Pakistan discusses regional challenges, bilateral ties with Britain, Egypt at UAE summit 

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar speaks during a meeting with British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy on the sidelines of the Sir Bani Yas Forum in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on December 13, 2025. (X/@MIshaqDar50)
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Updated 13 December 2025
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Pakistan discusses regional challenges, bilateral ties with Britain, Egypt at UAE summit 

  • Ishaq Dar arrived in Abu Dhabi for two-day Sir Bani Yas Forum on Friday to hold talks on economic cooperation, regional issues
  • Pakistan deputy premier meets counterpart from Britain David Lammy, Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty, says FO 

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Saturday he held discussions on regional challenges and reviewed bilateral ties with senior officials from Britain and Egypt at the Sir Bani Yas Forum in Abu Dhabi.

Dar arrived in Abu Dhabi on Friday for the summit, a two-day high-level annual gathering that brings together senior statesmen, policymakers and global experts to discuss key regional and international issues, including peace, security and economic cooperation.

Dar, who is also Pakistan’s foreign minister, met British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy on the sidelines of the forum. 

“It was a good opportunity to catch up on Pak-UK relations, our diverse areas of cooperation & strong people-to-people ties,” Dar wrote about his meeting with Lammy on social media platform X. 

“Also discussed current regional & international developments.”

He also met Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty on the sidelines of the Forum. 

“Exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, current regional challenges & how to further strengthen our bilateral ties,” the Pakistani deputy PM wrote. 

Pakistan’s foreign office said earlier that Dar would engage with international leaders and experts on matters related to regional stability, sustainable development and the expansion of economic partnerships during the summit.

It added that the deputy premier will also present Pakistan’s perspectives on promoting dialogue, addressing regional challenges and fostering enhanced opportunities for economic cooperation at the summit. 


Pakistan announces compensation for Islamabad mosque blast that killed over 30

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Pakistan announces compensation for Islamabad mosque blast that killed over 30

  • Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visits Islamabad mosque, meets family members of victims who were killed in blast
  • Sharif announces compensation of $18,000 for relatives of those killed in attack, $10,800 for those seriously injured

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced compensation for the victims of a suicide attack earlier this month that targeted a mosque in Islamabad, vowing that sacrifices of those who gave their lives would not go in vain. 

At least 32 people were killed and over 150 others sustained injuries in a suicide blast last Friday that targeted Imam Bargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra mosque in the Tarlai Kallan area located on Islamabad’s outskirts.

The blast occurred during Friday prayers at the packed mosque, with Daesh saying one of its militants had targeted the congregation by detonating an explosive vest.

Sharif visited the mosque with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other officials on Wednesday. He met relatives of the blast and offered prayers for them. 

“Rs5 million [$18,000] will be given to the families of each martyr, Rs3 million [$10,800] to those seriously injured, and Rs1 million [$3,600] to others who suffered minor injuries,” a statement from Sharif’s office said. 

Sharif also announced Rs10 million [$36,800] for the family of Aun Abbas, who had resisted the suicide bomber. He later visited Abbas’ residence and offered prayers for his soul and met his family. 

“The entire nation, including myself, is deeply grieved over the heinous, despicable, and extremely deplorable act of terrorism on Feb. 6,” the Pakistani prime minister said. 

During his visit to the mosque, the prime minister was briefed about the attack by police and district administration authorities who accompanied him. 

Friday’s mosque blast was the deadliest in Islamabad since a 2008 suicide bombing at the Marriott Hotel that killed 63 people and wounded more than 250. In November last year, a suicide bomber struck outside a court in the capital, killing 12 people.

Tallal Chaudry, Pakistan’s state minister for interior, blamed the Islamabad mosque attack on militants that he said were “sponsored by India and supported by Afghanistan.”

Both countries have always denied Islamabad’s accusations of supporting militant groups who carry out attacks in Pakistan.