A Pakistani automotive manufacturer has opened up a manufacturing plant in the Philippines, it emerged on Friday.

In a post on the social media platform X, the Pakistan embassy in the Southeast Asian country said: “Pakistan-made three-wheelers have entered the Philippine market!”

It said that Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr inaugurated the assembly plant of Pakistan’s Sazgar Engineering Works Limited.

It highlighted that, facilitated by the embassy, the manufacturer was introducing its “passenger, commercial three-wheelers and electric vehicles” in the Philippines.

According to the official website of the Philippine president, the plant was inaugurated on Thursday.

It quoted him as saying that the inauguration of the plant marked “an important step in our journey to strengthen our country’s manufacturing sector and advancing the transition to cleaner, more sustainable transportation”.

He said that the plant was designed to assemble approximately 12,000 three-wheeled vehicles annually, covering both electric and internal combustion engines.

“Sazgar has been building vehicles in Pakistan for over three decades. When it chose its first home outside of Pakistan and its hub for all of Southeast Asia, it chose the Philippines. It placed its confidence in our country,” he said.

According to the company’s website, Sazgar is a public limited company headquartered in Lahore. It exports three-wheelers and parts to over 20 countries, including Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka and Nigeria.

Pakistan’s armed forces targeted and destroyed several Afghan Taliban posts and military positions in areas adjacent to South Waziristan and Parachinar, state media reported on Friday, citing security sources.

According to state-run Radio Pakistan, the army “gave a befitting reply to unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban along the Pak-Afghan border in the Angoor Adda area” on Tuesday.

“Using heavy weaponry, the Pakistan Army forced Afghan Taliban personnel to abandon their posts and flee,” the report said.

Citing reports, it added that several Afghan Taliban regime personnel were also killed during the operation.

“Security forces remain committed to the defence of the country and the protection of its people and there will be no compromise on national security,” the report said.

On Tuesday, Afghan security forces opened unprovoked fire on Pakistan Army border posts and residential areas in the Angoor Adda border area, which claimed the life of one local and injured a family of five.

According to officials, the firing originated from posts located inside Afghan territory and targeted Pakistani border posts with sniper, small and heavy weapons.

Sources said that Pakistani forces launched an immediate and effective retaliatory action, engaging multiple Afghan Taliban border posts, mortar positions and defensive bunkers with small and heavy arms, including artillery.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had condemned the firing, asserting that Pakistan would “never tolerate” attacks on its people or violations of its sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Pakistan had also dismissed a statement by Afghanistan’s defence ministry regarding the incident that claimed that Pakistan was the aggressor, terming it a “fabrication of lies”.

The border at Angoor Adda is one of the most important and sensitive crossings along the Pak-Afghan border, serving as a key trade route and one of the main points of public movement between the two countries.

Pak-Afghan tensions

Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban administration in Kabul to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan soil, particularly those linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, that are used for attacks in Pakistan. Officials say those appeals have gone unheeded.

September witnessed another bout of conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

On Sept 21, in response to recent major terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan conducted “calibrated” airstrikes in the border region with Afghanistan against terrorist hideouts, with the government saying more than 28 terrorists were killed.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar described the action as part of Operation Ghazab lil Haq, which was launched on the night of Feb 26 in response to unprovoked cross-border firing by the Afghan Taliban.

Days later, Pakistan shot down eight drones launched from across the border that had entered Pakistani airspace near the Torkham border and Kohat. It was also reported that the Afghan Taliban engaged in unprovoked firing the night before near Kurram as security forces foiled an attempt by terrorists to cross into Pakistan.

In retaliation for the drone incursion, Pakistan conducted “precision aerial and drone strikes” in 10 locations across Afghanistan.

A demarche was also delivered to the Afghan side on Sept 26 on account of the Sept 23 airspace violation by drones, the Foreign Office said.

On Oct 1, Pakistan again carried out “well-planned and calibrated” airstrikes against terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan, the information ministry said, adding that the strikes resulted in the deaths of “multiple terrorists”.

Around mid-October, the state media reported that security forces had again responded to unprovoked firing by Afghan Taliban forces along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in KP’s Upper Kurram.

It quoted security sources as saying that several personnel of the Afghan Taliban were “reportedly killed during the Pakistan Army’s retaliatory action along the Ghuzgarhi border”. The sources further said that in the Upper Kurram sector, the army targeted the Afghan Taliban’s Topsar post and Shipola base camp with artillery fire, reportedly completely destroying the latter.

The border skirmishes came a day after the Foreign Office said that talks with Afghanistan could not be unconditional, but also rejected suggestions that Islamabad was unwilling to engage with its neighbour and said it would welcome sincere efforts by friendly countries to help resolve the dispute.

Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir met with Singapore’s Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan on Friday, where the two discussed regional security and avenues for bilateral cooperation, according to the military’s media wing.

In a statement, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the foreign minister, who is currently in the country on an official visit, called on CDF Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

The two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest, evolving regional and global security dynamics and avenues for bilateral cooperation, it said.

“Both sides exchanged views on regional peace and stability and underscored the importance of sustained engagement and cooperation in areas of shared interest,” the statement read.

During the meeting, CDF Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Singapore, including enhancing “institutional linkages and constructive engagement for promoting regional peace, stability and security”.

The Singaporean diplomat reciprocated the commitment and lauded the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces. He acknowledged Pakistan’s role in regional peace and stability, ISPR added.

PM admires Singapore’s ‘remarkable economic transformation’

Earlier, the foreign minister met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which the premier expressed admiration for Singapore’s “remarkable economic transformation” and achievements in innovation and development.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the premier reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its longstanding and friendly relations with Singapore, particularly as the two countries are commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.

“The prime minister expressed admiration for Singapore’s remarkable economic transformation and achievements in innovation and development. He underscored the importance Pakistan attaches to its partnership with Singapore, both bilaterally and multilaterally including within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean),” it said.

The statement said that the two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral trade and investment and expand cooperation in priority areas, including the digital economy, fintech, infrastructure development, logistics, small and medium enterprises and the services sector. They also discussed exploring new avenues for mutually beneficial economic cooperation and enhancing people-to-people contacts.

“The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments and reaffirmed their commitment to continued engagement and cooperation at bilateral and multilateral fora,” it said.

Possible resumption of direct flights discussed

The meetings came shortly after Dar discussed with the visiting diplomat the possible resumption of direct flights between Pakistan and Singapore “to facilitate business travel and close contact between our peoples”.

Dar shared this while addressing a press conference alongside Balakrishnan. He began by saying that Pakistan and Singapore enjoyed longstanding and friendly ties focused on mutual respect and goodwill, and Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognise Singapore following its independence in 1965.

He noted that Balakrishnan’s visit to Pakistan was the first one by a Singaporean foreign minister in over two decades.

“I am grateful that he was kind to accept my invitation,” he said, adding that the trip was particularly significant as the two countries were commemorating 60 years of diplomatic relations this year.

“The visit reflects our shared commitment to strengthen this friendship and broaden our cooperation.”

Dar said that delegation-level talks and a restricted meeting between the two sides earlier in the day focused on strengthening political and economic ties, expanding cooperation in technology and education and promoting culture and people-to-people contact.

“We also exchanged views on key regional and international developments,” he added.

He further stated that the two sides had recognised “the considerable untapped potential in our relationship” and stressed the importance of sustained engagement.

