Month: July 2026

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister (DPM/FM), Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday emphasized the importance of flawless execution during the final stage of preparations for 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women

to be hosted by the country and instructed all concerned ministries and agencies to ensure seamless coordination, and execution of outstanding tasks within the stipulated timelines.

The deputy prime minister chaired the 7th meeting of the High-Level Committee overseeing preparations for the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women, which Pakistan will host on 12-13 July 2026, a DPM’s Office news release said.

The committee conducted a detailed review of the preparations, including the conference venue, programme, delegate facilitation, protocol, security, logistics, media arrangements, and inter-ministerial coordination, to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the Conference.

The meeting was attended by SAPM Tariq Bajwa, Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights, Saba Sadiq, the Federal Secretaries of Human Rights and the Cabinet Division, and senior officials of the relevant ministries.

Islamabad: Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, held a meeting with Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Alexandrovich Kolokoltsev at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation on key security issues.

The two ministers held detailed discussions on the prevailing regional situation and explored avenues to enhance collaboration in counter-narcotics, counterterrorism, cybercrime prevention, and joint police training exercises. They also discussed developing a coordinated strategy to counter terrorist networks operating in the region, particularly in Afghanistan.

During the meeting, Pakistan and Russia agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between their respective interior ministries to institutionalize and expand bilateral cooperation. The discussions also included a review of progress made on decisions taken during their previous meeting.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi invited his Russian counterpart to visit Pakistan, underscoring Islamabad’s commitment to strengthening engagement with Moscow.

Speaking during the meeting, Naqvi said that more than 25 terrorist organizations are currently active in Afghanistan, describing the elimination of extremist groups as a shared international responsibility.

“We need to work together and take effective measures to eradicate this menace,” Naqvi said, emphasizing the importance of coordinated regional and international efforts to combat terrorism.

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister (DPM/FM) Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Chairman, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday discussed the current situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).

The PPP Chairman called on the deputy prime minister here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the DPM/FM congratulated Bilawal Bhutto on forming the government in GB, and the latter thanked the deputy prime minister for all the support of PML-N in the induction of an elected government in GB, a DPM’s Office news release said.

Both leaders agreed on the importance of holding free, fair, and transparent forthcoming general elections in AJK.

Islamabad: A seminar was organized jointly by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Council (JKLC) here at the Kashmir House, to commemorate the 10th martyrdom anniversary of Burhan Muzaffar Wani.

The seminar concluded with the unanimous adoption of a resolution paying tribute to Wani and all those described by the participants as martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir.

The participants also pledged to continue what they termed the struggle until its stated objectives are achieved.

The event was attended by a large number of students and members of civil society.

Addressing the seminar were former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan, former President and Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Yaqoob Khan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Government Minister Nabela Ayub, and Hurriyat leaders Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Altaf Hussain Wani, Muhammad Ahmad Sagar, Shamim Shawl, Abdul Rashid Turabi, and Raja Afsar Khan.

The speakers paid tribute to those killed in the Kashmir conflict and highlighted what they described as their sacrifices and the ongoing struggle over the Kashmir issue.

The resolution called for the immediate release of political leaders and human rights activists detained in Indian prisons, including Shabir Ahmad Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Masarat Alam Bhat, Asiya Andrabi, Naeem Ahmad Khan, and human rights defender Khurram Pervaiz, along with other detainees.

The resolution described Jammu and Kashmir as an indivisible entity and reaffirmed support for the pursuit of the right to self-determination in accordance with United Nations resolutions.

It also emphasized strengthening the historical relationship between Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and rejected any attempts to undermine those ties.

The participants further condemned what they described as India’s repressive measures and continued human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir since August 2019.

While appreciating Pakistan’s political, diplomatic, and moral support, the resolution urged Pakistan to utilize its diplomatic and military achievements in efforts related to the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

The seminar also appealed for the peaceful resolution of differences within Azad Jammu and Kashmir to promote unity in support of the movement.

Islamabad: Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has paid tribute to Madar-e-Millat Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah on her 59th death anniversary, describing her as a symbol of courage, integrity and democratic values.

In a message issued ahead of her death anniversary, to be observed on July 9, the acting president said Fatima Jinnah stood shoulder to shoulder with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah during the Pakistan Movement and later played a significant role in promoting democracy, constitutional supremacy and the rights of the people.

He said her contributions to women’s empowerment, public service and national unity continue to inspire generations of Pakistanis. He urged the country’s youth to emulate her honesty, patriotism and unwavering commitment to democratic principles.

Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said the nation would continue to draw guidance from Fatima Jinnah’s dedication to public service, national unity and democratic ideals, describing her legacy as a lasting source of inspiration.

The acting president also prayed that Allah Almighty may elevate the ranks of Madar-e-Millat Fatima Jinnah and grant the nation the strength to uphold the ideals for which she stood.

Islamabad: The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa), working under National Heritage and Culture Division, has launched a three-month singing training programme aimed at preserving and promoting Pakistan’s rich musical heritage by providing aspiring vocalists with professional training in diverse musical genres.

The programme is open to beginners as well as aspiring singers and will offer instruction in classical singing, traditional ghazals, Pakistani folk music, modern songs and contemporary singing.

The initiative forms part of Lok Virsa’s continued efforts to preserve the country’s intangible cultural heritage and encourage young talent to pursue traditional and contemporary music through structured learning.

According to Lok Virsa, music instructor Wazir Ali will conduct classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while Sohail Jehangir will hold sessions on Saturdays and Sundays.

The three-month course will comprise two classes per week, providing participants with practical vocal training and exposure to different styles of Pakistani music.

The monthly fee has been fixed at Rs5,000 per student. Lok Virsa said the programme is designed to help participants improve their vocal techniques, build confidence in performance and develop a deeper understanding of Pakistan’s musical traditions.

The interested candidates can register through the online registration form available at: https: //docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOOyECNrd3GAt36UzIlB5DqowfAWDXEztLnit7YkHlgV5X4g/viewform.

Lok Virsa has encouraged aspiring singers and music enthusiasts to apply for the programme, describing it as an opportunity to receive professional training while contributing to the preservation and promotion of Pakistan’s rich folk and traditional music heritage.