BISHKEK: Paksitan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Kyrgyzstan concluded on an unprecedented note of hospitality, as Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov personally drove the vehicle to see him off at the airport, APP reported.
The extraordinary gesture by President Japarov, who took the wheel himself to bid farewell to the prime minister, was widely seen as a reflection of the exemplary hospitality extended to the visiting Pakistani delegation and the depth of the warmth characterising ties between the two countries.
The officials said the personal gesture by the Kyrgyz President underscored the strength of the bilateral relationship and added a new dimension to the fraternal ties between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.
The visit had further cemented the bonds of friendship between the two nations, with the President’s personal involvement in the send-off ceremony being termed a rare and meaningful diplomatic gesture.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during his stay in Bishkek, held wide-ranging discussions with the Kyrgyz leadership aimed at deepening cooperation in various sectors of mutual interest, officials said, adding that the visit marked another milestone in strengthening the historic and brotherly relationship between Islamabad and Bishkek.
Islamabad: The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Program, has decided to provide grant assistance of 21 million Yen (approximately USD 142,500) to the Dopasi Foundation for a project to procure equipment and a vehicle for tuberculosis screening in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Chakwal.
The grant contract was signed between AKAMATSU Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan and the representative of the Dopasi Foundation at the Embassy of Japan in Islamabad on September 1st, 2026. The project, titled “The Project for the Procurement of Equipment and Vehicle for Tuberculosis Screening in Two Districts of Punjab Province and Islamabad City” aims to improve access to early diagnosis and basic health services for vulnerable communities.
The Dopasi Foundation is a dedicated humanitarian organization in Pakistan with more than 200 staff members. Over the years, the foundation has worked to address the needs of underprivileged communities and has steadily expanded its healthcare initiatives across the country.
Through this grant, the Dopasi Foundation will deploy a fully equipped Mobile Health Unit in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and District Chakwal. This unit will provide digital chest radiography, TB screening, family planning counseling, and basic health checks to marginalized populations, including daily wage earners, women and families who face barriers to accessing healthcare.
Toyota Tsusho Corporation, in collaboration with Fujifilm, has also contributed to the project by supporting the development of a specially equipped Land Cruiser with a compact X-ray system and AI technology for TB screening, as well as a local maintenance system for its sustainable operation. Toyota Tsusho and Fujifilm will also support technical training to ensure the effective and sustainable use of the equipment.
The project is expected to provide high-quality medical screening to 20,000 individuals annually, reducing the impact of communicable diseases and barriers to healthcare access on local households. It will also enhance the long-term socio-economic resilience of vulnerable families by helping prevent catastrophic health expenditures and saving lives through early diagnosis.
At the signing ceremony, Ambassador AKAMATSU stated that human security begins with protecting every individual life, a fundamental principle of Japan’s development cooperation. He emphasized that ensuring access to early diagnosis and basic health services is directly linked to saving lives and lifting families out of vulnerability.
As a steadfast friend of Pakistan, the Government of Japan will continue to support capable local NGOs through grant assistance to advance human security in Pakistan. It is hoped that this project will further strengthen the long-standing friendship between Japan and Pakistan.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Saturday said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its founder’s sisters have been committing contempt of the court by actively politicizing his health and disrupting his medical care.
“If anyone is in contempt, it is the PTI leadership and their founder’s sisters,” Tarar said while talking to the media. He rejected the PTI’s claim about the implementation of the apex court’s order by the administration. Tarar explained that a contempt of court did take place, but it was committed by the PTI itself.
He pointed out that despite the court’s explicit order to avoid politicking over the issue, the PTI continued to hold press conferences and issue political statements.
Meanwhile, the PTI supporters gathered in groups outside Shifa International Hospital, broke through security barriers, and made TikTok videos on that day, he added.
He noted that this was the first time a prisoner was being transferred to a hospital while his own people created disruptions in his treatment.
“If they were loyal to their party founder and genuinely wanted him treated, they would not have created hurdles on his way to the hospital,” Tarar said.
Because the PTI supporters created a security risk with these hurdles, he explained, the government took the PTI founder to PIMS Hospital instead.
The PTI had nothing to do with the justice, he said, arguing that if the leadership truly cared about justice, they never would have filed a petition for contempt of the court.
The minister recalled that when the PTI was in power, its leaders and then-chairman issued daily, humiliating, and sarcastic statements mocking PML-N leaders over their medical issues.
Despite PML-N’s requests to avoid playing politics over matters that could affect anyone, the PTI persisted.
