Month: July 2026

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari, during an official visit to the Kyrgyz Republic, Wednesday, paid tribute to the nation’s historical legacy.

He also held a key meeting with Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament Mamataliev Marlen Abdyrakhmanovich, in Bishkek, aimed at converting deep-rooted political goodwill into tangible economic and parliamentary cooperation.

The president visited the Ata Beit Memorial Complex (literally “Grave of our Fathers”) in Chong-Tash, a solemn historical site and resting place of Kyrgyzstan’s national figures.

He laid a wreath at the central monument and paid tribute to the Kyrgyz nationals martyrs of different historical eras and the nation’s struggle for independence, President Secretariat Media Wing said in a press release.

He then visited the Ata-Beit Memorial Museum, where he viewed historical artefacts chronicling Kyrgyzstan’s journey to sovereignty, including the memorial dedicated to the renowned Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov, also buried there.

Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari was seen off at Issyk-Kul Airport, Tamchy by President Sadyr Zhaparov. Upon arrival at Manas International Airport, Bishkek, he was received by the Speaker of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mamataliev Marlen Abdyrakhmanovich and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Altamash Wazir Khan.

Later, Speaker Mamataliev Marlen Abdyrakhmanovich called on President Zardari, accompanied by prominent members of the Kyrgyz Parliament.

Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Dr. Asim Hussain, Adviser to the President, and senior Pakistani officials also attended the meeting.

The two sides discussed ways to deepen parliamentary cooperation, expand trade, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges.

President Zardari underscored the importance of robust inter-parliamentary engagement in ensuring continuity in bilateral relations.

He highlighted the active Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan Parliamentary Friendship Group in Pakistan’s National Assembly and recalled that during President Sadyr Zhaparov’s visit to Islamabad in 2025, the speaker of the National Assembly and the chairman Senate jointly called on the Kyrgyz President, reaffirming the importance of sustained parliamentary contacts.

‘The President reiterated that Pakistan attached great significance to its close, fraternal and longstanding ties with the Kyrgyz Republic, founded on shared faith, historical links, cultural affinity and mutual goodwill.

He also congratulated the Kyrgyz leadership on the country’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term. Both sides reviewed progress on land and air connectivity, bilateral trade, and cooperation on certification mechanisms and professional pathways for students,’ the press release added.

The speaker warmly welcomed the president and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s enduring friendship with the Kyrgyz Republic.

The meeting was followed by a dinner hosted by the speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament in honour of President Zardari, which was attended by senior Pakistani and Kyrgyz officials.

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has paid glowing tribute to Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah on her 59th death anniversary, and described her as one of the most courageous, visionary and devoted daughters of the nation whose services to the Pakistan Movement and democratic ideals continue to inspire generations.

In a message issued on the occasion of her 59th death anniversary, to be observed on July 9, the president said the nation pays homage to Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah for her unwavering struggle in the creation of Pakistan, her steadfast companionship to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and her tireless efforts during the Pakistan Movement.

The president said Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah remained an immovable pillar of strength during the most formative and testing times in the country’s history. He noted that despite the social barriers of her era, she mobilised women across the subcontinent and transformed them into a powerful force in the struggle for independence.

Highlighting her humanitarian services after the creation of Pakistan, the president said she played a leading role in the rehabilitation of millions of refugees, providing hope and dignity to countless families through her compassion, practical leadership and resilience during a period of immense hardship.

The president further said that Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah’s unwavering commitment to the rule of law, constitutionalism and her fearless stand against authoritarianism remain a lasting source of inspiration for the nation.

He observed that her enduring legacy serves as a timeless reminder that the true strength of a nation lies in the moral courage of its people and their steadfast adherence to the principles of justice, equality and freedom.

The president said the nation honours the blessed memory of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah and reaffirms its collective resolve to uphold the democratic ideals she cherished throughout her life.

Praying for the departed soul, the president said, “May Allah Almighty bless her soul and guide us to follow her example of courage, integrity, strength, sacrifice and selfless service to the people of Pakistan.”

Islamabad: At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister (DPM/FM) Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Dr. Gordan Grlic Radman, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, will undertake an official visit to Pakistan on Thursday.

This will be the first-ever visit by a Croatian foreign minister to Pakistan.

‘The DPM/FM and the visiting Foreign Minister will hold talks on the entire range of bilateral ties. They would discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest including trade, investment, visa facilitation, education, defence, IT and maritime cooperation. The two Ministers will also exchange views on regional and global developments of interest,’ the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a press release

During the visit, Dr. Gordan Grlic Radman is scheduled to call on the leadership including the Prime Minister and Chairman Senate.

This high-level visit from Croatia to Pakistan will help boost bilateral relations and strengthen cooperation in the fields of mutual benefit.

Islamabad: Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday expressed profound grief over the loss of lives and widespread property damage caused by torrential rains and subsequent flooding in China.

The acting president, in a statement, extended Pakistan’s solidarity, saying that the nation stood firmly with its Chinese brethren during this challenging natural calamity.

He said that the time-tested friendship between Pakistan and China grew stronger in the face of adversity.

Islamabad: Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has warmly welcomed the government’s initiatives for formulating a comprehensive strategy, in coordination with the State Bank of Pakistan and commercial banks, to improve Small and Medium Enterprises’ (SMEs) access to finance.

