ISLAMABAD, JUN 16: Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mahmood-ur-Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry and Omar Sarfraz Cheema have called for a “Charter of Pakistan” instead of a “Charter of Economy”, arguing that constitutional supremacy and political stability must precede any meaningful economic reform.

In a letter communicated through their lawyer Rana Mudassir, the PTI leaders reacted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent statement offering a “Charter of Economy”. They said that while Pakistan undoubtedly needs a charter to emerge from its current difficulties, “Pakistan needs a ‘Charter of Pakistan’ before it needs a Charter of Economy.”

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PM Shehbaz, in an address to the National Assembly on June 13, renewed his call for a “Charter of Economy” and a “Charter of Democracy”, urging the opposition to set aside political differences in the national interest. The premier said he had repeatedly invited political rivals to work together on the two charters, stressing that “Pakistan remains the common bond for all” despite differences in politics and ideology.

He also said his government had “no fight with PTI” and described members of the opposition as “our brothers”, emphasising that national unity should take precedence over partisan divisions.

However, the PTI signatories questioned whether a “Charter of Economy” alone could put the country on the right path “when constitutional supremacy exists only in books and both political and economic stability have become distant dreams”.

Stressing the link between politics and the economy, they wrote: “Everyone is aware of the fact that economic stability cannot be achieved without political stability.”

The letter argued that investment and growth thrive only where the rule of law exists, there is political and economic stability and the Constitution is supreme.

“When the constitution carries no more weight than a piece of paper, what practical value can a Charter of Economy have?” the PTI leaders asked.

Using an analogy to illustrate their point, the PTI leaders said: “There is an old saying that if the water in a well is dirty, changing the bucket will not solve the problem; first, the source of the contamination must be removed.” They added that “unless and until the root cause of the crisis is removed, no meaningful reform can succeed.”

The proposed “Charter of Pakistan”, according to the letter, should bring “all political forces, state institutions and centres of power into agreement on the complete supremacy of the Constitution”.

They said such a charter should guarantee constitutional supremacy, ensure that “the people’s vote/mandate given shall be respected”, bring political engineering to an end, keep institutions within their constitutional boundaries, provide for across-the-board accountability and safeguard constitutional supremacy, implementation of the National Action Plan and core economic policies from disruption.

The leaders also maintained that “the successful nations of the world first established their political rules of the game and only afterward achieved economic miracles”, arguing that “political stability gives birth to economic stability, not the other way around.”

Concluding the letter, the PTI leaders said that if PM Shehbaz was genuinely serious about addressing the country’s challenges, then “instead of issuing yet another political statement, he should lay the foundation for a national dialogue on a Charter of Pakistan.”

KARACHI/ISLAMABAD, JUN 16 /DNA/ – A delegation of distinguished academicians from Bangladesh has commenced its visit to Pakistan under an initiative aimed at strengthening academic cooperation and fostering institutional linkages between the higher education sectors of Pakistan and Bangladesh.

During the first two days of their visit, the delegates travelled to Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro; Iqra University, Karachi; NED University of Engineering & Technology; the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi; and the HEJ International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Karachi.

On its arrival at LUMHS, the Vice Chancellor, Deans, and senior faculty members warmly received the delegation. During a meeting, the participants exchanged views on contemporary developments in higher education, medical education, research, and opportunities for future collaboration between universities of the two countries. Following the formal interaction, the delegation was given a comprehensive tour of the LUMHS campus. The delegates visited various academic departments, laboratories, and teaching facilities to gain insight into the university’s academic and research environment. They also toured the university hospital and were briefed on the healthcare services, clinical training facilities, and medical research initiatives undertaken by the institution. A notable feature of the visit was the interaction with international students currently pursuing their medical studies at LUMHS. The delegates engaged with the students and learned about their academic experiences, campus life, and the support services provided by the university to international scholars.

The delegation’s visit to Iqra University, Karachi, was marked by a series of productive discussions with the university leadership and faculty members. The meetings focused on identifying avenues for bilateral cooperation in higher education and exploring opportunities for academic partnerships between Pakistani and Bangladeshi institutions. The discussions particularly emphasised joint research initiatives, faculty collaboration, academic exchanges, and knowledge-sharing activities. Both sides expressed keen interest in developing long-term partnerships that would contribute to strengthening academic ties and promoting collaborative research addressing regional and global challenges. The visit to the university concluded with a cultural event, providing an excellent opportunity for cultural exchange, interaction among the participants, and reflection of the shared heritage and people-to-people connections.