“We agreed to hold regular bilateral political consultation and promote high-level exchanges to strengthen cooperation between our governments and institutions,” he said, adding that economic cooperation was central to the discussions.

He said “we welcomed the significant growth” in bilateral trade between the two countries and discussed ways to build on this progress further.

“We agreed to encourage closer engagement between our business communities through the exchange of business delegations and stronger links between our chambers of commerce,” he elaborated.

Moreover, Dar continued, the reopening of the Trade and Investment Office at Pakistan’s High Commission in Singapore had also been discussed.

“The reopening of the Pakistan Trade and Investment Office is a testament to Pakistan’s resolve to promote stronger B2B ties with our friendly country Singapore.”

Beyond trade and investment, he said: “We discussed the scope for closer cooperation in education, research and innovation, including digital technologies and artificial intelligence. We also considered ways to strengthen links between our universities and research institutions. We also agreed to deepen cooperation in human resource development, agriculture and climate domains.”

Dar noted that Pakistani professionals in Singapore contributed to its economy and society and served as a “valuable bridge between our two nations”.

He said, “We agreed to encourage greater cultural, academic, youth and people-to-people exchanges.”

Moreover, he said, “We also discussed the possible resumption of direct flights to facilitate business travel and close contact between our peoples.”

Pakistan’s engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) as the country’s “oldest sectoral dialogue partner” also came under discussion, Dar said.

“Pakistan attaches great importance to practical cooperation with the organisation and its member states. I convey Pakistan’s best wishes to Singapore as it prepares to assume the Asean chairmanship in 2027.

“We look forward to working closely with Singapore in support of its priorities as the chair and to further strengthening the Pakistan-Asean cooperation.”

Dar said the meetings in Islamabad also presented the opportunity to share perspectives on regional and international peace and the security landscape.

“We discussed the impact of regional tensions on maritime trade,” he said, adding that secure sea routes and uninterrupted supply chains were essential to trade and economic stability.

He said the two sides had reaffirmed the central role of dialogue and diplomacy, respect for international law and adherence to the principles of the UN Charter in addressing regional and global challenges.

The DPM said he had conveyed to the visiting dignitary that Pakistan remained engaged with key regional and international partners to encourage continued dialogue and diplomacy as it was the “only viable means to resolve outstanding challenges”.

On Palestine, he said, “I expressed concern over the continued expansion of illegal settlements and efforts to alter the status of the West Bank and Al-Quds Al-Sharif. I stressed the urgent need for unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. I reiterated firm support for an independent, sovereign, viable, and contiguous state of Palestine based on pre-June 1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, which is the stated policy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan”.

In the context of South Asia, Dar said he briefed the visiting dignitary on the importance of a “just, durable and peaceful settlement of the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions”.

He concluded his speech by saying: “We look forward to working very closely with Singapore to carry forward the understanding reached today. Pakistan and Singapore’s friendship remains strong and forward-looking as we mark 60 years of diplomatic relations.

“We have committed to deepening this partnership and building a more prosperous future for our people.”

Speaking after him, Balakrishnan began by saying: “This is a significant year for Singapore and Pakistan. We have never forgotten that Pakistan was one of the earliest countries to recognise Singapore’s independence. And that’s why we are commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties.”

Over the years, he said, there had been high-level exchanges between the two countries.

He added that “we’ve had opportunities for a substantive and productive exchange of views”.

“We’re in constant communication, far more than people realise — that we have a very effective partnership.”

Balakrishnan continued that Pakistan and Singapore had “excellent ties” at the diplomatic level.

“In fact, they are so good that it makes it even more obvious that actual trade relations — and looking at the numbers and the data — ought to be much higher. And that, I would say, is the first order of business.

“We need to facilitate greater trade and investment flows. We need to strengthen the links, especially between SMEs, between businessmen, and they need to meet, they need to know each other, they need to understand the business opportunities and the risks on both sides in Southeast Asia as well as South Asia,” he added.

Balakrishnan said governments of the two countries needed to facilitate these interactions and identify new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.

“In an increasingly uncertain global environment, including on the business side of it, I think it is all the more important for our two countries to remain open, connected and constructively engaged with each other,” he said.

The two sides, he said, also discussed carbon markets, which “we think is another fertile opportunity for Singapore and Pakistan to work together”.

“It will be another promising avenue to attract investments into projects in Pakistan that reduce emissions while supporting sustainable development, and our officials are exploring opportunities in this area.”

Speaking about the exchange of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on disaster management between Singapore and Pakistan, he said it reflected “our shared commitment to strengthen disaster preparedness and response”.

Disasters, he said, were not something one wished for. “But it is something which we have to prepare for and to be acutely aware that at the rate things are going, and with the progression of climate change, this is a current and clear threat. And the more we can work together and prepare together, the more resilient we will be”.

Unfortunately, Pakistan had extensive experience in responding to large-scale natural disasters, Balakrishnan said, adding that Singapore could learn from Pakistan in how to cope with disasters and be more resilient for the future.

“Through this MoU, we hope to explore cooperation in areas including early warning systems, the sharing of best practices, strengthening search and rescue capabilities, as well as hopefully conducting joint training and exercises.

“It’s again worth remembering that disasters do not respect boundaries, do not have passports, and again, the more we can work together, the better,” he added.

Moreover, the Singaporean foreign minister said “we welcome the opportunities to deepen cooperation between our institutes of higher learning, which includes the Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore with Pakistan’s National University of Sciences and Technology”.

“I want to emphasise that this is just the beginning. We hope to expand that list in due time.”

On regional and international developments, he congratulated Dar for the “incredibly valuable role that Pakistan is playing”.

“For instance, we know there is crisis in the Gulf, and in fact, most of the energy that comes through the Gulf is actually headed to the east — South Asia, Southeast Asia, and to Northeast Asia.

“And the unique, but very constructive and valuable role that Pakistan plays is the one which we commend you for, and we wish you every success because if you succeed, it’s good for all of us.”

He emphasised that international law was critical for both Pakistan and Singapore.

And in the case of Singapore, he said, “because we are an island city state and our trade volume is three times our GDP, the maritime arena is essential. And therefore, the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea 1982, which sets out the freedom of navigation and overflight, especially in straits used for international navigation as a right not by the grace of littoral powers — This is of acute importance to us, and we are very, very heartened that Pakistan stands in exactly the same position this issue with us”.

He noted that Singapore would take the chairmanship of Asean next year while Pakistan was already the chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. This, he said, would present another set of opportunities for these two regional blocs, “two dynamic, diverse regional blocs, to look for opportunities to do together”.

He then moved on to education, saying that opportunities in this area were also discussed.

“We are living in an age of a new industrial revolution, AI and digital technologies, and it is essential to ensure that our young people have the relevant skills not for yesterday’s jobs, but for tomorrow’s jobs.

“And so, this emphasis on skills and relevant qualifications and capability and human talent development is another very important area for cooperation between Pakistan and Singapore,” he added.

Talks on enhancing trade, investment cooperation

Earlier, Dar and Balakrishnan held talks and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in trade and investment, the Foreign Office (FO) said.

Balakrishnan arrived in Islamabad earlier in the day. He called on DPM Dar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The FO said in a statement that the two leaders reviewed the “longstanding and friendly relations” between Pakistan and Singapore as the two countries marked 60 years of diplomatic relations.

They underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and skills development, while promoting business-to-business exchanges and people-to-people contacts, the statement added.

