Pakistan TV Satellite

ISLAMABAD: Iran&rsquo;s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghaddam, has said the United States and Israel are orchestrating unrest inside Iran, warning that any foreign aggression would be met with a strong and decisive response. In an exclusive interview with Pakistan TV, the ambassador thanked the government, media and people of Pakistan for closely and sensitively following developments in Iran. He said Iran&rsquo;s security was being threatened through a &ldquo;designed plan&rdquo; involving the US, Israel and terrorist elements, while Iranian security forces and the public were working to maintain law and order. Moghaddam said recent protests were rooted in economic challenges caused by decades-long US sanctions, government reforms related to foreign exchange and subsidy mechanisms for essential goods.&nbsp; He stressed that peaceful protest is a constitutional right in Iran and that the government engaged directly with traders and demonstrators, including meetings held by the interior minister, commerce minister and the president. However, he said the protests were later exploited by hostile foreign actors. The Iranian envoy said that the US and Israel facilitated the infiltration of armed groups from Syria and Iraq under the cover of protests, adding these elements targeted both security personnel and civilians. He said Iran has lost around 100 police and security personnel, adding that terrorist violence, including attacks on women and children, is unacceptable anywhere in the world. Rejecting foreign-backed opposition narratives, the ambassador said public rallies in support of Iran&rsquo;s political system were underway, reflecting what he described as the people&rsquo;s rejection of external interference. On the possibility of military aggression, the ambassador warned that Iran has proven over the past four decades that it will deliver a befitting response to any attack by the US or Israel. He said diplomatic channels with Washington remain open through the Swiss-managed interest protection office, but stressed that Iran will never recognize or negotiate with Israel.

Beyond Borders

In an Exclusive Interview with Pakistan TV, Iranian Envoy Says Security Threats Are Part of a ‘Designed Plan’.

Iranian Ambassador says US, Israel Behind Unrest, Warns of Strong Response

ISLAMABAD: Arif Habib, the founder of Arif Habib Group, has said Pakistan International Airlines&rsquo; (PIA) revival will focus on leveraging talented employees, international expertise, and strategic growth to restore the airline&rsquo;s success. Talking exclusively to Pakistan TV, Arif Habib said the revival of PIA represents a broader success for Pakistan, expressing confidence that the national carrier will regain its former stature. Arif Habib Consortium had won the bid by offering Rs135 billion for the 75% shares of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited. The runner-up was Lucky Cement, which offered Rs134 billion but was outbid by the Arif Habib Consortium.&nbsp; The third group was the private airline Airblue, which exited in the first round after its offer of Rs26.5 billion fell below the reference price of Rs100 billion.&nbsp; Arif Habib recalled that PIA was once among the world&rsquo;s leading airlines and said the new management is committed to restoring its past glory. &ldquo;We have resolved to bring the airline back to its past success by fully utilising the potential of its employees and inducting new aircraft,&rdquo; Arif Habib said.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 647px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2003497952954966521&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=ede63cbbf93057ac7ee3deab83b0fd81dcb40a16&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2003497952954966521"></iframe></div>He said competent and high-performing employees would be given greater opportunities, adding that Pakistan had a large pool of talented professionals and the airline would benefit from them.</div> Referring to past experiences, he said privatisation efforts had previously led to additional employment, as when a business grew, it required more staff. He also said international advisers would be engaged to support the turnaround process to ensure sustainable growth and long-term success for the airline.

SAT News Desk

Says airline's competent and high-performing employees would be given greater opportunities.

