Author: Amjad Qaimkhani

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Robert Gilman, a former US soldier who had been imprisoned in Russia for four years, has returned to the United States following his release on humanitarian grounds. According to US media reports, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to pardon Gilman and approved his release after concerns about his deteriorating health. US President Donald Trump welcomed Gilman’s return, saying the former soldier’s release was made possible following his discussions with Putin. Trump said Russia had not demanded the release of a Russian prisoner in exchange for Gilman’s freedom. Gilman was arrested in Moscow in 2022 after being…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Pakistan is strengthening its position in the global digital financial system through measures aimed at accelerating the country’s digital transformation, according to an article published by US-based publication IBT. The article praised Pakistan’s initiatives to promote a digital revolution and highlighted the vision of PVARA Chairman Bilal Bin Saqib, saying the country would need to play a more effective role in the evolving global digital financial system. It said the future would belong to countries capable of making swift decisions and implementing reforms quickly, adding that Pakistan needed to adopt a leadership role in the digital…

By Amjad Qaimkhani UNITED NATION: The United Nations has warned that the risk of human trafficking, exploitation and forced labor in Afghanistan has reached unprecedented levels as the country continues to face economic hardship, mass refugee returns and growing social restrictions. The warning was issued by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which said vulnerable Afghan communities were increasingly becoming targets of criminal networks involved in exploitation and trafficking. The UN said the return of large numbers of refugees, combined with a deepening economic crisis and restrictions on women’s rights,…

By Amjad Qaimkhani UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan expressed deep concern over the continued escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, warning that attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure had created a severe humanitarian crisis and threatened global food and energy security. Addressing the United Nations Security Council, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said the ongoing hostilities had caused unacceptable suffering for ordinary people and had affected humanitarian efforts. He condemned the damage caused to civilians, civilian facilities and humanitarian workers, stressing that all parties must respect their responsibilities under international humanitarian law. The ambassador said the consequences…

By Amjad Qaimkhani NEW YORK: Pakistan and the World Food Program (WFP) discussed the worsening humanitarian situation in conflict-affected regions during a meeting at the United Nations, where both sides stressed the need for stronger international cooperation to support vulnerable communities. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, met with Acting Executive Director of the World Food Program, Carl Skau, to review the humanitarian challenges facing populations affected by conflict and other emergencies. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation and ensuring that humanitarian assistance reached those most in need. During the discussions, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad…

By Amjad Qaimkhani NEW YORK: Pakistan called on the United Nations Security Council to strengthen mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes, warning that delayed diplomacy had often allowed conflicts to deepen and human suffering to increase. Addressing the Security Council’s open debate on strengthening mechanisms for peaceful dispute resolution in follow-up to Resolution 2788, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad praised Secretary-General António Guterres for his leadership and recommendations aimed at reinforcing the role of diplomacy. He said the implementation of these recommendations could strengthen not only peaceful dispute settlement mechanisms but also the broader…

By Amjad Qaimkhani NEW YORK: Pakistan has highlighted its commitment to developing resilient, inclusive and sustainable cities at the United Nations, stressing the need for climate-focused urban planning and greater investment in youth development. Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program (PMYP) Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan presented Pakistan’s position during the High-Level Meeting on the Midterm Review of the New Urban Agenda at the UN General Assembly in New York on Friday. He described the review as an important opportunity for the international community to evaluate progress and renew efforts towards implementing the New Urban Agenda at a time when…

By Amjad Qaimkhani NEW YORK: Pakistan on Sunday strongly condemned the Houthi ballistic missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, reaffirming its full solidarity with the Kingdom and its continued support for its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Speaking during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, with a focus on Yemen, Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, also reiterated Islamabad’s unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Yemen in line with the UN Charter and international law. Ambassador Jadoon said the region continued to…

By Amjad Qaimkhani NEW YORK: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal held talks with Norway’s Minister for International Development Åsmund Grøver Aukrust in New York, focusing on ways to expand bilateral cooperation in climate resilience, sustainable development and human capital development. During the meeting, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal highlighted Pakistan’s growing vulnerability to climate change despite its contribution of less than one per cent to global greenhouse gas emissions. He said the country continued to face serious climate-related challenges, with devastating floods causing widespread damage and affecting progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a meeting with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, where the two sides discussed strengthening cooperation in cybersecurity, law enforcement and capacity-building initiatives. The meeting focused on expanding collaboration between Pakistan and the FBI in the field of cyber investigations, including efforts to improve resources and coordination for tackling cyber threats at national and international levels. Both sides also discussed increasing specialised training programmes to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement personnel. Welcoming the Pakistani interior minister, Kash Patel described the visit as…