Month: July 2026

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that the government was taking every possible measure to protect Pakistan’s children from the debilitating disease of polio and secure their future.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to achieving a polio-free future, the prime minister emphasized that polio eradication remained a key national priority and urged all stakeholders to further intensify their collective efforts.

He was talking to a delegation of Polio Oversight Board, which called on him at the PM House.

The delegation included Mike McGovern, Chair of Rotary’s Polio Oversight Board; Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation; Dr Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director of WHO EMRO; and representatives from UNICEF, Gavi, and other partners supporting Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts.

The prime minister welcomed the delegation and thanked all partners for their continued cooperation with the Government of Pakistan in the fight against polio.

He directed that special attention be given to polio hotspots in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and called for the adoption of an effective strategy to address the challenge.

The prime minister expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Rotary International, the Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and all other partners for their valuable contributions to Pakistan’s polio eradication campaign.

He also commended the Federal Minister for National Health Services, the Minister of State for Health, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, the National Polio Coordinator, and all members of the government team for their dedicated efforts in combating polio.

The delegation praised the Government of Pakistan’s effective measures toward achieving a polio-free Pakistan and lauded the Prime Minister for the significant progress made.

The meeting was also attended by Federal Minister for National Health Syed Mustafa Kamal, Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, and other senior government officials.

Islamabad: In a significant step towards strengthening international academic collaboration, Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) during a virtual ceremony to promote academic cooperation, institutional partnership and research and development collaboration.

The Letter of Intent was signed by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Nasir Mahmood on behalf of AIOU and President Dr Manuel M. Muhi on behalf of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. The agreement establishes a framework for long-term cooperation in Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL), research, faculty and student mobility and knowledge sharing.

The ceremony began with an audio-visual presentation introducing the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and highlighting its academic achievements and international initiatives.

This was followed by presentations from Dr Zahid Majeed, Director, Directorate of Collaboration and Exchange and Prof. Dr Zafar Iqbal Lillah, Chairman, Department of Distance, Non-Formal and Continuing Education (DNFandCE) who briefed participants on AIOU’s academic programmes, research strengths, international collaborations and global outreach initiatives.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Saima Nasir, Director, Directorate of Quality Enhancement, emphasized that international academic partnerships play a pivotal role in improving the quality of higher education and research. She expressed confidence that the collaboration would facilitate the exchange of best practices, enhance institutional capacity and strengthen quality assurance mechanisms at both universities.

Addressing the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Nasir Mahmood underscored the importance of translating agreements into meaningful outcomes.

“We are not interested in signing agreements merely for the sake of numbers. The real value of any partnership lies in its implementation and the tangible benefits it delivers to students, faculty and researchers,”

He stressed that every international partnership should be supported by a clear roadmap, measurable objectives and regular follow-up to ensure timely implementation. He added that academic collaborations should create opportunities for innovation, research excellence, faculty development and enhanced learning experiences.

Under the Letter of Intent, the two universities have agreed to collaborate in a wide range of academic and research activities. These include joint research projects, faculty and student exchange programmes, collaborative conferences, seminars, webinars, workshops, online learning initiatives, curriculum development, scholarly publications and the exchange of educational resources and instructional materials. The partnership also encourages collaborative supervision of research, professional development programmes and the sharing of expertise in Open, Distance and e-Learning.

The LOI further provides for the organization of international conferences and research seminar series, collaborative research publications, editorial cooperation and participation in international research networks. It also promotes cross-cultural engagement through student activities, immersion programmes and virtual academic exchanges aimed at strengthening global understanding.

According to the agreement the partnership will remain effective for an initial period of five years, with the possibility of extension through mutual written consent. The document also includes detailed provisions relating to intellectual property rights, institutional branding, data protection, public communication, implementation mechanisms and collaborative research governance. It clearly states that the Letter of Intent does not create any direct financial liability between the two institutions, and each party will bear its own expenses related to collaborative activities.

