Day: July 15, 2026

Islamabad: Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP)’s Central Spokesman, Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan on Tuesday criticized Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman over his recent remarks concerning Pakistan’s security forces, urging him to apologize to the nation, the families of martyred soldiers and the armed forces.

Addressing a news conference here at the National Press Club, Chohan said questioning the sacrifices of military personnel hurt the sentiments of the Pakistani people. He said members of the armed forces laid down their lives not for salaries but in defense of the country, its people and future generations.

He dedicated the press conference to the memory of Major Adnan Haider and SSG Commando, Tahseen, saying their sacrifices reflected the commitment of Pakistan’s security forces in the fight against terrorism.

Chohan argued that throughout Islamic history, soldiers had received stipends from the public treasury, adding that linking salaries with the value of martyrdom was contrary to historical and religious facts.

He alleged that Fazlur Rehman’s remarks had hurt not only the armed forces but also the families of martyred personnel, and claimed that such statements strengthened narratives promoted by hostile elements against Pakistan.

The IPP spokesman also accused certain political actors of attempting to undermine national unity at a time when the country was continuing operations against militant groups. He maintained that Pakistan’s armed forces were fully capable of defending the country and said there was no need for any parallel or private force.

Calling on Fazlur Rehman to withdraw his remarks, Chohan urged him to apologize to the nation, the families of martyrs and the security forces.

Responding to a question, Chohan said Pakistan’s armed forces were fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities in the fight against terrorism and called for national unity on issues of security. He also urged the media to report responsibly on matters related to terrorism and national security and to avoid amplifying hostile propaganda.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Tuesday said the Pakistan Armed Forces were not merely an institution but a symbol of the nation’s dignity, security and survival.

In a statement posted on his X account, he said, “Our peaceful sleep and freedom are made possible by the sacrifices of the soldiers deployed on the country’s borders.”

The minister said that from snow-covered peaks and deserts to the frontlines of the fight against terrorism, the country’s soldiers had laid down their lives in service of the nation.

He said the history written with the blood of the nation’s martyrs could never be erased by any political statement, sarcasm or ridicule.

“The value of these great sacrifices made by the Pakistan Armed Forces can never be diminished under any circumstances,” he added.

The minister said that differences of opinion were everyone’s right, but respecting the nation’s defenders and honouring the blood of the martyrs was a shared responsibility.

Dr Tariq Fazal said that whenever the homeland called, the sons of Pakistan proved through their actions that “Pakistan First” was their guiding principle.

“It is because of the everlasting sacrifices of our martyrs that Pakistan’s green and white flag continues to fly high with pride,” the federal minister said.

He prayed that Allah Almighty would elevate the ranks of the martyrs, grant good health to the country’s veterans, and bless Pakistan with lasting peace and security.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Tuesday, called for upholding the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, faithful implementation of its resolutions and international treaties, as well as for achieving balanced progress across all three pillars of the United Nations – peace and security, development, and human rights.

The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with Michelle Bachelet, candidate for the position of the UN Secretary General, who called on him at PM House, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch were also present.

While welcoming Bachelet to Pakistan, the prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s strong support for strengthening multilateralism as well as for ensuring the central role of the United Nations in addressing global challenges.

He also called for enhanced international cooperation and increased focus on accelerating the implementation of the global development agenda.

Bachelet commended Pakistan’s historic and invaluable contributions to the United Nations, and appreciated the country’s ongoing contributions to regional and international peace and security.

Islamabad: Speaker National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said on Tuesday that more than 60 per cent of Pakistan’s population consists of youth; therefore, equipping them with technical, vocational, and professional skills in line with the demands of the modern era was indispensable for national development, economic stability, and global competitiveness.

He stated that rapid revolutionary changes were taking place in the field of technology, and those nations were progressing that were investing in equipping their youth with knowledge, skills, and modern technology. He expressed these views in his message on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, which was observed globally every year on 15 July under the auspices of the United Nations.