At NED University, IBA, and HEJ ICCBS Karachi, the delegation received a warm welcome from the respective university leadership. The delegates held meaningful discussions on bilateral academic cooperation, research collaboration, and institutional partnerships. During their visit to NED University of Engineering & Technology, the delegates were briefed on the university’s academic programmes, research initiatives, and technological advancements. They were also given a tour of key facilities and state of the art laboratories, where they interacted with faculty members and students. Discussions focused on potential collaborations in engineering, emerging technologies, robotics, artificial intelligence, and innovation-driven research.

IBA Karachi organised extensive discussions on strengthening academic linkages and promoting cooperation in higher education. Faculty exchange programmes, student mobility initiatives, scholarship opportunities, and joint research projects were among the key areas discussed. The delegates also toured the campus and interacted with students and faculty members to gain insight into the institution’s academic environment and research culture.

During their visit to HEJ ICCBS, they were briefed on the centre’s internationally recognised contributions to scientific research, innovation, and capacity building. Discussions were held, focusing on opportunities for collaborative research in the fields of medicine, biological sciences, chemistry, and related disciplines, as well as prospects for academic exchange and joint scientific initiatives.

On this occasion, University of Rajshahi and HEJ ICCBS Karachi signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to facilitate collaborative research, faculty and student exchanges, academic cooperation, and institutional partnerships in the years ahead. The signing of these MoUs reflects the strong commitment of both sides to work closely together in advancing cooperation across a broad spectrum of disciplines. These agreements mark an important step towards strengthening academic ties and fostering long-term collaboration between the higher education institutions of Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The visits to these universities have set a foundation for the delegation’s forthcoming academic engagements in Pakistan that will reinforce the shared commitment of the two countries to promoting academic excellence, research collaboration, and people-to-people connectivity through higher education partnerships.

Welcomes the landmark peace deal between the United States and Iran, acknowledging Pakistan’s pivotal role in brokering the agreement

Ansar M Bhatti

ISLAMABAD: The UK has welcomed the landmark peace deal between the United States and Iran, acknowledging Pakistan’s pivotal role in brokering the agreement. On a two‑day ministerial visit to Islamabad, Minister for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Hamish Falconer, expressed gratitude to Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, for Pakistan’s leadership in facilitating negotiations.

Falconer emphasized the UK’s commitment to supporting stability in the Middle East and pledged to work closely with Pakistan to ensure the peace deal leads to lasting regional security, noting that Pakistan has played a critical role in brokering this opportunity for regional stability and that the UK stands ready to work together to support a path to lasting peace.

During meetings with senior Pakistani officials, the Minister announced an additional £8 million in funding to bolster joint efforts against illegal migration. The funding will strengthen border and visa systems, disrupt people‑smuggling and trafficking networks, support the return of individuals with no right to remain in the UK, and expand community‑based programmes in high‑risk areas to address the root causes of illegal migration.

This includes improving identity and information‑sharing processes, strengthening law enforcement capability to investigate smuggling networks, and expanding prevention programmes that reduce vulnerability to exploitation.

Falconer highlighted that the UK–Pakistan partnership is vital for tackling terrorist threats, visa fraud, and organized crime, adding that the two countries are taking their cooperation to a new level with additional funding to deter illegal migration and target drivers from the source.

He also met Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan to discuss ongoing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, encouraging dialogue and offering UK support against terrorist threats emanating from the region. His visit included observing a live demonstration of joint UK–Pakistan law enforcement work intercepting non‑genuine visa holders at airports, ensuring only eligible travellers and students travel to the UK.

The UK reaffirmed its commitment to secure borders and national security, stressing that deepening international partnerships is essential to achieving these goals. Falconer’s visit underlined longstanding UK support for stability in the Middle East and for Pakistan’s mediation role, while also strengthening practical collaboration to deter visa abuse and safeguard global, regional, and UK national security.

