Iran expressed rare gratitude to Pakistan amid recent Israel war — PM Sharif

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Updated 26 June 2025
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Iran expressed rare gratitude to Pakistan amid recent Israel war — PM Sharif

Iran expressed rare gratitude to Pakistan amid recent Israel war — PM Sharif
  • Shehbaz Sharif acknowledges Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's ‘significant role’ in defusing tensions
  • He also highlights Field Marshal Asim Munir’s lengthy meetings with the top American and Iranian officials

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed satisfaction over the ceasefire that brought an end to the recent Israel-Iran conflict, saying Tehran had thanked Pakistan’s political and military leadership for playing a constructive role during the war after Field Marshal Asim Munir’s meetings with both American and Iranian officials.

The 12-day war began after Israel carried out airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, killing several senior military commanders and scientists, while officials in Tehran were engaged in nuclear negotiations with the United States.

Shortly before the ceasefire was announced, US forces struck three Iranian nuclear sites and claimed to have set back Iran’s nuclear program by years.

“For the first time in history — and I am not just talking about the war itself, but on several fronts — Iran openly thanked Pakistan’s political and military leadership in a way that, in my view, has no precedent in recent times,” Sharif told the federal cabinet.

“Our Field Marshal had a luncheon meeting in Washington with President [Donald] Trump,” he continued. “Then in Istanbul, the army chief had a one-and-a-half-hour meeting with [Iranian Foreign Minister] Abbas Araghchi.




In this handout photo, taken and released by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting of the Federal Cabinet at the Parliament House in Islamabad on June 26, 2025. (Photo courtesy: Handout/PMO)

During that meeting, he specified Pakistan’s efforts. In response, he [Araghchi] said … ‘We [Iranians] were not the ones who attacked… If Israel stops, then we are ready for dialogue.’”

The prime minister said Pakistan also condemned the missile attacks on US bases in Qatar and had conveyed its position clearly to all sides.

He described Iran’s posture during the war as one of “dignity and restraint,” praising the Iranian people for refusing to capitulate under pressure.

Sharif said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also played a significant role in defusing tensions.

“I had a phone conversation with the Crown Prince,” he said. “We spoke in great detail. And I say this to you with full sincerity: he played a significant role in helping to stop this war.”

“As soon as Israel launched its attack, Saudi Arabia issued a strong statement of condemnation,” he added. “After that, the Crown Prince personally spoke to the President of Iran [Masoud Pezeshkian].”

As the ceasefire continues to hold between the two Middle Eastern rivals, President Trump has said American and Iranian officials could engage in talks next week, though Tehran has not confirmed any such plans.

Trump, speaking at a NATO summit, said he was not keen to resume formal negotiations but declared the war was over and insisted Iran would not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.

Iran’s parliament, meanwhile, voted to fast-track legislation suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, following US strikes on its nuclear facilities.

With input from AP


Pakistan says citizens can register for Hajj 2026 through online portal, 15 designated banks

Pakistan says citizens can register for Hajj 2026 through online portal, 15 designated banks
Updated 8 sec ago
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Pakistan says citizens can register for Hajj 2026 through online portal, 15 designated banks

Pakistan says citizens can register for Hajj 2026 through online portal, 15 designated banks
  • Religion ministry advises overseas Pakistanis holding Pakistani passport to complete registration through online portal at the earliest
  • Pilgrims can register for Hajj next year till July 9, says ministry, after which they can choose to opt for government or private scheme

ISLAMABAD: The registration process for Hajj 2026 is underway, Pakistan’s religion ministry said on Wednesday, informing citizens that they can do so via its online portal and 15 designated banks across the country. 

Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) said last week it has begun the registration process for next year’s Hajj pilgrimage. After the registration, which will continue till July 9, pilgrims will be able to opt for government or private Hajj scheme. No fee will have to be paid for Hajj registration.

“Overseas Pakistanis holding a valid Pakistani passport are also advised to complete their registration through the online portal as soon as possible,” MoRA said in a statement. 

The ministry further said it was mandatory for anyone who intended to travel from Pakistan for the pilgrimage to get themselves registered.

“The costs of the Hajj package and other terms and conditions will be announced separately in accordance with the Hajj Policy 2026,” the statement said. 

Pakistan received a quota of 179,210 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2025, which was evenly divided between government and private Hajj operators.

While the government filled its full allocation of over 88,000 pilgrims, a major portion of the private quota remained unutilized due to delays by companies in meeting payment and registration deadlines.

Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the religious affairs ministry to begin preparations for the 2026 Hajj immediately, calling for urgent reforms to the country’s private Hajj scheme.