The Speaker said that this year’s theme for World Youth Skills Day, ‘Skills for a Shared Future,’ reflected the reality that a sustainable and prosperous future could only be built through youth equipped with modern skills. He noted that the current era was characterized by artificial intelligence, digital technology, automation, and innovation; therefore, youth must acquire skills in these fields so that they might effectively meet future challenges. He further stated that Pakistani youth possessed immense potential to lead the country toward a technology-driven economy and play a pivotal role in national development.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq appreciated the government’s initiatives aimed at equipping youth with technical, vocational, and modern skills, stating that such programs were playing an important role in aligning young people with the needs of the future. He emphasized the need to further strengthen effective linkages among educational institutions, technical training centers, industries, and the private sector in order to provide the younger generation with modern knowledge and skills in accordance with national and international requirements.

The Speaker said that Parliament was committed to effective legislation for the promotion of technical and vocational education, modern skills, research, and innovation among youth. He stated that the National Assembly’s Young Parliamentarians Forum was actively contributing to the promotion of modern technology, digital skills, and creative capabilities among youth through various training workshops and awareness programs. He remarked that skilled, talented, and technologically equipped youth can steer Pakistan toward sustainable development and prosperity.

On this occasion, Deputy Speaker National Assembly Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, in his message on World Youth Skills Day, said that success in the modern world depends not only on academic qualifications but also on practical, technical, and modern skills. He stressed that youth should focus particularly on acquiring skills in artificial intelligence, digital technology, cybersecurity, data analytics, and other emerging fields so that they may effectively confront future challenges and actively contribute to national development and economic prosperity. He expressed the commitment that Parliament would continue its legislative efforts to promote skills development, innovation, and modern technology among youth.

Islamabad: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast near-normal rainfall across Gilgit-Baltistan and adjoining parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the current monsoon season, while warning that above-normal temperatures could accelerate snow and glacier melt, increasing the risk of localized flooding and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).

According to the PMD’s seasonal outlook for Pakistan’s Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Himalaya (HKH) region, the forecast is broadly consistent with assessments issued by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Climate Center (APCC), the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), and the 34th Session of the South Asian Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF-34), all of which indicate a tendency toward near-normal precipitation across parts of the northwestern HKH region.

The department said seasonal temperatures are expected to remain above normal across most parts of the HKH region, with relatively larger positive temperature departures likely over eastern Gilgit-Baltistan and adjoining areas.

The warmer conditions are expected to accelerate seasonal snow and glacier melt, contributing to enhanced river flows during the monsoon period.

The PMD said the anticipated near-normal rainfall is expected to support water availability and sustain river inflows originating from the northern mountain catchments.

However, it cautioned that enhanced rainfall combined with accelerated snow and glacier melt may increase river discharges and elevate the risk of localized flooding in vulnerable valleys.

It warned that intense short-duration rainfall events could trigger flash floods, landslides, debris flows and slope failures, particularly in mountainous terrain.

The department further noted that above-normal temperatures may increase runoff and heighten glacier-related hazards, including the possibility of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in vulnerable high-altitude catchments.

The PMD advised communities living near rivers, streams, steep slopes and glacial valleys to remain vigilant and strictly follow weather and flood advisories issued by the relevant authorities throughout the monsoon season.

Overall, the department said the 2026 monsoon season is expected to provide generally favourable moisture conditions across Pakistan’s HKH region.

However, it emphasized that above-normal temperatures and the possibility of localized heavy rainfall events could increase hydro-meteorological hazards, highlighting the need for continued preparedness and close monitoring of weather and flood forecasts.

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to advancing the objectives and principles of the UN Charter, and respect for international law and international treaties.

He was talking to Michelle Bachelet Jeria, Candidate for UN Secretary-General, who called on him.

While emphasizing the vital role of the UN in advancing the global development agenda, he stressed that the UN must remain responsive to the needs of the developing nations.

DPM/FM also underscored the need for the peaceful resolution of international disputes through the faithful implementation of UN Security Council resolutions for sustainable global peace.

He especially underscored the need for addressing the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the Palestine issue in this regard.

Ms. Bachelet commended Pakistan’s ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability, and appreciated its invaluable contributions to the UN over the years.