ISLAMABAD, JUN 24: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Wednesday, said the global recognition of Hajj 2026 arrangements achieved through the continuous efforts of the Government of Pakistan and the Ministry of Religious Affairs, was a source of pride for the entire nation.

During a meeting with the organizers of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and winners of private Hajj 2026, the prime minister observed that service, hard work and integrity were the qualities that made nations great.

During a briefing, the prime minister was apprised that the government of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had honoured three Pakistani private Hajj organizers with the ‘Labbaytum Excellence Award’ for providing excellent facilities to the Pakistani pilgrims.

These included Muhammad Affan Zeeshan of Al-Meraj Organizer, Muhammad Shahid Rafique of Ibrahim Organizer and Zaeem Akhtar of Al-Fatah Organizer who secured first, second, and third positions respectively, it was added.

Director General Hajj, Abdul Wahab Soomro, also received the ‘Labbaytum Excellence Award’ for his outstanding performance, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination and Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, Secretary Religious Affairs Abrar Ahmed Mirza, Director General Hajj Abdul Wahab Soomro, CEO of Al-Meraj Organizer Muhammad Affan Zeeshan, CEO of Ibrahim Organizer Muhammad Shahid Rafique, and CEO of Al-Fatah Organizer Zaeem Akhtar Siddiqui.

The prime minister congratulated all three organizers and the DG Hajj on receiving the awards and for their excellent performance.

He also appreciated Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, as well as all officers and staff of the ministry, for making excellent arrangements for Hajj 2026.

The prime minister said this award from the government of Saudi Arabia was a clear recognition of the services provided to pilgrims under both the government and private Hajj schemes and is a matter of pride for Pakistan.

He further observed that through this service, the organizers had not only earned the blessings of Allah Almighty but also the prayers of the pilgrims and brought honour to Pakistan.

The prime minister expressed the confidence that next year, during Hajj arrangements, they would not only maintain this standard of hard work, integrity and service but further improve it and win more awards.

RAWALPINDI, JUN 24 /DNA/ – Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI(M), HJ, COAS & CDF, at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi.

Upon arrival at GHQ, the visiting dignitary was presented a Guard of Honour by a smartly turned-out tri-services contingent.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security dynamics, defence cooperation and avenues for enhanced military-to-military collaboration were discussed. Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral defence ties and expanding cooperation in areas of professional military training and security.

The Field Marshal highlighted Pakistan Army’s commitment to promoting peace, stability and constructive engagement with friendly countries. The visiting dignitary appreciated the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged their contributions towards regional peace and security.

ISLAMABAD, JUN 24: /DNA/ – There is no let-up in attacks in parts of Pakistan, and according to officials, year 2025 saw a series of major attacks particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan. 

The most high-profile were the suicide bombings in the city of Islamabad, near a court’s building, and in a mosque in a suburb of the capital, which took the lives over nearly 50 people and wounded about 170 others. Almost all slain people were civilians.

In addition, in February, a coordinated attack on several settlements in the province of Baluchistan was completed, which lasted for several days. There had been several attacks in Bannu and North Waziristan in recent weeks. Pakistani forces have been making efforts to take concrete practical steps to counter these threats.

Although Pakistan deals with this challenging situation, it expects friendly countries moral support to its campaign to end the threats of militancy. Friendly countries routinely issue statements to show solidarity with Pakistan when militants carry out attacks. 

Experts in Pakistan are of the view that the United States has not yet come to terms with what they view as the US defeats from Afghanistan and is trying to influence the current government in Kabul in various ways. Some Afghan Taliban officials also believe the main goal of the US is to damage their government, which came to power after the US withdrawal in 2021. Taliban think such actions could destabilize the situation in Afghanistan, which leads to many refugees who, due to its geographical location and historical ties, choose Pakistan.

Under these circumstances, it is important for Islamabad to be very careful in selecting potential counter-terrorism partners. As one of the most acceptable options now, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization should be considered, since the members of this organization are the countries of Central Asia, with which Islamabad actively develops political and economic cooperation.

In this regard, the use of the SCO anti-terrorism structure in close cooperation with all parties interested in solving this problem is seen as a significant support for Pakistan. The SCO members should also reactive the contact group on Afghanistan as majority members enjoy good relations with the Taliban government. They can convince the Taliban to address to the concerns of some of its member states, especially Pakistan.

Although Pakistan has genuine security concerns and is frustrated at the Taliban government’s inaction to stop Pakistani groups from using its soil, the country should deal with the Afghan Taliban either through bilaterally or with the intervention of mediators. This is good that Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman did not rule out restart of diplomacy with Afghanistan if the Taliban government acts on Pakistan’s call for concrete and verifiable action against Pakistani groups using Afghan soil. Diplomacy is the best option despite Pakistan’s frustration at the Taliban lukewarm response to Islamabad’s demands.

For Pakistan, the viable option to engage with the Taliban directly, avoiding anything jointly with the US. Let the US do whatever it wants to do with the Taliban. The US keeps on putting pressures on the Taliban government on issues like prisoners, Bagram airbase and the American weapons left after the withdrawal in 2021. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he wants to take back Bagram and the return of the weapons worth 7 billion dollars. Taiban authorities have freed several American nationals, but the US has not released an Afghan national Muhammad Rahim despite promises made by President Trump’s envoy and Zalmay Khalilzad in a series of meetings in Kabul over the past two years.

Foreign Office spokesman Tahir Andrabi on Wednesday again pressed the Taliban to accept Pakistan’s security concerns to take action against those elements responsible for the killings of civilians and members of the law enforcement agencies in Pakistan. This is a positive approach and the Afghan Taliban must respond positively that is a must for normalization.

ISLAMABAD, Jun 24: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi on Wednesday chaired a meeting to review preparations for the upcoming recruitment in Islamabad Police and directed officers to ensure a transparent, merit-based and efficient hiring process.

An official told APP that the meeting was attended by DIG Headquarters, DIG Islamabad and other senior police officers, who reviewed various aspects of the recruitment process and administrative arrangements.

The official said the participants discussed measures aimed at ensuring transparency, fairness and professionalism throughout the recruitment exercise.

IGP Rizvi issued necessary directions to the concerned officers and emphasized that all stages of the recruitment process should be completed in accordance with the highest professional standards.

He directed officers to ensure strict adherence to merit and transparency so that the recruitment process remains credible, efficient, and free from any irregularities.

The meeting also reviewed operational and logistical arrangements to facilitate the smooth conduct of recruitment activities.

Rizvi reiterated Islamabad Police’s commitment to recruiting competent and capable personnel through a fair and transparent process, the official added.

ISLAMABAD, Jun 24: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Emir Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday welcomed the visit of the Iranian President to Pakistan, saying that stronger relations between Pakistan and Iran would further promote stability and cooperation in the region.

Talking to journalists outside of Parliament House, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the Iranian President’s visit was a positive development and would play an important role in enhancing bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries.

Responding to a question regarding the Gilgit-Baltistan elections, he said the matter was currently under consideration by the court and that his party had already submitted all relevant evidence before the judiciary.

He expressed hope that justice would be served and said the court’s decision should be made in accordance with the Constitution and the law.