shehbaz ishaq dar
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PM Shehbaz, Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir…

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MAKKAH: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir performed Umrah in Makkah on Thursday, joining other members of a high-level Pakistani delegation in a deeply spiritual visit.

The Pakistani leaders arrived in Saudi Arabia as part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit and later proceeded to the holy city of Makkah to perform the religious ritual. The visit comes amid efforts to further strengthen Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations and discussions on regional developments.

Before performing Umrah, the Pakistani delegation was also granted the opportunity to make a special visit to the Holy Kaaba, according to the information released regarding the visit.

The prime minister, deputy prime minister, Field Marshal Asim Munir and members of the delegation offered prayers for the progress, prosperity and well-being of Pakistan. They also prayed for the safety and security of the Muslim Ummah and for peace across the region and the wider world.

The spiritual moment added a solemn dimension to Prime Minister Shehbaz’s Saudi visit, which also carries important diplomatic significance. His trip is taking place at a time of heightened regional tensions, with talks expected to focus on bilateral ties and developments affecting the wider region.

The Umrah performed by the Pakistani leadership reflects the close religious and longstanding relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, while the accompanying diplomatic engagements are expected to reinforce cooperation between the two countries.

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    PM Shehbaz says Makkah pact sends message of unity…

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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.

  • Senate slams 20-year delay in gas supply to Ghotki villages

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    Jim Carrey pays heartfelt tribute after The Mask d…

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    Hollywood star Jim Carrey has broken his silence following the unexpected death of acclaimed filmmaker Chuck Russell, the director who helped shape one of the actor’s most beloved films, The Mask. Russell passed away on July 22 at his home in the San Diego area at the age of 74, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in Hollywood. His family confirmed his death, though the cause has not yet been disclosed.  Carrey, who starred as Stanley Ipkiss in the 1994 blockbuster, shared an emotional statement remembering the filmmaker’s creativity, warmth, and joyful spirit. Speaking to People, the actor said it was a privilege to work alongside Russell and praised the director for creating a fun, imaginative atmosphere on set. “I consider it a privilege to have worked with Chuck Russell, who, during the shooting of The Mask, created an ebullient, childlike atmosphere of wonder and camaraderie on his set,” Carrey said. He added that everyone involved in the production was inspired by Russell’s playful energy and passion for filmmaking.  Released in 1994, The Mask became a massive box-office success, earning more than $351 million worldwide. The film not only cemented Jim Carrey’s status as one of Hollywood’s biggest comedy stars but also introduced Cameron Diaz in her feature film debut. Russell’s unique vision transformed the Dark Horse comic adaptation into a colorful, family-friendly comedy filled with groundbreaking visual effects that continue to impress audiences decades later.  Chuck Russell’s career extended far beyond The Mask. He directed fan-favorite films including A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, The Blob, Eraser starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, and The Scorpion King, which marked Dwayne Johnson’s first leading film role. His ability to blend action, horror, comedy, and visual innovation made him one of Hollywood’s most versatile directors.  Tributes from across the entertainment industry continue to pour in as colleagues and fans celebrate Russell’s contributions to cinema. For Jim Carrey, the loss is deeply personal, as the filmmaker played a key role in one of the defining moments of his career. Although Chuck Russell is gone, the unforgettable films he created—and the memories shared by those who worked with him—will ensure that his legacy lives on for generations of movie lovers.  

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    Greek investigators say they are prioritizing toxicology testing in hopes of determining within days how a Scottish woman died after her body was discovered inside a suitcase in Athens. Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, was found in an abandoned building in the Kypseli district of the Greek capital on July 18, reportedly by a homeless man who came across the body. Known to family as Lisa, she is believed to have traveled to Greece from Edinburgh in late June and was reported missing on July 15. Greek authorities are also working to locate American friends of Lisa’s who they say were staying in the same Kypseli area at the time she disappeared. Police have not yet determined whether her death is being treated as a homicide. A post mortem examination is currently underway, and investigators say toxicology results could help establish whether foul play was involved in her death. Such tests typically take anywhere from several weeks to a few months to complete, depending on case complexity and the workload of forensic laboratories. However, police spokesperson Konstantina Dimoglidou told a Scottish broadcaster on Saturday that authorities have made the case a priority and expect results within days, saying investigators need answers on how she died without further delay. According to police accounts, Lisa initially stayed in the Keratsini area, located roughly six miles west of central Athens, with Greek friends. She told them that on July 15 she planned to travel to Kypseli to meet American friends or acquaintances. Investigators are now trying to identify those individuals. Officials also noted that her mobile phone continued transmitting a signal and sending messages for several days after her death is believed to have occurred. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed Wednesday that it is providing consular support to Lisa’s family and remains in contact with Greek authorities. Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney described the case as absolutely appalling and said the Scottish government and the FCDO would continue supporting her family. Police Scotland said it is also providing assistance to the family as the investigation continues.

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    Suspect in Berlin pride attack shot dead by police

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    The suspect accused of driving a minivan into a crowd near Berlin’s annual LGBTQ Pride gathering, killing one person and injuring 29 others, was shot dead by police in the city’s Spandau district on Sunday, authorities confirmed . The ramming attack occurred at approximately 10 pm (2000 GMT) on Saturday in Tiergarten park, near the Brandenburg Gate and close to one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ celebrations, Christopher Street Day . Berlin police identified the suspect as Abdul B, a 21-year-old German citizen of Lebanese heritage, born in Germany in 2005 . According to Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, the suspect had “attracted attention in the past through a high number of criminal offences and was known to be radicalised” . Police located the suspect at an allotment garden complex in Spandau at around 6 pm (1600 GMT) on Sunday . “According to initial findings, he ran towards officers while armed with a bladed weapon; police subsequently opened fire,” Berlin police wrote on X . Despite immediate resuscitation efforts by the Berlin Fire Department, the suspect was pronounced dead, a federal prosecutor’s spokesperson confirmed . Earlier, police had published the suspect’s picture and appealed to the public for information on his whereabouts . The attack marks the latest in a series of vehicle-ramming incidents on crowds in Germany in recent years, which have intensified debate around security and immigration amid a surge in support for the far-right . A memorial service was planned at St Mary’s Church in Berlin, with Chancellor Friedrich Meuthen expected to attend . The Christopher Street Day parade, which was called off following the attack, had been expected to draw hundreds of thousands of participants and spectators to the German capital .

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