Abu dhabi: Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, arrived in Abu Dhabi during his two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates. Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir was also present in the meeting. The Prime Minister was welcomed by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is visiting the UAE to participate in the World Governments Summit 2025. The summit, held under the theme 'Shaping Future Governments' is held in Dubai.
During their meeting at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, the Prime Minister and UAE President discussed ways to deepen cooperation between Pakistan and the UAE and explored opportunities to enhance mutual interests. The talks focused on economic, trade, and development fields, alongside other areas that align with both nations' visions for sustainable economic growth and prosperity. The meeting provided an opportunity to address the significance of the World Governments Summit in identifying global trends in governance and presenting actionable strategies to enhance government preparedness in navigating global transformations. The discussions underscored the importance of leveraging these shifts to accelerate development and build a better future for all.
The two sides also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest, with a focus on recent developments in the Middle East. They emphasised the need for intensified international efforts for a comprehensive and lasting peace in Palestine based on the two-state solution to maintain regional security, stability, and peace.
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui case: IHC Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan seeks reply from govt on declarations, open letter
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) has asked the government to file a written reply to two declarations and an open letter that were filed before the court.
As per details, a single bench of Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan heard the constitutional petition of Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui. Imran Shafique, advocate for the petitioner appeared before the court in person with petitioner (via video link). Clive A. Stafford Smith appeared through a video link. Zainab Janjua, Amicus, Barrister Munawar Iqbal Duggal, Additional Attorney General, Abdul Khaliq Thind, DAG and Yasir Arfat Abbasi, AAG Muhammad Hamza, Assistant Director-US, MoFA also appeared before the court.
The court in its order said: Mr Smith has filed the latest declaration dated 30.1.2025. The CM also attaches a declaration of Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui, and an open letter to the government of Pakistan, titled 'Bring Dr. Aafia Siddiqui home - You have forsaken your daughter, it is time to correct betrayal', by Dr Omar Suleiman a highly respected Imam in Dallas Fort Worth, which to are to be replied by the government.
The judge wrote: "I can't but resist reproducing the following passage in Dr. Omar Suleiman's open letter which reads as follows: "Former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark has described the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui as the worst case of individual injustice he had ever seen. And after everything she has endured - kidnapping, imprisonment, torture- Aafia has been described as the most wronged woman on the planet."
The court order continued: Further, it is also quite obvious from Mr. Smith's declaration that Mr. Hamza, who though has been very proactive in his support for the case, is not high up enough in the chain of command in MoFA. In the previous orders, this Court had passed the directions for senior officers of MoFA to participate in the proceedings but they have dropped away. From now onwards, the Additional Secretary (Americas) will participate in each and every hearing. If he seeks exemption from personal appearance on any particular date, he would have to file an application in advance.
"Learned AAG is directed to file a written reply to the two declarations and the open letter referred above two working days before the next date of hearing. The case was relisted on 21.02.2025 for 10:30 AM.