The virtual signing ceremony was attended by the Registrar, Deans, Directors, Chairpersons, Professors and Principal Officers of Allama Iqbal Open University, reaffirming the University’s commitment to expanding its global academic network, strengthening international partnerships and promoting excellence in research and Open, Distance and e-Learning.

Islamabad: Pakistan and the Kyrgyz Republic have reaffirmed their strong commitment to establishing a strategic partnership, placing a particular emphasis on the critical importance of deepening trade, economic, and investment cooperation between the two nations.

The bilateral ties and cooperation were discussed during the ongoing official visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to the Kyrgyz Republic from July 6-9, 2026, at the invitation of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov.

According to a joint statement encompassing the discussions during the president’s visit to the Kyrgyz Republic, the two heads of state held extensive and fruitful talks in an atmosphere characterized by traditional friendship, mutual trust, and deep understanding, noting with immense satisfaction the steady and positive development of Kyrgyz-Pakistani relations.

The presidents reaffirmed their shared commitment to further deepening bilateral cooperation and underlined the paramount importance of consistent and timely implementation of the agreements previously reached during the state visit of the Kyrgyz President to Pakistan in December last year.

The two sides noted the essential need to sustain an active political dialogue, further expand official contacts at the highest and high levels, and structurally strengthen interactions between the parliaments, governments, and foreign ministries of the two countries.

They instructed their respective governments, relevant ministries, and agencies to intensify joint efforts to implement all agreements and to take immediate, practical measures aimed at developing robust trade, expanding investment activity, and fostering closer business ties.

Both sides underscored the necessity to further enhance inter-agency cooperation mechanisms, specifically highlighting the need to significantly improve the operational effectiveness of the Kyrgyz-Pakistani Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, as well as its relevant Joint Working Groups.

They reaffirmed their readiness to provide comprehensive state support for the development of direct contacts between the business communities of the two countries.

A major focal point of the bilateral discussions was the considerable potential for expanding cooperation in the energy sector, particularly through the effective and accelerated implementation of the CASA-1000 Project, which serves as a vital infrastructural link connecting Central and South Asia.

Two sides reaffirmed that immense potential exists for expanding bilateral cooperation in the fields of mining, agriculture, textile and light industries, the halal industry, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. In the pharmaceutical sector, they specifically identified medical education, regulatory harmonization, vaccine and biological product manufacturing, and joint ventures as key areas, agreeing to facilitate smoother market access through closer cooperation between their respective drug regulatory authorities.

They agreed to encourage cooperation between their relevant regulatory and standards authorities, including in the halal sector, to facilitate trade and promote mutual confidence, while also exploring avenues in the digital economy, information and communication technologies, tourism, and the banking sector.

The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of the practical implementation of all agreements reached in the fields of transport, logistics, and transit and emphasized the importance of taking additional measures to increase cargo transportation volumes and create highly favorable conditions for the sustainable operation of these transport and logistics routes.

They reaffirmed their mutual interest in further developing cooperation in the socio-cultural fields of education, science, culture, tourism, youth exchanges, and medical and public health exchanges, including specific cooperation in medical education quality assurance and professional regulatory collaboration aimed at strengthening people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

On matters of security, the two countries reaffirmed the importance of further strengthening cooperation between their competent authorities in combating terrorism, extremism, illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, organized crime, irregular migration, cybercrime, as well as other contemporary challenges and threats.

Condemning terrorist attacks in the region and beyond, the leaders reaffirmed that peace and stability in the region are absolutely critical for progress and prosperity, agreeing to work closely together at all international forums, including the United Nations (UN), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Touching upon global issues, the leaders noted that the use of unilateral economic and financial sanctions is contrary to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and other norms of international law, adversely affects global food and energy security, and seriously hinders the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

During the exchange, President Sadyr Zhaparov expressed his profound gratitude to the Pakistani side for its crucial support for the candidature of the Kyrgyz Republic in the election of non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term, and President Asif Ali Zardari congratulated the Kyrgyz Republic on its successful election.