Tarar emphasised that as the PTI founder’s own health issues arose, current government leaders did not resort to that same behavior.
“When we were in the opposition, we had the same stance, and while in the government, we maintain the same stance that there should be no politics over someone’s health,” he noted, reiterating that this position will not change in the future.
Regarding the government’s legal stance, Tarar noted that the law minister has already presented the government’s position to the nation within hours of filing a review petition, clarifying that everything will proceed according to the law.
Tarar added that without the recommendations of a medical board, it is impossible to ascertain where treatment should be arranged and which doctors should provide care.
Despite these legal observations, Tarar affirmed that all requisites of the court order were fully implemented in a transparent manner, according to the law and the Constitution.
“Were the court orders implemented? The answer is yes. Did the check-up take place? Yes, it did. Did it happen in a transparent way? Yes, it did. Was his sister present there? Yes, she was. Were doctors from Shifa Hospital there? Yes, they were,” he stated.
Tarar mentioned he had posted two tweets a day earlier confirming the check-up in the presence of the prisoner’s sister and an ophthalmologist from Shifa Hospital.
Tarar also highlighted the role of the legal community, noting that both the Pakistan Bar Council and the Punjab Bar Council issued statements urging that bar politics be kept separate from general politics.
The elected representatives clarified that the PTI should not use the bars for its own political agenda.
Tarar condemned the actions of some lawyers who tried to “pollute bar politics” by issuing an unauthorized, so-called official statement in their individual capacities.
“The lawyers say there should be no politics over the issue, and we say the same. You created hurdles, and now you are playing politics over this issue.”Noting that PIMS reports show the PTI founder is in perfect health, Tarar questioned, “Which ailment of their founder do they want to politicize?”
He said that the government never stopped from providing him medical care.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been moved back to prison after spending a few hours overnight at a hospital, according to his party spokesman.
Following a Supreme Court order this week, Khan was transferred to a hospital in Islamabad early on Friday for medical examination.
A spokesperson for Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, confirmed that the former prime minister had been taken back to Adiala prison in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.
Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023. He says the cases against him are politically motivated, an accusation the government denies.
Reuters reported that his lawyers say his health has deteriorated in prison and that he has lost significant vision in his right eye. The government has said medical reports disclosed no condition requiring immediate treatment.
The Supreme Court told authorities to transfer Khan to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within 48 hours and allow him access to a medical panel that includes his personal physician.
RAWALPINDI: Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi has been placed on high alert amid continued rainfall in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, with emergency personnel deployed around Nullah Lai and other low-lying areas to respond to any emergency, APP reported.
Rescue 1122 spokesperson said that rescue personnel have been deployed in Kattarian, Gawalmandi and other vulnerable low-lying areas. The teams would remain on duty at these locations throughout the rainy spell.
The authorities urged citizens to exercise extreme caution during the monsoon season and advised parents to prevent children from going near Nullah Lai and electricity poles during rainfall.
Citizens were also advised to drive at slow speeds during rain and move to safer locations before the situation develops into urban flooding.
The emergency service cautioned people against taking shelter under weak or dilapidated roofs and urged them to avoid crossing rivers, streams and drains during heavy rainfall.
In view of the risk of intense rainfall and cloudbursts, the officials advised the citizens to avoid visiting tourist destinations during severe weather. the public was also appealed to immediately contact the emergency helpline 1122 in case of any emergency.
ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan marks its 80th Independence Day on August 14, Japan has extended congratulations and renewed its commitment to stronger bilateral cooperation ahead of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027.
In a message marking the occasion, Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Akamatsu Shuichi, underscored the long-standing partnership between the two countries and pledged continued collaboration for peace, development, and stability.
The Ambassador conveyed greetings on behalf of the Government and people of Japan to Pakistan’s government and citizens on the country’s Independence Day.
In a video message, Ambassador Akamatsu said Japan values its relationship with Pakistan and looks forward to celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2027. He noted that both countries have worked together over the decades and will continue to strengthen cooperation in different fields.
The envoy said Japan and Pakistan remain trusted partners and share a commitment to promoting peace, progress, and regional stability. He added that both nations would continue efforts to deepen mutual understanding and expand friendly relations in the years ahead.
Reaffirming the bond between the two countries, Ambassador Akamatsu expressed confidence in the future of Japan-Pakistan relations and reiterated Japan’s support for continued engagement and cooperation.
Concluding his message, he highlighted the enduring friendship between the two nations with the slogan, “Japan-Pakistan Dosti Zindabad.”
