pakistani envoy highlights
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Pakistani envoy highlights investment opportunitie…

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has held a series of meetings with American business leaders. The discussions focused on expanding economic and investment ties between Pakistan and the United States.

The ambassador encouraged US investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan. He particularly highlighted the country’s mining and surgical instruments sectors.

Sheikh said American investment could play an important role in developing Pakistan’s mineral resources. He stressed the need to add greater value to these resources through modern technology and investment.

The ambassador also highlighted opportunities in Pakistan’s mineral sector. He said stronger cooperation with American companies could help improve processing and value addition.

During the meetings, Sheikh welcomed an ongoing $200 million joint venture related to the export of Pakistani pink salt. He described such projects as an important step towards expanding trade and investment links between the two countries.

He also called for increased US investment in Pakistan’s surgical instruments industry. The sector has significant potential for growth, particularly through modern production methods, advanced technology and international market access.

As part of his engagements, Sheikh visited a facility in Naperville involved in the finishing, packaging and distribution of Pakistani surgical instruments.

During the visit, he discussed the need to further develop the sector. He said Pakistani businesses could benefit from modern technology, better training and improved technical skills.

The ambassador stressed that investment in skills and technology was important for increasing the quality and competitiveness of Pakistani surgical products.

Sheikh also met officials of the Pakistan-American Chicago Land Chamber of Commerce. The meeting focused on strengthening commercial links between Pakistani and American businesses.

He encouraged closer interaction between business communities in both countries. He said stronger business-to-business connections could help identify new investment opportunities and expand bilateral trade.

The ambassador’s engagements form part of efforts to promote Pakistan as an attractive destination for foreign investment. The focus on minerals, surgical instruments and other export-oriented sectors is aimed at creating stronger commercial partnerships with US businesses.

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    Kot Addu canal tragedy leaves 12 dead, three missi…

    KOT ADDU: A devastating tragedy unfolded in Kot Addu after a loader rickshaw carrying members of a wedding procession fell into the Muzaffargarh Canal, leaving at least 12 people dead and three others missing. The incident has plunged several families into mourning. Children and women are among those who lost their lives in the accident. Rescue 1122 teams from Kot Addu and Muzaffargarh reached the site soon after receiving information about the incident. A search and rescue operation was launched in the canal. Rescuers used boats, scuba-diving equipment and other available resources to search for the victims. Several bodies were recovered during the operation, bringing the death toll to 12. Three people remain missing. Rescue officials said divers are continuing to search different sections of the canal. Rescue boats are also being used to cover wider areas. According to a list provided by Rescue 1122, those who died included 14-year-old Dalaur, seven-year-old Muneeb, 58-year-old Sakina Bibi, 15-year-old Sameera Bibi, nine-year-old Raju, seven-year-old Muhammad Sibtain, 11-year-old Zareef, 35-year-old Iqbal Bibi, 13-year-old Kaleemullah, 12-year-old Muhammad Jalal, five-year-old Muhammad Ali and Muhammad Saeem. The large number of children among the victims has added to the grief surrounding the tragedy. Families who had set out to attend a wedding were suddenly confronted with an unimaginable loss. Homes that were preparing for celebrations are now filled with mourning. The families of the three missing people are facing severe distress. Relatives have gathered near the site and are waiting for information about their loved ones. Minute Mirror observed that Bashir Mashori, an elderly uncle and relative of the affected family, was deeply grieved over the situation. As the senior family member, Mashori expressed profound sorrow and called for assistance for the victim’s family during this difficult time. Residents have expressed concern over the scale of the tragedy and called for a coordinated rescue effort involving all relevant departments. Local residents and affected families have urged the Punjab government to take immediate notice of the incident and ensure that every available resource is used to locate the missing people. They have called for additional divers, modern search equipment and more rescue resources to be sent to the site. Residents have also demanded the involvement of the police, district administration, irrigation authorities, Provincial Disaster Management Authority and other relevant departments in the search operation. They said a tragedy involving the loss of 12 lives requires a coordinated response beyond routine district-level efforts. The affected families have appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and senior provincial officials to ensure that the search for the three missing people continues without interruption. They have also called for an investigation into the circumstances that led to the rickshaw falling into the canal. The families and residents said determining the cause of the accident is essential to prevent similar incidents in the future. Instead of helping the victims, some people were seen making videos and TikTok content at the scene. Such behaviour has drawn criticism and was described as deeply shameful and insensitive toward those affected. Rescue 1122 teams continue to search different sections of the Muzaffargarh Canal using divers, boats and other available equipment.

