Category: 1. Pakistan

Pakistan and China have agreed to strengthen ties and launch joint broadcasting projects to effectively tackle fake news and disinformation.

This agreement was reached during a meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and Party Secretary of the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) of China Minister Cao Shumin.

Both sides agreed that strengthening media, cultural, and people-to-people relations would introduce new dimensions to the longstanding Pakistan-China friendship, reported Radio Pakistan on Thursday. 

The two leaders discussed enhancing technical training and institutional collaboration, with an emphasis on developing a unified narrative to counter the spread of fake news.

They also talked about the potential agreement between China Central Television (CCTV) and Pakistan Television (PTV) to promote the exchange of information and foster cooperation between the two broadcasters

Tarar expressed Pakistan’s readiness to translate this bilateral media cooperation into practical steps.

He highlighted the crucial role of state-run PTV, Radio Pakistan, and the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) in communicating Chinese development projects, including the Belt and Road Initiative and CPEC, as well as cultural ties among the people of both countries.

He also pointed out that PTV is strengthening cultural and intellectual bonds by airing Chinese programmes, documentaries and news reports in Urdu.

APP’s China’s News Service, Tarar said, is successfully conveying Pakistan’s narrative to Chinese readers.

Both leaders agreed that the media organisations of both nations are crucial in bridging the gap between the two peoples and promoting societal understanding and mutual harmony.

They identified further opportunities for collaboration in media and culture, which could be advanced through institutional mechanisms.

The discussions also included exchange visits for digital influencers from both countries. Tarar noted that in the digital age, such exchanges could inject new energy into bilateral relations.

Similarly, Cao Shumin reaffirmed China’s trust in Pakistan as a reliable partner and expressed her belief that closer media ties would enhance collaboration.

These efforts will be further developed under a joint strategy.

The Federal Anti-Corruption Court in Karachi on Thursday acquitted Senate Chairman and former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in nine additional cases linked to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) mega corruption scandal.

Announcing its verdict, the court ordered Gilani’s acquittal alongside several co-accused. With this ruling, Gilani has now been cleared in a total of 12 cases, after earlier being acquitted in three. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had registered 26 cases in the scandal, which surfaced in 2009 and saw formal charges filed in 2013. Gilani was named in the final charge sheet submitted in 2015.

The accused were alleged to have established fake companies to siphon off Rs 7 billion under the guise of freight subsidies.

Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Gilani reiterated that the charges against him were baseless. “Justice delayed is justice denied. These cases have dragged on for 12 years,” he said, pointing out that one of the current prosecutors was a student when the case began.

Responding to questions about President Asif Ali Zardari, Gilani dismissed rumors about the President’s health or potential replacement as mere speculation.

Addressing political developments in Punjab, he clarified that the Pakistan People’s Party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) had decided not to join the government. “We are not part of the government, and I am not its spokesperson,” he stated.

Gilani also highlighted his political tenure, noting, “I am the longest-serving Prime Minister, elected unanimously, and later elected unopposed as Senate Chairman.”

His lawyer, Farooq H. Naek, said all 26 cases filed between 2013 and 2014 carried similar allegations. “Gilani was accused of indirectly receiving Rs 5 million through a man named Zubair. No witness has testified that he personally accepted any money,” he said.

Naek added that the FIA has appealed against Gilani’s acquittals in 14 other cases, which are currently pending in the High Court. “There’s no possibility of testimony in those cases, as witnesses repeatedly fail to appear despite the accused being present. The High Court must either expedite the appeals or return the case files to the Anti-Corruption Court,” he stated.

Pakistan and Canada on Thursday acknowledging the positive trajectory of bilateral relations, agreed to upscale and strengthen their economic and trade ties.

The bilateral relations were discussed in a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on the sidelines of 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting in the Malaysian capital city.

The deputy prime minister invited the Canadian foreign minister to visit Pakistan, which the latter accepted.

