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Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Islamabad welcomes Baku-Yerevan deal
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 Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the landmark peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, hailing the development as a historic turning point for the South Caucasus and a gateway to regional prosperity. The prime minister received a telephone call from President Aliyev in which the two leaders discussed the peace accord, bilateral relations, and regional connectivity prospects, his office said in an official handout. During the "warm and cordial" conversation, Shehbaz lauded Aliyev's "visionary role" in ending the decades-long conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, describing it as "a mutually beneficial end to one of the most intractable disputes in the region." He said the peace agreement would "usher in a new era of stability and economic opportunity for the Caucasus." The prime minister also commended the role of US President Donald Trump in facilitating the deal. Azerbaijan and Armenia have fought bitter wars over Nagorno-Karabakh — a mountainous Azerbaijani region — first in the early 1990s after the collapse of the former Soviet Union and again in 2020. Azerbaijan regained territory in a rapid 24-hour offensive in September 2023. This prompted fresh diplomatic efforts to secure lasting peace. The US-brokered accord aims to normalise ties between the two countries, paving the way for expanded trade, transport, and energy cooperation after decades of hostility. Aliyev expressed deep gratitude for Pakistan's "longstanding and consistent" support for Azerbaijan's position on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. "It has always been a duty for the people of Pakistan to extend their support to their Azerbaijani brothers and sisters," Shehbaz said. Aliyev emphasised that a stable South Caucasus could become a hub of connectivity linking Pakistan with Central Asia, offering new avenues for trade and cooperation. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the "positive trajectory" of bilateral relations, particularly in trade and investment. Recalling their recent meetings in Lachin and Khankendi, Shehbaz reiterated his invitation for President Aliyev to undertake an official visit to Pakistan. The two leaders are also expected to meet on the sidelines of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin. In a post on X after the conversation, Shehbaz wrote: "I conveyed warm felicitations to him and the people of Azerbaijan on the historic Azerbaijan-Armenia Peace Agreement We also reviewed the trajectory of bilateral relations and reaffirmed our commitment to continue with this positive momentum." He said Pakistan looked forward to continuing high-level engagements with Azerbaijan in the coming days. (WITH INPUTS FROM APP AND NEWS DESK)
Express Tribune
11 hours ago
- Business
- 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.
Business Recorder
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Pakistan bags two gold, two silver medals at Malaysia Taekwondo Championship
Pakistani athletes delivered an outstanding performance at the Hero Open Malaysia International Taekwondo Championship, clinching two gold and two silver medals among more than 2,000 competitors from 20 countries. A press release issued here on Sunday said that Muhammad Umar excelled in the senior category, defeating a Chinese opponent to secure a gold medal, while Syed Hamza Shah outclassed athletes from Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia to win Pakistan's second gold medal. Photo:APP/File 7th Taekwondo Championship: Zardari congratulates Amir Khan on winning gold medal Shamil Ali Hussain displayed exceptional skills, winning three consecutive bouts before narrowly missing the title in the final to settle for silver. Similarly, Hamad Nadeem also fought his way to the final and claimed silver after a spirited performance. Photo:APP/File The statement added that this achievement not only brings pride to the nation but also enhances Pakistan's positive image on the international sporting stage. Photo:APP/File
Arab News
a day ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan receives over 71,000 Hajj applications in first submission round
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs has received more than 71,000 applications in the first phase of Hajj form submissions, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Saturday, citing a senior official. Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims for 2026, with 129,210 seats allocated for the government scheme and the rest for private tour operators. Under the government scheme, pilgrims can choose between a long package of 38 to 42 days or a short package of 20 to 25 days, with costs estimated between Rs1.15 million and Rs1.25 million ($4,050-$4,236). 'The next phase will run from August 11 to 16, during which applications will be accepted along with the first installment of expenses,' the ministry's spokesperson, Muhammad Umar Butt, said, according to APP. 'In this stage, unregistered intending pilgrims will also be eligible to apply.' The report said overseas Pakistanis can also apply through a close relative at any designated bank branch and will be required to provide medical fitness certificates upon arrival in Pakistan. The official also said the ministry would stop accepting applications immediately once the allocated quota is filled. Saudi Arabia approved the same overall quota for Pakistan in 2025, but a significant portion of the private allocation went unused due to delays by tour operators in meeting payment and registration deadlines, while the government fulfilled its share of over 88,000 pilgrims. Private operators blamed the shortfall on technical issues, including payment processing and communication problems.
Edmonton Journal
a day ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
'A good chunk of them are from Calgary': 2,000 Alberta Forever Canada signature collectors registered with Elections Alberta
Article content Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt thinks Lukaszuk is well-organized, but the threshold appears to be a little too high. Article content 'It's interesting that the government is determining that he needs the higher threshold than a subsequent petition by the APP, which has a lower threshold,' Bratt said. 'So, we'll have to see what is happening there. That's an awful lot of signatures to gather.' Article content Bratt said the petition can garner some enthusiastic supporters because it splits the question, but also has the potential to garner interest from separatists. Article content 'If you're a separatist, you're probably going to sign on the petition as well, simply because all they're doing is changing the 'yes' and the 'no,'' Bratt said. 'The question is quite similar to what the APP is proposing, as what Forever Canada is proposing. They just expect a different answer.' Article content Article content Article content The APP appeared in court on Thursday to oppose the decision by Alberta's chief electoral officer to gauge the constitutionality of their question by referring it to a judge. Article content A final verdict in regards to their petition application will be made on Aug. 14. Article content The petition led by Mitch Silvestre looks to ask Albertans: 'Do you agree that the province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province in Canada?' Article content 'Because they're talking about the separation of Canada and they're talking about treaty rights, (it's) just the nuance of that, even though they have a slightly different question,' he said. Article content Bratt awaits the court's decision, and how challenges between the government and Election Alberta will unfold. Article content Although the question each petition asks are two sides of the same coin, the two processes are slightly different. Article content Article content 'There is still complexity around this, as well as Lukaszuk's petition is about a policy change, not a constitutional change,' he said. 'This could go to the legislature, and the legislature could determine if this goes to a referendum or the legislature.' Article content Despite portraying themselves as a neutral body, Bratt said the petition is on the UCP's radar. Article content 'There are clear elements in the UCP that want to separate from Canada,' he said. 'Danielle Smith and the Alberta Next Panel is all tied into that, and that's why they lowered the threshold. Article content 'It allows Smith to say – I want a sovereign Alberta in the united Canada, whatever the hell that is supposed to mean. But she's making it easier for separatist groups. What she didn't expect is Thomas Lukaszuk to come in and ask a pro-Canada question.' Article content Bratt draws comparisons to this current situation to the 2024 petition by Landon Johnston to recall Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek.
