Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik on Wednesday said that a comprehensive dossier should be presented to the international community and relevant global forums highlighting what he alleged is India’s involvement in promoting terrorism in Pakistan.

Speaking to a private television channel, Malik claimed that India was involved in supporting terrorist activities, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said Pakistan’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies were continuing operations to eliminate terrorism and maintain peace in the country. The minister stressed the need to convene a national security committee meeting to discuss the challenges confronting the country.

Commenting on the political situation, Malik criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, alleging that they had failed to take effective measures to address governance and security issues in the province. He urged the party to rise above political differences and work collectively to resolve the challenges facing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Paying tribute to the armed forces and police, he said security personnel were making immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He emphasized that combating terrorism was a shared national responsibility and called on political parties including Opposition to support the efforts to eradicate militancy from the region.

Islamabad: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has lauded Pakistan’s security forces for the elimination of 54 militants belonging to “Fitna al-Hindustan” during operations carried out in Balochistan over the past three days.

In a statement, the interior minister commended the bravery, professionalism and operational capabilities of the security forces, saying their timely action had thwarted the “nefarious designs” of India-sponsored militants.

Naqvi also paid tribute to the 42 security personnel and civilians who lost their lives during the operations, describing them as martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against terrorism.

“The brave sons of the nation acted swiftly to foil the malicious intentions of India-backed terrorists,” he said.

The minister said the martyrs were the pride of the entire nation and that the people of Pakistan would always remain indebted to their sacrifices.

He added that the sacrifices of the martyrs reflected the nation’s unwavering resolve to eradicate terrorism and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining peace and security.

Naqvi concluded by saluting the martyrs and their families, acknowledging their courage, resilience and enduring contribution to the country’s fight against militancy.

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed deep concern and sorrow over the disappearance of a private cargo aircraft in the Arabian Sea.

In separate statements, the president and the prime minister extended their heartfelt sympathies to the families of the missing plane’s crew members.

Praying for the safe recovery of the crew, the president expressed hope for the success of the ongoing search and rescue operation.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, the Pakistan Navy, and the Pakistan Air Force to utilize all available resources and expedite the search and rescue operation in the Arabian Sea.

Islamabad: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police have launched an investigation after the body of an unidentified teenage boy was recovered from Shahdara Nullah in the jurisdiction of Bhara Kahu Police Station on Wednesday, with initial evidence suggesting he may have drowned.

An official told reporter that at around 8: 10 a.m., a local resident, identified as Haji, informed Bhara Kahu Police that a body was lying in Shahdara Nullah near Janjua Town. A police team immediately reached the scene, secured the area and started collecting evidence.

The official said the deceased appeared to be between 16 and 17 years of age and had not yet been identified.

According to the official, the victim’s clothes were found near the nullah, indicating that he might have entered the water for bathing before apparently drowning. However, the exact cause of death would be determined only after the post-mortem examination and completion of the investigation.

The body was shifted to the hospital for medico-legal formalities, while police launched efforts to establish the identity of the deceased by contacting residents of nearby areas and examining available evidence.

The official said investigators were probing all possible angles to determine whether the incident was an accidental drowning or if any foul play was involved.

He appealed to the public to contact Bhara Kahu Police Station immediately if they had any information that could help identify the deceased teenager or assist police in the investigation.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Wednesday held a bilateral meeting with Somalia’s Minister of Communications and Technology, Mohamed Adam Moalim, on the sidelines of Geneva Digital Week.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in information technology, digital transformation, and communications. Shaza Fatima congratulated Somalia on its progress towards achieving its digital transformation goals.

The minister said Pakistan and Somalia enjoy longstanding relations based on mutual trust and educational exchanges, adding that both countries have significant potential to expand cooperation in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.

Islamabad: Pakistan and Bulgaria on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations by enhancing parliamentary diplomacy, expanding trade and investment, and promoting cooperation in various areas.

The commitment was expressed during a meeting between Ms Zeb Jaffar, MNA and Convener of the Pakistan-Bulgaria Parliamentary Friendship Group (PFG), and a Bulgarian delegation led by Petko Doykov, Director General for Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, at Parliament House.

The delegation included Bulgaria’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Mrs. Irena Gancheva, along with senior officials from the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry.

Before the meeting, Director General (Europe-I) at Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ishtiaq Ahmed Akil, briefed the convener on the current state of Pakistan-Bulgaria relations and outlined opportunities to strengthen parliamentary engagement, economic cooperation, educational exchanges, and people-to-people contacts.

Welcoming the delegation, Ms. Zeb Jaffar said Pakistan and Bulgaria had enjoyed more than six decades of cordial relations based on mutual respect and cooperation.

She congratulated Bulgaria on the successful parliamentary elections and the formation of its new Parliament, expressing hope that the Bulgaria-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group would soon be established to further institutionalize parliamentary cooperation.

She emphasized the importance of regular exchanges of parliamentarians to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and called for enhanced collaboration in education, climate change, agriculture, youth and student exchange programmes, and cultural ties.

Highlighting Bulgaria’s strategic location as a gateway to European markets, she stressed the need to expand bilateral trade and investment, strengthen cooperation through the Pakistan-EU Business Forum, and encourage more high-level exchanges between the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Petko Doykov reaffirmed Bulgaria’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding partnership with Pakistan through sustained political dialogue and closer parliamentary engagement.

He underscored the importance of regular exchanges of parliamentary delegations and stronger people-to-people contacts, while identifying trade, information technology, artificial intelligence, youth engagement, and connectivity as key areas for future cooperation.

He said geographical distance should not be an obstacle to stronger economic relations and assured Bulgaria’s support for the early establishment of the counterpart Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Ms Zeb Jaffar also appreciated Ambassador Irena Gancheva’s contributions to promoting Pakistan-Bulgaria relations during her tenure in Islamabad.

Ambassador Gancheva expressed confidence that the establishment of the counterpart Parliamentary Friendship Group in Bulgaria would further institutionalize parliamentary engagement and deepen bilateral cooperation.

She thanked the convener and members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for their continued support and voiced optimism that the friendship between Pakistan and Bulgaria would continue to grow.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their resolve to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy, expand economic and trade cooperation, promote educational and cultural exchanges, and enhance collaboration in areas of mutual interest.