PAKISTAN NEWS - The Pakistan Times

Deputy Prime Minister Addresses High-Level UN Event in Vienna on Sustainable Development and Global Peace

17Feb

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Deputy Prime Minister Addresses High-Level UN Event in Vienna on Sustainable Development and Global Peace

Vienna, 17 February 2026(Ghufran): Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar addressed a high-level event at the United Nations Office at Vienna titled “Sustainable Development: Pathways for Global Peace and Prosperity,” underscoring the inseparable link between peace and development and Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to the UN Charter and multilateralism. The event was attended by heads of Vienna-based international organizations, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of think-tanks, and media. In his remarks, the Deputy Prime Minister appreciated the vital role of the International Atomic Energy Agency, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs in adv...

Rethinking Europe’s Middle East Policy: Balancing Interests and Values

16Feb

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Rethinking Europe’s Middle East Policy: Balancing Interests and Values

February 16, 2026(Nosheen): The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies (ISSI) organized a public talk under its Distinguished Lecture series, titled, ‘Rethinking Europe’s Middle East Policy: Balancing Interests and Values.’ The Distinguished Speaker at the event was Dr. Flavius Caba Maria, President of the Middle East Political and Economic Institute (MEPEI), Romania,. Dr. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA and Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman, BOG, ISSI also spoke on the occasion.Dr. Amina Khan, in her welcome remarks, highlighted three interlinked priorities shaping EU policy: engagement with the Gulf region, the evolving dynamics of the Israel–Palestine conflict amid the ongoing war in Gaza, and diplomatic management of relations with...

Field Marshal Asim Munir Meets UAE National Security Advisor in Abu Dhabi, Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Strategic Partnership

16Feb

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Field Marshal Asim Munir Meets UAE National Security Advisor in Abu Dhabi, Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Strategic Partnership

Rawalpindi, 16 February 2026(News Desk): Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), met today in Abu Dhabi with His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Advisor of the United Arab Emirates. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, with particular emphasis on economic collaboration, investment, and security. They also exchanged views on regional developments and underscored the importance of continued coordination to promote peace and stability in the region. Field Marshal Asim Munir expressed sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Government of the United Arab Emirates for its longstanding inve...

Ministry of Water Resources, IHE Delft Delegation Sign MoU to Strengthen Pakistan–Netherlands Water Cooperation

16Feb

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Ministry of Water Resources, IHE Delft Delegation Sign MoU to Strengthen Pakistan–Netherlands Water Cooperation

Islamabad,16 February 2026( Kamran Raja): A high-level delegation from IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, one of the top-ranked international institutions in water sector education, called on the Federal Minister for Water Resources Mian Muhammad Mueen Wattoo during a 2–3 day official visit to Pakistan aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in water resources development and management.The delegation was led by Prof. Graham Jewitt, Vice Rector and Academic Director of IHE Delft, and Associate Professor Dr. Ilyas Masih, and was accompanied by Ambassador H.E. Mr. Robert-Jan Siegert and Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Hajo Provó Kluit of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The meeting was also attended by Federal Secretary for Water Resources Syed Ali Murtaza Shah at the...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Extends Greetings on Chinese New Year 2026 – Year of the Horse

16Feb

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Extends Greetings on Chinese New Year 2026 – Year of the Horse

16 February 2026(Kamran Raja):Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, extended warm greetings to the leadership and people of China on the occasion of Chinese New Year 2026, welcoming the Year of the Horse with a message of friendship and solidarity. In his message, the Prime Minister conveyed heartfelt wishes to President Xi Jinping, the brotherly people of China, and Chinese communities around the world. “Gong Xi Fa Cai!” the Prime Minister said, noting that the Year of the Horse symbolizes energy, resilience, and speed—values that resonate deeply with the shared journey of Pakistan and China. Highlighting the strength of bilateral ties, the Prime Minister emphasized that Pakistan and China are iron brothers, bound by an All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and a shared vi...

Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi Meets Sri Lankan Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Sunil Kumara Gamage

16Feb

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Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi Meets Sri Lankan Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Sunil Kumara Gamage

16 February 2026(News Desk): Federal Minister for Interior and Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, held a meeting with Sri Lanka’s Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Sunil Kumara Gamage, to discuss matters of mutual interest, with a particular focus on enhancing cooperation in sports, especially cricket. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on promoting greater collaboration between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the field of sports. It was agreed to strengthen institutional linkages with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Sports and to expand bilateral cooperation for the development and promotion of cricket as well as other sports. The two leaders emphasized that sports diplomacy can play a vital role in further strengthening the longstanding and friendly relati...

