Pakistan’s army chief visits Afghanistan, discusses peace process with President Ghani

Pakistan's Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, left, meets Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul, Afghanistan, on May 10, 2021. (Picture courtesy: @ARG_AFG/Twitter)
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Updated 11 May 2021
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Pakistan’s army chief visits Afghanistan, discusses peace process with President Ghani

  • President Ghani thanked Gen Bajwa for a meaningful discussion and “appreciated Pakistan’s sincere & positive role in Afghan Peace Process”
  • Pakistan’s foreign office on Monday welcomed a three-day cease-fire during the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr holiday announced by the Afghan Taliban

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Kabul on Monday where he held meetings with President Ashraf Ghani and Chairman of the Afghan High Council for National Reconciliation Dr. Abdullah Abdullah to discuss intra-Afghan peace talks, said the military’s media wing, ISPR, in a statement.




Pakistan's army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, left, shakes hands with Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, on his arrival in Kabul, Afghanistan, on May 10, 2021. (Sapidar Palace via AP)

Gen Bajwa reiterated that a peaceful Afghanistan means a peaceful region in general and a peaceful Pakistan in particular. “We will always support ‘Afghan led-Afghan Owned’ Peace Process based on mutual consensus of all stakeholders,” he was quoted as saying by the ISPR.

Military statement added that Afghan President Ghani thanked Gen Bajwa for a meaningful discussion and “appreciated Pakistan’s sincere & positive role in Afghan Peace Process.”

Bajwa undertook his visit to Afghanistan at a time when it is witnessing increased militant violence against its security forces and civilian population, making regional actors urge the Taliban insurgents to abandon violence and create a more conducive environment for peace talks with the administration in Kabul.

The United States has already started pulling out its troops from the war-battered country and is likely to complete the process by the 20th anniversary of September 11 this year.

Bajwa also met Britain’s Chief of Defense Staff General Nicholas Patrick Carter in Kabul, who was also present at his meeting with the Afghan president.

“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security situation, particularly current developments in Afghan peace process and measures to further enhance bilateral and defense cooperation, were discussed,” the ISPR said.

The statement added that General Carter “appreciated Pakistan’s sincere efforts for peace and stability in the region, especially the Afghan peace process.”

Pakistan also welcomed the Taliban announcement on Monday to declare a three-day cease-fire in Afghanistan during this week’s Eid Al-Fitr holiday.

Eid Al-Fitr marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, and the holiday begins after the crescent is sighted for the next month on Islamic lunar calendar.

“We welcome the three-day cease-fire announcement for Eid-ul-Fitr by Taliban,” Pakistan’s foreign office said in a tweet.

It added: “We fully support all efforts that lead to reduction in violence and contribute to achieving durable stability & lasting peace in Afghanistan.”

 

The cease-fire announcement from the Taliban came only two days after a bomb attack on a girls’ schools in Afghanistan on Saturday that killed about 60 people, mostly young schoolgirls.

The Taliban condemned the deadly bomb blast outside the school and denied any responsibility.


Pakistan face fifth bowler dilemma ahead of West Indies decider

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Pakistan face fifth bowler dilemma ahead of West Indies decider

  • Pakistan’s part-time Saim Ayub, Salman Agha dup conceded combined 66 runs in seven wicketless overs
  • Pakistan, who won preceding T20 series 2-1, are currently tied with West Indies in three-match ODIs 1-1

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan acknowledged a dilemma over the fifth bowler and said they would take a late decision on their team combination for Tuesday’s series decider following their defeat in the second one-day international on Sunday.

Pakistan, who won the opening ODI by five wickets, posted a competitive 171-7 in 37 overs in a rain-truncated match but West Indies prevailed by five wickets to draw level in the three-match series.

Pakistan’s part-time duo of Saim Ayub and Salman Agha conceded a combined 66 runs in seven wicketless overs as West Indies cruised home.

“You could say our fifth bowler gave away too many runs but in recent years, Salman Agha and Saim Ayub have both bowled well for us,” Rizwan said after the match.

“Saim didn’t have the best day today, but he performed well in the T20Is. That’s just part of the game.”

Rizwan said they could not read the conditions and several rain delays did not help their cause.