In a press statement on Wednesday, Acting President ICCI Tahir Ayub termed the decision a timely and encouraging step towards revitalizing the SME sector, which serves as the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and plays a pivotal role in employment generation, exports and sustainable economic growth.

The easier access to affordable financing has long remained one of the biggest challenges confronting SMEs, he said adding that emphasis on facilitating bank lending, developing dedicated financial products for SMEs and removing impediments to their growth reflects a clear commitment to creating a business-friendly environment.

He expressed confidence that these initiatives would enable thousands of small businesses to modernize their operations, enhance productivity and strengthen Pakistan’s export competitiveness and appreciated the Prime Minister’s special focus on supporting farmers engaged in value addition and processing of agricultural produce and fruits.

He observed that facilitating agro-based SMEs through financial access, technical guidance and awareness would significantly increase rural incomes, reduce post-harvest losses and expand the country’s export basket.

He reaffirmed ICCI’s commitment to working closely with the government, SMEDA, the State Bank of Pakistan and the banking sector to promote entrepreneurship, facilitate SMEs and contribute to sustainable economic development.

ICCI Vice President Mohammad Irfan Chaudhry also appreciated this proactive approach towards strengthening the SME sector, stating that timely and affordable financing is indispensable for the survival and expansion of small businesses.

He added that ICCI stands ready to collaborate with all relevant institutions to ensure that these initiatives translate into tangible benefits for the business community and the national economy.

Islamabad: The US Department of Justice has announced a series of indictments targeting India-based transnational organized crime networks, charging prominent Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his close associate Satinderjeet ‘Goldy Brar’ Singh with orchestrating the 2023 assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

The landmark development was announced by federal prosecutors in Los Angeles following a major international law enforcement crackdown codenamed ‘Operation Hardball.’

The years-long joint operation, executed by law enforcement agencies across the US, Canada, and Europe, targeted three India-based organized crime groups engaged in targeted killings, extortion, human smuggling, arms dealing, and international drug trafficking.

According to the US Department of Justice, a total of 37 defendants have been charged across three indictments. Out of these, law enforcement agencies have arrested 24 suspects across the United States, Canada, and Spain, while 10 defendants remain at large.

Eleven (11) arrests were made in the state of California alone. The FBI has announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest of Satinderjeet Singh, alias Goldy Brar, who remains at large.

During the investigation, authorities seized approximately 1,000 kg of cocaine, 1 kg of heroin, $40,000 in cash, and a dozen firearms.

‘Transnational criminal gangs who spread fear, drugs, and violence will face the full force of justice and the weight of the federal government,’ stated First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli.

Hardip Singh Nijjar, 45, a prominent Sikh separatist leader who publicly campaigned for ‘Khalistan’-an independent Sikh homeland in the Punjab region of India-was shot dead three years ago by two masked gunmen in the busy car park of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.

The killing triggered a massive diplomatic row between Canada and India. In 2024, four Indian nationals were arrested and charged over the killing in Canada, where they currently await trial.

Last year, Canada formally designated the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity, freezing its financial assets.

Federal prosecutors have now explicitly charged the leader of the Lawrence Bishnoi Group and Goldy Brar with ordering the assassination of Nijjar. The indictment reveals that the plot was facilitated by providing co-conspirators with Nijjar’s photograph and multiple addresses to execute the targeted killing.

US prosecutors highlighted a deeply concerning trend, alleging that the leadership of these brutal transnational networks operates directly from within the Indian prison system.

Lawrence Bishnoi (33) has been imprisoned in India since 2015 and is currently held in Ahmedabad Jail. Another gang leader Jaggu Bhagwanpuria is running a parallel global syndicate while currently incarcerated in Assam, India. The US Justice Department stated that despite being behind bars, they have been utilizing contraband smuggled cellphones and voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) devices to directly issue commands for political assassinations, murders, shootings, extortions, and drug trafficking across the globe.

The indictment also outlined the operations of the Dhanda Network, which has been actively smuggling cocaine and methamphetamine from the United States into Canada.

Two associates, Jaskaran Bagri and Gurtej Singh Samra, have been charged with transporting, smuggling, and distributing narcotics alongside the Dhanda network.

The documents state that these India-linked criminal networks targeted prominent religious and political leaders with violence to extort millions from diaspora communities. In December and January, the Bishnoi gang attempted to extort $5 million from a victim residing in California.

US authorities emphasized that this criminal command system operating out of Indian jails poses a severe threat to Western security and the rule of law.

The US is currently investigating the group’s exploitation of American communication networks, financial pathways, and logistics routes.

Political and security experts monitoring the developments noted that the comprehensive findings of the US Justice Department have raised serious questions about India’s security credibility and international standing.

Experts underlined that the operation effectively exposes a ‘corrupt system’ within India that acts as a facilitator for global gangsters, where police and government officials are allegedly linked to international extortion and transnational crime.

‘India, which frequently lectures other nations on terrorism, must now answer for this highly dangerous crime-terror nexus operating right from its own soil,’ remarked a political analyst.

Legal and political experts viewed that the comprehensive operation by Western law enforcement has severely dented India’s security image, exposing deep double standards. They emphasize that it is absolutely imperative for India to carry out transparent, independent investigations into the role of its prison administrations, police, and administrative facilitators, while offering full judicial cooperation to the ongoing legal processes in the US and Canada.