Pakistan News
PTI, Imran should ‘take a step back’; govt should create space for engagement: Fawad
Former PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said on Monday that both the government and the PTI, along with Imran Khan, need to show flexibility in order to create space for engagement to decrease the political friction in the country.
Fawad is one of the three former PTI leaders who say they have been engaging with the party’s incarcerated leadership to put an end to politics of confrontation as part of their political outreach initiative.
They also visited PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, after he was taken to a hospital in Lahore from prison, on Thursday, to convince him to join their campaign.
“I’ve said this from the first day, the government should move one step forward and the PTI and Imran Khan should move back one step so space is created,” said the former PTI leader while speaking during an interview on DawnNewsTV show ‘News Wise’.
He maintained that both sides would have to decide on the need to bring down the temperature, warning that if the PTI did not pursue engagement and talks, it would face similar treatment as the disbanding and ban on the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan.
“The government needs this, because whatever international successes they have gained are not translating into Pakistan … so both sides need the temperature to come down. We think the leaders of Lahore should play the role of a pivot and take this forward.”
Chaudhry added that the immediate need was to lower the political temperature, saying talks could not proceed if both sides could not even bear to see each other.
Defending his former party’s obstinacy against engagement in talks, he said it was also due to the behaviour of the government, which had made a policy of “crushing and sidelining” the opposition.
“The two ruling parties, the establishment and the PTI, are the four big players and the political temperature between them should come down. How will that happen? …you will have to give the leadership in Lahore’s jail the chance to talk to Imran Khan.”
He further said that the establishment and the government needed to decide whether the country needed a reduction in political temperature or not. “I am very hopeful they have this view too.”
Referring to the group’s recent activities, Chaudhry said they had a meeting of at least 45 minutes with Qureshi.
He added that the proposal being carried by the group was not even their own, instead pointing to a letter by incarcerated PTI leaders in Lahore earlier this year, which called for a reduction in political friction and encouraged engagement.
Chaudhry was not without criticism for the government, saying it had backed the PTI into a corner. “If you don’t engage with the PTI, the only way forward it has is to protest,” he said.
The former federal minister added that in such a situation, the PTI could lead a protest to Islamabad and resign from the National Assembly, while the government would attempt to impose governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which would be resisted by the party.
“Another event like November 26, 2024, will happen, and as a result of this, the tensions and political temperature in Pakistan will increase. The problem right now is that, we the people, living in Pakistan are being severely impacted by this,” he said, adding that the group had requested the incarcerated PTI leaders in Lahore that if there was no implementation of their earlier recommendation, it would lead to great loss for both the party and the government.
He also said the fact that the group was allowed to meet the incarcerated PTI leadership in Kot Lakpat jail was an encouraging sign.
“Senior government ministers called me and appreciated the effort,” he said, pointing to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar’s welcoming of the development in particular.
“Senior PTI leadership also called and said that this is the only way.”
Paris ( Imran Y. CHOUDHRY):- A ‘Pakistan-France Trade and Investment Forum’ was held in Paris today, bringing together government officials, business leaders, industry experts and representatives of trade bodies of both countries.
The Forum was held in implementation of an understanding reached between President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in 2024, to build strong economic partnership between Pakistan and France. The objective of the Forum was to connect businesses, exchange ideas, explore new avenues of bilateral cooperation and showcase Pakistan’s trade and investment potential. It witnessed participation of over seventy French and Pakistani companies from diverse sectors including agriculture, information technology, textiles, energy and tourism.
Ambassador Mumtaz Zahra Baloch opened the Business Forum and highlighted Pakistan’s economic growth and potential as an attractive trade partner for France. She outlined investor-focused initiatives and institutional facilitation mechanisms in Pakistan to promote trade and investment. She encouraged Pakistani and French businesses to explore collaborative opportunities, and develop joint ventures and win-win partnerships.
