title Story

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir will pay an official visit to Saudi Arabia from August 6 to 8 to hold high-level talks aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and discussing key regional developments. According to the Foreign Office, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will also join the delegation after completing his visit to Jordan. During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz is scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The discussions will focus on expanding cooperation between the two countries, enhancing strategic relations and reviewing regional and international issues of mutual interest. The Foreign Office said the visit reflects the deep-rooted relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, built on decades of close cooperation, mutual trust and strong brotherly ties. Officials said the high-level engagements are expected to further strengthen political, economic and strategic cooperation between the two countries. Both sides are also likely to discuss ways to improve coordination on regional security and international affairs. The visit comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Gulf region, giving the meetings added diplomatic significance. However, Pakistani officials said the agenda extends beyond the current regional situation and is aimed at reinforcing the long-term strategic partnership between Islamabad and Riyadh. The Foreign Office added that the visit will help deepen bilateral relations, expand cooperation in areas of shared interest and enhance collaboration at multilateral forums. Prime Minister Shehbaz last visited Saudi Arabia in April, where he held meetings with the kingdom’s top leadership to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional developments.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday for high-level talks with the Kingdom’s leadership, as Pakistan seeks to consolidate its strategic partnership with Riyadh and build on its growing diplomatic engagement in efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability across the region. The visit, at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, comes at a pivotal moment in regional geopolitics and is expected to focus on security cooperation, defence collaboration, economic partnership and coordination on key regional developments. Accompanying the prime minister are Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to hold extensive discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on expanding the strategic partnership between the two brotherly nations, reviewing the regional security environment and enhancing cooperation across defence, investment and economic sectors. The presence of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in the delegation underlines the growing strategic dimension of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations. Security analysts say the visit reflects Islamabad’s commitment to strengthening defence coordination with Riyadh at a time when regional stability remains a shared priority. The visit also comes as Pakistan projects an increasingly active diplomatic profile in regional affairs. Islamabad has consistently advocated dialogue over confrontation and has supported international efforts to reduce tensions and encourage peaceful engagement in the Middle East. Pakistani officials have maintained that the country’s foreign policy is centred on promoting regional peace, stability and constructive diplomacy. Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement in recent months, including its support for efforts to encourage dialogue between regional and international stakeholders, has reinforced its image as a country seeking political solutions to complex regional challenges. Officials say Islamabad remains committed to facilitating an environment conducive to peace and stability while maintaining close coordination with key partners, including Saudi Arabia. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share decades of historic brotherhood founded on mutual trust, shared faith and unwavering support. Over the years, the relationship has evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership encompassing defence, security, investment, energy and regional cooperation. The recent defence cooperation pact between the two countries has further strengthened bilateral ties, adding greater institutional depth to military collaboration and opening new avenues for strategic coordination. Officials believe the agreement reflects the confidence both leaderships have in each other’s commitment to safeguarding regional peace and collective security. Against the backdrop of rapidly changing geopolitical dynamics, the Riyadh meetings are expected to reaffirm the close alignment between Islamabad and Riyadh on regional and international issues while exploring fresh opportunities for economic investment and defence cooperation. Besides his official engagements, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will perform Umrah and offer prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. Officials described the visit as another milestone in Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations, expressing confidence that the high-level engagement will further strengthen one of Pakistan’s most important strategic partnerships and reinforce Islamabad’s continuing commitment to regional peace, dialogue and stability.

Pakistan’s security forces killed 12 suspected militants during two intelligence-based operations carried out in separate districts of Balochistan as part of the ongoing counterterrorism campaign, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday. According to the military’s media wing, the operations were conducted on August 5 and 6 in Washuk and Mastung districts under the third phase of Operation Rad-ul-Fitna, which targets militant groups allegedly backed by hostile foreign elements. The ISPR said the first operation was launched on August 5 after intelligence agencies detected the movement of six suspected militants in Washuk district. Security forces swiftly moved to the area and engaged the suspects in a targeted operation. Following an exchange of fire, all six militants were killed. A second intelligence-based operation was conducted on August 6 in Mastung district after security forces received information about the presence of armed militants. The ISPR said another six suspected militants were killed during an intense firefight. Security personnel also destroyed a militant hideout during the operation. The military stated that both operations were based on credible intelligence and were part of continuous efforts to eliminate militant networks operating in Balochistan. It added that security forces carried out the missions with precision, preventing the militants from escaping. According to the ISPR, the operations form part of Pakistan’s broader counterterrorism strategy being implemented under Azm-e-Istehkam, the national security initiative approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan. The military reaffirmed that Pakistan’s armed forces, together with law enforcement agencies, will continue intelligence-led operations across the country to eliminate terrorism and dismantle militant infrastructure.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) has strongly rejected India’s criticism of the ongoing Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) legislative elections, saying New Delhi has neither the legal standing nor the moral authority to question the democratic process in the region. Speaking at the weekly media briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi dismissed remarks made by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which had described the AJK elections as a “farce.” He termed India’s comments baseless, politically motivated and an attempt to undermine a democratic process being conducted under the constitutional and legal framework of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Andrabi said the elections are taking place in a peaceful, transparent and orderly manner despite security challenges, reflecting the democratic aspirations and political will of the people of AJK. He added that Pakistan remains committed to ensuring a free and fair electoral process in the region. The spokesperson said India’s criticism comes as the seventh anniversary of New Delhi’s August 5, 2019 decision to revoke the special constitutional status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is being observed. He maintained that those unilateral measures violated international law, relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and India’s own international commitments. He reiterated Pakistan’s position that Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognised disputed territory, whose final status should be determined through a UN-supervised plebiscite in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. Andrabi also accused India of attempting to divert global attention from alleged human rights violations and restrictions on political freedoms in occupied Kashmir. He said references to casualty figures and other claims made by Indian authorities cannot overshadow concerns raised by the international community over the situation in the region. Responding to another question regarding India’s reaction to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s recent remarks on Youm-e-Istehsal, Andrabi described the Indian statement as an effort to justify its policies in occupied Kashmir. He alleged that a heavy military presence, strict security laws and demographic changes continue to affect the Muslim-majority character of the territory. He further claimed that development projects promoted by India cannot replace the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination

