Islamabad to send dossier to world powers urging action against Indian ‘aggression’

Islamabad to send dossier to world powers urging action against Indian ‘aggression’
Indian army soldiers stand next to an anti-aircraft gun at Akhnoor sector near the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan, in Jammu region on May 19, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 20 May 2025
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Islamabad to send dossier to world powers urging action against Indian ‘aggression’

Islamabad to send dossier to world powers urging action against Indian ‘aggression’
  • India struck what it said were ‘terrorist camps’ in multiple Pakistani cities this month, leading to a four-day military conflict between the arch-foes
  • The dossier will be presented to foreign capitals by a high-level delegation tasked with effectively presenting Pakistan’s case before the world

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will be sending a dossier, which outlines the chain of events in its military standoff with India this month, to world powers to urge them to hold New Delhi accountable for its “aggression and attacks on civilian population” in Pakistan.

The dossier will be presented to foreign capitals by a high-level delegation formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week. The delegation, led by former Pakistani foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, is tasked with effectively presenting Pakistan’s case before the world.

The document, seen by Arab News, contains details of an April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, India’s subsequent strikes against Pakistan and Islamabad’s response to them, the ensuing four-day military standoff, international media coverage, images of the attacked sites, and specifics of Pakistan’s countermeasures.

“Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to regional peace and stability and international community must hold India accountable for its aggression and attack on innocent women and children,” the dossier reads.

India blamed the April 22 attack that killed 26 people on Pakistan and on May 7, New Delhi attacked what it called “terrorist camps” in multiple Pakistani cities. Islamabad has denied complicity and called for an international probe into the assault.

The four-day military conflict came to a halt after United States (US) President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire on May 10, offering to help settle longstanding dispute between the two nations.

The Pakistani dossier says that India had repeatedly used “false-flag operations” and its immediate blaming of Pakistan for the attack raised “serious concerns about the integrity of its claims” as standard investigative procedures required time and forensic examination.

“The Pahalgam incident followed the same pattern of manipulation and manufactured provocation,” the dossier says, noting that Pakistan sought evidence from India and proposed a joint investigation.

“However, these proposals were not only rejected by India but India also continued to attack civilians inside Pakistan.”

Members of Pakistan’s high-level delegation, tasked with visiting London, Washington, Paris and Brussels, described this outreach to the international community as “absolutely imperative.”

“The region stands at a key inflection point in the wake of India’s unprovoked aggression and its egregious reshaping and deliberate distortion of facts as active state-sponsored disinformation,” Senator Sherry Rehman, a member of the Pakistani delegation, told Arab News.

“We have obviously prepared a detailed dossier that documents not just recent violations but also India’s longstanding record of state-sponsored terrorism inside Pakistan,” she said, adding that Pakistan has chosen diplomacy over escalation.

“This dossier is not a political tool, it is a factual record of aggression and hybrid warfare, including India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, which constitutes a grave violation of international law and a weaponization of water against civilian populations.”

Rehman said the aim of the delegation will be to reinforce Pakistan’s position as a responsible state, seeking peaceful resolution “through diplomacy and facts, not aggression or media manipulation.”

“It is also to seek global support for de-escalation frameworks, including calls for renewed dialogue on Kashmir as a flashpoint, and to safeguard regional water security through multilateral oversight,” she added.

India suspended on April 23 the World Bank-mediated Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 that ensures water for 80 percent of Pakistani farms, saying it would last until “Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.”

Separatist groups have waged an insurgency in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989, demanding independence or a merger with Pakistan. New Delhi accuses Pakistan of backing the militants, Islamabad denies it and says it only supports Kashmiris diplomatically and politically.

Jalil Abbas Jillani, another Pakistani delegate and a former foreign secretary, said it is extremely important for Pakistan to share its concerns over the aggressive Indian behavior, genesis of the Kashmir dispute, and violations of the Indus Waters Treaty and its implications on peace and stability in the region.

“The delegation will also apprise the international community of the support being extended by India to terrorist outfits like BLA [Baloch Liberation Army] and TTP [Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan], etc,” he told Arab News.

New Delhi denies supporting the BLA, TTP or any such groups in Pakistan. India has also sent multiple all-party delegations abroad to extend its diplomatic outreach over the recent conflict.

