taliban seeks improved
|

Taliban seeks improved ties with Pakistan

The Taliban administration has expressed its desire to reduce tensions and improve relations with Pakistan, saying that continued disputes serve the interests of neither country.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said both sides should work to resolve outstanding issues through dialogue and cooperation. He noted that the closure of border crossings and restrictions faced by Afghan traders have contributed to strained relations and disrupted bilateral trade.

Mujahid said the Taliban wants these issues to be addressed to facilitate smoother cross-border movement and strengthen economic ties between the two neighboring countries.

He also acknowledged that trade with Pakistan has been affected in recent months, adding that Afghanistan has increased its economic engagement with Iran while pursuing new projects aimed at developing the country’s mineral resources.

However, analysts have raised concerns over the transparency of some of the reported mining agreements and questioned whether sufficient oversight and accountability mechanisms are in place.

The remarks come at a time when Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to face challenges in bilateral relations, including border management, trade disruptions and broader security concerns.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    90,000 rubber ducks race through Chicago river in …

    CHICAGO: The Chicago River turned bright yellow on Thursday as around 90,000 rubber ducks were released into the water for the annual Chicago Ducky Derby, a colorful charity event that draws thousands of spectators and raises funds for Special Olympics Illinois. The unusual race began when the huge collection of rubber ducks was dropped into the river from one side of a partially opened bridge. Within moments, the water was covered with thousands of small yellow ducks, creating a striking spectacle for people gathered along both sides of the river. The ducks remained in the water for roughly 15 minutes as they floated and moved with the river’s current. Organizers then retrieved the ducks from the water to determine the winning entries and ensure that the river was cleared of the race participants. Thousands of people attended the event, turning the annual derby into a lively festival. Spectators gathered along the riverbanks to watch the race, take photographs and support the charitable cause. Many participants and visitors also wore colorful T-shirts featuring rubber duck designs. The Ducky Derby is organized to support Special Olympics Illinois, helping raise thousands of dollars for programs and activities for athletes with intellectual disabilities. One of the highlights of this year’s event came when 13-year-old Special Olympics athlete and Ducky Derby ambassador Becky Cavanaugh selected the winning duck. Her announcement was met with cheers from enthusiastic crowds gathered along the river. Cavanaugh said one of the things she values most about being involved with the Special Olympics is the opportunity to meet and build friendships with other people. The Chicago Ducky Derby has become a popular annual tradition, combining entertainment, community participation and fundraising. The event gives spectators a memorable experience while contributing to programs designed to support Special Olympics athletes across Illinois.

  • | |

    Two officials martyred in Kohat terror attack

    Two government officials were martyred and another was seriously injured after terrorists attacked a government vehicle at a joint security check post near the Kohat Toll Plaza on the Indus Highway late Thursday night, officials said. According to police, unidentified armed men opened fire on a customs enforcement vehicle that was carrying out routine anti-smuggling duties at the joint check post. The intense firing caused the vehicle to catch fire, resulting in heavy damage. The officials martyred in the attack were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Sajjad-ul-Islam of the Kohat Excise Office and Customs Enforcement Constable Jawad Ahmed of the Peshawar Collectorate. Both officers lost their lives while performing their official duties. Another Customs official, Basirullah, suffered serious injuries during the attack. Rescue teams reached the scene shortly after receiving an emergency call, provided first aid and shifted the injured official to the District Headquarters Hospital in Kohat for further treatment. Rescue personnel also recovered the body of the customs constable from the burnt government vehicle, while firefighters extinguished the blaze to prevent it from spreading further. Soon after the incident, police and security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace the attackers. Authorities have started an investigation to determine how the attack was carried out and identify those responsible. Officials said the attack created panic in the area, prompting additional security measures along the highway and surrounding locations. Funeral prayers for ASI Sajjad-ul-Islam were offered near his residence in Kohat. Senior officials from the Excise Department, law enforcement agencies and other government institutions attended the funeral and paid tribute to his services. The Excise Department described him as a dedicated and professional officer who served the department with commitment and courage. Officials expressed solidarity with his family and prayed for the elevation of his rank. Funeral prayers for Customs Constable Jawad Ahmed were also offered at the Custom House in Peshawar. Customs officials, colleagues and family members attended the funeral to pay their final respects. The Customs Department expressed deep sorrow over the loss of its officer, stating that he embraced martyrdom while carrying out his national duty. The department honoured his sacrifice and extended condolences to his family. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack and expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of the two officials. He offered condolences to their families, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured officer and directed the relevant authorities to arrest those behind the attack. The prime minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating terrorism, saying operations against militant groups would continue until peace and stability are fully restored across the country.

