RAWALPINDI, JUL 20 /DNA/ – Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff & Chief of Defence Forces, at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi.
During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security and bilateral relations between Pakistan and Canada were discussed.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir highlighted Pakistan’s perspective on global peace and regional stability underscoring the importance of cooperation and collaborative efforts to address common security challenges.
The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s ongoing efforts and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, as well as its constructive role in promoting peace and stability. Both sides reiterated their resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties and expand engagements in defence and security.
ISLAMABAD, Jul 20: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday felicitated Andy Burnham on assuming office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
In a message on his official X wall, the prime minister wished Prime Minister Andy Burnham every success in his tenure and looked forward to working closely with him to further strengthen the historic and deep-rooted bonds of friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and the UK.
He added that the special bilateral ties between the two nations were anchored by millions of proud and vibrant British Pakistanis who served as a living bridge between the two countries.
“Together, we will strive to elevate Pakistan–UK relations, in particular, our bilateral trade and investment partnership, to new heights,” he said.
ISLAMABAD, Jul 20: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday extended his heartfelt felicitations to Prime Minister Andy Burnham on assuming office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
The president expressed the hope that under Prime Minister Burnham’s leadership, Pakistan and the United Kingdom would further strengthen their longstanding bilateral partnership and expand cooperation across areas of mutual interest, a news release issued from Presidency said.
President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue, diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of disputes. He noted that, as the world, particularly the Gulf region, has been passing through a turbulent period since late February, Pakistan has played its part in promoting peace with the support of many brotherly countries.
He expressed the hope that the United Kingdom, under Prime Minister Burnham’s leadership, would also play its part in securing a cessation of the current hostilities and return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
The president wished Prime Minister Burnham success in his new responsibilities and said that he looked forward to working together to further deepen the enduring ties between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
ISLAMABAD, JUL 20 /DNA/ – Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Amb. Shafqat Ali Khan, called on the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, in Islamabad on Monday.
During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister underscored the profound importance Pakistan attaches to its longstanding fraternal relations with the UAE. He highlighted the deep-rooted historical and people-to-people connections that serve as the bedrock of the bilateral partnership.
Senator Dar issued a comprehensive set of directives to the Ambassador, emphasizing the need to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across all sectors. He specifically stressed the importance of deepening economic and investment ties between the two brotherly countries, identifying new avenues for collaboration that would be mutually beneficial.
Furthermore, the Foreign Minister directed the Ambassador to enhance collaboration aimed at ensuring the welfare and well-being of the large Pakistani diaspora residing in the UAE. He acknowledged the vital role the Pakistani community plays in the UAE’s development and reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing their needs and facilitating their integration.
Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan assured the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of his full commitment to implementing these directives and working tirelessly to elevate the Pakistan-UAE relationship to new heights.
ISLAMABAD, JUL 20 /DNA/ – Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik held a meeting with a delegation of the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA), led by Chief Adviser Malik Khuda Baksh, to discuss petroleum pricing reforms, deregulation, and matters concerning petroleum dealers.
The PPDA delegation appreciated the Government’s effective management of petroleum product supplies during the challenges arising from the Strait of Hormuz crisis. They commended the Ministry of Petroleum for ensuring uninterrupted fuel availability across the country despite regional uncertainties.
PPDA Chief Adviser Malik Khuda Baksh said that while several neighbouring countries experienced law and order situations due to petroleum shortages, Pakistan successfully maintained smooth supplies through timely and effective government measures. He assured the Minister of the Association’s full support for the Government’s policy.
The Minister briefed the delegation on the transition from weekly to daily petroleum price announcements, explaining that the new mechanism would be based on a seven-day rolling average of international prices. He emphasized that the previous weekly pricing mechanism was also based on a seven-day average price, and that the new system simply updates prices on a daily basis to enhance transparency, reduce market distortions, and better reflect international price movements. The PPDA expressed its support for the proposed mechanism.
Ali Pervaiz Malik stated that the Government is moving towards a market-driven pricing system to promote transparency and protect consumers. He noted that periodic price announcements had increasingly become occasions for market manipulation and hoarding, creating unnecessary distortions. The shift to daily pricing based on a seven-day rolling average, he said, would discourage such practices while ensuring a smoother and more transparent pricing regime.