Former Pakistani diplomats and experts called the submission of the dossier a “right approach” by Pakistan to brief the world about Indian actions.

“Pakistan’s recent step of submitting yet another dossier is again a step in the right direction as India has been selling its narrative on false grounds,” former Pakistani ambassador to the United Kingdom Nafees Zakaria told Arab News.

He said there was no reason for the international community not to pay due attention to Pakistan’s “evidence-based dossier” against India.

“Western world led by the US, which sees India as its lynchpin in the region as a counterweight to the rising powers China and Russia, has been looking the other way, which allowed India to indulge in criminal activities and subversion with impunity,” he said, adding that Pakistan must present its narrative and rigorously pursue it to ensure that India is “called to account and pays for its crimes.”

Former foreign secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhary said Pakistan needed to convey its perspective as India had hardly presented any evidence to the world to support its accusations, which resulted in the military standoff.

“It should be a proactive agenda on our part, meaning we should compile dossiers on India’s involvement in terrorism in Pakistan, evidence for which is now plentiful,” he told Arab News.

He said India had better accepted the offer made by President Donald Trump to sit and talk with Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir dispute.

“The sooner India does that the better it would be for it and for the peace in the region,” he added.

Bitter rivals India and Pakistan have fought three wars, including two over the disputed region of Kashmir, since gaining independence from British rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in its entirety but rule it in part.


Pakistan confirms OIC participation as PM Sharif, Türkiye’s Erdogan discuss Iran crisis

Pakistan confirms OIC participation as PM Sharif, Türkiye’s Erdogan discuss Iran crisis
Updated 14 June 2025
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Pakistan confirms OIC participation as PM Sharif, Türkiye’s Erdogan discuss Iran crisis

Pakistan confirms OIC participation as PM Sharif, Türkiye’s Erdogan discuss Iran crisis
  • OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers is scheduled to take place in Istanbul on June 21-22
  • Event comes as two OIC members have faced military standoffs with their regional rivals

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday assured Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of his country’s participation in the upcoming Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Istanbul, as both leaders expressed deep concern over Israel’s recent attack on Iran and pledged to coordinate peace efforts.

The telephone call came as the OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) prepares to convene in Türkiye on June 21–22 at a volatile moment for the bloc, with two of its member states — Pakistan and Iran — having faced military standoffs with their regional rivals.

While Pakistan’s border exchange with India lasted four days before a US-brokered ceasefire was reached last month, Iran remains in a state of heightened uncertainty following Israel’s strike on its military and nuclear facilities on Friday, as the war shows no signs of easing.

“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye, this evening,” Sharif’s office said in a statement after the call. “During their most warm and cordial conversation, both leaders discussed the deeply worrying situation in the region in the wake of Israel’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Iran.”

“The Prime Minister said that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role for peace, both as member of the UN Security Council, as well as in other forums such as the OIC,” the statement added. “In this regard, the Prime Minister said that Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar would represent Pakistan at the upcoming OIC CFM meeting in Istanbul.”

Both leaders condemned Israel’s strikes, saying they violated Iran’s sovereignty and defied international law.

They also voiced solidarity with Palestine amid what they described as Israel’s “brazen military aggression,” which they said had continued “with complete impunity.”

The two leaders emphasized the international community and the United Nations must act collectively and urge Israel to immediately end its “aggressive posturing and illegal actions” against Iran, Palestine and other countries in the region.


Pakistan, Uzbekistan launch direct air link to deepen regional connectivity

Pakistan, Uzbekistan launch direct air link to deepen regional connectivity
Updated 14 June 2025
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Pakistan, Uzbekistan launch direct air link to deepen regional connectivity

Pakistan, Uzbekistan launch direct air link to deepen regional connectivity
  • Uzbekistan Airways flight departed Islamabad for Tashkent with 126 passengers Saturday afternoon
  • Pakistan is also advancing plans for a railway link connecting Peshawar with Kabul and Tashkent

KARACHI: Pakistan on Saturday hosted the inaugural direct flight by Uzbekistan Airways between Islamabad and Tashkent, marking yet another step toward enhanced regional connectivity and deeper economic ties with Central Asia.

Pakistan has been pushing to forge stronger trade links with landlocked Central Asian nations by offering access to its Arabian Sea ports. While several regional states border Afghanistan, Uzbekistan is seen as a strategic gateway due to its central location in the region and its larger economy.

