Month: July 2026

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Saturday, departed Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic, for Islamabad after successfully concluding his visits to Manila, Philippines, for the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial meeting and to Kyrgyz Republic to participate in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting.

At the airport, the DPM/FM was seen off by Deputy Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Kairat Erkinovich Tursunkulov, Ambassador of Pakistan to the Kyrgyz Republic Altamash Wazir and officials of the Embassy of Pakistan in Bishkek, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.

Islamabad: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi has said that the wellbeing of judges is fundamental to judicial independence, institutional integrity and public confidence in the rule of law, emphasizing that a strong justice system depends not only on sound laws and institutions but also on the welfare of those entrusted with administering justice.

In a message issued on the International Day for Judicial Wellbeing, the chief justice said judges shoulder immense responsibility, often under demanding circumstances, and must be supported by institutions that promote professional growth, modern working environments, effective administrative systems, and a culture of respect and recognition.

He said the judiciary of Pakistan remained committed to embedding these principles within its ongoing reform agenda. He noted that continued investments in digital transformation, improved court infrastructure, institutional support and judicial education reflected the judiciary’s belief that strengthening judges ultimately strengthens justice itself.

Justice Yahya Afridi paid tribute to the dedication, integrity and resilience of judges across the country for administering justice with courage, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law.

He paid special tribute to judges serving in remote and far-flung districts under difficult and challenging circumstances, saying their service exemplified the highest traditions of Pakistan’s judiciary.

The chief justice said the observance of the International Day for Judicial Wellbeing should reaffirm the commitment to a judiciary that values both excellence in adjudication and the human dimension of justice.

He stressed that every judge deserves institutional support to serve with dignity, confidence and excellence, adding that strengthening judges ultimately strengthens justice itself.

Islamabad: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) Saturday launched the first 2026 issue of the Journal of Science Communication and Diplomacy at a ceremony held here, marking two years of the journal’s successful publication.

Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch, who was the chief guest at the ceremony, called for stronger science diplomacy and emphasized that today’s global challenges require collective solutions through enhanced scientific cooperation and evidence-based policymaking.

The ceremony was attended by ambassadors, diplomats, scientists, academics, heads of national organizations, members of the journal’s editorial board, and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and COMSTECH.

Ambassadors from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Tajikistan and Mauritius, diplomats from Jordan and Azerbaijan, as well as senior officials of the ECO Science Foundation, Higher Education Commission, Pakistan Academy of Sciences and representatives of other leading scientific and academic institutions also attended.

Addressing the ceremony, Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch underscored that today’s global challenges require collective solutions and highlighted the increasingly important role of science diplomacy in bridging science and foreign policy.

She emphasized the need for enhanced scientific cooperation within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and greater participation of developing countries in shaping the governance of emerging technologies. She also appreciated the collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and COMSTECH in publishing the journal, describing it as a significant initiative to strengthen science diplomacy and international cooperation.

Speaking on the occasion, Coordinator General COMSTECH Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary said science diplomacy had become one of the most effective instruments for addressing global challenges through international cooperation, scientific knowledge and innovation.

He said the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), representing 57 member states, possesses enormous scientific and intellectual potential that can be harnessed through stronger collaboration among universities, research institutions, governments and industry.

Prof. Choudhary said the Journal of Science Communication and Diplomacy had emerged as an important platform connecting diplomats, scientists, academics and policymakers to promote evidence-based policymaking and strengthen the interface between science, technology and international relations among OIC member states.

He said COMSTECH continued to advance scientific cooperation across the Muslim world through scholarships, fellowships, research collaborations, capacity-building programmes, academic mobility and science diplomacy initiatives aimed at supporting sustainable development in OIC member states.

The first issue of 2026 features 11 articles, including seven authored by diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reflecting Pakistan’s growing contribution to science diplomacy and international scientific cooperation.

The Journal of Science Communication and Diplomacy serves as a dedicated platform for diplomats, scientists, academics and policy practitioners to exchange ideas and contribute to policy discourse at the intersection of science, technology and international relations while promoting international scientific collaboration.

Islamabad: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Saturday warned of rising flood risks across several parts of Pakistan as monsoon rains continue to swell rivers and streams, with medium level flooding reported at key points along the Chenab River and flash flood threats looming over northern Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan during the next 24 to 48 hours.

According to the NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), medium level flooding was recorded at Khanki, Qadirabad and Chiniot Bridge on the Chenab River, while the Palkhu Nala at Wazirabad was also flowing at medium flood level.

Low level flooding persists at Kalabagh, Chashma and Taunsa on the Indus River, Marala and Trimmu on the Chenab River, Balloki and Sidhnai on the Ravi River, and Nowshera on the Kabul River. Low flood conditions were also reported at Nala Aik and Palkhu Nala Cantonment Bridge.

The authority said water flows in the Chenab River are expected to increase further during the next 24 hours at Marala, Khanki, Qadirabad and Chiniot Bridge. Water levels at Trimmu Barrage are also likely to rise to medium flood level during the same period.

NDMA warned of possible flash floods in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, seasonal streams in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and parts of northern Balochistan over the next 24 to 48 hours.

Urban flooding risks have also been forecast for Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Jhang, Multan, Hafizabad and Lahore as heavy monsoon rains continue.

The authority advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel to flood affected areas and urged motorists to check weather forecasts and road conditions before setting out.

NDMA directed all relevant departments to maintain continuous monitoring of vulnerable locations, keep emergency response teams on standby and ensure immediate restoration of roads in case of closures.

The authority also cautioned that landslides, debris flows and sudden flash floods remain a major threat in mountainous regions during the monsoon season.

Citizens were advised not to stop near riverbanks, steep slopes or narrow mountain passages vulnerable to rockfalls and landslides.

People were urged not to cross flooded roads, streams or fast moving water on foot or in vehicles, warning that even shallow flowing water can sweep away people and vehicles.

NDMA has placed all provincial and district authorities on alert and advised citizens to stay updated through the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application for timely warnings and emergency information.

Islamabad: A major facilitator involved in spreading false news and anti-Pakistan propaganda funded by the Indian intelligence agency has been arrested, according to media reports.

According to details, the facilitator operated under the guise of digital marketing and services, where fake social media accounts and followers were purchased to promote an anti-state agenda.

The primary objective of this organized propaganda network was to target the strong bond between the Pakistan Army and the public, creating misunderstandings among the citizens against the state.

To promote a specific and misleading narrative regarding Kashmir, this network generated millions of views through fabricated accounts.

The most concerning aspect of the entire network is that the arrested Indian facilitator’s links have been directly traced to the ‘Joint Action Committee. ‘

Under this agenda, foreign clients placed regular orders detailing how much the reach of specific fake accounts should be artificially inflated to run campaigns against state institutions.

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Saturday, reaffirmed the longstanding, brotherly and close ties between Pakistan and Tajikistan.

They also expressed their shared commitment to further expanding cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, energy, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

The DPM/FM met with the Tajik foreign minister on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.

They underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges to further strengthen the bilateral partnership.

Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin reaffirmed Tajikistan’s support for Pakistan’s continued efforts to promote peace, stability, and the peaceful resolution of regional issues.

The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments and emphasized the importance of cooperation at multilateral forums to advance peace, stability, and prosperity.