ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday told United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Pakistan shall defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity with full force as Indian PM Modi gave the country’s military “operational freedom” to respond to last week’s attack in Kashmir, amid soaring tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Modi on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting with army and security chiefs a week after the deadliest attack in years that killed 26 civilians, and told the armed forces that they had the “complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing of our response to the terror attack,” AFP reported, citing a government source.
Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors have plummeted after India accused Pakistan of backing the attack on April 22. Islamabad has rejected the charge and both countries have since exchanged gunfire in Kashmir, taken diplomatic measures against each other, expelled citizens and ordered the border shut. Modi last week vowed to pursue those who carried out the attack in Pahalgam and those who had supported it.
Amid heightened tensions, UN chief Guterres called PM Sharif and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Tuesday and underscored “the need to avoid a confrontation that could result in tragic consequences,” his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. Gutterres offered his good offices to support the de-escalation efforts.
“While underscoring that Pakistan shall defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity with full force in case of any misadventure by India, the prime minister encouraged the UN Secretary-General to counsel India to act responsibly and exercise restraint,” Sharif’s office said.
“The prime minister categorically rejected any attempt to link Pakistan with the Pahalgam incident and reiterated his call for a transparent and neutral investigation into the incident.”
India on April 23 suspended the World Bank-mediated Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 that ensures water for 80 percent of Pakistani farms, saying it would last until “Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.” Islamabad described India’s move as an “act of war” and closed the Pakistani airspace for Indian airlines.
Guterres’ call came amid fears that India may conduct limited airstrikes or special forces raids near its border with Pakistan.
In his conversation with the UN chief, Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment toward fostering international peace and security as a responsible member of the international community and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
“He particularly highlighted India’s weaponization of the waters of the Indus Basin as unacceptable, while noting that water was the lifeline of 240 million people,” Sharif’s office said.
Also on Tuesday, Pakistani Deputy PM Ishaq Dar claimed India had been attempting to alter the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, which determines the river water-sharing mechanism between both countries, for the past two years.
“I have my doubt, much like other people, that this drama was staged to suspend this treaty,” he said, referring to the Pahalgam attack.
“We obviously don’t have evidence that they have staged this drama,” he continued. “What we do say with full confidence is that Pakistan has nothing to do with this [attack].”
Tensions have been boiling between the two nations since the attack in Kashmir, which has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence from British rule in 1947. Both countries have fought two wars over the disputed region they rule in part but claim in full.
The worst attack in recent years in Indian-administered Kashmir took place in Pulwama in 2019, when an insurgent rammed a car packed with explosives into a security forces convoy, killing 40 and wounding 35.
Indian fighter jets carried out air strikes on Pakistani territory 12 days later. The strikes were followed by the downing of an Indian fighter jet by Pakistan and the capturing of an Indian Air Force (IAF), who was released as a result of diplomatic efforts later.
The UN has urged the arch-rivals to talk, while China, which shares its border with both India and Pakistan, on Tuesday repeated its call on both sides to “exercise restraint.” Saudi Arabia has said Riyadh was trying to “prevent an escalation,” while Iran has offered to mediate the crisis.
Pakistan says will defend itself as Modi gives Indian army ‘operational freedom’ over Kashmir
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Pakistan says will defend itself as Modi gives Indian army ‘operational freedom’ over Kashmir
- Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors have plummeted after India accused Pakistan of backing an attack in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists
- PM Shehbaz Sharif rejects Indian allegations and calls for a neutral investigation in conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
Pakistan urges UN Security Council to act ‘decisively’ as Iran-Israel conflict intensifies
- Middle East tensions surged on Sunday after US carried out airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities
- Pakistan calls for “peaceful, lasting resolution” to Iran’s nuclear issue via dialogue and diplomacy
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Nations has urged the Security Council to act “urgently and decisively” to ensure cessation of hostilities in the Middle East, as tensions surge following Washington’s move to join the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.
The international community has intensified its calls for peace in the Middle East after US carried out attacks against Iran’s key nuclear facilities on Sunday, joining Israel in the biggest Western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution.
Pakistan’s UN mission announced on Sunday that Islamabad, Beijing and Moscow will present a joint resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East. The announcement was made as the Security Council convened an emergency session to discuss US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Pakistan has strongly condemned the American strikes, reiterating that Tehran reserves the right to respond under the UN Charter.
