Friday, April 17th, 2026
Pakistan Ulema Council welcomes Lebanon ceasefire
ISLAMABAD, Apr 17: The Pakistan Ulema Council on Friday welcomed the ceasefire in Lebanon and appreciated the diplomatic efforts for de-escalation in the region. In a joint statement, the council’s central chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, along with senior leaders including Asad Zakaria Qasmi, Nauman Hashir, Muhammad Shafi Qasmi, Maqbool Ahmed, Tahir ul Hassan, Tahir Aqeel Awan and Aziz Akbar Qasmi, commended the role of Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and President of the United States Donald Trump in effortsRead More
No military solution to Lebanon-Israel conflict, UN says
UNITED NATIONS, Apr 17: The United Nations welcomed the announcement of a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing support for efforts to end the prolonged conflict. “The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and commends the role of the United States in facilitating the ceasefire,” his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement Thursday. In earlier remarks, Dujarric told his news briefing that “obviously, we welcome steps that would end hostilities and suffering on both sides of the BlueRead More
Turkish FM calls on PM Shehbaz Sharif
ANTALYA, Apr 17: Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye Hakan Fidan paid a courtesy call on Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, who arrived in Antalya, Turkiye, earlier Thursday evening. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi were also present on the occasion.During their cordial conversation, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan extended a warm welcome to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and thanked him for his participation in the upcoming Antalya Diplomacy Forum.He said President RecepRead More
US-Iran ceasefire deadline may be extended
Pakistan is expected to engage with the US leadership in the coming days to build consensus ahead of a proposed second summit between Washington and Tehran DNA ISLAMABAD: The deadline for the ongoing ceasefire between the United States and Iran, set to expire on April 21, is likely to be extended as diplomatic efforts intensify, according to well-placed sources. Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator, with its Field Marshal undertaking a crucial visit to Tehran where he met the entire Iranian civil and military leadership. Sources said the high-level meetingsRead More
World Heritage Day – 18 April: Safeguarding Pakistan’s cultural legacy
Zahra Sohail Every year on 18 April, the international community observes World Heritage Day (International Day for Monuments and Sites) to celebrate the richness and diversity of cultural heritage and to reaffirm our shared responsibility to safeguard it for future generations. The theme for 2026, “Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Contexts of Conflicts and Disasters,” highlights the urgent need to protect not only physical sites but also the living heritage, traditions, practices, and knowledge systems, that are particularly vulnerable in times of crisis. It underscores the importance of preparedness,Read More
Pakistan–EU business forum to Strengthen trade, GSP+ remains key Pillar
ISLAMABAD, APR 17 (DNA): Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a detailed meeting on Friday with Raimundas Karoblis to discuss strengthening Pakistan–European Union economic relations, with a particular focus on the upcoming Pakistan–EU Business Forum scheduled to be held on April 28–29, 2026, in Islamabad and the continued importance of the GSP Plus scheme. The meeting underscored that the Pakistan–EU Business Forum will serve as a major platform to deepen trade and investment cooperation. Both sides highlighted that the forum is expected to bring together a large numberRead More