Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has departed for Jeddah for an official visit to Saudi Arabia, kicking off a significant four-day official tour spanning Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye from April 15 to 18, according to an official statement.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 688px; 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=2044273504418447435&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=8826cd1edd93237dc0a2dec520b30130f6da51cf&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>The prime minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, the statement said, without sharing further details. The announcement comes shortly after Finance Minister Aurangzeb said that Saudi Arabia has committed an additional $3 billion in deposits to Pakistan, with disbursement expected within a week, providing timely support for the country&rsquo;s external financing needs.&nbsp;Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-finance-minister-outlines-macroeconomic-outlook-reform-progress-at-uspakistan-business-council-luncheon" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings 2026</a>, the finance minister said the Kingdom has also agreed to extend its existing $5 billion deposit for a longer period, moving away from the earlier annual rollover arrangement. During his visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the prime minister is expected to hold high-level meetings with the leadership of both countries to discuss bilateral cooperation as well as regional peace and security. In T&uuml;rkiye, the prime minister will participate in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where he will join a leaders&rsquo; panel to present Pakistan&rsquo;s perspective on key global issues. On the sidelines of the forum, Sharif is also expected to meet Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other world leaders.Pakistan&rsquo;s participation in the forum reflects its commitment to constructive diplomacy, multilateral cooperation and engagement on global challenges. The prime minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, along with other senior officials.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Muhammad bin Salman on March 12, 2026, in Jeddah.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has departed for Jeddah for an official visit to Saudi Arabia, kicking off a significant four-day official tour spanning Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye from April 15 to 18.

Pakistan's PM begins three-nation visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that the US-Iran ceasefire remains in place while all efforts are underway to resolve any matters that are &ldquo;slightly stalled.&rdquo; The prime minister said this while briefing the federal cabinet on the regional situation and Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts for peace, according to a statement from the Prime Minister&#39;s Office (PMO). Sharif said this was the first time in 47 years delegates from the two sides had sat face-to-face, a result of Pakistan&#39;s &ldquo;sincere efforts.&rdquo; The cabinet appreciated the efforts of Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their admirable roles during the talks.&nbsp; The prime minister described the historic Islamabad talks as a source of pride for the country&rsquo;s 240 million people, saying that Pakistan&rsquo;s sincere, positive, and historic role has elevated its global stature, according to APP. He noted that there were several moments during the negotiations when talks nearly broke down but were then restored.&nbsp; Lasting peaceAccording to an APP report, the prime minister said that the Islamabad talks provided Pakistan an opportunity to turn the ceasefire into lasting peace. He referred to historical examples such as the Oslo, Geneva, and Good Friday agreements, noting that in many cases, including Sudan and other regions, it took months or years to establish ceasefires and peace, according to AFP. In contrast, in Islamabad, US and Iranian delegations held direct, face-to-face talks for 21 hours, which the PM said he personally witnessed, said APP.

Security

The prime minister describes the historic Islamabad talks as a source of pride for the country’s 240 million people, saying that Pakistan’s sincere, positive, and historic role has elevated its global stature.

All efforts underway to resolve 'slightly stalled' US-Iran matters, says PM Sharif