Dar and Balakrishnan also discussed cooperation at multilateral fora and Pakistan’s enhanced engagement with Asean, particularly in the context of Singapore’s forthcoming chairmanship of the body in 2027.

Moreover, exchanging views on regional and global developments, Dar emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes and advancing lasting peace and stability, the statement said.

Delegation-level talks

Later, their opening remarks from delegation-level talks between the two sides were televised, with Dar saying that the depth of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Singapore was not reflected in economic ties.

He said his focus had been on “economic diplomacy” after joining the Foreign Office, adding: “If we work together, […] I am sure we can reach a new level of economic relations.”

The DPM further suggested the Board of Investment in Pakistan could work with its counterpart in Singapore.

He said the two countries had “great cooperation” on multilateral issues and Singapore’s interest in regional issues was “greatly appreciated”.

“You remain in touch, and we keep sharing developments with you.”

He added that the two had also discussed Palestine and Kashmir issues, among other matters, in a restricted meeting.

“So I think this friendship and great cooperation will continue from our side, and I am sure you will always reciprocate, rather go a mile ahead of us,” the DPM said.

For his part, the Singaporean foreign minister recalled that Pakistan was one of the “early countries to recognise Singapore post independence”. He pointed out that Singapore was 61 years old and was commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Pakistan.

According to the FO, the delegation-level talks focused on expanding trade and investment, strengthening cooperation in agriculture and food security and enhancing connectivity to promote tourism and business exchanges.

“The two sides also explored collaboration in education, vocational training, disaster management and information technology. The Singaporean foreign minister highlighted the potential of carbon markets to attract green investment to Pakistan. Dar emphasised the importance of stronger institutional mechanisms and regular follow-up to advance mutually beneficial cooperation,” it said.

“The Ministers also exchanged views on regional and global developments. Singapore’s foreign minister commended Pakistan’s sustained efforts to promote dialogue and diplomacy in the region and its important contributions to regional peace and stability,” it added.

“Both sides agreed to build on the positive momentum generated by the visit, ensure timely follow-up on the understandings reached, and sustain engagement to further strengthen Pakistan-Singapore relations across all areas of mutual interest,” it said.

After the meeting, Dar and Balakrishnan also exchanged an MoU on cooperation in disaster management between Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority and the Singapore Civil Defence Force in Islamabad.

“The MoU reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Singapore to strengthening cooperation in disaster preparedness and response and building resilience against natural disasters,” the FO statement on the document’s exchange said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday affirmed that Pakistan and Turkiye would continue to push for dialogue and diplomacy while strengthening their defences under the Makkah Defence Agreement.

He made the remarks while addressing an event in Islamabad marking the 103rd national day of Turkiye, with which Pakistan enjoys strong bilateral ties and maintains multi-sectoral cooperation.

The premier said the pact, signed on Aug 7 between Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, marked an “important milestone” in cooperation between Islamabad and Ankara.

“It strengthens our collective deterrence and reinforces our shared commitment to regional peace and stability,” PM Shehbaz noted.

“While we strengthen our defences, we shall continue to champion dialogue, diplomacy, respect for international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.”

The prime minister hailed Turkiye’s diplomatic support during Marka-i-Haq last May, when India initiated unilateral aggression against Pakistan, triggering a four-day conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

“Turkiye stood firmly by our side with unwavering commitment and dedication. This sincere act of solidarity was a profound source of comfort and strength for the people of Pakistan, a gesture that will forever remain etched in our hearts and our memories,” he emphasised.

Additionally, the premier observed that Islamabad and Ankara’s relationship had evolved into a “multifaceted strategic partnership”, spanning political dialogue, defence, trade, culture and people-to-people ties, among other areas.

He stressed that the economic partnership between Pakistan and Turkiye needs to match the heights of the political and strategic bond between both nations.

“In July this year, at the Pakistan-Turkiye business conference in Istanbul, I announced the establishment of the President Tayyip Erdogan Special Economic Zone in Karachi,” PM Shehbaz said.

“Now I invite Turkish businessmen to look at Pakistan with its young population, strategic location and growing economic opportunities. Let us translate the goodwill between our two peoples into joint ventures, shared prosperity and meaningful jobs for our young people.”

During his speech, the prime minister highlighted the longstanding, historic ties that the two countries shared, recalling that during the Khilafat Movement — a campaign to protect the Ottoman Empire after World War I — people donated whatever they could from the subcontinent, including money and jewellery, to support their “Turkish brethren”.

“A century ago, our forefathers sent their love across the seas. Generations later, that love returned to our doorsteps during our darkest times,” he added, referring to humanitarian aid from Turkiye during the 2005 earthquake and the devastating floods of 2010.

PM Shehbaz also highlighted that under Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s instructions, Turkiye established a modern hospital, a school and modern villages for the people of Muzaffargarh after the floods.

“The 100 years between the Khilafat Movement and that moment seemed to close into a single circle,” the premier said, noting that when a massive earthquake rocked Turkiye in February 2023, “the people of Pakistan grieved as if the rubble lay upon our own homes”.

“We stood with our Turkish brothers and sisters, in their hour of sorrow, just as they had stood with us.”

Earlier this week, Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Iran participated in a quadrilateral meeting where Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for “regional unity” and hoped that the presence of other Islamic powers would “further consolidate regional unity and cohesion”.

Earlier this month, both nations signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in combating terrorism, narcotics trafficking and organised crime and agreed to establish a joint working group to strengthen collaboration between their interior ministries.

The decisions were taken during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Turkish counterpart Mustafa Çiftçi in Istanbul.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday approved the expansion of Allama Iqbal International Airport and Jinnah International Airport as outlined in their respective masterplans while seeking to turn Karachi into an “air cargo hub”.

According to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the directives came during a meeting held in Islamabad under the premier’s chairmanship. It was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Khawaja Asif, Musadik Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar and other senior officials.

The statement said the meeting was briefed on a survey recently completed by an international firm assessing the quality of travel facilities at major airports.

During the meeting, the premier directed that no compromise be made on quality in the expansion projects, that they be aligned with international requirements and that third-party validation be ensured for reforms aimed at improving the expansion projects.

The meeting was informed that work on the installation of automated border management systems (e-gates) at major airports was underway. Furthermore, “work is also ongoing on the air cargo village to make Karachi an air cargo hub,” the statement said.

Per the statement, it was discussed that facilitating passengers at Pakistani airports should be made the “top priority”. PM Shehbaz directed that facilities be improved in line with international standards. To that effect, he directed to obtain the services of internationally renowned institutions.

He also emphasised the provision of regular training in high-quality service delivery to officers and staff facilitating passengers at airports, along with an improvement in the coordination among various entities present at airports.

“The services of the best caterers [should] be obtained for passengers at airports, and there will be no compromise on the quality of food and beverages,” the statement said.

The meeting was further briefed on the upgradation of various airports across the country and ongoing development work by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Furthermore, the meeting was informed that the expansion of the runway at Jinnah International Airport had been completed. According to the PMO, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had also increased the number of staff and counters, keeping in view passenger convenience.

A meet-and-greet service had been launched at Islamabad airport, the statement added. Similarly, the FIA had established pre-departure desks at major airports in the country for timely guidance to passengers.

“The meeting was informed that the existing aviation institution in Hyderabad is being further improved to establish an international standard aviation university, with work to commence by February 2028,” PMO’s statement said.

