and compliance with international regulations, including EU catch certification, the US Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Indian Ocean Tuna Commission standards, as per the statement. Chaudhry said the app safeguards dolphin-safe fishing, supports transparent supply chains, and helps Pakistan&rsquo;s $500 million seafood export sector access higher-value international markets. &quot;By bringing together indigenous knowledge and modern innovations such as AI-enabled sonar and environmentally friendly nets&hellip; the initiative would support informed policymaking to counter overfishing and climate-related risks&rdquo;, said the statement. Early pilot projects have already reduced EU approval times and enabled small-scale fishermen to benefit from global trade, it added. The museum and app aim to improve monitoring, control, and surveillance, and curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing losses estimated at $1 billion. This will advance Pakistan&rsquo;s Blue Economy Policy and Sustainable Development Goal 14, promoting life below water. The government continues to emphasize its commitment to combining heritage and innovation to secure a sustainable maritime future.

Economy

Pakistan launched its first Fishing Technology Museum and the Mahi-Dost app, aiming to modernize fisheries, safeguard coastal heritage, enhance export transparency, curb illegal fishing, and promote sustainable practices supporting the country’s blue economy and SDG 14 goals.

Pakistan launches fishing museum and app to boost sustainable fisheries

ISLAMABAD: China and Pakistan have called for more &ldquo;visible and verifiable&rdquo; actions to dismantle and eliminate all terrorist organizations based in Afghanistan, which continue to pose serious threats to regional and global security, and prevent them from using Kabul&rsquo;s territory for terrorism against any other country. This was said in a joint press communiqu&eacute; of the Seventh Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers&rsquo; Strategic Dialogue, shared by Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its X account on Monday.&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" 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-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2008047308374683926&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=e7b973618ac13baeaa9694f9063a7a18ae1fa8fe&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div>Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, is visiting China at the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Foreign Minister of the People&rsquo;s Republic of China, Wang Yi, from Jan. 3 to 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;On January 4, 2026, Yi and Dar co-chaired the Seventh Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers&rsquo; Strategic Dialogue in Beijing&rdquo;, the&nbsp;communiqu&eacute; said.&nbsp;The Afghan issue&nbsp;Pakistan and China, &ldquo;agreed to keep in close communication and coordination on the Afghan issue, work with the international community to encourage the Afghan government to build an inclusive political framework, adopt moderate policies, focus on development, pursue good-neighborliness, and play a constructive role in helping Afghanistan achieve stable development and integrate into the international community.&rdquo;&nbsp; The two countries &ldquo;called for more visible and verifiable actions to dismantle and eliminate all terrorist organizations based in Afghanistan, which continue to pose serious threats to regional and global security, and prevent terrorist organizations from using the Afghan territory for terrorism against any other country and to endanger any other country.&rdquo; Strategic communication&nbsp;The communiqu&eacute; said, &ldquo;During the dialogue, the two sides agreed to enhance strategic communication, deepen strategic mutual trust, jointly safeguard their common interests, promote the economic and social development of the two countries, and safeguard and advance peace, development, and prosperity of the region and beyond.&rdquo; All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partners&ldquo;The two sides reiterated that China and Pakistan are All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partners enjoying ironclad friendship and strategic mutual trust,&rdquo; the communiqu&eacute; added.&nbsp; It further said, &ldquo;The two sides will act on the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, implement the Action Plan to Foster an Even Closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era (2025-2029) signed by the two governments, and keep the building of the China-Pakistan community with a shared future at the forefront of the building of a community with a shared future with neighboring countries.