Author: Pervaiz Mughal

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is bringing the two countries closer not only economically but also in institutional and legal cooperation. Speaking at a four-day international training programme under the Ministry of Law, Ishaq Dar described CPEC as a flagship initiative of Pakistan–China relations, now entering a second phase focused on industrial development, agricultural reform and broader economic integration. He said relations between Pakistan and China are based on mutual respect, trust and long-standing partnership, adding that the two countries have consistently supported each…

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Chinese delegation, extending greetings to Xi Jinping and Li Qiang on 75th anniversary celebrations By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met a high-level Chinese parliamentary delegation in Islamabad on Thursday, in a carefully staged display of diplomatic continuity marking 75 years of Pakistan–China relations, as both sides reiterated longstanding political support and strategic alignment amid shifting regional dynamics. The delegation, led by Cai Dafeng, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, was in Pakistan to attend commemorations of the milestone anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday received a delegation of senior Bangladeshi civil servants at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, in what officials described as a notable step forward in efforts to rebuild institutional ties between the two countries after decades of limited structured engagement. The delegation’s visit, taking place under the Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor initiative, formed part of a three-week executive development programme at the Civil Services Academy in Lahore. Officials said the exchange marked the first structured visit of its kind in 53 years, underscoring a…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday held a meeting with the United Kingdom’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, with discussions focusing on regional stability, diplomatic coordination and the future trajectory of Pakistan–UK cooperation. According to an official statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting covered a broad range of issues, including regional security dynamics, emerging geopolitical challenges and avenues for strengthening bilateral engagement in both traditional and emerging sectors. The Prime Minister reaffirmed what he described as Pakistan’s commitment to a “strong, positive and forward-looking” relationship with the United Kingdom and conveyed his…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: The Australian High Commission celebrated Australia Day in Spring 2026 in Islamabad, bringing together senior government representatives, diplomats, business leaders, media figures, alumni and friends of Australia to mark the national day and celebrate what officials described as a strong and growing partnership between Australia and Pakistan. The event highlighted the breadth of Australia’s engagement with Pakistan across trade, agriculture, education, climate resilience, water security, defence cooperation, sport and wider people-to-people ties developed over generations. Speaking at the event, Australia’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Timothy Kane, reflected on the deep historical links between the two countries.…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has received an invitation to attend the International Cricket Council (ICC) board meeting in India as well as the Indian Premier League (IPL) final, officials confirmed. According to cricket website reports, the ICC meetings will be held in two phases this month. A virtual meeting of the ICC Chief Executive Committee is scheduled for May 21, while the main board meeting will take place on May 30 and 31 in Ahmedabad, India. The agenda includes discussions on potential changes to the World Test Championship format, where each series currently…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a detailed meeting with Chinese Minister Counsellor Yang Guangyuan to discuss strengthening bilateral trade, industrial cooperation, agriculture modernization, logistics connectivity, supply chain resilience and emerging investment opportunities under the broader framework of the Pakistan–China strategic economic partnership. The meeting underscored the longstanding friendship between the two countries, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to expanding practical economic cooperation across multiple sectors. During the talks, Jam Kamal Khan highlighted the evolving global trade environment, noting that recent geopolitical shifts, supply chain disruptions and changing logistics dynamics have reinforced the…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar addressed the launch of the IBI Pakistan Digital Economy Headquarters in a keynote speech in Islamabad, setting out an ambitious vision for Pakistan’s future as a regional hub for digital innovation and economic transformation. Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar said the government aimed to reposition the country’s economic trajectory by strengthening its digital ecosystem and expanding the role of technology in national development. He referred to the broader policy direction set by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying the leadership viewed technology, innovation and youth engagement as…

By Pervaiz mughal ISLAMABAD: The Afghan Chargé d’Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today and handed a strong demarche over the cowardly vehicle-borne IED attack carried out by terrorists of Fitna-al-Khawarij on the Fateh Khel police post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district on 9 May 2026. The attack resulted in the martyrdom of 15 police constables and injuries to four others, including a civilian. The Ministry conveyed that a detailed investigation into the incident, along with evidence collected and technical intelligence, indicated that the attack was masterminded by terrorists residing in Afghanistan. Reiterating Pakistan’s grave concern over…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States held discussions on the evolving regional situation and the future direction of bilateral ties during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker in Islamabad on Monday. According to officials, the meeting focused on recent developments in the region, diplomatic engagement, and areas of mutual cooperation between Islamabad and Washington at a time when tensions and geopolitical uncertainty continued to shape the wider Middle East and South Asian landscape. During the meeting, Ishaq Dar highlighted Pakistan’s role in facilitating communication…