Earlier this month, PM Shehbaz had also ordered the installation of “smart scanners” at all international airports to facilitate travellers.

Human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, were convicted for the second time in less than a year on Thursday. This time, the couple was sentenced to 10 years in a security breach case following a jail trial.

The 2024 case pertained to the alleged disruption of an international cricket team’s security route and incitement to public unrest. The couple, accused of removing barriers from the route, was indicted on Oct 7.

After an anti-terrorism court pronounced them guilty, journalists and lawyers raised questions and expressed reservations.

Legal adviser for the International Commission of Jurists Reema Omer termed the convictions “cruel, vindictive and textbook examples of using law and the judicial process as weapons of persecution”.

“Imaan and Hadi are prisoners of conscience,” she posted on X.

Lawyer Rida Hosain said the convictions were “a stain on our judicial system”.

“Those entrusted with upholding the rule of law are weaponising it to persecute courageous human rights lawyers.

“This only further exposes a system that is functioning as an instrument of repression,” she said.

Op-ed editor at The News, Zebunnisa Burki, reacted to the development with “beyond ridiculous”.

Journalist Zarrar Khuhro also pointed out that the couple was sentenced to 10 years for “removing a barrier”.

“A decade in jail is what rapists usually get,” he said.

Journalist Asma Shirazi reacted to the news by calling it “reprehensible and regrettable”.

Journalist Maryam Nawaz Khan criticised the judgement saying: “A sham/ secret trial delivers a sham sentence. Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, two human rights lawyers, sentenced to 10 years in prison over road barriers they maintain they never removed. First, their tweets; now, this. Criminalising dissent and persecuting lawyers is an assault on fundamental rights and constitutional freedoms. This sentence is outrageous and unlawful.”

Academic Nida Kirmani said the couple was “paying the price for standing up to a cruel and vindictive state run by petty men with fragile egos”.

“Absolutely absurd verdict,” she said.

Journalist Saqib Bashir said the couple was sentenced without a “transparent” trial.

“This is a mockery of the judiciary and the justice system; it is a judicial murder of dissenting voices,” former Jamaat-i-Islami senator Mushtaq Ahmed said.

“Imaan and Hadi are strong voices against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings and that is their only crime,” he said.

“Those who speak up for justice face jail. Those who justify the state’s dictatorial actions ascend to higher positions,” journalist Veengas said.

The National Commission for Human Rights also expressed serious concern, saying the right to a fair trial, due process and effective judicial remedies must be fully protected.

“The severity of the sentences raises concerns about proportionality and the protection of fundamental rights,” the commission said.

Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan will undertake an official visit to Islamabad on Friday (Oct 30) at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Thursday.

“The visit assumes significance as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Singapore and comes ahead of Singapore’s assumption of the Asean chairmanship in 2027,” the FO said in a statement.

During the visit, Dar and Dr Balakrishnan will hold bilateral talks covering the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Singapore relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest, it added.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in disaster management between Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Singapore’s Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will also be exchanged.

Balakrishnan will also call on Pakistan’s leadership, the FO said.

Pakistan and Singapore maintain cordial bilateral relations based on mutual respect and longstanding friendship. The visit underscores the shared commitment of the two countries to deepening and diversifying their bilateral partnership, it added.

DPM Dar last spoke to Balakrishnan in May, requesting Singapore’s support in facilitating the “welfare and repatriation” of 11 Pakistanis and 20 Iranians aboard vessels seized by the United States.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Wednesday dismissed a statement by Afghanistan’s defence ministry regarding the firing at Angoor Adda border area, terming it a “fabrication of lies”.

Afghan security forces opened unprovoked fire on Pakistan Army border posts and residential areas in the border area in Lower South Waziristan on Tuesday. The attack, which violated border protocols, claimed the life of one local and injured five, while provoking a swift response from security forces.

Subsequently, the Afghan defence ministry claimed that Pakistani military personnel “without any provocation or justification” launched drones targeting the Angoor Adda bazaar and the commissioner’s office in Paktika province. It claimed that Afghan forces “launched retaliatory strikes against a nearby Pakistani military base and outposts”, alleging that Pakistan was the aggressor.

In response, the ministry’s fact-checking account on X said: “[The] Afghan Taliban regime’s latest fabrication of lies on Angoor Adda border incident again confirms their deceitful character.

“Fact of the matter is that their cowardly forces initiated unprovoked fire and mortar shelling on unarmed civilians on [the] Pakistani side,” the ministry said, adding that the actions were following the “pattern and instructions of their proxy masters India”.

Pakistan’s security forces gave an immediate and effective response, the ministry said, adding that they inflicted heavy casualties as well as material losses on the Afghan side, including the destruction of seven posts.

“Such lies of [the] Taliban regime’s so-called official spokespersons carry no value and are part of a litany of fabricated stories that they keep on telling, mostly to their own people suffering under their imposed and non-representative regime,” the ministry said.

Earlier in the day, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the firing from the Afghan side, asserting that Pakistan would “never tolerate” attacks on its people or violations of its sovereignty.

The governor added that KP had “sacrificed thousands of lives in the fight against terrorism, and we will not allow anyone to threaten our people or undermine our security”.

“Any aggression against Pakistan will be confronted with unwavering resolve. Our armed forces have the full backing of the nation to defend every inch of our soil, and no threat or hostile act will weaken our determination to protect Pakistan,” he warned.

According to officials, the firing originated from posts located inside Afghan territory and targeted Pakistani border posts with small and heavy weapons.

Sources said that Pakistani forces launched an immediate and effective retaliatory action, engaging multiple Afghan Taliban border posts, mortar positions and defensive bunkers with small and heavy arms, including artillery. The “intense and accurate response” forced the Afghan Taliban to abandon their posts and flee.

The border at Angoor Adda is one of the most important and sensitive crossings along the Pak-Afghan border, serving as a key trade route and one of the main points of public movement between the two countries.

Border violations from the Afghan side have become a routine matter as ties between the two neighbours have remained strained in the past few years over counterterrorism measures.

Pak-Afghan tensions

Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban administration in Kabul to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan soil, particularly those linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, that are used for attacks in Pakistan. Officials say those appeals have gone unheeded.

September witnessed another bout of conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

On Sept 21, in response to recent major terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan conducted “calibrated” airstrikes in the border region with Afghanistan against terrorist hideouts, with the government saying more than 28 terrorists were killed.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar described the action as part of Operation Ghazab lil Haq, which was launched on the night of Feb 26 in response to unprovoked cross-border firing by the Afghan Taliban.

Days later, Pakistan shot down eight drones launched from across the border that had entered Pakistani airspace near the Torkham border and Kohat. It was also reported that the Afghan Taliban engaged in unprovoked firing the night before near Kurram as security forces foiled an attempt by terrorists to cross into Pakistan.

In retaliation for the drone incursion, Pakistan conducted “precision aerial and drone strikes” in 10 locations across Afghanistan.

A demarche was also delivered to the Afghan side on Sept 26 on account of the Sept 23 airspace violation by drones, the Foreign Office said.

On Oct 1, Pakistan again carried out “well-planned and calibrated” airstrikes against terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan, the information ministry said, adding that the strikes resulted in the deaths of “multiple terrorists”.

Around mid-October, the state media reported that security forces had again responded to unprovoked firing by Afghan Taliban forces along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in KP’s Upper Kurram.