&rdquo; According to the communiqu&eacute;, Pakistan &ldquo;congratulated China on the successful conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan.&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;China congratulated Pakistani leaders on leading the country to achieve macroeconomic stability and to lay a solid foundation for national economic growth centered on Pakistan&rsquo;s National Economic Transformation Plan (2024-2029) (URAAN Pakistan) and for its people to share the fruits of development and prosperity.&rdquo;&nbsp; One-China principle&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan reaffirmed its firm commitment to the one-China principle, and reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China&rsquo;s territory. Pakistan firmly supports China on issues concerning Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong and the South China Sea,&rdquo; the communiqu&eacute; said.&nbsp; Meanwhile, it said &ldquo;China reiterated its steadfast support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.&rdquo; According to the communiqu&eacute;, &ldquo;China commended the comprehensive measures taken by Pakistan to combat terrorism and protect the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan.&rdquo;&nbsp; It said, &ldquo;China fully recognized the significant contributions and huge sacrifices that Pakistan made in combating terrorism over the years.&rdquo; &ldquo;The two sides reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations with zero tolerance, and agreed to further deepen all-round cooperation on counter-terrorism and security, and make concerted efforts to ensure that the China-Pakistan Belt and Road cooperation advances in a secure and smooth manner.&rdquo; &ldquo;Calling on the international community to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation, the two sides expressed their firm opposition to double standards on counter-terrorism,&rdquo; the&nbsp;communiqu&eacute;&nbsp;said. On CPECOn CPEC, it said: &ldquo;The two sides agreed to further align their development plans and priorities, and build an upgraded version 2.0 of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is a pioneering project of the Belt and Road Initiative.&rdquo;&nbsp; According to the communiqu&eacute;, &ldquo;The two sides agreed to focus on the three key sectors of industry, agriculture, and mining, promote the building and operation of the Gwadar Port, ensure the smooth passage of the Karakoram Highway, and enhance Pakistan&rsquo;s capacity for sustainable development.&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;The two sides will take the year-round opening of the Khunjerab Pass as an opportunity to deepen two-way trade and people-to-people exchanges.&rdquo;&nbsp; It added: &ldquo;The two sides welcomed third-party participation in CPEC cooperation that conforms with the modalities set by China and Pakistan.&rdquo; &ldquo;The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the financial and banking sectors,&rdquo; the communiqu&eacute; said. &nbsp; It added: &ldquo;The two sides expressed satisfaction at their expanding space cooperation and for the expected early entrance of Pakistani astronauts into the China Space Station.&rdquo;&nbsp; Jammu and Kashmir dispute&nbsp;According to the communiqu&eacute;, &ldquo;China reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is left over from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements.&rdquo;&nbsp; The two sides expressed readiness to conduct trans-boundary water resources cooperation in accordance with the principle of equality and mutual benefit, it added. China and Pakistan &ldquo;expressed readiness to continue leveraging the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers&rsquo; Dialogue and the China-Bangladesh-Pakistan cooperation mechanism to deliver new outcomes.&rdquo; The two countries &ldquo;reaffirmed their readiness to further enhance cooperation under the frameworks of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative.&rdquo; &ldquo;China congratulated Pakistan on its outstanding performance during its UN Security Council presidency and expressed full support for Pakistan to work as the rotating president of the SCO from 2026 to 2027,&rdquo; the&nbsp;communiqu&eacute;&nbsp;said. Gaza ceasefire&nbsp;Pakistan and China &ldquo;called for an unconditional, comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian people&rsquo;s right to self-determination.&rdquo; &ldquo;The two sides agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Ministers&rsquo; Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad next year on mutually convenient dates,&rdquo; the communiqu&eacute; said.</div>

