Web Desk

Foreign Affairs

Says, 'Before the negotiations, I emphasized that we have the necessary good faith'; adds, 'America has understood our logic and principles, and now it's time for it to decide whether it can earn our trust or not?'


It is for US to decide to earn our trust: Iranian speaker

White House confirms US Vice President JD Vance will lead delegation to Iran talks in Islamabad as President Pezeshkian confirms Iran's participation, while Pakistan PM urges restraint to sustain ceasefire and advance diplomacy.

Vance to lead US delegation as Iran confirms participation in Islamabad talks

Pakistan TV Satellite

ISLAMABAD: Former Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White has described Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&rsquo;s offer to facilitate talks as a &ldquo;very smart&rdquo; and strategic move. Speaking in Pakistan TV&rsquo;s programme Newsroom with Sana Maqbool, Dana W. White said the offer underscores Pakistan&rsquo;s constructive role in advancing diplomatic engagement and helping de-escalate tensions. White said the initiative demonstrated foresight on Islamabad&rsquo;s part, adding that President Trump&rsquo;s public acknowledgement of the offer reflected &ldquo;a great deal of respect&rdquo; for Pakistan. The former Pentagon spokesperson said the development could positively shape bilateral ties, particularly at a time when Trump has voiced dissatisfaction with NATO, Great Britain, and Europe, making new and willing partners more significant. She further said the move aligned with Trump&rsquo;s stated desire to end bloodshed quickly, arguing that he requires partners ready to help resolve the crisis.&nbsp; According to White, Pakistan is well positioned to assist in these conversations and could play a meaningful role in moving diplomatic efforts forward. Dana W. White said Washington believes there is still a possibility of a deal with Tehran, but warned that President Trump &ldquo;is not going to wait forever&rdquo;, pointing to ongoing backchannel communications despite what she described as public &ldquo;bluster&rdquo; from Iran.&nbsp; She said the United States&rsquo; objective remains unchanged, which was dismantling Iran&rsquo;s nuclear ambitions and ballistic missile capabilities.&nbsp; The former Pentagon spokesperson said while US military operations have degraded Iran&rsquo;s missiles and drones, attention is now shifting to diplomacy and identifying credible interlocutors.&nbsp; She said Washington and its allies may look beyond ideological leadership toward mid-level military figures and other actors willing to engage. She also emphasized that regional players, including Gulf states and potentially Pakistan, could help shape post-conflict dynamics, while Iran may seek an &ldquo;exit ramp&rdquo; that allows it to save face.&nbsp; White said Trump is pursuing a dual-track approach of pressure and diplomacy, insisting that Tehran must eventually come to the negotiating table or face further consequences.

The Newsroom

Former Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White said PM Sharif offer to help talks is smart. It improves Pakistan’s image, gains Trump’s respect, and could help reduce US-Iran tensions through diplomacy and pressure.

PM Sharif’s offer to facilitate talks a ‘very smart’, strategic move: ex-Pentagon official