Pakistan issues fresh flood, GLOF alert as monsoon rains kill 64 this week 

Pakistan issues fresh flood, GLOF alert as monsoon rains kill 64 this week 
Updated 40 min 5 sec ago
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Pakistan issues fresh flood, GLOF alert as monsoon rains kill 64 this week 

Pakistan issues fresh flood, GLOF alert as monsoon rains kill 64 this week 
  • Southwest monsoon system, coupled with westerly wave, expected to enter country from July 5 onwards
  • NDMA warns of glacial lake outburst floods, landslides in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa areas 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a fresh warning regarding flash floods and glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) events on Wednesday citing severe weather conditions, as heavy monsoon rains killed 63 across the country in one week. 

According to the NDMA, the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province reported the highest number of casualties due to rain-related incidents since June 26, 22, followed by Punjab with 21, Sindh with 15 and five in Balochistan. At least 113 were injured throughout the country, among them 45 children, 37 men and 31 women. 

The disaster management authority has warned provincial and local authorities to stay on high alert throughout the monsoon season, particularly in mountainous and low-lying areas, as heavy rains continue to batter parts of Punjab and KP. A deadly flash flood last week in the northwestern Swat Valley swept away 17 members of a single tourist family during a sudden rise in water levels. Twelve bodies have been recovered so far, according to rescue officials, with search operations ongoing for the remaining person. 

“National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) of NDMA has issued multiple impact-based weather alerts for various regions of Pakistan in light of forecasted severe weather conditions expected from 2nd to 8th July 2025,” the NDMA said. “These alerts highlight the growing risk of flash floods, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and urban flooding in different parts of the country.”

The NDMA said low to moderate rainfall is likely to continue until July 5, after which an active southwest monsoon system, coupled with a westerly wave, is expected to enter the country and generate moderate to heavy rainfall and localized thunderstorms.

“The most affected regions are upper catchments of major rivers including Central and Lower Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and the northeastern parts of Punjab, particularly Lahore,” the authority said. 

It warned of increased river flows across the country, River Kabul in particular and warning that inflows into Tarbela Dam may reach the low flood limit. The NDMA said flash floods in riverine areas, especially where nullahs and local streams converge, may pose threats to nearby settlements. 

“Simultaneously, the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and landslides has increased in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where ongoing high temperatures have accelerated glacier and snow melt,” the NDMA said.

“The situation is further aggravated by incoming moist currents and rainfall. Vulnerable glacial valleys and narrow mountain passes may face sudden GLOF events, flash floods, road blockages, and disruptions to infrastructure and tourism.”

The NDMA warned that in northeastern Punjab, including Lahore, Sialkot, and Narowal districts, local nullahs such as Aik, Deg, Bein, Basantar, and Palku may overflow, causing waterlogging and urban flooding in low-lying neighborhoods. In D.G. Khan and Rajanpur, hill torrents may also be activated, causing localized low-level flooding.

The authority urged the public to take precautionary measures, warning residents against unnecessary travel.

“Tourists are advised against visiting high-altitude and glacial regions during this period,” it said. “Municipal and district administrations are instructed to ensure readiness of flood response teams, clearing of storm water drains and nullahs, and maintaining rapid response capabilities.”

Pakistan, home to over 240 million people, is one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, facing increasingly frequent and intense weather events such as heatwaves, droughts and torrential rains.

In 2022, a combination of heavy monsoon rains and glacial melt caused catastrophic floods that killed more than 1,700 people and caused damage estimated at over $33 billion.


Roadside bomb kills assistant commissioner, four others in northwest Pakistan

Roadside bomb kills assistant commissioner, four others in northwest Pakistan
Updated 02 July 2025
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Roadside bomb kills assistant commissioner, four others in northwest Pakistan

Roadside bomb kills assistant commissioner, four others in northwest Pakistan
  • Police say an IED targeted the assistant commissioner’s vehicle in Bajaur district
  • Eleven others were injured and shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Khar

PESHAWAR: A senior administration official and two police personnel were among five people killed in a roadside blast in Pakistan’s northwestern Bajaur district on Wednesday, police confirmed, in yet another suspected militant attack in the country’s tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

The improvised explosive device (IED) targeted the vehicle of Assistant Commissioner Faisal Sultan, a top local administrator, near Meena Ground in Khar, Bajaur’s district headquarters, according to a senior police officer in the area.

“An IED bomb blast targeted the vehicle of the Assistant Commissioner of Nawagai,” District Police Officer Waqas Rafiq told Arab News over the phone. “As a result of the blast, four government officials and a civilian were martyred.”