Foreign Affairs

The two countries call for more ‘visible and verifiable’ actions to dismantle and eliminate all terrorist organizations based in Afghanistan, which continue to pose serious threats to regional and global security.

 Pakistan, China call for more ‘verifiable’ actions against terrorist groups based in Afghanistan 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday rejected the &ldquo;irresponsible assertions&rdquo; made by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, saying that New Delhi was again seeking to &ldquo;deflect attention from its own troubling record as a neighbor that promotes terrorism and contributes to regional instability.&rdquo; Although Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs&rsquo; press release did not make a specific mention of the remarks by the Indian minister, its censure came after Indian media reported Jaishankar as saying on Friday that New Delhi had a right to defend itself against terrorism while talking about &ldquo;bad neighbors.&rdquo; &ldquo;You can also have bad neighbors &hellip; unfortunately, we do. When you have bad neighbors &hellip; if you look to the one to the West &mdash; if a country decides that they will deliberately, persistently, unrepentantly continue with terrorism, we have a right to defend our people against terrorism,&rdquo; Jaishankar was quoted as saying by Indian media. Speaking in reference to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), the Indian external affairs minister said: &ldquo;Many years ago we agreed to a water-sharing arrangement &mdash; the belief was it was gesture of goodwill &mdash; because of good neighborliness we were doing it &hellip; but if you have decades of terrorism there is no good neighborliness and you don&rsquo;t get the benefit of good neighborliness.&rdquo; In response to media queries regarding remarks made by the Indian Minister of External Affairs about Pakistan, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tahir Andrabi, stated: &ldquo;Pakistan firmly rejects the irresponsible assertions made by the Indian External Affairs Minister. Once again, India seeks to deflect attention from its own troubling record as a neighbor that promotes terrorism and contributes to regional instability.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-4" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 875px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-4&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2007347186431078670&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=b7c3715df63b46b2e18cb457e1c44c887d4d1889&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Andrabi said, &ldquo;India&rsquo;s documented involvement in promoting terrorist activities in the region, particularly in Pakistan, is well known.&rdquo; &ldquo;The case of Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav remains a stark example of organized, state-sponsored terrorism directed against Pakistan.&rdquo; Andrabi said, &ldquo;equally concerning are recurring instances of extraterritorial killings, sabotage through proxies, and covert support to terrorist networks.&rdquo; &ldquo;This pattern is consistent with the extremist ideology of Hindutva and its violent proponents,&rdquo; the spokesperson said. Andrabi further underlined that &ldquo;India continues its illegal and violent military occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to extend full political, moral, and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people in their just struggle to realize their right to self-determination, as enshrined in relevant UN Security Council resolutions.&rdquo; The IWT is &ldquo;an international agreement concluded in good faith and at considerable cost.&rdquo; &ldquo;Any unilateral violation of the Treaty by India would undermine regional stability and call into question its credibility as a state that claims to respect international legal obligations. Pakistan will take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights under the Treaty,&rdquo; Andrabi said.

Pakistan rejects remarks by Indian External Affairs Minister, calling them ‘irresponsible’; says India seeks to deflect attention from its own troubling record as a neighbor that promotes terrorism.

Pakistan rejects Jaishankar’s ‘irresponsible assertions’, warns against Indus treaty violations

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh will host Pakistan men&rsquo;s cricket team for a full international tour in 2026, according to state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).&nbsp;The tour will feature three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), as many Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and two Test matches.&nbsp;The T20Is and ODIs series will take place after the ICC T20 World Cup, while the two Tests will form part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.&nbsp;The exact schedule and match venues for all series are yet to be announced.&nbsp;The announcement came as part of a broader reveal of Bangladesh&rsquo;s packed home season, which will include four Tests, 12 ODIs and nine T20Is against various international opponents.&nbsp;As per the schedule, New Zealand will tour Bangladesh in April-May for three ODIs and three T20Is. Australia and India are also set to visit later in the year, in June and August-September respectively, with each team playing three ODIs and three T20Is.&nbsp;The home season will conclude with a two-Test series against the West Indies in October-November, preceded by a three-day warm-up match. In addition, Sri Lanka A will tour Bangladesh in May for two four-day matches and three one-day games.

Cricket

The tour includes three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), as many Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and two Test matches.

