Pakistan hails UK's lifting of ban on airlines
"This landmark decision is an affirmation of Pakistan's sustained diplomatic and technical efforts over the past years. We have demonstrated our firm commitment to meeting and upholding the highest international safety standards," Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement.
He said the removal of the ban marked an important restoration of connectivity.
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Express Tribune
17 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Rallies roar as Pakistan raises Kashmir cry
Citizens from all walks of life converge outside Parliament House in Islamabad to mark Youm-e-Istehsal, raising voices for the oppressed people of Indian-occupied Kashmir. PHOTO: ONLINE Listen to article Pakistan marked Youm-e-Istehsal on Tuesday with nationwide rallies, seminars, and diplomatic events to condemn India's illegal revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5, 2019. The day served as a powerful reminder of India's continued oppression in the disputed region, with Pakistan's leadership, civil society, and international allies renewing calls for justice and self-determination for Kashmiris. The main rally in Islamabad, organised by the government, began at the Foreign Office and culminated at D-Chowk, with participants including federal ministers, parliamentarians, diplomats, students, and civil society activists. At 10am, the entire nation observed a one minute of silence to honour the sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs, who have fallen victim to India's brutal occupation. Also, the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) hosted a seminar titled "August 5 and Beyond: Violations of International Law in IIOJK." Speaking at the seminar, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed accused India of "Hindutva fascism" and compared its policies to "Israeli apartheid" in Palestine. "India's actions in Kashmir mirror the worst forms of colonial oppression. The world must act before it's too late," he warned. Former AJK President Sardar Masood Khan dismissed India's claims of development in Kashmir, stating: "If Kashmir is truly prospering under India, why are Kashmiris still barred from visiting martyrs' graves? The truth is, India fears the Kashmiri people's unbreakable spirit." Meanwhile, Hurriyat leader Altaf Hussain Wani, in an emotional interview with state broadcaster, described August 5 as a day of betrayal. "India thought it could erase Kashmir's identity, but the resistance grows stronger. Pakistan's support gives us hope that justice will prevail," he said. From the mountainous regions of Gilgit-Baltistan to the bustling streets of Karachi, Pakistanis from all walks of life participated in rallies, seminars, and marches to express solidarity with the Kashmiri brethren. In Gilgit, a major rally was held at Sir Syed Boys High School, where Governor Syed Mehdi Shah addressed a large crowd. He said that August 5 is a black day in history when India violated international law and UN resolutions. "The people of Gilgit-Baltistan stand firmly with our Kashmiri brethren, and we will continue our struggle until Kashmir is free," Shah stated. In Quetta, Mastung, and other districts, protests were led by government officials, including Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar. Speakers condemned India's "state terrorism" and called on the UN to intervene. In Peshawar, a massive rally was led by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, who warned that Pakistan is prepared to take decisive action. "We have already shown India our strength in the May conflict. If the world continues to ignore Kashmir's suffering, Pakistan will not remain silent," he declared. In Karachi, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon highlighted the "historic role" of Pakistani leaders like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto in advocating the Kashmir cause. "From Quaid-e-Azam to Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Pakistan's leadership has always stood with Kashmir. Today, despite political differences, all parties are united on this issue," he said. Pakistani embassies worldwide organized events to highlight India's human rights abuses in Kashmir. in Tehran, Iranian scholars joined Pakistani diplomats in condemning India's actions, calling Kashmir a "test case for global justice." The Pakistan embassy in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) screened documentaries on Indian atrocities, urging the UAE to support Kashmir's cause. A photo exhibition in Tokyo showcased the suffering of Kashmiris under Indian occupation. In the rallies and seminars and other events, the speakers urged the international intervention community to help prevent India's reign of terror in IIOJK, where enforced disappearances, pellet gun injuries, and media blackouts persisted. "The time for silence is over. The world must act before another generation of Kashmiris is lost to oppression," urged Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, while addressing the main Youm-e-Istehsal event in the federal capital. (WITH INPUT FROM APP)
Business Recorder
21 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Russia-Ukraine conflict: FO rejects claims of Pakistanis' involvement