“The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) proudly hosted the inaugural flight ceremony of Uzbekistan Airlines’ direct service from Islamabad to Tashkent (Flight HY466), marking a significant milestone in enhancing regional air connectivity and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Central Asia,” said a PAA statement.

The flight, carrying 126 passengers, departed Islamabad at 1:09 p.m. on Saturday, following a festive check-in at Zone 1 of the international airport adorned with balloons, the statement said.

It informed that ambassadors from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan attended the ceremony, joined by airport officials, tourism executives and Uzbekistan Airlines’ country manager.

Pakistan is also advancing plans for a railway link connecting Uzbekistan to Pakistan through Afghanistan. Earlier this month, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi and Uzbek officials about the proposed 573‑km Uzbekistan‑Afghanistan‑Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project.

The corridor aims to link Tashkent with Kabul and Peshawar, enhancing freight movement and reducing transit time by up to several days.

The overland route via Afghanistan connects Pakistan’s road and rail network through the mountainous frontier into Afghanistan and onward to Central Asia, offering an alternative to existing northbound trade routes.


Pakistan arrests suspects in visa fraud targeting job seekers hoping to reach Gulf, Europe

Pakistan arrests suspects in visa fraud targeting job seekers hoping to reach Gulf, Europe
Updated 14 June 2025
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Pakistan arrests suspects in visa fraud targeting job seekers hoping to reach Gulf, Europe

Pakistan arrests suspects in visa fraud targeting job seekers hoping to reach Gulf, Europe
  • All three suspects, including a woman, took large sums from people before going into hiding
  • FIA arrested them from different cities after they failed to deliver on promised overseas jobs

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday arrested three individuals, including a woman, for allegedly defrauding job seekers by promising employment in Gulf countries and Europe, state media reported.

The arrests were made during raids in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Multan, and Lodhran. The suspects, identified as Abid Hussain, Hira Noor and Ajmal, are accused of collecting large sums from citizens in exchange for fake overseas job arrangements.

“These suspects were arrested for their involvement in visa fraud and human smuggling,” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency said, adding all three went into hiding after failing to deliver on their promises.

The report further said Abid Hussain received Rs800,000 ($2,800) from one victim for a job in Saudi Arabia. Hira Noor allegedly took over Rs2.9 million ($10,150) from another individual, promising work in Europe. Ajmal is accused of charging Rs400,000 ($1,400) to arrange employment in Dubai.

The arrests come amid renewed efforts by Pakistan to crack down on human smuggling networks after a series of deadly boat tragedies in recent years involving Pakistani nationals trying to reach Europe as undocumented migrants.

Despite enforcement drives, criminal syndicates continue to exploit economically vulnerable individuals seeking better opportunities abroad.


Pakistan PM urges ‘credible’ global action to halt Israel’s war in call with Iran’s president

Pakistan PM urges ‘credible’ global action to halt Israel’s war in call with Iran’s president
Updated 14 June 2025
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Pakistan PM urges ‘credible’ global action to halt Israel’s war in call with Iran’s president

Pakistan PM urges ‘credible’ global action to halt Israel’s war in call with Iran’s president
  • President Masoud Pezeshkian calls for greater Muslim unity in the face of escalating regional threats
  • Pakistan’s defense minister also urges Muslim countries to sever their diplomatic relations with Israel

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday urged the international community and the United Nations to take “urgent and credible steps” to end Israel’s war in Iran, during a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to a statement from his office.

Israel launched surprise attacks on Iranian nuclear and military facilities in the early hours of Friday amid Tehran’s negotiations with Washington over its nuclear program. The strikes killed several senior military commanders and nuclear scientists, according to Iranian media, and also caused civilian casualties.

Israel, at war in the region since October 2023, initially launched a military campaign against Gaza following a Hamas assault, which the Palestinian group said was retaliation for decades of oppression. Since then, the Israeli government has expanded its military operations to neighboring Muslim states such as Syria and Lebanon before targeting Iran.

This handout picture released by the Iranian Red Crescent on June 14, 2025, shows Iranian Red Crescent volunteers gathered in front of a building destroyed in an Israeli strike in Tehran. (Iranian Red Crescent/AFP)

Sharif said Pakistan stood in “resolute solidarity” with Iranian people and government during his conversation with the Iranian president.

