Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has termed the Islamabad talks between the US and Iran as of utmost importance, stating that the entire world is looking towards these negotiations. In an interview with Arab media, Bilawal Zardari said that the past six weeks have seen the devastating effects of war, with not only precious human lives lost but also a significant economic impact on the world.
“It’s a huge success that negotiations are taking place in Islamabad,” he said, “the fact that the ceasefire is in place, and there’s no bombing in Iran and the Middle East is a positive step forward.” He expressed hope that these negotiations will lead to a more sustainable and lasting solution to the crisis.
Bilawal Zardari was also asked about the possibility of being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and responded that all countries are working towards a diplomatic solution. He expressed gratitude to Iran and the US for initiating talks and said that diplomatic efforts are not only being led by Pakistan but also by China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and other Gulf countries.
Pakistan has played a crucial role in bringing together countries affected by the crisis to work towards a diplomatic solution, he added. However, he noted that the process has been complex and challenging, but the past six weeks have shown that war is not the solution.
On the issue of regional cooperation, Bilawal Zardari stated that discussions on regional cooperation are necessary but the current focus should be on finding a solution to the ongoing crisis. He emphasized that the effects of the crisis are not limited to Iran but have a significant impact on the entire Middle East and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, said that Pakistan has emerged as a global advocate for peace. In Karachi, a girl who had gone missing from the SITE area was recovered from the Drug Road area. The suspect, a pharmacy lecturer at a private medical college, was arrested.
In a separate development, a student who went missing from the Baldia Town area was found at the Civil Hospital. Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, Manzoor Qadir, said that all shops, markets, and businesses can operate as usual. Senior police officers are also present in the field and are overseeing the security arrangements.
In North Waziristan, people are being forced to cross the river using a ladder due to the recent floods. In Jhang, a school built in 2014 is still not operational, and girls are not attending classes.
Former US President Donald Trump said that his meeting with Iran’s leadership was “very good” and that several points of agreement were reached, but the issue of Iran’s nuclear program was not resolved. On social media, Trump claimed that the meeting was a success but the issue of Iran’s nuclear program remained a point of contention.
In Karachi, a traffic jam occurred on the Shah Faisal Bridge in Korangi, and the details of the incident have emerged. The head of the Council of Islamic Ideology and opposition leader in the Senate, Senator Allama Rajab Nasser Abbas, said that the US thought it could conquer Iran after the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The US confirmed that its entire diplomatic team has left Islamabad.
