ISLAMABAD, OCT 12 /DNA/ – At the invitation of the President of Egypt, H.E. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and the President of the United States, H.E. Donald Trump, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, will visit Egypt on 13 October 2025 to participate in the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit and attend the signing ceremony of the peace agreement aimed at ending the prevailing grave situation in Gaza.

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister and other senior Ministers during the visit.

The Sharm El-Sheikh Summit is the result of the diplomatic efforts that began on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s 80th Session in New York last month. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, along with the leaders of seven Arab-Islamic countries (Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Indonesia, and Türkiye), attended a summit-level meeting with the President of the United States on 23 September 2025 to explore avenues for achieving peace in Gaza.

Through a joint statement, these Arab-Islamic countries welcomed President Trump’s efforts to achieve peace and reaffirmed their joint commitment to work with the United States to achieve a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire and to address the critical humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

Prime Minister’s participation in the Summit reflects Pakistan’s historic, consistent, and unwavering support for the just cause of the Palestinian people for their right to self-determination as well as for achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. Pakistan hopes that the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit will pave the way for full Israeli withdrawal, protection of Palestinian civilians, an end to their displacement, release of prisoners, addressing of the prevailing grave humanitarian situation, as well as reconstruction of Gaza.

Pakistan also hopes that such efforts will contribute to a credible political process aimed at achieving an independent, viable, and contiguous State of Palestine, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, based on pre-1967 borders, in line with relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 12 (APP/DNA): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Sunday strongly condemned what he termed “aggression” by Afghanistan against Pakistan, stating it was deliberately timed to coincide with the Afghan Foreign Minister’s official visit to India.

In a post on his X account, the minister said the foreign office has issued a “clear and unequivocal stance” on the matter.

He described it as a “notable and concerning fact” that the military action occurred “precisely at the time when the Afghan Foreign Minister is on a visit to India and there, anti-Pakistan statements are being given the form of joint declarations”.

Tarar labeled this action as “regrettable and condemnable”.

Peshawar, OCT 12: The PTI’s Sohail Afridi on Sunday submitted his papers to contest the chief minister elections due to be held during a session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly tomorrow, according to the assembly’s secretary.

Afridi, a member of the provincial assembly hailing from Bara, was nominated for the office by party founder Imran Khan after sitting KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced his resignation earlier this week. This has prompted an election to decide KP’s next chief executive.

Secretary Syed Muhammad Mahir told reporters that Afridi’s papers, as well as those of the three opposition candidates — contesting on behalf of the PPP, PML-N and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) — have been received and approved.

“The nomination papers of the PTI’s Sohail Afridi have been approved,” he said. “The papers of Arbab Zarq of the People’s Party, Sardar Jahan of the PML-N and Maulana Lutfur Rehman of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F have also been approved for the Chief Minister’s post.”

A video shared by the PTI on X showed Afridi signing documents, with the caption reading that he has submitted his papers to contest the CM elections.

When asked by a Dawn.com correspondent about federal ministers’ allegations that he was in contact with proscribed organisations, Afridi told Dawn.com that the Centre has “declared we are all banned groups, we are all terrorists and they have filed all of the FIRs (first information reports) against us”.

RAWALPINDI, 12 OCT (DNA) — Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif will inaugurate a new fleet of Chinese-made electric buses in Rawalpindi on Oct 15, marking a major step in Pakistan’s shift towards eco-friendly urban transport under the province’s modernization drive, Gwadar Pro reported.

According to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the project—implemented in collaboration with Chinese manufacturers and technology partners—will deploy 87 air-conditioned electric buses across four routes in the garrison city through a phased rollout.

The first phase will operate between Rawat and Motorway Chowk, offering commuters a modern, affordable and zero-emission travel option. Fares are set at Rs20 per ride, with students and senior citizens aged over 60 eligible for free travel.

 “This Chinese electric bus project marks a milestone in delivering clean, efficient and dignified public transport,” said PML-N Rawalpindi Division President Malik Abrar Ahmad, adding that it will help reduce congestion and pollution in line with Punjab’s green development goals.