“The Prime Minster denounced Israel’s blatant provocations and adventurism as a grave threat to regional and global peace and stability,” said the statement released by his office after the phone call.

“He urged the international community and the United Nations to take urgent and credible steps to put an end to Israel’s aggressive behavior and its illegal actions,” it added. “He stated that Pakistan was fully committed to promoting peace in the region and stood ready to play its role in this context.”

Sharif also conveyed condolences over the loss of life in Friday’s Israeli strike and recalled Pakistan’s statement of support for Iran during an emergency session of the UN Security Council a day earlier.

The Iranian President thanked Pakistan for its solidarity and support and called for greater unity among Islamic countries in the face of escalating regional threats.

UNIFIED STRATEGY

Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif urged Muslim nations to adopt a unified strategy to counter Israel, warning that failure to act collectively would leave them vulnerable, as he expressed full diplomatic support to Iran in a speech to the National Assembly following Israeli strikes.

“Just as Israel is currently targeting Yemen, Iran, and Palestine, if the Muslim world does not unite today and continues to prioritize its own interests and agendas, then everyone’s turn will come,” he told lawmakers.

“An OIC meeting should be convened, and all Muslim countries must come together to devise a strategy through which Israel can be confronted collectively,” he continued. “There is a need for an initiative that reflects the unity of the Islamic world. Wherever there are diplomatic ties with Israel in the Muslim world, they should be severed.”

The Pakistani minister added the Muslim world remained “militarily vulnerable” and voiced what he described as Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with Iran.

NO NUCLEAR TALKS
The Iranian foreign ministry also announced during the day it would no longer take part in planned nuclear negotiations with the United States in Oman, calling them “meaningless” while Israeli attacks continued.

“It is obvious that in such circumstances and until the Zionist regime’s aggression against the Iranian nation stops, it would be meaningless to participate in dialogue with a party that is the biggest supporter and accomplice of the aggressor,” an Iranian spokesperson said, according to international wire agencies.

Israel’s defense minister also warned “Tehran will burn” if Iran continued to launch missiles at Israeli cities. Iran had retaliated on Friday night by launching a barrage of missiles at Israel, with explosions lighting up the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Just a day earlier, hours after Israel targeted Iran, Pakistan’s envoy to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, condemned the strike on Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure, calling it a violation of international law.

“Iran has the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter,” he said, urging all sides to avoid further escalation and emphasizing the need to resolve tensions through diplomacy.


Pakistan PM calls for quick EV policy with stakeholder input to promote clean transport

Pakistan PM calls for quick EV policy with stakeholder input to promote clean transport
Updated 14 June 2025
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Pakistan PM calls for quick EV policy with stakeholder input to promote clean transport

Pakistan PM calls for quick EV policy with stakeholder input to promote clean transport
  • Shehbaz Sharif seeks ‘priority measures’ to promote electric motorcycles, scooters, cars and buses
  • He says charging stations and battery-swapping centers must be ensured to strengthen EV rollout

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government on Saturday pledged to promote electric vehicles (EVs) across all segments of transport, with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif calling for a national policy on the subject to be finalized in consultation with stakeholders.

The move comes amid a steady rise in EV adoption in a market long dominated by Japanese automakers such as Suzuki, Toyota and Honda. Increasingly, Chinese and Korean brands are entering the space, with electric vehicles becoming more and more visible in cities like Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

The government is hoping to ride this momentum to cut fuel imports and reduce emissions.

“Priority measures will be taken for the promotion of electric motorcycles, scooters, three-wheelers, cars and buses,” the prime minister said while chairing a meeting in Lahore to discuss the adoption of EVs.

The draft Electric Vehicles Policy 2025 was reviewed at the meeting, with Sharif calling for its urgent finalization “in consultation with all stakeholders” before being presented to the cabinet.

“Charging stations and battery-swapping stations must be ensured,” he said during the meeting. “Industries will also be facilitated to increase the manufacturing capacity of two- and three-wheelers.”

While EVs offer a way to reduce the country’s petroleum import bill and carbon footprint, the lack of infrastructure, frequent power outages and limited financing options remain key impediments to their widespread adoption and scale-up.

Yet industry experts believe existing players in Pakistan’s auto market will face stiff competition from various EV brands, with many seeing electric vehicles as poised to consolidate their place in the domestic market.