Bangladesh to host Pakistan for full bilateral cricket series in 2026

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday urged the United Nations Security Council to develop legally binding international rules to regulate the rapidly growing number of satellites in outer space, warning that unchecked expansion in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) threatens digital equity, national sovereignty, and global security of developing countries. Speaking at an informal Arria-Formula meeting of the 15-member Security Council in New York, Pakistani delegate Gul Qaiser Sarwani outlined a stark vision of a space economy increasingly dominated by a handful of wealthy nations and powerful corporations.&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" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2005741334670499887&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=ce1f2ef5569f2f2fd42c04d19e23d25d5702c8f3&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 720px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div> </div>SpaceX&rsquo;s Starlink constellation alone comprises approximately two-thirds of all active satellites, with more than 9,000 satellites currently in orbit (about 8,600 operational) and regulatory approval for up to roughly 12,000 additional satellites, according to the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC). What is the problem?Pakistan warned that the unregulated proliferation of LEO satellites risks exacerbating the global digital divide by privileging states with advanced technological and financial capabilities, while marginalizing others&rsquo; access to orbital resources and spectrum. Pakistan&#39;s position is unequivocal: outer space, including LEO, is the province of all humankind, not subject to national appropriation or de facto control.&nbsp; &ldquo;Outer space is a global commons and must not become the exclusive domain of a few,&rdquo; Sarwani said.&nbsp;&ldquo;Technological or commercial dominance must not translate into exclusive access or regulatory advantage.&rdquo; Pakistan argued that the pace and scale of satellite expansion have outstripped existing international governance frameworks. While space is governed by treaties such as the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, these agreements were drafted decades before the rise of private space companies and do not impose enforceable limits on the number of satellites, traffic management, or data use. Sarwani warned that the absence of binding rules risks creating &lsquo;satellite congestion&rsquo; &mdash; overcrowding of orbital pathways that could increase collision risks and generate long-lasting space debris. National sovereignty and militarization concernsPakistan also framed the issue as one of national sovereignty. Foreign-controlled satellite constellations operating over national territories, the delegation warned, could undermine states&rsquo; ability to regulate data flows, protect privacy, and safeguard sensitive infrastructure. The use of satellite networks for surveillance, intelligence gatherin,g and information operations could heighten mistrust among states and exacerbate geopolitical tension.&nbsp;&ldquo;Unregulated satellite activity risks eroding strategic stability,&rdquo; Sarwani cautioned, adding that transparency and accountability were essential to prevent misperceptions and escalation. Raising alarm over the growing militarization of space, Pakistan noted that the dual-use nature of many satellite technologies blurs the line between civilian and military applications. This, it warned, increases the risk of conflict and miscalculation, particularly as space-based assets become integral to modern warfare. Are other countries pushing back?Pakistan isn&#39;t alone in raising these concerns. Several African countries have advocated for reconsidering the first-come, first-served principle, arguing that principles of equity and conservation should prevail.&nbsp; Iran has similarly argued that existing regulations for orbital slots allocation have restricted the capacity of many countries, with many orbital slots occupied only by the most developed countries, leaving little chance for developing countries to place their own satellites on appropriate orbital slots. The European Space Agency has experienced the operational challenges firsthand. In 2019, ESA had to maneuver its Earth observation satellite to avoid a collision with a Starlink satellite. This incident highlighted how the rapid deployment of commercial constellations is creating coordination challenges even for established space agencies. <img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/ac542e1e-0723-43a6-9367-9b40d763201a.png" style="width: 334px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil">Predicted near miss between Aeolus and Starlink 44 (European Space Agency) The solutionWhile many developing countries are pursuing national satellite programmes to reduce dependence &mdash; including Pakistan&rsquo;s PakSat high-throughput satellite, Turkey&rsquo;s T&Uuml;RKSAT-6A launched in 2024, and Brazil&rsquo;s Amaz&ocirc;nia-1 for environmental monitoring &mdash; Islamabad argued that national efforts alone are insufficient.<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" 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=1810466027790315942&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=ce1f2ef5569f2f2fd42c04d19e23d25d5702c8f3&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 528px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>Pakistan urged the international community to move beyond voluntary guidelines and confidence-building measures, calling instead for a comprehensive, legally binding UN-led framework to govern satellite traffic management, ensure equitable access to orbital resources, and prevent the weaponization of outer space.

File: MetOp Second Generation A-type satellite (Wikimedia Commons)

Security

Pakistan urged the UN Security Council to adopt binding rules on satellite traffic, warning that uncontrolled satellites threaten digital equity, national sovereignty, and space security as Low Earth Orbit becomes increasingly crowded worldwide.