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced sweeping fuel subsidies and relief measures to shield citizens from increasing global oil prices driven by the ongoing Middle East conflict, as the government intensifies efforts to manage economic fallout. In a televised address, PM Sharif acknowledged the growing burden on households and farmers as energy prices spike worldwide. &ldquo;I am addressing you once again in these difficult times when war is raging in the Gulf and the prices of oil are skyrocketing,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It is a bitter reality that the poor are suffering and the farmers are facing new challenges.&rdquo; The measures come as Pakistan faces rising import costs and supply pressures amid instability in key energy routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, which has pushed global oil prices sharply higher and strained economies across Asia. The prime minister said his government had delayed passing on the full impact of rising oil prices to consumers over the past three weeks. &ldquo;I have not considered it appropriate to burden you with the prices of oil&hellip; because I know very well how a common man in Pakistan spends his life,&rdquo; he said. As part of the new relief package, the prime minister announced a significant reduction in petrol prices. &ldquo;I am announcing a reduction of Rs80 [$0.29] per liter in the price of petrol&hellip; the price&hellip; will be reduced to Rs 378 [$1.36] per liter,&rdquo; he said, adding the cut would remain in place for at least one month. The government also introduced targeted subsidies aimed at easing transport and agricultural costs. Motorbike users and public and goods transport will receive Rs100 ($0.36) per liter support, while small and large transport operators will be provided monthly subsidies to offset rising fuel expenses. Support has also been extended to farmers, with Rs1,500 ($5.39) per acre announced to help mitigate the impact of higher input costs. Officials say the measures are being financed partly through adjustments such as levies on higher-end fuel consumption and broader fiscal reprioritization, allowing relief to be directed toward lower- and middle-income groups. The announcement follows a series of high-level consultations involving federal and provincial leadership, aimed at coordinating a national response to the crisis. &ldquo;There was a lot of discussion&hellip; a comprehensive program was announced,&rdquo; PM Sharif said, highlighting efforts to ensure supply stability and avoid shortages seen in other countries. Additional steps have been rolled out across the country. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said public transport in Islamabad would be free for 30 days, with the government covering Rs350 million ($1.26 million) in costs. Provincial authorities have also introduced parallel measures. In Punjab, free public transport has been announced across major systems, while other regions are implementing targeted subsidies for commuters and fuel users. PM Sharif stated that the government would continue efforts to cushion the impact of the crisis. &ldquo;We will not rest until you return to your daily life in peace and tranquility,&rdquo; he said. The developments highlight how the conflict has extended beyond the battlefield, driving inflationary pressures and forcing governments to adopt emergency economic measures to protect vulnerable populations.

Economy

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announces fuel subsidies, petrol price cuts and free public transport to ease inflation pressures, as surging global oil prices driven by the Iran war strain Pakistan’s economy and household budgets.

Pakistan unveils fuel relief, free transport as oil prices surge

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that proposals to raise oil prices had been rejected and that government savings would be redirected to citizens. According to an official statement from the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office, PM Sharif chaired a high-level review meeting Monday on the effects of the Gulf crisis on petroleum supplies, current fuel reserves, and public relief measures. The prime minister said the government has cut its own expenditures, reduced the developmental budget, and immediately suspended 60% of government vehicles.&nbsp; Funds generated through these austerity measures have been allocated for public relief. Relief measures Relief measures will be delivered through the country&#39;s digital systems, the prime minister stated. He said that Pakistan&#39;s economically weaker segments would not be left without support during the current difficulty. According to the statement, further relief for lower- and middle-class citizens is being planned. Coordination with provincial governments is underway to fast-track ownership registration for motorcycle and rickshaw owners. This will enable them to benefit from potential relief programs, the PM was informed during the meeting. Officials told the PM that adequate fuel reserves are available to meet national needs and that procurement arrangements for the future are in place. A levy increase on high-octane fuel used in large luxury vehicles has not affected jet fuel prices, officials said. An audit report from the Intelligence Bureau on the progress of the prime minister&#39;s fuel savings measures and austerity campaign was presented to the meeting. Officials confirmed that&nbsp;implementation of the campaign is being actively enforced. The prime minister stated that despite the global crisis, no disruption in fuel supply has occurred. He said Pakistan is also pursuing diplomatic efforts toward regional peace. A separate briefing covered current medicine stocks, with officials confirming an ample supply is available to meet national needs. Suggestions on future courses of action were also presented to the meeting. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Attaullah Tarar, Dr Musadiq Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Syed Mustafa Kamal, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ali Pervez Malik, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Rana Mubashar Iqbal, and Sardar Awais Khan Leghari. Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kiani, Special Assistants Tariq Fatemi and Talha Barky, National Assembly members Engineer Qamar ul Islam, Riaz Hussain, and Hafiz Muhammad Numan and other senior officials also attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting to review implementation of fuel conservation and austerity measures in Islamabad on Monday, March 30, 2026. (PMO)

PM Sharif chairs emergency review as Islamabad draws on austerity savings to shield lower-income citizens from mounting fuel pressures.

