KARACHI: Seventy-one children, including 40 in Sindh, have already lost their lives to measles in the first four months of this year as the provincial government held a series of public awareness activities on Saturday in connection with World Immunisation Week.

The week 2026 — being observed globally from April 24 to April 30 — is dedicated to the theme ‘For Every Generation, Vaccines Work’ — aims to create public awareness and increase rates of immunisation.

According to official data, of the 71 children died of measles across the country Sindh topped the list with 40 deaths followed by 12 each in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and four in Balochistan in the first four months.

Sources said a total of 4,541 confirmed measles’ cases were reported in the first quarter of this year in the country with 1,712 in KP, 1,198 in Punjab, 1,183 in Sindh, 197 in Balochistan, 151 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, 55 in Islamabad and 45 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

‘Unvaccinated children’

Responding to concerns over measles’ deaths and high number of cases, Dr Raj Kumar, Programme Director EPI, Sindh, explained that there was a large cohort of unvaccinated children formed during the Covid-19 that the government was trying to cover through different strategies.

He pointed out that while the government had made substantial progress in improving overall vaccination coverage, there were certain districts seeing frequent measles’ outbreaks.

“These areas include Khairpur and parts of the northern belt. We are responding to these issues by developing strategies specifically tailored to address gaps in vaccination coverage in these areas. Besides, we just have been through a season that usually sees a peak in measles’ cases,” Dr Kumar said.

On the ‘zero-dose’ children, he said that some 40,000 to 50,000 ‘zero-dose’ children were now covered in every anti-polio drive.

The government, he said, had doubled its financial support to the EPI programme and there wouldn’t be any issues even if international donors withdrew their assistance and that it had also increased the numbers of vaccinators to address the human resource gaps.

Polio cases

Polio, the sources said, remains a national challenge with the continued prevalence of the disease amid rising security concerns for vaccinators. This year, one polio case has been detected in Sujawal, Sindh.

Pakistan reported 74 polio cases in 2024 and 31 cases in 2025, while Sindh recorded nine cases in 2025, with nearly 80 per cent of environmental samples testing positive for the virus.

Recently, however, the Sindh chief minister had claimed significant progress in battling polio, with environmental positivity rates declining to 24pc.

“While the government continues its efforts, there are multiple challenges with respect to routine immunisation. The most important one is vaccine hesitancy,” said Dr Khalid Shafi representing the Pakistan Paediatric Association.

He emphasised the need for devising effective public awareness strategies.

“We know that all vaccines in the routine immunisation programme are available free of cost at all centres but still parents are reluctant to get their children vaccinated, risking their lives and safety,” Dr Shafi said.

He also stressed the need for increasing the number of female vaccinators to encourage public confidence.

Alarm over ‘zero-dose’ crisis

In its statement, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) expressed its concern over the high burden of vaccine-preventable diseases and a staggering number of “zero-dose” children in the country.

“Pakistan continues to trail behind countries like China and Iran, which maintains near-universal coverage (over 95pc), and India and Bangladesh, both of which have surpassed 90 per cent through aggressive outreach.

“Currently, over one million children in Pakistan remain ‘zero-dose’, having never received a single vaccination. This vulnerability results in a high burden of disease, for instance, 25,000 measles cases are reported annually across the country,” said Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, representing the association.

Fifty-eight per cent of Pakistani children remained at risk due to being unimmunised or under-immunised, he added.

To bridge the gap and move Pakistan towards the coverage levels seen in neighbouring nations, he called for immediate investment in national facilities to begin local vaccine manufacturing, reducing long-term reliance on imports.

“There is also a need for nationwide expansion of digital registry to replace unreliable paper-based records and ensure accurate tracking and utilising mobile teams to reach a scattered population,” he said, while calling for strengthening the primary healthcare system and providing protection to healthcare.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

The announcement came four days after the Sindh government cancelled the construction contract for the BRT Red Line, saying that it would be re-awarded on an “emergency basis”.

Sindh Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon had told Dawn that the contract had been terminated due to delays in the project’s execution by the contractor. He had said the Asian Development Bank, which funds the project, was unhappy with the pace of work, as were stakeholders concerned about environmental impact.

Subsequently, Wahab posted on X: “Happy to inform that work on the University Road has resumed from today by FWO. The Sindh chief minister has given a deadline to have the work on the mixed traffic corridor and drain completed within 90 days. God willing, will keep you all posted with the progress.”

In another post, he said Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had visited the construction site to “personally monitor the resumption of work by FWO”.

Separately, a statement issued by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) said the CM, accompanied by Wahab and other officials, visited the sites of various development projects in Karachi on Sunday.

Among those projects, the statement said, CM Murad reviewed the BRT Red Line and was given a briefing on it by FWO officials, Sindh Transport Secretary Asad Zamin and TransKarachi Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Zubair Channa.

The statement said the CM directed that the project’s construction should be completed expeditiously and the traffic corridor should be improved.

The stalled construction on the Red Line had resumed in November 2025, after the removal of several bottlenecks following the chief minister’s intervention.

Meanwhile, thousands of University Road commuters continue to face daily hardships.

Designed to cover around 27 kilometres from Malir Halt to Numaish via University Road, the BRT Red Line project was announced in 2017 with an initial cost of around Rs79 billion, but due to persistent delays and mismanagement by the provincial government, the estimated cost has now escalated to Rs103bn.

After commencement of the work in early 2022, the project was initially scheduled for completion by 2023, which was later pushed to 2024 and subsequently extended to the end of 2026.

For many, even the revised timeline appears to be wholly unrealistic as the project continues to progress at a snail’s pace. Various factors have been cited by officials to justify these delays, including disputes with contractors, safety stoppages, rising construction costs due to depreciation of the rupee, difficulties in land acquisition, relocation of utilities and coordination failures between implementing agencies.

In December of last year, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed authorities to expedite work on the line during an inspection of the project from Malir Cantonment to Numaish. He was told that delays were because of heavy rains, utility relocation issues and design changes.

In September, the SHC said that all stakeholders should be taken on board and efforts should be made to resolve disputes to ensure that work on the project is carried out continuously.

The boy, Zahid Mohammed Khan, was swept away around 2pm on Friday while swimming in the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC)’s line in Scheme-33 near Al-Azhar Garden.

Rescue 1122 and the Edhi service issued separate statements, confirming that the boy’s body has been recovered.