Space sovereignty: Pakistan’s fight for space rights

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India on Thursday exchanged lists of their respective nuclear installations pursuant to the 1988 Agreement on the Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, continuing the longstanding practice between the two countries, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said. Addressing a press briefing in Islamabad, the spokesperson said the agreement, signed on December 31, 1988, stipulates that both countries inform each other of the nuclear installations and facilities covered under the agreement on January 1 of every calendar year. &nbsp;The agreement came into force on January 27, 1991, and the annual exchange of lists has been taking place on January 1 each year since 1992. &ldquo;These lists were officially handed over to the respective High Commissions,&rdquo; he said. The spokesperson also stated that Islamabad and New Delhi exchanged lists of prisoners in accordance with the 2008 Consular Access Agreement, which requires both countries to share such lists twice a year on January 1 and July 1. &ldquo;The government of Pakistan handed over a list of 257 Indian prisoners, including 199 fishermen and 58 other civilians, currently in Pakistan&rsquo;s custody, to the High Commission of India in Islamabad,&rdquo; he said. He added that India is also sharing a list of Pakistani prisoners with Pakistan&rsquo;s High Commission in New Delhi.&nbsp;Chinese mediation in the Pakistan-India conflictResponding to a question on the mediation and diplomacy undertaken by China during the India-Pakistan conflict, the spokesman highlighted Beijing role in &ldquo;bringing down temperatures&rdquo; and security in the region. &ldquo;The leadership of China&hellip; was in constant touch with the leadership of Pakistan and had made certain contacts with the Indian leadership as well,&rdquo; said the statement. He added that these contacts contributed to de-escalation and the promotion of peace and security in the region, describing it as &ldquo;diplomacy for peace.&rdquo; Reiterating Pakistan&rsquo;s policy, the spokesperson stated that Pakistan supports China on &ldquo;all matters of its core interests, including Taiwan.&rdquo; The remarks were made in response to a question on the US announcement to sell weaponry to Taiwan. &ldquo;We will continue to adhere to the One-China principle and regard Taiwan as an inalienable part of China,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;Regime changeResponding to a question on the regime change in Afghanistan, the spokesman stated that Pakistan respects their sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Islamabad is &ldquo;ready to work with the present dispensation,&rdquo; said the statement. &ldquo;It is for the Afghan people to pick and choose whichever government they want, and we are ready to work with the present dispensation,&rdquo; he added. He said that it was inappropriate to use the word &ldquo;regime change&rdquo; for a neighbouring country. Responding to a question on the recent resolution adopted by the religious clerics and remarks by the Afghanistan interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mutaqqi, Andrabi welcomed it and called it a &ldquo;positive development.&rdquo;&nbsp;Last year in December, Muttaqi, endorsing the religious decree issued by the country&rsquo;s religious scholars, assured that the leadership of the Taliban does not permit anyone to conduct military activities in other countries and that violators will face legal measures. &ldquo;We look forward to these positive overtures being backed by a firm commitment that Afghan soil will not be used for terrorism against Pakistan,&rdquo; the spokesperson added. On the issue of border closures, the spokesperson said the decision was linked to written agreements sought from the Afghan Taliban during the Doha and Istanbul talks held last year. Unity and territorial integrity of YemenSpokesperson Andrabi stated that Pakistan reiterates its support for the unity and territorial integrity of Yemen and the efforts aimed at establishing lasting peace and stability in the country. &ldquo;Pakistan strongly opposes unilateral steps by a Yemeni party that may further escalate the situation, undermine peace efforts, and threaten the peace and stability of Yemen as well as that of the region,&rdquo; he added. He also welcomed the regional efforts for de-escalating the situation and maintaining peace and stability in Yemen, as per the statement.

Pakistan and India exchange annual lists of nuclear installations and prisoners. Islamabad highlights China’s mediation role in regional tensions, reaffirms support for the One-China policy, pledges cooperation with Afghanistan’s current authorities, and reiterates backing for Yemen’s unity and stability

