ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Monday the party was ready for political negotiations, whether it was with “humans or angels,” in a veiled reference to criticism that the outfit had rejected talks with the civilian government and only wanted to engage with representatives of the all-powerful military.
Khan, in jail since August last year on charges he says are trumped up to keep him out of power, has repeatedly offered to hold "conditional negotiations" with the military. He has described the army as the “actual decision-makers” in the country and refused to talk to what he calls the "puppet" coalition government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Critics have slammed Khan and his PTI party for their inflexibility on the issue, saying they are blocking attempts at reconciliation in a country that has been mired in political uncertainty since 2022, when Khan was ousted from power in a parliamentary no-trust vote.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Omar Ayub Khan, a close Khan aide and the leader of the opposition in the national assembly, said the PTI founder has given the go-ahead to form a negotiations committee comprising Omar and other senior PTI leaders like Hamid Raza, Salman Akram Rana, Ali Amin Gandapur and Asad Qaiser.
“We can have negotiations with anyone to bring stability to the country and bring down the political temperature,” Omar said, saying the main conditions for talks were the release of Khan and thousands of other PTI leaders and supporters who were in jail on “fake” charges.
He also called for judicial commissions to investigate protests on May 9 last year and Nov. 24 this year in which the government says PTI supporters partook in violence and caused vandalism.
“If that doesn't happen, then we are free to start a civil disobedience movement,” Omar said.
When asked if the PTI was open to talks with the government, the leader of the opposition replied:
“We are ready for negotiations, whether it is with humans or angels or whatever they are, we are ready for negotiations.”
In Pakistan, “angels” is a widely used euphemism to refer to the army and its intelligence agencies.
Pressure on the PTI, at loggerheads with the government and military for months, has increased since last month, when thousands of the party’s supporters stormed Islamabad, demanding Khan’s release from prison. The government says protesters killed four security officers in clashes while the PTI says at least 12 of its supporters died and "hundreds" were injured as security agencies used live ammunition rounds to disperse protesters, which authorities deny.
Party leaders have described the raid on the protest site as a “massacre,” with social media platforms awash with pictures and video footage that the government has called “fake propaganda” by PTI followers. The government also says there were no civilian casualties. The army was deployed by the government during the raid to disperse protesters, but authorities say only police and paramilitary troops participated while the military acted as a "third line of defense."
In the aftermath of the protests, the Sharif coalition government formed two task forces: one to identify and take legal action against rioters and another to track and bring to justice suspects behind what the government describes as a “malicious campaign” to spread “concocted, baseless and inciting” online news, images and video content against the state and security forces.
In a strongly worded statement released last week, the Pakistan army called on the government to take action against the rioters as well as those who had launched “fake” online campaigns against the state and its security agencies.
Khan, who remains a popular figure in Pakistan despite being in prison and facing several court cases, has led a campaign of unprecedented defiance against the Sharif coalition and the all-powerful military, which he accuses of being behind his ouster from office in 2022. The army denies it interferes in politics.
Party of Pakistan’s Imran Khan says ready for negotiations with ‘angels or humans’
https://arab.news/v7gvd
Party of Pakistan’s Imran Khan says ready for negotiations with ‘angels or humans’
- In Pakistan, “angels” is a widely used euphemism to refer to all-powerful army and its intelligence agencies
- Khan has said will hold “conditional talks” with army but refuses to sit down with “puppet” government
PM urges trickle-down effect of development schemes in insurgency-hit Balochistan
- Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but most impoverished province, has been the site of a long-running insurgency that has intensified in recent months
- PM Shehbaz Sharif says Balochistan will receive 25 percent share of Public Sector Development Program, which funds long-term projects, in the upcoming budget
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stressed the need to ensure a trickle-down effect of his government’s developmental initiatives in the southwestern Balochistan province, Sharif’s office said on Sunday, amid a surge in militant attacks in the region.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but most impoverished province, has been the site of a long-running insurgency that has intensified in recent months, with separatist militants attacking security forces, government officials and installations and people from other provinces who they see as “outsiders.”
The Pakistani government says it has launched several development schemes relating to infrastructure, health and education for some 15 million people of Balochistan, which is also home to deep seaport being built by China, gold, copper and coal mines, and has a long coast on the Arabian Sea.
Speaking to tribal elders during his visit to the provincial capital of Quetta, PM Sharif highlighted the series of developmental programs undertaken by his government for the prosperity of Balochistan and called on officials to ensure that their benefits reach the people of the southwestern Pakistani province.
“He praised the people of Balochistan for their historic role in safeguarding national unity and urged them to remain vigilant against foreign-backed subversion and sabotage orchestrated and sponsored by India,” Sharif’s office said.