“Honestly, the weather forecast has been completely different from expectations, and it’s hard to read.

“We’re keeping our options open and will finalize the XI after assessing the conditions.”

Pakistan had won the preceding Twenty20 series 2-1. 


Pakistan offers assistance as 6.1 magnitude quake flattens buildings in Türkiye’s Balikesir province

Updated 28 min 35 sec ago
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Pakistan offers assistance as 6.1 magnitude quake flattens buildings in Türkiye’s Balikesir province

  • One person killed, over 29 injured as 16 buildings collapse in Balikesir province, says Turkish interior minister
  • In 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed over 53,000, destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings


ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday expressed deep concern at a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that flattened buildings in Türkiye’s Balikesir province, saying that Pakistan stands ready to offer any assistance to Ankara. 

Türkiye’s disaster management agency said the quake was recorded at around 19:53 local time (16:53 GMT) on Sunday evening and was felt as far away as Istanbul. An 81-year-old woman passed away shortly after she was pulled from the rubble in the town of Sindirgi, which was the epicenter of the quake, Türkiye’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said.

He said 16 buildings had collapsed in the province due to the tremors, injuring around 29. None of the injured were critically wounded, Yerlikaya said. 

“Deeply concerned by the earthquake in Turkiye’s Balıkesir province,” Sharif wrote on social media platform X. “I convey my heartfelt sympathies to my dear brother, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and assure him that Pakistan stands ready to extend all possible assistance.”

Television footage showed rescue teams asking for silence so they can listen for signs of life beneath the rubble. Türkiye’s disaster management agency said the earthquake was followed by several aftershocks, including one measuring 4.6 magnitude, and urged citizens not to enter damaged buildings.

President Erdogan issued a statement following the earthquake, wishing all affected citizens a speedy recovery.

“May god protect our country from any kind of disaster,” the Turkish president wrote on X.

Türkiye sits on top of major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent. In 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed more than 53,000 people in Türkiye and destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings in 11 southern and southeastern provinces.

Another 6,000 people were killed in the northern parts of Syria.


Pakistan begins second phase of receiving Hajj 2026 applications

Updated 11 August 2025
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Pakistan begins second phase of receiving Hajj 2026 applications

  • Pakistan’s religion ministry received over 71,000 applications in first phase of Hajj form submissions
  • Hajj 2026 applications containing first installment of expenses will be accepted until August 16

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government has started the second phase of receiving applications for Hajj 2026, the spokesperson of the religious affairs ministry said on Monday, as Islamabad undertakes preparations for next year’s annual Islamic pilgrimage. 

Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs received more than 71,000 applications in the first phase of Hajj form submissions, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Saturday.

Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims for 2026, with 129,210 seats allocated for the government scheme and the rest for private tour operators.

“The second phase of receiving Hajj applications has begun,” the religious affairs ministry spokesperson said. “Hajj applications are being accepted through the ministry’s online portal and designated banks.”

The spokesperson said applications containing the first installment of Hajj expenses will be accepted until August 16. He said unregistered Hajj pilgrims will also be allowed to submit their applications during the second round of submissions. 

“Overseas Pakistanis can also apply for Hajj through a close relative via designated banks,” the spokesperson said. “Medical fitness certificates for overseas applicants must be submitted upon arrival in Pakistan.”

The ministry said the government will stop accepting Hajj applications as soon as the quota for intending pilgrims is filled. 

Under the government scheme, Pakistani pilgrims can choose between a long Hajj package of 38 to 42 days or a short package of 20 to 25 days, with costs estimated between Rs1.15 million and Rs1.25 million ($4,050-$4,236).

Saudi Arabia approved the same overall quota for Pakistan in 2025, but a significant portion of the private allocation went unused due to delays by tour operators in meeting payment and registration deadlines, while the government fulfilled its share of over 88,000 pilgrims.

Private operators blamed the shortfall on technical issues, including payment processing and communication problems.
 


PM Sharif, president vow to promote religious freedom as Pakistan marks Minorities Day

Updated 11 August 2025
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PM Sharif, president vow to promote religious freedom as Pakistan marks Minorities Day

  • Pakistan observes Aug. 11 every year to highlight the contributions of religious minorities to the nation’s progress
  • There have been several instances of mob violence against religious minorities in Muslim-majority Pakistan in recent years

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari vowed to promote religious freedom and interfaith harmony to build an inclusive society, as Pakistan marks the National Minorities Day today, Monday. 

