Mayor shot dead inside town hall in Central Mexico

Pakistan’s diplomatic profile has undergone a significant transformation over the past year. Once viewed primarily through the prism of regional security, the country is now increasingly being recognised as a constructive diplomatic actor capable of facilitating dialogue and contributing to regional stability. Against this backdrop, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar’s official visit to the United Kingdom, beginning on Monday, carries considerable strategic and political importance. The visit comes at a time when Pakistan’s international standing has strengthened through an active and confident foreign policy. Islamabad’s recent role in facilitating dialogue and reducing tensions in the Middle East has earned international recognition, while its efforts to promote regional peace have been acknowledged by major global powers. Pakistan’s leadership in supporting diplomacy between the United States and Iran, together with its broader commitment to regional stability, has enhanced its credibility as a reliable international partner. This growing diplomatic influence has also been reflected in the historic Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. The agreement has reinforced Pakistan’s position as an important contributor to collective security, strategic cooperation and peace in the wider Middle East, demonstrating its ability to work closely with key regional partners on issues of shared security. Senator Ishaq Dar’s visit to the United Kingdom is aimed at building upon this diplomatic momentum by further strengthening Pakistan’s relationship with one of its most important international partners. It will be Pakistan’s first high-level engagement with the United Kingdom since Prime Minister Andy Burnham assumed office on 20 July 2026, making the visit particularly significant in establishing an early and comprehensive dialogue with the new British leadership. A central feature of the visit will be Mr Dar’s meeting with United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband. The discussions are expected to cover the full spectrum of Pakistan–United Kingdom relations, including political cooperation, trade and investment, institutional collaboration, education, cultural exchanges and people-to-people links. Particular emphasis is likely to be placed on the invaluable contribution of the British Pakistani community, which continues to serve as a bridge between the two countries. Regional and international developments, particularly the evolving situation in the Middle East, are also expected to feature prominently on the agenda. The Deputy Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet the United Kingdom’s National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell. These talks are expected to focus on regional and global security challenges, with discussions covering counter-terrorism cooperation, intelligence sharing and broader strategic coordination. Such engagement reflects the growing importance both countries attach to security cooperation in an increasingly complex international environment. Another significant engagement will be Mr Dar’s meeting with International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez. The meeting will reaffirm Pakistan’s longstanding cooperation with the IMO and underline Islamabad’s commitment to promoting safe, secure and efficient international shipping. As a maritime nation with expanding regional connectivity ambitions, Pakistan’s engagement with the IMO remains an important component of its international diplomacy. Beyond the scheduled meetings, the visit represents a broader strategic opportunity. It offers both Islamabad and London the chance to redefine and modernise a long-standing partnership that extends beyond traditional diplomacy to encompass trade, investment, technology, education, climate cooperation and regional security. With changing geopolitical dynamics and emerging economic opportunities, both countries have strong incentives to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors. For Pakistan, the visit is also a demonstration of a more proactive and confident foreign policy that seeks engagement rather than isolation. It reflects Islamabad’s determination to cultivate stronger ties with major global powers while simultaneously playing a constructive role in addressing regional and international challenges. If successful, Senator Ishaq Dar’s visit is expected not only to strengthen Pakistan–United Kingdom relations under the new United Kingdom leadership but also to pave the way for further high-level exchanges in the months ahead. More importantly, it will reinforce Pakistan’s growing image as a responsible diplomatic partner whose influence extends beyond South Asia and whose voice is increasingly valued in discussions on international peace, security and strategic cooperation.

CHAKWAL: Three minors were allegedly subjected to sexual abuse in separate incidents reported in Chakwal district, with police registering cases against the suspects and arresting three men, including a mosque imam, while two others were taken into custody after an alleged exchange of fire. The incidents, reported in the jurisdictions of Wanhar and Kallar Kahar police stations, have caused concern among residents and prompted calls for effective protection of children and swift action against those found responsible. In the first case, a 10-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by a local mosque imam after other children attending Quran lessons had left the mosque, according to the complaint lodged by her father with Wanhar police. The complainant said his two daughters regularly went to a nearby mosque in Mohallah Bawa Khan Baig to learn Quranic recitation. On the day of the alleged incident, the imam allegedly sent the 5years younger sister home early and dismissed the other children after hearing their lessons. According to the complaint, the suspect then allegedly called the 10-year-old girl into a room and sexually assaulted her. The girl was allegedly threatened with a knife and warned that she would be killed if she disclosed the incident to anyone. Police registered a case against the imam and launched an investigation. The suspect was subsequently arrested in an injured condition during an operation in the Manara area, police said. According to police, a raid on Wasnal Road, Manara, to arrest the suspect when he allegedly attempted to flee after seeing the police party. Police said the suspect stumbled and fell while fleeing, causing a pistol allegedly concealed in his waistband to discharge. He sustained a gunshot wound and was arrested before being shifted to the Trauma Centre in Kallar Kahar for medical treatment. The suspect was identified as Maulvi Saqlain Hussain, son of Nazar Hussain, a resident of Manara. In a separate incident within the jurisdiction of Kallar Kahar police station, a 16-year-old boy was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man who was staying at a local mosque in Shamsabad, near Khai village. According to the complaint filed by the boy’s father, who is a prayer leader at the mosque, the suspect allegedly assaulted his son and later attempted to assault him again. The complainant said the boy had initially remained silent about the alleged earlier incident out of fear. However, when he went to serve food to the traveller staying at the mosque, a commotion was heard after some time. The mosque caretaker and the boy’s father allegedly reached the spot and saw the suspect attempting to assault the boy, prompting the suspect to flee, according to the complaint. The boy later informed his father about the alleged earlier incident as well. In the third incident, two men allegedly involved in the sexual assault of a Class 10 student were arrested in an injured condition following an alleged exchange of fire in Chak Nagri, an area falling within Wanhar police jurisdiction. According to police, the suspects and two unidentified accomplices had allegedly taken the student to a nearby forest several days earlier, subjected him to severe physical assault and sexually assaulted him. Police alleged that the suspects recorded the incident and subsequently used the video to blackmail and intimidate the student. A police team later raided the suspected hideout to arrest the accused, police said. The suspects allegedly opened fire on the police party along with their two unidentified accomplices. During the ensuing exchange of fire, the two wanted suspects sustained gunshot wounds, allegedly after being hit by firing from their own accomplices, according to police. The two unidentified men escaped under the cover of darkness and the forest terrain. The injured suspects were arrested and shifted to a medical facility for treatment. Police said further investigation and legal proceedings were under way. The three cases have highlighted concerns over the vulnerability of children to sexual violence and exploitation. Residents have called for prompt investigation of the allegations, protection of the victims and strict action against suspects if the charges are established in court. Police officials said investigations into all the cases were continuing and that further action would be taken in accordance with the law.