“The jirga [council of tribal elders] concluded with a unanimous pledge from tribal elders to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Government of Pakistan and armed forces, reaffirming their commitment to the security, stability and development of Balochistan.”
Pakistan and India often accuse each other of supporting militancy. Islamabad blames India of backing the separatist insurgency in Balochistan as well as religiously motivated militant groups, like the Pakistani Taliban, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. India denies the allegations.
Sharif announced that Balochistan will receive 25 percent share from the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP), which funds infrastructure, energy, education and other long-term projects, in the upcoming budget.
“I think that PSDP will be of Rs1,000 billion [in the next budget],” he told the gathering. “So, out of this [amount], a fund of approximately Rs250 billion is for Balochistan alone. That is, 25 percent of the total federal PSDP for Balochistan.”
Addressing the challenge of militancy in the province, Sharif called for engagement at the grassroots level to ensure that militants find no social space.
“This was crucial for the success of counter terrorism efforts and for the long-term peace and stability,” he said.
On the occasion, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who accompanied the prime minister to Balochistan, emphasized that Pakistan’s army was fully alert and prepared to respond decisively to any threat.
“Peace in Balochistan is non-negotiable and that the future of Pakistan is directly linked to a stable, prosperous Balochistan,” he was quoted as saying by Sharif’s office.
Sharif also visited the military’s Command and Staff College in Quetta and addressed student officers and faculty, reflecting his government’s commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s defense institutions amidst evolving regional and internal security dynamics.
“The prime minister highlighted the critical importance of professional excellence, operational readiness, and strategic foresight in the face of emerging and hybrid threats, especially in sensitive regions like Balochistan,” Sharif’s office said.
Pakistan raises alarm over risks to Asia-Pacific stability amid India tensions
- Pakistan, India last month engaged in a worst standoff between them in decades that killed 70 people on both sides
- The conflict raised fears that it could spiral into a full-blown war and bring nuclear arsenals of the archrivals into play
ISLAMABAD: A top Pakistani general on Sunday raised alarmed over risks to Asia-Pacific stability in the absence of regional crisis management frameworks, amid prevailing tensions between Pakistan and India.
Pakistan and India last month engaged in a worst standoff between them in decades that saw the neighbors attack each other with jets, missiles, drones and artillery, killing around 70 people on both sides before the United States brokered a ceasefire on May 10.
The conflict, triggered by an attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Pahalgam town that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan, alarmed the world powers and raised fears that it could spiral into a full-blown war and bring the archfoes’ nuclear arsenals into play.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security meeting in Singapore, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairman, said the recent India-Pakistan conflict underscored how crisis management frameworks remained “hostage to countries’ belligerence.”
“The recent standoff amply underlines significance of maintaining open channels of communications to avert crises as and when they erupt. Post-Pahalgam [attack], the threshold of an escalatory war has come dangerously low, implying greater risk on both sides, just not in the disputed territory, but all of India and all of Pakistan,” he said.
“In future, given the Indian policies and polities’ extremist mindset, absence of a crisis management mechanism may not give enough time to the global powers to intervene and effect cessation of hostilities.”
Bitter rivals India and Pakistan have fought three wars, including two over the disputed region of Kashmir, since gaining independence from British rule in 1947.
Before the conflict, both nations unleashed a raft of punitive measures against each other, with India suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty that ensures water for 80 percent of Pakistani farms and Pakistan closing its airspace to Indian airlines. India has said the treaty would remain in abeyance.
Gen Mirza said New Delhi’s move to suspend the treaty is in “total defiance of the international laws, since it is an existential threat for the people of Pakistan.”
“If there is any effort to stop, divert or delay Pakistan’s share of water, as clearly spelt out by our National Security Committee, it could be considered as an act of war,” he added.
Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to establish ‘mutual trust’ amid improving bilateral ties
- Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar speaks to Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi on the telephone
- Both agree to work to finalize framework agreement for Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) railway project
ISLAMABAD: The foreign ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan on Sunday agreed to continue working to establish “mutual trust” between the two nations, Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement, amid recent improvement in ties between Kabul and Islamabad.
Pakistan and Afghanistan this week agreed to upgrade diplomatic relations, with Islamabad announcing it would elevate its chargé d’affaires in Kabul to ambassadorial rank. Kabul said it would reciprocate the move.
Ties between the two countries have been tense in recent years, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan’s Taliban administration of harboring militants involved in cross-border attacks, leading to a deportation drive against undocumented Afghan nationals. Kabul has criticized Pakistan’s deportation drive and denied its nationals are involved in crimes on Pakistani soil.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke to Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on the phone to discuss diplomatic relations between the two countries on Sunday. Muttaqi, according to Pakistan’s foreign office, informed Dar that Afghanistan has decided to reciprocate Islamabad’s gesture to upgrade diplomatic relations to the ambassador level, terming it a “very positive development.”
