Author: Pervaiz Mughal

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with Xinhua News Agency, hosted a commemorative seminar titled “75 Years of Friendship: China-Pakistan Joint Contributions to the Global Governance Initiative and CPEC” at the Marriott Hotel Islamabad. The seminar brought together federal ministers, senior diplomats, scholars, media representatives and practitioners from Pakistan and China to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and reflect on the evolving trajectory of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. Fu Hua, President of Xinhua News Agency, extended felicitations to Pakistan and China on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and reaffirmed…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has integrated herbal and natural medicines into the national healthcare system during a two-day seminar on research, processing and drug development held at the COMSTECH Secretariat on Tuesday. Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal inaugurated the seminar and exhibition as chief guest. Addressing the inaugural session, he appreciated COMSTECH for bringing together experts, regulators, industry leaders and policymakers on a single platform to discuss the integration of traditional medicine into the healthcare system. Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH Prof. Dr. Iqbal Choudhary said traditional systems of medicine, including Unani medicine, represented…

By Pervaiz Mughal RAWALPINDI: Pakistan made a confident start to their three-match ODI series against Australia on Saturday, sealing a five-wicket win in Rawalpindi after an all-round performance shaped decisively by debutant Arafat Minhas and a composed middle-order stand between Babar Azam and Ghazi Ghori. Chasing a modest target of 201, the hosts reached the finish with 45 balls remaining, wrapping up the chase in controlled fashion after briefly wobbling early in the innings. A debut to remember belonged to Arafat Minhas, who earlier claimed a five-wicket haul before returning to strike the winning runs with a clean six, underlining…

Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan is entering a new phase of cooperation under CPEC 2.0 focusing on agriculture, IT, AI, mining By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described Pakistan’s relationship with China as one of the most “reliable and time-tested” partnerships in the world, saying it had consistently withstood shifting geopolitical pressures and stood firm through decades of regional and global change. Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, the prime minister said the friendship between the two countries represented a rare example of sustained strategic cooperation. He…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif hosted a special breakfast reception in Islamabad on Thursday in honour of His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, marking his first official visit to Pakistan. The gathering was presented as a moment of continuity in a long-standing relationship between the state and the Aga Khan family, rooted in development cooperation, philanthropy and institutional support across key social sectors. The Prime Minister welcomed the prospect of expanded collaboration with the Aga Khan University, praising its sustained contribution to medical education, research and healthcare delivery in the country. He noted that the institution…

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: 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: 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: 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.…