ISLAMABAD: China has called for measures to lower heightened tensions between Pakistan and India over a recent attack in India-administered Kashmir, while several other countries, including Saudi Arabia and Iran, have offered Islamabad assistance in resolving the crisis.
New Delhi has accused Pakistan of backing the deadliest attack in Indian-administered Kashmir since 2000 that killed 26 tourists on April 22. Islamabad denies the claim and has offered to participate in a credible international probe.
The two nuclear-armed neighbors have since exchanged gunfire, diplomatic barbs, expelled each other’s citizens and shut border in a series of punitive measures against each other.
Top Pakistani leaders have reached out to senior officials in China, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Egypt and other countries amid fears that India’s possible actions over the attack may lead to a wider conflict in the region.
“China welcomes all measures that will help cool down the current situation and supports carrying out fair and just investigations at an early date,” Guo Jiakun, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said at a press briefing on Monday, hoping Pakistan and India would uphold regional peace.
“As the neighbor of both India and Pakistan, China hopes that India and Pakistan will exercise restraint, work in the same direction, handle relevant differences properly through dialogue and consultation, and jointly uphold peace and stability in the region.”
The statement came as New Delhi said India had signed a contract to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets from France, amid fears that India may carry out limited airstrikes or special forces raids near the border with Pakistan.
The last time India conducted such strikes against Pakistan was in 2019, when it retaliated for a suicide bombing in Pulwama in Indian-administered Kashmir in which at least 40 Indian paramilitary police were killed. Pakistan had denied complicity in that assault and the Indian strikes were followed by Pakistan’s downing of an Indian fighter jet and capturing of an Indian pilot, bring the two neighbors to the brink of an all-out war.
On Monday, India said it had responded to ‘unprovoked’ small arms firing from Pakistan along the de facto border in Kashmir for the fourth consecutive night. There was no immediate comment from the Pakistani side.
Several regional countries have urged bilateral consultation and dialogue between the two countries to prevent tensions from escalating any further.
Late last week, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who also serves as foreign minister, briefed his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on Islamabad’s response to India’s retaliatory moves, saying his country would respond firmly to any external aggression.
“Both leaders agreed to continue consultations and coordination on the evolving regional situation,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday offered to mediate the crisis between the two South Asian nations.
“India and Pakistan are brotherly neighbors of Iran, enjoying relations rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilizational ties. Like other neighbors, we consider them our foremost priority,” he said on X.
“Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater understanding at this difficult time.”
Pakistan and India have fought multiple wars, including two of them over the disputed region of Kashmir, since their independence from British rule in 1947. Both rule the region in part but claim it in full.
New Delhi routinely accuses Pakistan of supporting armed separatist militants in Kashmir. Islamabad denies the allegations and says it supports the Kashmiri people diplomatically and politically.
China urges restraint, Riyadh and Tehran offer help to mediate Pakistan-India conflict
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China urges restraint, Riyadh and Tehran offer help to mediate Pakistan-India conflict
- The development comes amid fears India may carry out limited airstrikes or raids near the border with Pakistan over attack in Pahalgam
- The two neighbors have exchanged gunfire, diplomatic barbs, expelled each other’s citizens after the attack that killed 26 tourists
8 killed, 18 injured as passenger bus meets accident in eastern Pakistan
- Bus heading from Lahore to Islamabad falls in ditch in Chakwal, local media reports say
- Fatal road accidents are common in Pakistan, where traffic rules are rarely followed
ISLAMABAD: Eight people were killed while 18 others were injured after a passenger bus met with an accident in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province on Sunday, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
As per local media reports, the passenger bus was heading to the eastern city of Lahore from Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, when one of its tires burst near the Balkassar Interchange on the Islamabad-Lahore Motorway (M2).
Pakistani English language newspaper Dawn reported that the tire burst caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, due to which it fell into a ditch and overturned.
“Eight people were killed while eighteen others injured in a passenger bus accident in the area of Balkassar in Chakwal today,” Radio Pakistan reported.
“According to Rescue 1122, ambulances and rescue vehicles promptly reached the site of the incident.”
The state-run media said that the injured were shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Fatal road accidents are common in Pakistan, where traffic rules are rarely followed and roads as well as a majority of vehicles are in poor condition.
Pakistan motorway police frequently warns masses on its social media platforms against violating traffic regulations and overspeeding.
Pakistan suspends road travel to Iran, Iraq citing security concerns
- Travelers will still be allowed to visit Iran and Iraq by air, says interior minister.