Speakers from the French side included Thierry Pflimlin, Chairman of the France-Pakistan Business Council at MEDEF International, Patricia Glasel, Vice President of the Conseillers du Commerce Extérieur de la France (CCEF) and Ardavan Amir-Aslani. They highlighted the growing momentum in France-Pakistan economic relations; identified the opportunities for trade and investment with Pakistan; and underscored the importance of strengthening private sector linkages to further facilitate bilateral trade and investment.
The plenary session was followed by ‘Breakout and Business-to-Business (B2B)’ sessions to discuss and identify tangible avenues for collaboration in textiles, agriculture and dairy, and Information Technology.
Pakistan News
Dr. Mohammad Faisal Joins Distinguished Quetta Association Event in London Gathering Reinforces Shared Military Heritage of Pakistan and Britain
High Commissioner @DrMFaisal and his spouse @drsarahnaeem2 attended, as guests of honor, a distinguished gathering of the Quetta Association at the Army & Navy Club, London.
Military Officers from the Defence Wing of Pakistan High Commission, London, with their families also attended.
Quetta Association brings together British officers who graduated from the prestigious Command & Staff College, Quetta, Pakistan. The institution has produced outstanding military leaders, including British Field Marshals Sir Claude Auchinleck and Sir William Slim, whose leadership during the Second World War remains widely respected. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir is also graduate of this prestigious institution.
The High Commissioner appreciated the annual gathering that underscored the Association’s enduring role as a vital bridge linking the British Army and Pakistan Army through shared professional heritage and camaraderie.
Decorated British military officers and their families paid glowing tributes while referring to the hospitality accorded by Pakistan during their stay in Quetta.
Graduate senior British Officers present at the gathering included Lt. Gen. Sir Alistair Irwin KCB CBE (1980) and Maj. Gen. Seumus Kerr CBE (1985).
Mementos were exchanged between the British officers and officers of @PakistaninUK.
In a simple and dignified ceremony held at Pakistan House, London, the High Commissioner of Pakistan to UK Dr. Mohammad Faisal raised the Pakistan Flag on the occasion of Pakistan Day.
The ceremony was attended by Officials of the High Commission, British – Pakistanis and Media representatives.
Messages of the President, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister were read out.
In his keynote address, the High Commissioner said that Pakistan Day was a tribute to our founding fathers who united the Muslims of Indian sub-continent where they could live independently as a Nation and live according to their customs & traditions.
Dr. Faisal stated that Pakistan had always professed peace and stability in the region. However, Pakistan will not tolerate any aggression from neighbouring countries.
The High Commissioner said that Pakistani nation, despite the difficulties, remains resilient and demonstrates courage & perseverance.
Dr. Mohammad Faisal stated that, in line with the instructions of the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister and the Federal Cabinet, Pakistan High Commission London is implementing strict austerity measures. However, these measures will not affect the performance & working of the High Commission.
He acknowledged the remarkable contributions of Pakistani diaspora in UK and their extraordinary performance in various fields. He said that their achievements are a source of immense pride for Pakistan.
The High Commissioner expressed solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and committed to continue diplomatic, moral and political support for their right to self determination under UN Resolutions.
London
23rd March, 2026
How the World Is Forced to Fund the Iran War
Scholars Urge UN to Protect Iran’s Scientific Sites Amid Airstrikes Global Academics Warn Attacks Threaten Research, Health, and Civilian Safety
How Iran Humiliated U.S. and Israeli Power
-
Europe News1 year agoChaos and unproven theories surround Tates’ release from Romania
-
American News1 year agoTrump expands exemptions from Canada and Mexico tariffs
-
American News1 year agoTrump Expels Zelensky from the White House
-
Pakistan News9 months agoComprehensive Analysis Report-The Faranian National Conference on Maritime Affairs-By Kashif Firaz Ahmed
-
American News1 year agoZelensky bruised but upbeat after diplomatic whirlwind
-
Art & Culture1 year agoThe Indian film showing the bride’s ‘humiliation’ in arranged marriage
-
Art & Culture1 year agoInternational Agriculture Exhibition held in Paris
-
Pakistan News1 year agoCan Pakistan be a Hard State?