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Islamabad awaits Tehran’s ‘revised’ peace plan

ISLAMABAD: Initial proposals exchanged between Iran and the United States via Pakistan have failed to break the deadlock, as Islamabad now awaits a revised set of proposals from Tehran, seeking an end to the war that has already disrupted oil supplies and threatened the global economy.

Amid growing uncertainty, the messages from both Iran and the US are mixed.

US President Donald Trump posted a mocked-up image of himself holding a gun and wearing aviator sunglasses on his Truth Social platform, alongside a warning for Iran.

“NO MORE MR. NICE GUY,” the text on the image reads, alongside an image of the American flag.

Trump also had a message for Iran in an early morning post, writing, “Iran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a non-nuclear deal. They better get smart soon! President DJT.”

Despite Trump’s posturing, indications are that backchannels are still active to prevent a worst-case scenario.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, for the first time, gave more details of Pakistan’s mediation efforts and indicated that a response from Tehran was awaited.

The prime minister told the cabinet that Iran’s Foreign Minister, after traveling to Islamabad twice and then to Oman and Russia, spoke to him.

“I spoke with him (Araghchi) on the phone, and he assured me that detailed meetings had been held and that, after consultations with the leadership, a response would be given as soon as possible,” Shehbaz added, without divulging further details.

The prime minister’s remarks suggested that a detailed response from Tehran on how to end the war has yet to be received.

Amid a fragile Gaza ceasefire and worsening humanitarian crisis, Pakistan told the UN Security Council that it stands for universal respect for international law and pacific settlement of disputes and remains actively engaged in advancing diplomatic pathways towards peace and stability in the Middle East.

“The root cause of instability in the Middle East remains the unresolved question of Palestine and the continued Israeli occupation of the Arab lands,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permannt representative of Pakistan to the UN, said in a debate on the situation in the Middle East.

“Not the expansionist ambitions; not the illegal wars, it is the vacation of occupation, for realization of a Palestinian state, the two-State solution, that is the only viable framework for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace”, he added.

In his remarks, Ambassador Asim Ahmad, the Pakistani envoy, said more than 800 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire’s announcement, underscoring both the scale of the crisis and the sensitivity of the situation. “It is essential to fully respect and consolidate the ceasefire, and ensure sustained, unhindered and scaled up humanitarian assistance.”

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Health minister orders probe into Sindh MDCAT complaints

ISLAMABAD:Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal has taken notice of alleged irregularities in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) held in Sindh and ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the complaints.

According to official sources, the minister directed a five-member committee, including the President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), to conduct a transparent investigation and submit its report within 15 days.

The committee has been tasked with examining the complaints and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the alleged irregularities during the examination, sources said.

The minister directed the committee to complete the inquiry within the stipulated timeframe and present its findings for further action in accordance with the applicable rules.

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CDA chairman directs faster work on Expressway East project

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sohail Ashraf has directed officials to accelerate work on the Islamabad Expressway Service Road East project while ensuring strict compliance with approved designs and construction standards.

During an inspection of the project on Saturday, the chairman reviewed progress and was briefed on ongoing works and the next phase of development.

He directed the project director and relevant departments to maintain continuous field monitoring and quality control and ensure effective traffic management to minimise inconvenience to commuters.

The chairman described the Expressway East project as an important infrastructure scheme for improving connectivity, traffic flow and road capacity in the capital. He also stressed that construction quality should not be compromised in efforts to meet the project timeline.

During the visit, he was also briefed on an ongoing enforcement operation against unauthorised and illegal construction along the Islamabad Expressway.

According to the CDA, 377 buildings have been identified for action, including 281 commercial structures. So far, 58 buildings have been sealed, while 124 buildings between Sohan and Khanna bridges have been marked for demolition.

The authority said Rs234.685 million had been recovered through land-use conversion, unauthorised construction and de-sealing charges. Around Rs3 billion remained recoverable under applicable regulations in connection with land-use conversion and violations relating to unauthorised construction, setbacks, floor area ratio and covered area.

The chairman directed the relevant departments to ensure strict enforcement of building-control and land-use regulations, particularly mandatory fire-safety requirements.

The enforcement operation is being conducted by the CDA’s Building Control Section and Enforcement Directorate in coordination with the district administration and Islamabad police.

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GB ministers call on Governor Kundi

PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Saturday held a meeting with a delegation of Gilgit-Baltistan ministers at the Governor’s House here and discussed the country’s political situation and other matters of mutual interest.

The delegation comprised Gilgit-Baltistan Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Zulfiqar Ali Murad, Minister for Health Iqbal Hassan and Minister for Education Aman Ali Ameer.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the prevailing political situation in the country and various issues of mutual interest. They also discussed the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Pakistan Peoples Party’s success in the polls.

The visiting ministers were taken on a tour of the Governor’s House. Governor Kundi presented them with traditional shawls and caps.