ISLAMABAD, MAY 12 /DNA/ – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone call today with H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

During their most warm and cordial conversation, the two leaders exchanged greetings and reaffirmed the strong fraternal bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

The Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes to President Aliyev for the success of the upcoming World Urban Forum to be held in Baku next week. He expressed confidence that the Forum, under Azerbaijan’s stewardship, would serve as a valuable platform for advancing the global urban development agenda. He noted that, most regrettably, pressing commitments would preclude his personal attendance at the event, but he had ensured that Pakistan would be well-represented at the Forum.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction on the positive trajectory of bilateral relations, while reiterating their shared commitment to deepening cooperation across areas of mutual interest including trade and investment, energy, and people-to-people contacts.

They also discussed regional developments of common concern, particularly the ongoing peace efforts in the Middle East.

President Aliyev expressed his deep appreciation at Pakistan’s remarkably successful initiatives to bring about a ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. This was a clear reflection of the trust and confidence of the international community in Pakistan and its leadership.

The two leaders agreed to maintain close contact, and looked forward to their meeting, in person, later this year. The Prime Minister also reiterated his cordial invitation to President Aliyev to undertake an official visit to Pakistan, at his earliest convenience.

ISLAMABAD, MAY 12: Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal met Iranian Ambassador Dr. Reza Amiri Moqadam to discuss the promotion of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the health sector.

According to the Ministry of Health on Tuesday, both sides agreed to constitute a high-level committee comprising health experts from Pakistan and Iran to identify joint projects and explore new avenues of cooperation.

The initiative aims to enable both countries to benefit from each other’s expertise and experiences in the health sector.

Speaking on the occasion, Mustafa Kamal said there was vast potential for collaboration in pharmaceuticals, vaccine manufacturing and other medical fields. He also highlighted Pakistan’s significant progress in local vaccine production.

The minister informed that Pakistan would nominate the Chief Executive Officer of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, the CEO of the National Institute of Health and the Joint Secretary (Admin) as members of the committee, while Iran would also nominate its representatives.

The Iranian ambassador expressed Tehran’s keen interest in expanding cooperation with Pakistan in the field of public health.

During the meeting, both sides appreciated the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran.

Mustafa Kamal also expressed sorrow over the martyrdom of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and other martyrs, saying the people of Pakistan stood firmly with the Iranian nation during this difficult time.

The Iranian ambassador appreciated Pakistan’s support during the recent conflict and acknowledged Islamabad’s positive role in mediation efforts between Iran and the United States. He also thanked Pakistan for its solidarity and cooperation in challenging time.

Fiaz Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government has decided to release salaries and pensions of federal employees in advance ahead of Eid-ul-Adha 2026, reported on Tuesday, citing sources.

According to sources, the Ministry of Finance has prepared arrangements for the early disbursement of salaries and pensions for May 2026.

In view of the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha 2026 holidays, payments to government employees and pensioners are expected to be made on 22 May, sources added.

Officials said the payments will be processed under the Federal Government Receipts and Payments Rules 2025. The Controller General of Accounts has reportedly been instructed to ensure timely disbursement of salaries and pensions.

The Ministry of Finance has also directed all relevant departments to ensure immediate implementation of the decision.

It is to be noted that the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has predicted that Eid ul Adha 2026 in Pakistan is likely to fall on Wednesday, May 27, based on astronomical calculations.

According to SUPARCO’s initial assessment, there is a strong possibility of sighting the Dhul Hijjah moon on Sunday, May 17.

The space agency stated that the moon for Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH will be born at 1:01am on May 17. By sunset, the moon’s age is expected to be approximately 18 hours and 30 minutes, which is generally considered sufficient for visibility to the naked eye.

SUPARCO further noted that in Pakistan’s coastal areas, the time difference between sunset and moonset on May 17 will be around 60 minutes, increasing the likelihood of crescent visibility.

For clear moon sighting, the moon’s age typically needs to be close to 20 hours, the agency added.

DNA

MOSCOW: The government in Islamabad plans to increase oil imports from Russia amid the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Moscow, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, said.

Speaking to Russia’s state-owned TASS News Agency, the ambassador said that demand for Russian energy resources has increased amid the crisis around the Strait of Hormuz.

“We produce about 10% of the energy resources we need ourselves, while the rest is imported, mainly from the Gulf countries. Therefore, a serious crisis has arisen, and that is why we began to look for alternatives,” Tirmizi said.

At some point, he said, alternative pipelines from Turkmenistan and even from Russia to South Asia will also be discussed.

Fuel prices recorded a sharp increase in the country following the oil supply disruption caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and gas shipping.

Iran closed the strait in response to joint attacks by the US and Israel, which began on February 28 and ended on April 8 following a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire.

Despite the extension in the ceasefire, the two sides remain at odds over proposals for a permanent end to the war, particularly over their respective blockades of Hormuz.

About a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supply normally passes through the strait, which is the gateway to the Gulf and main export route for countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Qatar.

During the interview, Tirmizi pointed out that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz has become a worrying signal for several countries, including Pakistan.

“Of course, Russia is a major supplier of both oil and energy resources. Therefore, we are now also considering building a pipeline from Central Asia and Russia at some point,” the ambassador stressed.

Nazir Siyal

KARACHI: Alleged high-profile cocaine dealer Anmol alias Pinky was brought to a court in Karachi without handcuffs, in an apparent protocol.

According to reports, the investigating officer escorted the suspect while walking behind her and guiding the way as she confidently entered the courtroom.

Sources claimed that during custody, the suspect had expressed confidence that she would soon be released.

Police arrested the alleged high-profile narcotics supplier, Pinky, during an intelligence-based operation conducted by Garden Police on the indication of security agencies.

Officials claimed that she was among the country’s most wanted drug traffickers and was allegedly involved in the production and distribution of high-grade cocaine across Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.

Authorities stated that Pinky operated a mobile drug laboratory and was arrested along with a fully functional cocaine production unit. During the raid, police recovered one kilogram of semi-prepared cocaine, more than 15 cocaine capsules, chemical substances including ketamine, ephedrine, methamphetamine and lidocaine, as well as a pistol.

Officials further claimed that the suspect also manufactured premium-quality homemade red wine, several bottles of which were seized during the operation.

Read More: Karachi police arrest cocaine kingpin ‘Anmol alias Pinky’ in IBO

Investigators alleged that Anmol alias Pinky produced expensive variants of cocaine, including so-called “White Coke” and “Golden Coke”, which were reportedly sold at significantly higher prices than ordinary cocaine available in the market.