Pakistan, India share lists of nuclear installations, prisoners: Foreign Office

Maryam Shah

ISLAMABAD: As 2025 comes to a close, Pakistani women across sports, culture, exploration, and legal activism have made their mark on national and international stages. From cricket grounds and mountain summits to pageants and courtrooms, these trailblazers have expanded opportunities and challenged conventional boundaries. Sidra Amin&rsquo;s cricket milestones<img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/cf94c1a3-e5a6-4fec-8907-fc3f939f7423.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil">Official Instagram account/ @sidraamin31 Opening batter Sidra Amin, 33, emerged as one of Pakistan&rsquo;s most consistent performers during the 2025 ICC Women&rsquo;s ODI World Cup. The Lahore-born cricketer became the first Pakistani to score back-to-back ODI centuries, a landmark in Pakistan&rsquo;s cricket history. <div class="fr-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Back-to-back centuries for Sidra Amin as the batter continues her brilliant run with the willow 👊<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvSA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">#PAKvSA</a> 📝: <a href="https://t.co/fKEHXWL3l7" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">https://t.co/fKEHXWL3l7</a> | 📸: <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">@TheRealPCB</a> <a href="https://t.co/LMXPJ7cVzj" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">pic.twitter.com/LMXPJ7cVzj</a>&mdash; ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1969093586667855973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">September 19, 2025</a></blockquote></div> According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official match report, Amin also recorded the fastest ODI century by a Pakistani woman, reaching 100 runs in just 97 balls. With more than 150 international appearances and 2,221 ODI runs, including six centuries, she remained a linchpin of Pakistan&rsquo;s batting line-up. Gaddafi Stadium has become her personal stronghold, where she has scored three centuries at an average exceeding 120. Since debuting in 2011, Amin has helped elevate women&rsquo;s cricket in Pakistan to new heights. Naila Kiani&rsquo;s unprecedented climbing record<img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/611a7e42-2866-45d0-a73a-3855db9729f0.png" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil">Picture credits: Radio Pakistan Mountaineer Naila Kiani continued her extraordinary ascent in 2025, having summited 12 of the world&rsquo;s 14 peaks above 8,000 metres. Imagine Nepal, the expedition organizer, confirmed that Kiani scaled Kangchenjunga (8,586m), the world&rsquo;s third-highest mountain, in May, staying on course to become the first Pakistani woman to complete all fourteen eight-thousanders. A former aerospace engineer and a mother of two, Kiani also became the fastest Pakistani to summit 11 eight-thousanders in under three years, Alpine Club of Pakistan reported. The Embassy of Pakistan in Turkiye also congratulated her on this achievement.&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; 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=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1787508031929962698&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=2696e4393e4ed6d9d4f0ffa87d85e770d1536c72&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 673px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Beyond her personal achievements, she has championed reforms in Pakistan&rsquo;s mountaineering sector, helping reduce helicopter rescue costs and exposing exploitative commercial practices. According to Radio Pakistan, Naila Kiani remains the only female athlete to currently hold the Sitara-i-Imtiaz.&nbsp; Roma Riaz at Miss Universe<img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/6a61b8ec-3923-4895-a670-e3e057da2cd4.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil">Official Instagram account/ @romariaz_official Roma Riaz, 25, a British-Pakistani from Lahore, represented Pakistan at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand after winning the Miss Universe Pakistan title earlier in the year. Her participation returned Pakistan to the global pageant stage and sparked conversations about beauty standards, colorism, and representation. Raised between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom, Riaz is a graduate of Manchester Metropolitan University and has worked in merchandising and international fashion. Her advocacy focuses on girls&rsquo; education and challenging narrow definitions of beauty. In response to criticism over her skin tone and background, she posted an Instagram reel condemning colorist and body-shaming remarks, asserting that diversity should be celebrated, not policed. Mahnoor Omer and discriminatory taxation<img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/aeb6f1e9-2e44-46f3-9f28-e37cedb48d66.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil">Official Instagram account/ @learningwithmahnoor Lawyer and gender rights advocate Mahnoor Omer, 25, gained national and international attention in 2025 for challenging Pakistan&rsquo;s taxation of sanitary products. A former Supreme Court law clerk, Omer is pursuing postgraduate studies in Gender, Peace, and Security at the London School of Economics. She has also served as a Gender Consultant with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, co-authoring Pakistan&rsquo;s first UNODC Gender Equality Strategy. Her constitutional petition contends that menstrual hygiene products, essential for women&rsquo;s health, are unfairly taxed, violating constitutional guarantees of equality and dignity.&nbsp; Natasha Noorani&rsquo;s cultural innovation<img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/e235b212-ad97-4260-bf42-9a6cd0616e0f.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil">Official Instagram account/ @natashanoorani Emerging artist Natasha Noorani has established herself as one of Pakistan&rsquo;s most innovative contemporary musicians. Her debut album Ronaq, released in 2023, continued to influence the country&rsquo;s music scene throughout 2025. Blending R&amp;B, pop, electronic music, and neo-soul, the album reflects both creativity and cultural depth. Noorani coined the term &ldquo;Lolly-Pop&rdquo; to describe her approach, which merges retro subcontinental sounds from the 1940s&ndash;1980s with modern electronic production. Produced by Talal Qureshi and Abdullah Siddiqui, Ronaq features tracks including &ldquo;Choro,&rdquo; &ldquo;Thandi,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Faltu Pyar,&rdquo; a collaboration with Hasan Raheem. Her work continues to bridge Pakistan&rsquo;s musical past with its contemporary soundscape. While their paths differed, a common thread ran through their stories, questioning long-standing norms and opening space for wider participation.&nbsp; As Pakistan moves into 2026, the impact of these women&rsquo;s work continues to shape public debate. It offers a broader understanding of what achievement and leadership look like for Pakistani women today.

