Category: 1. Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty on Monday held a meeting in New York, where they agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defense, trade and other key sectors, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of a high-level United Nations (UN) summit on Palestine, which is being co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France on July 28-29.

Appreciating the continued collaboration at multilateral fora, FM Abdelatty congratulated Pakistan on assuming the Presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of July.

“The two leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing broad-based cooperation across various sectors, including medical, minerals, defense, trade, and investment,” the Pakistan foreign ministry said.

“They agreed on the need to strengthen connectivity between Pakistan and Egypt to promote economic integration and facilitate greater trade. Both sides also agreed to undertake high-level exchanges in the near future.”

Pakistan and Egypt have cordial ties and both countries have resolved in recent years to facilitate businessmen with visas, exchange trade-related information and promote private-sector contacts.

During Monday’s meeting, the two foreign ministers reiterated their unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their just cause, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.

“The two ministers underscored the urgent need for unimpaired humanitarian access, an immediate cessation of Israeli hostilities, and expressed hope for a meaningful and constructive outcome of the International Conference on the Two-State Solution,” it added.

The UN conference is being held at a time of worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza and France’s historic decision to formally recognize Palestine as a state.

The summit takes place a day after Israel declared a “tactical pause” in fighting in parts of Gaza, where more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, saying it would allow the UN and aid agencies to open secure land routes to tackle a deepening hunger crisis.

Analysts say France’s move could tip the balance internationally. Already, 147 of 193 UN member states — nearly 75 percent — recognize Palestine, including nearly all of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. France would be the first G7 country to join that group, with the official declaration to be made at the UN General Assembly in September.

The German Consul General in Karachi has announced the immediate suspension of visa services for non-European Union (EU) citizens until further notice.

In an official statement issued on X, the consulate confirmed that the suspension applies to all non-EU applicants, including those with already confirmed visa appointments. The consulate clarified that these appointments have been cancelled and will not be rescheduled.

Affected applicants have been advised to re-register for appointments once the consulate resumes its services. Updates on the situation will be issued as and when available, the consulate said, expressing appreciation for the public’s understanding during the disruption.

Earlier this month, Sweden announced the resumption of visa services in Islamabad following the Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and Sweden, held in Stockholm on July 2.

Read More: US tightens visa rules for Pakistani applicants

Effective from July 7, Pakistani nationals can apply for a Schengen visa from within Pakistan for visits to Sweden of up to 90 days.

The Pakistani delegation to the Bilateral Consultations in Stockholm was led by the Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe), while the Swedish side was headed by the director general for global affairs from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday notified the disqualification of three PTI lawmakers over their convictions in various cases, according to documents available with Dawn.com.

Last week, a Lahore anti-terrorism court acquitted PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi while sentencing Dr Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry and others to 10 years in prison over a May 9 riots case related to violence on Sherpao Bridge.

According to the notifications, Chaudhry, member of the National Assembly (MNA) Mohammad Ahmed Chatta and member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) of Punjab Ahmad Khan were disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution (a person shall be disqualified from being elected [if] … he has been, on conviction for any offence involving moral turpitude, senteced to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years).

The first notification acknowledged Chaudhry’s conviction in the case ‘The State vs Dr Yasmin Rashid, etc’, reading: “As a consequence, Senator Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry, has become disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan for being member of [the] Senate.

“Resultantly, Notification No.F.3(2)/2021-Cord. dated 10th March, 2021 to the extent of Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhary, as Senator, is hereby recalled with immediate effect,” the notice added, referring to the document notifying Chaudhry’s seat.

The second notice also acknowledged Chatta and Khan’s 10-year sentences on July 22, but in the case ‘The State vs Zafarullah Khan and others’.

“As a consequence, Mohammad Ahmed Chattha, MNA from NA-66 Wazirabad and Ahmad Khan, MPA, Provincial Assembly Punjab from PP-87 Mianwali-Ill have become disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution … for being members of National Assembly and Provincial Assembly of Punjab respectively,” the ECP notification read.

“Resultantly, notification No.F.2(5)/2024-Cord(1) dated 16th February 2024 to the extent of Mohammad Ahmed Chattha and notification No. F.2(6)/2024-Cord dated 17th February, 2024 to the extent of Ahmad Khan as returned candidates, are hereby recalled with immediate effect.”

Earlier this month, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ah­­med Khan filed a reference with the ECP against 26 PTI legislators over ‘unparliamentary conduct’ during the assembly’s session on June 27.

The disqualification reference was moved against the same lawmakers who were suspended for disrupting Chief Mi­­nister Maryam Nawaz’s speech and causing chaos in the house.

However, the speaker formally rejected the petitions following successful negotiations between the government and the opposition.

In 2023, PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan was disqualified for five years following his conviction in the Toshakhana case.

In a notification, the ECP cited a court order and declared Imran disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution read with Section 232 of the Elections Act, 2017.

United States Chargé d’Affaires Elizabeth Horst met Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad on Monday to discuss economic cooperation and reaffirm the strengthening trajectory of bilateral ties, Radio Pakistan reported.

