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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye as a significant step towards greater regional unity and peace, saying the pact has brought the three countries closer. The prime minister made the remarks on Friday during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Engineer Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad. The Makkah agreement was signed on Aug 7 by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Makkah. The agreement provides a framework for stronger collective defence cooperation and states that an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all. Sharif said the agreement had further strengthened the strategic relationship among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye while conveying a message of unity and peace across the region. The prime minister also stressed that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia should now build on their strategic partnership by expanding economic and agricultural cooperation. He said stronger trade and investment ties could help transform the longstanding relationship between the two countries into a broader and more mutually beneficial economic partnership. Focus on agriculture and food security Agriculture emerged as a key area of discussion during the meeting, with both sides reviewing ways to increase cooperation in agricultural productivity, technology, research and development, and efficient water management. Sharif expressed satisfaction with the ongoing cooperation over Pakistani agricultural exports to Saudi Arabia. He said Islamabad was keen to expand the range and volume of agricultural products supplied to the Kingdom. Pakistan has increasingly sought to strengthen its economic relationship with Saudi Arabia beyond traditional financial and energy cooperation, with agriculture and food security offering significant opportunities for both sides. The prime minister announced that a delegation of Pakistani agricultural experts would soon travel to Riyadh to continue discussions and explore practical areas of cooperation. The delegation is expected to focus on improving agricultural productivity through modern technology, research and more efficient use of water resources. The Saudi minister, meanwhile, reaffirmed Riyadh’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Pakistan in agriculture, water management and food security, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. A broader strategic partnership The meeting reflects Islamabad’s effort to translate its close political and strategic ties with Riyadh into greater commercial and economic engagement. Saudi Arabia has historically remained one of Pakistan’s most important partners, providing financial support and assistance during periods of economic pressure. In recent years, however, both countries have increasingly emphasised investment, trade and private-sector partnerships. The latest discussions also come shortly after the signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which marked a new phase in security cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has described the agreement as defensive in nature, saying it is intended to strengthen collective deterrence and promote regional peace and stability rather than target any particular country. For Islamabad, the challenge now will be to convert the political momentum generated by the Makkah pact into tangible economic gains. The planned visit by Pakistani agricultural experts to Riyadh could provide an early test of that approach, particularly as both countries seek greater cooperation in food security, water management, agricultural technology and exports. The meeting therefore carried significance beyond diplomatic messaging, highlighting Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s shared interest in developing a relationship that combines strategic cooperation with stronger economic ties. As regional security concerns continue to shape diplomacy in the Middle East and beyond, Islamabad appears keen to present the Makkah pact not simply as a defence arrangement, but as part of a wider push for stability, cooperation and closer partnerships among the three countries.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has offered himself for accountability following the deaths of newborns in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), as criticism over the tragedy intensified. Speaking to the media outside PIMS on Wednesday, Kamal said he had placed himself before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for accountability and would accept whatever decision the premier makes. “I have presented myself before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for accountability. He is my boss and will decide my fate,” the minister said. Kamal also assured that action would be taken against anyone found responsible for negligence or any other mistake linked to the incident. The minister said preliminary CCTV footage had provided investigators with an indication of how the fire started. According to him, the footage showed a spark near an air conditioner at around 6:38am. People were seen leaving the area shortly afterwards. He said the presence of oxygen in the ward caused the flames to intensify rapidly. Kamal maintained that the government would not conceal any information related to the incident and that those responsible would be dealt with according to the findings of the investigation. The minister faced protests and angry reactions from people gathered outside the hospital while speaking to reporters. The situation became tense, forcing him to leave the premises. The tragedy has triggered demands for a transparent investigation and accountability of all officials and staff whose actions or omissions may have contributed to the deaths. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman also called for the health minister’s resignation, saying serious questions had emerged about emergency arrangements at the hospital. Rehman claimed that the emergency department’s door was locked after the fire and that people had to break windows to gain access. She also questioned the reported absence of doctors at the scene. The PPP senator said her party was not seeking to politicise the tragedy but had a responsibility to ask questions about the circumstances that led to the loss of newborn lives. “The minister responsible should resign,” Rehman said. Another senior PPP leader, Nayer Hussain Bokhari, said the Health Ministry must answer questions surrounding the incident. He argued that holding only a single secretary responsible would not be sufficient if the investigation identifies wider administrative failures. The incident has placed renewed focus on safety measures, emergency preparedness and accountability at major public hospitals. Authorities are expected to determine the exact cause of the fire and establish whether negligence, equipment failure or administrative shortcomings contributed to the deaths.

