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Qatar lauds Pakistan’s peace efforts as FM Dar strengthens regional diplomatic ties amid Middle East tensions

Mian Abrar Hussain
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Qatar lauds Pakistan’s peace efforts as FM Dar strengthens regional diplomatic ties amid Middle East tensions

ISLAMABAD: Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, on Saturday lauded Pakistan for its proactive role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East through dialogue and diplomacy during a phone call with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

The conversation comes amid heightened tensions in the region following the US and Israeli air strikes last month that resulted in the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, triggering retaliatory attacks by Tehran on US military installations across the Gulf. The escalation has significantly broadened the scope of the conflict, raising concerns over regional security, energy supplies, and trade routes.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the two leaders “discussed prevailing regional and international developments and emphasised the urgent need for de-escalation.” The Qatari side expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to foster peace and stability through constructive diplomacy.

The statement added that both countries reaffirmed the long-standing and deep-rooted ties between Pakistan and Qatar, agreeing to maintain close coordination on evolving developments in the region.

In a parallel development, FM Dar also held a telephonic conversation with his Indonesian counterpart Sugiono, discussing bilateral matters and regional and international developments. Both sides reiterated strong fraternal ties between Pakistan and Indonesia and committed to remaining in close contact.

Earlier on Saturday, MOFA announced that the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt would visit Islamabad on March 29–30 at the invitation of FM Dar. These nations, along with Pakistan, have been actively engaged in mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran following the war launched by the US and Israel on February 28.

Officials said Pakistan had conveyed a US proposal for ending the conflict to Tehran and offered to host peace talks, with Iranian authorities indicating that any negotiations could be held either in Pakistan or Turkey. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly offered Islamabad as a venue for US-Iran talks, a move further boosted when former US President Donald Trump reposted the offer on his Truth Social platform, signaling Washington’s tacit endorsement of Pakistan’s emerging role as a regional mediator.

FM Dar confirmed on Thursday that indirect communications between the US and Iran are underway via Pakistan, with assistance from Turkiye and Egypt, highlighting Islamabad’s growing influence in efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.

Thousands of rallies planned in US cities for ‘No Kings’ protest against Trump

Mian Abrar Hussain
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Thousands of rallies planned in US cities for ‘No Kings’ protest against Trump

WASHINGTON: Thousands of rallies are expected across the United States on Saturday in the latest “No Kings” protest against the policies of President Donald Trump and his administration.

Organisers say that more than 3,200 events are planned in all 50 states for what they hope could be the largest single-day nonviolent protest in US history. The two previous No Kings events attracted millions of participants.

Flagship rallies will take place in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, and Minnesota’s Twin Cities, but two-thirds of participants are expected from outside major city centres, a nearly 40% jump for smaller communities from the movement’s first mobilisation last June, organisers said.

“The defining story of this Saturday’s mobilisation is not just how many people are protesting, but where they are protesting,” said Leah Greenberg, Co-Founder of Indivisible, the group that started the No Kings movement last year and led the planning of Saturday’s events.

With midterm elections later this year in the US, organisers say they’ve seen a surge in the number of people organising events and registering to participate in deeply Republican states such as Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Utah.

Competitive suburban areas that have helped decide national elections are seeing “huge” increases in interest, Greenberg said, citing Pennsylvania’s Bucks and Delaware counties, East Cobb and Forsyth in Georgia, and Scottsdale and Chandler in Arizona as examples.

“Voters who decide elections, the people who do the door knocking and the voter registration and all of the work of turning protests into power, they are taking to the streets right now, and they are furious,” she said.

In a statement, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson dismissed the rallies as “Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions” of interest only to journalists.

Saturday will mark the third No Kings Day of Action. The movement launched last year on Trump’s birthday, June 14, and drew an estimated four to six million people spread across roughly 2,100 sites nationwide.

The second mobilisation in October involved an estimated seven million participants across more than 2,700 cities, according to a crowd-sourcing analysis published by prominent data journalist G. Elliott Morris.

That October event was largely fueled by a backlash against a government shutdown, an aggressive crackdown by federal immigration authorities, and the deployment of National Guard troops to major cities.

Saturday’s protest comes amid what organisers called a call to action against the bombardment of Iran by the US and Israel, a conflict that is now four weeks old.

