pakistan urges back
| |

Pakistan urges US to back Islamabad MoU as regiona…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has urged the United States to fully implement the June 18 Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), describing the agreement as the best path toward lasting regional peace and stability amid rising tensions involving Iran.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar conveyed the message during a meeting with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker in Islamabad on Friday. He stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remained essential for resolving regional disputes while reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to protecting its national interests.

The US diplomat acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive role in supporting regional peace and stability and congratulated the Pakistani leadership and people on Independence Day.

Dar also held talks with British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, during which the two sides discussed regional and international developments, bilateral ties and ways to enhance cooperation. Dar again called for the Islamabad MoU to be implemented in its entirety.

Separately, Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong met the foreign minister and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s assistance following the death of a Chinese mountaineer in an avalanche at Broad Peak, Gilgit-Baltistan. Dar assured him of Pakistan’s support in facilitating the repatriation of the deceased’s remains.

Dar also spoke by phone with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. The two leaders exchanged Independence Day greetings and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Pakistan-Egypt relations through greater cooperation and high-level engagement.

The diplomatic engagements come as tensions surrounding Iran continue to intensify, with Pakistan maintaining that dialogue and diplomacy are the most viable means of addressing outstanding regional issues.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    Pakistani student makes global mark with 10 LLB di…

    Pakistani student Diya Aneel Bhatia has reportedly achieved a major academic distinction by securing 10 distinctions in the three-year LLB (Honours) programme of the University of London. Bhatia belongs to Jamshoro, Sindh, and is studying at a private law college in Islamabad. She secured the highest marks worldwide in the programme, according to the information shared at a ceremony held in her honour. Her achievement was celebrated at a special ceremony at the Islamabad School of Law. Faculty members from the University of London also attended the event. They congratulated Bhatia and praised her academic performance. The ceremony also recognised other high-performing students. Shields were presented to the students for their outstanding results. Bhatia was among the students honoured for her exceptional performance. Her achievement has brought attention to the academic potential of Pakistani students studying international degree programmes. It has also highlighted the growing participation of Pakistani students in global legal education. Bhatia’s success has been particularly noted because of the number of distinctions she achieved during the LLB programme. Her performance placed her among the top-performing students internationally. Education experts and academics praised her achievement. They described it as a source of pride for Pakistan and an encouragement for other young students. Bhatia has also expressed her desire to use her education for a wider social purpose. She said she wants to work for Pakistani women, particularly women from minority communities. She aims to support women through education, legal awareness and greater access to opportunities. Her goal, she said, is to contribute to the empowerment of women and help them build stronger futures.

  • |

    Gold prices jump Rs3,000 per tola in Pakistan

    Gold prices continued their upward trend in Pakistan on Friday, with the price of the precious metal increasing by Rs3,000 per tola in line with gains in the international market. According to the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Association (APGJA), the latest increase pushed the price of one tola of gold to Rs430,436, marking another sharp rise in the local bullion market. The increase comes amid continued strength in global gold prices and growing demand for safe-haven assets. The association also reported an increase in the price of 10 grams of gold. Following a rise of Rs2,572, the price of 10 grams reached Rs369,029. Bullion dealers said local gold prices generally move in line with international market trends and are also influenced by fluctuations in the value of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar. Any increase in global prices is usually reflected in domestic rates. In the international market, gold prices also recorded a significant gain. The price of the precious metal rose by $30 per ounce, taking it to $4,080 per ounce. The global increase provided further support to rising prices in Pakistan. Gold is widely regarded as a safe investment during periods of economic uncertainty and market volatility. As international prices continue to strengthen, local buyers and jewellers are closely monitoring market movements for further changes in bullion rates. Market analysts believe domestic gold prices will continue to follow international trends, with future movements depending on global economic conditions, investor demand and currency fluctuations. Buyers are expected to remain cautious as higher prices increase the cost of jewellery and investment purchases

  • |

    FPSC clarifies reports on CSS candidate decline

    The Federal Public Service Commission has formally rejected claims of a 45 per cent decline in the number of candidates taking the Central Superior Services examinations, describing such media reports as factually incorrect and misleading. In an official statement, the commission explained that recent news reports suggesting a sharp drop in youth interest were based on data that had been incorrectly compared and interpreted without proper context, leading to a distorted view of actual participation. To clarify candidate statistics, the commission released official figures regarding the 2025 examination cycle. A total of 64,081 candidates registered for the 2025 Mandatory Preliminary Test screening, an annual preliminary process that the commission noted was completely overlooked in the media’s calculations. For the subsequent 2025 written examination, 18,139 candidates applied and 12,792 ultimately sat for the papers. From these, 354 candidates passed the written phase, 342 were declared eligible following interviews, and 170 candidates received final service allocations across various civil service branches. The commission also pointed out that media analyses had omitted results from the Special CSS 2023 examinations, which allocated 141 candidates to civil service posts. This special iteration was specifically designed to benefit women, minorities, and candidates from underdeveloped regions, further reinforcing the examination as a viable career path for Pakistani youth. Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accurate data verification, the commission urged analysts and media outlets to verify details before drawing conclusions, maintaining that the civil service remains a top priority and aspiration for the country’s youth.

