
EU and Pakistan hold talks on global, regional peace and strategic stability
The EU and Pakistan engaged on Friday in a comprehensive exchange of views on issues related to international and regional peace, security, and strategic stability.
The fifth round of the Pakistan -European Union Dialogue on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament was convened in Islamabad on 12 June, said the Foreign Office (FO) in a press release today.
Ambassador Tahir Andrabi, Additional Foreign Secretary for Arms Control, Disarmament, and International Security (ACDIS), led the Pakistani delegation, while Ambassador Stephan Klement, EU Special Envoy for Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, headed the European Union delegation, added the press release.
The two sides discussed various dimensions of disarmament and non-proliferation, 'with particular reference to the agenda of the UN General Assembly's First Committee, the Conference on Disarmament and various International Disarmament Conventions, including the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)'.
EU-Pakistan Forum put on hold
'In addition, the Dialogue reviewed recent trends in export controls and assessed the implications of Emerging Technologies on global security,' said the FO.
The Pakistan–EU Dialogue on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament is an integral part of the broader engagement between the European Union and Pakistan.
The FO said that the two sides recognized it as a vital platform for constructive engagement on security and stability and on arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation issues.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
PIA special flight repatriates 121 stranded Pakistanis from Iran via Baku
A second special repatriation flight operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) safely brought home 121 Pakistani nationals stranded in Iran, the national flag carrier said in a statement on Friday. Flight PK-7160 arrived in Lahore from Baku, Azerbaijan, at 3:40 PM, concluding a coordinated evacuation effort in response to the closure of Iranian airspace. 268 Pakistanis repatriated from Basra successfully: FO With direct air travel suspended, the stranded passengers had travelled overland from Iran to Baku, where arrangements were made for their return to Pakistan. The Pakistani embassies in Tehran and Baku played a pivotal role in facilitating the cross-border movement and coordination required for the repatriation process. Evacuation of Pakistanis in Iran, Iraq: Dar directs PIA to coordinate closely with MOFA The special flight was operated on the directives of the Government of Pakistan. PIA stated that, even in challenging circumstances, it remained committed to national service by prioritizing the safe return of citizens, a reflection of its longstanding tradition of operating in the national interest.


Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Iran-Israel tensions threaten Pakistan's fragile recovery
The world is holding its breath as tensions between Iran and Israel reach a boiling point. What began as a shadow war – fought through covert attacks, cyber strikes, and regional proxies – now teeters on the edge of open warfare. For many, this may seem like another distant Middle Eastern flashpoint. But for Pakistan and other oil-importing, investment-hungry economies, the potential fallout from a full-scale Iran - Israel war could be immediate, destabilizing, and enduring. Trump to decide on US action in Israel-Iran war within two weeks, White House says The Strait of Hormuz Iran has long warned that if it is attacked directly, it would retaliate by closing or disrupting the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly a fifth of the world's oil and one-third of global LNG passes. If war breaks out and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps acts on this threat, the effect would be seismic. Oil prices could jump to $150–$180 per barrel, if not higher, within days. Energy markets would convulse, and strategic reserves would be tapped globally. For Pakistan, where nearly 30% of the import bill is fuel, this would mean an instant blowout of the current account deficit, a weakening rupee, and imported inflation feeding into everything from electricity tariffs to grocery prices. A rise in oil would also raise transport costs and production expenses for exporters – particularly in textiles and manufacturing – shrinking competitiveness just when the country is trying to climb out of economic stagnation. Iran says no nuclear talks under Israeli fire, Trump considers options US Involvement: The risk of a regional war Should Israel launch a significant military operation against Iran's nuclear infrastructure, U.S. involvement is almost guaranteed – if not militarily, then through security and diplomatic cover. Iran could retaliate through its extensive network of regional allies: Hezbollah in Lebanon, armed groups in Syria and Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen. In response, Israel may strike across multiple fronts. The Gulf, already skittish, could be drawn into this widening circle of conflict. This would be a pan-regional war, not a bilateral spat – and global markets would respond accordingly. For Pakistani businesses and policymakers, this isn't just an oil story – it's about the collapse of confidence. Equity markets across the region would take a hit, FDI flows into emerging economies would pause, and the risk premium for countries like Pakistan – already contending with political instability and IMF obligations – would rise further. That means higher