Foreign Office

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Jordan's Ayman Safadi to discuss the deteriorating situation in the occupied West Bank and regional developments. They reaffirmed Pakistan-Jordan cooperation across political, economic, and cultural domains and highlighted Jordan's role in safeguarding Jerusalem's holy sites. Dar also met Somalia's Foreign Minister to strengthen bilateral ties.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will attend a ministerial meeting in Jordan on August 5 to address the deteriorating situation in occupied Jerusalem with Arab League and Islamic countries. The meeting will discuss the humanitarian situation in Palestine and the status of Al Aqsa Mosque, with Pakistan reaffirming support for an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Ed Miliband, a Labour veteran, is enthusiastic about his role as foreign secretary, focusing on challenges like EU relations, the climate crisis, and Gaza. He is preparing to navigate Trump and the impending G20 leadership, with allies noting his strong policy-driven approach.

Pakistan is actively working to reunite the United States and Iran under the Islamabad MoU to address the Middle East conflict and stabilize the Strait of Hormuz. Renewed hostilities in July, including Iranian attacks on shipping and U.S. military strikes, have escalated tensions, with conflicts spreading to Yemen, Egypt, and Iraq.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar met Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to discuss the Middle East situation and bilateral relations. The two leaders reaffirmed commitments to strengthen Pakistan-Kuwait ties and held talks on regional developments. Pakistan and Kuwait are negotiating an expanded defense pact in exchange for energy cooperation and investment.

Ed Miliband discusses what his grandfather would have said about his new job, while Andy Burnham addresses challenges in Britain's social care system. A cross-party meeting hosted by the new prime minister lacks key figures like Kemi Badenoch and Ed Davey, who are absent in person or via Zoom.

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah will visit Pakistan from July 28 to 29, 2026, at the invitation of Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The visit aims to review bilateral relations and discuss regional and international developments. The Kuwaiti minister is also expected to meet with Pakistan's leadership.

The UK Home Office is blocking the evacuation of dozens of women and children from Gaza, despite the Foreign Office stating readiness to evacuate people from the war-torn region. Refugee family reunion applications have been suspended since September, with no new rules announced as initially promised.

Pakistan's Foreign Office condemned Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's remarks on Kashmir, calling them 'highly provocative and irresponsible' and warning India against underestimating Pakistan's resolve to counter 'adventurism'. Singh asserted there would be 'no talks with Pakistan' and claimed Azad Jammu and Kashmir is 'illegally occupied', prompting Pakistan to accuse India of undermining UN resolutions and regional peace.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss building on the Islamabad MoU amid ongoing US-Iran strikes. The meeting highlighted concerns over regional tensions and the need for diplomatic engagement, while recent military actions have cast doubt on the MoU's future.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Kyrgyz Republic President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting. Discussions focused on bilateral relations, regional cooperation, and Pakistan’s upcoming chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026–27. The SCO, now a forum for economic development, includes 10 member states and two observer states.

Burnham's new government announced a 20% tax break for pubs, clubs, and live music venues, potentially saving them £1,100 annually. The policy's funding is questioned, alongside discussions about Burnham's communication style and his comments on early prison release. The Foreign Office withdrew staff from Iran amid Trump's pressure, and the new Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband's role is analyzed.

Pakistan expressed disappointment with the EU's GSP+ compliance report, which highlighted regressions in its adherence to international commitments. The Foreign Office acknowledged legislative progress but argued the report underplayed reforms since 2014 and focused disproportionately on limited areas of underperformance.

Pakistan condemned Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, stating such actions violate international law and threaten regional security. The Foreign Office emphasized that hostile acts against Pakistani maritime interests would be treated as a national security threat and warned of necessary defensive measures.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Manila to attend the 33rd Asean Regional Forum (ARF) ministerial meeting. The event includes discussions on Asia-Pacific political and security issues and bilateral meetings with delegates from 27 ARF member states.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Venezuela's Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia discussed enhancing economic collaboration across trade, investment, agriculture, and IT. They reaffirmed bilateral ties and expressed condolences over recent earthquakes in Venezuela.

Edmund Fitton-Brown claims the Foreign Office has lost its ability to discern friends from enemies, attributing this to Islamic extremism. The article questions whether a Burnham government could address these concerns.

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is visiting Shanghai to sign an agreement for Pakistan to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) as a founding member. He will also attend the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 and engage with officials to advance AI cooperation. Pakistan has supported China's initiative to establish WAICO, emphasizing equitable AI governance and bridging the global AI divide.

The Foreign Office chief is challenging their dismissal through a judicial review, citing an 'irrational' sacking linked to the Mandelson scandal. The action follows Starmer's refusal to apologize or agree to a financial settlement.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized the country’s strategic geographical location as an asset requiring full exploration to boost economic benefits through improved connectivity. He chaired meetings focusing on enhancing port efficiency, streamlining operations, and promoting economic diplomacy to strengthen regional trade and economic stability.

Pakistan urged the US and Iran to exercise restraint after mutual overnight strikes in the Middle East, citing risks to regional stability. The Foreign Office emphasized the need for dialogue and adherence to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), while tensions escalated following Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and subsequent US retaliation.

