Category: 1. Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will pay an official visit to China from August 30 to September 4 to attend the 25th SCO Council of Heads of State Summit in Tianjin.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the premier will hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to discuss various aspects of bilateral cooperation.

He will also attend a military parade in Beijing, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the World’s Anti-Fascist War, alongside President Xi and other world leaders.

The prime minister is further scheduled to interact with leading Chinese businessmen and executives to enhance trade, investment, and economic ties, and address the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Beijing.

The Foreign Office said the visit is part of high-level exchanges aimed at deepening the “All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership,” advancing the second phase of CPEC, and maintaining regular communication on key regional and global issues.

The three-day important 25th meeting of SCO Heads of States is planned for 31 August, September 1 and 2.

This year’s summit will be the largest since the SCO was founded in 2001, a Chinese foreign ministry official said last week, calling the bloc an “important force in building a new type of international relations”.

Among the attendees at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, set to take place in the northern port city of Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, will be Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside leaders from Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

The theme of this year’s meeting will be, “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.” The annual event is likely to focus on key discussions on regional security, economic cooperation, trade and the SCO’s long-term strategic direction and way forward.

The security-focused bloc, which began as a group of six Eurasian nations, has expanded to 10 permanent members and 16 dialogue and observer countries in recent years. Its remit has also enlarged from security and counter-terrorism to economic and military cooperation. 

• PM to attend military parade in Beijing alongside President Xi.
• Premier scheduled to interact with Chinese businessmen.
• PM to address Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference.
  

---

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will undertake a visit to China from August 30 to September 4 to attend the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State Summit in Tianjin.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the premier will hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to discuss various aspects of bilateral cooperation.

He will also attend a military parade in Beijing, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the World’s Anti-Fascist War, alongside President Xi and other world leaders.

The prime minister is further scheduled to interact with leading Chinese businessmen and executives to enhance trade, investment, and economic ties, and address the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Beijing.

The Foreign Office said the visit is part of high-level exchanges aimed at deepening the “All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership,” advancing the second phase of CPEC, and maintaining regular communication on key regional and global issues.

The three-day important 25th meeting of SCO Heads of States is planned for 31 August, September 1 and 2.

This year’s summit will be the largest since the SCO was founded in 2001, a Chinese foreign ministry official said last week, calling the bloc an “important force in building a new type of international relations”.

Among the attendees at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, set to take place in the northern port city of Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, will be Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside leaders from Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

The theme of this year’s meeting will be, “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.” The annual event is likely to focus on key discussions on regional security, economic cooperation, trade and the SCO’s long-term strategic direction and way forward.

The security-focused bloc, which began as a group of six Eurasian nations, has expanded to 10 permanent members and 16 dialogue and observer countries in recent years. Its remit has also enlarged from security and counter-terrorism to economic and military cooperation. 

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has assured that all minority religious sites damaged during recent floods, including Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, will be restored to their original condition on priority, Radio Pakistan reported on Friday.

During his visit to the flood-hit districts of Punjab, including Sialkot, Shakargarh, Narowal, and Kartarpur, the army chief met members of the Sikh community.

He said it was the responsibility of the state and its institutions to protect religious sites of minorities, reaffirming that Pakistan would “leave no stone unturned” in fulfilling this duty.

The Sikh community expressed gratitude to the army chief for the relief and rehabilitation support being provided by the civil administration and the military during the calamity. Field Marshal Munir also carried out an aerial survey of Darbar Sahib Kartarpur to assess the damage caused by the floods.

The purpose of the visit was to review the flood situation, oversee rescue and relief operations, and evaluate preparations for the next spell of rains. He was briefed on the prevailing conditions and ongoing measures to minimise losses.

Appreciating the efforts of the civil administration and troops, the COAS lauded their coordinated and tireless work in saving lives and providing relief to flood-affected families.

While interacting with soldiers, he commended their high morale, operational readiness, and unwavering commitment to serving the nation under challenging circumstances.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has issued summons to YouTubers and several social media influencers for their alleged involvement in large-scale financial scams linked to the promotion of unlicensed online trading and gambling applications.

According to official documents, the NCCIA has directed Mudassar Hassan, Muhammad Anas Ali, Iqra Kanwal, and Muhammad Husnain Shah to appear in person on September 2, 2025, at the NCCIA office in Lahore, as part of an ongoing investigation.

The individuals are accused of promoting illegal online trading and gambling apps and motivating youth to invest in unregulated betting platforms using social media to glamorize and legitimize these investments designing a coordinated scheme to defraud the public by encouraging investments in unregistered, non-licensed applications.

The NCCIA statement further notes that failure to appear will be interpreted as an admission of guilt or forfeiture of the right to present a defense.

Earlier investigative findings supported by whistleblower accounts revealed that the controversial online betting platform “World 777” has been aggressively funding influencer marketing campaigns across social media, luring thousands of unsuspecting Pakistanis, especially youth, into the high-risk world of online gambling.

A list of high-profile figures allegedly involved in promoting the app includes Mathira (model and media personality), Nadir Ali (YouTuber), Aimen Zaman. Varda Malik, Javeria Aurangzeb, Abeera Khan and Faryal Fairy. Nauman Kazmi.

Officials estimate that billions of rupees are being funneled out of Pakistan each month through these unregulated platforms — creating a shadow economy that undermines the country’s financial stability while fueling addiction and financial ruin among vulnerable users.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir on Friday assured the Sikh community that the flood-damaged Kartarpur gurdwara and other affected religious sites would be fully restored on priority.

The army chief made these remarks during his visit to flood-affected areas in the Sialkot sector, including Shakargarh, Narowal, and Kartarpur, to review the ongoing relief operations and preparations for the next spell of monsoon rains, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

Pakistan is battling torrential monsoon rains that have unleashed flash floods, swelled rivers, and filled dams, with more than 800 deaths reported since late June. Amid the heavy rains, India released excess water this week from its dams, swelling river flows downstream in Punjab.

The NDMA said that Pakistan evacuated more than 210,000 villagers near the rivers Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab that flow from India.

A day earlier, Pakistani officials said India passed on its third flood warning since Sunday, this time for the Sutlej, while the previous two concerned waters heading into Pakistan on the Ravi.

During today’s visit, the COAS was given a comprehensive brief on the prevailing situation and the preparations for the next spell of rains. He appreciated the troops and the civil administration for their coordinated and untiring efforts in rescuing and providing relief to the masses in affected areas.

He reiterated that it is the responsibility of the state and its institutions to protect the minorities and their religious sites and the state of Pakistan would leave no stone unturned to uphold its responsibility towards the minorities.

The Sikh Community welcomed the arrival of COAS with warmth at the flood-affected areas of Sialkot Sector. The Sikh Community thanked the army chief for the services being extended by the civil administration and the Pakistan Army during the calamity.

He also undertook the aerial flyover of Darbar Sahib Kartarpur.

During interaction with representatives of civil administration, the field marshal appreciated the proactive response which helped minimise the loss of lives and property.

While interacting with troops, the COAS commended their high morale, operational readiness, and commitment for serving the nation. He appreciated their services for the people during rescue and relief operations under challenging circumstances.

Upon his arrival, Field Marshal Munir was received by corps commander Gujranwala.