borrowing costs, capital flight, and declining investor appetite for anything deemed 'exposed to the region.' Trade corridors under threat Even beyond the Strait, Iran serves as a critical trade conduit to Central Asia and Turkey. With road and rail links passing through its territory, Pakistan has in recent years viewed Iran as a potential bridge to diversify trade routes. If Iran becomes a war zone or faces renewed and expanded US sanctions, these overland corridors could shut down indefinitely. The Pakistan-Iran-Turkey freight corridor, a pillar of Pakistan's regional trade ambitions, would collapse. And as regional tensions rise, other initiatives – such as Iran's role in China's Belt and Road – could also stall, indirectly affecting Pakistan's own CPEC trajectory. The perils of regime change Some voices in Western capitals quietly suggest that an Iran–Israel war could trigger regime change in Tehran. But regime change rarely brings instant democracy or economic liberalism. More often, it brings chaos, uncertainty, and power vacuums. In Iran's case, a collapsed regime could unleash internal civil strife, embolden separatist movements, and leave critical oil and gas infrastructure vulnerable. A successor regime – military, clerical, or revolutionary – might be more aggressive, not less. And either way, it would take years to stabilize one of the region's largest energy exporters, further compounding oil market disruption and regional instability. Implications for Pakistan Pakistan has always maintained a careful balancing act between Iran, the Gulf Arab states, and the West. A full-scale Iran–Israel war would make that balance nearly impossible to maintain. Pressures to align with either the OIC consensus or international sanctions regimes could limit Islamabad's diplomatic bandwidth and expose it to both economic and political costs. Moreover, if the conflict spreads to the Gulf, the implications for Pakistan's diaspora workers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and beyond – who send home billions in remittances – could be severe. Even minor disruptions to Gulf economies or airline connectivity would affect the lifeblood of Pakistan's foreign exchange. The Iran–Israel confrontation is no longer a question of if – but how far it spreads. For Pakistan and many in the Global South, the imperative now is economic preparedness: building energy buffers, accelerating regional trade alternatives, and strengthening diplomatic channels that could help de-escalate tensions. The current war has the power to reorder global energy, unsettle regional politics, and cast a long shadow over Pakistan's fragile economic recovery. The article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Business Recorder or its owners


Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Field Marshal Munir engages US think tanks on Pakistan's role in global peace
Listen to article During his official visit to the United States for a five-day official visit aimed at reinforcing military and strategic ties between Pakistan and the United States, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, held a detailed and candid exchange with senior scholars, analysts, policy experts, and international media representatives in Washington DC, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Engaging with prominent US think tanks and strategic affairs institutions, the COAS presented Pakistan's principled position on key regional and global matters, deepening mutual understanding of the country's strategic perspective. Read: Trump claims credit for India-Pakistan ceasefire despite Modi's denial US President Donald Trump said it was an honour to meet COAS Munir during a luncheon held at the White House on his remarks, Field Marshal Munir reiterated Pakistan's steadfast commitment to regional peace and a rules-based international order. He referenced key military operations, including Maarka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, and addressed Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts, highlighting the destabilising role of certain regional actors employing terrorism as a component of hybrid warfare. Read More: Trump calls meeting COAS Munir an honour at White House luncheon He emphasised Pakistan's frontline role in the global war on terror, citing the country's significant human and economic sacrifices for global security. The COAS also spotlighted Pakistan's untapped potential in information technology, agriculture, and mining, inviting global partners to invest in these sectors for mutual benefit. Also Read: Trump hosts Field Marshal Asim Munir in unprecedented White House meet He elaborated on Pakistan's balanced and lawful approach to regional and global conflicts, advocating for diplomacy and cooperative security frameworks. The long-standing Pakistan–U.S. relationship was also reviewed, with a focus on counter-terrorism, regional stability, and economic growth. Participants appreciated the transparency and strategic clarity in the COAS's views. The session was widely regarded as a meaningful contribution to strengthening the US-Pakistan strategic dialogue. Yesterday, During his two-hour meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir discussed a wide range of issues, focusing on expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, artificial intelligence, energy, cryptocurrency, and emerging technologies, according to a statement from the (ISPR). The two leaders also exchanged views on regional security matters, including counter-terrorism efforts, the recent ceasefire between Pakistan and India, and rising tensions in the Middle East.