Southern Europe is experiencing severe wildfires, with villas evacuated in Spain and a firefighter killed in France. The UK Foreign Office has warned British tourists of a 'high risk' from wildfires amid a 43C heatwave.

President Asif Ali Zardari will embark on a four-day official visit to Kyrgyzstan at the invitation of President Sadyr Zhaparov. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations through discussions on trade, energy, agriculture, and other sectors, following Zhaparov’s 2025 visit to Pakistan and highlighting sustained high-level engagement between the two nations.

Pakistan's Foreign Office summoned the Afghan chargé d’affaires and issued a strong demarche over a terrorist attack on a Karachi Rangers facility, which killed three security personnel. The attack was attributed to Jamaatul Ahrar (JuA), with one arrested Afghan national identified as a participant. Pakistan conducted border operations and strikes in Afghanistan, killing 29 terrorists linked to JuA and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Pakistan and China co-organized an informal United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting to discuss ensuring the full and effective implementation of UNSC resolutions. Participants emphasized the need for realistic mandates, clear implementation pathways, and addressing unresolved conflicts such as Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's first foreign visit post-war with the US-Israel combine was to Pakistan, where he received a warm welcome. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties through trade, energy, and border security discussions, with the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and an MoU on US sanctions termination highlighted as key topics.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian will visit Pakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. During the visit, he will meet President Asif Ali Zardari and discuss bilateral relations, trade, energy, and regional cooperation. The visit aims to strengthen historic ties and address mutual regional and international developments.

Technical-level talks between Iran and the US are scheduled for tomorrow in Buergenstock, Switzerland, as a follow-up to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. The talks involve mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, with the US and Iran aiming to advance commitments under a 14-point agreement signed by President Donald Trump, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The agreement includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting US sanctions on Iran, and a $300 billion reconstruction fund.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is traveling to Cairo for a quadrilateral meeting with foreign ministers from Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye to discuss regional developments and strengthen cooperation. The meeting, part of the R-4 framework, will include bilateral consultations and a meeting with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Sadiq Khan, London's mayor, stated he directed the Metropolitan Police to investigate the Great Israeli Real Estate event, which promotes companies linked to illegal Israeli settlements. The event is set for Sunday in London, with its location undisclosed, and legal groups have also requested the Met investigate blocking it under a Serious Crime Prevention Order.

Pakistan's Foreign Office warned that India's attempt to block water essential to Pakistan would have 'far-reaching consequences' and could constitute an act of war under the UN Charter. The warning followed Indian Water Minister CR Patil's statement that 'not a single drop of water will go to Pakistan' in the coming years, which Pakistan claims violates international obligations and bilateral agreements.

Britain is set to announce new sanctions against Israel over the E1 settlement expansion, targeting UK firms involved in the project and entities supporting settler violence. The measures come amid international opposition to the E1 plan, which would divide the occupied West Bank.

Pakistan rejected remarks by UK-based individuals and British MPs about Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), urging non-interference in internal affairs. The AJK government proscribed the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) for terrorism, leading to clashes that killed seven civilians. Security measures include arrests, restricted information flow, and visitor advisories.

Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry contacted Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Pakistan's envoy in Somalia to discuss the release of 11 Pakistani seamen kidnapped by Somali pirates on April 21. The government is coordinating with the Foreign Office and the ship owner, but the situation remains grave due to the ship's explosive cargo and logistical challenges.

Pakistan rejected India’s objections to upcoming Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) elections as 'baseless,' accusing New Delhi of spreading 'fake narratives.' India claimed GB is an 'integral part of India,' while Pakistan reiterated its stance that Jammu and Kashmir remains a disputed territory under Indian 'illegal occupation.'

Mandelson received sensitive Foreign Office briefings and engaged in discussions with MI6's head before completing his vetting process, as revealed by declassified emails from early January 2025. The documents indicate these actions occurred prior to his appointment as US ambassador.

Peter Mandelson assured the UK government he would not cause regret in his ambassadorship to the US, but was fired after nine months due to ties with Jeffrey Epstein. Released documents reveal rushed security vetting and ongoing investigations, compounding challenges for Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Peter Mandelson assured the UK government he would never regret appointing him as ambassador to the US, but documents released show his appointment caused significant embarrassment for Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Mandelson was fired after nine months due to concerns over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein and security vetting issues, with ongoing questions about the rushed approval process and missing details related to a police investigation.

The UK summoned Israel's chargé d'affaires in response to a video by Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunting activists detained after intercepting a Gaza-bound flotilla. International outrage has escalated over the incident, with Israel beginning to release and deport hundreds of activists who attempted to breach the naval blockade of Gaza.

The UK Government Commercial Agency is seeking input from smaller suppliers for a new £2.9B defense tech framework, aiming to increase participation of small and medium-sized enterprises. The framework, DIPS 2, will be open to more buyers and suppliers, including those outside the Ministry of Defence. It will have a total possible value of £2.88 billion including VAT.