Pakistani women who made headlines in 2025 (Pakistan TV Digital)

Entertainment

In 2025, Pakistani women made headlines across cricket, mountaineering, music, law, and global platforms, redefining representation and excellence while challenging social norms through record-breaking achievements, creative innovation, and rights-based advocacy at home and abroad. 

Pakistan's Powerhouses: The Women Who Owned 2025

ISLAMABAD: Once seen as a country pushed to the edges of international diplomacy, Islamabad&rsquo;s foreign policy has undergone a major shift in 2025, becoming a significant regional partner and security provider to major powers and a key player in South and West Asian geopolitics.&nbsp;Last month, Pakistan&#39;s Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, told the media that Pakistan had become &ldquo;extremely relevant&rdquo; on the global stage. He credited this change to more assertive diplomacy following the May military conflict with India.&nbsp;The recent developments follow several years of economic hardship, political unrest, and reduced cooperation with traditional allies after the United States withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021.&nbsp;Turning point after years of strainConcerns about Pakistan&rsquo;s global standing were reflected in a May 22, 2023, report by the United States Congressional Research Service, which noted Pakistan&rsquo;s diminishing influence after the US exit from Afghanistan.&nbsp;Analysts describe 2025 as a turning point, with Islamabad working to re-establish itself as an active diplomatic player in South Asia, the Gulf, and beyond.&nbsp;Re-engagement with WashingtonFollowing the four-day war with India in May, Pakistan publicly acknowledged Washington&rsquo;s role in de-escalation and later nominated President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.&nbsp;Since then, US President Donald Trump has praised Pakistan&rsquo;s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, on multiple occasions, calling him a &ldquo;highly respected general.&rdquo;&nbsp;In July, Pakistan and the United States finalized a trade deal aimed at boosting bilateral trade, expanding market access, and improving cooperation in energy and technology.&nbsp;According to the Associated Press of Pakistan, the agreement included reciprocal tariff reductions and joint efforts to develop Pakistan&rsquo;s energy reserves.&nbsp;&ldquo;This deal marks the beginning of a new era of economic collaboration, especially in energy, mines and minerals, IT, cryptocurrency, and other sectors,&rdquo; the APP reported.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the US Charg&eacute; d&rsquo;Affaires, Natalie Baker, stated in a social media post that &ldquo;the future is bright&rdquo; for US-Pakistan relations, citing increased cooperation, investment, and people-to-people exchanges during the year. Deepening ties in the GulfPakistan also moved to strengthen its role in the Middle East. In September, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement in Riyadh. Under this agreement, an attack on one country would be considered an attack on both, reflecting the depth of their security partnership.&nbsp;The pact builds on decades of cooperation between the two nations and reinforces Pakistan&rsquo;s role as a key security partner in the Gulf.&nbsp;Sustained partnership with ChinaChina remained a central part of Pakistan&rsquo;s foreign and economic policy in 2025. The two countries reaffirmed their cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), especially in infrastructure, mining, and energy.&nbsp;In August 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Beijing and signed the &quot;CPEC Phase-II Acceleration Pact,&quot; focusing heavily on industrial cooperation and agricultural modernization.&nbsp;Expanding diplomatic effortsPakistan&rsquo;s diplomatic activity increased throughout the year, including high-level exchanges with T&uuml;rkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran. Islamabad also hosted the United States-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue in August.&nbsp;Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said earlier this year that Pakistan had entered a &ldquo;new phase&rdquo; of foreign policy, positioning itself as a partner to multiple major powers.&nbsp;Challenges from AfghanistanExperts acknowledge that challenges remain. Pakistan continues to face security threats originating from Afghanistan, which has caused significant instability.&nbsp;In an unprecedented move, both countries have engaged in direct and frequent clashes along their borders.&nbsp;According to Sammi Yousafzai, a specialist in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, &ldquo;the bilateral relations between the two countries nosedived to their lowest ebb.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;This has been a setback not only for Pakistan but also for the Afghan Taliban that lost a reliable partner during the persistent clashes,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;Although bilateral border trade has largely stalled, quiet diplomacy is developing between the two nations.&nbsp;Afghanistan&rsquo;s Interior Minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, last week welcomed remarks by Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, along with a statement from Pakistani religious scholars in Karachi, emphasizing the need for dialogue.&nbsp;As 2025 concludes, Pakistan stands not on the fringes but at the heart of evolving strategic relationships, a transformation few would have predicted just a year ago.