  • | |

    Pakistan discovers high-grade lithium in Khairpur

    Pakistan has taken a significant step toward joining the global lithium supply chain after the discovery of high-grade lithium in Sindh’s Khairpur district, a development that could pave the way for the country’s first domestic lithium industry and strengthen its ambitions in clean energy and advanced manufacturing. The breakthrough comes as the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) signed a strategic agreement with the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH) to develop technology capable of extracting lithium from geothermal brine on a commercial scale. The agreement follows the successful identification of high-quality lithium in water produced from a well in Khairpur, raising hopes that Pakistan could eventually reduce its dependence on imported battery materials while creating a new high-value industrial sector. Officials familiar with the project said the collaboration will focus on designing an efficient and commercially viable extraction process. If successful, the initiative could lay the foundation for a local lithium value chain, supporting industries involved in electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy storage systems, and other high-tech applications. The discovery is also expected to attract interest from investors looking to capitalize on the rapidly growing global demand for lithium, a critical mineral used in rechargeable batteries that power electric vehicles, smartphones, laptops, and grid-scale energy storage systems. In another major development, authorities have expanded lithium exploration across Sindh. Plans are underway to investigate eight to ten additional wells in search of further lithium-rich geothermal brine deposits, increasing the likelihood of identifying commercially viable reserves. Energy experts believe Pakistan’s emerging lithium potential could diversify the country’s mineral resources, generate export opportunities, and create skilled employment if exploration results continue to be positive and commercial production becomes feasible. While further scientific studies and economic assessments are still required before large-scale production begins, the Khairpur discovery marks a milestone in Pakistan’s pursuit of critical minerals. Industry observers say sustained investment in research, technology, and infrastructure will be essential to transform the discovery into a competitive domestic lithium industry capable of supporting the country’s long-term energy transition and industrial growth.

  • | | |

    Pakistan rejects Indian claims, calls allegations …

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has rejected allegations by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah linking Islamabad to the arrest of alleged terror suspects in India, describing the accusations as part of a politically motivated campaign against Pakistan. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said the allegations were baseless and appeared aimed at shifting attention away from India’s own internal security challenges. He accused New Delhi of using anti-Pakistan rhetoric for domestic political purposes. The remarks followed claims by Shah that Indian security agencies had detained more than 200 suspected militants allegedly connected to Pakistan during a nationwide crackdown across 14 states on August 12. Shah said the suspects were linked to what he described as the Shahzad Bhatti Network and alleged that the arrests had prevented planned attacks. Rejecting the claims, Andrabi said Pakistan had repeatedly faced accusations that he described as part of an ongoing campaign to portray Islamabad as responsible for security problems inside India. The spokesperson also levelled counter-allegations against New Delhi, accusing India of suppressing minorities and dissent at home while allegedly supporting terrorism and destabilising activities abroad. He maintained that such accusations could not divert international attention from what Pakistan considers India’s involvement in terrorism and subversive activities. Andrabi referred to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was convicted by a Pakistani military court and remains in Pakistani custody, as evidence of Islamabad’s longstanding allegations of Indian involvement in activities against Pakistan. Pakistan called on the international community to reject what it termed unfounded allegations and to hold India accountable for what Islamabad describes as state-sponsored terrorism and destabilising activities in the region. Moreover, Pakistan has strongly rejected what it described as India’s attempt to reshape the history of the 2025 military confrontation through a recently produced documentary on “Operation Sindoor,” calling the production a highly dramatized and factually distorted portrayal of events. In a statement, Pakistan said the documentary relied on selectively edited interviews, emotional narration and cinematic reconstructions to present a version of the conflict designed primarily for domestic political consumption. It argued that the production failed to provide an objective account of the military engagements and instead sought to portray a disputed outcome as an unequivocal Indian victory. Pakistan also questioned the documentary’s chronology surrounding the Pahalgam incident of April 22, 2025. It said India had subsequently claimed that the alleged perpetrators of the incident were identified and eliminated on July 28, nearly three months after Operation Sindoor. Islamabad argued that this timeline raised questions about India’s assertion that the May 7 operation was specifically intended to punish those responsible for the Pahalgam attack. The statement further rejected India’s claim of “100 percent mission success,” maintaining that Pakistani forces had effectively responded to the Indian offensive during what Pakistan refers to as Marka-e-Haq. Islamabad claimed that eight Indian military aircraft were shot down during the confrontation and said Pakistan later launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, targeting military installations with precision-guided rockets and missiles, precision air-launched munitions, loitering munitions and artillery. Pakistan said the documentary itself contained admissions that undermined its portrayal of decisive Indian dominance. According to Islamabad, references by Indian military officials to Pakistani missile and drone activity, prolonged engagements along the Line of Control and the activation of Indian air-defence systems demonstrated that the confrontation involved significant military exchanges on both sides. The Pakistani statement also challenged New Delhi’s account of how hostilities ended. It noted that the documentary acknowledged communication between the two countries’ Directors General of Military Operations and an agreed cessation of military activity. Islamabad said this account was inconsistent with portraying the conclusion of the conflict as an unconditional Indian military victory, particularly given the role of international diplomatic engagement in facilitating the ceasefire. Pakistan further accused the documentary of presenting contradictory explanations for India’s approach to escalation. While the production reportedly emphasised surprise attacks, precision strikes and escalation dominance, it simultaneously portrayed India as deliberately restricting the scope of the conflict and offering Pakistan an opportunity to withdraw. Islamabad described the documentary as an attempt to create a politically convenient narrative rather than an impartial military assessment. It maintained that cinematic reconstructions and official claims could not alter the chronology of events, the military engagements or the losses suffered during the confrontation. Pakistan said it had no need to construct an alternative narrative around Marka-e-Haq, arguing that battlefield developments, diplomatic interactions and subsequent statements by Indian officials provided sufficient material for assessing the conflict. Reaffirming its stated commitment to regional peace and stability, Pakistan said its armed forces remained prepared to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It warned that any future military escalation would receive a strong response, while asserting that no subsequent narrative or media production could change the actual course of events on the battlefield.