An objection raised by the Supreme Court registrar’s office against a contempt of court petition filed by PTI founder Imran Khan’s sister, Uzma Khan, has been removed. The petition was filed in connection with Imran Khan’s proposed transfer to a hospital for medical treatment. Uzma Khan has sought contempt proceedings against the government and named Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Information Minister Atta Tarar, among others, as respondents. The petition also calls for Imran Khan to be shifted to Shifa Hospital for treatment and for his medical tests to be conducted. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Secretary General Salman Akram Raja had visited the Supreme Court on Monday in connection with the petition. They sought to have the case fixed for an early hearing. Earlier, the Supreme Court registrar’s office had returned the petition after raising an objection. According to sources, the registrar’s objection stated that the petition did not include a list of the allegations of contempt levelled against the respondents. The PTI subsequently addressed the objection and resubmitted the petition to the Supreme Court. The registrar’s office has now accepted the amended filing and allotted a registration number to the contempt petition. Uzma Khan’s petition has been registered as Contempt Petition No. 8/2026. The development clears the procedural hurdle that had previously prevented the petition from moving forward. The petition seeks judicial intervention over the treatment and medical care of Imran Khan and alleges non-compliance with the court’s directions concerning his hospital transfer.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has fixed September 16 for hearing a contempt petition filed by Uzma Khanum, sister of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, over the alleged non-implementation of the court’s order regarding his medical treatment. The petition was submitted after the government took Imran Khan to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) instead of shifting him to Shifa International Hospital, as directed by the Supreme Court in its August 18 order. The court had also directed arrangements for regular meetings between Imran Khan and his family. PTI had challenged the government’s decision and filed a contempt petition through Uzma Khanum. The petition was returned after the Supreme Court registrar raised certain objections. The party later resubmitted it after addressing the objections. Speaking outside the Supreme Court, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan said the party wanted the matter to be heard at the earliest. He said the PTI founder’s health remained the party’s primary concern. Gohar urged the authorities to facilitate meetings between Imran Khan and his family members. He maintained that the Supreme Court’s August 18 order had not been implemented in its original form. Uzma Khanum also submitted an application seeking an early hearing. She expressed concern over what she described as a deterioration in Imran Khan’s health and argued that further delay could have serious consequences. The application alleged that the government had failed to follow the Supreme Court’s directions. It maintained that if authorities required clarification about the order, they should have approached the court instead of taking a different course of action. The government, meanwhile, has filed a review petition challenging the August 18 order. It has described the directive as discriminatory and sought its reconsideration. Imran Khan was taken to PIMS on August 21 for a medical examination and was later returned to Adiala Jail after doctors declared him medically fit. The government has maintained that security concerns prompted the decision to use PIMS instead of Shifa International Hospital. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the security situation involving PTI workers affected the planned transfer. The Supreme Court had also declined an immediate hearing of petitions seeking contempt proceedings and review of its August 18 order. The government’s review petition is therefore expected to be heard according to the court’s schedule. Gohar said PTI wanted Imran Khan’s sister, Dr Uzma, and his personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, to be included in the medical board. He also called for the medical tests recommended by Imran Khan’s doctors to be conducted. The PTI chairman said the party was currently focusing on Imran Khan’s health rather than political matters. He described the issue as a humanitarian concern and urged the authorities to implement the Supreme Court’s directions. Gohar also questioned the detention of Imran Khan’s physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, who was taken to Shifa International Hospital. He asked why the doctor was detained for several hours while Imran Khan was not transferred to the same facility. He reiterated that a Supreme Court order should be followed unless the court itself modifies, reviews or suspends it. Gohar said PTI also recognised the importance of security arrangements and did not want any violation of security protocols. However, he claimed the party had not been informed in advance that security concerns would prevent Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital.

ISLAMABAD: At least 15 newborn babies were killed after a fire broke out at the nursery of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad early Wednesday morning. According to rescue officials, the fire erupted at around 6:45am on the third floor of the hospital’s Mother and Child Health (MCH) ward. The blaze reportedly started after an air-conditioning unit exploded and spread rapidly through the nursery. PIMS authorities said 16 babies were present in the nursery when the fire broke out. Fifteen newborns died in the incident, while one baby was successfully rescued. Rescue officials said the fire was brought under control and cooling operations were initiated afterward. Six fire engines and four ambulances took part in the rescue operation after emergency teams reached the hospital soon after receiving the alert. According to the district administration, 14 babies suffered severe burns in the incident. An investigation committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner has been formed to determine the exact cause of the fire and establish how the tragedy occurred. The MCH ward was later sealed as authorities began examining the scene. Parents of the deceased babies alleged that hospital staff were not present inside the incubation centre when the fire broke out. The allegations are expected to form part of the investigation into the incident. Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal confirmed that at least 14 deaths had been reported, while other officials put the death toll at 15. He said the Director General Health and hospital secretary were present at the facility and were coordinating with the families of the victims. Speaking about the incident, Kamal said the fire started at around 6:45am following an explosion in an air-conditioning unit. He said the blaze spread extremely quickly and the hospital’s electricity supply was also disrupted immediately after the explosion. The minister said doctors and staff were present in the intensive care area at the time. According to him, some staff members went to call the rescue service, but the fire spread rapidly before the situation could be brought under control. He added that the hospital’s firefighting equipment was functioning and that PIMS was already operating beyond its normal capacity.

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of filing a baseless contempt of court petition, claiming that the party, its founder and his family themselves violated the court’s directives. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Tarar said the administration had fully implemented the court’s orders regarding the visit and medical examination of PTI founder Imran Khan. He questioned the gathering of groups of people outside Shifa Hospital and asked who had arranged their presence there. The minister alleged that the court had clearly directed that no political statements or media activity would take place. However, he said political activity and media talks were still held outside the hospital. He also claimed that the security arrangements were disrupted during the proceedings. Tarar said Imran Khan’s medical examination was conducted in the presence of his sister and doctors nominated by his family. He added that the initial medical report showed that the PTI founder was in good health. The information minister stressed that health-related matters should not be turned into a political issue. He said the government had ensured that the court’s directions were followed and that all necessary arrangements were made according to the judicial order. Referring to the political debate surrounding the matter, Tarar said that when Imran Khan was prime minister, he had also made derogatory remarks about his political opponents. He added that the government had raised the question in a respectful manner during the review process about whether similar facilities were available to other prisoners. Tarar maintained that the government had fulfilled all requirements set out by the court and rejected allegations that the administration had failed to comply with the judicial directives. The minister also commented on statements issued by members of the Pakistan and Punjab Bar Councils. He said some lawyers had expressed their personal opinions rather than an institutional position. He further alleged that a few lawyers were attempting to bring the bar councils into political controversy.