Thai Soldier Seriously Injured by Landmine Near Cambodian Border in Surin

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has welcomed what he described as positive progress in relations between Pakistan and Russia. Dar made the remarks during a meeting with Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert Khorev in Islamabad on Tuesday. According to the Foreign Office, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and regional developments. Dar stressed the importance of maintaining the current momentum and expanding cooperation between the two countries. The foreign minister called for greater collaboration in key areas. He also emphasised the need for regular high-level engagement to further strengthen ties between Islamabad and Moscow. Dar said Pakistan remained committed to resolving regional disputes through dialogue and diplomatic efforts. He maintained that negotiations were the most effective way to address differences and promote peace and stability in the region. The meeting comes as Pakistan and Russia continue efforts to broaden their relationship beyond traditional areas of cooperation. Economic engagement has emerged as an important part of the bilateral relationship. Earlier this year, Energy Minister Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari said Pakistan and Russia had agreed to work towards an Economic Cooperation Programme extending until 2030. The programme is expected to provide a framework for expanding economic engagement and strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Officials have also been working to improve people-to-people contacts. A recently signed readmission agreement is expected to contribute to smoother visa arrangements and facilitate greater interaction between citizens of the two countries. Pakistan’s engagement with Russia is also taking place against the backdrop of wider regional changes. Islamabad has repeatedly emphasised the importance of diplomatic engagement and cooperation for addressing regional challenges. Dar’s latest meeting with the Russian ambassador reflects Pakistan’s efforts to maintain regular high-level contacts with Moscow and explore opportunities for deeper bilateral cooperation.

ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) held protest sit-ins in several major cities on Monday for the second consecutive day, intensifying its campaign against high petroleum levies, rising inflation and increased utility bills. The protests were organised in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and other cities across the country. The party said its demonstrations would continue until the government addresses its demands. Addressing a sit-in in Lahore, JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman described the protests as the beginning of a broader nationwide movement. He said the party had prepared a strategy to expand the campaign and expressed satisfaction with the participation in different parts of the country. JI leaders criticised the government over the growing financial burden on ordinary citizens. They argued that higher fuel-related charges have contributed to increased prices of essential goods and made household expenses more difficult to manage. In Karachi, a JI demonstration was held outside the Governor House. Party leaders accused the government of relying excessively on petroleum levies and taxes to generate revenue. JI Karachi women wing leader Javed Fahim called on the government either to withdraw what she described as unnecessary financial burdens or face stronger public resistance. She warned that the party could expand its sit-ins to major roads across Karachi if its demands were not accepted. JI Karachi Emir Monem Zafar Khan said the party’s demands included a reduction in fuel prices and a forensic audit of independent power producers (IPPs). He said controlling inflation should be among the government’s top priorities and argued that ordinary citizens were bearing the impact of rising fuel costs, electricity bills and prices of daily-use commodities. The protests come after the government recently increased the petroleum levy on diesel by Rs1 per litre, taking it to Rs77.28. The levy on petrol remained at Rs80 per litre, while the levy on kerosene was unchanged at Rs20.36 per litre. JI leaders said they would continue mobilising supporters across the country and would consider further expanding the protest movement if their demands were not met.

Train services between Balochistan and other parts of Pakistan have resumed after a one-day suspension caused by railway track repair work. Railway officials confirmed that operations were restored after maintenance teams completed the necessary repairs. The temporary suspension was imposed to ensure passenger safety and to allow engineers to carry out essential work on the affected section of the track. Following the restoration of services, the Jaffar Express departed from Quetta for Peshawar as scheduled. The resumption of the train marked the return of regular rail connectivity between Balochistan and the country’s other provinces. Officials also said that the Jaffar Express travelling from Peshawar is expected to arrive in Quetta on Wednesday according to its scheduled timetable. They added that train operations are now running normally after the completion of repair work. The railway administration said the suspension was purely a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring safe travel. Maintenance crews worked continuously to restore the track within a day, allowing train operations to resume without further delay. The restoration of rail services is expected to provide relief to passengers who were affected by the temporary suspension. Travellers can now continue their journeys through the regular train schedule, while railway authorities have assured passengers that they will continue monitoring the track to ensure safe and uninterrupted operations. Pakistan Railways periodically carries out maintenance work on its network to improve safety and operational efficiency. Officials urged passengers to stay updated on train schedules through official railway channels, particularly when maintenance work or weather conditions affect rail operations.