Tashkent, JUN 14: Uzbekistan Airlines on Saturday flew its inaugural Pakistani route from Islamabad to Tashkent, marking a key moment in connectivity between the two nations, a statement from the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said.

Uzbekistan announced earlier this year that air routes between Karachi, Samarkand and Bukhara would be launched, describing it as a significant step to foster closer ties between the two nations.

According to a PAA statement, the flight took off at 1:09pm with 126 passengers on board, with Zone 1 of Islamabad International Airport specially adorned with colourful balloons for the milestone.

“The event was graced by the esteemed ambassadors of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan,” the statement read, adding that the Chief Operating Officer of Islamabad Airport, the managing director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation and the Country Manager of Uzbekistan Airlines also attended.

“Guests warmly welcomed passengers at Stand 3 and a formal cake-cutting ceremony was held in the upper lounge area (A5) to commemorate the launch,” the statement added. “The entire event was seamlessly organised with the dedicated support and coordination of airport teams under the Pakistan Airports Authority.”

In February this year, Pakistan and Uzbekistan agreed to expand bilateral trade to $2 billion as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent.

Addressing a joint press conference with PM Shehbaz, President Mirziyoyev said: “We came to the conclusions on different spheres and mutual trade turnover had exceeded $400 million, and we have plans to increase that to $2bn.”

He termed the negotiations between them “very fruitful”, adding that there was a “new direction” for future goals.

ISLAMABAD, JUN 14: /DNA/ – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Spoke with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran today to express Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people of Iran in the face of Israel’s unprovoked aggression.

Strongly condemned the violation of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity —an affront to international law & the UN Charter. Iran has every right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Grateful to President Pezeshkian for appreciation of Pakistan’s unwavering and principled position at the UN Security Council calling out  Israel’s blatant aggression against Iran, Palestine and others in the region.

We agreed that the international community, particularly the Ummah, must act together to halt these grave violations.

ISLAMABAD, JUN 14 /DNA/ – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, this evening.

The Prime Minster said Pakistan stood resolutely in solidarity with the brotherly people and the Government of Iran in face of Israel’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression. He strongly condemned Israeli attacks against Iran, that violated its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and were in complete defiance of the UN Charter and international law. Iran had the right to self-defence, as provided under Article 51 of the UN Charter, he added.

While expressing heartfelt condolences to President Pezeshkian over the loss of precious lives in the attacks, the Prime Minister recalled Pakistan’s support to Iran at the UN Security Council’s emergency meeting, held yesterday.

The Prime Minster denounced Israel’s blatant provocations and adventurism as a grave threat to regional and global peace and stability. He also strongly condemned Israel’s unabated genocidal campaign against the valiant Palestinians, carried out with complete impunity. He urged the international community and the United Nations to take urgent and credible steps to put an end to Israel’s aggressive behavior and its illegal actions. He stated that Pakistan was fully committed to promoting peace in the region and stood ready to play its role in this context.

President Pezeshkian thanked the Prime Minister for Pakistan’s support and solidarity with Iran at this difficult time, particularly at the UN Security Council. He said this gesture was reflective of the close and brotherly relations between the two countries. He apprised the Prime Minister about Iran’s perspective on the crisis with Israel and urged the international community, particularly the Islamic countries, to work together closely to counter these threats.

Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact.

ISLAMABAD, JUN 14 (DNA): Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to hold an emergency meeting to develop a joint strategy in response to Israel’s ongoing aggression.

Speaking in the National Assembly, the minister condemned Israel’s brutal actions, especially its military aggression against Iran.

He called it a serious threat to regional and global peace. “Palestinian children are being killed, yet there are more protests in non-Muslim countries than in Muslim nations,” he remarked with regret.

He said Iran is not just a neighbour but a brotherly country with deep-rooted ties with Pakistan.

He warned that if the Muslim world doesn’t act together, every country will eventually become a target. “The way Israel has targeted Yemen, Iran, and Palestine shows a larger plan. Most Muslim nations are already facing security risks. Strong leadership is needed now,” he said.

Khawja Asif said, “Israel has innocent blood on its hands. Pakistan stands firmly with Iran and will continue to support it on international forums,” he said.

The minister referred to India’s recent aggression, saying it had faced consequences. “India’s false pride has been broken, and their leadership is now embarrassed at home. This was only possible due to our strong military and the unity of our people,” he said.

