National

Senior leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) held a high-level meeting in Muzaffarabad on Thursday to defuse growing political tensions over the ongoing Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. The meeting came after days of heated exchanges between the two coalition partners following the Mirpur election. The PPP had accused the electoral process of being marred by widespread irregularities and raised concerns over the credibility of the results. According to sources, the talks were aimed at preventing the election dispute from affecting the working relationship between the two parties in the federal coalition government. The meeting was reportedly arranged after consultations at the federal level. Some sources claimed that the initiative received support from both the Presidency and the Prime Minister’s Office. However, this could not be independently verified. The PPP delegation included Qamar Zaman Kaira, Nadeem Afzal Chan, AJK Prime Minister Faisal Rathore and Nayyar Bukhari. They met with senior PML-N leaders Rana Sanaullah and Amir Muqam. During the meeting, both sides openly discussed their concerns over statements made during the election campaign and after the announcement of the Mirpur results. PML-N leaders asked the PPP to present evidence supporting its allegations of organised election rigging. In response, PPP leaders said their objections were limited to four constituencies — LA-5, LA-9, LA-11 and LA-12 — where they believe serious irregularities took place. PML-N leaders argued that by restricting its objections to only four constituencies, the PPP had effectively accepted the results of the remaining nine seats. They noted that PML-N won five of those seats, while the PPP secured four. After detailed discussions, both parties agreed that political tensions should not be allowed to escalate further. They also agreed that the dispute should not affect the remaining phases of the AJK elections. The meeting also reviewed security arrangements for polling in the remaining constituencies, particularly in Muzaffarabad. Both parties agreed that no individual should be allowed to carry weapons inside or around polling stations. They stressed that strict security measures were necessary to ensure peaceful, transparent and orderly polling. Political observers view the meeting as the first major reconciliation effort by the two coalition partners to contain the election dispute

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that, in his personal opinion, Karachi and Gwadar should be directly administered as part of the federation, stressing that his remarks are intended to serve the national interest rather than any political or personal agenda. Speaking in a television interview, Asif clarified that the proposal reflects his own views and has not been discussed or approved by his party. He acknowledged that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) may agree with some of his opinions while differing on others. “I am expressing my personal opinion. I have not sought my party’s approval for these remarks,” he said. “Some of my views may be supported by the party, while others may not.” The defence minister stressed that he has no personal interest in either Karachi or Gwadar and that his comments were made solely from the perspective of what he believes is best for the country. Asif also spoke about the importance of local government systems in modern democracies. He said effective local governments play a key role in governance, public service delivery and political development. He noted that local government institutions were revived during the 1980s and argued that many leaders currently serving at the provincial and federal levels began their political careers through the local government system. According to Asif, strengthening local governance remains essential for improving democratic institutions and ensuring better administration across the country. Commenting on the country’s administrative structure, the defence minister said provinces should not be created on the basis of provincial or ethnic identities. He suggested that national unity and effective governance should remain the guiding principles in discussions on administrative reforms.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has called for the creation of new administrative units and provinces, saying Pakistan’s current governance system has failed and requires fundamental reforms to meet the country’s future needs. Speaking at Pakistan’s first Economic Summit in Islamabad, Naqvi said the existing administrative structure could no longer effectively address the country’s growing challenges. He stressed that establishing new administrative units was essential for improving governance and ensuring sustainable development. “The system we are living under has collapsed,” he said. “New administrative units or provinces are the only way forward.” Naqvi said Pakistan would continue facing the same problems even a decade from now unless major structural reforms were introduced. He urged policymakers to focus on fixing the country’s basic governance framework instead of relying on temporary solutions. The interior minister also highlighted the concerns of Pakistan’s youth. He said young people are no longer satisfied with receiving laptops, scholarships or financial assistance alone. Instead, they want employment opportunities based on merit and a transparent system that guarantees fairness. He warned that growing frustration among young people should not be ignored. Referring to the younger generation, he said if they unite, they could bring significant political and social change. Naqvi also pointed to Pakistan’s financial challenges, saying the country continues to rely heavily on borrowing while its debt burden keeps increasing. He argued that meaningful economic improvement would remain difficult unless the overall governance system was reset. He praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s commitment to work, saying the prime minister spends long hours addressing national issues. However, he added that even working 18 hours a day would not be enough if the country’s underlying system remained unchanged. The interior minister said political parties must set aside their differences and work together to introduce reforms. He urged all major stakeholders, including the government and opposition, to sit together and develop a long-term national strategy. Later, while speaking informally with journalists, Naqvi said the country’s institutions and political leadership must improve the system if Pakistan is to achieve lasting progress. He said the efforts of the military leadership alone would not be sufficient without governance reforms. He also said all political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), should participate in efforts to improve the country’s governance structure. Responding to a question about the PTI founder, Naqvi said the matter would be decided by the courts. He also dismissed speculation about becoming foreign minister, saying he would continue serving as interior minister.

President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the conferment of the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on General Syed Aamer Raza, the newly appointed Commander of the National Strategic Command (NSC). The announcement was made by the President’s Secretariat through a post on X, stating that the country’s highest civilian office had endorsed the prestigious military honour for General Raza in recognition of his distinguished service. General Raza has previously received the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) and the Sitara-i-Basalat, reflecting a career marked by operational leadership and professional excellence. His latest recognition comes shortly after his promotion to the rank of four-star general and appointment as Pakistan’s first Commander of the National Strategic Command. The position was created as part of the sweeping reforms introduced under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which reshaped the country’s higher defence structure. Under the new framework, the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee was abolished and replaced by the position of Chief of Defence Forces, a role currently held concurrently by Field Marshal Asim Munir as Chief of Army Staff. The National Strategic Command serves as the unified operational headquarters for Pakistan’s strategic forces, bringing together the strategic commands of the Army, Navy and Air Force under one command. Despite this restructuring, the National Command Authority, chaired by the prime minister, remains the country’s highest decision-making body on nuclear policy and strategic employment. General Raza was appointed to the post by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the recommendation of the Chief of Defence Forces. As provided under the amended Army Act, the appointment carries a three-year tenure. Before assuming his new responsibilities, General Raza served as Chief of General Staff, where he supervised key operational planning and played a central role in implementing military reforms introduced after the constitutional changes. He also oversaw organisational restructuring following last year’s conflict with India, including the establishment of the Army Rocket Force Command. Commissioned into the 6th Lancers in 1988 after graduating from the Officers Training School (OTS), General Raza has held several important command and staff appointments throughout his military career. These include commanding an armoured regiment, an armoured brigade, an infantry brigade in South Waziristan, an infantry division and Lahore’s IV Corps. He has also served as Chairman of Heavy Industries Taxila, Director General Weapons and Equipment, and Chief of Staff at II Corps.