Dr Naseem Salahuddin, a renowned infectious diseases expert and professor emeritus at Indus Hospital, passed away on Friday.
According to information available on the hospital’s website, she was serving as the head of its infectious diseases department.
The Indus Hospital also expressed its sorrow over the passing of Dr Salahuddin.
In a statement, it said that Dr Salahuddin had been associated with the Indus Hospital since November 1, 2007, and “remained a beacon of dedication, compassion, and excellence in the field of healthcare and infectious diseases”.
“Her lifelong commitment to patient care, medical education, and humanitarian service greatly contributed to strengthening the mission of providing quality healthcare, free of cost, to those in need,” the statement said.
It added that Dr Salahuddin also played a pivotal role in raising awareness and advancing efforts towards a rabies-free Pakistan, stating that her “relentless work in the prevention and treatment of rabies saved countless lives and brought national attention to an often-neglected public health challenge”.
Dr Salahuddin graduated from Fatima Jinnah Medical College in 1967 and obtained certification in internal medicine from the United States in 1977.
The website stated that Dr Salahuddin had also been a member of the World Health Organization’s Expert Advisory Panel on Rabies since 2004.
Dr Salahuddin was also a prolific writer, contributing to various scholarly journals and news outlets, including Dawn. She also authored books.
Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Friday evening as part of ongoing mediation efforts aimed at bringing the Iran-US war to a conclusion.
On arrival, the army chief was “received and warmly welcomed” by Iran’s Minister for Interior Eskandar Momeni, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The military’s media wing added that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was also present at the reception.
The CDF will discuss US-Iran talks, regional peace and other important issues during the visit, the sources said. He will also meet senior Iranian officials.
Earlier in the day, security sources said the army chief had departed for Iran.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented about CDF Munir’s visit to Tehran, saying that the US was in “constant communication with him [and] the highest levels of our government are constantly talking to him”.
He also praised Pakistan for doing an “admirable job” trying to mediate a peace deal between Washington and Tehran.
“The primary interlocutor on this has been Pakistan and continues to be and they’ve done a, you know, I think an admirable job. And that’s what we continue to work through,” Fox Newsquoted Rubio as saying.
“Obviously, other countries … may have their own situation going on. We talk to all of them. But I would just say that the primary country we’ve been working with on all of this is Pakistan, and that remains the case,” he told reporters in Sweden.
Meanwhile, earlier today, Tasnim News Agency reported that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to review proposals for resolving disputes, while on an official visit to Tehran.
The visit comes amid ongoing Pakistani efforts to mediate between the US and Iran, after plans for a second round of negotiations in Islamabad fell through.
The first round of historic direct US-Iran talks was held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, following a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire on April 8. It had ended without an agreement, but also without a breakdown.
US President Donald Trump later called off a planned visit of US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner to travel to Islamabad for a second round of talks with Iran. However, he extended the ceasefire indefinitely “upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif”.
Pakistan has stepped up its diplomatic efforts to break the deadlock, sending the interior minister to Tehran on Wednesday for the second time in less than a week to resuscitate negotiations. He had previously met Iran’s president, parliament speaker and foreign minister over the weekend.
The CDF previously visited Iran for three days last month alongside Naqvi, where he held a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other officials. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) described the visit as part of “ongoing mediation efforts” for de-escalation between Iran and the US.
Diplomatic sources said Pakistan was continuing to relay messages between Tehran and Washington, but differences over Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, the Strait of Hormuz, and wider regional security concerns linked to Tehran’s missile capabilities and allied armed groups continued to impede progress.
The latest round of contacts is taking place under heightened pressure from the US and its Middle East allies. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said talks in Iran were in the final stages, and also threatened to resume strikes if a deal is not reached in a “limited timeframe”.
Iran, meanwhile, warned of confrontation beyond the Middle East in the case of a US attack but also insisted that all paths were open to avert the resumption of hostilities.
While negotiations currently remain stalled, the Foreign Office (FO) said at the end of April that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts are continuing, with Islamabad maintaining its role as a facilitator between the two sides despite the apparent impasse.
FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said in a press briefing on Friday that PM Shehbaz would be undertaking a visit to China from May 23-26, in which the US-Iran war would be on the agenda for discussion.
However, he said he could neither confirm not deny reports about a “high-level delegation” visiting Iran from Pakistan.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on Wednesday that Tehran had received a new US proposal and was currently examining it.
“We received the points of view of the American side and we are currently examining them,” he told state television.
He reiterates Iran’s demands in talks to end the war, including the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad and an end to the US blockade on Iranian ports.
The Strait of Hormuz — the world’s most important waterway for oil shipments — has been a central point in the US-Iran war.
After the US and Israel attacked Iran on Feb 28, Tehran responded by shutting down the strait and later announced it would charge vessels using the maritime route. In April, the US blockaded Iranian ports to stop its oil exports and returned over 30 ships leaving Iranian ports.
Europe and the rest of the world appears anxious for a swift, diplomatic end to the war, which has ravaged the Middle East and crippled global shipping, causing a fuel crunch across the globe.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, however, has claimed, “No one sails from the Strait of Hormuz to anywhere in the world without the permission of the United States Navy.”
Another sticking point remains a lasting ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israel has launched massive strikes since the war began, insisting they are aimed against Hezbollah. The strikes have continued despite the announcement of the ceasefire in April.
Iran maintains that any final deal with the US must include security guarantees for Lebanon to prevent future attacks from Israel.
In addition, it has asked the US to give up regime change plans, unwarranted military aggression against Iran and a guaranteed permanent ceasefire. The US, on the other hand, has demanded an end to Iran targeting Israel and US bases in the Gulf states, as well as its support for regional groups such as Hezbollah.
The US has also said that Iran’s request for the lifting of sanctions and unfreezing of assets can only be considered after Iran gives up on its nuclear ambitions.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday inaugurated the 39-kilometre-long Shahrah-i-Bhutto Expressway, linking Karachi’s Qayyumabad to the M-9 Motorway.
He also laid the foundation stone for the construction of an expressway project linking Karachi Port to Qayyumabad.
Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that the expressway has six interchanges, six lanes and a 5-kilometre elevated section.
He said the PPP chairman had inaugurated the first 9-kilometre segment of the project in January 2025. The second 4-kilometre segment was inaugurated in June last year, and the remaining portion is now being inaugurated in May 2026.
CM Murad emphasised that the project took 4 to 4.5 years to complete, and that it could have been finished earlier had the government not prioritised avoiding the displacement of any population along the route.
“If you need to travel outside Karachi, whether to Sindh, Punjab or Balochistan, this project will reduce travel time by around an hour.”
He added that projects worth Rs1,700 billion were underway in Karachi, adding that he had approved over Rs70 billion worth of projects in the past three months alone.
‘Healthcare capital of the country’
Addressing the ceremony, PPP Chairman said, “If one compares the projects completed between 1947 and 2008, one will realise that the PPP is the only government that has undertaken meaningful development projects.”
“Due to the PPP, people from across the country want to visit, work and live in Karachi. We invite them to come here and contribute to this province and its economy,” he said.
He maintained that Karachi is not just the commercial capital of Pakistan, but also the healthcare capital of the country.
He said the Sindh government assumed administrative control of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) in Karachi after the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
“I invite our political rivals to assess the hospital’s situation before and after the 18th Amendment. It has become one of the largest free healthcare institutions in the world,” Bilawal said.
Bilawal said that the Shahrah-i-Bhutto project was completed under a public-private partnership model.
During his speech, Bilawal said that the Pakistani nation was currently facing financial difficulties. “In particular, the Israel–US war with Iran is causing a global financial burden. Poor and hardworking people around the world are bearing that burden.”
“I believe that whoever is working for peace at this time is doing God’s work,” he said.
He thanked Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for their efforts to prevent war.
“We thank them because the PPP has always been against war, especially in view of the country’s financial difficulties,” he said.
He added that his party was also working to ease the financial burden. “We will create opportunities that provide financial relief.”
“We need to launch initiatives that create economic opportunities,” he emphasised.
He also said the Sindh government was leading the country in public-private partnerships.
