ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
A ceremony of exchange of MoUs for various sectors between Pakistan and Iran
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
A ceremony of exchange of MoUs for various sectors between Pakistan and Iran
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the President of Iran H.E. Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian address a joint press stakeout
ISLAMABAD
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addresses a joint press stakeout
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
A ceremony of exchange of MoUs for various sectors between Pakistan and Iran
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
A ceremony of exchange of MoUs for various sectors between Pakistan and Iran
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
PM, President of Iran exchange views on regional, global developments
ISLAMABAD, Aug 03 (APP): President of Iran Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, who is currently on an official visit to Pakistan, Sunday met Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House and discussed matters of bilateral, regional and global interest.
Upon arrival at the Prime Minister House, President Pezeshkian was received by the Prime Minister and presented a guard of honour followed by the official welcome ceremony.
The two leaders then held talks in a narrow format, followed by delegation level talks between the two sides. During the talks, the Prime Minister was assisted by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, as well as other important Federal Ministers, Ministers of State and senior government officials.
While underscoring the long standing brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity and support for the Iranian leadership, Iranian armed forces and the people of Iran, who bravely fought against Israel’s aggression in the 12-days war. He offered condolences on the martyrdom of Iranian military officials, scientists and innocent citizens during the war and prayed for early recovery of the injured.
He also thanked Iran for its strong support to Pakistan during the recent Pakistan-India standoff. President Pezeshkian thanked the Government and people of Pakistan for their unwavering support to Iran during the war and said that the Iranian nation would always remember this gesture.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need to further expand the existing wide-ranging bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Iran, particularly in the areas of trade, connectivity, culture and people-to-people contacts. In this regard, the Prime Minister called for early convening of the 22nd Joint Economic Commission between Pakistan and Iran, which is expected to be held soon. The two leaders witnessed the exchange of a number of MoUs and agreements in various sectors of mutual interest that will go a long way in enhancing bilateral ties.
A number of initiatives for enhancing trade were discussed, including facilitating barter trade, enhancing quota for export of rice, fruits and meat, border markets operationalization, and addressing issues related to enhancing trade. The two leaders also expressed satisfaction at the progress of recently held trade talks between Pakistan and Iran. The two leaders reaffirmed their shared vision to enhance the existing volume of trade of USD 3 billion to the mutually agreed target of USD 10 billion soon.
During the talks, both sides also exchanged views on important regional and global developments. The Prime Minister thanked the Iranian leadership for Iran’s vocal and active support for the innocent Palestinian people, who have been suffering brutal aggression at the hands of Israeli security forces.
While reaffirming Pakistan’s strong support to the creation of an independent state of Palestine in accordance with the U.N. resolutions, the Prime Minister called for an immediate end to Israeli barbarity against innocent people of Gaza who were being denied humanitarian assistance and being forced to starve. Both leaders urged the international community to act swiftly to resolve this crisis. The Prime Minister also thanked Iran for its support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
The Prime Minister also hosted a luncheon banquet for the visiting Iranian President and members of his delegation. Both leaders also held a joint press conference where they spoke on the issues they had discussed earlier in the day.
SSP Shoaib directs SHOs to step up operations against criminals
ISLAMABAD, Aug 03 (APP): Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Muhammad Shoaib Khan, presided over an important meeting with Station House Officers (SHOs) on Sunday to review the crime situation and evaluate ongoing operational strategies.
A police spokesperson told APP that SSP Shoaib Khan issued firm directives to tighten the grip on criminal gangs and ensure the immediate arrest of absconding members involved in organized crime.
SSP Shoaib instructed all SHOs to compile complete data on individuals involved in property-related crimes and expedite efforts to apprehend them without delay.
The SSP Shoaib further emphasized that all under-investigation cases must be concluded on merit and their challans submitted promptly to the competent courts.
He also ordered close surveillance of previously released individuals with criminal backgrounds, especially those linked to property crimes, and directed that swift action be taken if they are found reoffending.
Highlighting the rise in vehicle and motorcycle thefts, the SSP stressed the need to apprehend suspects in these cases and ensure the arrest of proclaimed offenders.
“Protecting the lives and property of citizens is our top priority,” SSP said, adding that any negligence in this regard will not be tolerated.
Deadly deals on wheels: substandard rims and retreaded, expired tyres put lives at risk
Roy Zia Ur Rahman
ISLAMABAD, Aug 03 (APP): Every day in Pakistan, lives roll on wheels built for disaster — handmade rims beaten from scrap sheet metal and old Tyres shaved and reshaped to look new. These dangerously weak wheels cannot handle summer heat, passenger weight or highway speed. But they’re sold cheaply in open markets, trusted by unaware drivers, and placed under the feet of entire families. In moments of pressure, they don’t survive — and neither do the people riding on them.
In Rawalpindi’s Pirwadhai area, particularly at Sultan da Khuh and in Lahore’s Bilal Gunj, small workshops manufacture vehicle rims using thin steel sheets locally called Chadar. These rims, ranging from 12 to 15 inches in size, are hammered out manually, often from discarded or recycled metal. They are not tested, certified, or verified — yet they are fitted under pickups, loaders, and passenger rickshaws.