The PPDA delegation requested that petroleum dealers be consulted during the formulation of rules and operational modalities between Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and dealers. The Minister assured the delegation that their views would be duly considered. The delegation also raised the issue of dealers’ pending margins which have not been revised and requested that dealers’ margins be increased to 8 percent .The Minister assured them that progress would be made on the matter and arranged a meeting between PPDA representatives and OGRA for tomorrow to discuss the issue and other concerns in detail.
Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik thanked the PPDA leadership for its constructive engagement and support for the Government’s reform agenda. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to build a transparent, competitive, and consumer-friendly petroleum market and protecting public interest.
The PPDA delegation comprised Chief Adviser Malik Khuda Baksh, Raja Waseem Kayani, Chaudhry Zafar Elahi, Babar Ali Chaudhary, and Chaudhry Faisal Arif.
INSTANBUL, JUL 20 /DNA/ – The first-ever D-8 Ministerial Meeting on Environment, under the title “Preparing for COP31: Advancing Climate Implementation through International Cooperation” was successfully convened in Istanbul, Türkiye, on 17 July 2026. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Mr. Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of Türkiye and President-designate of COP31.
Preceded by a Senior Officials’ Meeting on 16 July, the Ministerial Meeting brought together Ministers and senior representatives responsible for environment, climate change and related portfolios from all nine D-8 Member States, marking the first ministerial platform dedicated exclusively to environmental and climate cooperation in the history of the Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8).
In his wide-ranging address, Minister Murat Kurum highlighted the D-8’s significant potential to contribute to the global climate agenda, given its geographic reach, demographic strength, and collective economic potential. He elaborated in detail the incoming COP31 Presidency’s core priorities as well as comprehensive Action Agenda. The Minister emphasized that the shared determination of D-8 Member States would be particularly important in advancing COP31’s implementation-oriented approach and strengthening the voice of developing countries in international climate processes.
Delivering his statement, H.E. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Secretary-General of the D-8 Organization, emphasized that climate change had become one of the defining development challenges confronting the D-8 Member States. Appreciating the COP31 Presidency’s strong emphasis on implementation, he lauded its focus on adaptation, climate finance, loss and damage, and a just transition. The Secretary-General stressed that economic growth, environmental protection, and climate resilience must advance together — supported by technology transfer, knowledge-sharing, innovative financing, and enhanced South-South cooperation. He further underscored the importance of translating commitments into practical cooperation and welcomed the consensus achieved through the adoption of the ‘Istanbul Declaration.’
Secretary-General Ambassador Sohail Mahmood also proposed that D-8 Member States intensify consultations in the lead-up to COP31 through an appropriate coordination mechanism, while exploring opportunities to establish joint D-8 presence in Antalya, including a joint D-8 Pavilion and side events to showcase both the Organization’s collective priorities as well as Member States’ practical initiatives and climate solutions. He reaffirmed the D-8 Secretariat’s readiness to support the COP31 Presidency and Member States in advancing a balanced, implementation-oriented and development-focused climate agenda.
In their respective interventions, the participants reaffirmed commitment to enhanced climate action, while outlining their perspectives in light of national circumstances and aligned to their national development priorities. Building on the successful hosting of COP27 by Egypt and COP29 by Azerbaijan, and the upcoming COP31 in Antalya from 9 to 20 November 2026, the Meeting underscored the growing contribution of D-8 Member States to global climate governance.
The Ministerial Meeting concluded with the unanimous adoption of the ‘Istanbul Declaration,’ a comprehensive outcome document that delineates a forward-looking framework for enhanced D-8 cooperation on environment, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
The Declaration inter alia expresses the collective support of D-8 Member States for the Republic of Türkiye in its capacity as the host and Presidency of COP31 and underscores the importance of shifting the global climate agenda from commitments to implementation through concrete actions, accessible climate finance, technology transfer, and strengthened international cooperation.
