Ansar M Bhatti

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Babar Sidhu, has said that Pakistan greatly values its relations with China, describing them as “time-tested and enduring.” He made these remarks while speaking as chief guest at a ceremony marking the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

The event was hosted by China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, along with Defence Attaché Major General Wang Zhong. Senior officials, diplomats, and defence representatives attended the gathering, underscoring the depth of bilateral ties between the two nations.

In his address, the Air Chief congratulated the Chinese leadership and armed forces on the PLA’s anniversary, noting that Pakistan and China share a unique bond rooted in mutual trust, respect, and strategic cooperation. He emphasized that the relationship has stood the test of time and continues to grow stronger across defence, economic, and cultural spheres.

Air Chief Marshal Sidhu highlighted that Pakistan-China cooperation is a cornerstone of regional peace and stability. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening defence collaboration and expressed confidence that the partnership will continue to flourish in the years ahead.

Ambassador Jiang Zaidong and Major General Wang Zhong thanked the Air Chief for his participation and reiterated China’s appreciation for Pakistan’s steadfast friendship. They noted that the PLA anniversary is not only a celebration of China’s military achievements but also a reflection of the enduring partnership between the two countries.

The ceremony concluded with a reaffirmation of the shared vision of Pakistan and China to deepen cooperation and uphold regional stability, marking yet another milestone in their historic relationship.

ISLAMABAD, 15 JULY (DNA) —   Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Tom Fletcher, at the Prime Minister House. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr. Syed Tauqir Shah, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, and other senior officials were present during the meeting.

The Prime Minister appreciated the invaluable humanitarian work being undertaken by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in responding to complex emergencies worldwide. He acknowledged OCHA’s continued support to Pakistan, particularly during the devastating floods of 2022, and expressed gratitude for its assistance in strengthening the country’s disaster response capacity.

Highlighting Pakistan’s progress, the Prime Minister noted that national and provincial disaster management institutions had significantly enhanced their ability to respond to climate-induced disasters. He emphasized, however, that the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related events underscored the need for greater preparedness, resilience, and closer coordination among stakeholders at national, regional, and international levels.

Mr. Fletcher thanked the Prime Minister for the warm reception and commended the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and OCHA. He praised the Prime Minister’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability, stressing that sustainable peace was essential to addressing humanitarian and economic consequences of conflicts.

During the meeting, Mr. Fletcher briefed the Prime Minister on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the challenges faced by OCHA in delivering urgently needed assistance to the affected population. He also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s continued support to OCHA’s humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working closely with the United Nations and OCHA to strengthen global humanitarian cooperation, enhance disaster preparedness, and support relief efforts for vulnerable communities affected by conflicts and natural disasters. — DNA

ISLAMABAD, 15 JULY (DNA) — Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday termed JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s reported remarks regarding the country’s martyrs as “regrettable,” saying the sacrifices of Pakistan’s security forces were the foundation of the nation’s peace and stability.

In a statement, the governor said Pakistan’s mosques, Imambargahs and religious seminaries remained secure because of the sacrifices rendered by the armed forces, Frontier Corps and police personnel. He described the martyrs as the pride of the nation and said their sacrifices had ensured the country’s security and sovereignty.

Kundi said Pakistan was engaged in a war against terrorism, particularly against Fitna al-Khawarij, and stressed that political leaders should avoid making statements that could undermine the morale of security forces during such a critical time.

He said the country had achieved independence through immense sacrifices and continued to stand strong because of the bravery and dedication of its martyrs. Referring to Pakistan’s military preparedness, he added that the nation’s strength and resilience were a result of the sacrifices of its armed forces.

The governor alleged that Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s narrative would only please forces hostile to Pakistan and reiterated that the entire nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the security forces and the families of martyrs. He urged the JUI-F chief to apologize to the nation and to the families of the martyrs over his reported remarks. — DNA

LONDON: Pakistan has clarified that overseas Pakistanis travelling on foreign passports will continue to be allowed entry on a valid National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (Nicop), but passengers whose Nicop has expired or is invalid must obtain a Pakistani visa before travelling.