PIA revival to ride on talent, global expertise and strategic growth: Arif Habib

ISLAMABAD: Bangladeshi activists and journalists have accused India of providing safe havens to terrorists involved in killings as Bangladesh once again erupts in protests after leader of 2024 student-led uprising Sharif Osman Bin Hadi succumbed to his injuries in Singapore. Hadi, who was expected to contest the February elections, was shot in the head on December 12 in Dhaka. He was evacuated to Singapore but could not survive. Pakistan TV talked to a number of journalists and civil society activists who agreed that anti-India sentiments had risen sharply in Bangladesh. Civil society activist and entrepreneur Fahim Mashroor told Pakistan TV that following Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s ouster and the installation of Dr Muhammad Yunus&rsquo;s interim administration, relations between Dhaka and New Delhi have deteriorated sharply. &ldquo;For the last 15 months, right after Sheikh Hasina was ousted and the new administration under Dr Yunus took over, diplomatic relations have been extremely thorny. The key issue has been Sheikh Hasina being sheltered in India,&rdquo; Fahim Mashroor said. <div class="fr-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sharif Osman bin Hadi was a very strong voice against Indian hegemony; the person who shot Hadi was a leader of the student union of Awami League and is now in India; anti-India sentiment is rising in Bangladesh. - Journalist from Dhaka Kamaruzzaman<a href="https://twitter.com/mkbablu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mkbablu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MoIB_Official?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoIB_Official</a>&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/GjZu7lAIoK">pic.twitter.com/GjZu7lAIoK</a>&mdash; Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakTVGlobal/status/2001933630294364180?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2025</a></blockquote></div> He said public anger escalated after the assassination of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent youth and cultural activist, who was reportedly targeted for his vocal opposition to Indian influence and the Awami League. &ldquo;His cultural activism strongly opposed Indian cultural hegemony, leading many to believe he was targeted because of his views, and that Indian active support cannot be ruled out. This is why public sentiment has taken a strongly anti-Indian turn,&rdquo; he said. Fahim Mashroor further said the assassin&rsquo;s known links to Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s party and subsequent flight to India, confirmed through CCTV footage, have intensified anti-India sentiment. &ldquo;People in Bangladesh remain extremely angry and firmly believe there is support for such activities through the Awami League and its operatives. There is a widespread perception that not only was the planning done on Indian soil, but that India is also providing safe haven to terrorists after such heinous acts,&rdquo; the civil society activist said. He said this perception of the Bangladeshi society is drawn from India&rsquo;s history of patronage toward Sheikh Hasina during her 15-year rule, when New Delhi was seen as supporting her authoritarian governance for strategic gain. Talking to Pakistan TV, senior journalist from Dhaka MD Kamruzzaman said protests have intensified across Dhaka following the death of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, particularly among students and young activists. <div class="fr-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sheikh Hasina and her political associates, hiding in India, have threatened to kill people, especially youth, who are opposed to Awami League. - Civil society activist from Dhaka Fahim Mashroor<a href="https://twitter.com/fahimmashroor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fahimmashroor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MoIB_Official?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoIB_Official</a><a href="https://twitter.com/MoIBBdoffical?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoIBBdoffical</a><a href="https://twitter.com/PakinBangladesh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PakinBangladesh</a><a href="https://twitter.com/bdhcpk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bdhcpk</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangladesh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bangladesh</a>&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/KW2ltsp65k">pic.twitter.com/KW2ltsp65k</a>&mdash; Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakTVGlobal/status/2001943390834077924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2025</a></blockquote></div> He said Hadi had been a prominent figure in the movement that challenged nearly 16 years of authoritarian rule of Sheikh Hasina, adding that protesters claim that Hadi had been receiving multiple death threats. &ldquo;His popularity was rising rapidly, and people from all walks of life viewed Hadi as an icon of protest. Unfortunately, he had earlier warned that he had received multiple threats from different unknown numbers,&rdquo; the senior journalist said. He said a key source of public anger stems from reports that the gunman had fled to India. <div class="fr-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The assassins were traced through CCTV footage; police say they fled to India which has made people extremely angry as they believe India is harbouring those responsible. - Civil society activist from Dhaka Fahim Mashroor<a href="https://twitter.com/fahimmashroor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fahimmashroor</a><a href="https://twitter.com/MoIB_Official?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoIB_Official</a><a href="https://twitter.com/MoIBBdoffical?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoIBBdoffical</a>&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/0X0VYv2Yme">pic.twitter.com/0X0VYv2Yme</a>&mdash; Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakTVGlobal/status/2001944238800703585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2025</a></blockquote></div> Kamruzzaman said this has fuelled growing anti-India sentiment, with demonstrators accusing New Delhi of sheltering individuals responsible for political violence in Bangladesh. &ldquo;According to protesters, he [Hadi] was targeted primarily because of his stance against the ousted regime and neighbouring India,&rdquo; the Bangladeshi journalist said. He further added that the unrest highlights deepening frustration over external interference and the country&rsquo;s ongoing struggle for democratic sovereignty. Another journalist from Bangladesh Muktadir Rashid told Pakistan TV that the demonstrators accuse India of involvement in Hadi&rsquo;s assassination and harbouring suspects linked to unrest in Bangladesh. He said anti-India sentiment is not new, fuelled over the years by public anger toward Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s government, which was backed by New Delhi. &ldquo;Anti-Indian sentiment is not new in Bangladesh at all, especially due to Sheikh Hasina&#39;s misrule, which was backed by the Indian government starting from 2014,&rdquo; he said. He said Hadi, a former teacher known for his calls for justice and youth empowerment, enjoyed strong grassroots popularity and was preparing to contest the upcoming elections. Muktadir Rashid said Hadi was shot last Friday, and reports suggest the prime suspect fled across the border into India, an area long associated with organised crime. His death has further ignited resentment against perceived Indian interference in Bangladesh&rsquo;s domestic politics, he added.

Bangladeshi activists state that India is sheltering terrorists after protest leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi died from gunshot wounds, with the suspect fleeing to India.

Bangladeshi activists, journalists accuse India of providing safe havens to terrorists

ISLAMABAD: Nearly one thousand Afghan clerics and tribal elders have declared that Afghan soil must not be used against any country, urging the Taliban government to strictly enforce the ban on individuals or groups engaging in cross-border terrorism or traveling abroad for militant activities.&nbsp; The gathering, held in Kabul, reaffirmed the directive of the Taliban&rsquo;s supreme leader that Afghanistan will not allow any force to exploit its territory to destabilise neighboring states. The announcement is being widely viewed as a positive signal and a development that aligns closely with Pakistan&rsquo;s long-standing position.&nbsp; It reinforces Islamabad&rsquo;s diplomatic engagements with Kabul and validates Pakistan&rsquo;s consistent demand that Afghan territory should not serve as a base for cross-border terrorism. Analysts note that such declarations echo Pakistan&rsquo;s broader regional peace narrative, which stresses mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference. However, past experience tempers optimism. The Taliban authorities have made similar commitments to Pakistan and other regional and international stakeholders in the past, but their implementation record has remained largely discouraging. The real test this time will lie in the sincerity and verifiable enforcement of these pledges on the ground. If the Taliban regime translates these declarations into concrete, observable measures, it could mark a significant step toward Afghanistan&rsquo;s internal stability, Pakistan&rsquo;s security, and the overall peace of the region.&nbsp; Credible information available to Pakistan TV indicates that Islamabad will closely monitor the situation, as the implementation alone will determine the credibility of the announcement and its contribution to regional stability.

