ISLAMABAD: With an aim to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people, Pakistan’s embassy in Riyadh observed the ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ in the Saudi capital, a statement released by the embassy on Friday read.
The event, which was held on February 7, was attended by the Ambassador of Pakistan, Raja Ali Ejaz and several other community members who highlighted the various aspects of the Kashmir dispute.
“The ambassador highlighted the efforts of Pakistan for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. The ambassador stated that the report of United Nations Human Rights Council exposes the grave human rights violations in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” the statement read.
Other speakers denounced the indiscriminate use of pellet guns on civilians. During the course of the event, Kashmiri representatives presented a resolution which was endorsed by all the participants. The resolution commended Pakistan for its “political, moral and diplomatic support of the Kashmir dispute”.
“It also called upon the international community to fulfil its obligations by implementing the UN Security Council’s resolutions on Kashmir which states that the final resolution of the dispute shall be in accordance with the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir conducted through an independent plebiscite under the UN auspices,” the statement added.
Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed across Pakistan on February 5 every year, with Pakistan’s embassies and diplomatic missions across the world organizing special events to mark the occasion. This year, the government of Pakistan re-affirmed its “unflinching support” to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle for self-determination.
Pakistan embassy in Riyadh observes ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’
Pakistan embassy in Riyadh observes ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’
- Ambassador highlighted the efforts undertaken by Islamabad in resolving decades-old dispute with New Delhi
- Riyadh gathering was attended by members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri communities
Army major among two soldiers, 11 militants killed in Pakistan’s restive northwest
- The casualties occurred during an intelligence-based operation in South Waziristan district, which borders Afghanistan
- Pakistan and India often accuse each other of backing militant groups that launch cross-border attacks on the other’s soil
ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistani soldiers, including an army major, and 11 militants were killed in a shootout in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the Pakistani military said on Tuesday.
The operation was conducted in KP’s South Waziristan district, which borders Afghanistan, on intelligence reports about the presence of “Indian-sponsored” militants, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.
The intense exchange of fire killed 11 militants and injured seven others. The shootout also left two Pakistani soldiers, Major Moiz Abbas Shah and Lance Naik Jibran Ullah, dead.
“Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored kharji [militant] found in the area,” the ISPR said in a statement.
Pakistan and India often blame each other for supporting militancy.
Islamabad accuses India of backing a separatist insurgency in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province as well as religiously motivated militant groups, like the Pakistani Taliban, in KP. India denies the allegations.
Pakistan has struggled to contain a surge in militancy in KP since a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban, or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Islamabad broke down in late 2022. The TTP and other militant groups have frequently targeted security forces convoys and check-posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in the region in recent months.
In a statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to Major Shah and Lance Naik Jibran Ullah for thwarting the evil designs of the enemy.
“We will continue the fight against the scourge of terrorism until it is completely eradicated from the country,” he said. “The entire nation, including me, stands by our Pakistani forces in their unwavering resolve to protect the homeland.”
In call with Iran president, Pakistan PM urges dialogue to restore peace in Middle East
- The development came a day after Tehran attacked a US base in Qatar in retaliation for airstrikes on its nuclear facilities
- The crisis appeared to put Islamabad in a difficult position to balance its equation with Iran, other Gulf partners, and the US
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for the third time in as many days and urged dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace in the Middle East, Sharif’s office said.
The development came a day after Tehran attacked a United States (US) base in Qatar in retaliation for US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities late last week. The US strikes followed days of Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear program and military leadership.
Qatar condemned the Iranian missile attack and called it a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty, saying it reserved the right to respond directly and in accordance with the international law. The Iranian attack raised fears about a wider conflict in the already volatile region.
The crisis appeared to put Islamabad in a difficult position to balance its equation with Iran, other Gulf partners, and the US, which remains one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners and a critical source of military and economic assistance.
“The prime minister said that Pakistan was closely following the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East. He emphasized the importance of restoring peace through dialogue and diplomacy,” Sharif’s office said after his telephonic conversation with the Iranian president.
“He reiterated Pakistan’s support for Iran at all diplomatic forums, including at the UN Security Council and the OIC [Organization of Islamic Cooperation], while calling for adherence to international law and the UN Charter principles, by all sides.”
The development came hours after US President Donald Trump said that Israel and Iran had agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” to be phased in over 24 hours.
But Israel warned its public to take shelter after detecting missile launches from Iran early Tuesday. The launches came after 4am local time in Tehran, the time Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would stop its attacks if Israel ended their airstrikes.
It was unclear yet how the latest developments would impact the possible ceasefire agreement.
President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s consistent and principled support to Iran throughout the crisis, according to Sharif’s office.
“He also acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting a peaceful resolution to the conflict,” it said. “The two leaders agreed on the importance of unity among the Ummah during this most challenging time. They agreed to remain in touch.”
Pakistan boosts intelligence-sharing with Gulf states to curb drug trafficking
- The development comes months after Islamabad hosted the Pakistan-Gulf Cooperation Council Counter-Narcotics Conference
- Oman has appointed its drug liaison officer in Pakistan, reflecting shared commitment to drug-free Gulf and South Asia
KARACHI: Pakistan and Gulf countries have intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking by enhancing intelligence-sharing, Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) said on Tuesday, with Oman appointing a drug liaison officer in Islamabad.
The development comes months after Islamabad hosted the Pakistan-Gulf Cooperation Council (Pak-GCC) Counter-Narcotics Conference, marking the first-ever formal assembly of anti-narcotics leadership from Pakistan and all six GCC member states, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait along with special observers from Italy.