ISLAMABAD: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Wednesday that he welcomes Pakistan&rsquo;s offer to host dialogue between the United States and Iran, calling it &ldquo;timely and constructive.&rdquo; &ldquo;I welcome&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-pm-says-islamabad-ready-to-host-talks-to-end-middle-east-war" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pakistan&rsquo;s</a>&nbsp;timely and constructive offer to host dialogue between the United States and Iran,&rdquo; he said in a post on X.<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: 648px; 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=2036746075982405837&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=bd7f2e659f46a92c4d992e4a3e43a4ac21e04c9c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>&ldquo;I commend Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the leaders of other friendly nations for stepping forward at a moment of acute regional danger, following the earlier commendable efforts of the leadership of Oman and other friendly countries.&rdquo; &lsquo;Credible voice&rsquo;&nbsp;He added that &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s relationships with the relevant parties, and its standing as a credible voice in the Muslim world, place it in a strong position to help create the conditions for meaningful negotiations.&rdquo; The Malaysian leader said his country supports the initiative and urged both Washington and Tehran to respond positively. &ldquo;Malaysia supports this initiative and encourages in particular the United States and Iran to respond in the spirit in which it was offered,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I note with cautious hope the signals, however incomplete, that suggest some space for diplomacy may still exist. That space should be treated with the seriousness it deserves.&rdquo; Ibrahim stressed that negotiations must be genuine. &lsquo;Genuine intent&rsquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Any negotiation must proceed on the basis of genuine intent: a clear commitment to ending the conflict, not managing its tempo for tactical advantage,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The international community has seen too many ceasefires that function as pauses rather than conclusions. The region deserves something more durable.&rdquo; Malaysia, Ibrahim said, &ldquo;reaffirms Iran&rsquo;s right to defend its sovereignty, as recognised under international law, particularly in the face of continued Israeli strikes in the country and in Lebanon.&rdquo; &lsquo;Maximum restraint&rsquo;&nbsp;He also called &ldquo;on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to ensure that civilian populations and the infrastructure of neighbouring states, namely the Gulf states, are not drawn further into a conflict they did not choose.&rdquo; &ldquo;The Gulf states, the region and the world have much at stake &mdash; economically, socially and in terms of long-term stability &mdash; and their peoples must not bear the consequences of decisions taken elsewhere,&rdquo; he added. Ibrahim also raised concerns about the application of international law. &ldquo;It is also a matter of concern that some of the strongest advocates of the rules-based international order appear to apply it unevenly. International law cannot be invoked selectively. It cannot shield one party from accountability while denying another its inherent right to self-defence. Its credibility depends on consistency.&rdquo; Ibrahim said he had recently engaged with multiple international partners. &ldquo;In recent days, I have held discussions with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, T&uuml;rkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan and other partners to better understand the situation and to advocate for de-escalation,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Malaysia will continue to support every credible effort towards a just and lasting peace,&rdquo; the Malaysian prime minister concluded.

Asia

Commends Pakistan PM Sharif and the 'leaders of other friendly nations for stepping forward at a moment of acute regional danger, following the earlier commendable efforts of the leadership of Oman and other friendly countries.’

Malaysian PM welcomes Pakistan’s offer to mediate US-Iran dialogue

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has increased taxes on high-end fuel used by luxury vehicles while keeping prices for ordinary consumers unchanged, as the government moves to cushion economic pressure from the ongoing Middle East conflict.&nbsp;Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a Rs200 ($0.72) per liter increase in the levy on high-octane fuel, raising it from Rs100, with an even higher Rs300 ($1.08) per liter levy applied to the most expensive vehicles, according to a statement from the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office (PMO) on Sunday.&nbsp;A fuel levy is a government-imposed charge added to the base price of petroleum products, often used to generate revenue or manage consumption. In Pakistan&rsquo;s case, raising the levy on high-octane fuel targets wealthier consumers while helping offset rising import costs and fiscal pressures without increasing prices for the broader population.&nbsp;&ldquo;This decision will save the government Rs9 billion per month and, as per the Prime Minister&rsquo;s instructions, the people will be given relief from this saving,&rdquo; the PMO said.&nbsp;Officials emphasized that the move will not impact fuel prices for ordinary vehicles, public transport or air travel.&nbsp;&ldquo;Fuel prices for ordinary vehicles remain unchanged,&rdquo; the statement said, adding that &ldquo;the richest class of the country will bear the burden.&rdquo;&nbsp;The decision comes as Pakistan navigates rising economic pressures linked to disruptions in global energy markets following the US-Israeli war on Iran, which has affected key oil supply routes and driven volatility in international prices.&nbsp;Islamabad has already urged conservation measures to reduce consumption amid concerns that prolonged instability in the Gulf could affect fuel availability and import costs.&nbsp;Sharif also rejected proposals for broader fuel price hikes, signaling the government&rsquo;s intent to shield the wider population from inflationary shocks while maintaining fiscal balance.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Prime Minister had taken notice of the high-octane prices and directed the relevant ministry to prepare a plan of action,&rdquo; the PMO said.&nbsp;The policy reflects a targeted approach aimed at redistributing the burden of rising energy costs toward higher-income groups, while protecting vulnerable segments of society during a period of heightened global uncertainty.&nbsp;The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, and senior officials.

Economy

Islamabad shifts energy burden toward high-end consumers, introducing targeted measures to manage rising global oil costs while maintaining price stability for the broader population as authorities respond to ongoing supply disruptions and economic uncertainty.