“We have received global recognition for these partnerships. We have proven that the PPP can deliver on its promises. Through these partnerships, we will create opportunities for the entire nation.”
The PPP chairman also announced the establishment of the Sindh International Financial Centre in Karachi, adding, “It will help improve Karachi’s business growth.”
“Once this project is built, Sindh will compete with the rest of the world.”
He said Pakistan needed to improve its port infrastructure so that the economy could grow.
“The port authority is the government’s responsibility, but I will also try to develop a public-private partnership port,” he said.
Bilawal also said he wanted to ensure that Karachi plays a role in defence production.
“When I was foreign minister, I noted that we were not meeting demand in those years. Now, since the war with India in May, the demand for ‘Made in Pakistan’ defence production has increased.”
“Everyone wants to buy ‘Made in Pakistan’ defence equipment. So I want to establish a defence and security production zone in Karachi. The goal would be to manufacture defence equipment such as drones, ammunition and fighter jets,” he said.
The PPP chairman further added that these projects would also be implemented through public-private partnerships.
Bilawal said some critics in the country often criticise the PPP.
“I encourage my workers to ignore what they say. I am here, and I will not let any of their plans succeed.”
“It is the right of our rivals to criticise us. Right now, Sindh has the most democracy in the country. Karachi has the highest level of democratic freedom of all cities in the country,” he said.
He said the PPP considers criticism part of democracy. “In any other province, political rivals cannot criticise the ruling party.”
“I say that the problems in my city are mine. Anyone sitting elsewhere cannot solve these problems,” he stressed.
On May 14, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon announced that the government would fully open the Shahrah-i-Bhutto Expressway in Karachi to the public by the end of May.
Earlier this week, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab launched the Urban Forest project along the Shahrah-i-Bhutto, aiming to plant 100,000 saplings along the route.
He said it would play a significant role in environmental improvement, reducing air pollution and providing citizens with a healthier environment.
The Pakistan Air Force and the Turkiye Air Force reaffirmed their “growing strategic convergence” in defence, aerospace innovation and emerging technologies, the military’s media wing said on Friday.
Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, during an official visit to Turkiye, held high-level meetings with Turkish Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, Defence Minister Yaşar Güler, and Baykar Technologies Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Selçuk Bayraktar, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
During these engagements, ACM Sidhu reaffirmed “the growing strategic convergence and shared commitment of both nations towards enhanced collaboration in defence, aerospace innovation and emerging technologies”.
At the headquarters of the Turkish Air Force, the air chief was accorded a guard of honour. During the engagement, ACM Sidhu “discussed enhancing interoperability through joint exercises, training programmes, and professional exchanges”.
“The Turkish air chief appreciated Pakistan Air Force’s support in training Turkish pilots,” ISPR said.
ACM Sidhu, in his meeting with Güler, “reaffirmed the strong historical and strategic ties between Pakistan and Turkiye,” the ISPR stated, adding that the two sides also explored “deeper cooperation in training, capacity building and aerospace collaboration”.
The air chief also met Baykar Technologies CTO Selçuk Bayraktar, where discussions focused on “advancements in aerospace innovation, unmanned aerial systems and emerging technologies,” the military’s media wing said.
ISPR added that the discussion reflected the “shared vision of both sides to pursue greater collaboration in next-generation defence technologies”.
Pakistan and Turkiye share robust bilateral relations spanning across various sectors.
Earlier this year, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir, in a meeting with Turkiye’s Chief of General Staff General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, discussed the regional security landscape and bilateral defence cooperation.
It was also reported earlier this year that the country was seeking to join a defence alliance between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, which was signed in September 2025.
Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V reached Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday where he is expected to attend public gatherings and address different ceremonies.
Prince Rahim arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday for a week-long visit — his first to the country since being named the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community last year.
State broadcasters PTV News and Radio Pakistan reported that he was welcomed by caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Yar Muhammad and other senior civil and military officials at the airport in Gilgit.