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    PM Shehbaz arrives in Madinah, visits Masjid-e-Nab…

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Madinah during his visit to Saudi Arabia and paid his respects at Masjid-e-Nabawi ﷺ. The prime minister was accompanied by members of his delegation during his visit to the holy mosque. Prime Minister Shehbaz offered Nafl prayers at Riyaz-ul-Jannah. He also prayed for the peace, progress and prosperity of Pakistan and the well-being of its people. During his visit, the prime minister also had the honour of visiting Roza-e-Rasool ﷺ. He offered prayers and paid his respects at the sacred site. The visit to Madinah is part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ongoing engagement with Saudi Arabia. His visit also reflects the close and longstanding ties between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The prime minister’s presence at Masjid-e-Nabawi ﷺ was marked by prayers for the country’s stability, development and prosperity. He also prayed for the safety and well-being of the Pakistani nation. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described the signing of the Makkah Agreement for Joint Defence between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye as a historic step towards strengthening peace, security and regional stability. In a post on X, the prime minister said he had the honour of signing the agreement alongside Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

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    Alia Bhatt backs Delhi student protest, says, “The future is theirs”

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    UNESCO raises questions over Pakistan’s Taxila h…

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Officials assured lawmakers that the restoration work followed UNESCO conservation guidelines and international standards. The meeting was chaired by Senator Hidayatullah Khan and attended by Senators Abdul Wasay, Bushra Anjum, Sarmad Ali and Syed Waqar Mehdi along with senior officials from the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture. During the briefing, officials explained that after the 18th Constitutional Amendment, responsibility for heritage conservation was transferred to provincial governments. They said the Government of Punjab started conservation activities at the Taxila archaeological sites and followed recommendations provided by UNESCO, ICOMOS and other expert organisations. Officials said the conservation strategy focused on protecting the original structure of the ancient remains while using scientific methods. They explained that the work included repairing damaged walls, improving drainage systems, protecting old structures from weather damage and using materials compatible with the original construction. Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi asked officials about the exact concerns raised by UNESCO. Officials explained that UNESCO’s observations mainly focused on the materials used during restoration, the method for rebuilding certain walls and the height of reconstructed structures. They said these issues were reviewed and addressed through detailed documentation submitted to UNESCO. The committee was informed that scientific cleaning and repair methods were used to protect the archaeological remains while maintaining international conservation principles. Pakistan currently has six sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, while documents for 24 more locations have been prepared for possible future inclusion. Officials told the committee that UNESCO usually considers only one nomination from each country annually.   They said Pakistan has requested UNESCO to give priority to its pending nominations so more historical locations can receive international recognition. The committee also discussed plans to develop Taxila as a major heritage and tourism destination.   Officials informed members that around Rs100 million had already been spent during the current year on conservation activities. They said further projects, including an open air museum and improved visitor facilities, were being considered to attract tourists while protecting ancient sites.   Senator Bushra Anjum stressed that stronger federal monitoring was needed despite heritage being mainly managed by provinces. She said Pakistan must improve tourism facilities around heritage sites, including better visitor services, accommodation options and a sustainable system that creates income while preserving history.   She warned that inappropriate materials or poor restoration methods could permanently damage important archaeological sites.   The committee directed the ministry to provide UNESCO’s official response once received and recommended that members visit the Taxila archaeological sites personally to review the conservation work. The meeting also discussed another major heritage issue involving the recovery of smuggled Pakistani archaeological artefacts from the United States. Officials informed the committee that 513 valuable archaeological artefacts had been returned to Pakistan through cooperation with US authorities. They said the recovered objects mainly belonged to the ancient Gandhara civilisation and had been seized after being illegally taken out of Pakistan over several decades. Officials described the artefacts as priceless national treasures representing Pakistan’s thousands of years of history. The committee was informed that plans were underway to establish a new museum where these recovered items could be safely preserved and displayed to the public. Officials said efforts were being made to acquire land for the museum in coordination with the Capital Development Authority and public private partnership options were also being explored. Committee members demanded details about the people involved in the smuggling network, the investigation process and the estimated value of the recovered artefacts. They directed the ministry to submit a complete report explaining how the artefacts were recovered and what action had been taken against those involved in illegal trafficking. The committee also discussed reports about the demolition of a historic Mughal era arch near Rohara Village for a housing development project. The chairman directed officials to collect complete information about the incident and present a detailed report at the next meeting.

