The GSP+ facility has been instrumental in boosting Pakistan’s exports to Europe, making the EU one of the country’s largest trading partners. Islamabad is keen to secure continued access to the scheme, which has significantly benefited Pakistan’s textile and manufacturing sectors

Ansar Mahmood Bhatti

ISLAMABAD: The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, will arrive in Pakistan on June 1 for an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and reviewing key aspects of the Pakistan-EU partnership.

The visit comes at the invitation of Ishaq Dar, with both sides set to co-chair the 8th session of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue, the highest-level forum for structured engagement between Pakistan and the European Union.

During her stay, Kallas is also expected to meet Pakistan’s senior leadership, including the president and prime minister, underscoring the importance both sides attach to their longstanding relationship.

Pakistan and the European Union enjoy broad-based cooperation encompassing trade, development, climate action, education and regional security. However, analysts believe one of the most important issues likely to dominate discussions will be Pakistan’s future under the EU’s GSP+ trade scheme, which grants preferential access to European markets and is due for renewal under the bloc’s revised framework.

The GSP+ facility has been instrumental in boosting Pakistan’s exports to Europe, making the EU one of the country’s largest trading partners. Islamabad is keen to secure continued access to the scheme, which has significantly benefited Pakistan’s textile and manufacturing sectors.

Despite strong economic ties, the European Union continues to express concerns regarding human rights, political freedoms, judicial independence and governance issues in Pakistan. Brussels has also raised reservations about aspects of Pakistan’s 2024 general elections and has repeatedly emphasized the need for adherence to international commitments linked to the GSP+ framework.

Nevertheless, diplomatic observers believe Pakistan’s prospects for retaining GSP+ status remain favorable. They argue that while compliance with governance and human rights benchmarks remains an important consideration, the final decision is likely to be influenced by broader strategic and political factors, including the EU’s interest in maintaining engagement with Pakistan in a region of growing geopolitical significance.

The upcoming visit is expected to provide an opportunity for candid discussions on these issues while reaffirming both sides’ commitment to deepening cooperation and advancing a mutually beneficial partnership.

ISLAMABAD, May 31 (DNA): At least four people were killed and four others injured when two cars collided with a motorbike near Athal , Bhara Kahu in Islamabad in the early hours of Sunday.

According to details, a police official informed that four people were killed on the spot, while two others sustained critical injuries in the accident, local media channel reported.

The deceased included Fazal and Amir, while the identities of the other two victims have not yet been confirmed.

The injured were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

Police said further investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.

ISLAMABAD, May 31 (DNA): At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister/Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP) Kaja Kallass will undertake an official visit to Pakistan on Monday.

During the visit, the DPM/FM and the HR/VP will co-chair the 8th session of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue. The dialogue is the highest-level platform for structured discussions between the two sides, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.

During the visit, the EU HR/VP is also scheduled to call on the senior leadership, including the president and the prime minister.

“Pakistan deeply values its long-standing, multidimensional partnership with the European Union, which is anchored in shared values, robust economic cooperation, and a mutual commitment to multilateralism,” it was added.

The spokesperson further said that the upcoming visit underscored the sustained momentum of high-level political exchanges between Pakistan and the EU and reflected a shared commitment to further strengthening the Pakistan-EU partnership.

FAISALABAD, MAY 31 (DNA): City Police Officer (CPO) Tanveer Hussain said that the security of Chinese nationals and Chinese-backed projects remains among the highest priorities of the Government of Pakistan and any negligence or complacency in security duties would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The CPO expressed these views while chairing an important meeting with Chinese representatives and the management of Time Ceramics at the FIEDMC Industrial Area. The meeting reviewed the security arrangements, facilitation measures and protective protocols being provided to Chinese nationals working on various industrial projects in Faisalabad.

SP Madina Division Azhar Javed, DSP Nishatabad Circle Nadeem Iqbal, SHO FIEDMC police station Adil Gulfam, Chinese representatives and other concerned officials attended the meeting.During meeting, CPO Tanveer Hussain gave a detailed briefing on the security framework established for Chinese citizens and highlighted the steps being taken to ensure their safe movement, residence and work environment.

He said that a comprehensive security mechanism was in place and was being continuously monitored to address emerging challenges.

He said that the Foreign Cell was playing an active role in ensuring effective liaison with Chinese nationals and resolving their issues on priority basis.

He said that continuous monitoring of CCTV cameras installed at Chinese installations and residential compounds was being carried out to strengthen surveillance and enhance response capabilities.He directed all concerned officers to ensure strict implementation of security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and emphasized that bulletproof vehicles should be used wherever required to guarantee the secure movement of Chinese citizens.

