ISLAMABAD, JAN 5 /DNA/ – The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghaddam, issued a strong and unequivocal statement on Monday, denouncing what he described as a “propaganda machinery” spreading “fake and fabricated news” regarding the Supreme Leader of Iran.

In his official statement, the Ambassador categorically rejected what he termed “absurd claims,” asserting that the dissemination of such disinformation is a desperate tactic employed by Iran’s adversaries. He framed these allegations as a reactionary measure to obscure perceived military and strategic failures.

“The enemy seeks to compensate for its failures, failures it could not conceal after what it did not achieve during the recent conflicts,” the Ambassador stated, in an apparent reference to recent regional tensions. He paid tribute to Iranian soldiers, praising their courage in defending the nation’s sovereignty and honoring them as martyrs “laid to rest in the soil of their country.”

He further affirmed the Supreme Leader’s position as the Commander-in-Chief, describing him as standing “shoulder to shoulder with the resilient people and the vigilant security forces.”

Concluding his statement with a direct appeal to the Pakistani media, Ambassador Moghaddam called for heightened professional diligence. He urged media outlets and professionals to rely strictly on verified sources and exercise caution in an information landscape he characterized as “increasingly polluted by digital terrorism, misinformation, and ethical misconduct.”

“Such professional responsibility is essential to preserving the credibility and distinguished standing of Pakistani journalism and media,” the Ambassador concluded.

The statement underscores Tehran’s sensitivity to international media narratives concerning its leadership and reflects a concerted effort to shape the information discourse in a key regional partner, Pakistan. The specific allegations referenced by the Ambassador were not detailed in the released text.

ISLAMABAD, JAN 5 /DNA/ – Pakistan took another step toward attracting foreign investment on Sunday as 2World Traders Pakistan, a subsidiary of a Philippine pharmaceutical company, formally inaugurated its office in the federal capital, a move aimed at strengthening cooperation between Pakistan and the Philippines in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.

Speaking at the ceremony, Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez said the company’s entry into Pakistan reflected growing confidence in the country’s market and highlighted expanding economic engagement between the two countries. He noted that the establishment of a Philippine-registered pharmaceutical firm in Pakistan opened new opportunities for collaboration in healthcare delivery, supply chains and bilateral trade.

The ambassador underscored the importance of vaccines and biological products in building resilient health systems, adding that private-sector initiatives such as 2World Traders could play a constructive role in advancing public health while reinforcing economic ties between Pakistan and the Philippines.

The Islamabad office was inaugurated by Abdul Razzaq Siddiq, Owner of 2World Traders Pakistan and President of Philippines-based 2World Traders Inc. The event was attended by Dr. Imran Yusuf, Honorary Consul General of the Philippines in Karachi; Dr. Obaid Ullah, Chief Executive Officer of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP); representatives from Shifa International Hospital, the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and the Dow Institute of Life Sciences (DILS), along with senior business and industry figures.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Obaid Ullah emphasized the need for regulatory cooperation and harmonization to facilitate pharmaceutical trade while ensuring adherence to international quality and safety standards.

Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Razzaq Siddiq said the company aimed to support Pakistan’s healthcare sector by improving access to essential vaccines and biological products, promoting technology transfer and encouraging local manufacturing. He announced plans to import key vaccines, including Tetanus Toxoid, with an initial shipment of 10 million doses to help ease supply shortages.

He added that future initiatives include the local production of anti-rabies serum in collaboration with DILS, as well as the development of anti-cancer medicines and anti-snake venom serum, particularly to serve underserved areas of Sindh and Balochistan.

Founded in 1988, 2World Traders Inc. is a distributor of vaccines and biological products in the Philippines, with operations across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America, supported by cold-chain facilities and manufacturing collaborations in India and China.

The opening of the Islamabad office is expected to contribute to deeper Pakistan–Philippines trade ties, greater healthcare collaboration and expanded bilateral investment.