The Edhi statement said the deceased child was 12 years old. The body was shifted to Edhi’s morgue in Sohrab Goth.

Lifeguards from Rescue 1122 and the Edhi Foundation searched until Friday night, but were unable to recover the boy. Subsequently, the operation was paused due to a lack of visibility.

With the help of the district administration, rescuers had resumed their search efforts on Saturday at two separate locations, near Samama Shopping Mall and Continental Bakery in Gulistan-i-Jauhar.

Last year, the drowning of a three-year-old boy in an open manhole near Karachi’s NIPA had sparked public outrage. The boy’s body was found after a 15-hour rescue operation.

He is undertaking the trip against the backdrop of ongoing diplomatic efforts, notably by Pakistan, to bring Tehran and Washington to the table to talks aimed at ending the conflict that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

Araghchi arrived at the Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi after completing a day-long visit to Oman, the diplomatic source said, adding that he would meet with senior Pakistani officials during his short stay in Islamabad.

The Iranian foreign minister will then depart for Moscow, he added.

Meeting with Oman’s sultan

Earlier in Oman, Araghchi met with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and briefed him “on the Iranian side’s perspectives” regarding the regional developments and the peace efforts, Oman’s foreign ministry said in a statement on X.

Araghchi “listened to His Majesty’s views on ways to advance these efforts in a manner that enhances opportunities for reaching sustainable political solutions and limits the repercussions of crises on the peoples of the region”, the statement said.

It added that the sultan affirmed the importance of prioritising the language of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing issues, in a way that contributed to consolidating the foundations of peace.

Araghchi expressed Iran’s appreciation for Oman’s positions in “supporting dialogue efforts and enhancing endeavours for security and stability in the region, especially amid the current regional challenges”, the statement said.

Separately, Iran’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the security in the Strait of Hormuz and broader Gulf waters and diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israeli war on Iran were discussed during the meeting.

It quoted Araghchi as saying the US military presence in the Middle East was fuelling insecurity and division. It said he called for a regional security framework free of outside interference during the meeting.

Separately, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that he also held a phone call with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, and discussed regional developments and ongoing diplomatic processes.

Araghchi hands over Iran’s proposals

Araghchi earlier arrived in Islamabad on Friday night and handed over Tehran’s response to US proposals for ending the war during meetings with Pakistan’s civil and military leadership before leaving for Oman on Saturday.

He departed for Muscat after a day of intensive consultations, reportedly abo­ard a Gulfstream G600 owned by the Pakistan military. Neither the Pakistani military nor the Iranian officials confirmed or denied this. This suggested Pakistani facilitation of his regional tour to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

A Pakistani source involved in the process said the Iranian side had delivered both its proposals and its perspective on the American proposals. Sources said Iran emphasised its terms while indicating readiness to remain engaged in shaping a future diplomatic course.

Officials familiar with the discussions said Tehran stressed that any framework must be “rational and fair” and maintained that negotiations cannot proceed under pressure, particularly in the presence of the naval blockade of Iranian ports by the US. At the same time, the Iranian side signalled willingness to stay engaged through Pakistan’s mediation but insisted that it would not accept terms seen as undermining its sovereignty or security interests.

No details of the proposals were made public.

The visit unfolded amid indications earlier from Washington that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner would travel to Islamabad to engage with the Iranian delegation. However, as Araghchi departed for Moscow, US President Donald Trump called off the trip.

Impasse in talks

Pakistan’s civil and military leadership has been engaged in feverish diplomacy, seeking to bring the US and Iran back to the negotiating table after the first round of talks in Islamabad yielded no result.

The first round of historic direct US-Iran talks was held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, following a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire on April 8. It had ended without an agreement, but also without a breakdown.

However, the expected second round of negotiations witnessed a delay due to continued friction between the US and Iran, particularly regarding Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the US blockade of Iran’s ports.

Meanwhile, Trump has announced an extension in the ceasefire until Tehran submits a “unified proposal” and “discussions are concluded, one way or the other”.

The US has, however, maintained its blockade of Iranian ports.

On the other hand, the Strait of Hormuz — through which one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply used to pass during peacetime — also remains blocked.

After the US and Israel attacked Iran on Feb 28, Tehran responded by shutting down the strait and later announced it would charge vessels using the maritime route. The US earlier this month blockaded Iranian ports to stop its oil exports and returned over 30 ships leaving Iranian ports.

Unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz has emerged as one of the issues at the core of the impasse between the US and Iran. Another point of contention is Washington’s demand for long-term commitments on Iran’s nuclear programme, including constraints on enrichment and safeguards against weaponisation.

Additional input from Reuters

In this regard, the signing of a Mem­o­randum of Understanding (MoU) with the Supreme People’s Court of China in August 2025 marked an important milestone in this journey, establishing a formal framework for judicial exchange, technology integration, capacity-building, and cooperation in emerging areas of law.

In an announcement, it explained that the participation of a high-level judicial delegation including the district and sessions judge, Gwadar, and a lady senior civil judge from Lakki Marwat in the 20th Conference of Chief Justices of SCO Member States in Hangzhou (April 2025) laid the foundation for deeper institutional linkages.

These initial engagements have since evolved into technical cooperation, structured training programmes and reciprocal visits, reflecting a deliberate shift from symbolic interaction to practical and impactful collaboration.

Focus on district judiciary, tech integration drives global partnerships

Engagement with China has been particularly robust, encompassing participation in high-level judicial conferences, specialised training programmes and structured nominations to SCO-related judicial forums.

A defining feature of this collaboration is the deliberate inclusion of top-performing judges from the district judiciary, particularly those serving in remote and underserved areas. This approach reflects a strategic focus on strengthening judicial capacity at the grassroots level, ensuring that international best practices are internalised where they matter most, at the level of trial courts.

This inclusive approach is further reflected in targeted exposure and capacity-building initiatives. The district and sessions judge, Ghotki, along with the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, participated in the 9th China-South Asia Legal Training Programme in Shanghai (May 2025). This was followed by the participation of a Court Associate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in the 8th China-AALCO Exchange and Research Programme on International Law in Beijing (July 2025).

Further expanding this engagement, another delegation led by the Chief Justice of the High Court of Balochistan, including a lady Additional Sessions Judge from Quetta and a Senior Civil Judge from Mithi (Tharparkar), is scheduled to participate in the Forum of Justices of Local Courts of China-SCO countries in July 2026. In addition, a top-performing lady senior civil judge from Bannu and a senior civil judge from Dera Ghazi Khan have been nominated for the 10th China-South Asia Legal Training Course in Shanghai (May 2026).

