Day: July 9, 2026

Islamabad: Chairperson Peace and Culture Organization and wife of jailed Kashmiri freedom fighter Yasin Malik,Mushaal Hussein Mullick on Wednesday paid tribute to Burhan Muzaffar Wani on his eighth martyrdom anniversary, describing him as a symbol of the Kashmiri freedom movement.

In a video message issued from Islamabad, the former special assistant to the prime minister said Wani’s legacy continues to inspire generations of Kashmiris and renewed her call for international attention to the situation in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Malik said Burhan Wani’s courage and resistance against oppression by Indian forces had made him an enduring inspiration for Kashmiri youth.

She said the movement associated with Wani had expanded across Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir and continued to shape the modern freedom struggle.

Mushaal said Wani transformed the movement by using digital communication platforms to bypass media restrictions and project the situation in the region before the international community.

She said his efforts amplified the aspirations of a generation seeking dignity and the right to self determination, drawing wider global attention to developments in Jammu and Kashmir.

She said the sacrifices of Burhan Wani and other Kashmiri martyrs would continue to inspire the political and peaceful struggle for the right to self determination.

Mushaal said thousands of young Kashmiris had carried forward Wani’s mission by raising their voices against alleged human rights violations and advocating for their rights on international forums.

She urged the international community and global human rights organisations to take notice of the humanitarian situation in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir and called for attention to the continued detention of Kashmiri political leaders.

Islamabad: Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh/Minister for IT, Ali Rashid, called on Minister of State/Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Digital Media, Fahd Haroon, in Islamabad.

The meeting discussed matters of mutual interest relating to digital media, digital transformation, and Pakistan’s evolving digital landscape.

The meeting was held in a cordial and congenial atmosphere.

Fahd Haroon appreciated the exchange of views and shared perspectives on relevant areas of focus.

Islamabad: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman has paid rich tribute to the professionalism, courage, and unwavering commitment of Pakistan’s security forces for successfully eliminating 54 terrorists during operations in Balochistan.

In a statement issued here, she said the sacrifices of the 27 police personnel, 11 Pakistan Army soldiers, and 4 civilians who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty have made the entire nation proud and will always be remembered with the highest respect.

Senator Sherry Rehman stated that the entire nation stands like an iron wall alongside its brave security forces and law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism, while expressing heartfelt solidarity with the families of the martyrs and affirming that their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

She reiterated that operations against terrorism will continue with full determination, resolve, and perseverance until the last terrorist is eliminated, adding that every conspiracy against Pakistan’s peace, stability, and national security will be defeated with unwavering national resolve.

Islamabad: Pakistan and Bulgaria on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations by enhancing parliamentary diplomacy, expanding trade and investment, and promoting cooperation in various areas.

The commitment was expressed during a meeting between Ms Zeb Jaffar, MNA and Convener of the Pakistan-Bulgaria Parliamentary Friendship Group (PFG), and a Bulgarian delegation led by Petko Doykov, Director General for Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, at Parliament House.

The delegation included Bulgaria’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Mrs. Irena Gancheva, along with senior officials from the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry.

Before the meeting, Director General (Europe-I) at Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ishtiaq Ahmed Akil, briefed the convener on the current state of Pakistan-Bulgaria relations and outlined opportunities to strengthen parliamentary engagement, economic cooperation, educational exchanges, and people-to-people contacts.

Welcoming the delegation, Ms. Zeb Jaffar said Pakistan and Bulgaria had enjoyed more than six decades of cordial relations based on mutual respect and cooperation.

She congratulated Bulgaria on the successful parliamentary elections and the formation of its new Parliament, expressing hope that the Bulgaria-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group would soon be established to further institutionalize parliamentary cooperation.

She emphasized the importance of regular exchanges of parliamentarians to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and called for enhanced collaboration in education, climate change, agriculture, youth and student exchange programmes, and cultural ties.

Highlighting Bulgaria’s strategic location as a gateway to European markets, she stressed the need to expand bilateral trade and investment, strengthen cooperation through the Pakistan-EU Business Forum, and encourage more high-level exchanges between the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Petko Doykov reaffirmed Bulgaria’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding partnership with Pakistan through sustained political dialogue and closer parliamentary engagement.

He underscored the importance of regular exchanges of parliamentary delegations and stronger people-to-people contacts, while identifying trade, information technology, artificial intelligence, youth engagement, and connectivity as key areas for future cooperation.

He said geographical distance should not be an obstacle to stronger economic relations and assured Bulgaria’s support for the early establishment of the counterpart Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Ms Zeb Jaffar also appreciated Ambassador Irena Gancheva’s contributions to promoting Pakistan-Bulgaria relations during her tenure in Islamabad.

Ambassador Gancheva expressed confidence that the establishment of the counterpart Parliamentary Friendship Group in Bulgaria would further institutionalize parliamentary engagement and deepen bilateral cooperation.

She thanked the convener and members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for their continued support and voiced optimism that the friendship between Pakistan and Bulgaria would continue to grow.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their resolve to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy, expand economic and trade cooperation, promote educational and cultural exchanges, and enhance collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

Islamabad: Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik on Wednesday said that a comprehensive dossier should be presented to the international community and relevant global forums highlighting what he alleged is India’s involvement in promoting terrorism in Pakistan.

Speaking to a private television channel, Malik claimed that India was involved in supporting terrorist activities, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said Pakistan’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies were continuing operations to eliminate terrorism and maintain peace in the country. The minister stressed the need to convene a national security committee meeting to discuss the challenges confronting the country.

Commenting on the political situation, Malik criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, alleging that they had failed to take effective measures to address governance and security issues in the province. He urged the party to rise above political differences and work collectively to resolve the challenges facing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Paying tribute to the armed forces and police, he said security personnel were making immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He emphasized that combating terrorism was a shared national responsibility and called on political parties including Opposition to support the efforts to eradicate militancy from the region.

Islamabad: Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday held meetings with a number of prominent political, social and public figures from different parts of the country at Aiwan-e-Sadr and discussed matters of national affairs, public welfare and development.

These included Mian Alamdar Qureshi, Member of the Provincial Assembly; Usman Bhatti, former Member of the Provincial Assembly; Qaiser Ahmed Gujjar, former Member of the Provincial Assembly; Ali Syed, Chairman of the National Insurance Company; Usman Chaudhry (Malaysia), Chairman of the Global Muslim Business Forum; Chaudhry Umar Nisar; Muhammad Imran Ali, Chairman of Revive Pakistan; Sardar Ahmad Raza, educationist; Colonel (Retd.) Nayyar Abbas; Malik Mank Ran; Muazzam Ali; Barrister Mudassar Hussain Shah; Haider Ali; Dr. Abbas Naqvi; Dr. Syedain Naqvi, along with other distinguished personalities, according to a press release issued by the President House Media Wing.

During the meetings, the participants exchanged views on the country’s overall political, economic and social situation, public welfare, national development, issues confronting the people and other matters of mutual interest.

On the occasion, the participants paid rich tribute to Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for his invaluable national, political, social and public services. They appreciated his continued efforts for national development, public welfare, democratic values and national cohesion, while reaffirming their commitment to supporting collective efforts aimed at ensuring Pakistan’s stability, progress and prosperity.

The acting president listened to the concerns, suggestions and proposals presented by the visiting delegations and assured them that every possible effort would be made to facilitate the prompt and effective resolution of issues falling within the relevant domains.

Speaking on the occasion, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani emphasized that national unity, effective governance and the collective efforts of all segments of society are indispensable for Pakistan’s sustainable development, lasting stability and the well-being of its people.