  • | | |

    Govt moves SC against Imran’s hospital transfer

    A request for an early hearing has been filed in the Supreme Court against its August 18 order concerning the transfer of PTI founder Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to a private hospital. The application was filed by the Islamabad Chief Commissioner, who has asked the Supreme Court to urgently hear a review petition challenging its earlier directions regarding Imran Khan. In the review petition, the petitioner has sought a review, amendment and withdrawal of the August 18 order. The petition specifically challenges the direction to transfer the PTI founder from Adiala Jail to a private hospital. The application also challenges the court’s directions concerning his medical examination and treatment by a medical panel. According to the petition, the matter is not limited to the provision of medical facilities. It also involves questions relating to the legal and constitutional jurisdiction of the court and the authorities concerned. The review petition raises legal questions regarding the scope of judicial jurisdiction following the 27th Constitutional Amendment. It also refers to Article 175(2) of the Constitution and relevant prison laws. The petitioner has argued that the Supreme Court’s August 18 order was subject to a specific timeline, making an early hearing of the review petition necessary. The Islamabad administration has therefore requested the apex court to take up the matter on an urgent basis and reconsider the directions concerning Imran Khan’s transfer, medical examination and treatment. The development comes as authorities seek legal clarification over the implementation of the Supreme Court’s directions concerning the PTI founder’s medical care while he remains in custody.

  • | | |

    ECC approves Rs4.188bn PASSCO compensation package

    The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved a Rs4.188 billion compensation package for employees of the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO). The decision is part of the government’s plan to wind up PASSCO. The process is also linked to the disposal of the corporation’s wheat stocks. The government has set December 2026 as the deadline for completing the process. The ECC directed that the winding-up process must be independently reviewed. A third party will validate the process to ensure transparency and compliance with the approved plan. The committee also stressed the need to dispose of PASSCO’s wheat stocks as soon as possible. Officials said the early disposal of the stocks would help implement the employee compensation package on time. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research assured the ECC that the process would be completed by December. The government began work on the closure of PASSCO in 2025. The Prime Minister’s Office had directed the finance minister to oversee the process in consultation with the relevant ministry. A meeting chaired by the finance minister later decided that a severance package should be prepared for PASSCO employees. The package was designed along the lines of the voluntary separation scheme approved for employees of the Utility Stores Corporation. PASSCO’s Board of Directors subsequently approved the revised compensation package. The scheme covers regular employees as well as contractual and daily-wage workers. It includes severance compensation and several terminal benefits. These include leave encashment and a farewell grant. The package also provides maintenance support for widows and retired employees through PASSCO’s Benevolent Fund. The ECC had previously approved the winding up of PASSCO. It also approved the creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle called the Wheat Stock Management Company (WSMC) Public Limited. The federal cabinet later ratified the decision. The total cost of the employee package is estimated at Rs4.188 billion. Around Rs3.967 billion has been allocated for severance compensation and terminal benefits for PASSCO employees. Another Rs221 million has been set aside for maintenance grants. The amount will benefit 38 widows and 236 retired employees.

  • | |

    AJK polls completed transparently, says top poll o…

    Chief Election Commissioner of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal has said that the first phase of the electoral process in the region was completed in a free and transparent manner. He said all political parties actively participated in the elections. He added that polling was conducted in a peaceful environment across the region. Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said voters participated in large numbers. He said people exercised their constitutional right to vote and took part in the electoral process. The chief election commissioner said the overall polling process remained peaceful. He said election authorities and other relevant institutions worked to ensure that voters could cast their ballots. He also acknowledged the role of law enforcement agencies during the elections. According to him, security personnel played an exemplary role in maintaining law and order. The chief election commissioner said security arrangements helped keep the polling environment peaceful. Law enforcement agencies remained deployed to deal with any situation that could affect the electoral process. However, he said an incident was reported in Samahni where attempts were made to disrupt polling. The people involved in creating a disturbance were arrested, he said. Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said the authorities took action to ensure that polling activities were not affected. He stressed that maintaining peace was essential for a smooth electoral process. He also highlighted the participation of political parties in the elections. He said their involvement reflected the importance of the electoral process in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The chief election commissioner’s statement came after the completion of the first phase of polling in the region. The election process attracted significant participation from voters. He said the authorities remained focused on ensuring transparency throughout the process. He also stressed the importance of maintaining law and order during polling. The election authorities are now expected to continue the next stages of the electoral process according to the announced schedule. The results and subsequent procedures will determine the political direction of the region. Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said the peaceful completion of the first phase was an important development. He maintained that the cooperation of political parties, voters, election officials and law enforcement agencies helped the process move forward.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *