2026

ISLAMABAD — On Friday, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of the National Assembly, notified the House that the opposition had surpassed its allocated budget debate time by more than five hours. Opposition’s Debate Time Allocation Opposition members were initially granted nine hours to engage in the budget discussion. This allocation was designed to ensure diverse viewpoints were fairly represented. Extended Debate Duration However, 62 opposition lawmakers extended their debate to an extensive 14 hours, 4 minutes, and 28 seconds. This time significantly exceeded the original allocation. Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq’s Remarks Before the continuation of the debate, Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq addressed the lawmakers. He emphasized the importance of respecting the allotted time limits.

ISLAMABAD — President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the Prime Minister’s recommendation for the Chief Justice of Pakistan to participate in the 14th St. Petersburg International Legal Forum. This significant event is scheduled from June 24 to 26. Prime Minister’s Recommendation The Prime Minister advised that both the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the Chief Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court should attend the forum. This decision by President Zardari highlights Pakistan’s commitment to international legal engagement. Importance of the Legal Forum The St. Petersburg International Legal Forum serves as a pivotal venue aimed at fostering legal cooperation among nations. By involving its leading judicial figures, Pakistan is expected to contribute significantly to discussions on critical legal topics.

ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed confidence on Friday in ushering a new era of prosperity and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Iran. This optimistic outlook follows the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which he elaborated on during his address to the National Assembly. The Prime Minister highlighted the anticipated strengthening of bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries. Significance of the Islamabad MoU The Islamabad MoU is viewed as a pivotal step in boosting economic ties and collaboration across various sectors. Prime Minister Sharif outlined several potential positive outcomes of this agreement for both nations. The MoU represents a significant milestone in Pakistan-Iran relations. Anticipated Developments Officials from both Pakistan and Iran predict that the agreement will spur important developments. These anticipated changes include improved relations and fostering regional stability through enhanced diplomatic and economic partnerships. Potential for Economic Growth The agreement is projected to bolster economic growth, further solidifying cooperation between Pakistan and Iran. Both countries foresee mutual benefits and aim to build a stronger foundation for future collaboration.

ISLAMABAD — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to treaty-based transboundary water governance. He highlighted the importance of preventing water from being used as a coercive tool. Speaking in a recorded keynote address, Dar called for enhanced international cooperation to tackle growing water security challenges. Rule-Based Water Governance Dar stressed the need for rule-based water governance to ensure responsible management of shared water resources. He warned against using water as a means of political coercion, advocating for fair and equitable agreements between countries that share water bodies. Pakistan’s Strategic Water Policy His speech aligns with Pakistan’s strategic focus on fostering cooperative frameworks for water management. This initiative comes amid increasing global concerns over water scarcity and its effects on international relations. The Pakistani government remains committed to promoting sustainable and cooperative solutions to address these major challenges.