پناہ کے وفد کی پارلیمانی سیکریٹری تجارت سے ملاقات، مؤثر پالیسی اقدامات پر زور

13Feb

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پناہ کے وفد کی پارلیمانی سیکریٹری تجارت سے ملاقات، مؤثر پالیسی اقدامات پر زور

اسلام آباد(غفران): پاکستان نیشنل ہارٹ ایسوسی ایشن کے وفد نے پارلیمانی سیکریٹری برائے تجارت ذولفقار علی بھٹی سے اُن کے دفتر میں ملاقات کی۔ وفد میں جنرل سیکریٹری پناہ ثناء اللہ گھمن، نائب صدر غلام عباس اور سابق کمشنر ایف بی آر عبدالحفیظ شامل تھے۔ ملاقات کے دوران وفد نے پاکستان میں غیر متعدی امراض (NCDs) جیسے دل کے امراض، ذیابیطس، کینسر اور سانس کی بیماریوں میں تشویشناک اضافے پر تفصیلی بریفنگ دی۔ وفد نے اس امر پر زور دیا کہ تمباکو نوشی اور غیر صحت بخش غذائیں ان بیماریوں کے پھیلاؤ کی بڑی وجوہات میں شامل ہیں۔ انہوں نے واضح کیا کہ یہ مسئلہ صرف صحت عامہ کا نہیں بلکہ قومی معیشت پر بھی ایک بھاری بوجھ بن چکا ہے، جس سے صحت کے اخراجات اور پیداواری صلاحیت میں کمی جیسے سنگین مسائل جنم لے رہے ہیں۔ وفد نے پارلیمانی سیکریٹری سے مطالبہ کیا کہ عوامی صحت کے تحفظ کے پیش نظر چینی اور گھی کو سبسڈی کے تحت لا...

PAHAN delegation meets Parliamentary Secretary Commerce, stresses effective policy measures

13Feb

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PAHAN delegation meets Parliamentary Secretary Commerce, stresses effective policy measures

February 13, 2026, Islamabad(Ghufran): A delegation of the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) meet with Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti in his office. The delegation included General Secretary PAHAN Sanaullah Ghumman, Vice President Ghulam Abbas and former Commissioner FBR Abdul Hafeez. During the meeting, the delegation gave a detailed briefing on the alarming rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart diseases, diabetes, cancer and respiratory diseases in Pakistan. The delegation emphasized that smoking and unhealthy diets are among the major reasons for the spread of these diseases. Delegation clarified that these diseases has become heavy burden not only on public health but also on the national economy, leading to serious problems such as...

Current Situation in Afghanistan: Implications for Pakistan and the Region

13Feb

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Current Situation in Afghanistan: Implications for Pakistan and the Region

February 13, 2026(Nosheen): The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organised a Roundtable Discussion on the “Current Situation in Afghanistan: Implications for Pakistan and the Region” on February 13, 2026. Former diplomats, leading academics and prominent practitioners joined the discussion, which focused on the current situation in Afghanistan, its implications for Pakistan and the region.Participants observed that while Afghanistan continues to face complex challenges with regional implications, there remains a shared interest in stability and cooperation. They emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue and constructive engagement between Pakistan and Afghanistan to address concerns and manage difference...

CDWP Clears Rs160.2bn Development Portfolio, Forwards Major Sindh and Balochistan Projects to ECNEC: Ahsan Iqbal

13Feb

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CDWP Clears Rs160.2bn Development Portfolio, Forwards Major Sindh and Balochistan Projects to ECNEC: Ahsan Iqbal

Islamabad,13 February 2026(News Desk): The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Wednesday considered and approved a portfolio of development projects worth Rs160.2 billion at a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof Ahsan Iqbal in Islamabad. The forum reviewed proposals relating to the health, physical planning and housing, and transport and communications sectors, approving two projects with a cumulative cost of Rs8.5bn and recommending four major projects amounting to Rs151.7bn for consideration by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). Presiding over the meeting, Prof Ahsan Iqbal underscored the importance of aligning development interventions with national priorities, stating that public investment mu...