In turn, the Kyrgyz Republic commended Pakistan on its outstanding contributions towards advancing international peace and security as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2025-2026, welcoming the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2788 (2025) on “Strengthening Mechanisms for Peaceful Settlement of Disputes” as well as UN Security Council Resolution 2823 (2026) on accountability for crimes against UN Peacekeepers.

The Kyrgyz Republic further commended Pakistan’s active mediation efforts for peace and stability in the Middle East, welcoming the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with both sides expressing hope that the Islamabad MoU will lay a solid foundation for lasting peace and stability in the region and beyond.

The leaders emphasized the urgent need for a prompt and peaceful settlement of all disputes and the resolution of all outstanding conflicts through peaceful means, in line with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, instead of resorting to unilateralism, agreeing that a secure and conducive environment is necessary to realize the enormous potential of cooperation and connectivity between Central Asia and South Asia.

The Kyrgyz Republic invited Pakistan to participate in the VI World Nomad Games, to be held in the Kyrgyz Republic from August 31 to September 7, 2026. Pakistan accepted the invitation and officially confirmed its intention to send a high-level delegation and sports teams to participate in the upcoming Games.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his sincere appreciation to the people of the Kyrgyz Republic and to President Zhaparov for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation, and invited the Kyrgyz President to pay an official visit to Pakistan, which he accepted, with the dates to be finalized through established diplomatic channels.

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has paid rich tribute to renowned humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi on his 10th death anniversary, and eulogized him as the ultimate embodiment of service, compassion and humanity whose legacy continues to inspire generations.

In a message issued on the occasion of Edhi’s 10th death anniversary, to be observed on July 8, the president said the nation was honouring a man who devoted every breath of his life to alleviating the suffering of the poor, the abandoned and the forgotten. He said Edhi’s unparalleled commitment to humanity transcended all boundaries of caste, creed and religion, demonstrating that true greatness lies in selfless service.

President Zardari said that through the Edhi Foundation, Abdul Sattar Edhi established a comprehensive network of social care, including the world’s largest volunteer ambulance service, providing a lifeline to people during times of crisis. He noted that the Foundation’s shelters, orphanages and free meal kitchens became sanctuaries of hope for the homeless, the destitute and other vulnerable segments of society.

The president said Abdul Sattar Edhi was not only a towering humanitarian but also an enduring symbol of national pride. He observed that Edhi’s tireless efforts built institutions that continue to serve millions of people, standing as a lasting testament to his vision and dedication to humanity.

President Zardari said Edhi’s legacy remained a beacon for promoting the values of empathy, charity and dignity for all. He said the people of Pakistan renewed their pledge to honour Edhi’s mission by strengthening the bonds of humanity and ensuring that his torch of compassion continued to illuminate lives.

The president also prayed that Allah Almighty may grant Abdul Sattar Edhi the highest place in Jannah.

Islamabad: Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday strongly condemned attack by Fitna al-Khawarij on a police check post in Ziarat.

The acting president, in a statement issued by the presidency, said that the sacrifices of the martyred police officers and personnel will always be remembered. He said the entire nation was united against terrorism.

He prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyred in Jannah and patience and strength for their bereaved families.

He also prayed for early recovery of those injured in the attack.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday strongly condemned the attack by Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists on a police check post in Ziarat.

In a statement, the prime minister paid tribute to the police personnel, including SHOs, who were martyred in the attack.

He prayed for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks in Jannah and for patience and strength for their bereaved families.

The prime minister also commended the security forces for killing 15 terrorists during a clearance operation.

The prime minister said that the attack by Fitna al-Khawarij once again demonstrated that the group was an enemy of the people’s prosperity and of peace and development in Balochistan.

He emphasized that the sacrifices of the martyrs would not go in vain and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice.

The prime minister also reaffirmed the government’s resolve not to allow anyone to undermine peace in the province.

“The war against terrorists will continue until the complete elimination of these enemies of peace,” he said.