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LONDON: Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Tipu Usman, has called for closer engagement with Pakistani media in the UK to strengthen outreach to the Pakistani diaspora and ensure the community remains informed about initiatives and reforms aimed at facilitating overseas Pakistanis. The High Commissioner made the remarks during an introductory meeting with representatives of Pakistani media houses working in London. Tipu Usman appreciated the positive role played by Pakistani media in the UK during Marka-e-Haq, particularly its contribution to keeping the Pakistani diaspora informed about important national developments and issues affecting the community. He said the Pakistan High Commission in London remained committed to working closely with Pakistani media representatives to enhance outreach and effectively communicate initiatives and reforms that would facilitate members of the Pakistani diaspora across the UK. The High Commissioner stressed the importance of effective communication and engagement with the Pakistani community, saying the media could play an important role in ensuring that information about government initiatives and services reaches overseas Pakistanis in a timely and effective manner. The representatives of Pakistani media houses welcomed Tipu Usman on assuming his responsibilities as Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK and conveyed their best wishes for his tenure. During the interactive session, media representatives shared various suggestions aimed at improving the High Commission’s outreach to the Pakistani diaspora and strengthening efforts for the welfare of the Pakistani community residing across the United Kingdom. The participants discussed the importance of maintaining regular engagement between the High Commission and Pakistani media to improve communication with the community and provide greater awareness of initiatives, services and reforms relevant to overseas Pakistanis. The meeting provided an opportunity for an open exchange of views on ways to further strengthen coordination between the Pakistan High Commission, Pakistani media and the wider Pakistani diaspora in the UK. The High Commissioner welcomed the suggestions put forward by the media representatives and reaffirmed the High Commission’s readiness to work collaboratively with the media for more effective engagement with the Pakistani community across Britain.

Russia has sharply criticized the European Union after the bloc approved its 21st package of sanctions, saying the new measures will damage European economies more than Russia and further increase tensions between Moscow and Brussels. In a statement released by Russia’s Permanent Mission to the European Union, officials said the approval process for the latest sanctions exposed growing divisions within the EU. According to Moscow, many member states were reluctant to support additional restrictions because of the economic burden they are already facing. Russia claimed the lengthy negotiations reflected increasing concern among European governments over the impact of sanctions on businesses, energy supplies and overall economic growth. The Russian mission accused the European Union of continuing a policy of confrontation despite rising economic challenges across Europe. It said EU leaders were ignoring the financial costs of sanctions while pursuing what Moscow described as a political campaign against Russia. The statement also referred to comments by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, who indicated that further sanctions could be introduced in the future. According to Russia, discussions on new sanctions have become a political ritual aimed at showing unity among EU member states rather than achieving practical results. Moscow argued that the restrictions have failed to weaken Russia in the way European leaders had expected. Instead, it claimed that European citizens and businesses are paying the price through higher energy costs, inflation and slower economic growth. The statement further argued that Europe’s economic difficulties have been intensified by the EU’s decision to reduce imports of Russian energy, continued financial and military support for Ukraine, and instability in global energy markets caused by ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Russian officials also pointed to a recent assessment by the European Central Bank, which highlighted geopolitical conflicts and energy market uncertainty as major risks to the European economy. Moscow said this assessment supports its argument that continued sanctions are creating additional pressure on European countries. Using a road journey as a comparison, the Russian mission said the European Union was following a path that could lead its economy into serious difficulties. It argued that EU policymakers should reconsider their current strategy instead of introducing more restrictions that, in Russia’s view, have produced limited results while increasing costs for Europe. The statement concluded by reaffirming that Russia considers the EU sanctions to be illegal unilateral measures. Moscow warned that any additional restrictions imposed by the European Union would receive what it described as an effective and appropriate response from Russia.