WORLD

Karachi, December 19, 2025(Ghufran): The U.S. Mission in Pakistan, in partnership with Vanderbilt University (Tennessee, USA), marked the successful completion of the STEMpowered project, a $294,000 initiative designed to strengthen science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in Pakistan by sharing U.S. teaching excellence and leadership expertise.Implemented in collaboration with Sukkur IBA (SIBA) University and Beyond the Classroom Education, the project featured a week-long academic immersion at Vanderbilt University for SIBA faculty. The program focused on innovative STEM teaching methodologies, research practices, artificial intelligence in education, and the development of practical, classroom-ready solutions to local educational challenges.To culminate...

December 19, 2025(Nosheen): The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR), organized an event to commemorate Kenya’s ‘Jamhuri Day’. The proceedings, which began with the national anthems of Pakistan, Kenya and East African Community (EAC), were moderated by Dr. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA. Speakers included Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI; Lt. Gen (Rtd.) Peter Mbogo Njiru, High Commissioner of Kenya to Pakistan; Mr. Ibrar Hussain Khan, High Commissioner of Kenya to Pakistan; and Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BOG ISSI. The Chief Guest on the occasion was Mr. Mushahid Hussain Sa...

Islamabad, Friday, 19 December 2025(Kamran Raja): Ms. Sattoriyon Matlubakhon Amonzoda, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House today. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information Mr. Attaullah Tarar, Minister for National Heritage and Culture Mr. Aurangzeb Khichi, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi were also present during the meeting. The Prime Minister warmly welcomed the visiting Minister and her delegation, highlighting the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and civilizational bonds between Pakistan and Tajikistan. He underscored that the shared heritage of the two brotherly countries provides a strong foundat...

Islamabad, 17 December 2025(Nosheen): The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) hosted a high-level delegation from Uzbekistan led by Mr. Eldor Sobirjonovich Tulyakov, Executive Director of the Development Strategy Center (DSC). Mr. Rovshan Alimov, Deputy Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, also attended the meeting. In his welcome remarks, Director General ISSI, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, highlighted Pakistan’s Vision Central Asia, anchored in a comprehensive five-pronged framework encompassing political and diplomatic engagement; trade and investment; energy and connectivity; security and defence; and people-to-people exchanges. He emphasized that Uzbekistan’s reform-driven openness and connectivity aspirations closely align with Pakistan’s vision for regional integration. ...

Kuwait, December 15, 2025(Kamran Raja): Federal Minister for Petroleum of Pakistan, Ali Pervaiz Malik, held a high-level meeting in Kuwait with H.E. Mr. Tariq Sulaiman Al-Roumi, Minister of Oil of the State of Kuwait, to discuss matters of mutual interest and to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the petroleum sector.The meeting was attended by Mr. Sheikh Nawaf Al-Sabah, Chief Executive Officer of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), the CEO of KUFPEC, along with senior members of their respective management teams. The Pakistani delegation comprised Mr. Ahmed Hayat Lak, Managing Director of Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), and the General Manager (Supplies) of Pakistan State Oil (PSO).Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik underscored...

Islamabad, 15 December 2025(Kamran Raja): The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) hosted Bilateral Dialogue with China’s premier think-tank, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS). The thematic focus of the Dialogue was “Strengthening Think Tank and Academic Exchanges Between China and Pakistan and Deepening the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.” The Dialogue was attended by a high-level Chinese delegation comprising Prof. Chen Dongxiao, President, SIIS; Prof. Liu Zongyi, Senior Research Fellow and Director, Centre for South Asia Studies, SIIS; Dr. Tan Chenyi; and Dr. Zhang Xiaoyin, Research Fellows at SIIS, along with Mr. Shi Yuanqiang, Deputy Head of Mission, Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, while the speakers from Pakistani side included Ambassad...

Brussels 12 December 2025(Kamran Raja): Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Naqvi and Iraqi Interior Minister General Abdul Ameer Al-Shammari held an important meeting, during which detailed discussions were held on Pakistan–Iraq bilateral relations and facilitation of pilgrims. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation between their Interior Ministries on effective and sustainable foundations. ‎The Iraqi Interior Minister appreciated Pakistan’s steps to formally organize and regulate pilgrim groups, saying that effective measures taken during Minister Naqvi’s tenure were commendable. He reiterated that all pilgrims included in the list provided by Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior will be allowed to enter Iraq. ‎ ‎Mohsin Naqvi stated that pilgrims will not be allo...

Ashgabat: 12 December 2025(Kamran Raja): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Türkiye, today, on the sidelines of the International Forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust in Ashgabat. During their warm and cordial meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed the significance of the historic and deep fraternal bonds between the two nations, that were rooted in shared values and a common aspiration for peace and prosperity. While expressing his satisfaction at the frequent leadership level engagements between Pakistan and Turkiye this year, the Prime Minister expressed his firm resolve to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with Turkiye in all areas of mutual interest including political, energy, economic, defenc...

Ashgabat: 11 December 2025(Kamran Raja): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met H.E. Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat today.During their warm and cordial meeting, the Prime Minister congratulated the Turkmen President on the 30th anniversary of Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan and on the UN designation of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust.While underscoring the importance of the historic and fraternal relations between Pakistan and Turkmenistan, the Prime Minister expressed his resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries, particularly through enhanced trade and economic engagement.The Prime Minister conveyed his deepest gratitude to the Turkmen leadership and government for the support extended to sa...