The sons of former prime minister Imran Khan have once again expressed concern over their father’s health, saying they have been unable to receive reliable information about his condition due to continued restrictions on family access. Speaking in an interview with an international news outlet, Kasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan said they have not been allowed to communicate with their father for several months and claimed that his family, lawyers and personal doctors have also been denied regular access. Kasim said the family has remained in the dark about Imran Khan’s health throughout his imprisonment. He referred to an Islamabad High Court order that directed authorities to facilitate regular phone calls, but claimed the arrangement has not been effectively implemented. The brothers, who were interviewed in London, also said they have been trying to travel to Pakistan but have faced difficulties related to travel documentation. According to them, their National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOPs) have expired, while visa-related issues have prevented them from visiting their father. The Ministry of Information, however, rejected the allegations, maintaining that the brothers possess NICOPs and therefore do not require visas to enter Pakistan. The ministry described their claims as misleading and said an administrative matter should not be turned into a political issue. The government did not comment on the brothers’ claim that their identity cards had expired. Asked whether Imran Khan might reach a political understanding with the government, both sons expressed doubt. Sulaiman said his father would be unlikely to agree to any arrangement that did not also address the situation of other political prisoners. Kasim added that the family’s inability to obtain updated medical information made it difficult to assess his father’s current health. The brothers also criticised the legal cases against the former prime minister, insisting the allegations were politically motivated. Kasim urged the international community to pay attention to the situation, claiming that his father remained imprisoned despite enjoying widespread public support. Imran Khan has been in prison since August 2023 after being convicted in the Toshakhana case. He is also serving a sentence in the £190 million corruption case and continues to face several other legal proceedings, including cases linked to the May 9 riots. His health has remained a point of dispute between the government and the opposition since he was diagnosed earlier this year with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), an eye condition affecting vision. Opposition leaders and members of his family have repeatedly demanded access for his personal doctors and called for his transfer to a private hospital for further treatment.

KARACHI: A judicial magistrate’s court in Karachi has approved a plea seeking the exhumation of businessman Mir Ali Raza’s body, directing the Sindh Health Secretary to immediately constitute a medical board to oversee the process. The Judicial Magistrate (East) announced the decision on Thursday after reserving its verdict following arguments from both sides. The court instructed the relevant authorities to complete the exhumation as soon as possible to facilitate a fresh medical examination. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner argued that the police had no legal grounds to object to the exhumation, maintaining that the procedure would be carried out under the supervision of the Police Surgeon and the Medical Legal Officer (MLO), as required under the law. The lawyer further informed the court that the Police Surgeon had identified several deficiencies in the initial post-mortem report. According to the submissions, no X-rays were conducted, the exact cause of death was not conclusively established, and the report was allegedly prepared on assumptions rather than comprehensive medical findings. The court questioned how such an order could be passed without first issuing notice to the investigating officer. In response, the government prosecutor stated that the prosecution had no objection to the exhumation, describing the matter as one involving the search for the truth in a human life. The petitioner’s counsel argued that notifying the investigating officer at this stage could unnecessarily delay the proceedings and affect the timely collection of forensic evidence. After noting the prosecution’s no-objection stance, the court accepted the family’s application and directed the Health Secretary to form a medical board without delay. The board will supervise the exhumation and carry out the necessary medical examination to help determine the cause of death more accurately. The case has drawn public attention following questions raised by the deceased’s family over the circumstances surrounding Mir Ali Raza’s death and the quality of the initial forensic investigation. The court’s decision is expected to pave the way for an independent medical review, with the findings likely to play a significant role in the ongoing investigation. Authorities are now expected to begin the legal and administrative process required to carry out the exhumation under official supervision.

Medina: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visited the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi ﷺ) in Madinah, where he offered prayers and prayed for Pakistan’s peace, prosperity and continued progress during his official visit to Saudi Arabia. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the deputy prime minister paid his respects at the Roza-e-Rasool ﷺ and offered Salam. He also performed voluntary (Nafl) prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites, where millions of Muslims from around the world gather every year to worship and seek spiritual blessings. The Foreign Office said Dar made special prayers for Pakistan’s economic development, national stability and the well-being of its people. He also prayed for unity, peace and prosperity across the Muslim world, expressing hope for harmony and progress among Islamic nations. As part of his visit to Madinah, Dar also travelled to Jabal Uhud, a site of immense historical and religious significance in Islamic history. He visited the resting place of Hazrat Ameer Hamza (RA), the beloved uncle of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and one of the most revered martyrs of the Battle of Uhud, where he offered prayers and paid his respects. The visit reflects the spiritual aspect of Dar’s Saudi Arabia trip while highlighting Pakistan’s longstanding religious and diplomatic ties with the Kingdom. Senior Pakistani officials traditionally visit Islam’s holy sites during official engagements in Saudi Arabia, where they offer prayers for the country and the wider Muslim Ummah. The Foreign Office noted that Dar’s prayers focused on Pakistan’s future, asking for sustained peace, economic growth and national prosperity. His visit to the Prophet’s Mosque and other sacred sites also underscored the importance of faith and spiritual reflection alongside official diplomatic engagements. The visit comes at a time when Pakistan continues to seek economic stability and stronger cooperation with friendly countries, while reaffirming its commitment to unity and the welfare of the Muslim Ummah.