  • | |

    Nolan’s Odyssey explores the cost of flawed choices

    Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey explores a character who is far from a conventional hero. Odysseus is brave, intelligent and determined. He is also deeply flawed. That complexity appears to be at the centre of Nolan’s interest in the ancient Greek epic. The nearly 3,000-year-old story follows Odysseus as he attempts to return to Ithaca after the Trojan War. His journey is filled with violence, loss, temptation and encounters with powerful gods and mythical creatures. Yet the film is not simply about a warrior trying to find his way home. It is also about the consequences of his decisions. Odysseus repeatedly makes choices that produce consequences he struggles to control. His actions often begin with understandable motives. Revenge, anger, pride and a desire to protect his men push him into increasingly dangerous situations. His treatment of the Trojans is one example. Odysseus considers himself a man who respects the rules of combat. However, the Trojan War forces him into tactics that contradict his personal principles. The wooden horse becomes the most striking example of this conflict. His deception helps the Greeks defeat Troy, but it also establishes a chain of events that follows him long after the war ends. His encounter with the Cyclops Polyphemus further exposes his weaknesses. Odysseus and his crew manage to escape the Cyclops’ cave. But instead of leaving quietly, Odysseus attacks again. His decision is driven by anger and revenge. The consequences are devastating. Polyphemus calls upon his father, Poseidon, to punish Odysseus. The resulting curse turns the journey home into an extended ordeal. Odysseus continues trying to save his men. However, his efforts repeatedly end in tragedy. One decision leads to another, and the consequences gradually become impossible to contain. His crew members begin to lose faith in their commander. The man determined to bring them home becomes the leader whose decisions ultimately contribute to their deaths. This moral conflict is familiar territory for Nolan. The director has repeatedly built stories around protagonists whose choices carry enormous consequences. Bruce Wayne, for example, attempts to protect Gotham by allowing a dangerous lie surrounding Harvey Dent to survive. The consequences eventually force him to confront the price of that decision. In Oppenheimer, the central character develops the atomic bomb in an attempt to help defeat Nazi Germany. Yet his success leaves him haunted by the destructive power he helped unleash. Dunkirk presents another interpretation of home. For the soldiers trapped on the beaches of France, home represents survival, safety and the possibility of returning with their dignity intact. For Oppenheimer, however, home becomes something more complicated. It represents the peace of mind he can no longer recover after witnessing the consequences of his work. For Odysseus, home is deeply personal. Ithaca represents his family, his kingdom and the identity he lost during two decades away. Returning home is therefore more than reaching a physical destination. His journey changes him. He leaves as a king and eventually returns disguised as a beggar. Along the way, he encounters monsters, hostile forces and divine punishment. He also watches his companions disappear one by one. By the time Odysseus reaches the end of his journey, the question is no longer simply whether he can return home. The bigger question is whether a man who has experienced so much violence can ever truly return as the person he once was. That question sits comfortably within Nolan’s broader storytelling style. His characters often achieve their goals but pay an enormous personal price. Their victories rarely come without consequences. The Odyssey brings that recurring theme to one of its most ancient and powerful forms. Odysseus survives the journey, but survival does not erase what happened along the way. His homecoming becomes a reckoning with the violence, losses and choices that shaped him. Nolan’s interpretation therefore turns the epic into more than an adventure story. It becomes a meditation on guilt, responsibility, identity and the lasting cost of extraordinary choices. At its heart, The Odyssey asks what happens when a man spends years fighting to return home, only to discover that the journey has changed the meaning of home itself.

