ISLAMABAD, AUG 25 /DNA/ – At the 21st Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, Pakistan delivered a powerful address condemning Israel’s ongoing military assault in Gaza and outlining a comprehensive path toward lasting peace and justice for the Palestinian people.

The statement, delivered on Monday, characterized Gaza as enduring a “full-scale humanitarian catastrophe” and a “graveyard for innocent lives as well as for international law.” It highlighted that over 60,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed with impunity.

Condemnation of Israeli Expansionist Threats

Pakistan strongly condemned recent “highly provocative and unwarranted statements” from Israeli officials, specifically denouncing the cabinet’s plan to extend full military control over Gaza and the Prime Minister’s allusion to a ‘Greater Israel.’

“His statement constitutes a direct threat to Arab national security, to the sovereignty of states, and to regional and international peace and security,” the address stated, affirming Pakistan’s full solidarity with brotherly Arab states against these threats.

The Seven-Point Peace Plan

To end the cycle of violence, Pakistan reiterated an urgent seven-point plan for the international community:

1. An immediate, permanent, and unconditional ceasefire.
2. Unfettered and secure humanitarian access.
3. Renewed international support for UNRWA.
4. An end to forced displacement and illegal settlement expansion.
5. Implementation of an Arab-OIC-led reconstruction plan for Gaza.
6. Revival of a time-bound process for a two-state solution.
7. Accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

A Call for Action, Not Words

Emphasizing that this is a “defining moment for the Muslim Ummah,” the statement argued that history will judge leaders by their actions, not their words. It called on the UN Security Council to fulfill its duty by imposing a cost on Israel and considering the deployment of an international protection force for Gaza.

Pakistan, as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, pledged to continue working with OIC and Arab partners to mobilize global support for Palestinian rights, self-determination, and a just and lasting peace based on pre-1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital.

About the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC):
The OIC is the second-largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations, with 57 member states across four continents. It is the collective voice of the Muslim world, safeguarding and protecting its interests in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 25: India on Monday made a second contact with Pakistan in a day to warn Islamabad about a potential flood in the Sutlej River, after issuing a previous warning about the Tawi River at Jammu, diplomatic sources told Geo News.

The Indian High Commission in Islamabad reached out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey details regarding possible flood conditions in the Sutlej River, the sources said.

They added that India has shared such data with Pakistan during flood situations in the past.

Separately, the Foreign Office said that India — before the latest contact — communicated flood warnings through diplomatic channels, rather than through the bilateral commission as required under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), Radio Pakistan reported.

The FO reaffirmed that India is obligated to fully comply with all provisions of the treaty.

It said India’s unilateral declaration to hold the IWT in abeyance constitutes a serious violation of international law and could have significant negative consequences for peace and stability in South Asia.

It is noteworthy to mention here that India reached out to Pakistan for the first time hours earlier after the May military standoff to share details on a potential major flood in the Tawi River at Jammu.

The Indian High Commission in Islamabad conveyed the alert, with the communication made on the morning of Sunday, August 24, they added.

Following the alert, Pakistani authorities issued warnings based on the information provided by India, the sources confirmed.

In the wake of the killing of 26 people in the Pahalgam area of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in April, India held the IWT with Pakistan in abeyance.

New Delhi accuses Islamabad of orchestrating the deadly militant attack, an allegation that Pakistan denies.

Based on these groundless allegations, India waged a war against Pakistan in May, resulting in the heaviest military engagement in decades, before a ceasefire was brokered by the US.

The water treaty had survived three wars and other conflicts between the two rivals, while withstanding many twists and turns in diplomatic ties.

Reuters reported on May 16 that Delhi is considering projects that would likely reduce the flow of water into Pakistan from rivers allocated to that country.

India has also said that it will “keep the treaty in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.”

In contrast, Islamabad says “any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan” will be an “act of war”.

What is Indus Waters Treaty?
The nuclear-armed neighbours disagree over the use of the water from rivers that flow downstream from India into the Indus River basin in Pakistan.

The use of the water is governed by the IWT, which was mediated by the World Bank and signed by the neighbours in September 1960.

The agreement split the Indus and its tributaries between the two countries and regulated water sharing. India was granted the use of water from three eastern rivers — Sutlej, Beas and Ravi — while Pakistan was granted most of the three western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.

There is no provision in the treaty for either country to unilaterally suspend or terminate the pact, which has clear dispute resolution systems.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 (DNA): The Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) on Monday constituted a sub-committee to inquire the affairs of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).

The agenda of the meeting included briefings on matters relating to Pakistan Hockey, particularly the payment of players, participation in the International Hockey Federation events, the Constitution and election process of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), along with other allied issues.

The Committee also received a briefing from the PHF regarding financial irregularities, its election procedure, and constitutional matters during the Financial Year 2024–25. However, the agenda item pertaining to the National Internship Program could not be discussed.

The Committee, which met here at the Parliament House, under the chairmanship of Member National Assembly (MNA) Muhammad Sana Ullah Khan Masti Khel, constituted a sub-committee under the convenorship of MNA Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, to examine the legal status of the PHF body, financial irregularities, and other related issues, and to prepare a future road map.