It quoted security sources as saying that several personnel of the Afghan Taliban were “reportedly killed during the Pakistan Army’s retaliatory action along the Ghuzgarhi border”. The sources further said that in the Upper Kurram sector, the army targeted the Afghan Taliban’s Topsar post and Shipola base camp with artillery fire, reportedly completely destroying the latter.

The border skirmishes came a day after the Foreign Office said that talks with Afghanistan could not be unconditional, but also rejected suggestions that Islamabad was unwilling to engage with its neighbour and said it would welcome sincere efforts by friendly countries to help resolve the dispute.

KARACHI: Around 51,000 metric tonnes of imported wheat arrived at Karachi Port on Wednesday, according to the Karachi Port Trust (KPT).

“The geared vessel MV GOKOVA M, carrying a declared manifest of 51,000 metric tonnes of wheat, was allocated Berths 16 and 17 and arrived at Karachi Port at 1225 hours on Oct 28,” the press release said.

It added that another geared vessel, MV GREAT RAINBOW, carrying 59,132 metric tonnes of wheat, was expected to arrive on Nov 3.

“Together, the two vessels represent a declared wheat cargo volume of over 110,000 metric tonnes,” the KPT said, highlighting the port’s capacity to facilitate bulk commodity handling through Karachi Gateway Terminal Multipurpose Limited (KGTML) and support the smooth flow of essential imports.

“The KPT is facilitating the handling of bulk wheat cargo at KGTML, reinforcing Karachi Port’s role in supporting the country’s essential commodity imports and ensuring efficient cargo operations,” the press release said.

On Monday, Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain announced that the government would maintain strategic wheat reserves of up to six million tonnes.

He asserted that there would be no shortage of wheat in Pakistan this year as adequate arrangements were in place to meet the national requirements. He further stated that arrangements could be made to import up to 550,000 metric tonnes of wheat in accordance with provincial requirements and demand.

Expressing concern over recent fluctuations in wheat prices, Hussain described the prevailing price hike as artificial and manipulated by certain market elements.

He maintained that sufficient wheat stocks were available in the country and expressed confidence that prices would return to normal within the next few days.

The food security minister emphasised that the government was closely monitoring market developments and would take necessary measures to discourage artificial shortages, speculative practices and unjustified price increases.

Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced the indicative price of Rs4,500 per maund of wheat for 2027, raising the price by Rs1,000 from last year.

DPM Dar chairs meeting on wheat

Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting of the Steering Committee on Wheat on Wednesday.

“The committee evaluated overall grain availability across the country and examined import plans aimed at keeping local supplies steady,” according to the Foreign Office.

It said Dar stressed that “maintaining sufficient stocks and preventing any disruption in grain supply remain a top priority for the government”.

He noted that smooth coordination between federal and provincial bodies is vital to keep prices affordable for the public, the statement said.

The deputy prime minister “directed the concerned authorities to monitor market trends closely and ensure that the supply of wheat is adequate and atta prices are on a downward trajectory,” it added.

In a recent meeting, DPM Dar had directed federal and provincial governments to take all necessary measures, including increasing market supply, to bring wheat prices under control.

Pakistan has barred Taiwanese airlines from using its airspace in support of Beijing’s One-China policy, becoming the first country to take such a step, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.

“The aviation division follows the One China policy — only mainland China is allowed,” Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Bloomberg News.

“We have permitted only Chinese airlines to fly over Pakistan,” he said.

Taiwanese carriers began rerouting flights over the weekend, with China Airlines Ltd and Eva Airways Corp no longer flying over Pakistan since the morning of Oct 25, according to flight-tracking data cited by the report.

At least a dozen flights operated by the two airlines between Asia and Europe have flown over Russia since Sunday, according to Flightradar24 data.

China Airlines and Eva Air declined to comment, while Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration did not comment on the rerouting. It said, however, that it had never banned carriers from flying over Russia.

Pakistan’s restrictions are stricter than those imposed by mainland China, which allows Taiwanese airlines to fly over its territory, the publication added.

Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory. Pakistan severed official relations with Taiwan in 1951 in favour of closer ties with China.

It remains unclear what prompted Pakistan’s decision. Airspace restrictions, however, can intensify during periods of heightened geopolitical tensions, the report said.

Pakistan and China have strengthened ties under President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, which has channelled billions of dollars into Pakistan. The two countries also maintain close military cooperation, with China being Pakistan’s largest supplier of weapons.

Their defence ties drew international attention during the May 2025 conflict between Pakistan and India, when Pakistan used Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets.

Taiwanese airlines had avoided Russian airspace since February 2022, in line with many Asian, European and North American carriers, although they were never formally barred from using it, the report said.

The rerouting has added hours to flights between Asia and Europe and increased fuel costs. China Airlines and Eva Air are also routing aircraft over other parts of South Asia and the Middle East, adding to journey times.

Pakistan has repeatedly reaffirmed its support for China on the Taiwan issue. On Jan 3, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad would continue to adhere to the One-China principle and regard Taiwan as an “inalienable part of China”. He described Pakistan and China as “iron-clad friends and all-weather strategic cooperative partners”.

The statement came after China completed military drills around Taiwan in early January, including live-fire exercises aimed at simulating a blockade of key ports and assaults on maritime targets. Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory, while Taipei rejects the claim.

Nine India-sponsored terrorists were killed in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Balochistan’s Kachhi and Wadh districts, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that on October 26, security forces conducted IBOs in the districts on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan.

The state has designated Balochistan-based terrorist groups as Fitna al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.

In the first operation in Kachhi, a terrorist hideout was destroyed and seven terrorists were eliminated in an exchange of fire.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain terrorists, the statement added.

In Wadh, security forces “tracked and intercepted terrorist movement” and killed two terrorists in an exchange of fire.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain terrorists, the statement added.

“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other India-sponsored terrorist found in the area,” the statement read, adding that a relentless counterterrorism campaign under the vision “Azm e Istehkam” will continue at full pace to “wipe out [the] menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country”.

In a statement on X, President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to security forces and commended their “professional” capabilities.

“Conspiracies of terrorists’ foreign patrons and their local facilitators will be thwarted,” he said. “The nation stands shoulder to shoulder with its security forces and law enforcement agencies.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute to the security forces, saying that terrorists seeking to undermine Pakistan’s security and peace would “never succeed in their nefarious designs”, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

“The efforts of the security forces and law enforcement agencies to completely eliminate terrorism and establish lasting peace in the country were commendable,” APP quoted the premier as saying.

“He said that he, along with the entire nation, stood shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in their unwavering resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country,” APP reported.

Intensified operations

Balochistan has witnessed an increase in terrorist activities in recent years, prompting security forces to intensify counter-terrorism operations.

On Oct 18, an army major was martyred, and four terrorists were killed during multiple IBOs in Balochistan. A day before that, security forces killed eight “India-sponsored” terrorists during IBOs conducted in the Quetta, Nushki and Khuzdar districts of Balochistan.

On the night of Oct 12/13, security forces busted a terrorist hideout and killed five terrorists during an IBO in Washuk, ISPR said.

Days later, Balochistan government officials said that six terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), two would-be female suicide bombers, and two commanders of a banned organisation had been arrested during IBOs across the province.

They said around 90 arrested terrorists were being held at a centre where investigations and legal proceedings were under way.

Earlier this month, five terrorists were eliminated in Balochistan’s Mastung district, state media reported.