  • | | |

    AJK polling extended amid disruptions and security…

    Polling in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections was extended by one hour on Monday. Voting in Bhimber, Mirpur and Kotli continued until 6pm. The extension was announced as several polling stations faced disruptions and complaints. Political parties also raised concerns about alleged interference and security issues during the voting process. The first phase of the AJK elections covers all 13 constituencies of Mirpur Division. The division includes four seats in Mirpur, three in Bhimber and six in Kotli. More than 1.4 million registered voters are eligible to cast their votes in the first phase. Election authorities established 2,454 polling stations and 3,701 polling booths across the division. Around 22,000 election officials were assigned duties to manage the polling process. Security was also increased at polling stations across the region. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) raised several complaints during the day. PPP AJK Election Cell in-charge Sardar Abdul Shakoor called on the Election Commission to take immediate notice of disruptions at polling stations. Polling at Station 108 in LA-13 Kotli-VI was reportedly suspended for around two hours. Shakoor said the interruption was affecting voters and preventing them from exercising their right to vote. He demanded that polling be restored immediately. He also called for an investigation into the reasons behind the suspension. The PPP also alleged interference at several polling stations in LA-8 Raj Mahal and LA-12 Charhoi. The party claimed that some PML-N supporters were attempting to influence the polling process. The allegations included the presence of armed individuals near some polling stations. The PPP demanded stronger security arrangements to protect voters, polling staff and election material. Another serious incident was reported in LA-9 Nikyal. A PPP worker was killed during an incident that the party linked to alleged intimidation and the display of weapons. PPP officials identified the deceased as 35-year-old Mukhtar Younus. The party demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the incident. Shakoor alleged that weapons had been displayed in the area before polling day. He claimed that timely action by the authorities could have prevented the situation from worsening. The PPP also accused the federal government of interfering in the AJK elections. PPP Secretary General Nadeem Afzal Chan demanded that federal officials and government machinery remain neutral during the electoral process. He said political parties should be allowed to compete without outside interference. Chan also raised concerns over alleged use of state resources during the election campaign. He called for development announcements and other government activities that could influence voters to be stopped during the election period. The PPP has established an election monitoring cell in Islamabad. Senior party leaders are monitoring polling-related complaints through the cell. The monitoring team is also maintaining contact with election officials, district administrations, candidates and party representatives. The PPP said the purpose of the cell was to monitor the election process and report any violations. Meanwhile, the Election Commission took action against two presiding officers in Kotli. The officials were accused of failing to report to their assigned polling stations. They allegedly went to a private residence instead. An FIR was registered against both officials. They were arrested and later suspended from service. Election authorities said strict action would be taken against officials who violate election rules. They also warned that negligence and irregularities in the polling process would not be tolerated. Security remained a major focus during polling. Authorities declared 1,965 polling stations sensitive or highly sensitive. More than 19,000 security personnel were deployed across Mirpur Division. The force included around 17,000 police personnel. Around 2,100 Army personnel were also kept on standby. They could be deployed as a backup force if the security situation deteriorated. Despite the complaints and isolated incidents, polling continued at most stations. In LA-1 Dadyal, voting began in a peaceful atmosphere. Security arrangements were strengthened around all polling stations in the constituency. More than 105,000 voters are registered in Dadyal. The constituency has 139 polling stations and 234 polling booths. The first phase of the elections is being held under a revised schedule. Polling in Muzaffarabad Division and the 12 refugee constituencies is scheduled for August 2. The final phase will be held in Poonch Division on August 10. A total of 288 candidates are contesting the 13 seats in Mirpur Division. Election authorities have urged candidates, workers and voters to maintain peace and follow the electoral code of conduct.

Leave a Reply

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