Deirdre Schifeling, chief political and advocacy officer for the American Civil Liberties Union, said protests have led to tangible results.

“Whenever we stand up to President Trump’s abuses of power, like most bullies, he backs down,” she said, citing administration reversals following earlier demonstrations over National Guard deployments in Los Angeles and ICE killings of two American citizens in Minneapolis.

FIA maps human smuggling network as govt orders sweeping anti-corruption crackdown

Mian Abrar Hussain
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FIA maps human smuggling network as govt orders sweeping anti-corruption crackdown

ISLAMABAD: Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency, Usman Anwar, on Saturday informed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi that the agency has compiled a comprehensive database of individuals involved in human smuggling.

The development was shared during a detailed briefing at the FIA headquarters, where the minister reviewed the agency’s performance and ongoing reforms.

The FIA chief said a transparent and effective accountability system had been introduced within the organisation, alongside the formation of working groups and coordination committees to enhance collaboration with other institutions.

He added that modern technology is being deployed to intensify action against immigration-related crimes, including human smuggling and money laundering.

During the visit, Interior Minister Naqvi ordered a sweeping crackdown on corruption across government institutions, directing authorities to strictly enforce a zero-tolerance policy in line with the vision of Shehbaz Sharif.

He further stated that the FIA’s reform process would be completed by December, stressing the need to monitor online advertisements offering overseas employment and to raise public awareness about fraudulent schemes.

Naqvi emphasised transforming the FIA into a frontline force against organised crime and assured the agency of full governmental support in achieving this objective.

The minister also inspected ongoing infrastructure development projects at the headquarters and directed officials to expedite completion of construction work.

Meanwhile, the FIA has stepped up internal accountability, penalising 214 officials over the last four months of 2025 amid growing complaints of human trafficking and corruption. Of these, 76 officials were dismissed from service, nine demoted, two removed, and 127 awarded various punishments.

Pakistan steps up high-stakes diplomacy as PM Shehbaz leads push for US-Iran peace talks

Mian Abrar Hussain
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0
Pakistan steps up high-stakes diplomacy as PM Shehbaz leads push for US-Iran peace talks

— Over hour-long call with Iranian President signals intensified efforts to defuse regional crisis

— Islamabad coordinates with Türkiye and Egypt to create pathway for Washington-Tehran dialogue

— Pakistan relays US proposals to Iran as indirect negotiations quietly gain momentum

— PM reaffirms solidarity with Iran amid Israeli strikes, seeks unified regional response

    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday briefed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic push to facilitate peace talks between the United States and Iran during a phone call that lasted over an hour.

    The conversation comes as Pakistan assumes a central role in mediating the escalating crisis, working closely with regional partners Turkey and Egypt to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran.

    According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders held extensive discussions on the evolving regional situation and efforts aimed at restoring peace.

    During the call, PM Shehbaz outlined Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach led by himself, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir. These efforts, he said, involve engagement with the United States, Gulf nations, and other Islamic countries to help create a conducive environment for dialogue.

    He also highlighted the strong international backing Pakistan’s peace initiative has received, expressing optimism that a collective approach could pave the way for ending hostilities.

    The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of ongoing Israeli attacks on Iran, particularly recent strikes targeting civilian infrastructure. He reaffirmed Islamabad’s solidarity with the Iranian people and offered condolences over the loss of more than 1,900 lives while praying for the recovery of the injured and displaced.

    President Pezeshkian, in response, appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement and emphasised the importance of trust-building to advance mediation efforts. He commended Islamabad’s constructive role in promoting peace amid the crisis.

    PM Shehbaz thanked the Iranian leader and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continuing its efforts for regional stability.

    Separately, the Iranian presidency also acknowledged Pakistan’s mediation role, with President Pezeshkian expressing gratitude for Islamabad’s efforts to halt aggression against Iran.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan is set to host foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt on March 29–30 for detailed discussions on reducing tensions stemming from the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

    Earlier, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that indirect communication between the United States and Iran is underway through messages relayed by Pakistan. He revealed that a 15-point framework proposed by Washington is currently under consideration in Tehran, with support from Turkey and Egypt to advance the process.

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