KARACHI, JUL 9: The US consulates in Karachi and Lahore are set to resume regular consular services from July 20, the US embassy in Islamabad said on Wednesday.

In a post on X, the embassy said that the Lahore consulate will provide US citizen services, while the Karachi consulate will also provide services for non-immigrant visa processing.

“Whether you are applying for a visa or need American citizen services, visit the official US Embassy website to get started,” it added.

The two consulates in Lahore and Karachi cancelled all visas and US citizen services in March following violent protests across the country.

Protests erupted worldwide, including in Pakistan, after the US and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran on February 28.

In Karachi, the demonstrators breached the outer wall of the US consulate’s compound and vandalised the property. Meanwhile, firing during the incident claimed the lives of at least 11 people.

Following the protests, the US State Department said it had ordered non-emergency personnel and their families from US consulates in Karachi and Lahore to leave Pakistan due to security concerns.

“The Department of State ordered non-emergency US government employees and the family members of US government personnel from US Consulates Lahore and Karachi to leave Pakistan due to safety risks,” the US embassy in Pakistan said in a statement at the time.

In May, the US Department of State announced the phased closure of its Consulate General in Peshawar, as the decision reflects a “commitment to ensuring the safety of diplomatic personnel”.

The State Department, in an official statement, also announced the shifting of responsibility for diplomatic engagement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the US Embassy in Islamabad.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 9 /DNA/ – Pakistan on Thursday expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions in the region, issuing a formal call for all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any actions that could further destabilize the already fragile security environment.

In an official statement, the Pakistani government emphasized that a renewed conflict would have devastating consequences for all stakeholders, stressing that “a renewed conflict is in no one’s interest.”

“We call upon all parties to refrain from any actions that may further undermine regional peace and stability,” the statement read, underscoring Islamabad’s growing anxiety over the recent uptick in hostilities near its borders.

The Foreign Office reiterated that there is “no alternative to continued engagement, dialogue, and diplomacy” in order to achieve the shared goal of lasting peace. Pakistani officials urged all sides to return to the negotiating table, warning that military posturing only increases the risk of miscalculation.

Central to Pakistan’s appeal was a firm reminder for all signatories to uphold their respective commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) . The government described the document as “an enduring foundation for understanding, mutual respect, and shared prosperity for the region and beyond.”

While the statement did not specify the exact nature of the current tensions, diplomatic sources suggest it is linked to recent cross-border skirmishes and heightened military alerts along key flashpoints. The Islamabad MoU, which was brokered with significant Pakistani mediation, has historically served as a framework for de-escalation and confidence-building measures between rival states.

Pakistan concluded its appeal by reiterating its readiness to continue playing a proactive role in facilitating dialogue. “Pakistan remains ready to continue playing its role in this regard,” the statement added, signaling that the country is prepared to host or mediate talks if called upon.

The appeal comes as international observers urge calm, with the United Nations and other global powers monitoring the situation closely. Analysts view Pakistan’s intervention as a critical diplomatic effort to prevent the current tensions from spiraling into a wider confrontation.

RAWALPINDI, JUL 8 /DNA/ – Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff & Chief of Defence Forces visited National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad today where he addressed the graduating officers of the National Security and War Course comprising participants from all services.

In his address, the Field Marshal highlighted the evolving character of warfare and underscored centrality of strategic clarity and institutional professionalism in navigating complex strategic issues. He lauded the role of premier institutions like NDU in nurturing future military-civil leadership capable of mitigating hybrid, conventional and sub-conventional threats with foresight, confidence and resolve. The Field Marshal also highlighted that Pakistan Armed Forces were recalibrating their employment and development strategies in line with the evolved character of warfare.

The Field Marshal remarked that the Armed Forces remain fully cognizant of state-sponsored attempts by hostile intelligence agencies to destabilize Pakistan. Efforts of such proxies and networks, who operate under the tutelage of hostile intelligence agencies are futile and will not be allowed to undermine Pakistan’s internal security and economic prosperity.

