ISLAMABAD, APR 10 /DNA/ – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the nation on Friday, welcoming the immediate ceasefire between the United States, Iran, and their allies.

He expressed deep gratitude to both Washington and Tehran for agreeing to halt hostilities, describing the development as a significant step towards regional stability.

“Peace is in everybody’s interest,” the Prime Minister declared. He stressed that a permanent ceasefire could only be achieved through sustained dialogue, calling the upcoming talks a “make or break” moment for peace in the region.

Delegations from the US and Iran are expected in Islamabad for further negotiations.PM Shehbaz warmly praised Field Marshal Asim Munir for his pivotal role in making the ceasefire possible. He highlighted the Army Chief’s diplomatic and strategic contributions that helped de-escalate tensions amid the recent Middle East conflict.

The Prime Minister also announced immediate relief measures for the masses amid easing global oil prices. Following a slight reduction in international crude rates, the government decided to pass on the benefit to Pakistani consumers.New fuel prices effective immediately:High-Speed Diesel price has been cut by Rs135 per liter. The new price is now Rs385 per liter (down from the recent high of over Rs520).

Petrol price has been reduced by Rs12 per liter. The new price stands at Rs366 per liter.

These cuts aim to ease the burden on transporters, farmers, and ordinary citizens who have faced record-high fuel costs in recent weeks due to global disruptions.PM Shehbaz said the relief package reflects the government’s commitment to supporting the people during challenging times.

He urged all political and regional stakeholders to support the peace process and focus on economic recovery.The address was widely welcomed, with political analysts noting Pakistan’s active diplomatic role in the US-Iran de-escalation.

Markets are expected to react positively to the fuel price reduction in the coming days.The Prime Minister concluded by appealing for national unity, saying collective efforts in diplomacy and economic management would help Pakistan emerge stronger.

ISLAMABAD, APR 10: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, this evening.

Prime Minister Starmer deeply appreciated Pakistan’s effective diplomatic efforts in facilitating the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, and the resumption of dialogue. He felicitated Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on hosting the peace negotiations in Islamabad and offered his best wishes for the success of this endeavor.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s sincere commitment to regional peace and stability, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the joint statement issued by key European and international leaders, including Prime Minister Starmer, endorsing Pakistan’s peace initiatives.

Both leaders emphasized the importance of ensuring that the ceasefire remains in place and creates the necessary conditions for lasting peace and stability in the region.

The two leaders agreed to work together to lend fresh impetus to the longstanding friendly ties between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, across all spheres of mutual interest.

The Prime Minister reiterated his cordial invitation to Prime Minister Starmer to undertake an official visit to Pakistan.

BEIJING, APR 10 /DNA/ – Ambassador Khalil Hashmi paid a visit to the Anhui Province of China from 9-10 April 2026. In the capital city of Hefei, he delivered remarks at the opening ceremony of the International Rural Innovation and Development (IRID) Expo-2026, China’s first international expo focused on the entire industrial chain of rural development.

The Ambassador underscored that rural development was not merely a policy choice but a foundation of national prosperity, food security, and social stability. He also emphasized the importance of empowering rural women and youth through digital inclusion and agri-tech skills to foster inclusive development.

Ambassador Hashmi represented fellow ambassadors and diplomatic envoys in a meeting with Vice Governor of Anhui Province, Mr. Zhang Shuguang. The Ambassador conveyed deep appreciation of the participants over the impressive economic, social and technological gains achieved as well as progress made in the agriculture sector mechanization, enhanced productivity and high-quality production. Ambassador Hashmi also presented new agriculture cooperation proposals in academia, research & business with the Anhui province, including a Pakistan-focused sub-forum on agriculture next year on the sidelines of IRID Expo in Hefei.

The Ambassador also delivered remarks at the Global Summit on Sustainable Agriculture (GSSA)Forum, highlighting Pakistan’s priorities for revitalizing its agriculture sector. He invited GSSA and its Secretary General GSSA Sun Xi to organize the next edition of the Forum in Pakistan. He also encouraged Chinese investors to visit Pakistan to leverage mutually beneficial opportunities in digital agriculture, climate-resilient farming, hybrid seed development, cotton innovation, wheat molecular biology, and buffalo genetics.

In another dynamic city of the province, Bengbu, the Ambassador visited the uniquely combined high technology, the pilot free trade & comprehensive bonded zone, all in one location, signifying China’s scale, efficiency & importance attached to ease of doing business. Ambassador Hashmi also visited the Anhui BBCA Bio-Chemical Complex, the largest polylactic acid (PLA) plant in China, with over 40K tones production annually. PLA is a biodegrade-able thermoplastic derived from corn, starch or sugarcane and is used for food packaging, 3D printing filament & medical devices. The Ambassador also paid a visit to Dachan Group a key producer of animal feed and processed chicken products since 2005. Its Guzhen County facility is a major hub specializing in intelligent manufacturing, poultry breeding, and food processing. Beijing – 10 April , 2026

ISLAMABAD, APR 10: Pakistan is pressing ahead with its preparations for high-stakes talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad, expected to focus on extending the fragile two-week ceasefire into a lasting peace.

