Angelina Jolie reacts as Vivienne files to remove …

  ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday night, during which the two sides discussed recent developments in the region and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on issues of mutual interest. According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two foreign ministers agreed that dialogue and diplomacy remained the most effective means of addressing regional challenges and promoting peace and stability. The conversation took place as Pakistan continues its diplomatic engagement with regional and international partners amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Islamabad has increasingly emerged as an important diplomatic channel in efforts aimed at reducing tensions and encouraging negotiations between the parties. Dar has recently held discussions with several senior diplomats regarding the rapidly changing regional situation. Last week, he met US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker, British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott, Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong and Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to Sweden Ahmed Amjad Ali. During these meetings, the foreign minister exchanged views with the diplomats on regional developments and Pakistan’s efforts to contribute to peace and stability. Dar emphasized that the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding must be implemented in both letter and spirit, describing this as the most appropriate way forward. He also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, security and diplomatic engagement. Dar recently held a joint press conference with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, who praised Pakistan’s role during the US-Iran conflict. Eide particularly acknowledged the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir during delegation-level discussions held in Islamabad. The Norwegian foreign minister said Pakistan had taken on a significant responsibility by offering Islamabad not only as a venue for negotiations but also as a facilitator between Washington and Tehran. Eide described Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts as a service to the international community and expressed strong support for the role Islamabad had assumed since the conflict began on February 28. The latest diplomatic contacts also come against the backdrop of a major regional security development: the signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye on August 7. The trilateral agreement has been described as a defensive security framework designed to strengthen collective deterrence, expand military cooperation and contribute to regional stability. The agreement has attracted considerable attention because of the growing security challenges in the region and the evolving strategic relationships among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. The Makkah agreement follows the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia last year. That pact established a stronger bilateral security relationship and stated that aggression against either country would be regarded as aggression against both. The latest developments indicate that Pakistan is seeking to strengthen diplomatic and security partnerships while maintaining its stated preference for dialogue and peaceful resolution of regional disputes. Dar’s conversation with Fidan further reflects the close relationship between Islamabad and Ankara, particularly on regional security and diplomatic matters. Both countries have consistently emphasized the importance of cooperation, consultation and peaceful negotiations in addressing regional crises. Their latest discussion is expected to contribute to continued coordination as tensions across the region remain high.

  The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has ordered the immediate closure of all mines where explosive materials are used, as part of a broader effort to strengthen security and tighten oversight of potentially hazardous substances across the province. According to official directives issued by the Provincial Home Department in Peshawar, all district administrations have been instructed to take immediate action and ensure strict implementation of the government’s orders. The directive emphasizes the need for swift compliance and close coordination among local authorities to enforce the new measures without delay. The Home Department has also directed all districts to prepare and submit comprehensive lists of mines operating within their jurisdictions. These lists will distinguish between mines that use explosives and those that do not. Officials have been instructed to classify all mines using explosive materials under a Red List, indicating that they fall under stricter regulatory scrutiny and are subject to immediate closure or further action. On the other hand, mines extracting soft rock without the use of explosive materials will be placed on a Green List. These mines are considered comparatively safer from a security perspective and may continue operations in accordance with existing regulations, provided they comply with all relevant legal requirements. The department has instructed district administrations to submit both the Green List and the Red List as soon as possible. The reports are expected to provide a clear picture of mining activities across the province and help authorities monitor compliance with the latest directives. In addition to regulating mining operations, the Home Department has ordered strict monitoring of the purchase, sale, transportation, storage, and use of explosive materials. Authorities have also been instructed to closely monitor the movement and use of urea fertilizer, which can potentially be misused in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices if diverted from legitimate agricultural purposes. As part of these measures, all districts have been asked to compile and submit complete district-wise lists of licensed urea dealers. The purpose of collecting this information is to strengthen oversight of the distribution chain and prevent the illegal sale or diversion of urea for unlawful activities. The Home Department has further instructed all relevant officials to submit the required reports and lists without delay. Once these reports are received, the provincial government will review the findings and determine any additional actions that may be necessary. Relevant authorities are expected to take further administrative, regulatory, or legal measures based on the information collected from across the province. The latest directives reflect the KP government’s commitment to enhancing public safety, improving regulatory oversight of mining activities, and preventing the misuse of explosive materials. By introducing a district-wise classification system and increasing surveillance over explosives and urea distribution, the provincial administration aims to strengthen law enforcement efforts and reduce potential security risks associated with unauthorized use of hazardous substances. The implementation of these measures is expected to improve coordination among government departments and ensure greater accountability in the mining and chemical supply sectors across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.