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office (FO) rejected the claims of Pakistani nationals being involved in Russia-Ukraine conflict, terming it baseless and unfounded allegations. 'The Government of Pakistan categorically rejects the baseless and unfounded allegations of the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the conflict in Ukraine. To date, Pakistan has not been formally approached by the Ukrainian authorities, nor has any verifiable evidence been presented to substantiate such claims,' FO Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement issued here on Tuesday. The Government of Pakistan shall take up this matter with the Ukrainian authorities, and seek clarification in this regard, he added. 'Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter,' the spokesperson remarked. It is worth mentioning here that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had claimed on Monday that his warriors were fighting foreign 'mercenaries' from various nationalities including China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and parts of Africa. During 2023, foreign media also reported that Pakistan had allegedly sold $364 million worth of arms to Ukraine through third party US-backed private companies, which were categorically denied by Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
DPM Dar urges India to grant Kashmiris right to self-determination
Listen to article Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan's longstanding stance that India must grant the people of Kashmir their right to self-determination in accordance with United Nations resolutions. Ishaq Dar addressed participants at a rally held in Islamabad to mark Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir (Kashmir Exploitation Day). "We will continue to extend diplomatic, political, and moral support to the Kashmiri people until their inalienable right to self-determination is realized". The rally started from the Foreign Office and culminating at D-Chowk, with participation from federal ministers, politicians, Hurriyat leaders, students, and citizens from various walks of life. He emphasized that India must "revoke all illegal actions taken on August 5, 2019, end its oppressive measures in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and lift the media blackout in the region." نائب وزیراعظم اور وزیر خارجہ، سینیٹر محمد اسحاق ڈار ، کا یومِ استحصَال کے موقع پرویڈیو پیغام بھارت گزشتہ 78 برسوں سے کشمیری عوام کو ان کے حقِ خودارادیت سے محروم رکھے ہوئے ہے۔ 5 اگست 2019 کے بعد اس نے ظلم و جبر، آبادیاتی تبدیلی، ذرائع ابلاغ پر قدغن ، اور سیاسی کارکنوں کی گرفتاری… — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 4, 2025 Dar stated that "Pakistan will continue to extend diplomatic, political, and moral support to the Kashmiri people until their inalienable right to self-determination is realized." He underscored that "Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute, and its future cannot be determined through internal legislation or court rulings." The Deputy Prime Minister also voiced concern over media reports suggesting Indian authorities are attempting to "grant statehood to Jammu while retaining the Kashmir Valley as a Union Territory," calling such moves "unacceptable and provocative." Reiterating Pakistan's stance, Dar said "Pakistan believes in peaceful coexistence, but its commitment to peace should not be mistaken for weakness." He added: "Islamabad desires friendly relations with all neighboring countries and prefers dialogue and diplomacy over confrontation." However, he warned that "Pakistan's armed forces and its people are fully capable of delivering a resolute response to any act of aggression, as demonstrated during Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyanum-Marsoos." Read: PM reaffirms Pakistan's unwavering solidarity with Kashmiris Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, who was also presnt at the rally, said "Kashmir is our jugular vein and we are firmly standing with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters." He expressed confidence that "the day is not far when Kashmiris will be granted their inalienable right to self-determination to decide their fate." Tarar reiterated Pakistan's commitment to "continue raising voice of the Kashmiris at all world fora." Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam said, "August 5 is the blackest day in the history of Kashmir when India had revoked special status of Kashmir to illegally change the demography of the state." He added "Kashmiris have never accepted illegal Indian occupation on Kashmir." Moreover, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the just resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute was a key pillar of Pakistan's foreign policy and urged the international community to play a role in halting Indian human rights crimes in IIOJK. In his message on the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsaal, the prime minister urged the global community to press India to reverse its unilateral and illegal actions of August 5, 2019; repeal draconian laws and implement UN Security Council resolutions on Kashmir. COAS Field Marshal Asim Munir, along with the CJCSC, naval chief, chief of air staff and the Pakistan Armed Forces have reaffirmed their unwavering solidarity with the resilient and courageous people of IIOJK. The armed forces of Pakistan fully support the legitimate and ongoing struggle of the Kashmiri people for their inalienable right to self-determination, as enshrined in international law and UN Security Council resolutions, the statement read. Youm-e-Istehsaal is being observed to express support for the Kashmiri people's right to freedom, and to protest India's illegal and unilateral action of August 5, 2019. It was on this day in 2019 when India unilaterally and illegally stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status.