Complementing judicial exchanges, a specialised delegation of IT officers from the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the high courts is scheduled to visit the Supreme People’s Court of China in Beijing (July 2026). This visit aims to gain first-hand insight into technology integration and digital transformation in judicial processes, particularly the use of artificial intelligence, further reinforcing Pakistan’s reform-oriented agenda.

These developments reaffirm that the MoU is a living instrument, actively driving judicial capacity, institutional innovation and cross-jurisdictional learning. The Supreme Court of Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to further strengthening this partnership, recognising that meaningful judicial cooperation is essential to addressing the complex and evolving demands of contemporary justice systems.

Likewise, the signing of another MoU with the Constitutional Court of Turkiye in April 2026 marks a significant step in formalising this collaboration, providing a structured platform for judicial exchange, technology integration and joint capacity-building initiatives.

This engagement is rooted in sustained judicial interaction at the highest level. Participation of a high-level judicial delegation in the 63rd anniversary of the Cons­­titutional Court of Turkiye (April 2025) laid the groundwork for deeper ins­titutional cooperation. This was followed by the reciprocal visit of a distinguished delegation led by the president of the Constitutional Court of Turkiye to Pakis­tan in April 2026, reinforcing mutual commitment to long-term collaboration.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has initiated dialogue with the United Nations Committee on World Food Security (CFS), seeking policy guidance to shape its national strategies on food security, officials said Saturday, as the country works to address challenges affecting access to food.

The development came during a meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and CFS Chairperson Anas Al-Nabulsi on the sidelines of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific in Brunei Darussalam.

According to Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Mr Hussain led the national delegation and outlined the country’s ongoing efforts to ensure food availability for its population of more than 215 million.

“Pakistan continues to advance policies and strategies aimed at ensuring access to food while responding to evolving environmental and socio-economic challenges,” Mr Hussain said during the meeting.

He also highlighted Pakistan’s active engagement in global efforts to combat food insecurity and malnutrition, while pointing to opportunities for strengthening collaboration with the CFS. The discussions focused on how international policy guidance can be adapted and implemented effectively at the national level.

Both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening the uptake and implementation of CFS policy recommendations within countries. Al-Nabulsi stressed that sustainable transformation in food systems requires coordinated action and inclusive governance.

“Transformation depends on inclusive governance and stronger collaboration across sectors, stakeholders and levels, supported by increased access to sustainable finance and stronger integration of evidence into policy and investment decisions,” Mr Al-Nabulsi said.

“This is precisely where CFS adds its value, by convening diverse actors around shared evidence and supporting coherent, voluntary policy guidance that countries can adapt to their own realities.” The talks also addressed the ongoing development of global policy recommendations on building resilient food systems. Pakistan was invited to actively participate in the process.

Officials said the meeting underscored the importance of research, innovation and technology in modernising agriculture and food systems.

Both parties acknowledged the role of universities and research institutions in advancing solutions such as precision agriculture and digital tools aimed at improving productivity, sustainability and resilience.

The interaction further provided an opportunity to review upcoming CFS initiatives, including a high-level forum on artificial intelligence, digitalisation and data, as well as continued policy work on resilient food systems.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration and stressed the importance of translating global policy guidance into tangible, country-level outcomes.

The CFS is regarded as the foremost inclusive international and intergovernmental platform on food security and nutrition. It brings together representatives from governments, United Nations agencies, civil society, non-governmental organisations, indigenous groups, financial institutions, research bodies, philanthropic foundations and the private sector.

Using a multi-stakeholder approach, the committee develops policy guidance on a wide range of food security and nutrition issues. Its recommendations are informed by scientific and evidence-based reports produced by the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition.

Saturday’s meeting reinforced the shared view that addressing food insecurity requires coordinated global and national action. It also highlighted the need for countries like Pakistan to integrate international expertise with local realities to build sustainable and resilient food systems.

Both delegations concluded by emphasising that stronger collaboration, evidence-based policymaking and inclusive participation will remain central to achieving long-term food security goals.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

Earlier in 2024, the Jinnah Town chairman had announced plan to preserve the giant 60-tonne structure, which was to be removed to pave the way for the construction of the Bus Rapid Transit Red Line project, and relocated it to the National Stadium. However, the plan never materialised.

On Saturday, Mayor Wahab while inaugurating the Landhi Sports Complex announced that, considering the historical significance of Empress Market, memorials dedicated to martyrs would be established there, while the historic globe of Islamia College would be preserved and relocated to Hasan Square.

He also appealed to the public to offer suggestions regarding historical monuments so that the city administration could extend its cooperation.

The mayor said that the residents of Landhi and Korangi had been “deliberately deprived” of basic facilities in the past, but the present administration had come “with a message of improvement and development.”

He said, “When intentions are sincere, God makes the path easier, and it is this spirit that is helping us address public issues”.

“The primary responsibility of any municipal government is to resolve citizens’ problems, but Kara­chi’s condition was deliberately allowed to deteriorate over the past three to four decades,” he said.

The swimming pool at the KMC sports complex has also been upgraded to modern standards, with memberships to be offered at affordable rates so that a wider segment of the public can benefit.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

According to officials, the attackers, described by police as members of Fitna al Khawarij, a term the state uses to describe militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, carried out a sudden assault on the police station late at night.

During the attack, the terrorists allegedly used rocket launchers, causing a boundary wall of the police station to collapse. Several business outlets adjacent to the police station also suffered severe damage due to the intensity of the attack. Police personnel retaliated and managed to repel the assault after an exchange of fire.

Officials said the attackers fled the scene after facing resistance from the police.

No loss of life was reported in the incident. Following the attack, a heavy police contingent reached the area and launched a search operation to trace the fleeing terrorists.

TWO WITH IRANIAN CURRENCY HELD: The police claimed to have recovered a huge quantity of illegal Iranian currency worth over Rs4.49 billion during an operation in the suburban circle on Saturday and arrested two suspects.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of SP city Mohammad Nauman, while DSP suburb circle and SHO Shorkot Aftab Alam Baloch led the action.

Officials said a car was stopped during checking, and two persons travelling in it were taken into custody. They were identified as Aminullah, a resident of Chaman, and Naqeebullah, a resident of Quetta.

