No meeting of National Command Authority scheduled: defence minister
'No meeting has happened of the National Command Authority, nor is any such meeting scheduled,' he told ARY TV.
Earlier, soon after Pakistan carried out 'Operation Bunyan ul Marsoos,' striking several Indian military sites on Saturday, state media PTV reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened the NCA meeting,
The NCA is the authority responsible for safeguarding the national security of Pakistan through command, control and operational decisions regarding Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme.
Pakistan launched a counterattack against India in response to missile strikes on three of Pakistan's airbases during the night of May 9-10, according to state media reports.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
18 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
Sweet softening of hearts
Incredibly, mango diplomacy has shaped soft power exchanges for decades across South Asia and beyond. photo: file Every summer, as the Subcontinent bakes under an unforgiving sun, something quietly ripens in its orchards from the hot, humid fields of Sindh and Malihabad to the coastal valleys of Ratnagiri. Under a merciless sun, the mango, known as the King of Fruits, returns with its golden glow, sweetening both palates and hearts. But beyond being a seasonal delicacy, the mango has long played a refined and surprising role. As a golden ambassador that revives strained relations, and sweetens those already strong, mango speaks when politics fall silent. Every year, around the arrival of Sawan, mango crates begin their quiet journey, not just to markets, but to embassies, foreign ministries, presidential residences, and homes of friends and families across borders. Often, these are not mere gifts. They are deeply symbolic gestures — fragrant peace offerings wrapped in jute and tradition. Mango diplomacy is nothing new. It has shaped soft power exchanges for decades across South Asia and beyond. During the Cold War era, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru sent crates of Alphonso mangoes to Soviet leaders in 1955 in a subtle bid to strengthen ties with Moscow. In 1968, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mian Arshad Hussain presented a crate of Sindhri mango to Chairman Mao Zedong. The gift sparked China's now-famous Mango Cult, with the fruit becoming a symbol of Mao's affection for the working class during the Cultural Revolution. In 1981, amid high tension with India, then President Ziaul Haq sent crates of Anwar Ratol to then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The gesture, though small, was widely reported as a move to thaw diplomatic frost. Recently, former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina dispatched one metric tonne of Amrapali mangoes to Indian leaders reinforcing regional friendship through fruit. A 4,000-year-old legacy Believed to have been cultivated in South Asia more than 4,000 years ago, the mango has travelled through ancient trade routes and empiresfrom Buddhist monks planting groves in the 4th century BCE, to Mughal emperors breeding royal varieties in their palace gardens. Today, it is a shared heritage fruit among countries that often find little else in common. For millions across the Subcontinent, the mango is not just a fruit, it's a season, a memory, a shared joy. It evokes long, sticky summers, mango juice dripping down chins, school holidays, and monsoon meals. To give a mango is to share something sacred: family, identity, abundance. In every bite lies something ancestral. Beyond diplomacy and culture, the mango is a nutritional powerhouse of Vitamin C that boosts immunity, Vitamin A supports skin and eye health, Antioxidants and fiber that aid digestion and fight inflammation. Just one cup of mango offers nearly 70% of the daily Vitamin C requirement — making it as good for your health as it is for your heart. Mangoes come in hundreds of varieties worldwide, each with its own fanbase. Top five Mango varieties loved around the world are: Alphonso (India), with saffron-colour, silky texture, sweet aroma; Sindhri (Pakistan), a large, juicy, early-season favourite; Nam Dok Mai (Thailand), a slender, golden, intensely aromatic magic; Keitt (Egypt/USA) is green-skinned, tangy-sweet, and fiberless, and Miyazaki (Japan), a deep red, incredibly sweet, and extremely rare variety. At the luxury end of the market, Japan's Miyazaki mangoes are the world's most expensive, selling for up to $4,000 a pair. Cultivated under precise conditions, they're less a fruit and more a luxury statement. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the five biggest mango-producing countries include India, China, Thailand, Indonesia, and Pakistan. Together, they account for over 75% of the world's mango supply. While policies may freeze and borders may close, the mango continues to quietly cross them, wrapped in straw, kissed by the sun, and welcomed with open arms. As the world navigates rising nationalism and fragile diplomacy, the mango reminds us that sometimes, sweetness can go where strategy can't. And in the stormy theatre of politics, it remains the softest, and most delicious, diplomat we've ever known.