For years, drug traffickers have exploited geographical and technological loopholes, using Pakistan as a transit hub and GCC nations as lucrative markets, according to the ANF. Despite ongoing efforts, the scale of smuggling seizures continues to expand, with traffickers now leveraging the dark web, cryptocurrency, and synthetic drug manufacturing to evade law enforcement agencies.
“During the conference, the Director-General of Narcotics of the Sultanate of Oman announced the appointment of drug liaison officer in Pakistan,” the ANF said in a statement.
“Acting on this decision, Mr. Suleiman Al-Hanai has been appointed as Oman’s first Drug Liaison Officer in Pakistan who has assumed his official responsibilities in Islamabad.”
The announcement signals a new phase in relations between the two countries as they align their efforts in the global war on drugs, according to the ANF. The appointment reflects a shared commitment by Pakistan and Oman to safeguard their societies and promote a drug-free environment across the Gulf and South Asian regions.
In recent years, the ANF has successfully intercepted tones of illicit drugs, dismantled trafficking rings through road, border, dry port, airport and sea routes, and strengthened global relationships. With its advanced intelligence capabilities and strategic operations, the ANF has intensified collaboration with GCC security agencies, ensuring that traffickers find no safe passage between these regions.
In June 2024, the ANF also stepped up its international cooperation against drug trafficking through a workshop backed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, uniting national, regional and global agencies to strengthen data-sharing and coordination.
Pakistan stocks see strong recovery as Iran-Israel ceasefire reports boost investor sentiment
- US President Donald Trump said Monday that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ‘complete’ ceasefire to be phased in over 24 hours
- Analyst says the momentum is likely to continue, with valuations still shy of a long-term mean and due to market-friendly budget
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday witnessed a strong recovery amid a reported ceasefire between Israel and Iran, traders and analysts said.
On Monday, United States (US) President Donald Trump said on social media that Israel and Iran had agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” to be phased in over 24 hours.
The benchmark KSE-100 index surged by 6,079 points, or 5.23 percent, to close at 122,246 points on Tuesday afternoon, compared to the previous day’s close of 116,167 points.
“Stocks closed near all-time high after Iran, Israel agreed to a ceasefire receding fears of escalation in the Middle East tensions,” Ahsan Mehanti of Arif Habib Corporation told Arab News.
“Upbeat economic data on cement sales for Jul-May’25, bull run in global equities and receding fears over high inflation, impact on exports for supply disruptions over Middle East conflict played a catalyst role in the record bullish close.”
Raza Jafri, head of research at Intermarket Securities Ltd., attributed the momentum to reduction in international oil prices along with settling regional tensions.
In volatile trading on Tuesday, crude futures slumped more than five percent after Trump’s declaration of the Iran-Israel ceasefire.
“With valuations still shy of a long-term mean and Pakistan having recently unveiled a market-friendly budget, bullish momentum is expected to continue,” Jafri added.
On Monday, Pakistan’s stocks and currency markets had tumbled as investors reacted to the US foray into the Israel-Iran conflict a day earlier.
Monday’s 3.2 percent fall to 116,167 points was the worst since May 8, when the index had plunged 5.9 percent day-on-day during the India-Pakistan military standoff.
Pakistan reaches out to key allies amid ‘serious escalation’ in Middle East tensions
- PM meets envoys of China, Saudi Arabia and Qatar as Iran-Israel conflict risks wider regional war
- Iran fired missiles at US base in Qatar on Monday, triggering fears of escalation despite ceasefire call
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday met with the ambassadors of Pakistan’s key allies China, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in Islamabad, as the foreign office expressed concern over a “serious escalation” in Middle East tensions.
Sharif’s meetings with the envoys took place a day after Iran launched missiles against a US air base in Qatar on Monday, causing no casualties, in retaliation for the US dropping 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs on Iranian underground nuclear facilities over the weekend. Hours later, US President Donald Trump made a surprise announcement of an Israel-Iran ceasefire agreement, suggesting he may have bombed Tehran’s rulers back to the negotiating table.
Tensions have remained high since June 13, when Israel struck Iran’s nuclear facilities and targeted senior military leadership. Iran has since retaliated with repeated missile strikes against Israel, raising fears of a wider regional conflict and prompting international calls for restraint.
“Pakistan expresses its deep concern and alarm at the serious escalation in the security situation in the region as a result of attacks against USA’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement on Tuesday, urging all sides to exercise restraint and respect fundamental principles of international law.
On Monday morning, Sharif held separate meetings with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki and Qatari envoy Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater.
“Pakistan will continue to work closely with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for peace in the region through dialogue and diplomacy” the PM said on his X account.
Sharif also met Qatari envoy Al-Khater to express solidarity with the Gulf country following Iran’s attack on the air base.
In the afternoon, the premier met China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, who, according to a statement from Sharif’s office, “lauded the proactive and positive role being played by Pakistan at every diplomatic forum, including at the UN Security Council, for a peaceful settlement of the [Middle East] crisis through dialogue and diplomacy.”
China has sought to expand its diplomatic footprint in the Middle East in recent years and notably brokered the Saudi Arabia–Iran rapprochement in 2023, which boosted its credibility as a regional peacemaker. It has also offered to help mediate the current crisis, though it plays a more behind-the-scenes role compared to the US or regional states like Qatar or Oman.
Pakistan has condemned Israel’s strikes against Iran and repeatedly called for de-escalation in the region.
Islamabad has also offered diplomatic support to Tehran at international forums and defended Iran’s right to respond to Israeli and US aggression under the UN Charter, carefully balancing this stance with its close security cooperation and economic partnership with the United States, a major backer of Israel.
The US and Israel say their goal is to cripple Tehran’s nuclear program.