During a search of the vehicle, police recovered Iranian currency amounting to Rs4.499 billion in concealed compartments along with five mobile phones.

The suspects, along with the recovered currency and mobile phones, were handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency for further legal action.

Meanwhile, the Peshawar Electric Supply Company authorities on Saturday launched a campaign against electricity theft in the city, removing multiple illegal connections and warning of strict legal action against those involved.

The operation was led by Pesco City Division Executive Engineer Imran Khan Gandapur.

Officials said the operation was carried out near Mohallah Laghariwala and Madrassa Alauddin. The teams removed several illegal direct connections, commonly known as ‘kundas’.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

“We would take around a week to provide hassle free travelling and other services to visitors from across the country and abroad as MNJ Road is cleared till Battakundi, while reopening of Manoor Valley and Saiful Muluk roads is also underway,” Hasrat Khan, the assistant commissioner Balakot told reporters in Balakot.

He said that so far MNJ Road, which was blocked in November last year following the Kaghan Valley received winter season’s first snowfall, could soon be reopened to all sorts of traffic between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.

“So far this important artery has been cleared up to Battakundi and within shortest possible time traffic could resume between both federating units via Babusar Top,” Mr Khan said.

The AC Balakot said that reopening work of the artery that connected Kaghan Valley’s commercial hub Naran with Saiful Muluk Road was also well underway and it would also be cleared to four-wheelers within days. “Snow and landslides from Manoor Valley Road are also being removed to connect it with MNJ Road,” Mr Khan said.

He said that the chief minister, chief secretary, secretary Tourism and Archeology and deputy commissioner Mansehra were personally taking interest in tourism promotion and directed district administration for better travelling and hospitality services to people.

Meanwhile, the police departments has also reopened Naran police station after almost over five consecutive months’ closure.

The police department’s media wing told reporters that Naran police station resumed its operation and all posts established along the MNJ Road would be made operational gradually as MNJ Road was being restored after cutting glaciers and clearing snow.

The SP Balakot Sabir Khan also visited the Naran police station, reviewed security arrangements and held meeting with the SHO and police personnel. “As traffic resumes between KP and GB, around a dozen posts established along the MNJ Road that remained closed for almost six months will be made functional to provide security to tourists and passengers,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

The survey, conducted by cybersecurity company Kaspersky, highlights a disconnect between corporate policies and emp­loyee adherence, underscoring risks link­­ed to shadow IT and unmanaged device usage.

According to the report, 38pc of respon­dents said there are no policies governing the use of non-corporate devices. Mean­while, 17pc admitted they can use personal devices to access business information if these have some form of cybersecurity protection, even consumer-grade software.

On the positive side, 16pc said personal devices must pass stringent corporate IT security checks before use, while 29pc reported that only company-issued devices are permitted for work.

The situation is relatively better when it comes to installing software on corporate devices. Around 56.5pc said only IT specialists are allowed to install software, while 19.5pc reported that only top management or designated users have such permissions. Another 17pc said employees can install software approved by the IT team. However, 7pc noted that all users can install any software without IT approval.

At the same time, 26pc of professionals acknowledged installing software on work devices without IT supervision in the past year, highlighting a persistent shadow IT challenge that exposes organisations to security vulnerabilities, compliance risks and data breaches.

“Shadow IT is now a mainstream operational risk. When one in five employees installs software without IT oversight, it signals a policy gap,” said Toufic Derbass, Managing Director for the META region at Kaspersky. He stressed that organisations must move beyond restrictive controls and adopt user-centric cybersecurity strategies that integrate technology with employee awareness and responsible use.

To strengthen defences, the report recommends conducting shadow IT audits to identify unauthorised software, cloud services and personal devices accessing corporate data, alongside implementing rob­u­­st monitoring and cybersecurity solutions.

It also advises that where personal dev­ice use is permitted, organisations should define clear minimum security requirements and enforce them through mobile device management or endpoint management tools, complemented by employee training on real-world risks.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Mobile manufacturers have urged the government to protect the local industry from the open sale of stolen and smuggled phone sets.

“Despite our continuous engagement with your office, we regret that IMEI numbers are being copied from genuine, legally imported devices,” the Pakistan Mobile Phone Manufacturers Association (PMPMA) said in a letter to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

It added that this malpractice involves cloning IMEI codes from authentic mobile phones and assigning them to counterfeit, illegally imported, or even stolen devices.

As a result, such phones are falsely presented as duty-paid and legitimate, while some may actually be stolen items originating from other countries.

The association said unauthorised imports have penetrated the local market without undergoing proper regulatory procedures or payment of applicable duties.

The PMPMA, which represents 33 manufacturers of both domestic and international mo­­bile phone brands in Pakistan, has asked the PTA to implement an effective and technologically advanced IMEI tracking and verification system to eliminate cloning practices.

It noted that Pakistan’s mobile manufacturing base has strengthened significantly. Up to March 2026, about 31.79 million devices were sold in the market, of which more than 30.86 million were locally assembled, indicating the industry’s capacity for further value addition.

The association warned that the issue is damaging investor confidence and discouraging further investment in the local manufacturing ecosystem.

In a separate letter to the Ministry of Industries and Production, the PMPMA said the sector has generated over 40,000 direct employment opportunities and expressed concern over reports that commercial imports of used phones may be allowed.

It cautioned that allowing the import of used and refurbished mobile phones would seriously harm the local assembly industry, discourage industrial investment, reduce documented tax contributions, and create enforcement, consumer, and security risks.

The local mobile phone assembly industry, it said, operates within the documented economy and contributes to the national exchequer through sales tax, income tax, withholding tax, payroll-related taxes, utility payments, compliance costs, and formal employment.

In contrast, the used phone trade has historically remained far less documented and does not contribute proportionately to national revenue.

The association stressed that sustainable industrial activity should be protected over second-hand imports that weaken the documented economy.

It concluded that allowing commercial imports of used mobile phones at this stage of Pakistan’s industrial development would be a damaging policy decision, undermining the tax-paying formal sector and encouraging the grey market in mobile phone trade.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

The power show was held in Upper Adda, also known as Lal Chowk, where charged supporters from different parts of the territory gathered in large numbers, waving party, Kashmiri and Pakistani flags and chanting slogans in favour of Mr Khan.

The rally was addressed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi who waved the AJK flag from the stage to loud cheers.

