Achakzai urges Chaman reopening

Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai has expressed concern over the continued closure of the Chaman border crossing, describing the situation as unfair to communities whose livelihoods depend on trade and cross-border movement. Speaking at a public gathering on Friday, Achakzai, who belongs to Balochistan, questioned the reasons behind the prolonged restrictions and urged authorities to review the decision. He argued that peaceful citizens engaged in business and economic activity should not face continued uncertainty. Referring to the wider security and political environment, the veteran politician who also heads an opposition parties alliance—the TTAP—stated that people advocating peace, development, and lawful trade appeared to be facing restrictions. "However, those involved in violence seem unaffected by this closure. This is a contradictory situation that calls for a more balanced and transparent policy approach," he said. Achakzai also alleged that customs-related disruptions at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border are part of a planned effort, saying the closure had negatively affected traders, transporters, and families dependent on border-related commerce. Emphasizing constitutional governance, he stressed the importance of democratic institutions and said parliament should remain central in shaping national policies. "Political parties across the country should work together to strengthen democratic values, uphold the rule of law, and protect equal rights for all citizens," he said. He further highlighted the need to expand economic opportunities for people living in border regions, particularly those involved in legal trade with neighboring Afghanistan. According to him, sustainable development and prosperity depend on inclusive policies and recognition of the rights of all communities across Pakistan. The crossing remains an important economic route for thousands of families involved in transportation, trade, and daily movement, making its closure a continuing topic of public discussion in the region. The border crossing between Balochistan's Chaman district and Afghanistan's Spin Boldak has remained closed since October 2025 following intense clashes between Pakistani forces and the Afghan Taliban.

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India’s Dulhasti-II project on Chenab River deepens hydro-political tensions with Pakistan

In a move that has sharply escalated hydro-political tensions, India has approved the controversial Rs 3,277.45 crore Dulhasti Stage-II run-of-the-river hydroelectric project of 260 megawatt capacity on the Chenab River in Indian-occupied Kashmir, further undermining the Indus Waters Treaty and threatening Pakistan’s downstream water security. The project includes a 3,685-metre-long diversion tunnel, horseshoe pondage, surge and pressure shafts, and an underground powerhouse with two 130MW units. It requires 60.3 hectares of land, including 8.27 hectares of private land from Benzwar and Palmar villages. The Environmental Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) of India cleared the Dulhasti Stage-II project, which will draw water from the existing Dulhasti Power Station (Stage I) through a separate 3,685m-long tunnel with a diameter of 8.5m, leading to the construction of a horseshoe pondage for Stage II. In addition to the pondage, the project will feature a surge shaft, a pressure shaft, and an underground powerhouse equipped with two units of 130MW each, resulting in a total installed capacity of 260MW. India’s approval of the Dulhasti Stage-II Hydroelectric Project while keeping the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance reflects a growing pattern of unilateral upstream infrastructure expansion that undermines the principles of cooperative transboundary water governance. The construction of additional tunnels, pondage structures, and flow-regulating infrastructure on the Chenab River system raises serious concerns regarding India’s increasing capacity to manipulate downstream river flows critical to Pakistan’s agricultural and food security. By withholding hydrological data and limiting technical transparency despite repeated international queries, India is weakening confidence in treaty-based mechanisms designed to ensure stability, predictability, and equitable river management in South Asia. India’s continued hydropower expansion on western rivers, without the sharing of critical hydrological data, risks exacerbating hydro-political tensions and increasing vulnerability for millions dependent on the Indus Basin irrigation system. Read More: Arbitration court upholds Pakistan's stance on Indus Waters Treaty The Dulhasti Stage-II project illustrates how run-of-the-river infrastructure can acquire strategic significance when combined with non-cooperative water policies and the suspension of institutional obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty. In an era of accelerating climate stress and water scarcity, India’s manipulation of transboundary rivers reflects an increasingly irresponsible approach toward regional water security and sustainable basin governance. The growing network of upstream hydroelectric projects on the Chenab River enhances India’s operational control over seasonal water flows, creating uncertainty for downstream crop cycles, irrigation planning, and long-term agricultural resilience in Pakistan. India’s refusal to restore full treaty cooperation while simultaneously expanding strategic hydropower infrastructure raises broader concerns regarding the politicisation of water resources and the erosion of international legal norms governing shared river systems.