Pakistan cuts government spending, rejects oil price hikes amid Gulf oil crisis

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday called for collective action on climate change ahead of Earth Hour 2026, urging citizens to adopt more sustainable habits. This year&#39;s &quot;Give an Hour for Earth&quot; campaign, which is observed globally through a symbolic lights-off hour, encourages people to consider how their everyday decisions impact the environment and to take action beyond the gesture. President urges reflection, sustainable livingIn a message issued to mark the occasion, the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, said environmental protection requires&nbsp;collective effort,&nbsp;emphasizing that individual acts, when combined, can have a significant impact. He noted that a country responsible for less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions continues to bear a disproportionate share of climate consequences.&nbsp; &quot;The pressures we place on natural systems are steadily reducing the space in which life can sustain itself,&quot; the president said.&nbsp; The statement pointed to recent floods, heatwaves, and droughts as clear indicators of escalating environmental stress, affecting agriculture, water availability, and urban life. Zardari called for development strategies that stay within environmental limits, pointing to the need for more responsible energy use, sustainable consumption patterns, and climate-conscious industrial and agricultural practices.&nbsp; He reiterated Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to the Paris Agreement and said climate resilience remains a key focus of national planning. He also referred to ongoing initiatives such as the Upscaling Green Pakistan Programme, Living Indus, and Recharge Pakistan, which aim to expand forest cover, restore ecosystems, and improve water management. Citizens were encouraged to switch off non-essential lights on March 28 and use the occasion to consider long-term changes that reduce environmental impact. PM encourages Earth Hour participationMeanwhile, Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged citizens to take part in Earth Hour by switching off unnecessary lights between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm, or at least minimizing electricity use during the hour. He said the initiative serves as a reminder that protecting the environment is a shared national responsibility, particularly at a time of &quot;serious environmental challenges&quot;.&nbsp; He stressed that decisions taken today to address environmental degradation would shape the future of coming generations. Senate chairman stresses policy and coordinationIn a separate statement, the Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, underscored the urgency of a coordinated national response, warning that climate-related threats are becoming more frequent and severe. He pointed to accelerating glacial melt, growing water stress, and recurring extreme weather events as key challenges requiring stronger policy alignment and institutional accountability.&nbsp; Describing climate change as &quot;a profound intergenerational obligation,&quot; the Chairman called for tighter policy integration, stronger institutional accountability, and a coordinated response spanning federal and provincial governments. Describing Earth Hour as a symbolic but important initiative, he said it serves to reinforce the need for efficient energy use and more sustainable consumption across society. He added that legislative efforts would continue to prioritize environmental protection, renewable energy, and conservation of natural resources. Notably, the chairman expanded the circle of responsibility beyond government, calling on civil society and the private sector to engage meaningfully. The transition to sustainable consumption, he reiterated, cannot be legislated into existence alone.

Climate & Environment

President Asif Ali Zardari, PM Shehbaz Sharif, and the Senate chairman call for sustainable practices, warning that climate threats demand collective action, policy coordination, and long-term environmental responsibility.

Pakistan observes Earth Hour, leaders urge climate responsibility

Web Desk/AFP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday congratulated Nepal&rsquo;s new Prime Minister Balendra Shah on winning the national elections, according to a post on his official X account. &ldquo;I congratulate Balen Shah on assuming office as the Prime Minister of Nepal after a landslide victory of Rashtriya Swantatra Party,&rdquo; PM Sharif added, &ldquo;Pakistan deeply values its longstanding and friendly relations with Nepal and looks forward to working closely.&rdquo;<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" 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=2037435610689130669&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=ad3b4609defee31047de59400e5fe272e1548027&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 345px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>Rapper-turned-politician Shah was Kathmandu&rsquo;s mayor before he challenged and defeated the veteran Marxist leader KP Sharma Oli, the 74-year-old four-time ex-premier, in his own seat. Shah not only unseated Oli, but his Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) party secured a landslide parliamentary majority, securing 182 of 275 seats in the lower house of parliament. He gave his victory speech in a rap song ahead of being sworn into office on Friday, where he sang &quot;unity is my national power&quot;. Born in Kathmandu in 1990, he was a schoolboy during Nepal&#39;s 1996-2006 Maoist civil war, which killed thousands and eventually ended the monarchy. Shah trained as a civil engineer but first gained national attention through Nepal&#39;s underground hip-hop scene, releasing songs that railed against corruption and inequality. His music, which has drawn millions of views online, helped him cultivate a devoted following on social media -- a platform he continues to favour over traditional outlets for communicating with supporters. That popularity translated into a political shock in 2022, when Shah became the first independent candidate elected mayor of Kathmandu, stunning Nepal&#39;s entrenched political establishment.