With elections approaching, Chief Minister Afridi urged supporters not only to vote for Mr Khan but also to “protect that vote”.

_He recalled his announcement on the 19th that the next phase of PTI’s street movement would begin in Kashmir.

He criticised the ruling setup in both Pakistan and AJK, alleging “undemocratic and unethical conduct,” and accused authorities of obstructing political activity, including blocking roads on the day of the rally.

Mr Afridi asserted that Imran Khan had presented the case of Kashmir, Pakistan and Palestine at international forums and was now “unjustly imprisoned” along with his wife Bushra Bibi.

He said he had been pursuing all constitutional, legal and democratic avenues, but without result. “As many as three judges have granted me permission to meet my leader, but the superintendent of Adiala Jail tears up those orders and throws them into the dustbin,” he alleged.

Warning against curbs on political rights, he said: “If our rights are usurped, we will come out and protest – the Constitution allows us to do so.”

He announced that a “major protest call” would soon be given, expressing confidence that people across the country would respond and help secure Mr Khan’s release.

Earlier, former AJK premier and PTI’s regional president Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi said Kashmiris had always stood with Imran Khan and would respond to every protest call.

The rally was also addressed by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and other local party leaders.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) has been assigned the task to establish the Marka-i-Haq Monument on The Mall.

“It is a replica of the monument in H-8 Islamabad. However, Marka-i-Haq Monument is unique as it is being constructed in an established park and additional land will not be acquired for it,” said a senior official of the district administration while talking to Dawn.

He said the project was likely to complete before May 10, the first anniversary of the Maraka-i-Haq. He said the monument was being constructed on the direction of the provincial government which provided funding for the project.

Structure being set up on direction of Punjab govt which has provided fund for project, says official

“The main purpose of this project is to commemorate victims and honour the sacrifices of martyrs and ghazis of the operation Bunyanum Marsoos,” he said. The official said the theme symbolises the nation’s collective unwavering resolve and unity, highlighting the spirit of remaining united in the face of all kinds of threats.

He said PHA was given the task to improve the condition of the park adjacent to the monument. He said PHA had started work on land development in the park.

On the other hand, Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation has suggested the name of the Kutchery Chowk flyover and underpass as Marka-i-Haq Flyover and Underpass and sought objections from the public, if any.

A senior official of RMC told Dawn under the law, the civic body had to take objections from the public for renaming main squares and roads.

He said the public hearing would be held after which a committee would finalise the name of the flyover and underpass.

Meanwhile, more than 80 per cent work on the Ktuchery Chowk remodelling project has been completed and the divisional administration has directed to complete the work by May 31.

Work on the Kutchery intersection is 76 per cent complete, development work on Iftikhar Janjua Road 74 per cent complete and construction on Jinnah Park Chowk is 75 per cent complete. Besides, utility ducts’ work is 83 per cent and construction of a pedestrian bridge is 55 per cent complete.

The divisional commissioner said the project was progressing at a record pace in double shifts as the target was to complete it in 18 months while it will be completed in a record period of six months.

“A deadline of May 2026 has been set for the completion of the project,” he said and directed further increase in the pace of work.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

Special teams are now targeting agents who move migrants overland through Iran and Turkiye, officials said on Saturday.

FIA Islamabad Zone Director Syed Shahzad Nadeem Bukhari ordered action after the April 17 incident in which a vessel carrying 60 migrants capsized. Most of the victims were from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Two special teams have been formed in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to arrest agents operating land routes, under the orders issued by the zonal director,” an official said. The teams will work with police and other law enforcement agencies for technical support and raids.

The FIA is also moving against agents based abroad. Mr Bukhari said the agency would initiate proceedings through Interpol to seek arrests and extraditions.

FIA Islamabad Zone director ordered action after April 17 incident in which a vessel with 60 migrants, mostly Pakistanis, onboard capsized

Investigators have begun tracing the assets of suspects under anti-money laundering laws, with bank records and travel histories being pulled for “all known agents”. Financial probes will run parallel to criminal cases. “If we find proceeds of crime, we will seize moveable and immoveable assets,” an FIA official said.

A public awareness campaign has started at airports, on social media and at bus terminals warning against illegal overland routes to Europe, which typically run through Quetta, Iran and Turkey. Banners have been placed at “notable public places” detailing the risks. Mr Bukhari warned that anyone abetting illegal immigration would face “strict action”.

The FIA said it would seek help from local police for arrests where needed.

Pakistan has seen repeated migrant boat tragedies in the Mediterranean and Aegean seas over the past two years. More than 350 Pakistanis died in the June 2023 Greece shipwreck. Most victims pay agents between Rs2 million and Rs3.5 million for the journey.

The Interior Ministry and the FIA keep on urging citizens not to use illegal channels, saying legal migration options were available.

An official of the Interior Ministry recalled that in February this year three European countries — Italy, Spain and Greece — and Pakistan reached a consensus to promote legal pathways to “effectively combat illegal migration.”

The consensus was reached at a four-nation conference in Rome, where Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi represented Pakistan and floated the idea of legal migration pathways as a strategy to tackle illegal migration.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

“There is a difference between politics on Facebook and politics in the field. They may compete on social media, but not in practical politics,” he said at a public gathering in Abbaspur.

He said his government was presenting its performance before the people and would face its rivals head-on in the next elections.

He said the PPP government had taken concrete steps to improve institutions across the state.

“When I took over, the state was facing serious challenges, but we accepted them and worked with a clear vision and roadmap,” he said, adding that the government was not merely making announcements but ensuring their implementation.

Urging political forces to move beyond point-scoring, he said all stakeholders must work to safeguard people’s rights.

“The PPP is a kingmaker and a symbol of the federation. We are the real stakeholders in Pakistan’s system,” he asserted.

The AJK premier claimed that his government had restored a conducive political environment in the state and revived the mission of public service.

“We are coming back with greater strength and public support,” he said, adding that the PPP believed in practical welfare measures rather than rhetoric.

Mr Rathore maintained that major development projects in AJK’s history were largely initiated during PPP governments. “If you exclude the ten-and-a-half years of PPP rule, you will hardly find any mega project,” he claimed, citing universities, medical colleges and other major initiatives as the party’s achievements.

He said that within a short span, his government had revived development activities and restored public confidence at a time when politics in the region had nearly come to a standstill. “People welcomed us across the state even when it had become difficult for politicians to step out,” he said.

