DPM Dar to meet US Secretary of State Rubio in Washington on Friday
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on July 25, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
This will be Dar's first official meeting with Secretary Rubio. The agenda will include a review of Pakistan-US ties, regional developments, particularly recent India-Pakistan tensions, and other matters of mutual interest.
US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said senior officials from both nations would be present, and she would attend the meeting.
Responding to a question at a press briefing on whether the US supports direct communication between Pakistan and India on Kashmir, as it does on the Indus Waters Treaty, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce offered a measured reply.
'We have Pakistan who is going to be here for a bilat, and I'll [be] participating in that, so I'm looking forward to that as well,' Bruce said.
We have Pakistan who is going to be here for a bilat, and I'll [be] participating in that, so I'm looking forward to that as well
Tammy Bruce
The comments follow renewed regional tensions and past efforts by President Trump to mediate between India and Pakistan, including on Kashmir. Trump previously offered to host talks between the two countries during a summit in Saudi Arabia.
Read: Quad ministers condemn Pahalgam attack without naming Pakistan
The meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and US Secretary of State will follow Pakistan's nomination of President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize—recognising what the government termed Trump's 'extraordinary role' in restoring calm in South Asia.
On May 7, the Indian Air Force carried out an unprovoked attack on civilian targets in Pakistan and alleged that New Delhi had targeted "terrorist infrastructure". The strikes killed multiple Pakistani civilians and injure many more. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF), scrambled to counter the Indian aerial threat, shot down six IAF fighter aircraft including three French-made Rafales.
The strikes sett off an exchange of attacks between the two countries by fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery that killed dozens until a ceasefire on May 10.
The ceasefire was first announced by US President Donald Trump on social media after Washington held talks with both sides, but India has differed with Trump's claims that it resulted from his intervention and threats to sever trade talks.
India's position has been that New Delhi and Islamabad must resolve their problems directly and with no outside involvement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, Bangladesh agree on visa-free entry for diplomats, officials
Listen to article Pakistan and Bangladesh have agreed to grant visa-free entry for holders of diplomatic and official passports, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, Radio Pakistan reported. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Bangladeshi counterpart, Lieutenant General (retired) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, in Dhaka on Wednesday. The two sides also discussed increasing cooperation in internal security, police training, anti-narcotics, and anti-human trafficking. In addition, they explored joint counter-terrorism measures and the possibility of exchange programmes between police academies of the two nations. ڈھاکہ۔وفاقی وزیرداخلہ محسن نقوی کی بنگلہ دیش کے وزیر داخلہ لیفٹیننٹ جنرل(ر) جہانگیر عالم چودھری سے ملاقات وفاقی وزیرداخلہ محسن نقوی کا وزارت داخلہ آمد پر بنگلہ دیشی ہم منصب نے پرتپاک خیرمقدم کیا وزیرداخلہ محسن نقوی کو گارڈ آف آنرز پیش کیا گیا — Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) July 23, 2025 Upon his arrival at the Bangladesh Home Affairs Ministry, Chowdhury welcomed Naqvi with a guard of honour. Speaking on the occasion, Chowdhury expressed the importance of Naqvi's visit for promoting bilateral cooperation between Islamabad and Dhaka. He also thanked Naqvi for offering police training to Bangladeshi officials. A joint committee, headed by Interior Secretary Khurram Agha, has been formed to further boost cooperation between the two countries. Chowdhury confirmed that a high-level Bangladeshi delegation would soon visit Islamabad to tour the Safe City Project and National Police Academy. Earlier in February, Pakistan and Bangladesh resumed direct trade on an official level for the first time since the 1971 separation, with the first government-approved cargo departing from Port Qasim. Read More: Bangladesh resumes direct trade with Pakistan for first time since 1971 This marks a historic step in bilateral trade relations, as Bangladesh agreed to purchase 50,000 tonnes of Pakistani rice through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP). In April, Pakistan and Bangladesh resumed high-level diplomatic consultations for the first time in 15 years. Senior officials from both sides met in Dhaka to revive bilateral engagement and address regional and international matters of mutual interest. The Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) were held at the State Guest House Padma and led by Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and her Bangladeshi counterpart, Md Jashim Uddin. The meeting marks the first formal FOC between the two countries since 2010, signalling renewed efforts to rebuild trust and cooperation.
