Author: Asghar Ali Mubarak

Tensions flared along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier after Afghan Taliban fighters opened fire in Khyber district. Pakistani forces responded immediately, bringing the situation under control. By Asghar Ali MubarakISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces successfully repelled cross-border gunfire from Afghan Taliban fighters in the Torkham and Tirah areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials said on Tuesday. The prime minister’s spokesperson for foreign media, Mosharraf Zaidi, confirmed on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that the firing had originated from the Afghan side. According to Zaidi, Pakistani forces responded “immediately and effectively,” silencing the Taliban aggression. No casualties were reported, but officials warned that…

Zardari voiced alarm over Kabul’s unrecognized authorities, warning that Afghan soil remains a haven for terrorist groups despite international scrutiny By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said Pakistan’s tolerance for cross-border terrorism has reached its limit. In a statement on Sunday, he said Pakistan’s recent actions are grounded in its inherent right to defend its people against attacks originating from across its borders. He noted these measures followed repeated warnings that went unheeded. Zardari expressed concern that the de facto authorities in Kabul, a regime not recognized by the United Nations, have continued to allow terrorist…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: New evidence has emerged linking Afghan territory to a series of deadly terrorist attacks in Pakistan, underscoring long-standing concerns over cross-border militancy. Pakistani authorities have confirmed that the suicide bomber behind the 16 February attack in Bajaur, identified as Ahmad alias Qari Abdullah Abu Zar, hailed from Balkh province in Afghanistan. This revelation adds to a growing list of incidents implicating Afghan nationals in assaults across the country. Investigations indicate that the bomber responsible for the Tarlai attack in Islamabad had received militant training in Afghanistan, reflecting a broader pattern of cross-border facilitation. Similarly, the…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday described Pakistan’s relationship with China as “tested in every season and steel-strong,” sending warm greetings to the Chinese people and leadership on the occasion of the Chinese New Year. Speaking in a statement, President Zardari said the Year of the Horse symbolized energy, resilience, and development, expressing hope that it would usher in a new phase of growth in trade, innovation, and people-to-people ties between the two countries. Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the One-China policy and praised China’s consistent backing of Pakistan, particularly on the Kashmir issue,…

PM Shehbaz announces that every eligible family will receive an increased stipend of Rs13,000, aiming to provide greater financial relief amid mounting economic pressures By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formally unveiled the Ramazan Package 2026 on Saturday in the federal capital, announcing a record Rs38 billion relief initiative aimed at supporting over 12 million families across Pakistan. Addressing the ceremony, the prime minister said the move was intended to streamline aid distribution and safeguard the dignity of beneficiaries, building on lessons from previous years. He reflected on last year’s changes, when the government abandoned the traditional…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: John Mark Pommersheim, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs at the U.S. State Department, concluded a five-day visit to Pakistan, aimed at strengthening economic and security cooperation between the two countries. During his visit, Pommersheim met with senior Pakistani officials including Major Generals Kashif Abdullah and Wajid Aziz Khan, Ministers Shaza Khawaja, Mohsin Naqvi, Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Ali Pervaiz Malik, and engaged with business leaders and U.S. exchange program alumni. He attended the launch of Pakistan’s Indus AI Week in Islamabad, promoting U.S. partnerships in IT and digital sectors, and discussed expanding…

Sharif emphasized the UAE’s steadfast support, portraying recent aid to Pakistan as a testament to the historic and fraternal ties between the two nations’ leaders and people By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a warm and cordial telephone conversation on Friday with the President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in a discussion that underscored the enduring and multifaceted ties between the two nations. According to officials, the leaders fondly recalled the UAE President’s first official visit to Pakistan last month, which included engagements in Islamabad and…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad to review the progress of the government’s ongoing privatization of state-owned entities. The session brought together senior officials and members of the Privatization Committee, who took stock of current initiatives and outlined strategies to ensure that the process remains transparent, competitive, and efficient. During the meeting, the committee examined the status of various enterprises slated for privatization, identifying both achievements and challenges. Officials discussed timelines, regulatory frameworks, and mechanisms to attract serious investors while safeguarding public interest. Ishaq Dar underlined the…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday reaffirmed Pakistan’s opposition to unilateral sanctions and coercive measures against Iran, stressing that peaceful engagement was the most effective way to safeguard regional and global security. He made the remarks while addressing a ceremony in Islamabad marking the 47th anniversary of Iran’s National Day. The President warned that any military escalation involving Iran could have far-reaching consequences, potentially destabilizing the Gulf region, South Asia, and Western Asia. He cautioned that attempts to resolve disputes through force carried grave risks, threatened global peace, and could inflict serious harm on the…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar acknowledged the important role played by the United States private sector in enhancing trade and economic ties between Pakistan and the US. Speaking in Islamabad, he said that private enterprise had been instrumental in fostering bilateral cooperation and creating opportunities for investment and growth. Dar was addressing a joint delegation from the Economic-Pakistan American Council and the United Muslim American Association, who were visiting the capital to discuss avenues for strengthening economic and social engagement between the two countries. He highlighted that collaboration between businesses on both sides not only…