The sub-committee will be assisted by the Secretaries of the Ministry of Law and Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC), the Director General, Pakistan Sports Board, a representative from the Office of the Attorney General, as well as the President and Secretary of the PHF. The Sub-Committee will submit its report to the main Committee.

The meeting was attended by MNAs Anjum Aqeel Khan, Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, Waseem Qadir, Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, Haji Rasool Bux Chandio, Syeda Shehla Raza, Dr. Mehreen Razzaq Bhutto, Muhammad Iqbal Khan, Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan, Yousaf Khan, and Syed Sami Ullah.

The Secretary and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of IPC, the DG Pakistan Sports Board, DG Internship Programme, representatives from SNGPL, and the President and Secretary PHF also attended the meeting.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 25 /DNA/ – There are sweet prospects, elevating Pakistan’s mango exports to China and elsewhere in the World, China Economic Net (CEN) reported on Monday.

Pakistan, the world’s sixth-largest mango exporter, boasts over 200 varieties yet struggles to translate its abundance into export growth.

With around 1.2 million tonnes of mangoes produced annually over the past several years, the country still exports only about 10% of its produce.

High production costs and persistent quality concerns continue to constrain growth.

Khawar Nadeem, manager of the Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Board, highlights that up to 30% of mangoes are lost from orchard to consumer due to outdated farming practices.

Unlike conventional Pakistani farms with 40–60 plants per acre, countries like Australia and Egypt cultivate up to 600 plants per acre using high-density planting, superior rootstocks, and greenhouse setups.

“If orchards with modern technology can be established, yields could multiply,” Nadeem says.

“For that, we need greater adoption of genetic engineering and the establishment of comprehensive production facilities, such as greenhouses, to offset the declining quality of nurseries caused by contamination from germs, diseases, and pests.

At the same time, it is essential to introduce dwarf rootstock varieties that offer better adaptability to Pakistan’s soil conditions,” he added.

Dr. Muhammad Zubair Iqbal, Vice Chancellor of Bahauddin Zakariya University, points to another barrier: costs. “Electricity, gas, land, and registration fees are all too high. If we really want this industry to grow, input costs must come down and registration processes should be eased.”

Beyond production, Dr. Iqbal highlights chronic quality issues. He calls for government-backed standards to ensure only premium fruit enters the export chain.

“Pakistan’s mango sector remains largely raw-fruit focused, missing out on lucrative value-added opportunities. Juicing units, drying plants, packaging facilities, and industry training are essential. A full supply chain must connect producing regions with export ports.”

“Pakistan’s mango sector remains largely raw-fruit focused, missing out on lucrative value-added opportunities.A proper supply chain is essential. Juicing units, drying plants, packaging facilities, and industry training can dramatically enhance both quality and profitability.”

Dr. Iqbal said, A whole supply chain should be put in place from mango producing-regions in the country to ports.

Nadeem agrees, emphasizing the need for pulping, dehydration, and freeze-drying facilities. Neighboring countries, he notes, convert as much as 70% of production into pulp. “Exports could be conveniently tripled provided we move up the value chain,” he envisions.

In May, the All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters, Importers & Merchants Association (PFVA) launched its 2025 mango export season, setting a target of 125,000 tonnes worth an estimated $100 million.

China, the world’s largest fruit consumer, has emerged as one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing markets. In 2023, Pakistan’s mango exports to China exceeded 115,000 tonnes with a trade value of $80 million. Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi told China Economic Net that the country aims to double exports to China within five years.

The results of bilateral cooperation are already visible. Cold-chain logistics have cut transit times by 50% and reduced spoilage rates. Chinese technologies in preservation and processing are helping raise value-added returns.

On e-commerce platforms such as JD.com and Pinduoduo, daily peak sales exceeded 50 tonnes, with satisfaction rates above 98%, according to Zhang Qingfeng, Vice President of the China Fruit Marketing Association.

Dr. Iqbal sees further potential in Chinese equipment. “We need compact units with storage capacity, boilers, and vacuum-sealed systems to maintain hygiene and shelf life. Harvesting machinery, whether imported or locally produced, could also raise efficiency. Pakistan still lacks packaging facilities of international standard.”

Muhammad Riaz, President of Al Rafique Enterprises in Punjab, advocates more virtual meetings between bilateral trade bodies, Chinese corporate visits to Pakistan, and greater showcasing of processed mango products on the world stage.

Academic collaboration is also taken into account: Dr. Abid Ali, Professor at Shenyang Normal University, suggests joint research on pest management, precision pesticide use, and green plant protection to reduce environmental impact.

Looking ahead, Zhang argues that a three-pronged approach could transform Pakistan’s mango exports: aligning phytosanitary standards with China to ease customs and double exports within three years; attracting Chinese investment into mango industrial parks to co-develop new transport-friendly varieties such as the “mini Chaunsa”; and building stronger brand linkages by including Pakistani mangoes in China’s “Belt and Road Premium Agricultural Products” list, complementing Hainan’s mango season to ensure year-round supply.