Kabul gathering of nearly 1,000 clerics backs previous decree against cross-border militancy; analysts say only implementation will test Taliban’s credibility 


Afghan clerics forbid use of soil for cross-border terrorism 

Islamabad: German boxer Zeina Nassar, who made her professional debut in Lahore, has said she felt &ldquo;honoured, protected, and completely at home&rdquo; during her visit to Pakistan, calling the experience &ldquo;beautiful and overwhelming&rdquo;. In an exclusive conversation in Pakistan TV&rsquo;s show &lsquo;World This Morning&rsquo;, Zeina Nassar, who participated in the international boxing championship in Lahore, expressed deep gratitude for the respect and warmth she received from the Pakistani crowd and organisers. &ldquo;I was feeling blessed to be part of Pakistan and to have my pro debut fight in Lahore,&rdquo; she said. Nassar, who represents Germany as a hijabi athlete, said fighting in a Muslim-majority country carried special significance for her. &ldquo;Even though I don&rsquo;t have Pakistani roots, I felt at home. As a Muslim hijabi fighter, being in a Muslim country made me feel very comfortable,&rdquo; she said. She described the crowd as &ldquo;loud in the best way&rdquo;, saying every reaction from the audience energised her in the ring. The boxer praised Pakistan&rsquo;s hospitality, emphasising the professionalism of the organisers and security teams. &ldquo;When athletes travel to a new country, we need to feel safe and trust the people behind the event. Alhamdulillah, everything was perfect, from the airport to the venue. We were protected, and that is very important for us,&rdquo; she said. Nassar highlighted how the event brought together athletes from different countries. &ldquo;Boxing is a global language based on respect, discipline, and hard work. After the fight, we exchanged experiences and learned about each other&rsquo;s cultures. We even made new friends. That&rsquo;s the beauty of sport,&rdquo; Zeina Nassar said. Speaking about her journey as a hijabi boxer, she said she helped change international clothing rules in 2019 to allow Muslim women to compete wearing the hijab. Zeina Nassar said she wanted her next fights to be in Pakistan.

Boxing

German boxer Zeina Nassar expresses gratitude to Pakistani crowd, organisers

ISLAMABAD: Minister of Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed to provide &ldquo;all possible help&rdquo; to Sri Lanka in this time of need, as the South Asian nation reels from deadly floods and landslides, with the death toll reaching 390 and 352 people still reported missing. Cyclone Ditwah, bringing powerful winds and torrential rains, triggered Sri Lanka&rsquo;s worst flooding in a decade when it struck on Friday, unleashing deadly landslides across the country&rsquo;s hilly central regions. &ldquo;Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed to provide all possible help [to Sri Lanka] in this time of need,&rdquo; Tarar said in a post on X. Pakistan Navy ship PNS Saif, which was on a port call at Colombo for participation in an international fleet review, is actively undertaking relief operations for the local populace. The Pakistan Navy has continued relief operations in Sri Lanka for the third consecutive day. On Monday, a Navy helicopter aboard PNS Saif successfully rescued a family that had been stranded for five days, including a seven-month-old child. With the assistance of local authorities, the Navy safely evacuated residents trapped in floodwaters from rooftops to secure locations. Earlier, the Pakistan Navy also delivered food staples, MREs, medical supplies, and other essential items to support thousands struggling in the aftermath of the disaster. India denies Pakistan air route for Sri Lanka reliefThe relief operations, however, have faced obstacles due to India&rsquo;s refusal to grant airspace access for Pakistan&rsquo;s humanitarian mission. Pakistan Army has prepared a 45-member urban search-and-rescue team from the Army, with support from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Pakistan Air Force C-130 aircraft, to assist the affected population. Despite all logistical arrangements, including commercial cargo planes with a 100-ton capacity, Indian airspace restrictions have slowed down relief operations. Consequently, Pakistan&rsquo;s aid and rescue teams had to reroute shipments via sea, delaying delivery to Sri Lanka by eight days. The relief cargo includes rescue boats, pumps, life jackets, tents, blankets, food, milk, and medicines. Despite these challenges, Pakistan remains committed to assisting Sri Lanka&rsquo;s flood victims.

Relief operations have faced obstacles due to India’s refusal to grant airspace access for Pakistan’s humanitarian mission; Pakistan Army has prepared a 45-member urban search-and-rescue team from the Army, with support from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Pakistan Air Force C-130 aircraft, to assist the affected population.



PM Sharif directs to provide full support for flood-hit Sri Lanka — information minister 

ISLAMABAD: Russia has expressed that the ongoing war rhetoric from Europe regarding the Ukraine conflict comes as no surprise.&nbsp; While speaking exclusively to Pakistan TV, Dir CIR Dr. Roxolana Zigon said, so-called military illusions have replaced genuine strategic insight within the European Union, particularly in its alignment with NATO over the past decades. This lack of foresight, she said, has weakened Europe&rsquo;s ability to play a decisive role in addressing global crises. Russian authorities emphasize that their concern is not merely with European statements but with the persistent unwillingness of European officials to pursue meaningful diplomacy. Analysts argue that this stubbornness underscores a larger geopolitical reality: between two global powers, the United States and the European Union, there is effectively only one superpower shaping international strategy, particularly in conflict zones such as Ukraine. The United States, under the &ldquo;America First&rdquo; doctrine and Trump administration, continues to assert itself as the dominant global force. In contrast, Europe&rsquo;s influence is perceived as steadily declining, particularly in military and diplomatic arenas related to the Ukrainian crisis. Recent peace talks in Geneva further illustrate this dynamic. Observers note that the U.S. appears to be gradually moving away from the Ukrainian agenda, step by step, leaving the European Union with limited leverage. For Russia, the combination of Europe&rsquo;s strategic missteps and America&rsquo;s dominant position on the global stage confirms a long-standing belief: true superpower status lies with Washington, not Brussels. European rhetoric, may grab headlines, but it does little to shift the balance of power or influence the unfolding events in Ukraine, said Dir CIR.

Russian analyst Dr Zigon says so-called military illusions have replaced genuine strategic insight within the European Union, particularly in its alignment with NATO over the past decades.

Russia unfazed by European rhetoric, Eyes US as sole superpower

ISLAMABAD: Iran has expressed its readiness to play a supportive role in addressing ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, offering a &ldquo;blank cheque&rdquo; to help resolve these issues, while also emphasizing the strengthening of trade and economic relations between Tehran and Islamabad. In an exclusive interview with Pakistan TV, Ali Ardeshir Larijani, Secretary of Iran&rsquo;s Supreme National Security Council, highlighted Tehran&rsquo;s willingness to assist if Pakistan seeks Iran&rsquo;s involvement in resolving regional issues. &ldquo;Pakistan is very dear and honourable to the Iranian people,&quot; Larijani said, adding we can help ease regional tensions. Earlier, addressing a press conference, the senior Iranian official said: &ldquo;We are prepared to give the Pakistanis a &lsquo;blank cheque&rsquo; to help resolve the regional issues, to be used whenever they deem necessary.&rdquo; <div class="fr-embed youtube-embed"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4FfT1CCdgvQ?si=_GiRA_uvmnUEmz-l" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" style="width: 100%; height: auto; aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; max-width: 100%; display: block;"></iframe>&nbsp;</div> He said this is the blank cheque for peace, and Pakistan can encash it whenever it wants. In the interview with Pakistan TV, Ali Larijani said: &ldquo;We have left this matter to our Pakistani brothers and are ready to move forward if they see a role for us. Our goal is to support the solution for the people of Pakistan.&rdquo; Larijani also noted that Iran has shown &ldquo;expressive readiness&rdquo; to help facilitate dialogue and cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan, following discussions with Pakistani leadership. Pakistan and Iran share historically friendly ties, with cooperation spanning trade, energy and regional security. Over the past decade, both countries have worked on multiple initiatives, including energy pipelines, cross-border trade agreements and joint efforts to maintain stability in Afghanistan. Iran has previously too shown its interest in fostering peace and stability in the region. Pakistan also emphasised the importance of regional collaboration in trade, transport and energy infrastructure, seeking to strengthen bilateral ties through tangible projects. Larijani also touched upon bilateral trade and investment initiatives. He noted that following the recent visit of Iran&rsquo;s president, both countries have intensified efforts to enhance economic cooperation, particularly in agriculture, railway networks and pipeline projects. &ldquo;Work has begun on promoting trade and economic ties between our countries, especially in agriculture, as per the directives of our leaders. We are exploring various avenues to elevate trade volume,&rdquo; Larijani stated. He added that both sides have discussed multiple strategies to expand and strengthen these relations, with optimism for tangible outcomes in the near future.

The Newsroom

Iran offers a “blank cheque” to help Pakistan ease tensions with Afghanistan, while urging stronger trade, energy and investment cooperation following recent high-level engagements and economic discussions.

Iran offers ‘blank cheque’ to support Pakistan-Afghanistan peace, eyes stronger bilateral ties

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has said a truly futuristic approach is essential to move forward. Speaking at PTV Home&rsquo;s programme &lsquo;Rising Pakistan&rsquo; on the occasion of the channel&rsquo;s 61st anniversary, Attaullah Tarar said new platforms are being created to connect Gen Z with PTV. The minister said during Pakistan-India war, it was realized that there was a need to start channels as a stratcom tool. &ldquo;We are encouraging private sector channels as well,&rdquo; he said. Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan TV Satellite has a fresh and new look and &ldquo;our stories are being quoted by international media outlets like BBC and Reuters&rdquo;. He said our strategic and geopolitical situation is such that exclusive stories from here have international significance.&ldquo;We brought new vigour in English media, whether it be digital or satellite,&rdquo; he said. Attaullah Tarar said very capable women were heading most departments in PTV, adding that it is a women-led initiative in the information domain.He said in sports, we got exclusive rights of many series through which we generated revenue. The minister said a sustainable model is needed.&nbsp; He went on to say that we are trying to do collaboration with the private sector for PTV Home. &ldquo;We can make good dramas and do collaborations with the private sector under profit-cost sharing basis,&rdquo; he said, adding that public-private partnership is a way forward. He said those who are leaders in entertainment in private sector should be invited to collaborate with PTV. The minister said today all those who are leading the entertainment industry say they started from PTV. He added that PTV has given birth to the entertainment, sports and news industries. Attaullah Tarar said he does not believe in criticism for the sake of criticism, adding that there should be constructive criticism to bring reforms. He said the private sector will be strongly encouraged in media projects, adding that Pakistan Idol was launched as private sector collaboration at a minimum cost. The information minister said the government aims to expand youth involvement through private sector programmes.

Speaking at PTV Home’s programme ‘Rising Pakistan’ on the occasion of the channel’s 61st anniversary, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said new platforms are being created to connect Gen Z with PTV. (Photo: Pakistan TV Satellite)

Speaking at an event marking PTV's 61st anniversary, the information minister said new platforms are being created to connect Gen Z with PTV.

Moving forward with futuristic approach is essential: Tarar

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar led the country&rsquo;s delegation to the D-8 Media Forum in Azerbaijan, a platform dedicated to enhancing cooperation among member states and promoting truthful, impartial, and responsible journalism. The forum brought together media leaders, policymakers, and experts to address the rapidly changing global information environment.&nbsp;The event opened with Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of Foreign Policy Department, presenting President Ilham Aliyev&rsquo;s message to participants. In his address, the President highlighted the fast-evolving media landscape and warned of the growing dangers posed by disinformation, fake news, hybrid threats, deepfakes, and the misuse of artificial intelligence. He emphasized that these challenges are reshaping global narratives at an unprecedented pace.&nbsp;Minister Tarar&rsquo;s visit began with a productive meeting with D-8 Secretary General Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, during which both sides agreed to broaden media collaboration, expand cultural exchanges, and initiate joint training programmes aimed at capacity building for member countries.<figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/f01f01f2-0a39-4c6d-a932-7c025f387c8a-WhatsApp Image 2025-11-24 at 6.02.03 PM.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp Image 2025-11-24 at 6.02.03 PM.jpeg" class="fr-fil fr-dib"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic">Pakistani delegation in negotiation with Azerbaijan&rsquo;s ANewZ, in Baku on November 22, 2025-ANewZ</figcaption></figure> &nbsp;In his keynote speech at the forum, Tarar described disinformation as the world&rsquo;s biggest media challenge. Citing the recent Pakistan&ndash;India tensions, he noted how an &ldquo;information war&rdquo; played out online, largely driven by Gen-Z users. To address these emerging threats, he proposed several initiatives, including a joint D-8 social media platform, collaborative fact-checking units, crisis-reporting workshops, digital forensics training, and AI content labelling to clearly distinguish real news from AI-generated material.&nbsp;The Pakistani delegation also visited Azerbaijan&rsquo;s AnewZ headquarters, exploring opportunities for joint digital production and future collaboration with Pakistan Television.&nbsp;A panel session on &ldquo;Strategic Communications and Crisis Management&rdquo; featured Pakistan TV&rsquo;s Head, Adil Shahzeb, who welcomed Azerbaijan as the newest D-8 member and backed the proposal to establish a D-8 media centre in Baku. He underscored that strategic communication and crisis management are now essential pillars of national security, public diplomacy, and effective media governance.

