Author: Asghar Ali Mubarak

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Security has been placed on high alert in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with deployment of law enforcement and security forces across key locations.Authorities have completely sealed the Red Zone in Islamabad, restricting all types of traffic as part of heightened security measures. The Pakistan Armed Forces, Pakistan Rangers, Islamabad Police and Punjab Police have been deployed across sensitive areas, while heavy traffic has also been barred from entering the capital. Public transport services, including the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus, have been suspended. Major entry points in Rawalpindi such as Faizabad, Pirwadhai and 26 Number Chungi have also…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: HIV is no longer confined to high-risk groups in Pakistan and is increasingly spreading into the general population, health experts have warned. According to specialists, the number of people living with HIV in the country has reached around 370,000, with nearly 79 per cent of cases remaining undiagnosed or unknown to those affected. Health experts stressed the need for stricter oversight of blood banks and mandatory screening of all blood donations to prevent further transmission. They also called for urgent action to eliminate unsafe injection practices and to strengthen infection control measures across healthcare facilities.…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched a new trade corridor to Iran and Central Asia, marking a major shift in regional connectivity and logistics.The move is expected to reduce transport costs and improve export efficiency. The National Logistics Corporation has activated the Gwadar border terminal for the Transit International Routier (TIR) system, enabling smoother cross-border trade through Iran. Under the new arrangement, Pakistan’s trade routes to Central Asian markets will now operate via Iran, offering a shorter and more secure alternative to traditional Afghan transit routes. Officials said the first shipment of meat from Karachi to Tashkent was…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Senior Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir has claimed that US President Donald Trump is willing to visit Pakistan for negotiations with Iran, but has set a condition for his arrival.He said the potential visit is linked to ongoing diplomatic efforts and evolving negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Hamid Mir said he had received information as early as April 1 that talks between the United States and Iran would take place in Pakistan. However, due to the sensitive nature of the issue, there were concerns about reporting it at the time, as it could have disrupted the…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Police has restricted entry into the Red Zone, allowing only official vehicles to enter as part of heightened security measures.The restrictions come amid traffic diversions and road closures across key routes in the federal capital. According to the police spokesperson, movement from Kashmir Chowk to Serena Chowk and Srinagar Highway has been suspended for general traffic. However, alternative routes have been provided, including access from Bhara Kahu via Club Road into the city, while citizens traveling from Murree Road can use Club Road via Kashmir Chowk. Authorities said the Seven Avenue Bridge to Serena…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that multiple rounds of comprehensive and constructive talks were held between the United States and Iran in Islamabad, as Pakistan facilitated the dialogue process and hosted both delegations. He expressed gratitude to both sides for responding positively to Pakistan’s request to engage in talks. He said the US delegation was led by JD Vance while the Iranian delegation was headed by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Ishaq Dar said the discussions were supported by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and facilitated with assistance from Field Marshal Asim Munir. He…

bY aSGHAR aLI mUBARAK ISLAMABAD: US Vice President JD Vance has said that negotiations between the United States and Iran concluded without a final agreement, confirming that Washington is returning home without a deal.He stated that Iran refused to accept US conditions despite lengthy discussions. Speaking at a press briefing in Islamabad, JD Vance said both sides engaged in talks for around 21 hours and discussed key issues, including frozen Iranian assets. He added that the US entered negotiations in good faith and showed flexibility in pursuit of a positive outcome. He said Washington clearly outlined its demands, including preventing…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed hope that the ongoing ceasefire discussions in Islamabad will pave the way for a long-term settlement of regional conflicts, saying Pakistan’s role as host of the talks marked a significant diplomatic milestone. In an interview, he said he was encouraged by the willingness of the United States and Iran to engage in dialogue, and noted that countries including China and Saudi Arabia had also contributed to broader peace efforts. He said the conflict had affected not only Iran but the wider Middle East region. He said bringing both sides to…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Russia called for caution and responsibility as talks between the United States and Iran continued in Islamabad, signalling guarded support for diplomatic efforts aimed at easing long-standing tensions. In a statement, Russia’s foreign ministry said all sides involved in the negotiations should act with restraint and demonstrate a sense of responsibility at a sensitive moment in the process. The remarks came as the talks, seen as a potential opening for renewed engagement, entered a critical phase. Moscow emphasised the importance of avoiding any actions that could derail dialogue, warning that missteps could undermine fragile progress…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: A high-stakes telephone conversation took place late on Tuesday between Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Chief of Defence Staff General Asim Munir, as both nations moved to present a united front against what they condemned as the Zionist regime’s systematic violations of ceasefire agreements across West Asia. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reached out to Field Marshal Asim Munir, just hours after an April 8 truce had begun to show signs of unravelling. According to a detailed, the Zionist regime had already rejected the ceasefire’s applicability to Lebanon and continued its aerial and ground…