Earlier, Ishaq Dar on Thursday arrived in the Malaysian capital city to participate in the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting to be held on Friday.

Upon his arrival at the airport, the deputy prime minister was received by Ambassador of Pakistan to Malaysia Syed Ahsan Raza and senior officials from the Malaysian foreign ministry.

The meeting will be attended by the foreign ministers and representatives of the 27 ARF member countries, along with the Secretary-General of ASEAN.

The deputy prime minister will participate in discussions on political and security issues affecting the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on promoting peace, stability, and mutual cooperation through dialogue.

Deputy Prime Minister Dar will also meet with his Malaysian counterpart as well as other visiting counterparts and representatives. He will also engage with the Pakistani community in Kuala Lumpur.

The Sindh culture department has stepped forward and offered to take care of the late actor Humaira Asghar Ali’s burial and funeral in light of reports that her family has refused to take the body for burial.

Ali, a 32-year-old actor and model, was found dead in her apartment in Karachi’s DHA on Tuesday. The police found her decomposed body while carrying out a court-ordered eviction notice.

South DIG Syed Asad Raza told Dawn that the actor’s family lived in Lahore and when the police approached them they, particularly her father, refused to take the body for burial.

Later, he said, the deceased’s brother-in-law approached the police and he was expected to arrive here on Thursday (today) to meet with the police.

When news spread of her family’s refusal to take the body, several members of the entertainment fraternity approached the police, expressing their willingness to perform the last rites and arrange the burial, the DIG said. “We shall hand them the body in case the family refuses,” he said. Actors Yashma Gill and Sonya Hussayn are among many who have stepped forward and offered to arrange the burial.

In a notification issued by the Sindh culture department on Thursday, Culture Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah has taken notice of Ali’s death. He is “very much aggrieved for non-cooperation from her legal heirs to take over custody of the body for burial.”

“In light of this situation and considering her contributions to the arts and culture of the country, the culture department is wiling to take responsibility for her burial arrangements with respect and in dignified manner,” read the notice, which was addressed to the South DIG. “It is therefore requested that her body be handed over to the culture department for burial after fulfilling formalities as per law.”

The notice authorises the director-general of culture, Munawar Mahaser to complete further formalities.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi rebuffed on Thursday speculations on social media suggesting the ouster of President Asif Ali Zardari, calling them baseless.

In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Naqvi defended the unity between the country’s political and military leadership.

He firmly denied any discussions or intentions concerning the president’s resignation or a change in leadership.

He described the rumors as “malicious campaign” aimed at discrediting President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal General Asim Munir, asserting there is no truth to claims suggesting political rifts or changes in leadership.

We are fully aware of who is behind the malicious campaign targeting President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and the Chief of Army Staff. I have categorically stated that there has been no discussion,nor does any such idea exist,about the President being asked…

— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) July 10, 2025

Referring to speculations suggesting that President Zardari has been asked to resign or that the COAS is seeking presidency, the interior minister said ‘there has been no discussion, nor does any such idea exist”.

He emphasised that the president maintains a “strong and respectful” relationship with the military’s top leadership and quoted President Zardari as saying, “I know who is spreading these falsehoods, why they are doing so, and who stands to benefit from this propaganda”.

“The sole focus of the COAS is the strength and stability of Pakistan, nothing else,” reiterated the interior minister.

Read: No proposal to replace President Zardari: Irfan Siddiqui

Naqvi linked those behind the alleged campaign with hostile foreign agencies, and vowed that the government would take “whatever action necessary to make Pakistan strong again, InshAllah”.

Naqvi made similar statements in Sukkur last week, telling journalists not to believe in social media rumours. “Some people are disturbed by our unity.”

He emphasised that the alignment between Pakistan’s political leadership, the military, and the government is the reason for the growing spread of disinformation. “For the first time, politicians, the government, and the military establishment are on the same page, and that bothers certain individuals.”

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) also issued a statement to put to rest to speculations about the possible removal of President Zardari.

