Author: Asghar Ali Mubarak

By Asghar Ali Mubarak NUR KHAN: A rare and symbolic moment took place at Nur Khan Airbase on Monday as the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, returned a salute from Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, during the start of his first official visit to Islamabad. The exchange, witnessed by senior officials, was widely seen as a reflection of the warmth and depth of the bilateral ties between the two countries, highlighting decades of close political, military, and economic cooperation. Sheikh Mohammed’s aircraft was met with a high-profile reception upon entering Pakistani…

A one-day Islamabad meeting underscored historic ties and future cooperation ambitions, marking a pivotal moment in strengthening bilateral relations By Asghar Ali Mubarak/Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif hosted United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, marking the first such visit of the UAE leader to Pakistan since assuming the presidency. The one-day meeting, held in Islamabad, was framed as a pivotal step in reinforcing the long-standing bonds between the two nations, highlighting both historical ties and ambitions for future cooperation. According to an official statement issued by the government, the discussions focused on deepening…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak RAWALPINDI: Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attended the Christmas celebrations at Christ Church in Rawalpindi, joining members of the Christian community in marking one of the year’s most cherished occasions. The senior military official offered warm Christmas greetings and conveyed his wishes for peace, prosperity, and harmony, highlighting the spirit of the festival as a moment for reflection and togetherness. During his visit, the Field Marshal paid homage to Pakistan’s founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, invoking the principles that underpinned the creation of the nation. He drew attention to Jinnah’s enduring vision of equality, freedom,…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a high-level meeting on Monday to review the consular services provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscoring the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility and efficiency for the public. During the session, the Ministry’s Consular Affairs team presented a detailed briefing on the key features and smooth functioning of Attestation and Apostille services, highlighting the steps taken to ensure reliable and streamlined operations for citizens. Senator Dar reviewed these measures closely and emphasized that transparent and efficient attestation processes form the cornerstone of…

Pakistan humiliated India in the Under-19 Asia Cup final, amassing 347 for 8 before skittling their rivals for just 156 By Asghar Ali Mubarak DUBAI: Pakistan defeated India to win the Under-19 Asia Cup after a dominant display in the final, beating their arch-rivals by a huge margin of 191 runs. Opener Sameer Minhas produced a record-breaking innings, scoring 172 runs, the highest individual score in the history of an Under-19 Asia Cup final. Batting first, Pakistan posted a commanding total of 347 for 8. In response, India’s much-vaunted batting line-up collapsed and was bowled out for 156 in just…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, officials confirmed. According to a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors and exchanged detailed assessments of the regional situation. During the call, both officials reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade ties, enhancing coordination, and promoting people-to-people contacts between the two countries. They also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to support regional peace and development, underscoring the shared interest in stability and constructive engagement in South Asia and…

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…