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President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the security forces for their successful operations against terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In his statement, the president commended the bravery of the security forces in conducting operations against Khawarij terrorists and expressed his resolve to continue these efforts until the complete elimination of Fitna al- Khawarij. “The entire nation stands with its security forces in the fight against terrorism,” he stated. The day also marked the observance of Kashmir Black Day, commemorating the Indian occupation of the valley. In their messages, both the president and the prime minister reaffirmed the nation’s steadfast moral, political, and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, as highlighted in an official press release.
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Pakistan and Russia Sign MoU to Bolster Parliamentary Cooperation
On Monday, Pakistan and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance parliamentary cooperation during a ceremony at the parliament house. Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani and Valentina Matvienko, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective countries. The Senate of Pakistan shared a video of the event, showcasing the agreement signing ceremony between the two dignitaries. The Russian Embassy in Pakistan also posted on X, highlighting the MoU signing ceremony and Valentina’s acknowledgment of Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani’s significant contributions to strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation within the SCO. “This visit marks a watershed in the long and historic journey of cooperation between Pakistan and Russia, reinforcing our shared commitment to regional peace, prosperity, and mutual respect,” Gilani remarked during the occasion. He emphasized that the agreement lays the foundation for enhanced parliamentary diplomacy and promotes the exchange of parliamentary delegations to further cooperation between the two countries. The agreement encourages interaction between parliamentary friendship groups and highlights a professional development program focusing on capacity building and enhancing institutional development for effective parliamentary engagement for both nations, Gilani added. “We are confident that this visit’s outcome will pave the way for a stronger, more meaningful interparliamentary and bilateral partnership between Pakistan and the Russian Federation in the years ahead,” he concluded. Valentina is also scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq during her visit, Gilani mentioned. Once Cold War adversaries, Pakistan and Russia have recently strengthened their relationship through ongoing trade and business engagements. With Islamabad aiming to become a key transit route for Central Asia’s landlocked nations, it has shown interest in forging trade links with Russia via Central Asian countries. Relations between Islamabad and Moscow progressed notably in 2023 when Pakistan began importing discounted Russian crude oil, following a steep rise in fuel prices driven by geopolitical conflicts. In September, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk visited Islamabad to discuss expanding trade and investment opportunities with Pakistan.
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Indus Shield 2024: Strengthening Military Cooperation Among Key Allies
The Pakistan Air Force is spearheading a major multinational air exercise, Indus Shield 2024, which includes participation from the air forces of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. These exercises are aimed at bolstering military collaboration and ensuring readiness to tackle…
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