Pakistan raises luxury fuel levy to shield economy amid Iran war

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held talks with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, discussing the escalating Middle East crisis and ongoing efforts to support peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office said Thursday.&nbsp;During the exchange, Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s solidarity with T&uuml;rkiye and Gulf countries amid rising regional tensions.&nbsp;&ldquo;I reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s steadfast solidarity with T&uuml;rkiye as well as with other brotherly Gulf countries, and conveyed our readiness to support efforts aimed at de-escalation and dialogue,&rdquo; the PMO said, quoting the prime minister.&nbsp;The discussion comes as tensions in the Middle East intensify following recent strikes and retaliatory actions involving Iran, raising concerns over a broader regional conflict.&nbsp;Sharif condemned attacks targeting T&uuml;rkiye and other regional countries, urging restraint and calling for diplomatic solutions.&nbsp;&ldquo;He stressed upon the need for resolving differences through dialogue and diplomacy,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;The leaders also reviewed the situation in Afghanistan, where Sharif acknowledged T&uuml;rkiye&rsquo;s role in facilitating regional stability.&nbsp;&ldquo;We also exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan and I acknowledged T&uuml;rkiye&rsquo;s constructive role in supporting peace efforts between Pakistan and Afghanistan,&rdquo; the PMO said.&nbsp;The conversation follows Pakistan&rsquo;s announcement of a temporary pause in Operation Ghazab lil Haq during Eid-ul-Fitr, a move Islamabad says is aimed at encouraging de-escalation.&nbsp;Sharif also conveyed Eid greetings to Erdoğan, his family and the people of T&uuml;rkiye, underscoring the close ties between the two countries.

Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Tayyip Erdogan about the Middle East crisis and peace efforts between Pakistan and Afghanistan, backed dialogue and restraint, praised Türkiye’s role and expressed solidarity with Türkiye and Gulf countries

Sharif, Erdogan discuss Middle East crisis, Afghan peace efforts in Eid call

ISLAMABAD: Jazz has launched 5G services in Pakistan after obtaining a Next Generation Mobile Services license from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, according to a press release issued on Thursday. A ceremony was held in Islamabad, where the license awarding agreement was signed by DG Licensing, PTA, Brig (retired) Aamir Shahzad, and the CEO of JazzWorld, Aamir Ibrahim. The ceremony was attended by Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and PTA Chairman Maj Gen (retired) Hafeezur Rehman. In the initial phase, 5G services are live at approximately 180 sites across major cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, and Faisalabad, according to the press release. Jazz has acquired spectrum in the 700 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz bands during the recent auction. The company has announced a $1 billion investment commitment related to its network and digital services, in addition to more than $11 billion invested in Pakistan over the past three decades. Through its platform JazzWorld, the company reports serving over 100 million users across services including telecommunications, financial services, and digital applications.

The launch follows the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority's award of a license to mobile operator Jazz.

Pakistan launches 5G services 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday congratulated Rabi Lamichhane and Balendra Shah of the Rastriya Swatantra Party following their victory in the 2026 elections in Nepal.&nbsp;In a message shared on the social media platform X, the premier praised the electoral outcome and described it as a strong sign of public confidence in the country&rsquo;s emerging leadership.&nbsp;&ldquo;My heartiest congratulations to Rabi Lamichhane and Balendra Shah of the Rastriya Swatantra Party on their remarkable victory in the 2026 elections in Nepal,&rdquo; Sharif 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-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 369px; 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=2031659899013488916&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=d68f16a36bb6770eb78bf5163230641a750a12b7&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Sharif also highlighted the importance of ties between the two countries, saying Pakistan is eager to work with Nepal&rsquo;s incoming leadership to deepen bilateral relations.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan looks forward to working closely with the newly elected Government of Nepal to further strengthen our historic friendship and cooperation,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Historic election winShah&rsquo;s centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) appears set to form the next government in Nepal after securing a commanding lead in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/rapperturnedpolitician-looks-set-for-landslide-nepal-election-win" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">parliamentary elections</a>, with only around two percent of votes left to be counted.&nbsp;According to preliminary results, the party has already secured a majority in the 275-member House of Representatives, marking one of the most dramatic political shifts in recent Nepali politics.&nbsp;The 35-year-old Shah, a rapper-turned-politician who previously served as mayor of Kathmandu, is now widely expected to become Nepal&rsquo;s next prime minister. His rise caps a bold political gamble and follows a wave of support among younger voters.&nbsp;The March 5 parliamentary vote was the first national election since deadly youth-led anti-corruption protests toppled the government in September last year.&nbsp;In a major upset, Shah defeated veteran four-time prime minister KP Sharma Oli in his own constituency. Oli&rsquo;s Marxist-led government had been ousted amid the unrest that swept the country in 2025.