Claiming a strong electoral position, he said the PPP was currently well placed in all 33 constituencies and would return to power after winning the next elections.

Expressing pride in the armed forces, he said Pakistan had earned respect globally and was playing the role of a mediator on the world stage. “God has raised our stature with honour and, God willing, the Kashmir issue will also be resolved,” he added.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

The remarks were made while addressing a National Party meeting in Turbat. The meeting discussed in detail organisational issues and political matters of Tehsil Council Turbat and Tehsil Council Shahrak.

They alleged that the parliament has become a “lifeless institution”, where elected representatives are not heard. They added that by undermining the mandate of the National Party and other nationalist parties, further fuel has been added to the already worsening situation in Balochistan.

Dr Malik said that the attitude of the federation and federal institutions towards the province is inappropriate. He added that the sanctity of the public vote has been violated, and the mandates of political and nationalist parties are not being respected by the state and its institutions, which is increasing a sense of deprivation among the people.

NP leaders criticise parliament, calling it a ‘lifeless institution’

He further said that interference in the electoral process is eroding public trust in democracy and its institutions.

Senator Buledi said that the problems of Balochistan cannot be resolved through force. He said it is the fundamental responsibility of the state and its democratic and constitutional institutions to restore public confidence in democracy by adopting a reconciliation policy and initiating dialogue with all political forces of Balochistan. He stressed that national and political parties must be taken into confidence.

He added that the National Party is a political party of the people of Balochistan and represents the political workers of the province. He said the provincial government is not of the people, and party workers must reconnect with the public and make the party more active and dynamic.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has borne a disproportionate burden of trauma due to decades of conflict, militancy and disasters like floods and displacement. The province has the highest rates of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety in the country, so we’ve recruited psychologists at district level, for the first time, for timely disease investigation and management,” project director of the Revamping of non-teaching District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospitals project Dr Shahzad Faisal told Dawn.

According to him, an estimated 25-34pc population in conflict-hit districts suffer from some form of mental health condition but majority stay undiagnosed, getting no treatment and no support as primary and secondary health facilities lack the structured capacity to identify or manage these cases, leading to dangerous delays and over-reliance on tertiary care.

“As per plan, we are setting up mental health desks at DHQ hospitals to serve as a structured entry point for routine screening of patients in addition to providing them safe, confidential space, especially for women and youth, to seek help without stigma,” he said.

Official says initiative to ensure timely diagnosis, management of people with mental disorders

Dr Faisal said those desks would act as a referral hub linking community health workers, basic health units and tertiary facilities besides generating district-level epidemiological data to guide future policy and resource allocation for mental health issues.

He said the induction training took place under supervision of leading professor of psychiatry Prof Mian Mukhtarul Haq and it was decided to establish structured documentation of patients and mechanisms for electronic consultation and patient referral modalities.

The official said that health department launched the project at the cost Rs32 billion in December 2020 under which equipment, including latest anesthesia machines worth Rs2.55 billion, had been provided to 32 DHQ hospitals to enable that surgical procedures are done and facilitate patients at local level and lessen burden on tertiary care hospitals.

He said the health minister, secretary and other high-officials were taking immense interest to revamp district health services.

Dr Faisal said that the project had several goals including revamping infrastructure, ensuring availability of latest diagnostic and therapeutic equipment to strengthen elective and emergency services.

He said the DHQ hospitals were getting ventilators, digital x-rays, Doppler ultrasounds echocardiography, incubators and other nursery equipment, defibrillators, mobile X-rays, lab equipment along with reagent, tables and lights for operating theatres, crash carts and other surgical instruments.

“As DHQ hospitals cater to millions of patients, we are strengthening human resources through recruitment of emergency technicians, specialists and information technology support staff,” he said.

The official said doctors, nurses and technicians working at DHQ hospitals were being trained at the Postgraduate Medical Institute and other institutes and that over 150 medics had already been trained.

He said the infrastructure component of the project was earlier assigned to the infrastructure development authority of Punjab but in 2024, the KP cabinet cancelled that agreement with mutual consent.

“Now, the project has been assigned to the communication and works department which has hired Nespak as a consultant firm for carrying it out,” he said.

Dr Faisal said the project ending in 2028 would result in strengthened healthcare services at DHQ level that would benefit the people in their native areas.

He added that at the same time, the tertiary care health facilities would witness reduction of patient flow from districts and would focus on those requiring highly specialised services.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

The top tier of local bodies in the province was done away with prior to the previous LG elections and implemented the local government system at the level of tehsil and village and neighbourhood councils.

Official sources told Dawn that the local government department had proposed amendments to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Act, 2013, for the restoration of the district tier.

They said the local government department had already forwarded the law with draft amendments to the law department for vetting. The sources said that a summary in that respect had also been submitted to local government minister Meena Khan Afridi for approval.

LG dept has forwarded draft amendments to law dept for vetting

“With the approval of the minister, the summary will be sent to Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for consent,” a source said.

Besides the restoration of the district tier of the LG system, the department has also proposed to increase the size of population covering a village and neighbourhood council from the existing 5,000 to 10,000 and the existing 25,000 to 35,000, respectively.

Regarding the powers and functions of the district tier, sources said that it would be too early to say anything about their functions.

They further said that the government had yet not decided about which departments would be in the domain of the district tier that was devolved to the tehsil tier or retained by the provincial government prior to abolition of the district tier in 2019.

The first phase of local body elections was held in December 2021 in half of the province, while in the remaining districts, polls were held in the second phase in May 2022.

The four-year tenure of those elected in the first phase was completed on March 15, 2026. The councillors elected in the second phase will complete their tenure on June 30, 2026.

Under the Election Act, 2017, the Election Commission of Pakistan was bound to hold local body elections within 120 days of the expiry of the tenure of local bodies.

When contacted, Local Council Association president Himayatullah Mayar said he had seen the proposed law amendments, which showed the government’s plans to restore the district tier of the LG system with the power of only monitoring and supervision in violation of the Constitution.

He said that Article 140-A of the Constitution clearly declared, “each province should establish a local government system and devolve political, administrative, and financial responsibility to elected local representatives.”

Mr Mayar said in the instant case, he said that the provincial government was intending only to give the monitoring and supervision role to the elected representatives at district level.

“In the absence of legitimate powers with the local government’s representatives, the bureaucracy will have the supreme role in the LG system,” he said.