He reiterated that terrorism emanating from across the borders will be crushed with full might of the state. The Armed Forces, with the support of the nation, will ensure that terrorist sanctuaries of these proxies along with their facilitators are completely dismantled.

The Field Marshal remarked that wars are not won through media rhetoric or political sloganeering but through faith, unity and discipline.

The Field Marshal concluded by expressing full confidence in the professionalism, morale and operational readiness of the battle-hardened Armed Forces of Pakistan and urged the graduating officers to dutifully adhere to the values of integrity, selfless service and unwavering commitment to the nation.

Earlier, upon arrival at National Defence University the Field Marshal was received by the President NDU.

PM Shehbaz expresses sorrow over tragic incident in which “cargo aircraft crashed into Arabian sea and went missing”

Nazir Siyal

KARACHI: The Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) are conducting a joint search operation to locate a missing private cargo aircraft.

During the operation, which has been ongoing for more than 12 hours at sea, the wreckage of the aircraft was discovered approximately 53 nautical miles south of Ormara’s coast.

Rescue efforts remain underway to recover further evidence and search for the crew members. Both naval and aerial assets of the Pakistan Navy and PMSA are actively engaged in the operation.

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said late on Tuesday that the cargo aircraft, carrying five crew members, went missing around 155 nautical miles west of Karachi after losing contact while flying from Sharjah.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed “deep sorrow, grief, and regret over the tragic incident in which a private cargo aircraft (K2 Airways) flying from Sharjah to Karachi crashed into the Arabian Sea and went missing”.

He offered condolences to the families of the five crew members on board and directed Pakistan civil aviation authorities, the navy and the air force to intensify search and rescue operations and use all available resources.

According to sources, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force and merchant vessels are participating in the ongoing search and rescue operation, with maritime and aerial resources deployed to locate the missing aircraft.

The Pakistan Navy has dispatched the warship PNS Zulfiqar to join the search and rescue effort, while a Pakistan Air Force Saab surveillance aircraft is also taking part in the operation, according to sources. A Navy ATR aircraft has flown out from Turbat to assist, joining the wider search from the air.

PNS Hunain has also been dispatched to the affected area to take part in the search and rescue operation, sources said.

In a statement, the cargo company’s spokesperson said the aircraft was travelling from Sharjah to Karachi when contact with air traffic control was lost at 9:21pm on Wednesday.

The company identified the five crew members as pilot Muhammad Rizwan Idris, first officer Faisal Mehmood, loadmaster Muhammad Taufiq, engineer Arif Siddiqui, and Muhammad Hamid.

Meanwhile, sources said the cargo company’s office at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport had been sealed to preserve records following the incident.

A day earlier, flight tracking data showed the aircraft, flight TA1732, was cruising normally at an altitude of 35,000 feet and a speed of 790 kilometres per hour when it encountered unusual circumstances. The data indicated that the aircraft abruptly made a U-turn before entering a rapid descent.

Within five minutes, it had lost approximately 34,000 feet of altitude, eventually dropping to 1,100 feet while slowing to 211 kilometres per hour before disappearing from radar, FlightRadar data showed.

The pilot of the missing cargo aircraft did not issue a Mayday distress call before contact was lost, an air traffic controller told Geo News, adding that the crew may not have had time to do so given how quickly the emergency appears to have unfolded.

In 2010, a Russian cargo aircraft carrying eight people crashed in a residential area of Karachi shortly after taking off from the city’s airport.

ISLAMABAD, Jul 8: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed deep concern and sorrow over the disappearance of a private cargo aircraft in the Arabian Sea.

In separate statements, the president and the prime minister extended their heartfelt sympathies to the families of the missing plane’s crew members.

Praying for the safe recovery of the crew, the president expressed hope for the success of the ongoing search and rescue operation.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, the Pakistan Navy, and the Pakistan Air Force to utilize all available resources and expedite the search and rescue operation in the Arabian Sea.