- Decision comes in wake of rise in militant attacks in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced on Sunday that the government will not allow pilgrims to travel to Iran and Iraq by road for the Arbaeen pilgrimage this year, citing public safety and national security concerns for the ban.
Thousands of Pakistani citizens visit Iran and Iraq annually for religious tourism and to visit religious sites, including observing Arbaeen (Arabic for “forty”), a significant religious occasion in Shia Islam. It marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussain, who was “martyred” in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD.
Travelers to Iran and Iraq by road have often been targeted in sectarian attacks by armed groups in Pakistan’s restive southwestern Balochistan province, which shares a border with Iran.
Islamabad’s decision comes in the wake of a rise in militant attacks in the province by ethnic Baloch militant groups, who demand a greater share of the province’s mineral resources from Islamabad.
“After extensive consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Balochistan Government, and security agencies, it has been decided that Zaireen will not be allowed to travel to Iraq and Iran by road for Arbaeen this year,” Naqvi wrote on X.
The interior minister said this “difficult decision” was taken in the interest of public safety and national security.
However, he said Shia pilgrims will be allowed to travel by air to Iran and Iraq.
“Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to arrange maximum flights to facilitate their pilgrimage in the coming days,” he wrote.
A Pakistani immigration official told Arab News earlier this month that Islamabad plans to overhaul its pilgrimage travel policy to Iraq, Iran and Syria after authorities confirmed around 40,000 Pakistani pilgrims went missing or overstayed in the three countries over the past decade.
Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf revealed this month that 40,000 Pakistani pilgrims had either overstayed or gone missing in these countries without any official record of their whereabouts.
In response, Pakistani authorities have scrapped the long-standing “Salar system,” in which private group leaders managed travel logistics, and are introducing a new centralized, computerized structure to track and regulate pilgrim movement more effectively.
Mustafa Jamal Kazi, Pakistan’s director general of Immigration and Passports, said a new Ziyarat Management Policy has been finalized by the government under which pilgrims will only be allowed to travel in organized groups, and licensed tour operators will be held directly responsible for ensuring that all group members return to Pakistan before their visas expire.
Any operator found violating the policy or failing to ensure the return of all pilgrims will have their license canceled.
Pakistan PM takes notice of ‘unjustified delay’ of cash reward, support for boxer Shahzaib Rind
- Rind had publicly criticized government for not paying him promised cash reward of $17,360, support worth $282,080
- Information Minister Attaullah Tarar apologizes to Rind, says “inordinate delay” will be sorted out immediately
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar this week apologized to Karate champion Shahzaib Rind for the “unjustified delay” of a monetary reward and financial support the fighter said the government had promised to provide him, sharing that the prime minister has taken “serious notice” of the incident.
Rind made history in September last year when he won the World Karate Combat Light Heavyweight Championship, beating Brazil’s Luiz Victor Rocha in the final in Singapore. The remarkable feat made him the first person from Pakistan to win the world title.
Following his achievement, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari presented Rind a cheque of Rs100 million [$352,600] while as per reports, former federal minister Sardar Yaar Muhammad Rind announced he would give Rind 25 acres of land.
Rind took to social media platform X on July 23, saying that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif promised him a sum of Rs5 million [$17,630] and Rs80 million [$282,080] to support his training camp and upcoming fights. However, the Pakistani fighter said it was “all a lie, I never got a penny from them.”
“Dear Shahzeb, there seems to be some miscommunication,” Tarar wrote to Rind on X on Saturday. “We sincerely apologize for this unjustified delay, sportsmen like you are our real heroes and we value your achievements.”
The minister acknowledged that Rind had brought honor to the country and made everyone proud through his achievements.
“The Prime Minister has taken serious notice of this inordinate delay and rest assured, it will be sorted out immediately, inshallah [god willing],” Tarar added.
He said Sharif had instructed authorities that such mistakes must never happen again.
“We regret this unjustified delay and the inconvenience caused,” he added.
Rind responded by thanking Tarar, saying he appreciated Sharif taking notice of the incident.
“Inshallah, with your support, we can continue to uplift and inspire the next generation of champions,” he wrote.
Rind, who hails from the impoverished southwestern Balochistan province, won his first martial arts title in 2011 after claiming victory in a provincial-level competition. His first national title came in 2019 when he triumphed at the National Games in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
During the two-and-a-half years of an undefeated Karate Combat career, Rind has fought fighters from North America, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, France and India.
