Arms Control, Non-Proliferation & Disarmament: 7th round of Pak-UK Dialogue held in London
Additional Foreign Secretary for Arms Control, Disarmament, and International Security (ACDIS) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamabad, Ambassador Tahir Andrabi, and Director of Defence and International Security at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Ambassador Stephen Lillie CMG, led the respective delegations.
The two sides engaged in comprehensive discussions on a wide array of issues, including international and regional security, strategic stability, arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation.
Deliberations also focused on the dynamics of the United Nations General Assembly (First Committee), the Conference on Disarmament (CD), international conventions (such as the BTWC, CWC, and CCW), multilateral export control regimes, and the use and implications of new and emerging technologies.
In addition, both sides exchanged views on Pakistan-UK bilateral cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology.
Since its inception in 2015, the Dialogue on Arms Control, Non-Proliferation, and Disarmament has remained a key component of the broader bilateral engagement between the two countries.
Both sides recognised the vital role of regular dialogue in fostering mutual understanding and promoting cooperation.
In this context, they agreed to convene the next round of consultations in Islamabad next year.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
7 hours ago
- Business Recorder
25 reserved seat MPAs sworn at KP Governor House after high court intervention
Following intervention of the Peshawar High Court (PHC), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi administered the oath to 25 members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, elected on reserved seats for women and non-Muslims, in a ceremony held at the Governor House Peshawar on Sunday. The governor administered the oath after the PHC chief justice through an order nominated him to do so. Governor Kundi congratulated the women and minority members of the assembly upon taking the oath on the reserved seats. He also expressed his gratitude to the PHC chief justice of for the nomination. The oath-taking ceremony was attended by prominent figures including Federal Minister for SAFFRON, Engineer Amir Muqam, and Leader of the Opposition in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Dr. Ibadullah, along with other members of opposition parties. PHC bars elected MPAs on reserved seats from taking oath This oath was administered under Articles 65 and 255(2) of the Constitution of Pakistan, and in accordance with Rule 6 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Procedure and Conduct of Business Rules, 1988.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
JI to stage sit-ins against ‘sugar mafia' today
LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has announced that the party will stage protest sit-ins across Islamabad and all divisional headquarters today (Sunday) against the exploitative 'sugar mafia' and hike in electricity, gas, and petrol prices. He also declared the launch of 'Give Rights to Balochistan' long march from Quetta on July 25 which will eventually head toward Islamabad. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Saturday, Rehman criticized the government's anti-people economic policies and the main opposition parties' passivity. 'When it comes to their personal gains, all factions unite and approve 300 percent raises in their own salaries.' He said the government deceived the people with false claims like a Rs. 7.41 per unit reduction in electricity rates which never materialized. The petrol prices, he added, continue to rise every 15 days despite declining global rates. 'The imposition of the slab system and continued hikes in electricity and gas prices are nothing short of fraud against the public. We demand the end of the slab system and the removal of unjust taxes from electricity bills,' he stated. Rehman lashed out at the sugar mafia, noting that 90 percent of the country's 89 sugar mills are controlled by the ruling parties and influential figures. 'Dealerships are handed to unregistered agents who are protected by every government. Sugar prices have surged from Rs. 140 to Rs. 200 per kg, imposing a heavy burden on the people,' he said. He revealed that gas wells were deliberately shut down on instructions from the Petroleum Division, resulting in a $1.5 billion loss to the national economy. He said the past governments entered RLNG agreements against national interests. The JI chief stressed the need for aggressive diplomatic efforts on Kashmir, referencing the July 19, 1947 resolution passed at the residence of Sardar Ibrahim Khan for accession to Pakistan. 'Today, Kashmiris worldwide are observing 'Youm-e-Ilhaq-e-Pakistan'. Pakistan must push forward a bold Kashmir policy. Any international mediation that undermines the wishes of the Kashmiri people is unacceptable,' he emphasized. Hafiz Rehman reiterated that India and the US are behind the unrest in Balochistan. He emphasised empowering local populations and announced that grand jirgas would soon be held in both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to address regional grievances. Regarding the upcoming 'Balochistan Rights March', he warned the government against obstructing it: 'If the government tries to stop this peaceful democratic movement, it will bear responsibility for the consequences.' The JI leader also raised concerns about lawlessness in Sindh's riverine areas, pointing to the unhindered flow of weapons, the abduction of minority traders, and the PPP's failure to maintain law and order. Calling on the youth to join Jamaat-e-Islami, he remarked that the ruling elite and opposition are united only in safeguarding their own interests, showing indifference to the struggles of ordinary citizens. Criticizing the recent decision on reserved seats, he termed it a murder of justice, stating that even the affected parties failed to raise their voices and instead became part of the deal. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Trump sues WSJ, Rupert Murdoch for defamation over Epstein report