“These rims are too weak to survive heavy load or hot weather,” said veteran mechanic Ustad Billa, who runs a workshop in Rawalpindi’s Commercial Market. “They bend, crack, or collapse — we’ve seen many accidents because of them. Even if the steel sheet’s thickness or gauge looks fine, the material is scrap-based. It doesn’t have the quality or strength of proper industrial steel. The same goes for cheap alloy rims made from melted-down aluminum, silver, and other scrap parts. They look good but fail under pressure.”
Side by side, retreaded tyres are reshaped from old, worn-out rubber. Their surface is scraped down, re-grooved, and polished to look new. But in reality, their structure remains weak and dangerous. These tyres sell at half the price of new ones and are often chosen by low-income drivers trying to cut costs.
Malik Sohail, owner of New Global Tyres, explained, “Many customers go for these cheaper tyres, thinking they’re getting a good deal. But these tyres are either retreaded or expired. They cannot handle heat, speed, or weight. One burst, and a family can be gone in seconds. A tyre might be cheap, but it should never be cheaper than life.”
Some tyres are smuggled into markets with expiry dates deliberately erased. “Most drivers don’t even know tyres have expiry dates,” said Ijaz, a long-route taxi driver who travels between Islamabad, Sargodha, and Lahore. “We buy what’s available and affordable. But no one tells us these tyres have limits. We find out only when they burst.”
Ali Hassan, a puncture repairman in Pirwadhai, added, “Many bike and small vehicle owners bring in old tyres and ask for another patch. They say, ‘just make it work for a few more days.’ But we keep seeing the same tyres come back. These tyres are finished — they’re not safe anymore.”
Rai Ahmad Nawaz, a regular passenger from Sargodha to Islamabad, expressed growing fear. “Recently, a tyre burst on the motorway and more than ten people died. I travel with my wife and children. I pay full fare, but now I’m afraid. What if the tyre under us gives up?”
Usman Farooq Rai, a legal analyst said, “We badly need strong tyre and rim safety laws. There should be clear rules, awareness campaigns, and proper checks on workshops. This is a matter of public safety. People are dying on the roads while others are selling danger without consequences.”
Although the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) is responsible for setting product standards in the country, experts say more visible regulation and real-time enforcement are needed to address this growing threat.
Ghulam Ali Dhudhi, a local representative appealed to the government: “Workshops must be made to follow national safety rules. These poor-quality rims and tyres should be banned. We can’t keep losing lives for someone else’s profit.”
Islamabad Traffic Police CTO Capt. (R) Syed Zeeshan Haider said that vehicle safety is a top priority. “We are using modern systems to catch unsafe vehicles. We urge all drivers to check tyre condition and rim quality before driving. Safety is not optional — it’s a must. We have zero tolerance.”
Until better laws are passed, unsafe workshops are shut down, and people become aware of the risks, Pakistan’s roads will remain deadly — not because of speed or carelessness, but because of what lies beneath the wheels.
Sino-Pak strategic cooperation plays crucial role in maintaining peace, stability in South Asia
BEIJING, Aug 3 (APP): The strategic cooperation between China and Pakistan, rooted in a profound traditional friendship and shared interests, plays a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability in South Asia and its surrounding regions.
This cooperation is reflected in multiple dimensions such as political mutual trust, economic collaboration, and security coordination, forming a powerful force to drive forward regional stability.
These views were expressed by Prof. Cheng Xizhong, Senior Research Fellow at the Charhar Institute on Sunday.
In a statement, he said that China-Pakistan strategic cooperation serves as “an anchor” for regional stability. The two countries have always firmly supported each other on issues involving their respective core interests, and this high-level political mutual trust provides a fundamental guarantee for regional stability. China firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and development interests. Pakistan has always stood by China on issues concerning China’s core interests. The two countries have maintained close coordination on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, the SCO and the BRICS, working together to promote the establishment of a more just and reasonable international order.
China-Pakistan economic cooperation serves as a “booster” for achieving stability through development. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor promotes regional economic development through practical cooperation and reduces potential risks of conflicts. The construction of the corridor has not only improved Pakistan’s infrastructure, but also radiated to neighboring countries through enhanced connectivity, boosting regional economic integration, he added.
Prof Cheng said that China-Pakistan security coordination serves as a “firewall” to curb the spread of risks. The South Asian region is confronted with multiple security challenges such as terrorism, extremism and drug smuggling. The close cooperation between China and Pakistan in the security field has built a solid security barrier for the region. The two countries have established the counter-terrorism cooperation mechanism to jointly crack down on terrorist organizations, effectively curbing the spread of terrorist forces in the region.
The demonstration effect of China-Pakistan cooperation serves as a “catalyst” for promoting regional cooperation. China-Pakistan strategic cooperation adheres to the principles of “non-alignment, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party”. Its mutually beneficial and win-win model sets an example for cooperation among regional countries and is conducive to building a new type of regional relations. This cooperation model has proven that countries can achieve common development through equal consultation and complementary advantages, providing a reference for South Asian countries in handling their relations with each other, he added.