Pakistan urged stronger D-8 media cooperation in Azerbaijan, warning of disinformation, deepfakes, and AI misuse. Minister Tarar proposed joint platforms, fact-checking, and training, while delegates explored digital collaboration and stressed strategic communication’s growing importance for security and effective governance.

Pakistan pushes for stronger media cooperation at D-8 forum in Azerbaijan

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Monday announced a 25% tariff on any country trading with Iran, ramping up pressure on Tehran over its violent crackdown on a wave of protests. &quot;Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This Order is final and conclusive,&quot; Trump said on Truth Social. Iran&#39;s main trading partners are China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq, according to the economic database Trading Economics. The tariffs announcement comes as Trump mulls possible military action against Iran over the protests. Rights groups have reported a growing death toll. &quot;Air strikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table,&quot; White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier Monday. But she said Iran also had a diplomatic channel open to Trump&#39;s special envoy Steve Witkoff, adding that Iran was taking a &quot;far different tone&quot; in private than it was in its public statements.

Americas

Iran's main trading partners are China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq; tariffs announcement comes as Trump mulls possible military action against Iran over the protests.

Trump announces tariffs on countries doing business with Iran

BEIRUT: The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said an Israeli tank fired near its peacekeepers on Monday, and warned that such attacks were becoming &quot;disturbingly common.&quot; UNIFIL has repeatedly reported Israeli fire near or towards its personnel in recent months, and less than two weeks ago, said gunfire from an Israeli position hit close to peacekeepers twice. &quot;UNIFIL peacekeepers observed two Merkava tanks move&quot; from an Israeli army position inside Lebanese territory &quot;further into Lebanon&quot; on Monday, the force said in a statement. UNIFIL has acted as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon for decades, and recently has been working with Lebanon&#39;s army to support a year-old ceasefire between Israel and fighter group Hezbollah. Under the November 2024 truce, Israel was to withdraw its forces from south Lebanon, but it has kept them in five areas it deems strategic and carries out regular strikes on Lebanon, usually saying it is targeting Hezbollah sites and operatives. &quot;The peacekeepers requested through liaison channels that the tanks stop their activity,&quot; the statement said. Later, &quot;one of the tanks fired three shells from its main gun, with two impacts approximately 150 meters away from the peacekeepers,&quot; UNIFIL said, adding that &quot;as the peacekeepers moved away for safety, they were continuously tracked with a laser from the tanks&quot;. The statement reported no casualties but noted UNIFIL had informed the Israeli army of its activities in the area in advance. &quot;Attacks like these on identifiable peacekeepers ... are becoming disturbingly common,&quot; the statement said, urging a stop to such incidents. It called them &quot;a serious violation&quot; of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah and forms the basis of the current truce. Under heavy US pressure and fears of expanded Israeli strikes, Beirut has committed to disarming Hezbollah, and last week, Lebanon&#39;s army said it had finished doing so in the area near the border. UNIFIL&#39;s final mandate ends this year, and the force is to leave Lebanon in 2027.

Middle East

UNIFIL says "attacks like these on identifiable peacekeepers ... are becoming disturbingly common"; UNIFIL has acted as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon for decades, and recently has been working with Lebanon's army to support a year-old ceasefire between Israel and the fighter group Hezbollah.

UN force says Israeli tank fired near peacekeepers in Lebanon 

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: China has confirmed that its exported J-10CE fighter jet has achieved its first combat victory, successfully shooting down multiple enemy aircraft during an aerial engagement without suffering any losses, marking a significant milestone for the Chinese-made combat aircraft. In a statement issued on Monday, China&rsquo;s State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND) said the J-10CE&rsquo;s battlefield performance demonstrated the aircraft&rsquo;s operational effectiveness in real combat conditions outside China. &ldquo;The J-10CE fighter jet, exported by China, achieved its first combat success abroad by downing multiple aircraft without incurring any losses,&rdquo; the Chinese defense authority said. The confirmation comes in the wake of the brief but intense Pakistan-India military confrontation in May, during which air power played a central role. Pakistan has previously stated that its air force downed several Indian aircraft during the escalation, while China&rsquo;s acknowledgement underscores the growing operational credibility of its defense exports and Pakistan&rsquo;s reliance on advanced Chinese military technology. According to the US Department of War, Pakistan is currently the only country operating the Chinese-built J-10C fighter jet. The report noted that as of May 2025, 20 additional aircraft were delivered to Pakistan, raising the Pakistan Air Force&rsquo;s J-10CE fleet to 36 jets since 2020. China&rsquo;s state news agency Xinhua described the J-10CE as an &ldquo;all-weather, single-engine, single-seat, multi-role fighter jet&rdquo; independently developed by China to meet modern aerial warfare requirements. Commenting on the aircraft&rsquo;s performance, the Chinese side said the combat outcome reflected both reliability and competitiveness. The J-10CE&rsquo;s &ldquo;combat success abroad fully demonstrates its practicality and usability, highlights its strong competitiveness compared to similar foreign equipment, and promotes Chinese aviation products in the international market,&rdquo; Xinhua quoted Chinese defense officials as saying. Pakistan has stated that during the May confrontation, it shot down seven Indian fighter jets, including three French-made Rafale aircraft. The conflict followed an attack on civilians in Indian-occupied Kashmir, an incident India blamed on Pakistan. A charge Islamabad categorically rejected and has offered &ldquo;independent investigation.&rdquo; The four-day conflict marked the deadliest cross-border fighting since 2019, involving missile, drone, and artillery strikes, before both sides agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistani forces had reduced Indian aircraft to &ldquo;scrap and dust.&rdquo; India, meanwhile, claimed it had shot down five Pakistani fighter jets. A claim Pakistan&rsquo;s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif dismissed as &ldquo;comical.&rdquo; Islamabad and Beijing are long-term strategic allies, bound by strong bilateral ties, deep defense cooperation, and a shared commitment to regional stability.