According to Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), terrorist violence increased substantially in Sept with 225 attacks recorded nationwide, compared with 199 in August, representing a 13.1 per cent increase and the highest monthly total recorded in 12 years, with Balochistan remaining the “principal theatre” with 131 attacks, accounting for 58.2pc of the national total.

On counterterrorism, the report noted that security forces conducted 74 operations, killing 280 terrorists. Out of this, Balochistan accounted for 35 operations and 171 terrorist deaths.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned on Wednesday the latest instance of firing from across the Afghan border in Lower South Waziristan, asserting that Pakistan would “never tolerate” attacks on its people or violations of its sovereignty.

The incident took place on Tuesday night when Afghan security forces opened unprovoked fire on Pakistan Army border posts and residential areas in the Angoor Adda border area. The firing resulted in the death of a local resident and left five of a family injured as a mortar landed on their house.

The Lower South Waziristan deputy commissioner confirmed the casualties in a post on X, saying that several shops were also damaged in the firing.

“Pakistan’s forces on the border have and are responding effectively and heavily,” his post at around midnight said.

The morning after the firing incident, Governor Kundi strongly condemned the “unprovoked and blatant aggression by the Afghan Taliban regime against civilian homes and Angoor Adda Bazaar in Lower South Waziristan”.

“I salute Pakistan’s armed forces for their swift, forceful and decisive response. Let the Afghan Taliban regime have no illusions: Pakistan will never tolerate attacks on its people or violations of its sovereignty,” he said in his post on X.

The governor added that KP had “sacrificed thousands of lives in the fight against terrorism, and we will not allow anyone to threaten our people or undermine our security”.

“Any aggression against Pakistan will be confronted with unwavering resolve. Our armed forces have the full backing of the nation to defend every inch of our soil, and no threat or hostile act will weaken our determination to protect Pakistan,” he warned.

Adviser to KP Governor on Information and Public Relations Samar Haroon Bilour also posted on X that the “cowards” had once again struck at night.

“They will have to face consequences,” she added.

The firing from the Afghan side on Tuesday prompted a swift response from security forces.

According to officials, the firing originated from posts located inside Afghan territory, and targeted Pakistani border posts with sniper, small and heavy weapons.

Sources said that Pakistani forces launched an immediate and effective retaliatory action, engaging multiple Afghan Taliban border posts, mortar positions and defensive bunkers with small and heavy arms, including artillery. The “intense and accurate response” forced the Afghan Taliban to abandon their posts and flee.

The border at Angoor Adda is one of the most important and sensitive crossings along the Pak-Afghan border, serving as a key trade route and one of the main points of public movement between the two countries.

Violations from the Afghan side have become a routine matter.

Pak-Afghan tensions

Ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been strained in the past few years as Islamabad continues to voice its concern over cross-border terrorism.

September witnessed another bout of conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

On Sept 21, in response to recent major terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan conducted “calibrated” airstrikes in the border region with Afghanistan against terrorist hideouts, with the government saying more than 28 terrorists were killed.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar described the action as part of Operation Ghazab lil Haq, which was launched on the night of Feb 26 in response to unprovoked cross-border firing by the Afghan Taliban.

Days later, Pakistan shot down eight drones launched from across the border that had entered Pakistani airspace near the Torkham border and Kohat. It was also reported that the Afghan Taliban engaged in unprovoked firing the night before near Kurram as security forces foiled an attempt by terrorists to cross into Pakistan.

In retaliation for the drone incursion, Pakistan conducted “precision aerial and drone strikes” in 10 locations across Afghanistan.

A demarche was also delivered to the Afghan side on Sept 26 on account of the Sept 23 airspace violation by drones, the Foreign Office said.

On Oct 1, Pakistan again carried out “well-planned and calibrated” airstrikes against terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan, the information ministry said, which resulted in the deaths of “multiple terrorists”.

Around mid-October, the state media reported that security forces had again responded to unprovoked firing by Afghan Taliban forces along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in KP’s Upper Kurram.

It quoted security sources as saying that several personnel of the Afghan Taliban were “reportedly killed during the Pakistan Army’s retaliatory action along the Ghuzgarhi border”. The sources further said that in the Upper Kurram sector, the army targeted the Afghan Taliban’s Topsar post and Shipola base camp with artillery fire, reportedly completely destroying the latter.

The border skirmishes came a day after the Foreign Office said that talks with Afghanistan could not be unconditional, but also rejected suggestions that Islamabad was unwilling to engage with its neighbour and said it would welcome sincere efforts by friendly countries to help resolve the dispute.

ISLAMABAD: A sub-committee constituted by the prime minister has set a 120-day deadline to prepare a roadmap to expand shrimp farming, improve value addition and boost exports.

Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the sub-committee on aquaculture and the shrimp value chain, according to a press release.

The 120-day deadline was set as part of a broader 24-month implementation and review process.

The meeting brought together provincial fisheries officials and relevant federal institutions to develop a “coordinated strategy” for transforming aquaculture into a competitive, export-oriented industry.

PM Shehbaz has termed achieving export-led economic growth as the government’s top priority, with the federal budget for the current fiscal year (FY27) formulated with the same objective.

The sub-committee will prepare a comprehensive report based on verified data and stakeholder recommendations, Tuesday’s statement said.

“The exercise will establish a baseline for the sector, identify bottlenecks across the value chain and propose measures to improve production, processing and export competitiveness,” it added.

Furthermore, the sub-committee approved seven technical working groups and a projection and costing cell to prepare 14 reports and export projections, assigning responsibilities to the relevant institutions.

It also adopted a common framework for data collection and validation, prioritising challenges, developing reform proposals and monitoring progress.

An initial 14-day action plan was approved, with participating institutions directed to complete their assigned tasks within the stipulated deadlines.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the fisheries departments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Officials from the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and the ministries of food security and maritime affairs were also present.

According to the statement, Chaudhry said the exercise would identify constraints and develop practical solutions to expand shrimp farming, strengthen value addition and increase exports.

He added that the federal government would work with provincial governments and other stakeholders to pool expertise and develop a coordinated approach to harness the country’s potential in shrimp farming.

Sindh’s secretary for livestock and fisheries was quoted as saying that a feasibility study was being prepared for a 3,500-acre shrimp farm in the province. He also highlighted the need to address challenges in value addition and traceability.

Meanwhile, Punjab’s Aquaculture and Fisheries Secretary Rana Saleem Afzal said that relevant departments of the provincial government were working to introduce shrimp farming in Punjab.

“Many areas in Punjab were non-cultivable due to high salinity in the underground water, and efforts were under way to establish hatcheries in such areas,” he was quoted as saying.

However, he acknowledged that establishing an effective value chain remained a major challenge.

Other participants presented proposals to improve shrimp processing and value addition for exports as well as local consumption, as shrimps and prawns remain in high demand in Punjab and KP.

It was agreed that the next meeting would review identified bottlenecks as well as available baseline data essential for promoting shrimp farming.

In April, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz noted that progress had been achieved in developing infrastructure for shrimp farming projects in Sargodha Estate, Aliwala and Shahgarh.

Punjab had launched the Blue Economy Programme to develop unused lands and introduce a modern scientific system for shrimp farming.

Earlier this year, the federal government said Pakistan’s exports of fish and fish preparations had reached a record $568 million in the previous fiscal year (FY26). Seafood exports are mainly shipped to China, Thailand, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Indonesia and the United States.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday called for a “full stop” to conversations regarding the creation of new provinces.