Shehbaz Sharif congratulates Balendra Shah on becoming Nepal’s prime minister after a landslide election victory, pledging to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

Pakistan's PM Sharif congratulates Nepal’s newly elected prime minister

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed Thursday that indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran are ongoing to end their conflict, with Islamabad serving as an intermediary. Dar, who is also deputy prime minister, described speculation about &quot;peace talks&quot; as &quot;unnecessary,&quot; adding: &quot;In reality, US-Iran indirect talks are taking place through messages being relayed by Pakistan.&quot; &quot;In this context, the United States has shared 15 points, being deliberated upon by Iran. Brotherly countries of Turkiye and Egypt, among others, are also extending their support to this initiative,&quot; he wrote on X.<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-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 345px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" 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=2037109327719522764&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=d4fc22dcbaf8a1bf0e1d0ebd121356497db7e0bf&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Dar&#39;s comments are the first on-the-record confirmation from Islamabad that Pakistan is playing a facilitating role. PM Sharif&nbsp;spearheading negotiation effortsMeanwhile, the Foreign Office said on Thursday that&nbsp;Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is spearheading the efforts for negotiations between relevant parties to de-escalate the situation in the Persian Gulf and move toward a peaceful settlement. <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-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 640px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" 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=2037100140700606603&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F4917%2F&sessionId=77cc430a02c17313999da36161d89bf876622f2b&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div><div> </div>During a weekly press briefing, Tahir Andrabi stated that Pakistan has actively engaged with the regional actors to de-escalate the situation, cease hostilities, and move toward a peaceful settlement. PM Sharif called Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday, condemning recent attacks on the Kingdom and pressing for an immediate end to hostilities. He conveyed Pakistan&#39;s &quot;firm support and steadfast solidarity to the Kingdom in these challenging times,&quot; Andrabi said. PM Sharif also pressed for &quot;de-escalation and end to hostilities and unity within the Ummah,&quot; the spokesperson stated. Earlier, the prime minister spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Both sides agreed on &quot;the urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy,&quot; Andrabi said. Between March 18 and 20, PM Sharif also called the leaders of Kuwait, Turkey, Jordan, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, and Bahrain. The spokesperson stated that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar flew to Riyadh on March 18. He met foreign ministers from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria, Turkey, and the UAE. The foreign minister separately held calls with counterparts from Norway, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, and the UAE. He also held talks with the EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, between March 13 and 25. Srinagar&rsquo;s historic mosque closure&nbsp;Pakistan also condemned the closure of Srinagar&#39;s historic Jama Masjid during Ramadan and Eid in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. &quot;Preventing worshippers from offering congregational prayers constitutes a serious violation of religious freedoms and fundamental human rights,&quot; Andrabi said. The spokesperson stated that the mosque has remained closed for the seventh consecutive year since India&#39;s actions on August 5, 2019, in IIOJK. He called on the United Nations and international human rights bodies to press New Delhi on the matter. International Day to Combat Islamophobia On the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, observed March 15, Pakistan&rsquo;s FM issued a statement pointing to &quot;attacks on mosques, women, and holy texts&quot; and calling for &quot;international cooperation, dialogue, and respect,&quot; Andrabi stated. &ldquo;Pakistan had played a key role in securing the United Nations&#39; designation of March 15 for the observance,&rdquo; the spokesperson stated.