Chairing a meeting to review security and administrative preparations for the talks in the federal capital, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi directed authorities to ensure foolproof security and exceptional hospitality for all visiting foreign guests.

The high-level meeting decided that the Red Zone will be completely sealed during the talks, with entry restricted only to authorised individuals.

A dedicated control room has already been established at the interior ministry to monitor and manage all arrangements.

Islamabad is set to host crucial talks between the United States and Iran on Saturday, following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s invitation to both sides to the negotiating table after facilitating the ceasefire.

The war in the Middle East began on February 28 when the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes that assassinated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and struck Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure, killing more than 2,000 people in five weeks.

In its response, Tehran effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route, along with strikes against Israel and US bases across the Gulf region.

The hostilities between the US and Iran ended on April 8 when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the two-week ceasefire.

Washington’s reported 15-point proposal for the peace talks centres on Iran’s enriched uranium, ballistic missiles, sanctions relief and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran has countered with a 10-point plan demanding control over the strait, a toll for vessels crossing the strait, an end to all regional military operations and the lifting of all sanctions.

The global community hailed Pakistan for its essential role in stopping hostilities and offered their support to Islamabad in its peace efforts.

Delegations from the two sides are now set to hold talks in Islamabad on Saturday, with US Vice President JD Vance due to lead the US delegation, joined by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Ministe Abbas Araghchi are expected to lead the Iranian delegation.

Ghalibaf is a former IRGC commander, and it remains unclear whether any active IRGC representative will attend.

Ahead of the talks — dubbed the “Islamabad talks” — authorities announced a local holiday in Rawalpindi and Islamabad on April 9 and 10.

According to the district administration, all educational institutions and government and private offices in the twin cities will remain closed on Thursday and Friday.

Lebanon issue
The two-week truce between the US and Iran was agreed to allow negotiations aimed at ending a conflict that has already killed thousands and plunged the global economy into turmoil.

US President Donald Trump has voiced displeasure at Iran´s handling of the Strait of Hormuz, which was meant to be reopened under the deal, while Tehran has reacted angrily to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, insisting that it too falls under the agreement — something Washington disputes.

Lebanon is also a major sticking point. Israel continued its strikes in the country, targeting Hezbollah — after the ceasefire came into force — with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejecting the assertion that the truce included Lebanon.

On April 8, less than 48 hours after the ceasefire came into force, Israel carried out its heaviest strikes on Lebanon since Hezbollah entered the Middle East war, killing more than 300 people.

There was, however, ongoing “pressure from European states, Gulf states and Egypt on Israel to prevent renewed Israeli airstrikes on Beirut after ‘Black Wednesday'”, AFP cited a Western diplomat as saying.

As of Friday morning, the Israeli army had not acted on warnings the day before that it would strike wide areas in the capital´s south.

Washington has said the Lebanese front of the war will be dealt with under separate talks.

“We can confirm that the Department will host a meeting next week to discuss ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Israel and Lebanon,” a US State Department official said.

ISLAMABAD, Apr 10: Superior Consulting is set to hold its 65th One-to-One Immigration and Study Abroad Seminar here on April 18 focusing on immigration and study abroad opportunities and guiding aspirants for abroad study.

Seminar will be held at a local hotel and feature pre-arranged, one-to-one consultation sessions for professionals, students, and families seeking information on overseas pathways.

The sessions are expected to cover areas including immigration planning, study options, visit visas, and general settlement-related matters in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.

Talking to APP, Immigration Expert Adil Ismail said, “Immigration today is not about trends or assumptions, it is about understanding each individual’s profile and aligning it with the right pathway. Through our one-to-one model, we ensure that every applicant receives honest, structured, and practical guidance based on real possibilities.”

Director Operation, Superior Consulting Abu Bakar Adil while talking added, “We are seeing a clear shift, people are now more informed, more serious, and more focused on long-term outcomes. This seminar is designed for those individuals who want clarity and a well-defined strategy, rather than guesswork or generic advice.”

The sessions would follow a structured format, allowing participants to discuss their individual profiles and explore available options in detail. They added that participation in the seminar would be based on prior arrangements.

The development comes at a time when many individuals are exploring international education and migration opportunities, reflecting a broader trend of seeking career and settlement options abroad.

Based on past experience, Superior Consulting seminars generate strong interest from applicants seeking serious and structured guidance. This is not a walk-in event; meetings are arranged through prior booking, and suitable candidates are given confirmed slots after initial assessment. Individuals with strong profiles are encouraged to get in touch early so their seats may be reserved in time.

In addition to consultations, the company also supports suitable clients in related requirements such as media coverage, profile building, research-backed direction, and other supporting areas that strengthen serious immigration planning.