Reflecting the common priorities of developing countries, the Ministers agreed to initiate work on a D-8 Adaptation Action Framework (2026-2030); welcomed the proposed D-8 Environment and Climate Cooperation Platform; and agreed to work on developing a practical roadmap for long-term D-8 environmental cooperation covering adaptation, loss and damage, just transition, climate finance, zero waste, circular economy, resilient cities, clean energy, green economy and environmental education. The Declaration also highlighted ‘Istanbul Initiative for Climate Action and Sustainable Development’ as a voluntary framework to promote climate resilience, sustainable development, green investment, technology cooperation and implementation-oriented partnerships across the D-8 region. They also reaffirmed the critical role of MSMEs, the private sector, academia and youth in driving innovation, accelerating the green transition, and advancing sustainable economic development.
The successful convening of the Ministerial Meeting represents an important milestone for the D-8, broadening the Organization’s cooperation agenda by introducing environment and climate change as a new strategic pillar alongside its traditional economic cooperation priorities. It further demonstrates the determination of D-8 Member States to strengthen collective responses to shared environmental challenges while contributing constructively to global climate governance.
On the sidelines, the Secretary-General had a bilateral meeting with Minister Murat Kurum, during which they discussed strengthening institutional cooperation between the D-8 and the Environment Ministry, preparations for COP31, implementation of the outcomes of the Ministerial Meeting, and opportunities to deepen collaboration on climate resilience, sustainable urban development, circular economy, environmental governance and green growth initiatives across D-8 Member States. The Secretary-General lauded Minister Murat Kurum’s pioneering initiative and leadership in convening the Ministerial meeting. He also conveyed sincere appreciation to Government of Türkiye, particularly Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, for hosting the Meeting, and to all Member States for their constructive engagement and valuable contributions to advancing practical, implementation-oriented cooperation ahead of COP31 and beyond.
When Hasina’s government was ousted in a popular uprising in 2024 and replaced by a caretaker cabinet, public pressure in the country that has no diplomatic relations with Israel led to official announcements that the clause would be reinstated
DNA
DHAKA: Bangladesh will start printing new passports with the “except Israel” clause this month and expects to begin issuing them in October, the Ministry of Home Affairs said on Monday, after ordering the restoration of the phrase that was removed by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.
Until 2021, Bangladeshi passports carried the sentence: “This passport is valid for all countries of the world except Israel.” When authorities rolled out a new travel document, the phrase was removed without any public notice.
When Hasina’s government was ousted in a popular uprising in 2024 and replaced by a caretaker cabinet, public pressure in the country that has no diplomatic relations with Israel led to official announcements that the clause would be reinstated.
But the official decision was only made by the new, elected administration of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who took office in late February.
“We issued the official order on Sunday regarding the new Bangladeshi passport, which will reintroduce the clause: ‘This passport is valid for all countries of the world, except Israel.’ The printing work of the new passports will begin this month,” Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, additional secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, told Arab News.
“We hope that people will receive these new passports from this October.”
Pressure to reinstate the clause has been mounting since the beginning of the war in Gaza in October 2023.
“This change in the passport will reflect the political commitment of the government, express our solidarity with the people of Palestine, and let the world know that we stand beside the Palestinian people,” Ahmed said.
“This new decision regarding our passports will uphold the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh.”
Ambassador Kistafin stressed that a rail and road network is a must to unlock the real potential of bilateral and regional connectivity, which would also spur broader development across Central and South Asia
Ansar Mahmood Bhatti
ISLAMABAD, 20 JUL /DNA/ – Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin, addressing a press conference, underscored that security, connectivity, and stability are essential pillars for strengthening Pakistan–Kazakhstan relations. He announced that a direct flight between the two countries will commence later this year or next year, a move expected to boost business ties, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
Reflecting on his five-year tenure in Pakistan, Ambassador Kistafin said he would fondly remember the hospitality and the numerous high-level visits that have taken place. He recalled the visit of Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Pakistan in February 2026, alongside other important delegations, including last year’s field-specific engagements. He noted that the Pakistan–Kazakhstan Business Council has been reactivated and is now functioning effectively, creating new opportunities for trade and investment.
Education emerged as a key area of cooperation. The envoy highlighted that Pakistani students will soon have opportunities to study in Kazakhstan, following the visit of Pakistan’s State Minister for Education Wajiha Qamar to Kazakhstan, where avenues for academic collaboration were explored. He emphasized that this initiative will pave the way for stronger educational exchanges.