“Both leaders also reviewed the implementation of decisions taken during DPM/FM’s visit to Kabul on 19 April 2025 and vowed to continue working together to establish mutual trust between the two brotherly nations,” the Pakistani foreign office said.
Efforts to ease tensions between the two countries also gained momentum in recent months. During a trilateral meeting with Chinese officials in Beijing in May, Pakistan and Afghanistan had announced plans to exchange ambassadors.
Afghan authorities said this week Muttaqi is due to visit Pakistan “in the coming days.”
The two officials also spoke about the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Line Project. Dar spoke to his Uzbek counterpart on Saturday to discuss the UAP, including the framework agreement and its signing mechanism.
“Emphasizing the importance of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Line Project for regional connectivity, both leaders agreed to work closely for an early finalization of the framework agreement,” the foreign office said.
The UAP railway is a trilateral initiative aimed at enhancing regional connectivity by linking Central Asia with Pakistan’s southern ports of Gwadar and Karachi through Afghanistan.
Envisioned in 2021, the project is expected to improve trade access for landlocked countries and bolster economic integration in the region.
Pakistan says Makkah Route Initiative to be extended to other cities for next year’s Hajj
- Pakistani religious affairs minister meets Saudi minister for Hajj to discuss pilgrimage arrangements
- Makkah Route Initiative enables pilgrims to complete travel formalities at their departure airports
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf announced on Sunday that the Makkah Route Initiative facility will be extended to other cities of the country for next year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
The Makkah Route Initiative is designed to streamline immigration processes by enabling pilgrims to complete official travel formalities at their departure airports. Initially tested in Islamabad in 2019, the program was later expanded to Karachi, benefitting tens of thousands of Pakistani travelers. This saves pilgrims several hours upon arrival in the Kingdom, as they can simply enter the country without having to go through immigration again.
Yousaf met Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Pakistan’s religion ministry said on Sunday, to discuss Hajj 2025 arrangements in the Kingdom.
“The scope of the Road to Makkah project will be extended to other cities of Pakistan for the next (2026) Hajj,” Yousaf was quoted as saying by the ministry.
He thanked the Saudi government for introducing “innovations and new facilities” every year for the convenience of Hajj pilgrims, including those from Pakistan.
“The best facilities of food, transport and accommodation are being provided to Pakistani pilgrims,” Yousaf said.
As per the Pakistani religion ministry, Al-Rabiah said the Kingdom would provide the best possible facilities to Pakistani pilgrims at Mina and Arafah.
“A large number of pilgrims come from Pakistan, it is an honor to serve them,” the Saudi minister was quoted as saying.
This year, the Hajj rituals will commence on June 4, with the Day of Arafah on June 5, and Eid Al-Adha observed on June 6 in Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan on Saturday successfully concluded its 33-day pre-Hajj flight operation, with more than 115,000 pilgrims transported to Saudi Arabia ahead of this year’s pilgrimage.
Pakistan, UK agree to increase cooperation at multilateral fora
- Pakistan foreign minister speaks to British Foreign Secretary David Lammy over the phone
- Both agree to meet on sidelines of high-level UN events later this month, says state media
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his British counterpart David Lammy on Sunday agreed to enhance cooperation in multilateral fora, particularly the UN Security Council, state-run media reported.
Pakistan and the UK enjoy cordial relations. These ties have translated into the two nations harboring cooperation in military, economic, and educational sectors, with the latter hosting a large Pakistani diaspora.
The conversation between the two diplomats follows Lammy’s first official visit to Pakistan last month, where he met the country’s top officials following Pakistan’s dangerous military standoff with nuclear-armed rival India.
“They exchanged views on further enhancing bilateral cooperation in multilateral fora, particularly at the UN Security Council,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
The state media said both leaders agreed to maintain contact. They also agreed to meet on the sidelines of the high-level events scheduled to be held later this month at the United Nations, New York, the state broadcaster said.
The UK is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council along with China, US, Russia and France.
The Security Council seeks to maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles of the UN and investigates any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction.
The UK was one of several countries actively engaged in restoring calm between India and Pakistan after the two neighbors were engaged in conflict for four days last month.
India blamed Pakistan for being involved in an April 22 attack on a tourist resort in the part of Kashmir administered by Delhi. Islamabad denied involvement and called for an international probe into the incident.
After India struck multiple Pakistani sites on May 6 with missiles, describing them as “terrorist camps,” the two sides traded missiles, artillery and drone strikes for four days before Washington brokered a ceasefire between the two on May 10.
Tensions between both nations continue to persist, with Pakistan warning it would respond to any further violations of its sovereignty by India.