Meanwhile, banners and messages welcoming Prince Rahim were put up at different spots in the city, PTV News reported.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan arrived in Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday. Prior to his arrival, preparations in GB reached a fever pitch, prompting a large-scale mobilisation of federal and regional resources, officials said. Officials anticipate large gatherings in the Passu Cones area of Hunza; Gilgit City, Gahkuch Bala, and Taus Yasin. The administration is considering holding multiple sessions at certain venues to manage the expected crowds, officials told the minister. DawnToday
On Wednesday, he was received by President Asif Ali Zardari at Rawalpindi’s Nur Khan Airbase upon his arrival in Pakistan. He will be in the country till May 26.
He has held discussions with both President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif since his arrival.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and MNA Aseefa Bhutto Zardari were also present during his meeting with President Zardari on Wednesday, which was followed by delegation-level talks.
A day later, he attended a breakfast meeting hosted by PM Shehbaz where he expressed the desire to continue cooperation with Pakistan in various human development initiatives, a statement issued by the PM’s Office said.
In GB, he will be accorded the status of a state guest, and prior to his arrival, preparations reached a fever pitch, prompting large-scale mobilisation of federal and regional resources, officials said last week.
Officials anticipate large gatherings in the Passu Cones area of Hunza, Gilgit City, Gahkuch Bala, and Taus Yasin during Prince Rahim’s visit.
This is Prince Rahim’s second visit to Pakistan since 2024, when he was awarded the Nishan-i-Pakistan — the nation’s highest civilian award — for the Aga Khan family’s contributions to the country.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that Pakistan was taking measures on a priority basis to increase foreign investment in the country, according to a statement by the Prime Minister’s House (PMO).
He made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation from Qatar’s Taameer Group, led by its founder Mohammad Al Ali, the PMO said in a statement.
“Qatar is a longstanding friend of Pakistan that has always stood by the country in difficult times,” PM Shehbaz was quoted as saying.
“We are taking measures on a priority basis to increase foreign investment. Obstacles hindering investment have been removed under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC),” he said.
The premier further said that Pakistan had vast potential for investment in tourism and hospitality, as well as the real estate and construction sectors.
He directed the authorities concerned to “provide facilitation and support to the group” on investment in the country.
The statement went on to say that the company’s founder briefed the meeting about its investments in Pakistan and ongoing projects.
“The group is interested in investing in Pakistan’s hospitality and hotel industry, as well as the real estate and construction sectors, and work on several projects in this regard has already begun,” the statement quoted him as saying.
It stated that he also expressed keen interest in further expanding the group’s investment in Pakistan.
“He lauded the steps being taken under the leadership of PM Shehbaz for the country’s development and for boosting business activity and foreign investment,” it said.
He said that under the prime minister’s leadership, “the government is taking positive measures” through the SIFC to facilitate investors in Pakistan, the statement concluded.
Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Andrabi on Friday officially announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would be undertaking a visit to China from May 23-26.
During his weekly press briefing, he said, “At the invitation of the People’s Republic of China, PM Shehbaz will undertake an official visit to China from May 23 to 26.”
He said that the premier’s visit assumed special significance as the two countries were also commemorating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.
“The visit will provide an opportunity to reaffirm the abiding strength of the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic partnership and advance a shared vision of building an even closer Pakistan-China community of a shared future,” he said.
Andrabi said that during the visit, the premier would hold meetings with the Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang.
“The two sides will review bilateral relations, and cooperation in political, economic and strategic domains,” he said.
“The visit is expected to further strengthen and deepen political trust, strategic coordination, expand political cooperation and consolidate the long-standing friendship between the two countries,” he said.
The FO spokesperson stated that the premier will begin his visit from the Chinese city of Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, where he will chair the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference.
“In Beijing, the prime minister will attend a reception hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to commemorate the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic relations,” Andrabi said.
Later, the FO also shared these details of the PM’s upcoming visit to China in a separate statement.
On being asked if the US-Iran war would be on the agenda during the visit, Andrabi answered in the affirmative.
It should be mentioned that the premier’s visit comes at a time when Pakistan has remained engaged in facilitating engagement between the US and Iran in the past month, of which China has also been a part.
“Pakistan and China have maintained close coordination on the standoff in the Middle East/Gulf and our peace efforts in this regard,” Andrabi said, recalling Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s visit to China last month.