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Dar arrives in Washington for talks with US Secretary Rubio

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday arrived in Washington, DC, for an official visit, during which he will meet with US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio to discuss matters of bilateral and regional significance, following the conclusion of his engagements at the United Nations in New York. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO), Dar was received by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, along with senior officials of the Embassy of Pakistan. Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 arrived in Washington, D.C. on an official visit. Upon his arrival, he was received by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, along with senior officials of the… pic.twitter.com/6qYOZ8oi8i — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 29, 2026 "Following the conclusion of his official engagements, he will return to Islamabad later the same day," the statement added. On Thursday, the FO said that discussions during the visit would focus on strengthening cooperation in key sectors as well as Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability through “dialogue and diplomacy”. Dar’s Washington visit comes immediately after a series of high-level engagements at the United Nations headquarters in New York, where he participated in an open debate of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) convened under China’s presidency of the council. While addressing the UNSC session, Dar on Tuesday called for restraint and de-escalation in the Middle East, warning the UNSC that another prolonged conflict would endanger regional peace and further strain the fragile international order. Addressing an open debate, Dar, while referring to the ongoing efforts to achieve a resolution to the conflict between Iran and the US, stated that the principle of peaceful settlement must apply equally to all long-standing disputes on the Security Council's agenda. "The entire world is watching. We must succeed in the interest of regional and global peace and security," he told the 15-member UNSC. "As a friendly neighbour of Iran and brotherly countries of the Gulf, Pakistan consistently stood for restraint, de-escalation and a return to diplomacy." During his stay in New York, Dar also held meetings with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other senior diplomats, where discussions covered regional conflicts, Afghanistan, Palestine, South Asia and reform of the UN Security Council. Pakistan also reiterated its support for greater multilateral cooperation and reforms to global governance institutions. The foreign minister's latest visit signals continued momentum in Pakistan-US diplomatic engagement at a time when Islamabad has assumed an increasingly visible role in regional diplomacy, particularly regarding ongoing indirect contacts between Washington and Tehran. Recent international reports have highlighted Pakistan’s involvement in facilitating communication channels aimed at easing tensions between the two sides. Pakistan-US relations have witnessed renewed engagement in recent months, with cooperation expanding beyond traditional security issues into diplomacy, regional stability and economic coordination. Washington has also increasingly acknowledged Islamabad’s role in mediation efforts linked to the Middle East crisis, while both countries continue discussions on trade, energy cooperation and broader regional security matters. The visit comes amid continued diplomatic engagement between Islamabad and Washington on regional security and bilateral cooperation. According to the statement, Dar will return to Islamabad later the same day following the completion of his official engagements.

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Dar calls for ‘more democratic’ UN Security Council amid global crises

