Thailand to Review 60-Day Visa-Free Entry

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for Saudi Arabia during a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders discussed the regional security situation, recent developments in the Middle East and the importance of maintaining peace and stability. During the conversation, the prime minister strongly condemned the recent Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. He described the attacks as unacceptable and said they were a clear violation of international law. He added that such actions pose a serious threat to international maritime security, commercial shipping and the free movement of global trade. Shehbaz Sharif said attacks targeting commercial vessels not only endanger regional stability but also threaten the global economy by disrupting vital shipping routes. He stressed that the international community must work together to ensure the safety of maritime trade and prevent further escalation in the region. The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia. He said he, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the people of Pakistan stand firmly with the Saudi leadership and the brotherly people of the Kingdom during this challenging period. He emphasized that Pakistan fully supports Saudi Arabia’s efforts to safeguard its security and territorial integrity. Shehbaz Sharif also reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, independence and prosperity of Saudi Arabia. He said the deep-rooted relationship between Islamabad and Riyadh is based on shared faith, mutual respect and decades of close cooperation in political, economic and security matters. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman thanked Pakistan for its consistent support and appreciated the strong brotherly ties between the two countries. He acknowledged Pakistan’s continued commitment to regional peace and stability. The prime minister conveyed his best wishes to King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and expressed hope for his continued good health and well-being. Shehbaz Sharif also stressed that Pakistan would continue cooperating with Saudi Arabia and the international community to promote peace, security and stability across the Middle East. He emphasized the importance of ensuring uninterrupted maritime traffic through the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, saying these waterways are critical for global trade, energy supplies and international economic stability.

Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has strongly opposed calls to abolish the reserved legislative seats for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan, saying the voting rights of displaced Kashmiris are protected by constitutional and democratic principles and must not be undermined. His remarks came after reports that a banned Action Committee had demanded the abolition of seats reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) legislative framework. The proposal has sparked debate and criticism from political and social circles on both sides of the Line of Control. In a statement, Mirwaiz said millions of Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan have a legitimate constitutional and democratic right to participate in the electoral process, adding that these rights cannot be ignored or sacrificed. “The voting rights of Kashmiri refugees are an integral part of their constitutional and democratic rights,” he said, stressing that displaced Kashmiris deserve equal respect, representation and protection. Mirwaiz argued that the rights of refugees are inseparable from the collective rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He maintained that any political movement claiming to represent Kashmiris must ensure equal representation for residents of every region and community without discrimination. He warned that protecting the interests of one group should never come at the cost of another group’s constitutional rights. According to the Hurriyat leader, justice, equality and mutual respect must remain the guiding principles in resolving issues affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Calling for dialogue, Mirwaiz urged all stakeholders to engage in consultations and meaningful discussions to find a balanced and widely acceptable solution. He said consensus-based decision-making was essential to preserving unity and protecting the democratic rights of all Kashmiris. The statement also criticized attempts to alter the existing representation of Kashmiri refugees, arguing that such moves risk deepening divisions rather than strengthening democratic participation. The controversy over refugee seats has emerged during a politically sensitive period in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with electoral issues drawing increased public attention. While supporters of the proposal argue that reforms are needed, opponents insist that any changes affecting refugee representation must respect constitutional guarantees and the political rights of displaced Kashmiris. Mirwaiz’s intervention adds a prominent voice to the debate, highlighting the need for dialogue and consensus rather than unilateral decisions on issues involving the constitutional and democratic rights of Kashmiri refugees.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Punjab has launched a major crackdown against networks allegedly involved in online financial fraud, identity theft and social media scams, arresting 14 suspects in Lahore and Multan. The operation was carried out under the direction and supervision of NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Waseem. Officials said the suspects allegedly defrauded citizens of millions of rupees through various online schemes. In Lahore, the NCCIA arrested four suspects in three separate cases. They were identified as Muhammad Amir, Muhammad Ashfaq, Muhammad Qamar and Ameer Karim. According to initial investigations, the suspects allegedly posed as marriage bureau representatives or close friends to gain victims’ trust. They then allegedly deceived citizens into transferring money. Investigators recovered mobile phones from the suspects and found evidence indicating that victims had been defrauded of significant amounts. In Multan, the NCCIA carried out three separate operations and arrested 10 suspects. They were identified as Muhammad Asghar, Amir Shehzad, Muhammad Kamran, Rizwan Talib, Saqib Ali, Kamran Talib, Iftikhar Manzoor, Muhammad Adnan, Muhammad Sultan and Muhammad Naeem. Investigators said the suspects allegedly used social media platforms and WhatsApp to impersonate officials from customs, police, banks and other government institutions. The suspects allegedly contacted citizens using false claims involving prizes, gifts, donations, bank verification and parcel clearance. They then demanded money from victims under various pretexts. Investigators uncovered one case in which a victim was allegedly defrauded of Rs1 million, while another involved the alleged theft of Rs588,000. The NCCIA said several mobile phones, SIM cards, fake WhatsApp accounts, social media profiles and other digital evidence were recovered during the operations. The seized devices and accounts are being subjected to forensic analysis. Cases have been registered against all 14 suspects under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, as amended in 2025, along with applicable sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.