Pakistan says wants ‘strongest relations’ with US despite iron-clad partnership with China
- Pakistan Deputy PM Dar says his Friday meeting with US secretary of state was “very cordial”
- Pakistan maintains a tricky balance in its relations with the US and its traditional rival, China
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Sunday Islamabad wished for “strongest relations” with the United States (US) despite enjoying an iron-clad partnership with Washington’s rival, Beijing.
Pakistan maintains a tricky balance in its relations with China and the US. While aligned with the US for military cooperation and counter-terrorism efforts, Islamabad has strengthened economic ties with Beijing through initiatives like the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Relations between Washington and Beijing have been strained over the past several years as both world powers compete for global influence in several domains. The US and China have disagreements over several issues such as trade, Taiwan, the South China Sea and China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
“Our government and we have emphasized and will continue to emphasize that our relations and iron-clad brother partnership with China, our relations [with the US] should not be looked at through that lens,” Dar, speaking to the Pakistani community in New York, said during a televised address.
“We want strongest relations with the United States of America as well.”
Dar pointed out that Islamabad, under the previous government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif from 2022-2023, had made it clear to Washington that this was its official policy. However, the Pakistani foreign minister said the Joe Biden administration did not engage with Islamabad.
“I’m glad that they [Trump administration] have actively engaged themselves with us,” Dar said.
Dar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Friday in a face-to-face meeting, during which the American official recognized Pakistan’s “constructive role” for peace in the region and worldwide.
The Pakistani deputy prime minister pointed out that this was the first time in nine years that the foreign ministers of the US and Pakistan had met each other.
“I would say the meeting was very cordial, we touched all the regional and global issues. We touched our bilateral issues,” he said.
Dar is currently on an eight-day visit to the US till July 28, where he kept a busy schedule in New York and chaired several high-profile United Nations Security Council meetings under Pakistan’s rotating presidency this month.
Pakistan reports three fresh polio cases, taking 2025 tally to 17
- Two polio cases reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one from southern Sindh province, say authorities
- Pakistan has witnessed worrying resurgence in polio recently, reporting 74 cases of the disease last year in 2024
KARACHI: Pakistani authorities on Sunday reported three new polio cases across the country, taking the 2025 tally to 17 amid Islamabad’s efforts to eliminate the disease.
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects young children and can cause permanent paralysis. There is no cure, but it can be prevented through multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and a complete routine immunization schedule, experts say.
Pakistan, one of only two countries in the world where polio remains endemic, the other being neighboring Afghanistan, has made significant gains in recent decades. Annual cases have fallen dramatically from an estimated 20,000 in the early 1990s to single digits by 2018.
However, the country has witnessed a worrying resurgence recently. Pakistan reported 74 cases in 2024, raising alarms among health officials and global partners supporting the eradication campaign. In contrast, only six cases were recorded in 2023 and just one in 2021.
“The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, has confirmed three new polio cases— two from the districts of Lakki Marwat and North Waziristan in South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one from District Umerkot in Sindh,” Pakistan’s National Emergencies Operation Center said.
The new cases include a 15-month-old girl from District Lakki Marwat, a six-month-old girl from North Waziristan district and a 60-month-old boy from District Umerkot, the statement said.
Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province has reported the highest number of polio cases this year, 10, followed by five from Sindh and one each from Punjab and northern Gilgit-Baltistan region.
The NEOC noted that despite “substantial progress” in polio eradication efforts, the new polio cases underscore the persistent risk to children, especially in areas where vaccine acceptance remains low.
“It is crucial for communities to understand that poliovirus can resurface wherever immunity gaps exist,” it said. “Every unvaccinated child is at risk and can also pose a risk to others.”
The NEOC said an anti-polio vaccination campaign is currently underway, which was launched from July21-27 in Pakistan’s union councils bordering Afghanistan.
It added that a polio vaccination campaign using doses of the IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine) and OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) was started in southwestern Balochistan’s Chaman District on July 21, adding that the same campaign will expand to six more districts in the province starting from July 28.
The NEOC urged parents to cooperate with frontline polio workers in getting children vaccinated.
“Communities can protect themselves by actively supporting vaccination efforts, addressing misinformation, and encouraging others to vaccinate their children,” it added.
Despite decades of effort, Pakistan’s polio eradication drive has faced persistent challenges, including misinformation about vaccines and resistance from conservative religious and militant groups who view immunization campaigns with suspicion.
Some clerics have claimed the vaccines are a Western conspiracy to sterilize Muslim children or part of intelligence operations.
Vaccination teams and police providing security have also been targeted in militant attacks, particularly in remote and conflict-affected areas of KP and Balochistan. These threats have at times forced the suspension of campaigns and restricted access to vulnerable populations.