China

In a statement, the Chinese defense authority says its exported J-10CE fighter jet achieves first combat victory, downing multiple enemy aircraft without losses during combat.

China confirms J-10CE ‘first combat victory’ in Pakistan-India May conflict

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday strongly condemned a terrorist attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa&rsquo;s Tank district that resulted in the martyrdom of police personnel. He reaffirmed the government&rsquo;s resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country, according to an official statement.&nbsp;The attack targeted a police vehicle in the Tank area, killing five police officials, including an Additional Station House Officer (SHO). An investigation into the incident has been ordered and authorities have been directed to bring those responsible to justice at the earliest, according to Radio Pakistan.&nbsp;In his statement, the prime minister offered prayers for the elevation of the martyrs&rsquo; ranks and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2010691992112562181&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=8f9e95ef61cc881f44a56b9642bae75afec05f34&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 921px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;&ldquo;The Government of Pakistan remains committed to the complete elimination of terrorism from the country,&rdquo; the prime minister stated.&nbsp;President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of police personnel in the attack, according to a separate statement on X.&nbsp;The president paid tribute to the fallen officers for their bravery and service to the nation. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2010658334727458837&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=8f9e95ef61cc881f44a56b9642bae75afec05f34&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 416px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;&ldquo;May Allah Almighty grant the martyrs an exalted place in His eternal mercy and grant fortitude (Sabr-e-Jameel) to the bereaved families,&rdquo; President Zardari said.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed said the &ldquo;cowardly terrorist attacks in Tank and Lucky Marwat cannot, under any circumstances, shake the resolve of our police personnel,&rdquo; according to KP police&#39;s official Facebook page.&nbsp;&ldquo;The martyred officers and soldiers laid down their lives in the line of duty; the entire force takes immense pride in them,&rdquo; the IGP said, adding that the morale of the police force remains high.&nbsp;He stated that the sacrifices of the martyrs would never go in vain and assured that the families of the fallen officers would be provided &ldquo;every possible cooperation and full support.&rdquo; The IGP further confirmed that investigations had been accelerated and those involved would be brought to justice soon.&nbsp;Separately, District Police Officer Lucky Marwat Nazir Khan said the police remained firm against militant elements.<div class="fr-embed"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpakhtunkhwapolice%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0c7V4FofrVAvXESbwjqcJKcVo5Lwe6QY2crUc6zRKFoD6B2cu6f5SJumVf1FEToZtl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="250" style="border:none;overflow:hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>&nbsp;&ldquo;These cowardly acts by Fitna al-Khawarij cannot dampen our morale. The Lucky Marwat Police are responding forcefully to every challenge and are prepared to make every possible sacrifice for the protection of the public,&rdquo; he stated in a Facebook post by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police.&nbsp;Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also strongly condemned the blast near the police vehicle in Tank and paid tribute to the five martyred officers.&nbsp;&ldquo;The brave soldiers of the police have sacrificed their &lsquo;today&rsquo; for the peaceful &lsquo;tomorrow&rsquo; of the nation,&rdquo; the interior minister said on X, adding that the sacrifices of the martyrs would always be remembered.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2010658332152152415&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=8f9e95ef61cc881f44a56b9642bae75afec05f34&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 368px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;&ldquo;The martyrs are our pride, and the nation can never forget their timeless sacrifices,&rdquo; Naqvi stated.

Security

Pakistan’s leadership condemned a terrorist attack in KP’s Tank district that killed five police personnel. The prime minister ordered an investigation as the president, interior minister and police vowed justice and reaffirmed resolve against terrorism.

President, PM condemn attack on police, vow eradication of terrorists

Pakistan TV

ISLAMABAD: The Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik said Islamabad was ready and willing to play a constructive role in defusing tensions between Iran and the United States, stressing that Pakistan does not seek instability in the region and will make every possible effort to help lower tensions. In an exclusive interview with Pakistan TV, Dr. Musadik Malik said Pakistan enjoyed strong relations with both Iran and the United States and believed dialogue and diplomacy remained the only viable path to preventing further escalation in the region. He said, &quot;The growing instability is being fueled by Israel&rsquo;s continued actions across Palestine, Syria and Lebanon.&quot; &quot;This is a vulgar display of atrocities,&quot; he said. He said Israel committed the genocide in Gaza. Malik questioned Israel&rsquo;s right to occupy land, seize water resources and carry out repeated military aggression across the region. He warned that such actions carry serious repercussions. The minister emphasized that Pakistan wants peace and stability across the Middle East and South Asia, adding that unchecked unilateral actions weaken the global rule-based order and threaten international peace. He said no country had the right to kill civilians, including women and children, under any pretext. Turning to South Asia, Malik strongly criticized India&rsquo;s approach to the Indus Waters Treaty, calling any attempt to control or delay Pakistan&rsquo;s water supply illegal and irrational. He said the Indus river system was the backbone of Pakistan&rsquo;s economy and livelihoods, supporting nearly half of the population and a significant share of the country&rsquo;s GDP. Malik warned that any effort by India to disrupt water flows, particularly during critical agricultural seasons, would be viewed as an act of war and met with a commensurate response. He said India was attempting to manipulate water flows through a cascade of hydropower projects in violation of the treaty. He also questioned India&rsquo;s reluctance to approach international arbitration mechanisms, saying that refusal to engage neutral forums suggests the wrongdoing. Addressing regional security concerns, Malik said Pakistan would continue to combat terrorism and urged Afghanistan to prevent militant groups from using its soil to attack Pakistan. He noted that Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades and expects Kabul to act as a responsible neighbour. Malik concluded by warning that weakening multilateralism and international treaties could push the world toward greater instability, calling for renewed commitment to diplomacy, dialogue and international law.