Categorically dismissing rumours relating to President Asif Ali Zardari’s resignation, the federal government on Thursday categorically said that Field Marshal Asim Munir was not aspiring to assume the office of the head of state.

“We are fully aware of who is behind the malicious campaign targeting President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and the Chief of Army Staff,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said in a statement on his X handle on Thursday.

“I have categorically stated that there has been no discussion,nor does any such idea exist, about the President being asked to resign or the COAS aspiring to assume the presidency,” he added.

Naqvi said President Zardari enjoys a strong and respectful relationship with the leadership of the armed forces. He quoted the president as saying: “I know who is spreading these falsehoods, why they are doing so, and who stands to benefit from this propaganda”.

“To those involved in this narrative, do whatever you wish in collaboration with hostile foreign agencies. As for us, we will do whatever is necessary to make Pakistan strong again, InshAllah,” the minister added, stressing that the sole focus of the COAS was on the strength and stability of Pakistan and nothing else.

The security czar’s clarification comes amid rumours which began circulating after the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) obtained a simple majority in the National Assembly after the reinstatement of reserved seats by the Election Commission of Pakistan following the top court’s Constitutional Bench verdict.

It also handed the ruling alliance a two-thirds majority in the lower house, as its strength rose from 218 to 235 members.

Earlier, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari had also rebuked such speculations while noting that the federal government could not function without the party’s support.

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has also echoed this stance with Senator Irfan Siddiqui firmly denying reports suggesting any proposal to replace the president.

“No such suggestion is under consideration at any level,” Senator Siddiqui said while speaking on a private television channel.

Stressing that President Zardari was playing his constitutional role effectively as the head of state, the senior politician criticised certain media narratives.

Commenting on the coalition setup, Siddiqui said the PPP remains an ally of the PML-N-led government.

“Being in government together does not imply agreement on every issue,” he noted.

The two parties, considered traditional rivals, have been working together since the ouster of Imran Khan as prime minister in April 2022, with the PPP led by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari playing a key role in the formation of the PML-N-led coalition government in the Centre following the February 2024 general elections.

Although the PPP has chosen to sit on the treasury benches, the party has not joined the federal cabinet and has only opted for constitutional posts such as provincial governors and custodians of the assemblies.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar last week said that the Bilawal-led party will continue to remain a key ally despite the PML-N securing a simple majority in the National Assembly as a result of the reserved seats ruling.

Dar underscored that the PPP stood by the government during difficult times and the Nawaz Sharif-led party would not abandon it in times of stability.

Pakistan has issued a stern warning against the weaponisation of water by India, cautioning that turning water into a tool of political conflict could have grave regional and global implications.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly during a high-level meeting on Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) — which aims to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all — Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to promoting global water cooperation.

In his national statement, Ambassador Jadoon stressed the critical importance of the upcoming 2026 UN Water Conference, calling on member states to use it as a catalyst to accelerate progress toward achieving SDG 6. He also underscored the need for a rules-based international framework to govern the management of transboundary rivers and aquifers, which are essential lifelines shared by many nations.

Ambassador Jadoon reiterated Pakistan’s stance on equitable water sharing and responsible governance of shared resources. He warned that politicising or strategically manipulating water resources undermines trust and jeopardizes the cooperative spirit necessary to address growing global water insecurity.

The warning comes amid rising tensions between Pakistan and India over the Indus Waters Treaty. Last month, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari made strong remarks during the National Assembly’s budget session, warning India of severe consequences if it continues to violate the treaty.

“India has two options: either it abides by the Indus Waters Treaty, or Pakistan will respond with war,” Bilawal said. He added that Pakistan has successfully defended its position on multiple fronts — militarily, diplomatically, and through global narratives.

Bilawal, who recently led a high-level delegation to several key capitals, stated that Pakistan had advocated for peace while firmly presenting its stance on the issue of water rights and regional stability.