Author: Pervaiz Mughal
By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand in Islamabad and held discussions on bilateral relations, regional issues and global developments. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere as both sides reviewed the recent progress in Pakistan-Canada ties and explored ways to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries. The two foreign ministers exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and underlined the importance of maintaining regular engagement to address shared challenges. They reaffirmed their commitment to building a stronger and more productive partnership based…
By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Venezuela have agreed to enhance economic cooperation and strengthen people-to-people contacts for the mutual benefit of the two countries. The understanding was reached during a telephonic conversation between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Venezuela’s newly appointed Minister of Foreign Relations and Foreign Trade Félix Plasencia. During the talks, the two ministers exchanged views on the longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and Venezuela and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties. They discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in various sectors, including trade, investment, business, agriculture, information technology and other areas…
By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Egypt have agreed to strengthen economic cooperation by expanding trade, investment, joint production and technology partnerships, with a focus on building stronger regional value chains. Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan said Pakistan wanted to transform its longstanding relations with Egypt into a deeper economic partnership based on mutual investment and industrial cooperation. He was speaking at a reception held in Islamabad to mark Egypt’s National Day, where he attended as the chief guest. The event was attended by ambassadors, high commissioners, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic community and other distinguished…
By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have agreed to strengthen cooperation in immigration management, border security and institutional coordination following discussions between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and a visiting Chinese delegation. The delegation was led by the Director General of China’s National Immigration Administration, who held talks with the interior minister to discuss ways to improve coordination between the two countries. Both sides agreed to expand collaboration in immigration affairs and border management while accelerating efforts to finalize an agreement aimed at making immigration procedures more efficient. Mohsin Naqvi said Pakistan was committed to maintaining strict control over illegal…
Scholars explored Pakistan’s pressing challenges through research and innovation, seeking practical solutions during a six-week journey of learning and national reflection By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called on Pakistani scholars studying at leading international universities to use their knowledge, research and global experience for the country’s progress and prosperity. He made the remarks while meeting participants of the “Uraan Overseas Pakistan Summer Scholars Program” in Islamabad. The meeting brought together young Pakistani researchers who had returned to the country under an initiative of the Ministry of Planning and Development. The scholars were taking part in a…
By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Rwanda reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across trade, education, technology and sustainable development as diplomats, policymakers and scholars gathered in Islamabad to commemorate Rwanda’s Liberation Day. The event was jointly organised by the Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and the Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR). It began with the national anthems of Pakistan and Rwanda and brought together senior diplomats and policy experts to reflect on Rwanda’s transformation since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi…
By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) trained around 5,000 scientists and researchers from 54 countries and awarded 759 scholarships and fellowships during 2025, reflecting a significant expansion of its scientific, educational and research outreach across the Muslim world, according to its annual report. The Islamabad-based organisation said it implemented 174 projects and initiatives over the course of the year, while awarding 52 research grants and organising 68 specialised training programmes. It also broadened its academic partnerships by expanding its network to more than 80 universities, research centres and…
By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR), organised an event to mark Somalia’s Independence Day. The proceedings began with the national anthems of Pakistan and Somalia. Speakers included Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman of the Board of Governors at ISSI; Somalia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Sheikhnur Mohamed Hassan; Pakistan’s Ambassador to Djibouti, accredited to Somalia, Aqsa Nawaz; and CAMEA Director Dr Amina Khan. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, president of PAIDAR, attended as chief guest. Ambassador Khalid…
By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: The Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), in collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), has inaugurated a two-day meeting of the SATRC Working Group on Policy, Regulation and Services in Islamabad. The meeting, held from 1–2 July 2026, brings together delegates from SATRC member administrations including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, along with representatives of the APT secretariat and local stakeholders. It is the first meeting under the SATRC Action Plan Phase X (SAP-X), which was endorsed at SATRC-26 held in Islamabad in 2025. In a virtual address, APT Secretary General Dr…
He emphasised that negotiations remained centred on regional stability, de-escalation and economic cooperation rather than military or defence capabilities, signalling a diplomatic emphasis on restraint By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the issue of ballistic missiles was never part of any negotiating agenda, firmly pushing back against speculation during a joint press conference in Islamabad with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, where both leaders sought to project unity on regional diplomacy and expanding bilateral cooperation. Speaking alongside the visiting Iranian president, Sharif said he could state “without hesitation” that discussions on ballistic missiles were not included…