The launch of Chinese electric buses in Punjab also aligns with Pakistan’s wider climate partnership with China under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), particularly in renewable energy, smart mobility and low-carbon urban development. — DNA

ISLAMABAD, OCT 12 (APP/DNA): President Asif Ali Zardari, Sunday, reaffirmed that Pakistan was firmly committed to protecting its national interests, regional sovereignty and security.

He said Pakistan would never accept any controversial or misleading stance on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. “India’s illegal claims regarding Kashmir are in direct violation of international law and United Nations resolutions,” President Secretariat Press Wing, in a press release, quoted the president as saying.

President Zardari expressed regret over the Afghan leadership turning its back on the oppressed people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, calling it an injustice to both history and the Muslim Ummah.

He emphasized that terrorist attacks originating from Afghan soil, carried out by the Khwarij had been well-documented by UN reports.

“Pakistan has repeatedly made it clear that the nexus between the Khwarij and Indian elements is targeting Pakistani civilians and security personnel,” he added.

The president urged the Afghan leadership to take concrete and practical steps to eliminate anti-Pakistan terrorist elements operating from its territory.

He reiterated that both the Khwarij and Indian-backed terrorism posed the gravest threat to regional peace and stability.

“Terrorism is a shared challenge, and no single country should be left to bear the burden alone,” President Zardari further added..

Highlighting Pakistan’s long-standing support for Afghanistan, the president reminded that Pakistan hosted Afghan refugees for over four decades, setting an example of Islamic brotherhood and good neighbourly relations.

He said the dignified return of Afghan citizens, in relation with the restoration of peace, was in the best interest of both nations, adding Pakistan would continue to assist the Afghan people in the fields of education and humanitarian needs.

“Pakistan will not compromise on its national sovereignty,” President Zardari asserted, noting that Pakistan had facilitated Afghanistan in every possible way to boost trade, economy and connectivity.

He stressed that mutual cooperation and economic partnership were essential for sustainable peace and development in the region, adding Pakistan sincerely wished for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan.

President Zardari further stressed that fraternal relations should be based on mutual respect, security cooperation and commitment to regional peace.

He expressed hope that the Afghan interim government would prevent its territory from being used by the Khwarij and the Indian-backed terrorist elements.

Joint and practical counterterrorism efforts only guaranteed a lasting peace, he opined.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 12 (APP/DNA): PDMA Punjab Director General Irfan Ali Kathia, in a statement on Sunday, assured that the government is preparing to deliver the province’s largest-ever direct compensation package to victim families, and the survey is expected to be completed by October 27, under the Chief Minister’s directions.

        While speaking exclusively with a state-run news channel, Irfan Ali Kathia said that this year, Punjab faced historic floods, adding that, through coordinated rescue efforts involving the armed forces and various departments, over 2.6 million people and 2.1 million animals were safely evacuated to secure locations.

            The focus has now shifted to rehabilitation, he said, adding, the Chief Minister is closely overseeing an ongoing digital survey, which is currently 20% complete. This survey aims to assess the extent of damage and ensure that relief reaches the affected families accurately and efficiently.

         The Chief Minister has pledged full transparency and focused monitoring throughout the process, assuring the public that the historic flood relief package will be delivered fairly once the digital survey concludes.

           He mentioned that this year’s relief package is set to be the largest and fully digital, adding, departments are visiting homes to record losses in four key areas: houses, human lives, crops, and livestock. The survey will conclude shortly, after which payments will be made directly to the victims’ bank accounts.

            Responding to a query, he mentioned that under the Chief Minister’s directives, more mechanisms are being put in place to address riverbank encroachments ahead of the upcoming, potentially more severe monsoon season.

            He emphasized the importance of preserving natural waterways to effectively manage water flow and avoid natural disasters.

           He also highlighted the use of technology and mock exercises by PDMA for timely alerts and preparedness, which proved effective during this year’s flood response, adding, these measures aim to enhance early warning systems and ensure better disaster management in the future.