Listen to article US President Donald Trump sued the Wall Street Journal and its owners including Rupert Murdoch for at least $10 billion on Friday, over the newspaper's report that his name was on a 2003 birthday greeting for Jeffrey Epstein that included a sexually suggestive drawing and a reference to secrets they shared. The lawsuit filed in Miami federal court names Murdoch, Dow Jones, News Corp and its Chief Executive Robert Thomson, and two Wall Street Journal reporters as defendants, saying they defamed Trump and caused him to suffer "overwhelming" financial and reputational harm. Epstein, the disgraced financier and sex offender, died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019. His case has generated conspiracy theories that became popular among Trump's base of supporters who believed the government was covering up Epstein's ties to the rich and powerful. Also Read: Trump says up to five jets downed in Pakistan-India clash Trump has said he parted ways with Epstein before the financier's legal troubles became public in 2006. The president has vehemently denied the Journal report, which Reuters has not verified, and had warned Murdoch that he planned to sue. Dow Jones, the parent of the newspaper, is a division of News Corp. "We have just filed a POWERHOUSE Lawsuit against everyone involved in publishing the false, malicious, defamatory, FAKE NEWS 'article' in the useless 'rag' that is, The Wall Street Journal," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "I hope Rupert and his 'friends' are looking forward to the many hours of depositions and testimonies they will have to provide in this case," Trump added. A spokesperson for Dow Jones said in a statement: "We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting, and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit." The lawsuit called Trump's alleged birthday greeting "fake," and said the Journal published its article to harm Trump's reputation. 'Tellingly, the Article does not explain whether Defendants have obtained a copy of the letter, have seen it, have had it described to them, or any other circumstances that would otherwise lend credibility to the Article,' the lawsuit said. Read: US distances itself from Israeli attacks on Syria To prevail on his defamation claims, Trump must show the defendants acted with "actual malice," meaning they knew the article was false or acted with reckless disregard for its truth. A $10 billion award would far exceed the largest defamation judgments and settlements in recent history. These include a $1.5 billion judgment against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, and Fox News' settlement with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million. "Ten billion dollars is a ridiculously high number," said Jesse Gessin, a lawyer with experience in defamation and First Amendment litigation. "It would be the largest defamation verdict in US history." While House roiled The Epstein affair has increasingly disquieted the White House, after the Justice Department this month concluded that there was no evidence to support long-held conspiracy theories about his clients and death. Some of Trump's most loyal followers became furious after his administration reversed course on its promise to release files on Epstein. A Justice Department memo released on July 7 concluded that Epstein killed himself and said there was "no incriminating client list" or evidence that Epstein blackmailed prominent people. With pressure to release the Epstein files building, Trump on Thursday said he directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to ask a court to release grand jury testimony about Epstein. The US government on Friday filed a motion in Manhattan federal court to unseal grand jury transcripts in the cases of Epstein and former associate Ghislaine Maxwell. She was convicted in 2021 of five federal charges related to her role in Epstein's sexual abuse of underage girls. Maxwell is appealing her conviction and 20-year prison sentence to the US Supreme Court. "Public officials, lawmakers, pundits, and ordinary citizens remain deeply interested and concerned about the Epstein matter," Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in the filing. "After all, Jeffrey Epstein is the most infamous pedophile in American history." Also Read: At least 41 killed in Israeli strikes today Blanche said prosecutors would work to redact all victim-identifying information before making anything public. The release of the grand jury documents may fall short of what many of Trump's supporters have sought, including case files held by the administration, and a judge may reject the administration's request to make the transcripts public. Bawdy letter The Journal said the letter bearing Trump's name was part of a leather-bound birthday book for Epstein that included messages from other high-profile people. It also said the letter contained several lines of typewritten text framed by the outline of a naked woman, which appeared to be hand-drawn with a heavy marker. The newspaper said the letter concluded "Happy Birthday - and may every day be another wonderful secret," and featured the signature "Donald." Allegations that Epstein sexually abused girls became public in 2006, after the birthday book was allegedly produced, and he was arrested that year before accepting a plea deal. Epstein died just over a month after he was arrested for a second time and charged with sex-trafficking conspiracy. Trump was photographed with Epstein multiple times in social situations in the 1990s and early 2000s, and had been a neighbor of Epstein's in Florida. Read: Israel, Syria agree to ceasefire after deadly clashes in Druze region He was quoted in 2002 in New York magazine as saying, "I've known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side." In 2019, Trump told reporters that he and Epstein had a "falling out" before the financier was first arrested. Trump said he "knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him" but that "I had a falling out with him. I haven't spoken to him in 15 years. I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you." Reporting by Nandita Bose, Trevor Hunnicutt and Jasper Ward in Washington; Jonathan Stempel and Dietrich Knauth in New York; Jarrett Renshaw in Philadelphia; Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles, and Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; Writing by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Matthew Lewis, Rosalba O'Brien and Diane Craft
