Author: Asghar Ali Mubarak

Shahbaz Sharif credits Pakistan’s triumph in the recent conflict to the nation’s unwavering prayers, warning that India will long bear the weight of this setback By Asghar Ali Mubarak HARIPUR: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif declared that the Modi government had been handed a lesson in what he described as the “Ma’rakah-e-Haq,” a defeat it would never forget. Speaking at a ceremony in Haripur for the distribution of laptops under the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme, Shahbaz Sharif attributed Pakistan’s success in the recent conflict to the steadfast prayers of the nation, insisting that India would carry the memory of this setback…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the launch of a “Battery Energy Storage System,” urging public-private partnerships and private sector engagement to modernize the country’s electricity infrastructure (Catchline) By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed authorities to expedite the privatization of power distribution companies (DISCOS) and generation companies (GENCOS). Chairing a meeting on the power sector in the federal capital, the prime minister said privatization, leading to the establishment of a competitive electricity market, was the sustainable solution to the country’s energy challenges During the meeting, officials reported that steps were being taken to privatize three…

Munir underscored Pakistan’s stewardship of Islam’s holy sites, portraying it as a singular honor that sets the country apart in the Muslim world By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, delivered a forceful address on Wednesday in Islamabad, asserting that terrorism was “India’s habit, not Pakistan’s” and insisting that his country faced its adversaries “openly, not from the shadows.” Speaking at the National Ulema and Mashaikh Conference, Munir sought to situate Pakistan’s modern challenges within the historical framework of the early Islamic state in Madinah, drawing parallels between the principles of governance and…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Baroness Jenny Chapman, the United Kingdom’s Minister of State for International Development, met with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, in Islamabad on Wednesday to discuss avenues of cooperation between the two countries. The meeting underscored the ongoing diplomatic engagement aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and addressing matters of mutual concern. During the discussion, Senator Dar highlighted the important role of the Pakistani-British community, describing it as a vital bridge that fosters understanding and collaboration between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. Dr emphasized the community’s contributions in promoting trade, cultural…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that Pakistan would not advance through “magic or shortcuts”, arguing that only hard work and national unity could steer the country towards lasting stability and growth. Addressing the National Ulema Convention in Islamabad, Sharif warned that Pakistan could not progress while political and social divisions continued to deepen. “If we ridicule the sacrifices of our armed forces, then who will honor Pakistan?” he asked. “This country will not develop through spells or superstition; it will only move forward through effort.” Sharif praised the military’s recent battlefield performance, saying…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: The Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, questioned the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday over the accumulation of $40 billion in recovered assets, raising concerns about the agency’s past practices and transparency. Speaking during a parliamentary session, Sadiq asked NAB Chairman why such funds had only recently been consolidated and what measures the bureau had undertaken previously, signaling unease over the agency’s historical record. Sadiq criticized NAB for what he described as a legacy of political targeting, noting that in earlier years, politicians, business figures, and salaried employees were often vulnerable to…

Atte Kaleva praised the warm hospitality extended to the delegation and reiterated Finland’s commitment to sustained, constructive engagement with Pakistan By Asgahr Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan–Finland Parliamentary Friendship Group, chaired by Sharmila Faruqui, MNA, and convener of the Pakistan–Finland PFG, held a meeting with the visiting parliamentary delegation from the Finnish Parliament, led by Atte Kaleva, MP, and accompanied by Timo Harakka, MP, at the Parliament House in Islamabad. Welcoming the delegation, the convener reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding, friendly and cooperative relations with Finland. She highlighted the presence of a vibrant Pakistani diaspora of more than 9,000 people living in…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the country’s highest civil award, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, on the visiting Indonesian President, Prabowo Subianto, in a ceremony that unfolded with a sense of both dignity and diplomatic warmth. The honor, reserved for distinguished contributions to Pakistan’s national interests and its international partnerships, marked a significant moment in the leader’s visit and reflected Islamabad’s appreciation for Indonesia’s long-standing friendship. The ceremony, held at the Presidency, carried an atmosphere of formality, yet there was an unmistakable undertone of camaraderie between the two leaders. As the insignia was placed, President Zardari spoke of…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif reiterated his government’s commitment to tackling financial corruption while firmly rejecting the use of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for political purposes. Speaking at a ceremony at the Prime Minister’s House to mark International Anti-Corruption Day, he praised the agency’s recent efforts and acknowledged the NAB chairman and staff for their successful operations against financial malfeasance. Shahbaz Sharif emphasized that the NAB operates with full institutional independence and that the government would not interfere in its work. “Pakistan will continue to take organized steps to eliminate financial corruption,” he said,…

With trade already touching $4.7bn, Islamabad hailed the new accords as a chance to prise open untapped markets in palm oil, textiles, halal goods and emerging technologies By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Indonesia moved to deepen their long-standing relationship as President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto arrived in Islamabad, where he and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the signing of a wide-ranging set of agreements aimed at expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. The two governments signed seven Memorandums of Understanding, but it was the trade-centered commitments that dominated the conversation in diplomatic and business circles. With bilateral trade…