He made the remarks while speaking to the media at Spencer Eye Hospital in Karachi’s Lyari alongside Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

Reiterating his party’s stance in response to a question over “pressure” the PPP was facing regarding the creation of new administrative units and the possibility of rolling back the 18th Amendment, Bilawal said the people of Sindh and their elected representatives had presented their decision and “now we should put a full stop to this conversation”.

He said the Sindh Assembly had also made its stance in the matter evident for “at least seven to eight times now”.

“The people here can determine the fate of this province and the city,” Bilawal asserted.

“I think we should close this topic because the people themselves have closed it,” he said.

When asked about ongoing conversations regarding a 28th constitutional amendment and whether the government had spoken to him in this regard, Bilawal simply replied: “No.”

The PPP chairman was also questioned about the recent dispute between the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and Pakistan Railways and the federal government’s lack of interest in the city.

“The federal government should definitely pay attention to this city. Karachi is the country’s economic hub. Everyone else should pay attention to it,” he said.

Bilawal’s remarks come amid an ongoing debate across the country about the creation of new administrative units, sparked by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s proposal for a dialogue among all political parties to bring about reforms to the current governance system and call for new provinces and urgent administrative reforms in July.

At the time, the PPP had referred the question to its top decision-making forum, while the Sindh chief minister flatly rejected it; Lahore’s lawyers also called it unconstitutional and Sindhi nationalist groups have been demanding the minister’s resignation.

However, since Naqvi’s remarks, various political parties have also spoken in favour of it and called for the creation of more provinces or administrative units for better governance.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) — an ally of the PML-N-led ruling coalition — has been demanding that Karachi be designated a province separate from Sindh.

However, the PPP, which rules Sindh and is also an ally of the PML-N government at the Centre along with MQM-P, has strongly opposed the suggested move.

In September, the Sindh Assembly adopted a resolution rejecting all attempts to divide the province or create new administrative units, with the CM Murad declaring that “there will be no compromise on Sindh’s geographical unity”.

The government and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Tuesday decided to form a joint committee to recommend proposals for expanding the ongoing fuel relief scheme, while JI warned of marching to Islamabad next month if no relief “package” was announced by then.

The decision was made during a high-level meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman at the PM House, according to a press release issued by the PM Office (PMO).

The meeting was offered by PM Shehbaz last month when urging JI to postpone its Islamabad march, which it had accepted. JI has been demanding the abolition of the petroleum levy to reduce the burden of heightened fuel prices on the public.

Tuesday’s meeting decided that a committee, comprising three members each from the government and JI, will present final recommendations on the following two measures:

• Expansion of the scope of the ongoing relief scheme on petrol for the public so that the maximum number of deserving people can benefit from it
• Preparation of feasible proposals for the budget for a phased reduction in the petroleum levy

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and the PM’s political adviser Rana Sanaullah will represent the government in the joint committee, PMO stated.

The premier informed the JI delegation in detail about the relief provided so far by the government in the petroleum products quota for the low-income segment, noting that 12.7 million people have registered in the subsidy scheme so far.

The relief scheme for owners of motorcycles, rickshaws and vehicles of up to 800cc was rolled out across the country on Sept 17. PM Shehbaz had announced the subsidies to ease the public’s burden amid rising fuel prices due to the Middle East situation.

During the meeting, the prime minister conveyed to JI that he “fully understands the burden on the public due to the increase in prices of petroleum products”, PMO said.

He highlighted the government’s effort to provide relief through the subsidy scheme and asserted that Islamabad was “making all-out diplomatic efforts to resolve the regional crisis so that the situation can return to normal”.

“The current crisis is not related to government policies but to the increase in oil prices in view of regional and international situations. However, according to financial capacity, the government is providing relief to the public and will continue to do so,” he was quoted as saying.

The prime minister thanked JI for adopting the path of negotiations regarding the prices of petroleum products. PMO noted that the JI delegation “expressed its stance on the abolition of the petroleum levy and relief for the public”.

JI Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch, Deputy Secretary General Syed Farasat Shah, Islamabad Emir Nasrullah Randhawa and Inayatullah were also part of the party delegation.

From the government, Dar, Iqbal, Sanaullah, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, and Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kiani were also present.

‘Cannot simply accept peanuts’

In his press conference in Islamabad, the JI chief affirmed that his party will not postpone its march any further.

He stated: “It will now take place in mid-November, and it certainly will take place. Let them announce this package, provide this relief, and devise a mechanism to abolish this extortionate levy before that, [but] if they do not do so, we might have to sit on the road to talk.

“We are prepared for anything,” Rehman declared.

Asked about the outcome of his meeting with PM Shehbaz, the JI emir refrained from terming it “inconclusive”.

He noted that two sides had consensus on expanding the scope of relief, but there were disagreements over the “modalities” and “procedure”.

“We say eliminate the levy; they say we can move towards it phase by phase,” Rehman elaborated.

Rehman, apparently referring to the new joint committee, said Baloch, Shah and Randhawa would be part of it.

“We cannot simply accept peanuts,” the JI chief said when asked about a reported government offer to reduce the levies by Rs20-30. He stressed that his party stood firm on its stance.

He maintained that JI would continue its preparations and would begin nationwide mobilisation for its planned march to the federal capital, while negotiations would also continue at the same time.

“Our preparations are already complete; we will prepare further [and] we will talk to them (the government) further. However, we will also hold the Islamabad march in mid-November,” Rehman said.

Asked whether JI had presented any alternative to abolishing the levy, he responded in the affirmative, asserting that his party had comprehensive preparations.

Rehman highlighted that all past governments vowed not to take loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) but then entered into programmes with it after coming into power.

He said his party pointed this out, adding, “Give relief to the people; do not take retribution for your incompetence from the nation.”

Providing details of his party’s demands, the JI chief said it had also raised the issue of refineries’ margins increasing as well when oil prices rose in the international market.

“That should have decreased, people should have gotten relief,” he said.

Rehman acknowledged that JI was aware of the fluctuations in international oil prices due to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, but “we want relief to be provided to the people in this regard as well, and this levy should also be abolished alongside”.

He went on to claim credit for the relief scheme launched by the government in mid-September. “If Jamaat-i-Islami was not protesting, do you think this relief package would have come?”

Rehman further said, “We have restrained them a little by continuing to push, by taking a stand, stepping onto the field and protesting; otherwise, it is easy money that you just take advantage of this opportunity.”

The JI emir recalled that in April, the government had hiked the levy on petrol to Rs160 per litre from Rs105, but widespread criticism prompted it to reduce the levy by Rs80.

“It is JI that has raised awareness, protested, and built pressure,” he claimed.

Iqbal calls for ‘durable, sustainable path’

After attending the meeting, Iqbal and Sanaullah addressed a press conference and assured the public that the government wanted to ease the burden of the fuel prices.

“The prime minister and JI emir agreed that they share one purpose and intent: they want to reduce the difficulties of the public,” Iqbal said.

“However, for this, we will have to adopt a path that is durable, sustainable, and the cost of which we can afford.”

The planning minister expressed hope that the committee would be able to work together on the topics to find a solution to these issues.

Simultaneously, while acknowledging that every political party had a right to protest, he stressed that the regional conditions warranted that everyone maintain peace and internal stability in the country.

Iqbal assured the public that the government was aware that the increase in international oil prices, and the consequent fuel price hikes, affected ordinary citizens.