“As the body entrusted with the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the Security Council must act urgently and decisively,” Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said during the Security Council emergency meeting.
He said it was the Security Council’s collective responsibility to reject and condemn attacks against Iran launched since June 13, stating that they were in “clear contravention” of international law and the UN Charter. The Pakistani envoy reaffirmed that it was the Security Council’s obligation to protect civilian lives and properties on both sides.
Ahmad called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a “complete ceasefire” in the Middle East.
“Promote urgent recourse to dialogue and diplomacy, consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, to find a peaceful and lasting resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue,” the Pakistani ambassador said.
Iran on Sunday requested for the UN Security Council meeting, calling on the 15-member body “to address this blatant and unlawful act of aggression, to condemn it in the strongest possible terms” following America’s strikes.
Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon said in a statement on Sunday that the US and Israel “do not deserve any condemnation, but rather an expression of appreciation and gratitude for making the world a safer place.”
UN Secretary-General Guterres branded the US strikes on Iran as a “dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security.”
Iran’s UN Ambassador Ali Bahreini said Washington had decided to “destroy diplomacy” with its attacks, making it clear that the Iranian military will decide on the “timing, nature and scale” of its response.
Pakistan signs statute to strengthen labor, social protection collaboration among OIC members
- Pakistan signed statute during 51st session of OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Istanbul, says deputy PM
- Many Pakistanis seek employment opportunities abroad, especially in Gulf countries, for better standard of living
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar recently announced Islamabad had signed the Statute of the Labour Center of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to strengthen collaboration among member states on labor, social protection and human development capital.
The OIC Labour Center is a strategic institution aimed at enhancing labor conditions, promoting employment opportunities and fostering social protection systems across member states. It emphasizes the crucial need to ensure decent work, sustainable social protection and poverty reduction within OIC member states, in alignment with the objectives of the organization’s charter.
In a post on social media platform X on Sunday, Dar announced he had signed the statute at the OIC’s 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul from June 21-22.
“This statute is an important step toward strengthening collaboration among OIC Member States on labor, employment, social protection, and human capital development,” the deputy prime minister wrote.
A significant number of Pakistanis seek employment opportunities abroad for a better standard of living as the country grapples with macroeconomic challenges. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Gulf countries are key destinations for Pakistan’s skilled and unskilled workers, whose remittances are vital for the cash-strapped country.
Pakistan’s state media reported in April that the country sent 151,120 skilled laborers to Gulf countries in the first three months of 2025. Senior Pakistani officials have repeatedly spoken of the need to bridge the skills gap and enhance global competitiveness of Pakistani workers, particularly in the Middle Eastern job market.
Pakistan sends approximately one million skilled workers abroad each year to help reduce unemployment and boost foreign exchange reserves through remittances.
High-level Saudi delegation in Pakistan to strengthen parliamentary ties
- Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong trade, defense and cultural relations
- The Saudi delegation will meet top Pakistani parliamentarians during the visit
ISLAMABAD: A high-level parliamentary delegation of the Saudi Shoura Council arrived in Pakistan to strengthen parliamentary ties between the two countries, the National Assembly of Pakistan said on Sunday.
The delegation, led by the Head of the Saudi-Pak Parliamentary Friendship Committee Dr. Abdulrahman bin Sanhat bin Abdullah Al-Harbi, is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.
It comprises members of the Saudi Shoura Council and the Saudi-Pak Parliamentary Friendship Committee, Dr. Iman bint Abdulaziz Al-Jabreen and Engineer Salem bin Ali Al-Shahrani.
The delegates held a meeting with NA Speaker Sadiq in Islamabad, during which both sides agreed to promote parliamentary exchanges, according to a statement on the National Assembly of Pakistan’s Facebook page.
“The Pak-Saudi Friendship Group established in the National Assembly is playing an important role in promoting harmony between the parliaments of the two countries,” NA Speaker Sadiq was quoted as saying.
“Exchanges of parliamentary delegations will give the parliamentarians of both countries an opportunity to benefit from each other’s experiences.”
Dr. Abdulrahman said Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan, according to the Pakistani National Assembly statement.