ISLAMABAD, MAY 30: The return of Pakistani pilgrims from Saudi Arabia after performing Hajj has begun. 165 pilgrims arrived in Islamabad on the first Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Madinah. Flight PK-742 landed at Islamabad International Airport at 7:15pm.

Chief Operating Officer of Islamabad International Airport Aftab Gilani welcomed the pilgrims on arrival.

The airport manager presented flower garlands to the pilgrims. The first PIA flight carrying 165 Pakistani pilgrims arrived in Islamabad from Madinah as the post-Hajj repatriation operation got under way.

PESHAWAR, MAY 30: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Saturday wrote to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Appellate Court of Gilgit-Baltistan, urging immediate judicial intervention to ensure transparency in the upcoming GB elections amid what he described as an “alarming” deterioration in the electoral environment.

The move came amid a series of reported incidents involving PTI leaders during the ongoing election campaign in the mountainous region.

PTI senior leader Asad Qaiser on Saturday claimed he was prevented from reaching Islamabad airport, resulting in him missing his flight to Skardu in connection with the election campaign.

The incident followed the expulsion of PTI MNA Junaid Akbar and his team from GB a day earlier, while they were campaigning for the upcoming elections scheduled for June 7.

In the letter, the chief minister said reports emerging from GB regarding the electoral process were “extremely concerning”.

CM alleged that one political party was being subjected to undue obstacles in carrying out routine electoral activities, including public gatherings, campaigning, and the movement of its leadership and workers.

He further stated that reports of political workers being harassed, unlawfully detained, and prevented from engaging in political activity were “deeply troubling”, warning that if such practices continued unchecked, they could “severely undermine the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.”

Emphasising constitutional guarantees, the chief minister noted that Pakistan’s Constitution guarantees every political party and citizen the fundamental right to participate in free, fair, transparent and impartial elections.

He added that any deviation from these principles would not only constitute a violation of the Constitution but would also run contrary to democratic norms.

The letter also called for clear directions to the relevant authorities to ensure free and fair elections in GB, an immediate end to the alleged harassment and unlawful restrictions on political workers, and the restoration of equal political space for all parties to conduct campaign activities without discrimination.

It further urged swift and effective action against any violations of constitutional and democratic rights during the electoral process, stressing the need to uphold the rule of law and protect electoral integrity.

The chief minister appealed to the court to exercise its constitutional mandate to safeguard democratic principles and restore public confidence in the electoral process.

CM Afridi expressed hope that timely judicial intervention would ensure credible, transparent, and peaceful elections in the region.

The date for local government elections in Gilgit-Baltistan has been set for June 14.

According to an official notification, the election programme earlier issued for the general elections to the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly was withdrawn on December 18, 2025.

WASHINGTON, MAY 30: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday said that a “true friendship” was growing between his country and Pakistan, hailing Islamabad’s efforts to bring a permanent end to the Middle East conflict.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth heaped praise on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their crucial role in Washington’s peace negotiations with Tehran, Bloomberg reported.

“Pakistan is a true friend of the US,” he said, adding that PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Munir were playing an “outstanding” role in the ongoing peace negotiations.

The US defence secretary was referring to Islamabad’s ongoing efforts to bring Tehran and Washington back to the table to revive peace talks following six weeks of war.

Meanwhile, a peace deal remains elusive as a White House official told AFP that President Donald Trump will only make a peace deal with Iran if it meets all of his conditions.

The White House had indicated Trump was close to a decision on a potential deal, even as Tehran insisted there was still “no final agreement” on ending the Middle East conflict.

An Iranian state media report also rebutted several key elements of Trump’s characterisation of the deal, with sources calling his remarks a “mixture of truth and lies.”

Trump had previously repeated long-held demands that Iran agree never to develop nuclear weapons and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, among other conditions.

The US president reiterated his stance on Friday shortly before attending a two-hour meeting in the White House Situation Room where he failed to reach a decision on a deal with Iran.

‘War and talks’
Hostilities erupted in the Middle East when the US and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iran on February 28, prompting Tehran to target US bases across the region and effectively close the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy markets.

The clashes ended after Pakistan brokered a two-week ceasefire on April 8, and later hosted delegations from Tehran and Washington for direct talks in Islamabad, the first such dialogue between the two nations in around 47 years.

The talks, however, concluded in a deadlock as US and Iran disagreed on many points, including Hormuz and Tehran’s nuclear and missile programmes.

Despite the stalemate, Pakistan continued its efforts to bring both sides back to the table and mediated an extension in the ceasefire.

On Friday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian thanked Pakistan for “its initiative and effective efforts to reach an agreement” with the US.

The Iranian president made the remarks in a post on his official X account after holding separate phone conversations with PM Shehbaz and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The US, on its part, has reiterated on several occasions that Islamabad remains the key mediator in its talks with Iran.