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Advantage China, Pakistan
Listen to article "Virtually alone in the world, Pakistan seems to have played its cards right with President Donald Trump," says Bloomberg. The same day The New York Times published an article to explain how Indian relationship took an ugly turn with the US, under Trump. The NYT headline sums up the situation like this: "India's Modi left soul-searching after failed courtships of Xi and Trump." This was quite spectacular given India became the darling of the US in recent years as successive administrations in Washington saw New Delhi as central to its strategy to contain China. But developments of the past few months have threatened to unravel the years of investment in the relationship. Trump is unpredictable as we all know, yet few would have imagined he would publicly ridicule his "best friend" Modi. What went wrong with them? There were different explanations. But the seeds of discord were sown in September last year when Prime Minister Modi was on a visit to the US. Biden was still at the helm as lame duck President and elections were only a few months away. Trump then announced that his "great friend" Modi would join him at a public rally. But Modi never turned up. It was reported that Modi was planning to meet both Presidential candidates. However, his meeting with Kamala Harris, the Democrat candidate, was cancelled at the last minute. Modi's aide advised him not to meet Trump as this would send a wrong signal. Also, Indians thought Trump might not have great chances to make it to the White House. So, Modi played safe and bet on Kamala, who has Indian heritage. But election results proved otherwise. Trump returned to the White House with a thumping majority, sweeping swing states. Modi already knew that he rebuffed Trump's invitation. Therefore, in order to control damage, he rushed to the White House and was among the first few leaders who had a meeting with Trump. On the face of it, everything seemed fine. But discussions behind the scenes were not pleasant. According to media reports quoting Indian officials, Trump treated Modi with disdain. He pressured him to buy US weapons and oil. Modi came to the White House in order to mend ties with Trump and request him to exempt India from trade tariffs and other restrictions. But Trump in a joint press conference later dismissed those demands, termed India as the biggest exploiter in trade with the US. That was the first indication that the Howdy-Modi era was over. Back home, critics started questioning Modi's ill-timed visit to the White House. As Trump was preparing to upend the eight decades' old global trade order, another military standoff in South Asia was brewing after the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Initially, the US showed little interest, saying it was a matter between the two neighbours. When India launched missile strikes deep inside Pakistani mainland, Pakistan responded befittingly. In a matter of few minutes, Pakistan shot down 6 Indian fighter jets including the French-made Rafale. That shook the world as to how Pakistan with a weak economy and many vulnerabilities took on the bigger neighbour. The Trump administration soon began to realise that the situation was heading towards an all-out war. Then the US got directly involved and eventually brokered a ceasefire. Pakistan publicly acknowledged Trump's role while India was adamant the truce happened as a result of bilateral efforts. Pakistan's befitting response raised its profile in Washington and other western capitals. Trump, who brands himself as peacemaker, wanted to take the credit. In an unprecedented move, he invited Pakistan's Army Chief to the White House for luncheon meeting. If reports are to be believed he wanted to invite Modi too probably to arrange a meeting with General Asim Munir. Modi refused, dealing a fatal blow to their much-touted friendship. India is now scrambling to safeguard its interests. India has reached out to China for this purpose. Meanwhile, the fast changing geostrategic situation has handed great advantage to both China and Pakistan.
Express Tribune
6 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PM congratulates Azerbaijan's Aliyev on peace deal with Armenia
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shakes hands with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev during their meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on September 16, 2022. Photo: APP/ File Listen to article President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan spoke with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday, expressing deep appreciation for Pakistan's steadfast support on the Karabakh issue, Radio Pakistan reported. The prime minister extended warm felicitations to President Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan on their country's historic peace agreement with Armenia. He commended Aliyev's visionary leadership in resolving the three-decade-old conflict, calling it a pivotal step toward regional prosperity. Emphasising Pakistan's duty to assist its Azerbaijani brothers and sisters, the premier said: 'It is heartening that under President Aliyev's bold leadership and statesmanship, peace has finally been established. Pakistan stands firmly with Azerbaijan.' Spoke with my dear brother President ilham Aliyev @presidentaz this evening. Conveyed warm felicitations to him and the people of Azerbaijan on the historic Azerbaijan-Armenia Peace Agreement, reached in Washington DC. Lauded him for his vision and statesmanship, and deeply… — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 10, 2025 PM Shehbaz also lauded US President Donald Trump's role in brokering the accord, noting his contributions to ending both the Karabakh and the recent Indo-Pak conflicts. President Aliyev, in turn, highlighted that the era of steady peace will enhance connectivity opportunities between Pakistan and Central Asia. Both leaders expressed contentment at the advancement of bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed mutual goodwill. Recalling their recent interactions in Lachin and Khankendi, the prime minister reiterated his invitation for an official visit by President Aliyev to Pakistan. The two are expected to meet again in Tianjin during the upcoming SCO Summit. Read More: Azerbaijan, Armenia sign US-brokered peace deal On Friday, Azerbaijan and Armenia concluded a US‑brokered peace agreement—facilitated by President Trump—marking a major diplomatic milestone. The deal aims to normalise relations, increase economic integration, uphold territorial integrity, and includes US development rights to a strategic transit corridor through the South Caucasus. Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at odds since the late 1980s when Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous Azerbaijani region mostly populated by ethnic Armenians, broke away from Azerbaijan with support from Armenia. Azerbaijan took back full control of the region in 2023, prompting almost all of the territory's 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee to Armenia. Under the Soviet Union, Nagorno-Karabakh became an autonomous region within the republic of Azerbaijan, and it enjoyed de facto independence for decades after Soviet collapsed in 1991.