“During the meeting, discussions were held on the unity of the Muslim world, and joint role for peace and development in the region,” it read.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong trade, defense and brotherly relations. The Kingdom is home to over 2 million Pakistani expatriates, serving as the top destination for remittances for the cash-strapped South Asian country.
Saudi Arabia has also extended significant support to Pakistan during prolonged economic challenges faced by Islamabad in recent years, including external financing and assistance with International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programs.
Pakistan’s new electric vehicle policy targets 30% green cars by 2030
- The policy aims to cut Pakistan’s reliance on imported fuel, shielding the economy from global oil price fluctuations
- Electric vehicles are also expected to offer long-term savings for consumers through reduced fuel and maintenance costs
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has unveiled an ambitious New Electric Vehicle Policy (NEVP) 2025–2030 that targets 30% of all new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030, Pakistani state media reported on Sunday.
The policy, which covers cars, buses, motorcycles and rickshaws, aims to accelerate the country’s shift toward sustainable transport, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and curb climate-warming emissions, the state-run APP news agency reported.
Pakistan imports most of its energy needs and the country’s urban areas exhibit some of the world’s highest levels of air pollution, primarily due to sub-2.5 μm particulate emissions. This issue significantly impairs both the country’s economy and the quality of life of its residents.
“Transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) is critical for a healthier, greener and economically stable future,” Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, a spokesperson for the Climate Change Ministry, told APP, contending that transport sector was a major contributor to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in Pakistan.
With the NEVP now in effect, Pakistan, which has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns which experts blame on climate change, joins a growing list of nations pushing for zero-emission mobility to combat climate change and urban pollution.
Mohammad Asif Sahibzada, director-general of the Climate Change Ministry, highlighted that EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which will significantly reduce urban smog and help Pakistan meet its international commitments.
“This shift will also lower respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, particularly benefiting children and the elderly,” he added.
The policy aims to cut Pakistan’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, shielding the economy from global oil price fluctuations. EVs are also expected to offer long-term savings for consumers through reduced fuel and maintenance costs.
The government plans to incentivize EV adoption through tax breaks, subsidies, and infrastructure development, including nationwide charging stations.
“Electric vehicles are not just about transport; they are central to Pakistan’s climate action strategy,” Muhammad Azeem Khoso, the ministry’s director for urban affairs, was quoted as saying by the APP.
“This policy marks a decisive step toward a cleaner, more resilient future.”
Pakistan, China and Russia to push for ceasefire as UN Security Council meets on Iran
- The three countries have circulated a draft resolution text and asked UNSC members to share comments by Monday
- A resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the US, France, Britain, Russia or China for it to pass
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, China and Russia will present a joint resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East, the Pakistani mission to the United Nations (UN) said on Sunday, ahead of a UN Security Council meeting to discuss US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
It was not immediately clear when it could be put to a vote. The three countries circulated the draft text, and asked members to share their comments by Monday evening. A resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, France, Britain, Russia or China to pass.
The US is likely to oppose the draft resolution, which condemns the attacks against “peaceful nuclear sites and facilities under the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards in the Islamic Republic of Iran” and says that such attacks represent a threat to international peace and security, and to the entire safeguards regime of the IAEA, according to a draft seen by Arab News.
It calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue to reach an agreement acceptable to all parties that “guarantees the exclusively peaceful nature of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for complete lifting of all multilateral and unilateral sanctions.”
“Pakistan, China and Russia jointly have drafted a resolution and it is hoped that other countries like Algeria may also become its approvers,” Pakistan’s UN mission said.
“So far, it has been shared with the members countries for comments, which is a procedure before tabling it in the UNSC.”
The member countries will comment on the draft resolution and then a final draft will be tabled in the Security Council.
The world awaited Iran’s response on Sunday after President Donald Trump said the US had “obliterated” Tehran’s key nuclear sites, joining Israel in the biggest Western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution.
Iran requested the UN Security Council meeting, calling on the 15-member body “to address this blatant and unlawful act of aggression, to condemn it in the strongest possible terms.”
Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon said in a statement on Sunday that the US and Israel “do not deserve any condemnation, but rather an expression of appreciation and gratitude for making the world a safer place.”
UN Secretary-General Guterres branded the US strikes on Iran as a “dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security.”
“At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace,” Guterres said in a statement.