ISLAMABAD: Japan has extended grant aid worth 350 million Japanese Yen for the implementation of the Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) FY 2026 Programme to strengthen the administrative capacities of the Government of Pakistan.
The JDS Program, which was launched in 2018, offers highly capable Pakistani government officers the opportunity to pursue Master’s and Ph.D. degrees at leading Japanese universities. These officers are selected from those involved in planning and implementing social and economic development policies.
A formal signing ceremony was held in Islamabad, where Notes Verbale were signed and exchanged between AKAMATSU Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, and Muhammad Humair Karim Kidwai, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Government of Pakistan.
Through the JDS Program, JICA has so far dispatched more than 100 government officers to Japan. To date more than 80 scholars have successfully completed their studies and returned to Pakistan, contributing their enhanced knowledge and skills to the country’s development.
On this occasion, Japan’s Ambassador AKAMATSU Shuichi highlighted that the program is built on a simple but powerful belief — that investing in people is the most sustainable investment a nation can make. “When we support a young civil servant to pursue a Master’s or doctoral degree at a leading Japanese university, we are not simply funding an academic qualification. We are helping to shape a future leader — someone who will return to Pakistan with new knowledge, new perspectives, and a deepened understanding of Japan, its people, its culture, and its values,” he added.
The ambassador noted that it is these human bridges — built one scholar at a time — that sustain and strengthen the longstanding friendship between our two nations. He added that Japan deeply values its relationship with Pakistan, and the JDS Program is one of the most personal and enduring ways we invest in that relationship.
Highlighting the importance of the project, Chief Representative of JICA Pakistan Office SHINOZAKI Yusuke said that: “I sincerely hope that the JICA’s cooperation through this project will support the Government of Pakistan to enhance institutional capacity, thereby contributing to Pakistan’s sustainable development.” He added the third phase aims to continue strengthening the capacities of Pakistani government officials and further deepen the longstanding partnership between Japan and Pakistan. He also stated that this initiative indirectly meet one of the priority objectives of JICA’s country assistance policy which is balanced and stable regional development by supporting human resource development.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday expressed profound sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and widespread devastation caused by a powerful earthquake in Colombia.
In a statement on his X timeline, the prime minister conveyed heartfelt condolences to Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella, the people of Colombia, and the bereaved families.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured and all those affected by this tragedy. Pakistan stands in solidarity with the people of Colombia in this difficult hour,” Prime Minister Shehbaz said.
The powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia near the municipality of San José del Palmar in Chocó department, causing widespread destruction.
The calamity resulted in more than 100 deaths, dozens of injuries, and the collapse of over 60 buildings across several major cities, prompting President De La Espriella to declare a national state of emergency, according to the media reports.
Colombia sits along the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire and records thousands of mostly minor earthquakes each month.
Northwestern University seismologist Suzan van der Lee said the quake’s powerful magnitude, inland location and strike-slip motion may have amplified damage in populated valleys despite its considerable depth.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, during which they discussed bilateral and regional matters of mutual interest.
Foreign Minister Jarrah, during the conversation late Sunday night, felicitated the Deputy Prime Minister Dar on the recent signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
They also exchanged views on the regional situation, including Occupied East Jerusalem, besides agreeing to remain closely engaged.
The two leaders discussed Pakistan-Kuwait bilateral relations and other matters of mutual interest, including follow-up to Foreign Minister Jarrah’s recent visit to Pakistan and further enhancing cooperation and investment in key sectors.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has praised the historic defense pact among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, describing it as a matter of immense pride for both the Pakistani people and the entire Muslim Ummah, APP reported.
During an exclusive talk with media Tarar expressed his profound gratitude to the Almighty for the blessed agreement, noting that this partnership among the three brotherly nations is a special blessing for the global Muslim community.
The minister underscored that the entire nation is celebrating the Makkah Accord with great fervor. He pointed out that the flags of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye are proudly displayed across the country, and the public is overwhelmed with joy by this landmark development.
He commended the crucial role played by the country’s leadership including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their dedicated efforts in signing the agreement.
Through this trilateral partnership, Tarar noted that Pakistan has finally achieved a prestigious status it has dreamed of for a long time.
He remarked that Allah has blessed Pakistan with the profound honor and responsibility of being the defender and protector of the Harmain Sharifain.
The minister congratulated the Pakistani nation on this monumental achievement, emphasizing that the three countries will now move forward together in accordance with this milestone pact.