Pakistan observes the National Minorities Day every year on Aug. 11 since 2009, when the Pakistani government established it with the aim of recognizing the contributions of religious minorities to the nation’s progress.

According to the latest digital census conducted in 2023, over 96 percent of Pakistan’s population is Muslim, with the remaining four percent comprising 5.2 million Hindus, 3.3 million Christians, 15,992 Sikhs and others. 

There have been dozens of instances of mob violence against religious minorities in Pakistan in recent years, including an attack on Christians in Jaranwala, a town in Punjab province, where churches, homes and businesses were set ablaze in August 2023. In the southern Sindh province, Hindus have frequently complained about forced conversions, particularly of young girls within their community, and attacks on temples. 

“Today, the entire nation, including me, is celebrating National Minorities Day to protect the rights of minorities and appreciate their key role in the country’s development and progress,” Sharif was quoted as saying by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). 

“Today, we renew our pledge to always strive for religious freedom and equal rights of minorities in the light of the teachings of the founder of Pakistan and Islamic teachings.”

The Pakistani prime minister said that the welfare of all minorities, whether they be Sikhs, Christians, Hindus or Parsis, is one of the “priority duties” of the government.

In his message on the occasion, the Pakistani president vowed to safeguard and advance the rights of minorities in the country. 

“This day reflects Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of a Pakistan where every citizen lives in equality, harmony, and mutual respect,” the president secretariat press wing said in a press release.

Zardari said Pakistan’s constitution guarantees equal rights to all citizens, irrespective of religion, caste, creed, or color. He added that it also safeguarded the legitimate interests of minorities, ensuring their political, economic, religious, social, and cultural rights.

“Pakistan stands resolutely against all forms of discrimination, extremism, and religious intolerance,” he said. “We remain determined to build a society free from prejudice— one that embraces diversity as a strength and is anchored in mutual respect, interfaith harmony, and shared progress.”

Every year, a range of events, discussions, and communal assemblies are organized by the government through the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, and various minority communities to observe the day.


Trade deals with Saudi, US, UAE to boost Pakistan economy, promote cooperation – army chief

Updated 11 August 2025
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Trade deals with Saudi, US, UAE to boost Pakistan economy, promote cooperation – army chief

  • Field Marshal Asim Munir is on his second visit to the US in two months 
  • During his last visit, he had an unprecedented White House meeting with Trump 

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has said memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed with Saudi Arabia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and China were being implemented to promote economic cooperation and attract investment, state-run media reported on Sunday.

Pakistan has recently inked a series of agreements aimed at boosting trade, economic cooperation and bilateral investment with China, the US, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the Central Asian republics as the country seeks to stabilize an economy weakened by a prolonged balance of payments crisis.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia last year signed 34 MoUs worth $2.8 billion, seven of which have since been converted into agreements valued at $560 million. The UAE, Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the US, has also pledged $10 billion in future investments in priority sectors. Islamabad and Washington also recently finalized a trade agreement under which a 19 percent tariff was imposed on a wide range of Pakistani goods, the lowest rate in the South Asian region. 

“Various Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are being implemented with the US, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and China, which will promote economic cooperation and investment,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported, quoting Munir as saying while speaking to members of the Pakistani community in the United States during an official visit.

Munir arrived in the US last week to attend the retirement ceremony of the outgoing US Central Command chief and meet senior American political and military leaders.

This is the army chief’s second visit to the US in two months. During his last visit in June, he had an unprecedented lunch meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.

Munir described his latest trip as marking “a new dimension” in US ties. “He said the aim of these visits is to take the relations on a constructive, sustainable and positive trajectory,” Radio Pakistan said.

Pakistan was “extremely grateful” to Trump, whose “strategic leadership not only stopped the India-Pakistan war but also prevented many wars in the world,” Munir added, referring to its latest conflict with New Delhi in May. 

The army chief also commented on the conflict in the Middle East, calling the situation in Gaza “a worst human tragedy that has serious implications at both the global and regional levels,” according to the state broadcaster.