A government spokesperson told Geo News that reports suggesting all British passport holders would be barred from entering Pakistan on the basis of Nicop were incorrect and misleading.

The spokesperson said the instructions apply to passengers travelling from all countries, including Britain, the United States, European countries and elsewhere, who do not possess a valid Nicop.

Under the revised instructions, any passenger travelling on a foreign passport with an expired, invalid or cancelled Nicop must obtain a valid Pakistani visa before boarding a flight to Pakistan.

Airlines have been directed not to allow such passengers to board without a valid Pakistani visa or Pakistani passport. No exception will be made for passengers who fail to meet the required entry conditions.

The spokesperson said there had been considerable fake news and confusion regarding the directive. The restriction does not apply to passengers holding a valid Nicop, who may continue to travel to Pakistan on their foreign passports in accordance with existing rules.

Airline station managers have been instructed to brief all relevant staff and ensure that passengers are properly advised before boarding.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 15 /DNA/ – The Privatisation Commission of Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) today signed the Transaction Advisory Services Agreement (TASA) under which ADB will serve as the Financial Advisor for the outsourcing of Islamabad International Airport.The Agreement was signed by Ms. Emma Fan, Country Director, Asian Development Bank, Pakistan Resident Mission, and Mr. Shahid Dayo, Director General, Privatisation Commission, on behalf of their respective organizations.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation and Chairman Privatisation Commission, Mr. Muhammad Ali; Secretary, Privatisation Commission, Mr. Usman Akhter Bajwa; Secretary, Privatisation Division, Mr. Hammad Shamimi; Mr. Syed Hussain Haider, Deputy Country Director, Asian Development Bank, Pakistan Resident Mission; and senior officials of the Privatisation Commission and the Asian Development Bank.

Under the Agreement, ADB will provide comprehensive transaction advisory services, including technical, financial, legal, environmental, and commercial expertise to support the structuring and implementation of the transaction in accordance with international best practices. The advisory services will facilitate a transparent, competitive, and market-driven process aimed at attracting leading international airport operators and investors.

The signing of the Agreement marks an important milestone in the implementation of the Government’s privatisation programme and reflects its commitment to enhancing the efficiency, service quality, and long-term sustainability of Islamabad International Airport through private sector participation while ensuring transparency, competitiveness, and value for the people of Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 15 /DNA/ – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar will embark on a two-day official visit to Shanghai, China, from July 16-17, 2026, to participate in the signing ceremony establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), the Foreign Office announced today. At the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Dar will lead a Pakistani delegation to the historic event, where he will sign the WAICO Agreement on behalf of Pakistan as a Founding Member. The ceremony coincides with the opening of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance.

During his visit, the Deputy Prime Minister will sign the WAICO founding agreement as Pakistan becomes an inaugural member, attend the WAIC 2026 Opening Ceremony, participate in the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, hold a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and conduct sideline meetings with other participating foreign ministers.

In his addresses, Dar is expected to articulate Pakistan’s perspective on strengthening international cooperation in artificial intelligence, with particular emphasis on the priorities and development needs of the Global South. The Deputy Prime Minister will underscore the critical importance of bridging the global AI divide between developed and developing nations, promoting equitable access to AI technologies and infrastructure, enhancing capacity-building initiatives for emerging economies, and ensuring AI benefits contribute to sustainable development and shared prosperity.

Pakistan’s participation as a founding member of WAICO represents a significant diplomatic achievement, positioning the country at the forefront of global AI governance discussions. The move aligns with Pakistan’s digital transformation goals and its commitment to leveraging emerging technologies for socioeconomic development. The visit underscores the enduring strength of Pakistan-China bilateral relations, with the sideline meeting between Dar and Wang Yi expected to review the full spectrum of cooperative ties between the two strategic partners. The delegation comprises senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant technical departments.