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    Shoaib Malik spends quality time with son Izhaan in Dubai

    Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik is currently in Dubai, where he is enjoying some quality time with his son, Izhaan Mirza Malik. The father-son duo recently shared a playful moment that has captured the attention of social media users, with fans praising their close bond and the fun-filled relationship they appear to share. Shoaib Malik represented Pakistan for more than two decades after making his international debut in 1999. During his lengthy international career, the versatile all-rounder became an important part of the national team and featured in several memorable matches and major tournaments. He was also part of Pakistan’s victorious squad at the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 and played a role in the team’s success in the ICC Champions Trophy. Away from cricket, Malik’s personal life has also remained in the public spotlight. He married Indian tennis star Sania Mirza in 2010 in a high-profile cross-border wedding. The couple welcomed their son, Izhaan, in 2018. After several years together, Malik and Mirza eventually went their separate ways. Malik later married Pakistani actress Sana Javed. Despite the changes in his personal life, Malik continues to make time for his son. His recent meeting with Izhaan in Dubai has offered fans another glimpse into their relationship. During their previous meetup, the father and son decided to enjoy a short football match. Izhaan unfortunately lost the game, but the young boy was not ready to give up. When they met again, he came prepared for a rematch and confidently challenged his father. Izhaan admitted that he had experienced a bad day during their previous football game but insisted that things would be different this time. He set himself an ambitious target, saying he would score four goals in 10 attempts. He also came up with an exciting reward for himself if he managed to succeed. According to the challenge, if Izhaan won, his father would take him to the cinema to watch the upcoming Spider-Man movie. The playful competition between the two has given fans an adorable look at their time together. The interaction quickly attracted attention online, with social media users enjoying the lighthearted exchange between Malik and his son. Many fans praised the former cricketer for spending time with Izhaan and appreciated the strong bond between the two. Several users also pointed out how much Izhaan resembles his famous father, with some saying the young boy appears to have inherited Malik’s features. Others jokingly encouraged Malik to let his son win the football challenge so that Izhaan could enjoy his promised cinema outing. The father-son moment has resonated with fans because of its simple and playful nature. Rather than focusing on Malik’s cricketing achievements or his high-profile personal life, the interaction showed him enjoying an ordinary and meaningful moment with his son. As Malik continues to spend time with Izhaan in Dubai, their latest football challenge has become another sweet reminder of the special bond between a father and his child.

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    India’s Supreme Court protects student protesters as government moves to tighten exam leak laws

    India’s Supreme Court has directed authorities not to take any coercive action against student protesters involved in recent demonstrations over examination paper leaks. The court also ordered the immediate release of all detained protesters who are under the age of 18 and instructed officials to preserve surveillance footage and digital records linked to the protests as allegations of police brutality continue to be examined. According to Indian media reports, Chief Justice Surya Kant issued the interim directions while hearing petitions filed by students and rights activists. The petitions accused police and paramilitary forces of using excessive force, including pellet guns, against demonstrators during weeks of protests in New Delhi and several other cities. The court stressed that all available evidence, including drone recordings, body camera footage and CCTV videos, must be secured to ensure a fair investigation. It also ordered that the personal and digital data of protesters should remain protected and must not be made public. The Chief Justice said any investigation into the allegations would be meaningless if responsibility was not fixed for those found guilty of misconduct. He emphasized the need for an independent and impartial inquiry into claims that innocent protesters were subjected to unnecessary violence during the demonstrations. The Indian government has maintained that police acted within the law while controlling large crowds. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that although complaints of attacks on students deserved serious attention, nearly 250 police personnel were also injured during the protests. He said the government had no objection to an independent investigation into the incidents. At the same time, the government has introduced proposed amendments aimed at imposing much tougher punishments for examination paper leaks. The bill, presented in parliament during the ongoing monsoon session, seeks to increase the maximum prison sentence for those involved in leaking examination papers from five years to ten years. It also proposes fines of more than one million dollars and faster court proceedings to deal with such cases. Senior minister Jitendra Singh said the amendments demonstrate the government’s commitment to protecting students and restoring confidence in the country’s examination system. He told lawmakers the proposed changes are intended to strengthen existing laws and ensure swift justice so that the credibility of national examinations can be rebuilt. The issue has dominated parliament since lawmakers returned for the monsoon session last week. Opposition parties have repeatedly disrupted proceedings while demanding accountability for the police response to the student movement and pressing the government to address concerns over the handling of the exam leak crisis. The nationwide protests began after question papers for a national medical college entrance examination were leaked, sparking anger among students who believed the integrity of the examination process had been compromised. The demonstrations ended on Saturday after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned and the government accepted key demands from protest leaders. These included reforms to the examination system, the withdrawal of police cases against protesters and compensation for families of students who reportedly died by suicide following the scandal. Clashes between protesters and security forces were reported in several cities during the demonstrations. In New Delhi, police used tear gas and baton charges to stop protesters attempting to march toward parliament. Authorities also suspended a police officer in eastern India after he fired warning shots into the air while trying to disperse protesters. The protests have also sparked concerns over the government’s use of advanced surveillance technology. Activists questioned the deployment of AI powered mobile surveillance vehicles after images shared online appeared to show police using high mounted cameras capable of monitoring crowds from every direction. Meanwhile, the student group leading the movement claimed that hundreds of protesters remain in custody across different states despite earlier commitments made by the government.

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