He emphasised that PM Shehbaz was “continuously concerned about how to reduce the difficulties of the most affected and vulnerable classes” and said the soaring costs were a result of a global crisis that was not in the government’s control.

The minister stressed that Pakistan was playing its diplomatic role in resolving the Middle East crisis, including facilitating negotiations between the US and Iran, so that reduced regional tensions could lower global oil prices and the relief could be passed on to the public.

The PML-N leader went on to take a jibe at the previous PTI government, saying it reduced fuel prices for “cheap popularity” even as international oil prices rose, bringing the country to the brink of fiscal default.

He contended that if a government made decisions merely to hype its popularity among the masses, that irresponsibility could come back to it as a “nightmare”.

Therefore, he added, the government, including the prime minister, wanted to help people as much as possible “while staying within our resources”.

Addressing the media alongside Iqbal, Sanaullah said, “The government, to whatever extent possible, is providing relief to the common man, the poor man, and is trying to advance it further.”

He said the number of people benefitting from the fuel subsidy scheme was likely to reach 20m in the coming days.

He appreciated the JI’s efforts and its belief that the common man should be provided relief, stressing that this relief should be taken forward “in such a manner that it is targeted, and that maximum relief be given to those people who deserve it more”.

At the same time, Sanaullah urged all political parties to strengthen the position of Pakistan’s military and political leadership, and to create an environment that lent strength to the efforts made by PM Shehbaz and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir to end the US-Iran conflict, as well as to maintain good relations within the Muslim world.

He called for “complete solidarity and complete unity” in the country “so that Pakistan can succeed in playing an effective role in the world”.

“It is our hope, and indeed our belief, that the Jamaat-i-Islami leadership, keeping in view these delicate and sensitive matters, will certainly play their role,” he said.

The PML-N leader emphasised that the government had listened to the JI’s suggestions “very carefully” and held the talks with “complete sincerity of intention and good faith” so that the current relief could be made more effective.

JI protests so far

The JI has been demanding for over two months that the Centre abolish petroleum levies, as fuel prices have skyrocketed due to conflicts in the Middle East since March.

The Centre and JI had agreed to form committees in early September — when the latter had planned a nationwide strike — to recommend measures to reduce the levy.

Rehman on Monday warned that the party would march to Islamabad in mid-November if the premier did not abolish the petroleum levy.

On Aug 16, the JI announced sit-ins in all the provincial capitals of Pakistan against the petroleum levy and had called for a nationwide strike on Sept 3.

On Sept 20, the party launched a protest march towards Islamabad, warning that if the government failed to abolish the petroleum levy, the protest could turn into one to oust the government.

On Sept 22, the JI emir said his party, whose convoy had reached Multan, was postponing its long march at the request of PM Shehbaz, who had assured the other side of a meeting to discuss the matters.

However, in a press release issued last week, the party alleged that the government had made no further contact regarding the planned meeting.

Pakistan and China have launched the China-Pakistan Information Corridor (CPIC), with Information Minister Ataullah Tarar saying that the initiative will focus on countering misleading narratives, cultural exchanges and cooperation between think tanks.

The corridor was launched at a ceremony in Islamabad, which was televised on Tuesday. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong attended the launch.

In his televised remarks, Tarar expressed his “long-standing“ desire to collaborate with China in the fields of media, information sharing and digital platforms.

Hailing Pakistan and China’s bilateral relations, Tarar recalled the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), noting that it had “turned decades of goodwill into steel, concrete and current”.

“It lit homes, laid motorways across our provinces and gave Pakistan at Gwadar a gateway to the world.”

Tarar said that while the first phase of CPEC connected lands, the next phase will “connect our minds and this information corridor will act as a bridge for connecting the minds of the people of the two countries”.

The information minister said the collaboration under the newly launched corridor will stand on four pillars — media, business and enterprises, think tanks, and culture/tourism.

“First, media. A news exchange working group of 18 Pakistani and Chinese media organisations. From our state broadcasters and private channels to Xinhua, CMG, and People’s Daily now share verified news on our cooperation.”

He added that it will also include a dedicated fact-check mechanism to track misleading narratives and counter them with “concrete facts”.

The second pillar, which includes businesses and enterprise, Tarar said, will draw on leading Pakistani and Chinese commercial groups.

“This pillar has opened its first regional office in Karachi,” Tarar said, adding that under the initiative, a trade portal to track trade, investment, and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was being built, along with a podcast series about the stories of Chinese entrepreneurs in Pakistan and vice versa.

He said the third pillar will involve collaboration between think tanks from the two countries.

“Led by the Pakistan-China Institute and joined by our foremost research institutions, this pillar will bring evidence and depth to the bilateral conversation through joint dialogue, research, and publications with Chinese counterparts,” Tarar said.

The fourth pillar, which Tarar described as the “heart of the corridor”, will focus on tourism, with work already underway on the Xinjiang-Gilgit-Baltistan tourism corridor, “extending the journeys of Chinese travellers into the valleys of our north”.

Tarar also shared that the first cohort of CPEC Youth Ambassadors had been nominated from 13 universities across Pakistan.

“Before a community of shared future can be built in steel and stone, it must find its place in the minds of the people,” Tarar said, stressing that the principle was at the core of CPIC.

“If CPEC is its body and the shared future, CPIC will be its voice. If CPEC connects our economies, CPIC will connect our understanding. Through it, a student in Lahore will know the China of today, and not the caricatures of yesterday. A family in Chengdu will see Pakistan as it truly is: warm, resilient, and full of potential.”

He added that the corridor will counter “falsehoods with fact, isolation with exchange, and suspicion with trust,” lauding Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision.

“President Xi gave us the vision of a shared future, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has given Pakistan the means to reach it,” Tarar said.

For PM Shehbaz, Tarar said the digital revolution was about people and “above all Pakistan’s young people”.

“More than 68 per cent of our nation is under 30 in their hands. A laptop is a passport and a smartphone is a marketplace. Through their talent, Pakistan is taking its place in the global digital economy.”

Tarar further stated that CPIC was at its core a “digital corridor”.

“Its news exchanges, fact-check mechanisms, trade portals, podcasts, social media channels, and youth ambassadors are tools of a digital age put to work for an old and trusted friendship. And here too, Pakistan walks with China,” Tarar said.

The information minister, in his address, also invited Chinese media houses, think tanks, universities, enterprises, and youth ambassadors to join each pillar of CPIC.

Concluding his address, Tarar said that while the Karakoram Highway was carved through the mountains, today Pakistan and China were building a “different highway [..] it is not made of rocks, but it is made of truth, and it will be carried not on trucks, but on voices.

Meanwhile, China’s Ning also addressed the ceremony, noting that China and Pakistan continue to face misinformation and fake news, according to state broadcaster Pakistan TV.

Ning stressed the need for the CPIC, saying that its four pillars can play a key role in highlighting bilateral cooperation.

Pakistan and China share a longstanding strategic partnership rooted in mutual trust, economic cooperation and regional connectivity. Over the decades, ties have expanded across different sectors — including trade, energy, defence and infrastructure — with the CPEC symbolising a shared vision for development.

A day earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Ambassador Zaidong to review progress on CPEC.

During the meeting in Islamabad, Dar praised the ongoing expansion of the “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” between the two nations. Discussions focused on advancing trade, investment, regional connectivity, agricultural modernisation and people-to-people exchanges.