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday called for a “more democratic, representative, and accountable” United Nations Security Council (UNSC), warning that unilateralism and selective application of international law were undermining global stability. Speaking at a meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the United Nations, Dar said the international community was facing “multiple and interconnected crises”, including conflicts, climate emergencies, food insecurity, and governance challenges linked to emerging technologies. “In this uncertain environment, the world urgently needs renewed solidarity and a more effective system of global governance anchored in the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter,” he said. Statement by H.E. Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, At the Meeting of Group of Friends of Global Governance Topic: Reforming and Improving Global Governance; Working Together to Address Global Challenges (28 May 2025) ****… pic.twitter.com/rsLjLaR1ou — Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) May 29, 2026 The meeting, organised by China, focused on reforming and improving global governance and addressing global challenges through multilateral cooperation. Dar criticised what he described as weakening faith in collective action. “At the same time, faith in collective action is eroding, with unilateralism and the selective application of international law undermining global stability,” he said. Calling for reform of the UN Security Council, the foreign minister said smaller and medium-sized states should be given greater representation. “The UN Security Council must become more democratic, representative, and accountable,” he said. “The small and medium States which form the vast majority of the UN Members must be fully and adequately represented on the Security Council.” He also opposed the expansion of the council's permanent membership, arguing that “Adding new permanent members would violate the fundamental principle of sovereign equality and make the Council even less representative,” he said. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for multilateralism, describing it as “not an abstract aspiration but a principled commitment rooted in cooperation and collective responsibility”. Read: China's FM Wang Yi reiterates appreciation for Pakistan’s constructive role amid US-Iran talks in meeting with Dar He quoted Pakistan’s founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, as saying, “Pakistan will never be found lacking in upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter.” The foreign minister also praised China’s role in international affairs and endorsed President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative. “Pakistan deeply values China’s role as a stabilising force in international affairs,” he said, while describing Pakistan and China as “iron brothers and all-weather strategic cooperative partners”. Dar said the Chinese initiative represented “a timely, comprehensive, and forward-looking framework for addressing the governance deficits of our age”. He added that Pakistan fully supported the initiative, which he said reinforced “the centrality of the United Nations while advocating greater representation and voice for the Global South”. The foreign minister said Pakistan believed international law should be “applied uniformly and without double standards”. “The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected,” he said. “Cooperation rather than confrontation should be the default setting in international relations.” Dar also called for disputes to be resolved through “dialogue and diplomacy” and said people living under foreign occupation should be allowed to exercise their right to self-determination “in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions”. Concluding his remarks, Dar said Pakistan would continue working with China and other international partners to promote “lasting peace and stability throughout the world”. Read More: FM Dar to visit US Secretary Rubio in Washington after UNSC engagements in New York The deputy prime minister visited New York on the invitation of FM Yi to attend the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Open Debate on “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-centred International System”. The debate was held on May 26 under China’s presidency of the Security Council, which called for restraint and de-escalation in the Middle East, warning that another prolonged conflict would endanger regional peace and further strain the fragile international order. Addressing the open debate, he said the principle of peaceful settlement must apply equally to all long-standing disputes on the Security Council’s agenda, referring to ongoing efforts to achieve a resolution to the conflict between Iran and the US. “The entire world is watching. We must succeed in the interest of regional and global peace and security,” Dar told the 15-member Security Council. “As a friendly neighbour of Iran and brotherly countries of the Gulf, Pakistan consistently stands for restraint, de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.” Dar said that during his recent visit to Beijing, Pakistan and China had announced a five-point initiative for peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East, warning that another conflict would pose a serious threat not only to the region but to the wider world. “Another prolonged conflict would serve no one,” the foreign minister warned. “It would endanger regional peace, disrupt global energy flows, deepen humanitarian suffering and strain an already fragile international order.”

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China's FM Wang Yi reiterates appreciation for Pakistan’s constructive role amid US-Iran talks in meeting with Dar

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday lauded Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to facilitate dialogue and diplomacy, amid ongoing talks between Iran and the United States, reiterating appreciation for its constructive role during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and FM Ishaq Dar. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting took place in New York, where the two leaders exchanged views on recent regional developments and Pakistan’s efforts to promote sustained peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy in the region and beyond. “Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated appreciation and support for Pakistan’s constructive role,” the statement said. 🔊PR No.1️⃣3️⃣2️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister meets Foreign Minister of China, H.E. Wang Yi in New York 🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/aMxRWdae4E — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 28, 2026 The two sides also recalled the recent visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation to China, as well as the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, underscoring the long-standing friendship and strategic cooperation between the two countries. Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met today with Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Wang Yi, in New York. The two leaders exchanged views on recent regional developments and Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to… pic.twitter.com/l8hpUWt87M — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 28, 2026 FM Dar is scheduled to travel to Washington, DC on Sunday for an official visit, where he is expected to meet US Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio to review bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest. Dar, Turkmenistan FM agree to boost cooperation Separately, Dar also met Turkmenistan's FM Rashid Meredov on the sidelines of the Group of Friends meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where the two sides reviewed bilateral ties and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers took stock of the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Turkmenistan relations and reiterated the deep-rooted and friendly ties between the two countries. Dar emphasised the need to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, energy, transport and regional connectivity, including Pakistan’s readiness to export high-quality meat and agricultural products to Turkmenistan. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan H.E. Rashid Meredov on the sidelines of the Group of Friends meeting at UN Headquarters in New York. The two sides reviewed the positive trajectory of… pic.twitter.com/U2YXgKF7d7 — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 28, 2026 “The two sides also placed emphasis on strengthening regional transit and connectivity through rail, road, air and sea linkages to facilitate trade, commercial activity, and people-to-people exchanges,” it added. The two sides also discussed regional and international developments, reaffirming their commitment to deepen cooperation at multilateral fora, including the United Nations. The deputy prime minister visited New York on the invitation of FM Yi to attend the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Open Debate on “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-centred International System”. Read: FM Dar to visit US Secretary Rubio in Washington after UNSC engagements in New York The debate was held on May 26 under China’s presidency of the Security Council, which called for restraint and de-escalation in the Middle East, warning that another prolonged conflict would endanger regional peace and further strain the fragile international order. Addressing the open debate, he said the principle of peaceful settlement must apply equally to all long-standing disputes on the Security Council’s agenda, referring to ongoing efforts to achieve a resolution to the conflict between Iran and the US. “The entire world is watching. We must succeed in the interest of regional and global peace and security,” Dar told the 15-member Security Council. “As a friendly neighbour of Iran and brotherly countries of the Gulf, Pakistan consistently stands for restraint, de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.” Dar said that during his recent visit to Beijing, Pakistan and China had announced a five-point initiative for peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East, warning that another conflict would pose a serious threat not only to the region but to the wider world. “Another prolonged conflict would serve no one,” the foreign minister warned. “It would endanger regional peace, disrupt global energy flows, deepen humanitarian suffering and strain an already fragile international order.”