He praised the armed forces and the people for standing firm in the face of threats. “We proved to the world that Pakistan is not weak — not yesterday, not today,” he declared. He said enemies tried to weaken Pakistan, but their plans failed.

He highlighted how the world was closely watching Pakistan’s coastal borders during recent tensions, and how Pakistan’s armed forces defended the nation bravely. “Our navy’s response forced the enemy to retreat,” he said.

The defence minister said that while Pakistan’s military strength is commendable, the economy must also be strong.

He praised Pakistan’s youth, especially cyber experts, for delivering a strong blow to India during a recent cyber conflict. “Our young people shut down lights in stadiums, disrupted IPL matches, and even affected dams. Their skills surprised the world,” he said.

He added that the recent military operation Bunyanum Marsoos was a turning point, both strategically and for national morale. He said Pakistan’s response to Indian attacks was firm and timely. “We struck back with full force,” he said.

Khawaja Asif also spoke about Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. “Our soldiers and civilians have lost lives in attacks, especially in Balochistan. Groups like the TTP and BLA are fighting India’s war on our soil,” he claimed.

He strongly condemned anyone who supports these militants. “Such people are not Pakistanis. They are enemies of the country,” he said.

He insisted that while political problems should be solved through dialogue, foreign interference, especially from India, must not be taken lightly. “Pakistan’s unity — from Balochistan to Punjab — is our top priority,” he added.

The defence minister said politics should be based on ideology, not individuals. “No person is bigger than the country. Leaders come and go, but the nation and its values remain,” he said.

He criticized those who reduce politics to personal legacy. “Political parties that are built on ideas survive even after their leaders are gone,” he said. He gave examples of political martyrs in Pakistan whose parties lived on because of their beliefs, not their names.

He praised the role of Pakistani youth in the fight against terrorism. “Nations are built through the sacrifices of martyrs, not by worshipping individuals,” he said. The strength of a country, he said, comes from unity, not division.

Turning to the economy, Khawaja Asif said Pakistan suffers huge losses due to tax evasion, especially in sectors like tobacco, real estate, steel, and tyres. “We lose around Rs 300 billion annually in tobacco taxes alone,” he said.

He acknowledged that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has made some improvements, but much more needs to be done. “If we can just improve our tax collection by 50%, we wouldn’t need foreign loans,” he noted.

He demanded accountability and urged the finance ministry and FBR to brief the parliament on the people behind large-scale tax evasion.

 “We need honesty in governance. Only then can we provide real relief to the people,” he said.

He gave the example of how public shops in Punjab are rented for very low rates, while private shops in the same area earn ten times more. “This has continued for decades without accountability,” he pointed out.

He called for a national campaign to end corruption, particularly in sectors dominated by a few corrupt families.

Khawaja Asif praised Finance Minister, calling him a professional and experienced person. He credited him for bringing back international trust in Pakistan’s economy.

He shared encouraging economic data: GDP growth improved from -0.2% to +2.7%, inflation dropped to 4.6%, and the current account posted a $1.2 billion surplus. Foreign investment rose by 20%.

He admitted that the public may still be feeling economic pressure but said positive changes are happening. “The business community is showing more confidence, and the stock market recently hit a historic 125,000-point high,” he said.

He criticized those who now attack the government’s economic policy but had once urged the IMF not to support Pakistan. “These people tried to sabotage our economy,” he said.

“Pakistan is not about any one person. It is a mission, a belief, and a shared history,” he added. He urged political leaders to rise above personal ambitions and serve the nation with sincerity.=DNA

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Muslim nations must unite against israeli aggression: MPs

ISLAMABAD, JUN 14 (DNA): Members of Parliament have called for an urgent meeting of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) to stop the Israeli war in Gaza and now in Iran.

They said that the attack by Israel on Iran is an open terrorist act.

They said that it is the need of the hour that all Muslim states should show their unity against Israeli aggression.

MNA Qasim Noon said that Pakistan will play its role in the peace and development of this region.

He said that some external elements wanted to disturb the peaceful environment of this region.

MNA Zartaj Gul urged that the International community should play its vital role to stop Israel from aggression against Muslim countries.