'In this context, the United States has shared 15 points, being deliberated upon by Iran. Brotherly countries of Turkiye and Egypt, among others, are also extending their support to this initiative,' he wrote on X.

US-Iran indirect talks underway via Pakistan: Foreign Minister Dar

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday extended Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz greetings to Iran&rsquo;s President Masoud Pezeshkian, while expressing solidarity with the Iranian people amid what he described as &ldquo;ongoing hostilities&rdquo; in the region, the prime minister&rsquo;s office said. During his virtual call, Pezeshkian reciprocated the greetings and conveyed his best wishes for the people of Pakistan, the statement added. PM Sharif expressed &ldquo;deep condolences&rdquo; over the loss of lives and prayed for the recovery of those injured and displaced, the statement said. He also voiced &ldquo;serious concern&rdquo; over the situation in the Gulf, calling the hostilities &ldquo;dangerous&rdquo; and urging collective efforts for de-escalation and a return to dialogue and diplomacy among neighboring countries, the statement said. The prime minister stressed the importance of unity within the Muslim world, adding that Pakistan would continue diplomatic outreach and play a constructive role in promoting regional peace, according to the statement.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday extended Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz greetings to Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, while expressing solidarity with the Iranian people amid what he described as “ongoing hostilities” in the region, the prime minister’s office said

Pakistan PM extends Eid greetings, expresses solidarity with Iran amid ‘ongoing hostilities’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif used Eid-ul-Fitr engagements with leaders across the Muslim world to push for urgent de-escalation in the Middle East, as the US-Israeli war on Iran continues to fuel regional instability and threaten Gulf security and energy routes.&nbsp;In a series of phone calls, Sharif exchanged Eid greetings while underscoring the need for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve escalating tensions involving Iran and Gulf states, according to statements issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office (PMO) on Friday.&nbsp;During his conversation with Egypt&rsquo;s leadership, Sharif praised Cairo&rsquo;s peace efforts and stressed the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Prime Minister reaffirmed the strong and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Egypt and reiterated Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation,&rdquo; the PMO said.&nbsp;In another call, PM Sharif spoke with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman where both leaders exchanged views on regional developments in South Asia as well as the situation in Middle East and urged the pursuit of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve differences and disputes.&nbsp;Recalling the historic ties between the two countries, PM Sharif assured PM Rahman of Pakistan&rsquo;s firm commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with Bangladesh, across all spheres.&nbsp;&ldquo;Both leaders looked forward to working closely in the days ahead for the shared objectives of regional as well as global peace and stability,&rdquo; the PMO said.&nbsp;In a separate call with Uzbekistan&rsquo;s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, both leaders &ldquo;exchanged views on the ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf region and stressed upon the need for an immediate de-escalation and use of dialogue and diplomacy for resolution of all disputes.&rdquo;&nbsp;Sharif also spoke with Malaysia&rsquo;s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with both sides acknowledging growing bilateral ties while calling for restraint.&nbsp;&ldquo;Both leaders&hellip; reaffirmed their shared resolve to further strengthen Pakistan-Malaysia fraternal relations,&rdquo; the PMO said, adding they agreed to &ldquo;work together for advancing peace efforts.&rdquo;&nbsp;In another call, Azerbaijan&rsquo;s President Ilham Aliyev and Sharif discussed regional tensions, with the Pakistani premier condemning attacks on Azerbaijan and expressing solidarity.&nbsp;&ldquo;The two leaders reaffirmed their mutual resolve and commitment to further strengthen these fraternal ties,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;The outreach comes amid intensifying conflict following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which have triggered retaliatory actions across the region, including threats to Gulf infrastructure and shipping routes. Islamabad has consistently called for restraint, positioning itself as a proponent of dialogue while maintaining close ties with Gulf partners.&nbsp;Sharif&rsquo;s Eid diplomacy reflects Pakistan&rsquo;s broader effort to prevent further escalation in a conflict that risks drawing in regional states and deepening economic and security challenges across the Muslim world.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with leaders from Egypt, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Malaysia and Azerbaijan, urging de-escalation in the Middle East and calling for dialogue as the war on Iran threatens wider regional instability.