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Punjab CM undergoes major surgery in Lahore, returns home: Marriyum Aurangzeb

Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb on Thursday said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif underwent major surgery at Sharif Medical City Hospital in Lahore. In a post on X, Aurangzeb said, "Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif underwent major surgery at the Sharif Medical City Hospital, after which she has been transferred home". "On the day of Eid, she directly oversaw all matters in the province, including security, cleanliness, and others, from the hospital," she said. وزیراعلی مریم نواز شریف صاحبہ کی شریف میڈیکل سٹی ہسپتال میں میجر سرجری ہوئی ہے جس کے بعد وہ گھر منتقل ہو گئی ہیں، الحمدللہ۔ عید کے دن وزیر اعلی مریم نواز شریف نے ہسپتال سے صوبے میں سکیورٹی، صفائی سمیت دیگر تمام امور کی براہ راست خود نگرانی کی۔ — Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) May 28, 2026 Following Aurangzeb’s post, Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said, "May Allah Almighty grant complete health, well-being, and a long life". Read: Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz hospitalised اللّہ تعالیٰ صحت کاملہ ، تندرستی اور درازیِ عمر عطا فرمائے۔ @MaryamNSharif https://t.co/zijJGAg6kE — Shaza Fatima Khawaja (@ShazaFK) May 28, 2026 Earlier in November 2024, the Punjab CM was admitted to the Sharif Medical City Complex due to health issues. Hospital sources said she was suffering from a throat infection.

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200 Federal Constabulary personnel to receive training in Saudi Arabia

Two hundred personnel from the Federal Constabulary Special Diplomatic Protection Unit will receive training in Saudi Arabia. The decision was made during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud, the interior ministry said on Thursday. In a post on X, the ministry said both interior ministers exchanged Eidul Azha greetings and conveyed best wishes to each other. It added that the Saudi interior minister congratulated his Pakistani counterpart, Naqvi, on Hajj. منی۔ وفاقی وزیرداخلہ محسن نقوی کی اپنے سعودی ہم منصب شہزادہ عبدالعزیز بن سعود سے ملاقات دونوں وزرائے داخلہ نے ایک دوسرے کو عید الاضحی کی مبارکباد دی اور نیک خواہشات کا اظہار کیا سعودی وزیر داخلہ نے پاکستانی ہم منصب محسن نقوی کو حج کی مبارکباد دی pic.twitter.com/cFknJAwSJ8 — Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) May 28, 2026 The meeting also featured a detailed exchange of views on Pakistan-Saudi bilateral relations and internal security matters. To enhance bilateral cooperation, a high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior will visit Pakistan very soon. Read: Mohsin Naqvi meets IRGC chief in Tehran during second visit in less than a week Naqvi commended the Saudi government’s excellent arrangements during Hajj. Both interior ministers also discussed the latest situation in the region. منی۔ وفاقی وزیرداخلہ محسن نقوی کی اپنے سعودی ہم منصب شہزادہ عبدالعزیز بن سعود سے ملاقات دونوں وزرائے داخلہ نے ایک دوسرے کو عید الاضحی کی مبارکباد دی اور نیک خواہشات کا اظہار کیا سعودی وزیر داخلہ نے پاکستانی ہم منصب محسن نقوی کو حج کی مبارکباد دی ملاقات میں پاک سعودیہ دوطرفہ… pic.twitter.com/vyIVoqXfr8 — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) May 28, 2026 Saudi Arabia’s interior minister appreciated Pakistan’s positive role in reducing tensions.

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