“We agreed on a five-point principle, which was issued as a joint statement. So, yes, this issue will be discussed during the prime minister’s visit,” Andrabi stated.
He maintained that while the primary objective of the visit remained bilateral, the US-Iran war is expected to come up during “discussion between our prime minister and the Chinese leadership”.
‘India’s rejection of PCA IWT proceedings holds no political or legal value’
During the briefing, Andrabi was also asked about India’s rejection of a May 15 supplemental award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) over the Indus Water Treaty.
Responding to the query, Andrabi maintained that the rejection held “no political or legal value”.
“Pakistan rejects this legally untenable attempt to dismiss the PCA’s supplemental award,” he said, adding that the mechanism was constituted under the IWT and its awards were “final and binding”.
Andrabi stressed that India’s “refusal to participate cannot invalidate lawful proceedings”.
The spokesperson reiterated the state’s position on the award, stating that it “reaffirmed Pakistan’s long-standing position that the treaty imposed substantive limits on India’s water control capabilities on the western rivers”.
“India’s claim to hold the IWT in abeyance is equally without legal basis, and the treaty remains in force,” he said.
‘World must play constructive role against human rights abuses in IoK’
Andrabi also called on the international community and the United States to take note of the continued human rights abuses in occupied Kashmir.
He recalled that May 21 marked the death anniversary of Mirwaiz Maulvi Mohammad Farooq in 1990 and Abdul Gani Lone in 2002, both of whom were shot dead by unidentified gunmen.
Paying “rich tribute” to the leaders, Andrabi said, “Pakistan salutes the courage of countless Kashmiri martyrs who have laid down their lives in pursuit of their inalienable right to self-determination”.
Andrabi held that the killing of innocent Kashmiris and their leaders was a “chilling example of the brazen impunity that defines the deplorable human rights situation in the India-occupied Kashmir”.
In that regard, Andrabi urged the international community to “hold India accountable and ensure a just solution”.
Andrabi also expressed concern at the “continued politically motivated questionable cases” against Kashmiri leaders.
“By suppressing legitimate Kashmiri voices and through arbitrary detention and sham trials [..] India continues to misuse its judiciary to pursue a political vendetta against the Kashmiri leadership,” Andrabi stated.
He called for the release of political prisoners, human rights defenders, and civil society activists in Indian-occupied Kashmir, once again urging the international community, including the US, to play a “constructive role” by holding India accountable for its human rights abuses and ensuring the release of political prisoners in occupied Kashmir.
FO mum on reports of ‘high-level’ delegation’s visit to Iran
Andrabi also said he could neither deny nor confirm reports about a “high-level delegation” visiting Iran from Pakistan.
He made these remarks when asked about reports of Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir visiting Iran.
“We can neither confirm not deny these reports,” Andrabi said in his response.
He also said that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent statement was in reference to Interior Mohsin Naqvi’s visit to Iran and not any other visit.
Rubio said yesterday he believed that “Pakistanis will be travelling to Tehran today”, while Naqvi is already in Tehran and has been holding meetings with the political leadership.
Andrabi also said that Pakistani leadership was in contact with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, adding that “this is part of engagements with neighbouring countries”.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, scheduled from May 30 to June 4 in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
According to a press releaseissued by the cricket board, “Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas and Rohail Nazir are the three players selected in the squad who are yet to represent Pakistan in ODI cricket”.
It added that left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to lead the side, while Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim — who were not part of the away ODI series against Bangladesh in March — have been recalled.
Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and Nazir have been named as the two wicketkeeper-batters in the squad after Usman Khan was not considered for selection due to illness, the PCB said.
The board further stated that Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were not considered for selection as they had earlier been ruled out due to injuries and “will continue their rehabilitation programmes under the supervision of the PCB medical panel”.
“The 16-member squad will assemble in Islamabad tonight and will begin training under the coaching staff from Saturday (May 23),” the PCB said.
The Australian men’s team will arrive in Islamabad on Saturday. They will also take part in training sessions at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, details of which will be announced in due course, it added.
16-membersquad:
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir (wicket-keeper), Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain and Sufyan Moqim
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