ISLAMABAD, JAN 5: The Iranian Embassy in Islamabad on Monday said that the main group of protesters, largely comprising shopkeepers and trade guilds, had officially announced the conclusion of their lawful protests following government engagement and confidence-building measures.

The demonstrations began last Sunday when shopkeepers staged a strike over high prices and economic stagnation, but they have since spread to other places and expanded to include political demands.

Protests took place in 25 out of Iran’s 31 provinces and affected, to varying degrees, at least 45 different cities, most of them small or medium-sized and concentrated in the west, according to an AFP tally based on official statements and media reports.

At least 12 people have been killed since December 30 in localised clashes, including members of the security forces, according to a tally based on official announcements, and there have been media reports of episodes of property damage in the west.

The Fars news agency said on Monday that “the trend observed on Sunday night shows a notable decrease in the number of gatherings and their geographic reach compared to previous nights”.

In a statement issued today, the embassy in Islamabad said protests had erupted in recent weeks after a sudden increase in the exchange rate, prompting demonstrations by shopkeepers and members of various professional guilds.

According to the embassy, the Iranian government immediately acknowledged the protests and initiated talks through relevant authorities, with President Masoud Pezeshkian playing a central role in negotiations. The discussions resulted in agreements aimed at addressing the protesters’ concerns.

The embassy claimed that hostile external elements sought to exploit the situation to create nationwide insecurity and instability, using cyberspace to incite certain groups.

It claimed that public statements by Israel and the United States in support of protesters further encouraged attempts to mobilise people in some smaller towns.

However, the embassy said the timely presence of security forces prevented the situation from escalating, adding that illegal elements were quickly contained.

Providing updates on the current situation, the embassy said internet connectivity had been restored across Iran, though minor and temporary reductions in speed remained in place due to security and cybersecurity considerations.

It said the government, while recognising the legal rights of lawful protesters, had launched constructive dialogue with representatives of trade guilds and market associations, a step that significantly contributed to stabilising the situation.

The statement noted that in a few cities, limited and weak clusters of illegal protests briefly appeared in remote locations but were swiftly dispersed by law enforcement agencies. In several other cities, calm and public order had been fully restored under the supervision of security forces, the embassy said.

It further highlighted that the responsible conduct and vigilance shown by lawful protesters, particularly their adherence to legal frameworks, played a crucial role in preventing escalation and containing unrest over recent days.

The embassy also claimed that Israel and the United States continued to incite what it described as deceived elements, adding that some arrested rioters had confessed to links with foreign agencies and receiving financial support from abroad.

Meanwhile, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of the judiciary, said Iran will offer no leniency to “rioters”, though the public has a right to demonstrate.

“I instruct the attorney general and prosecutors across the country to act in accordance with the law and with resolve against the rioters and those who support them… and to show no leniency or indulgence,” Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said, according to the judiciary’s Mizan news agency.

He added that Iran “listens to the protesters and their criticism, and distinguishes between them and rioters”.

The rial was depreciating again on Monday against the greenback after strengthening in recent days, according to the informal black-market rate, which stands at around 1.4 million rials, compared with about 770,000 a year earlier.

ISLAMABAD, JAN 5 /DNA/ – The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) has announced the launch of a major humanitarian initiative to distribute 22,000 Winter Kits across Pakistan as part of its annual winter support program for vulnerable communities.

Under this initiative, KSrelief will provide 22,000 Winter Kits to residents of 26 of the coldest and snow-bound districts in the country. The distribution will be carried out in regions severely affected by harsh winter conditions, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as well as selected areas of Punjab and Sindh experiencing low temperatures. Each Winter Kit includes two polyester quilts, a set of warm shawls for men and women, and warm clothing for both children and adults.

To ensure transparency, coordination, and effective implementation, the project will be implemented in close collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Department (RRSD) KP, Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), local authorities, and Hayat Foundation. Through this coordinated effort, the initiative is expected to benefit more than 154,000 individuals, reaffirming KSrelief’s commitment to alleviating winter-related hardships and improving the well-being of vulnerable populations across Pakistan.