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Pakistan’s peace drive finds new backing in Egypt

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty have stressed the importance of dialogue and continued engagement in a high-level call on regional tensions, as Islamabad expands consultations with key Arab powers.

Pakistan and Egypt stressed dialogue and engagement in a key diplomatic call, with Ishaq Dar and Badr Abdelatty agreeing to remain in close contact amid regional tensions. — FILE

China throws fresh weight behind Pakistan’s US-Iran mediation

China has renewed its backing for Pakistan’s diplomatic role in facilitating engagement between Washington and Tehran, with Ambassador Jiang Zaidong conveying Beijing’s “full support” during a meeting with Ishaq Dar as the next phase of talks approaches a decisive moment.

China has publicly renewed support for Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate U.S.-Iran engagement, with Ambassador Jiang Zaidong backing Islamabad’s diplomacy at a critical moment for the talks process. — FILE

Pakistan urges the United States to give diplomacy more time

Pakistan’s foreign minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, told the American chargé d’affaires in Islamabad that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only workable path to regional stability, urging Washington and Tehran to consider extending the ceasefire and give negotiations more time.

Saudi Arabia backs Pakistani diplomacy in high-level call

Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed support for Pakistan’s continuing diplomatic efforts, with Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Ishaq Dar agreeing that dialogue and engagement remain essential to lasting peace and regional stability.

Saudi Arabia publicly backed Pakistan’s peace efforts after a call between Ishaq Dar and Prince Faisal bin Farhan, signalling support for Islamabad’s growing diplomatic role. — FILE

Pakistan awaits Iran’s decision as ceasefire deadline nears

Pakistan said late Tuesday that it is still awaiting formal confirmation from Iran on whether Tehran will attend the proposed Islamabad peace talks, as the ceasefire nears expiry and Islamabad intensifies last-minute diplomacy to keep negotiations alive.

Pakistan says Iran has yet to confirm attendance at Islamabad peace talks as the ceasefire deadline approaches, prompting a final diplomatic push to keep negotiations alive. — FILE
Esmaeil Baqaei, the spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry, says Pakistan is currently the only official mediator between Tehran and Washington, a statement that sharply raises Islamabad’s diplomatic profile. — FILE
The IDF says it is investigating a viral photograph showing a soldier damaging a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon, calling the conduct inconsistent with military values. — FILE

Pakistan to clear remaining $1.5bn UAE debt by April 23

Pakistan is moving to repay the last $1.5 billion of a UAE loan this week after already returning $2 billion, as officials look to an IMF board review expected next month to unlock fresh funding and steady market confidence.

Pakistan says it will repay the remaining balance of a $3.5 billion UAE loan by April 23, betting that a timely payment and a pending IMF tranche will reassure investors and reinforce a fragile recovery. — MONTAGE/THE THURSDAY TIMES

Imran Khan predicted Islamabad Talks in 2002, claims Sohail Afridi

Sohail Afridi, the Chief Minister for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has claimed that Imran Khan first proposed the peace talks now unfolding in Pakistan as far back as 2002, adding a new burst of controversy to the country’s already charged political landscape.

A claim that Imran Khan foresaw today’s Pakistan peace talks in 2002 has ignited scepticism and renewed debate over political mythmaking. — FILE
What began as praise for Shehbaz Sharif’s sharply cut suit quickly became a wider conversation about soft power, public image and the shifting global centre of classic menswear. — MONTAGE/THE THURSDAY TIMES
Published by Thursday Media International thursday.media