PM Sharif urges Gulf de-escalation in Eid calls with Muslim leaders

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s President Asif Ali Zardari criticized the Taliban for denying Nowruz celebrations in Afghanistan, expressing hope that peace and stability will soon return to the war-affected country. In his message, shared by his office on X on Friday, he stated: &ldquo;In our next door Afghanistan where Nowruz has been celebrated for centuries, the illegitimate Taliban regime has deprived the people from even this celebration.&rdquo; &ldquo;To the people of Afghanistan who have suffered so long, I want to convey my special Nowruz greetings and hope that this Nowruz will bring the end of their long night of darkness and doom.&rdquo; The president expressed his hope that &ldquo;on this Nowruz that the war clouds will burn away and sunshine will return with blue skies.&rdquo; &lsquo;Greetings to all&rsquo;&nbsp;The president said, &ldquo;I extend my greetings to all those celebrating Nowruz in Pakistan and in the many parts of the region where this ancient festival marks the advent of spring.&rdquo; &ldquo;Across Iran, Central Asia, parts of West Asia, South Asia and neighbouring regions, Nowruz has been observed for centuries as the beginning of a new season.&rdquo; &ldquo;It signals the turning of the year in the natural cycle as the day and night, light and darkness not only balance it out but darkness goes in the waning while the light enters the waxing mode,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;For the communities that observe it, the day has long been associated with renewal, rebirth, rejuvenation and victory of light over darkness and life over death,&rdquo; President Zardari added. In his message, he said, &ldquo;Pakistan is home to a diverse range of cultures, faiths and traditions. Different communities observe their festivals in their own ways, adding to the character of our towns and cities. This diversity has long been part of our national life and remains one of our shared strengths.&rdquo; &lsquo;Thoughts and prayers&rsquo;&nbsp;The president said that &ldquo;This year, as Nowruz arrives, our thoughts and prayers are also with the people of the region who greet the spring under difficult and painful circumstances.&rdquo; &ldquo;In places where the festival has long symbolised renewal, the season now opens amid the debris of damaged schools and hospitals and the lingering traces of violence.&rdquo; President Zardari said, &ldquo;At a time when spring would normally bring celebration, many families face loss and uncertainty.&rdquo; &ldquo;Spring flowers in some Nowruz regions are covered with falling debris and blood. Gunpowder in these places is overpowering the sweet scent of the Nowruz flowers.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;As spring begins, I hope this occasion brings peace, stability and hope to all those celebrating the festival,&rdquo; he said. PM greets Parsi community&nbsp;Meanwhile, Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message on Nowruz, said, &ldquo;On this Nowruz Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings to the Parsi community in Pakistan and all those celebrating this day around the world.&rdquo; &ldquo;Nowruz is a symbol of the arrival of spring, new beginnings and new hope. This festival conveys a message of peace and love, friendship, harmony and solidarity between cultures.&rdquo; He said, &ldquo;Pakistan&#39;s national identity and Nowruz share values such as respect for cultural diversity, protection of religious freedom and peaceful coexistence.&rdquo; The prime minister said that the &ldquo;Constitution of Pakistan protects the religious practices of all citizens.&rdquo; Effective policy measures&nbsp;Sharif said &ldquo;effective policy measures have been taken to promote interfaith harmony and religious tolerance in the light of the Constitution of Pakistan.&rdquo; &ldquo;The government has adopted a comprehensive strategy in the form of the Policy on Interfaith Harmony (2025) and the Strategy on Religious Tolerance (2025) to promote religious harmony.&rdquo; The prime minister said &ldquo;the aim of these policy measures is to promote dialogue between religions, establish an effective system of conflict resolution, prevent hate speech and raise awareness of common human values.&rdquo;

Culture

The president and prime minister in their Nowruz messages highlight importance of diversity and interfaith harmony in Pakistan; express concern over regional suffering and hope for peace and stability.

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