Minister For Climate Change Talks Exclusively to Pakistan TV

Malik Says Pakistan Ready to Help Defuse Iran–US Tensions

SAN FRANCISCO: Tech giants Apple and Google announced Monday a multi-year partnership that will see Apple&#39;s next-generation artificial intelligence features, including its Siri assistant, be powered by Google&#39;s Gemini technology.&nbsp;The collaboration marks a significant shift for Apple, which has traditionally developed its core technologies in-house.&nbsp;A joint statement said Apple selected Google&#39;s AI technology after a &quot;careful evaluation&quot; determined it provided &quot;the most capable foundation&quot; for the iPhone-maker&#39;s AI ambitions.&nbsp;The announcement represents a rare alliance between two companies that have long competed in the smartphone market, where Apple&#39;s iOS and Google&#39;s Android operating systems dominate globally.&nbsp;However, the two rivals have maintained a lucrative partnership for years, with Google paying Apple billions of dollars annually to remain the default search engine on iPhones and other Apple devices.&nbsp;That arrangement has faced scrutiny from regulators, with the US Justice Department arguing in an antitrust case that the deal helps Google maintain its search monopoly, though a judge said the arrangement could continue.&nbsp;Financial details of the AI arrangement were not provided.&nbsp;Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities said the partnership was &quot;a major validation moment for Google&quot; and &quot;a stepping stone&quot; for Apple to get its AI strategy on track into 2026 and beyond.&nbsp;Apple reportedly also considered partnerships with OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity.&nbsp;The company co-founded by Steve Jobs is largely perceived to have stumbled in efforts to roll out AI capabilities across its products and last month announced the head of its artificial intelligence team was stepping down.&nbsp;Apple last year delayed the release of an improved Siri digital assistant and is now promising it for later in the year.&nbsp;Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and other tech rivals have been releasing ever-improved AI models and features in a fierce race to lead the sector.&nbsp;Despite the collaboration, Apple emphasized that its in-house AI system, Apple Intelligence, will be used to power its iPhones and iPads at the device-only level, maintaining what it described as &quot;industry-leading privacy standards.&quot;

Artificial Intelligence

Apple and Google announced a multi-year partnership to power Apple’s next-generation AI, including Siri, with Google’s Gemini, marking a rare alliance as Apple seeks to catch up in AI while stressing privacy and competition pressures.

Apple chooses Google's Gemini AI to power Siri

SAN FRANCISCO: Meta on Monday appointed banker Dina Powell McCormick as president and vice chairman, tapping a former member of the Trump administration to help steer the technology giant&#39;s massive AI infrastructure expansion.&nbsp;Powell McCormick, who served on Meta&#39;s board, will join the company&#39;s management team as it scales what founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg described as &quot;the massive physical and financial model that will power the next decade of computing.&quot;&nbsp;&quot;Dina&#39;s experience at the highest levels of global finance, combined with her deep relationships around the world, makes her uniquely suited to help Meta manage this next phase of growth,&quot; Zuckerberg said.&nbsp;In a separate post, Zuckerberg said Powell McCormick &quot;will be involved in all of Meta&#39;s work, with a particular focus on partnering with governments and sovereigns to build, deploy, invest in, and finance Meta&#39;s AI and infrastructure.&quot;&nbsp;The appointment comes as Meta accelerates investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure, including data centers and energy supply.&nbsp;In her new role at Meta, Powell McCormick&#39;s banking experience will be key. She will help guide the company&#39;s overall AI infrastructure strategy and oversee its multi-billion-dollar investments.&nbsp;She will also focus on building partnerships to expand the company&#39;s investment capacity, the company said, as Meta seeks to keep up with its big tech rivals in spending massively on AI.&nbsp;An Egyptian-American, Powell McCormick spent 16 years as a partner at Goldman Sachs, serving on the firm&#39;s management committee and leading its global sovereign investment banking business.&nbsp;Sovereign wealth funds from the Middle East have become major investors in the AI infrastructure build-out and could play a role in Meta achieving its AI spending goals.&nbsp;Her last job was at BDT &amp; MSD Partners, a bank and advisory firm that has been involved in finding US investors for TikTok, according to news outlet Axios.&nbsp;Her hiring continues Zuckerberg&#39;s political pivot to the right, with Republican Powell McCormick one of the company&#39;s most visible arrivals since Sheryl Sandberg, the former chief operating officer and member of the Clinton administration who left in 2022.&nbsp;Zuckerberg has recently made a visible shift toward President Donald Trump and conservative positions, doing away with third-party fact-checking, reversing company diversity initiatives and embracing a more traditionally masculine image.&nbsp;Trump congratulated Powell McCormick on the appointment in a social media post, calling her &quot;a fantastic, and very talented, person, who served the Trump Administration with strength and distinction.&quot;&nbsp;Powell McCormick served as deputy national security advisor during Trump&#39;s first term, a role in which she helped shape US foreign policy.&nbsp;She is married to the Republican senator from Pennsylvania, Dave McCormick.

Business

Meta names Dina Powell McCormick president and vice chairman, tasking the former Goldman Sachs banker and Trump administration official with guiding the company’s expanding AI infrastructure and global investment strategy.