According to a finance ministry statement, the meeting provided “an opportunity to exchange views on matters of mutual interest” and underscored growing collaboration between Pakistan and the US.

Aurangzeb thanked the US for its long-standing support of Pakistan’s economic development, particularly the backing for macroeconomic stability achieved over the past 18 months.

He also recalled his recent visit to Washington, DC, where he held what he described as “productive meetings” with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer.

The minister said those discussions had contributed to a “healthy momentum in bilateral engagement”. “The United States remains Pakistan’s largest trading partner,” Aurangzeb said, while expressing Pakistan’s interest in expanding cooperation beyond traditional sectors.

He noted growing potential in information technology, minerals, and agriculture as key areas for mutually beneficial investment and collaboration.

Aurangzeb also briefed the visiting diplomat on Pakistan’s improving macroeconomic indicators, including recent sovereign rating upgrades and renewed investor confidence. He outlined key reforms being undertaken in taxation and energy aimed at fostering long-term, sustainable growth.

The minister further shared updates on Pakistan’s successful participation in Middle Eastern capital markets and plans to issue the country’s first Panda bond, along with upcoming ventures in the Euro and US dollar markets.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepen cooperation and build on the progress made in recent months.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Monday criticised the federal government’s move to ban Pakistani piligims from travelling to Iran and Iraq by road.

Pilgrims visit Iraq to attend the chehlum commemoration — also known as Arbaeen (40 in Arabic) — to mark the 40th day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Husain, the grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

A day earlier, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that zaireen (pilgrims) will be barred from travelling by road to Iran and Iraq for the Arbaeen pilgrimage due to public and national security.

PPP leader Hassan Murtaza issued a statement today, saying: “The federal and provincial governments should ensure the safety of pilgrims with the help of security agencies.”

The state was responsible for the security of travellers, he added.

He criticised the ban, stating that it will severely affect the common man. “Why can’t a common man, who pays taxes to the state, travel by land?” he said.

The PPP leader said that pilgrimages were being removed from the reach of the poor.

“The Arbaeen pilgrims save up each penny to go on pilgrimage with their family. Visitors prefer travelling by road because it costs less money,” he added.

Iraq’s Karbala, where Imam Hussein and his brother Abbas are buried in two enormous mausoleums facing each other, is the centre of the Shia world during this time. More than 21 million devotees took part in the pilgrimage last year.

Pakistan is set to introduce a new travel management system from Jan 1, 2026, under which pilgrims will only be allowed to undertake the journey under registered organisers.

Under the new measures, the traditional Salar System will be abolished and replaced with a Zaireen Group Organisers model. Alongside weekly flights to Iran being increased from six to 15, 107 additional special flights will also be arranged for pilgrims heading to Iraq.

After the PM-interior minister’s meeting a day earlier, Pakistan International Airlines announced that it will start special flights for Iraq to accommodate zaireen from Aug 8 to 11.

Reacting sharply to the move, the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) rejec­ted the ban on Sunday, calling it unacceptable, unjustified and unconstitutional.

Former chief justice of the Supreme Court Jawad S. Khawaja on Monday filed a contempt of court petition against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the Supreme Court.

The petition has been filed over the issue of granting the right to appeal within 45 days to those convicted by military courts.

The petition was filed by lawyer Khawaja Ahmed Hussain on behalf of Jawad S. Khawaja.

The petition argued that despite the passage of 45 days, the government has failed to enact a law granting the right to appeal to those convicted by military courts.

According to the petition, the Supreme Court delivered its verdict on military courts on May 7, in which it ordered that the accused convicted by military courts must be given the right to appeal.

However, despite the court’s decision, the government has yet to enact any legislation in this regard, it maintained.

The petition further stated that failure to comply with a court decision amounts to contempt of court; therefore, contempt proceedings should be initiated against the prime minister.

The German Consulate General in Karachi on Monday announced on social media that it will be closed for services to non-EU citizens “until further notice”.

According to the announcement, all services for non-EU citizens have been suspended, including visa appointments.

“All confirmed visa appointments for non-EU citizens for an undisclosed time are cancelled and will not be rescheduled,” the notice read. “Applicants will need to register again via our appointment system.”

A similar notice has been published on the consulate’s website.

The German Embassy in Islamabad has not issued a similar notice. Dawn.com has reached out to the embassy for comment.

Last month, United States consulates in Karachi and Lahore requested that all applicants for F, M or J nonimmigrant visas make their social media accounts public for vetting, after similar instructions were issued by the US Embassy in New Delhi.

While addressing the Lok Sabha on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar informed the House that the US Vice President had informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about a massive attack by neighbouring Pakistan on May 9.

“…It was important to send a clear, strong and resolute message after the Pahalgam terror attack. Our red lines were crossed, and we had to make it very apparent that there would be serious consequences. As a result, the Cabinet Committee on Security met and put the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably gives up its support of cross-border terrorism,” said the External Affairs Minister.

“Our task, from a diplomatic perspective, from a foreign policy approach was to shape global understanding of the Pahalgam attack. What we tried to do was to bring to international community Pakistan’s long standing use of cross border terrorism,” said Jaishankar while addressing the Lower House of the Parliament.