The association leader said that the LG system introduced by President General Musharaf was much better than the current one as at that time, 28 government departments were devolved to local bodies compared with24 departments currently working under the system introduced by the PTI in 2013.

He said that the previous LG system was “toothless” as the PTI not only abolished the district tier but also reduced the number of devolved departments to nine at tehsil level.

Mr Mayar, who was also the mayor of Mardan city, said prior to the abolition of the LG system’s district tier, the provincial government was legally bound to give 30 per cent funds of the provincial Annual Development Programme to local bodies, but the percentage was later reduced to 20.

He said that since the provincial government was going to restore the district tier, it should also increase the share of local bodies in the ADP funds to 30 per cent.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

Witnesses said that members of the Malakshahai and Nazarkhel, two sub-clans of the Mehsud tribe, clashed after tensions flared up over the ownership of a site believed to contain gold deposits.

Both sides claimed ownership of the area, which was supposed to have the gold deposits.

This caused disagreement among the tribesmen, leading to an exchange of harsh words.

The tribesmen started attacking each other using daggers and stones.

Police sources said that four people were injured in the clash.

Two of the injured were identified as Gulbadin Mehsud and Firdous Mehsud.

The injured were rushed to a nearby health facility in Kaniguram, from where they were referred to the District Headquarters Hospital, Wana.

Upper South Waziristan District Police Officer Arshad Khan said that policemen from Ladha and Makeen were sent to the area along with additional personnel from the Kaniguram post to calm down the situation.

He added that the situation was brought under control and cops were deployed to prevent the spread of violence.

He said legal action had been initiated against both parties involved in the incident.

The police said an investigation had been launched to identify those who were responsible for the disturbance.

Both parties were summoned to the Ladha police station for an inquiry into the incident.

Meanwhile, tribal elders intervened to resolve the issue.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

The Mithadar police said that Noor Aziz, 22, was killed while an unknown person was wounded.

South DIG Syed Asad Raza said it appeared to be a targeted killing but the exact motive was yet to be ascertained.

He said three persons, including Aziz, were sitting outside a shop when assailants riding a motorbike emerged there.

One of them got off the two-wheeler and opened indiscriminate firing and rode away. As a result, bullets hit Aziz, who died on the spot.

Another man also suffered a bullet wound in the leg and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

The deceased originally hailed from Bannu.

The body was shifted to the Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi for medico-legal formalities.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

Leaders of the Sindh Rahbar Committee, including JSM-R Chairman Riaz Ali Chandio, and leaders of various other Sindhi nationalist parties paid homage to their late ideological idol at the gathering.

The committee announced holding of a protest march and sit-in against the oppressive policies on May 19 in Mithi.

The speakers reminded the audience of G. M. Syed’s July 13, 1972 speech highlighting the importance of awakening Sindhis’ consciousness and defending the province’s sovereignty with unity, patriotism and resistance.

Riaz Chandio highlighted the political and existential challenges to Sindh, and remarked that Sindhis were being oppressed in the name of democracy and brotherhood.

He claimed that Sindh’s resources — lands, islands, minerals and rivers — were being snatched from its people under the imposed hybrid governments or martial laws.

He also criticised illegal dams being built and canals drawn from the Indus River to cause harm or loss of Sindh’s delta and biodiversity, besides devastation of its forests and wildlife.

Mr Chandio condemned the current hybrid political system “designed to serve the interests of the ruling elite”.

He warned the government against its policy of doling out lands to the corporate sector under the dictates of the IMF and World Bank at the cost of Sindh’s interests.

He called upon people of Sindh to reject this oppressive system and raise their voice for the protection of Sindh’s land, rivers and resources through peaceful resistance.

The others who spoke at the gathering included Dr Niaz Kalani, Nawaz Khan Zaunr and Shabbir Ahmed Jamali.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

According to PRO Muhammad Naeem, police teams have conducted multiple raids to arrest the suspects, who are currently absconding. He said efforts are underway to arrest them at the earliest.

Police sources told Dawn that a first information report has been registered under Sections 341, 427, 506, 148, and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of Muhammad Safdar alias Jattoo. The complainant stated that he, along with several companions, was traveling in cars when they were ambushed near Chak No. 93/DB by a large group of attackers.

The assailants, comprising 19 nominated and 25 unidentified persons, were armed with rifles, clubs, iron rods, and sticks. They intercepted the vehicles, forcibly pulled the occupants out, subjected them to severe torture at gunpoint, and damaged the cars. The attackers also threatened them with dire consequences.

As a result of the assault, four persons Qamar Munir, Iftikhar Ahmed, Rashid Ali, and Shahroze Mustafa sustained injuries and were shifted to Yazman THQ Hospital for treatment.

The complainant stated that the motive behind the attack was an ongoing dispute over a watercourse. Among the nominated suspects are Muhammad Javed, Qaisar Abbas, Irfan Nazir, and Shehbaz, along with others.

Police said further investigation is underway.

MARTYRS DAY: Speakers at a function held on Friday to observe Martyrs’ Day of the Bahawalpur United Front (BUF), which campaigns for a separate provincial status for Bahawalpur, reiterated their longstanding demand for the creation of a Bahawalpur province.

Addressing the gathering, former MPA Syed Tabish Alwari, Akram Ansari, and other speakers reminded the ruling PML-N of its promises to grant Bahawalpur independent provincial status. They also referred to pending resolutions in the Punjab Assembly on the issue and urged the party leadership to honour its commitments to the people of the region.

The speakers vowed to continue their struggle until their demand is met.

They recalled that on April 25, 1970, during the rule of former martial law administrator General Yahya Khan, two activists were killed when police opened fire on demonstrators demanding a separate Bahawalpur province at Farid Gate, a central location in the city.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

According to the latest weather outlook, a shallow westerly wave that previously affected upper parts of the country has weakened, leaving little chance of rain. As a result, dry and humid conditions are expected to dominate across the province.

The PMD said that unlike Saturday — when isolated areas such as Kashmir, Murree and the Galliyat experienced partly cloudy weather with chances of light rain — Sunday will see no significant rainfall even in these upper areas. This shift indicates a further increase in heat intensity.

In plains, especially across central and southern Punjab, daytime temperatures are expected to remain 3 to 5 degrees Celsius above normal, adding to the discomfort citizens already facing due to rising heat levels.