KARACHI, JUN 16: /DNA/ – Ministry of Human Rights and UN Women organised a high-level consultative session to discuss the issue of femicide and killing of women in pretext of so-called honour in Karachi partnership with Sindh Human Rights Department and Sindh Commission on Status of women. The initiative has been taken in context of recent surge in cases of honour killings, and Government’s zero tolerance policy on violence Against Women.

The consultation brought together representatives from federal and provincial government departments, justice sector institutions, medico-legal services, human rights bodies, civil society organizations, development partners, UN agencies, and women’s rights advocates to discuss priority actions for preventing femicide and other gender-related killings of women and girls, strengthening accountability, and improving protection and access to justice.

In his remarks, Mr. Rajvir Singh Sodha, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Sindh on Human Rights, reaffirmed the Government of Sindh’s commitment to ending violence against women and girls and advancing human rights across the province. He stated: “The Government of Sindh has consistently demonstrated its commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls through progressive legislation, institutional reforms, and partnerships with civil society and development partners. However, laws alone are not enough. We must strengthen implementation, ensure accountability for perpetrators, and foster a culture where violence against women and girls is not tolerated and never justified.”

Speaking at the event, Ms. Rubina Brohi, Chairperson, Sindh Commission on the Status of Women (SCSW), emphasized the importance of collective action and stated: “There is no justification for violence committed in the name of so-called honour. We must strengthen implementation of existing laws, ensure accountability for perpetrators, and work together to challenge the harmful norms that continue to put women and girls at risk. Every woman and girl has the right to live with dignity, safety, and equal protection under the law.”

Mr. Abdul Khaliq Sheikh, Secretary, Ministry of Human Rights, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting coordinated national and provincial efforts to prevent gender-related killings of women and girls and strengthen accountability for such crimes. He stated: “Through this consultation and the commitments adopted today, we are reaffirming our resolve to strengthen prevention, improve accountability, and ensure that every woman and girl in Pakistan can live free from violence, fear, and discrimination.”

Speaking at the consultation, Ms. Fahmida Iqbal Khan, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women Pakistan, said: “Every femicide is preventable. Ending these killings requires more than criminal justice responses—it requires changing the social norms that enable violence, strengthening institutions, and ensuring that evidence informs policy. Through our support to the National EVAWG Policy and Pakistan’s first National Study on Femicide, UN Women remains committed to working with government and civil society partners to prevent these crimes and advance the rights, safety, and dignity of women and girls across Pakistan.”

Presentations by Mr. Jameel Junejo, Secretary, Human Rights Department, Government of Sindh, and Dr. Sumaiyya Tariq, Chief Police Surgeon and Head of Medico-Legal Services, Sindh, highlighted trends in reported cases and institutional responses. Data presented during the consultation showed that 554 honour killing cases were processed and referred to relevant authorities between January 2024 and April 2026. Based on reported cases alone, these figures likely understate the true scale of the problem while highlighting persistent gaps in prevention, reporting, and accountability.

The consultation concluded with the adoption of the “No Honour in Killing” Joint Communiqué, committing stakeholders to strengthen accountability, improve protection and support services, enhance data and evidence systems, reject parallel justice mechanisms that sanction violence, and invest in prevention through community engagement and social norms change.

Participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring that gender-related killings of women and girls are prevented, prosecuted, and never justified under the guise of so-called honour, and that every woman and girl in Pakistan can live free from violence and discrimination.

ISLAMABAD, JUN 15: The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee on Monday announced that the Muharram moon has not been sighted in the country, hence the first of Muharram will fall on June 17 (Wednesday).

Accordingly, the Ashura — Muharram 10 — will be observed on June 26 (Friday).

Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad made the announcement following moon sighting committing meeting in Lahore.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had said that there were no chances of moon sighting on June 15, as the interval between the birth of the moon and sunset will be insufficient for crescent visibility.

In an advisory issued on June 11, the Met Office said weather conditions were expected to remain clear in several parts of the country.

Muharram is regarded as one of the four sacred Islamic months. Ashura falls on its 10th day when the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) along with his family members were martyred in the battle of Karbala.

Faithful hold processions and majalis in Muharram, while religious scholars address huge gatherings across the country.