News from The Thursday Times' news desk.
Pakistan’s cybercrime agency has arrested 13 suspects in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan over anti-state social media campaigns, marking a more assertive move from the unit under NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Waseem, who recently took charge.
Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam praised Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Pakistan’s career diplomats for their role in facilitating, coordinating and preparing diplomatic talks.
Iran’s Abbas Araghchi is back in Islamabad within around 24 hours of leaving for Muscat, keeping Pakistan at the centre of high-stakes US-Iran diplomacy.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, describing Pakistan as holding a significant place in Tehran’s foreign policy outlook while briefing Pakistan’s leadership on ceasefire developments, regional stability and bilateral cooperation.
China has selected Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud for astronaut training linked to a future Tiangong mission, with one expected to become the first foreign astronaut to enter the Chinese space station after completing evaluations in China.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