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PM calls for 'meaningful dialogue' with India to ease tensions in talks with British envoy
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated Pakistan's willingness to engage in a 'meaningful dialogue' with India on all outstanding issues, calling for diplomacy to address long-standing regional tensions, Radio Pakistan reported. In a meeting with British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, who called on the premier in Islamabad on Wednesday, he stressed the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means and reiterated that Pakistan remained committed to constructive engagement with its neighbours. PM Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of Pakistan-UK relations and said the recent trade talks between the two countries were expected to yield mutually beneficial opportunities while noting that Pakistan and the UK were cooperating closely at the United Nations Security Council, where Pakistan currently holds the monthly presidency. The prime minister also welcomed the UK government's recent decision to resume Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to and from the UK, saying that the move would ease travel difficulties for the British Pakistani community and promote greater people-to-people exchanges. He also appreciated the high commissioner's role in facilitating the decision. Also Read: PIA plans UK flights from Aug 14 He conveyed his warm regards to King Charles III and newly elected UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, adding that he looked forward to meeting the British leadership later this year. Marriott, in turn, thanked the prime minister for the meeting and briefed him on her recent visit to London, during which she held consultations on advancing bilateral cooperation. She commended the Pakistani government's economic performance over the past year and a half under the leadership of PM Shehbaz, highlighting improvements in key macroeconomic indicators. The high commissioner also shared the UK's perspectives on regional issues. Tensions between Pakistan and India deteriorated following the Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in April, which claimed the lives of 26 people. New Delhi hastily blamed Islamabad for the attack, despite failing to provide any evidence. Over a span of four days in May, fighter jets, missiles, drones, and artillery were deployed in fierce clashes. A ceasefire was eventually announced on May 10 — a development the United States claimed to have brokered, though India has publicly denied any third-party involvement.
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PTI denounces sentencing of Yasmin Rashid, 40 others in May 9 case
Listen to article Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has denounced the verdicts issued by anti-terrorism courts, sentencing senior party leader Dr Yasmin Rashid and 40 others to 10 years in prison in connection with the May 9 riots case. The party labelled the decision politically motivated and a serious blow to judicial integrity. PTI has called the ruling an attempt to disrupt its planned rally on August 5, intended to mark the anniversary of Imran Khan's arrest. Despite the setback, the party has vowed to continue with its political activities. Dr Yasmin, 72, a former provincial health minister and cancer survivor, has been in custody for nearly two years. PTI highlighted footage from May 9, in which she can be heard discouraging demonstrators from entering the Corps Commander House, arguing that the evidence undermines the charges brought against her. Party officials allege that the convictions are part of a broader campaign of political retaliation, pointing out that PTI leaders who publicly distanced themselves from the party were acquitted in similar cases. Those who remained loyal, they argue, are now facing disproportionate legal consequences. PTI further questioned the credibility of witness testimony presented in the trial. According to the party, the sole witness—an on-duty police constable—initially claimed to have overheard PTI founder Imran Khan planning the May 9 events. However, during subsequent proceedings via video link, the witness reportedly declined to confirm that testimony under oath. Read More: Shah Mahmood Qureshi acquitted, Yasmin Rashid sentenced to 10 years in May 9 riots case "This inconsistent and allegedly coerced testimony raises serious concerns about due process," the party stated, adding that differing outcomes for similarly charged individuals call into question the impartiality of the judicial process. The party also criticised ongoing restrictions on access to Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated. PTI claims that Khan's family members, legal team, and party leaders have been denied visitation rights, in violation of both Pakistani prison regulations and international human rights standards. Under the Prison Act of 1894 and the Jail Rules of 1978, PTI argues that Khan, as a former prime minister and an A-Class prisoner, is entitled to designated legal and personal privileges. These include access to private quarters, medical treatment, consultation with personal physicians and attorneys, visitation rights, and adequate time for exercise. The party maintains that these rights are legal entitlements, not discretionary benefits, and urged authorities to ensure compliance with national and international norms regarding the treatment of prisoners. Also More: Punjab opposition leader, PTI supporters sentenced to 10 years in May 9 case A day earlier, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore acquitted six Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Hamza Azeem, in connection with the May 9 riots. The court delivered its verdict in the case concerning inflammatory speeches and vandalism at the Sherpao Bridge. The court, which had completed final arguments from both the defence and prosecution, reserved its decision before announcing the ruling. The verdict stated that the ATC acquitted Qureshi, Azeem, and four other accused individuals due to insufficient evidence. However, the court found 10 others guilty and handed down 10-year prison sentences for their role in the violence that followed the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. ATC Sargodha also sentenced Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly, PTI's Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar, and other party workers to 10 years in prison each. They were found guilty of involvement in creating law and order disturbances, anarchy, and arson during the May 9 riots, which erupted following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. May 9 Riots The May 9 riots erupted nationwide following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, after which PTI leaders and workers staged protests targeting both civil and military installations, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military condemned the events as a "Black Day" and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act. As a result of the unrest, many PTI members were arrested and tried in military courts. In December, a military court convicted 25 individuals, including Imran Khan's nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, and later sentenced 60 more. In January, 19 convicts had their sentences pardoned following successful mercy appeals, although PTI expressed dissatisfaction over the limited number of pardons. The military trials had initially been halted following a Supreme Court ruling but were resumed following the court's instructions to finalise pending cases and announce judgments for those involved in the violent incidents.