She said that Israel violated international law by attacking Iran; Iran has the right to defend itself, and the Muslim world should stand together.=DNA

by Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal

Since the dawn of civilization, mankind has been entangled in the bitter pursuits of war—often to expand territory, subdue enemies, or liberate the oppressed. In those early times, victory depended largely upon the physical strength of warriors and the sharpness of their blades. Swords, spears, and bows defined the battlefield. Armies mounted on horses and elephants clashed with brute force, and the outcome of battle often hinged upon the courage and stamina of individual soldiers. But with the invention of gunpowder in China during the 9th century and its eventual militarization in Europe by the 14th century, the face of warfare began to change.

Gunpowder introduced cannons and firearms into battle, replacing the bow with the musket and reshaping military formations forever. The Napoleonic Wars witnessed the coordination of artillery, infantry, and cavalry in unprecedented ways. In the 20th century, particularly during the World Wars, warfare advanced dramatically. The world saw the emergence of tanks, submarines, fighter aircraft, and eventually, the most devastating invention of all—nuclear weapons.

The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 demonstrated the terrifying potential of scientific advancement when used destructively. Nearly 200,000 lives were lost, and generations thereafter suffered the consequences. The nature of war had been irreversibly transformed. No longer were wars won by sheer manpower; now, technological superiority could obliterate entire cities in seconds.

The Cold War that followed ushered in an arms race driven by technological competition rather than open conflict. Satellites, nuclear submarines, long-range ballistic missiles, and surveillance drones became tools of both deterrence and espionage. The Gulf War of 1991 marked the first televised precision bombing campaign, with the U.S.-led coalition employing satellite-guided missiles and stealth aircraft to a scale the world had never seen before.

In the 21st century, warfare has reached a level where invisibility, speed, precision, and information supremacy determine the victor. The battleground is no longer just land, air, and sea—but also cyber space and outer space. Drones, artificial intelligence, hypersonic missiles, and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons are rewriting the rules of engagement. A drone weighing less than a human can eliminate a high-value target from thousands of miles away with pinpoint accuracy and zero risk to the operator.

This technological shift was exemplified in Pakistan’s response to Indian aggression on May 7, 2025. In a matter of minutes, Pakistan deployed advanced air defense systems and targeted Indian installations with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and precision-guided munitions, rendering India’s conventional military preparations ineffective. The brief engagement underscored how modern warfare now depends on speed, accuracy, and electronic warfare rather than large troop movements. It was not only a demonstration of national resolve but also a textbook case of asymmetric advantage powered by technology.

Just two days ago, Israel executed a similarly calculated strike against Iranian positions using a combination of cyber-attacks and advanced air-launched munitions. Reports indicate that Israeli fighter jets penetrated Iranian airspace undetected using stealth technology, while cyber units simultaneously disabled communication and radar infrastructure. The operation, though brief, marked another chapter in the evolution of modern conflict, emphasizing the dominance of information warfare, surveillance capabilities, and precision targeting over brute military force.

From these recent episodes, one thing becomes evident; the classical ideals of valor and physical might have given way to remote-controlled engagement, algorithmic warfare, and sensor-based targeting. The soldier on the ground, though still essential, is now just one component of a much broader and more complex war machine operated by engineers, data scientists, and intelligence analysts.

Yet amid all this evolution, one immutable truth remains—war is destruction. Whether waged with swords or satellites, it results in death, displacement, and devastation. Civilized societies, which aspire to peace, progress, and prosperity, can ill afford its cost. Economies are wrecked, generations are scarred, and social fabrics are torn apart. While technological superiority may ensure military success, it can never heal the wounds of war.

The great paradox of our time lies in the dual-use nature of technological advancement; what can launch a satellite to explore the universe can also guide a missile to destroy a city. The challenge for humanity is not just to win wars more efficiently, but to prevent them altogether. As history has shown, no nation ever emerged unscathed from war, no matter how advanced its arsenal.

In this age of drone strikes and cyber offensives, global powers must recognize that sustainable peace cannot be maintained by force alone. Diplomatic resolve, mutual respect, and international cooperation must accompany scientific advancement. Otherwise, we risk turning our greatest inventions into instruments of our greatest regrets.

The past has given us lessons in blood, and the present offers a mirror to reflect on what we might become. If we fail to heed the warnings of history, then the future, no matter how technologically brilliant, will be shadowed by the same darkness that has plagued humanity since the age of the sword.