Sharing the details, Rafiq said Sultan died in the blast along with Tehsildar Wakeel Khan, police constable Rasheed, Levies official Noor Hakeem and an unidentified civilian.

Eleven others were also injured and shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Khar, he added.

No group has claimed responsibility so far, though suspicion is likely to fall on Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has a history of carrying out attacks on police and security personnel, government functionaries and civilians in the northwestern regions.

Militant violence has surged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in recent years, particularly in the tribal districts.

Bajaur, which is one of these districts, has also remained prone to militant attacks in the past, especially during the period when US and NATO forces were active across the border after the 9/11 attacks.

Last week, 13 Pakistani soldiers were killed in a suicide bombing on a military convoy in Mir Ali, North Waziristan.

The country’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, visited the site and later attended the funeral prayers for the slain troops, vowing retribution.


Islamabad Traffic Police deploys drones to monitor highways, enforce road laws

Islamabad Traffic Police deploys drones to monitor highways, enforce road laws
Updated 02 July 2025
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Islamabad Traffic Police deploys drones to monitor highways, enforce road laws

Islamabad Traffic Police deploys drones to monitor highways, enforce road laws
  • The new surveillance system will initially focus on Islamabad Expressway and Srinagar Highway
  • A senior police official says drone surveillance will help reduce violations, ease traffic congestion

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has launched drone surveillance on two of the capital’s busiest roads, the Islamabad Expressway and Srinagar Highway, to monitor traffic and enforce road laws in a bid to ensure smoother vehicular flow, state media reported on Wednesday.

The move builds on existing measures such as Safe City cameras and camera-equipped patrol cars, but marks the first time drones are being deployed as a frontline tool to capture real-time violations and assist in traffic management from the air.

“This initiative is a major step forward in our efforts to bring more discipline to Islamabad’s roads,” the Associated Press of Pakistan quoted Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Captain (r) Syed Zeeshan Haider as saying.

“By utilizing drone surveillance, we aim to reduce violations, ease traffic congestion and ensure the safety of all road user,” he added.

Haider said drone technology was being introduced first on the two main arteries, both prone to frequent violations and rush-hour bottlenecks. In the next phase, its coverage would be expanded to additional sectors and key routes across the city.

Besides flagging traffic violations, the drones will also be used to identify areas with severe congestion, allowing the ITP to respond swiftly by deploying special teams to manage traffic and prevent prolonged delays.

“This move is part of our broader strategy to modernize policing and ensure that traffic laws are strictly enforced,” Haider said.
 


Pakistan court dismisses plea to file criminal case against Donald Trump over Iran strikes

Pakistan court dismisses plea to file criminal case against Donald Trump over Iran strikes
Updated 02 July 2025
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Pakistan court dismisses plea to file criminal case against Donald Trump over Iran strikes

Pakistan court dismisses plea to file criminal case against Donald Trump over Iran strikes
  • Petitioner claimed US airstrikes caused mental distress in Pakistan, court says matter outside jurisdiction
  • Legal experts say petition lacked merit, proper forum to approach would be international court

KARACHI: A local court in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking the registration of a criminal case against US President Donald Trump over recent American airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, ruling that the matter fell outside its jurisdiction.

The plea was filed on June 24 by Advocate Jamshed Ali Khowaja, who claimed to represent hundreds of members of the International Lawyers Forum (ILF). His counsel, Jafar Abbas Jafri, argued that the June 21–22 strikes by US B-2 bombers triggered panic and psychological trauma across Pakistan, including among lawyers.

“A case can be filed where the crime occurred and where its effects were felt. The effects were felt across the country, including within the limits of Docks Police Station,” Jafri told the court during Tuesday’s hearing.

He also alleged that suspicious US naval activity near Pakistan’s coastal belt intensified public fear, saying the attack “has caused mental stress and terrorized millions, including my client.”

However, the judge questioned whether the matter was justiciable in Pakistan.

“This happened outside Pakistan’s territory,” the judge remarked. “If anything happens anywhere in the world, should Pakistani courts take up every such case?”

On Wednesday, after hearing arguments on maintainability, the court dismissed the petition.

Legal experts earlier told Arab News the petition had little merit under Pakistani law.

“Donald Trump is the president of a country, and no direct harm was caused to Pakistani citizens or lawyers,” said senior lawyer Shaukat Hayat.

“Tomorrow if someone moves a US court to register a case against the Pakistani premier, will the US court order registering a case against our PM?”

Ali Ahmed Palh, another senior lawyer, called the petition an attention-seeking move.

“The right proper forum for such complaints can be the International Criminal Court,” he said. “Pakistani courts have no jurisdiction over such cases.”