Zuckerberg names banker, ex-Trump advisor as Meta president

ISLAMABAD: A high-level Indonesian defense delegation visited Pakistan on Monday to discuss expanding cooperation in defense production, the Ministry of Defense Production said in a statement. The delegates focused on establishing joint working groups and exploring collaboration between the two countries&#39; defense institutions. The delegation was led by Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, who met with Pakistan&rsquo;s Federal Minister for Defense Production, Muhammad Raza Hayat Harraj, and senior officials from the ministry of defense production. Harraj said that Pakistan has immense potential in the field of defense production and agreed to establish Joint Working Groups for Defense Production cooperation between entities of both countries. Indonesia&rsquo;s minister for defense expressed keen interest in expediting the Joint Working Groups, as it will open doors to future collaboration and help explore and benefit from each other&rsquo;s capabilities. &ldquo;Pakistan is a very important country with rich culture, working democracy and vibrant economy. Both sides hoped the brotherly relationship is translated into long term relationship based on mutual trust &amp; respect,&rdquo; the statement added. During the meeting, Harraj extended an invitation to the Indonesian Authorities to actively participate in the Defense Exhibition IDEAS-2026 to explore defense collaboration. &ldquo;Federal Minister for Defense Production Raza Harraj stated that the bilateral relationship between the two countries is characterized by feelings of mutual trust, respect, and goodwill towards each other,&rdquo; the statement said. He further stated that recent significant interactions between the two countries have set the pace for a high-yielding relationship. Later on Monday, the Indonesian minister also met with the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, as per a statement by Pakistan&#39;s military media wing.&nbsp; &quot;The meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, evolving regional and global security dynamics, and exploration of avenues for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation,&quot; the statement said. &quot;The visiting dignitary lauded professionalism of Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.&quot; The COAS &amp; CDF reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to fostering strong defense relationship with Indonesia based on shared values and mutual respect. Additionally, the Indonesian defense minister called on the Chief of Air Staff and Air Chief Marshal, Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, following the recent state visit of the Indonesian President. &ldquo;The meeting reaffirmed the historic and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Indonesia and focused on strengthening bilateral Air Force cooperation, particularly in capacity building, training, and technological collaboration,&rdquo; according to ISPR.&nbsp; During the meeting, the air chief briefed the delegation on PAF&rsquo;s modernization drive, including infrastructure development, revamped training, and induction of niche capabilities to enhance readiness for multi-domain operations. The Indonesian Defense Minister praised PAF&rsquo;s professionalism, combat readiness, and indigenization achievements under the National Aerospace Science &amp; Technology Park, and expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation in training, aviation, and aerospace domains.&nbsp; Islamabad and Jakarta underscored the strengthening trajectory of Pakistan&ndash;Indonesia defense relations and a mutual commitment to expand cooperation through continued engagement and dialogue.

Foreign Affairs

A high-level Indonesian defense delegation visited Pakistan to discuss expanding defense production cooperation. Both sides agreed to form Joint Working Groups, explore collaboration, and strengthen bilateral ties based on mutual trust, respect, and goodwill.



Indonesia delegation visits Pakistan to boost defense production cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Minister for Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan, Attaullah Tarar, called for a united front against misinformation, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan on Monday. According to the statement, Tarar cited a World Economic Forum report that ranks false information as a bigger short-term global threat than nuclear warfare or climate change. The information minister was speaking at a dialogue organized by the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi. The event focused on &quot;Facts Survive AI: Fighting Misinformation Together.&quot; &quot;The World Economic Forum Global Risks Report of 2024 says that the biggest short-term risk to the world at large is misinformation,&quot; Tarar said, according to APP. &quot;They do not say climate change. They do not say nuclear warfare.&quot; The information minister announced the establishment of Pakistan&#39;s first Digital Communication Department under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The department counters misinformation through social media handles that verify information or label fake content, he said. The minister met with representatives of social media platforms that have started labeling AI-created content, the news agency reported. &quot;So, I think we need to have labels for AI-created content or AI-generated content,&quot; he said. Tarar praised IBA&#39;s iVerify system for its success in combating false information at the national and international levels. He called for establishing more such systems to promote responsible journalism and combat fake news effectively. &quot;The community at large, the government, media houses, academia, the civil society, everyone has a role to play in countering misinformation,&quot; Tarar said. The minister urged the Pakistan Broadcasters Association and All Pakistan Newspaper Society to join the effort. He assured them of full government support. Tarar cited Pakistan&#39;s information response during a May conflict with India as an example of effective narrative management. &quot;Pakistan won that war in a very, very effective manner,&quot; he said. The ministry, he said, is collaborating with the United Nations Development Program to address misinformation. A training workshop scheduled this week will equip Ministry of Information officers and media professionals with skills to counter false information. Tarar stated that there was a need to educate younger generations about the ethical use of AI. &quot;We need to educate all segments of society on how to use AI responsibly,&quot; he said. The minister highlighted vulnerable groups, including minorities, children, and women, as particularly at risk from misinformation campaigns. The information minister stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has granted the ministry full authority to combat misinformation. He expressed hope that younger generations can work together to defeat misinformation.

Tarar also urged tech platforms to cooperate on combating AI-generated fake news and disinformation campaigns.

Articles by Pakistan TV Satellite

Iranian Ambassador says US, Israel Behind Unrest, Warns of Strong Response

PIA revival to ride on talent, global expertise and strategic growth: Arif Habib

Bangladeshi activists, journalists accuse India of providing safe havens to terrorists

Afghan clerics forbid use of soil for cross-border terrorism

German boxer Zeina Nassar expresses gratitude to Pakistani crowd, organisers

PM Sharif directs to provide full support for flood-hit Sri Lanka — information minister

Russia unfazed by European rhetoric, Eyes US as sole superpower

Iran offers ‘blank cheque’ to support Pakistan-Afghanistan peace, eyes stronger bilateral ties

Moving forward with futuristic approach is essential: Tarar

Pakistan pushes for stronger media cooperation at D-8 forum in Azerbaijan

Latest News

Trump announces tariffs on countries doing business with Iran

UN force says Israeli tank fired near peacekeepers in Lebanon

China confirms J-10CE ‘first combat victory’ in Pakistan-India May conflict

President, PM condemn attack on police, vow eradication of terrorists

Iranian Ambassador says US, Israel Behind Unrest, Warns of Strong Response