Energy cooperation was also described as vital, with both sides keen to expand trade and economic relations. Ambassador Kistafin stressed that a rail and road network is a must to unlock the real potential of bilateral and regional connectivity, which would also spur broader development across Central and South Asia.
He further noted that Kazakhstan has transitioned to a unicameral legislature, reflecting reforms under President Tokayev, who is keen to develop his country with special attention to education and healthcare. A significant portion of the national budget has been allocated to these sectors, underscoring Kazakhstan’s commitment to human development. The envoy also expressed optimism about enhancing media cooperation and business-to-business interactions.
Looking ahead, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to visit Kazakhstan either later this year or next, at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Ambassador Kistafin said such a visit would further boost bilateral ties and cement the growing partnership between the two nations.
Direct Entry and Exit from M-1/M-2 Link Road Now Open, Enhancing Connectivity to EIGHTEEN
ISLAMABAD, JUL 20 /DNA/ – EIGHTEEN, Pakistan’s premier lifestyle destination, has inaugurated its direct entry and exit connection from the M-1/M-2 Link Road, marking a significant infrastructure milestone that enhances accessibility, connectivity and convenience for residents, visitors and the wider community.
The newly operational access will significantly enhance accessibility to EIGHTEEN, providing a more convenient and efficient access point for residents, visitors and guests. This important infrastructure milestone further supports the continued development of EIGHTEEN as one of Pakistan’s leading integrated lifestyle destinations.
EIGHTEEN extends its sincere appreciation to the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) for its continued support in facilitating strategic investments and fostering an enabling environment for international investors. EIGHTEEN also expresses its sincere gratitude to the National Highway Authority (NHA), the statutory regulator responsible for Pakistan’s national highway network, for approving direct entry and exit from the M-1/M-2 Link Road, and for its technical expertise, professionalism and guidance throughout the approval process.
Commenting on this latest positive development, Dr. Mohamed Mansour, Chief Executive Officer of EIGHTEEN , said, “The approval of the direct entry and exit from the M-1/M-2 Link Road marks a defining milestone in EIGHTEEN’s development journey and reflects the constructive collaboration between EIGHTEEN and the relevant government authorities. We are deeply grateful to the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) for its invaluable support, to the National Highway Authority (NHA for approving the Entry and Exit and for its technical expertise and professionalism throughout the approval process, Ministry of Communications for its support and to the Government of Pakistan, under the leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister, for fostering an environment that encourages investment, strengthens investor confidence and facilitates foreign direct investment. Such initiatives play an important role in creating the confidence required for landmark developments like EIGHTEEN and further reinforce Pakistan’s attractiveness as a destination for long-term international investment.”
The opening of the direct access from M-1/M-2 Link Road further strengthens the confidence of EIGHTEEN’s international sponsors and investors, reaffirming their long-term commitment to both the project and Pakistan. As EIGHTEEN continues to evolve, this enhanced connectivity will elevate the experience for residents and visitors alike while supporting the development’s vision of delivering a world-class lifestyle destination that contributes to Pakistan’s economic growth.
Islamabad, 20 Jul — A senior official revealed today that international mediators have proposed a 10‑day ceasefire aimed at reviving the stalled Iran–US interim deal. The development comes as tensions spiral, with the United States carrying out strikes on Iran for the ninth consecutive day and Tehran reporting that two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz had “exploded” under mysterious circumstances.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi declared that the country is now in a “full‑scale war” with the United States, underscoring the gravity of the confrontation. His statement followed remarks from Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, who earlier confirmed that diplomatic exchanges with Washington were still ongoing through third‑party mediators, despite the intensifying military clashes.
The proposed ceasefire is seen as a last‑ditch effort to halt the escalation and create space for renewed negotiations. Analysts note that the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint, has become a flashpoint in the conflict, with disruptions there threatening international oil markets. The explosions reported by Tehran add to fears of a broader regional fallout.
While Washington has not yet publicly responded to the ceasefire proposal, the continuation of strikes signals a hardening stance. Mediators, however, remain hopeful that both sides will seize the opportunity to de‑escalate and return to dialogue. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether diplomacy can prevail over confrontation in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