Recent weather data highlights the intensity of the temperature, with Rahim Yar Khan recording the highest temperature in Punjab at 41.5 degrees Celsius, while Murree remained comparatively cool with a minimum temperature of 12.0 degrees Celsius. In Kashmir, Garhi Dupatta recorded a high of 35.0 degrees Celsius, while Rawalakot saw the lowest temperature at 10.6 degrees Celsius.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

On Saturday, the water utility started final interconnection work on a new transmission line at the Dhabeji Pumping Station and took offline nine pumps.

It had said that 250MGD water shortfall would persist for two days as seven pumps would be restored by April 27, while two will remain offline for five more days to finish technical work.

However, a KWSC spokesman said that four of the nine pumps had been restored late on Saturday night.

He said that water supply from the K-3 pumping house at Dhabeji had been resumed after technical restoration work.

“With four pumps now operational, the system has added nearly 100 MGD back into Karachi’s distribution network, easing pressure on the city’s water supply,” he added.

The spokesperson added that out of 21 pumps at the Dhabeji system, 16 were now functioning normally, while five remain temporarily shut down for necessary maintenance and technical upgrades.

“These repairs are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the system’s long-term efficiency and reliability,” he added.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

Senator Chaudhry, incarcerated at Kot Lakhpat jail, is suffering from heart and kidney ailments and his condition has reportedly deteriorated due to the delay in medical treatment. He is suffering from Stage-III kidney disease.

Mr Chaudhry’s son Advocate Ali Chaudhry tweeted that Senator Chaudhry was brought to the PIC where doctors present conducted blood and other investigations. He stated that the blood reports indicated further deterioration of kidneys.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026

However, Iranian state media said Araghchi will head back to Pakistan after visiting Oman.

The IRNA news agency, citing the foreign ministry, reported that Araghchi “is scheduled to visit Pakistan again after completing his trip to Oman and before travelling to Russia”.

Part of his delegation had returned to Tehran, it added, “to consult and obtain the necessary instructions on issues related to ending the war, and is scheduled to rejoin Araghchi in Islamabad on Sunday night”.

At the same time, US President Donald Trump cancelled the visit of US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who were expected to depart for Pakistan later in the day for talks with Iran.

Araghchi’s meetings

The Iranian foreign minister termed his visit to Pakistan “very fruitful”. In a post on X, he said, “Very fruitful visit to Pakistan, whose good offices and brotherly efforts to bring back peace to our region we very much value.

“Shared Iran’s position concerning a workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran. Have yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy,” he said.

A Pakistani source told Reuters that Araghchi delivered Tehran’s negotiating demands, as well as its reservations about US demands, to Pakistani officials.

Araqchi “explained our country’s principled positions regarding the latest developments related to the ceasefire and the complete end of the imposed war against Iran”, said a statement on the minister’s official Telegram account.

“Regional developments and bilateral ties came under discussion,” state-run Pakistan TV reported about Araghchi’s meeting with the premier.

CDF Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Iran’s Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam were also present during the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s House.

PM Shehbaz called the meeting a “most warm, cordial exchange of views on the current regional situation”.

“We also discussed matters of mutual interest, including the further strengthening of Pakistan–Iran bilateral relations,” he said.

Dar said that the meeting lasted “approximately two hours”.

“The prime minister emphasised on the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for peace and stability in the region and beyond,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Araghchi held a separate meeting with CDF Munir.

“Matters of mutual interest and the overall regional situation were discussed,” state-run Pakistan TV reported about the meeting.

Trump cancels US envoys’ visit

Hours after Araghchi departed the federal capital, the US president told Fox News he had cancelled a planned trip to Pakistan by envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff for peace talks with Iran.

“I’ve told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, ‘Nope, you’re not making an 18-hour flight to go there. We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you’re not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing,’” Fox News reported the president as saying in a phone call.

Asked whether the cancellation meant he would resume the war, Trump told Axios: “No. It doesn’t mean that. We haven’t thought about it yet.”

Subsequently, he posted on his Truth Social platform, reiterating that the visit had been cancelled.

“Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their ‘leadership.’ Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!”

Later, Trump told reporters in Florida that he decided to call off the visit because it involved too much travel and expense, and Iran’s latest peace offer was not good enough for him.

Before boarding Air Force One for a return flight to Washington, Trump said Iran had improved an offer to resolve the conflict after he cancelled the visit, “but not enough”.

“I think Pakistan is terrific and the field marshal is fantastic. I think the prime minister of Pakistan’s great, and they’d like to see something happen,” Trump told reporters.

“But we’re not going to be travelling 15, 16 hours to have a meeting with people that nobody’s ever heard of,” he said.

Pakistan’s diplomatic push

Araghchi arrived in Islamabad late on Friday as renewed diplomatic activity gathered pace. He was received by Deputy PM Dar and CDF Munir.

Ahead of the visit, he had held separate telephone conversations with Dar and CDF Munir, focusing on the cea­sefire and the diplomatic track.

The visit comes at a delicate moment in the US-Iran standoff, with a fragile, indefinitely extended ceasefire holding on paper, while core disputes over the naval blockade, nuclear restrictions and sequ­encing of concessions remain unresolved.

“The purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments. Our neighbours are our priority,” Araghchi said in a post on X before departing Tehran for his three-country tour, which also includes stops in Oman and Russia.

In his statement, Baqaei clarified, “No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US. Iran’s observations would be conveyed to Pakistan.”

He said Araghchi would meet with Pakistani “high-level officials in concert with their ongoing mediation and good offices for ending American-imposed war of aggression” and the restoration of peace in the region.

The first round of direct talks between the US and Iran was held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, which ended after more than 20 hours without agreement but kept the diplomatic channel open.

Since then, exchanges have continued indirectly through Pakistan, with both sides calibrating positions while avoiding a formal breakdown.

The ceasefire, originally brokered around April 7 and 8, has been extended without a defined timeline, creating space for diplomacy but also prolonging uncertainty.

Officials in Islamabad described the situation as fluid, with mediation efforts focused on bridging the sequencing gap between US demands and Iranian preconditions.

The project is being described as an important step toward strengthening the maternal and child healthcare system and ensuring the provision of quality medical services to the public.

Balochistan CM Sarfraz Bugti said in a statement that the provincial government is grateful to the Chinese government for this important cooperation. He said the project is a shining example of Pakistan–China friendship and mutual cooperation, reflecting the strong relations between the two countries.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026