Ibrahim Zadran stars as Jaffna Kings beat Colombo …

Pakistan is continuing diplomatic efforts to bring the United States and Iran back to the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a bid to ease regional tensions and promote dialogue, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Thursday. Speaking at the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Pakistan remains actively engaged with all relevant parties to encourage the implementation of the Islamabad MoU and the Pakistan-Qatar joint understanding aimed at reducing tensions. He said negotiations are continuing to restore stability, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, and to support efforts for de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy. The spokesperson noted that although the region had witnessed a brief period of relative calm, the security situation remains fragile. He said Pakistan hopes the reduction in hostilities will pave the way for a lasting ceasefire and meaningful negotiations. Reaffirming Islamabad’s position, Andrabi said dialogue and diplomacy remain the only practical solution to the ongoing crisis. He added that Pakistan welcomes every initiative aimed at resuming talks between Iran and the United States and will continue to play a constructive role in regional peace efforts. He urged all sides to exercise maximum restraint and honour their commitments to resume technical-level discussions under the Islamabad MoU. Highlighting Pakistan’s recent diplomatic engagements, Andrabi said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreed to continue close coordination for regional peace, stability and the uninterrupted movement of lawful maritime trade through the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. He said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also held separate telephone conversations with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. The discussions focused on the evolving regional situation, diplomatic cooperation and efforts to maintain peace and stability. The spokesperson said Pakistan and Kuwait also reaffirmed their longstanding partnership and agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment, energy, information technology, agriculture, education and healthcare. He added that Kuwait’s ratification of the Pakistan-Kuwait Defence Cooperation Agreement would further strengthen defence collaboration between the two countries. Andrabi also highlighted Pakistan’s participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, where Islamabad reaffirmed its commitment to regional connectivity, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative while expressing readiness to assume the SCO chairmanship for 2026-27. On Pakistan-US relations, he said Ishaq Dar recently met a visiting US congressional delegation and an American business delegation, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation through stronger parliamentary, economic and people-to-people engagement. Addressing the situation in Palestine, Andrabi said Pakistan joined several Arab and Islamic countries in condemning Israeli actions in Jerusalem and called on the international community to uphold international law, protect Palestinian rights and preserve the historical and religious status of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has extended the physical remand of former Jamaat-e-Islami senator Mushtaq Ahmad and his co-accused, Daniyal, by four more days in connection with a case linked to a protest over the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The two accused were produced before the court after completing an earlier three-day physical remand. During the hearing, the prosecution sought a 30-day remand, arguing that investigators still needed additional time to recover a vehicle and weapons allegedly connected to the case. According to prosecutors, the investigation remains incomplete because the alleged recoveries have not yet been made. They requested extended custody to continue the inquiry. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court rejected the request for a 30-day remand and instead approved a four-day extension in police custody. The case was registered at Islamabad’s Shalimar Police Station under charges related to a protest concerning recent unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Mushtaq Ahmad’s legal team has previously claimed that he was detained after attempting to enter AJK to express solidarity with people affected by recent violence in the region. They alleged he was stopped by security personnel at Azad Pattan Bridge, denied entry into AJK and later taken into custody by Punjab Police while returning to Islamabad. Following his release from the earlier detention, Mushtaq Ahmad announced plans to organise a peaceful gathering in Islamabad to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir. He invited political activists, students, journalists and members of the Kashmiri community to participate in the event. The case comes amid heightened political tensions following recent protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where clashes reportedly resulted in casualties and injuries, drawing criticism from several political parties and human rights groups.

The Sindh government has decided to establish a judicial commission to investigate the death of 25-year-old businessman Mir Raza Ali in Karachi. Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar said the decision was taken during a meeting with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. He said the investigation would now be conducted with the involvement of judges from the Sindh High Court. Speaking about the case, Lanjar said the government wanted to ensure justice for Mir Raza’s family. He expressed sympathy with the family and said authorities were committed to uncovering the facts surrounding the young businessman’s death. The minister also confirmed that the police investigation team had already been changed. Deputy Inspector General Amir Farooqui is heading the new team. According to Lanjar, the family has also been given the option of suggesting police officers who could be included in the investigation team. He said authorities had so far found no evidence indicating the involvement of any high-profile personality. Lanjar said the formation of a judicial commission had become necessary because of questions surrounding the investigation and conflicting findings related to the case. The decision comes after a second post-mortem examination reportedly raised serious questions about the circumstances of Mir Raza’s death. Preliminary findings indicated that he had sustained a gunshot wound from behind, challenging earlier assumptions about the case. The minister also addressed concerns regarding the initial post-mortem examination. He said doctors responsible for the examination should have immediately informed their superiors if they believed there were shortcomings in the report. Meanwhile, a new development has emerged in the investigation. According to forensic sources, there was an alleged attempt to damage or burn Mir Raza’s body with acid. Sources said traces of acid were reportedly found on the shirt worn by the 25-year-old businessman. Investigators are expected to examine the finding as part of the wider forensic inquiry. Mir Raza’s body was discovered in bushes in Karachi’s Gulistan-i-Jauhar area after he went missing. His family has maintained that he was kidnapped, tortured and murdered. The latest developments have intensified questions surrounding the circumstances of his death. The proposed judicial commission is expected to examine the available forensic, medical and investigative evidence and determine what happened to the young businessman.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Salman Akram Raja has said he had no authority to remove Mashal Yousafzai from the Senate. He said he chose to overlook the matter to prevent divisions within the party. Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad, Raja said Mashal Yousafzai was not acting alone and had a group supporting her. He said the facts would eventually come before everyone. He added that he would not further fuel an issue that had already been given unnecessary attention in the past. Raja also said he did not know who had made Mashal Yousafzai a senator. Speaking to journalists at the Adiala Jail factory checkpoint in Rawalpindi, Raja said that allegations should be backed by evidence. He said false allegations remained false regardless of who made them. He said he had been practising law and continued to do so. He described some of the statements made against him as completely baseless. Raja said such allegations would have to be answered. He added that the party would take action over the matter. Comments on political developments Speaking about the political situation, Raja said September 27 was not a distant date. He said political activity was continuing on a daily basis. He said time passes quickly and described September 27 as an important date. Raja also said that a revolution could not be brought about by a single political party. He said it required the participation of the entire nation. On negotiations with the government, he said there was currently no formal offer from the government. However, Raja said PTI had not rejected negotiations on principle at any level. He described reports of an alliance with the Pakistan Peoples Party as premature. He said two parties could have similar positions on a particular issue without forming an alliance. PTI denies link with terrorism Raja strongly rejected any alleged connection between PTI and terrorism. He said PTI had never had any association with terrorism. Referring to the person killed in Rawalpindi, he said the party did not know which group the man belonged to or what activities he had been involved in. Raja described PTI as a peaceful political party. He said the party opposed terrorism and had never been part of any violent activity. He maintained that PTI was continuing its political struggle within the framework of the Constitution and the law.