The premier praises the electoral outcome, describing it as a strong sign of public confidence in the country’s emerging leadership.

Pakistan PM congratulates Nepal’s new leadership after election victory

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei on assuming the responsibilities of the Supreme Leader of Iran. The prime minister also expressed condolences over the martyrdom of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the former supreme leader, who was assassinated in coordinated US-Israeli airstrikes on March 1.<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: 345px; 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=2031356250420605075&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=63a883850c3d45083e0cfbfde25c53d82326a42a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>In a message, Sharif conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to Mojtaba Khamenei and extended deepest condolences and prayers on behalf of the people of Pakistan over the martyrdom of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other members of the family. He expressed confidence that the new supreme leader would guide Iran toward peace, stability and prosperity in the years ahead. The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s solidarity with the people of Iran during this difficult time and expressed hope for stronger cooperation between the two neighboring countries. In a separate message, the president extended his congratulations to Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei following his assumption of the leadership role. Zardari noted that the region is currently facing serious tensions and conflict, and expressed hope that the situation will stabilise and conditions will improve for the people of the region. Who is Mojtaba Khamenei?&nbsp;Born on September 8, 1969, in the holy city of Mashhad in eastern Iran,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/mojtaba-khamenei-son-and-successor-to-irans-supreme-leader" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mojtaba Khamenei</a>&nbsp;is one of six children of the late supreme leader. He was named supreme leader by the top clerical body, the Assembly of Experts, in a statement published shortly after midnight on Monday in Iran. Other contenders for the top position had included Alireza Arafi, one of the three members of the interim council running the country, hardliner Mohsen Araki, and even Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic republic in 1979. But ultimately, the assembly settled on Mojtaba Khamenei, 56. The Islamic revolution had put an end to a multi-century royal dynasty headed by the shah.

Express confidence that the new supreme leader would guide Iran toward peace, stability and prosperity in the years ahead.

Pakistan President, PM congratulate Iran’s new supreme leader

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will inaugurate the Pakistan Governance Forum 2026 in Islamabad on Feb. 25, bringing together national leaders and experts to promote reforms under the &ldquo;Reimagining Governance for URAAN Pakistan&rdquo; agenda and lead institutional transformation across the country. During the two-day event, 25 special sessions will be held to promote practical reforms and drive change across key areas, including civil service reform, energy renewal, digital transformation, ICT governance, population planning, and institutional performance. The forum is described as the planning and development ministry&rsquo;s &quot;largest and most important governance dialogue of the year,&quot; the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported. The event aims to &ldquo;translate ideas into practical actions&rdquo; and accelerate governance transformation in Pakistan through comprehensive dialogue and integrated strategies. The forum will discuss Pakistan&rsquo;s governance reform agenda in detail, focusing on URAAN Pakistan&rsquo;s Five E&#39;s: Equity, Exports, Energy, Environment, and e-Pakistan. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chairman of the Senate, Yousaf Raza Gilani, will attend the forum, along with more than 100 speakers, including federal and provincial leaders, parliamentarians, senior government officials, policy experts, development partners, academicians, private sector representatives, and members of civil society. Prominent participants will take part in the session, including Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Yar Muhammad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, along with several federal ministers, senior officials and experts, APP reported.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will inaugurate the two-day Pakistan Governance Forum 2026 in Islamabad, which will focus on reforms across the civil service, energy, digital transformation, governance, and institutional performance.

Articles tagged with "Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif"

It is for US to decide to earn our trust: Iranian speaker

Vance to lead US delegation as Iran confirms participation in Islamabad talks

PM Sharif’s offer to facilitate talks a ‘very smart’, strategic move: ex-Pentagon official

Malaysian PM welcomes Pakistan’s offer to mediate US-Iran dialogue

Pakistan raises luxury fuel levy to shield economy amid Iran war

Sharif, Erdogan discuss Middle East crisis, Afghan peace efforts in Eid call

Pakistan launches 5G services

Pakistan PM congratulates Nepal’s new leadership after election victory

Pakistan President, PM congratulate Iran’s new supreme leader

Pakistan Governance Forum 2026 to help accelerate institutional reforms

It is for US to decide to earn our trust: Iranian speaker