Pakistan shifted from early-year diplomatic isolation to emerging as a key regional partner and security provider for major powers by year’s end, underscoring a notable turnaround in its foreign policy trajectory

Pakistan: From Isolation To Relevance

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel&rsquo;s unilateral recognition of the so-called &ldquo;Somaliland&rdquo; region, calling it a violation of Somalia&rsquo;s sovereignty and international law, during a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) briefing on Monday.&nbsp;Speaking at the UNSC, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Acting Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s &ldquo;unwavering and steadfast support&rdquo; for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.&nbsp;Ambassador Jadoon described Israel&rsquo;s move as a &ldquo;direct assault on Somalia&rsquo;s internationally recognized borders,&rdquo; stressing that Somaliland remains an &ldquo;integral, inseparable, and inalienable part of Somalia.&rdquo; He emphasized that no external actor has the legal or moral authority to alter Somalia&rsquo;s territorial integrity.&nbsp;Pakistan also highlighted that a group of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries, including Pakistan, has jointly rejected Israel&rsquo;s action. The joint statement warned that recognizing parts of sovereign states violates the United Nations Charter and could have serious repercussions for peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea region, and beyond.&nbsp;The Pakistani envoy noted that Israel&rsquo;s recognition comes at a sensitive moment when Somalia is making tangible progress in political reconciliation, constitutional reform, and institution-building under the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. He pointed to positive developments in economic legislation, preparations for inclusive elections, and the ongoing transition of the United Nations presence in Somalia.&nbsp;According to Ambassador Jadoon, the first phase of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) has been completed, with the mission scheduled to conclude operations by 31 October 2026. He warned that actions undermining Somalia&rsquo;s unity risk reversing these hard-won gains.&nbsp;Pakistan also acknowledged the sacrifices of the Somali people and their security forces, supported by AU-UN missions, in combating Al-Shabaab, stressing the need for continued international support for Somalia&rsquo;s security and stabilization efforts.&nbsp;Linking the issue to the wider regional context, Ambassador Jadoon expressed concern over Israel&rsquo;s previous references to Somaliland as a potential destination for the deportation of Palestinians from Gaza. He said such actions reflect a broader pattern of destabilization and warned against exporting conflict to the Horn of Africa.&nbsp;Pakistan unequivocally rejected any proposals involving the forced displacement of Palestinians, recalling that UN Security Council Resolution 2803 clearly states that no one will be forced to leave Gaza. The envoy reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s support for the Palestinian people&rsquo;s right to self-determination and reiterated its backing for a two-state solution, with an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.&nbsp;Ambassador Jadoon called on the Security Council and the international community to speak with one voice against actions that undermine Somalia&rsquo;s unity, reaffirming Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to standing with the Somali government and people in their pursuit of peace and prosperity.

Ambassador Usman Jadoon describes Israel’s move as a 'direct assault on Somalia’s internationally recognized borders.'

Pakistan condemns Israel’s recognition of 'Somaliland' at UN Security Council

<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar held telephone conversations with his counterparts from Turkiye and Iran on Sunday, discussing bilateral ties and regional developments.<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In his call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Senator Dar reviewed the strong Pakistan-Turkiye bilateral relationship and exchanged views on evolving regional and international issues. The discussion gave particular attention to the developments related to the genocide in Palestine.&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" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2002710754668273881&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=8bddf03cc1b023505c669dbf9362ed468e8eba7d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 768px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div><span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Both ministers emphasized the need to enhance collaboration in trade, investment, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges, while reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting regional peace, stability and development.<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In a separate conversation, Dar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, reviewing bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors and discussing regional developments.<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" 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=2002635696172109928&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=8bddf03cc1b023505c669dbf9362ed468e8eba7d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 774px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div><span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The two leaders expressed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade, connectivity and people-to-people ties. They also reiterated their resolve to work closely for regional peace and development.<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The diplomatic engagements reflect Pakistan&#39;s continued focus on strengthening ties with key regional partners and playing a constructive role in addressing regional challenges.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Chairs a high-level meeting on issues relating to the welfare of Overseas Pakistanis (ForeignOfficePk/File)

The talks focused on the Gaza crisis, enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and connectivity, exchanging views on regional developments, and reaffirming commitment to promoting peace, stability and development in the region.

Articles tagged with "Pakistan"