Entertainment
Dar says Pakistan buried India’s false narrative of regional dominance
- DPM Dar says ceasefire was India’s request, not Pakistan’s.
- Highlights Pakistan lost 90,000 lives, $192bn in war on terror.
- Top diplomat says economy stabilising; PIA set to resume UK flights.
LONDON: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar said Pakistan had buried the false narrative propagated by the Indian media and government about its so-called hegemony and portrayal of India as the “net security provider” of the region.
Addressing a press conference in London after his official visit to the United Kingdom, and broadcast live on national TV channels, he said Pakistan had emerged victorious in its recent armed conflict with India, triggered by unprovoked Indian aggression.
“The Indian media and bureaucracy have acknowledged that their narrative proved unsuccessful. On the other hand, Pakistan’s narrative was based upon facts and truth, which was acknowledged by the world,” he added.
Dar said that after air superiority, Pakistan also settled scores with India on the ground.
He said Pakistan always stood for the respect, dignity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region and desired from others to do the same.
Terming Indian leaders’ statements unfortunate, he advised them to accept the defeat and move forward, stressing that Pakistan had not asked anyone to broker a ceasefire; rather, it was the Indian side that agreed to it and which was conveyed by US Secretary of State Rubio to him in the May conflict.
Dar, flanked by the Pakistan High Commission to the UK, Dr Mohammad Faisal, further said the incumbent government was committed to economic stability and prosperity, and its policies resulted in foreign reserves growth and inflation rates on a downward trend.
“Pakistan will emerge stronger. Unity will take us forward if we want Pakistan to get its due place among the comity of nations, and to join D-20,” he observed.
He said that no one should tell Pakistan to hold talks on terrorism, as they were ‘the biggest victim of terrorism, Pakistan had fought the global war of terrorism, on the front foot and sacrificed 90,000 lives besides suffering colossal losses to the tune of $192 billion in that war, he said, stressing that the world had to recognize these sacrifices, Pakistan had rendered huge sacrifices.
He said during the year 2014, terrorism had been eliminated from the country during former premier Nawaz Sharif’s tenure.
About their official visits to various countries, he said their efforts were aimed at projecting Pakistan’s candid stance on various issues, including the scourge of terrorism.
He opined that due to these efforts, the US had proscribed BLA and Majeed Brigade as international terrorist outfits who had been involved in different terrorism incidents, including train hijacking in Balochistan. Dar also advised the Pakistani diaspora not to indulge in petty politics on different national issues.
“After Indian aggression, we adopted a unanimous resolution in the parliament condemning it strongly, which also gave a message to the world about the unity of the nation,” he added.
Dar further underlined the need for the nation should move in unison to take the country on the track of progress.
To a question, he said it was unfortunate, PIA had been earning billions of rupees in revenue when it was grounded, and it took years to revive the national flag carrier.
He welcomed the EU’s decision to lift the ban on PIA in November 2024 and said the UK also followed suit. PIA authorities were in negotiation with the UK authorities to resume flights to Manchester in September under a tentative programme, which could later be expanded to London.
Dar also termed his bilateral and trilateral meetings with the UK counterparts and authorities very productive, in which all spectrums of the bilateral ties were discussed, including the Kashmir dispute and climate change, etc.
Robert Downey Jr. gave Timothée Chalamet validation that he has reached the level of excellence he’s been striving for.
The Dune star has long spoken openly about his “pursuit of greatness” and now, he’s gotten a major seal of approval from the legend.
During a recent Q&A for Marty Supreme, the Avengers: Doomsday star didn’t hold back, calling the newly minted Golden Globes Best Actor winner “one of the greats.”
“You’ve talked a lot lately about this,” Downey, 60, said about Chalamet’s great ambitions. “I am literally twice your age. When I was 30, I was making a movie with Norman Jewison.”
He recalled, “It was called Only You. Me and Marisa Tomei. We were on the Amalfi coast somewhere and I just go to Norman Jewison, you know Moonstruck and all these great movies, I go, ‘Norman, I think I am one of the greats.'”
“I want you to tell me if you agree with that.” the Iron Man lead continued. “He looked at me like I was nuts. He said, ‘Well, Mr. Downey, that remains to be seen.'”
“And I want to say in front of God and everyone in this audience here with you that as of Marty Supreme, it no longer remains to be seen. Let’s hear it for, Timothée Chalamet,” he added.
For the unversed, the 30-year-old French-American actor openly told the industry about wanting to be a great actor during his acceptance speech at the 2025 SAG Awards.
“I can’t downplay the significance of this award, because it means the most to me,” Chalamet said in his acceptance speech after he won best actor for playing Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.
“I know we’re in a subjective business, but the truth is, I’m really in pursuit of greatness. I know people don’t usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats. I am inspired by the greats,” he added.
It is pertinent to note that Marty Supreme has shattered one record after another since opening over the holidays.
Its latest box office milestone came Tuesday when passing up Leonardo DiCaprio’s rival Oscar contender One Battle After Another to end the day with an estimated cume of $72.27 million, according to A24.
The newly released film Marty Supreme earned Chalamet his first Critics’ Choice and Golden Globe awards, making him a frontrunner for a Best Actor Oscar at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards.
Information Minister Atta Tarar has announced the return of veteran broadcaster Ishrat Fatima to Pakistan Television, where she will serve as a mentor to aspiring newscasters and broadcasters.
The announcement was made during a media interaction at her residence in Islamabad, where the minister appeared alongside the veteran broadcaster. The development comes after Fatima’s retirement, marking the end of her 45-year-long association with Radio Pakistan.
Tarar expressed his gratitude to Fatima for accepting his request to rejoin Pakistan Television as an expert and mentor. He noted that her expertise would be invaluable in training newcomers in the art of news reading and broadcasting under various circumstances.
“She is a seasoned newscaster with an illustrious career,” the minister remarked and added, “Every Pakistani identified her voice as she brings over four and a half decades of experience and service to the nation.”
“Following her retirement from Radio Pakistan, I personally requested her to join PTV to train the next generation and promote the Urdu language. Her return will encourage us all and strengthen PTV as an institution. Throughout her career, she maintained professional integrity without any political associations.”
The minister said there would be a surprise upon her formal return, noting that Pakistan Television is all set to welcome her back.
Speaking to the media, the veteran broadcaster described news reading as her lifelong passion and thanked the minister for honoring her with this responsibility.
Fatima said that she looks forward to teaching the younger generation and contributing to the betterment of the institution. She also urged the government to continue encouraging competent individuals in every field.
The equity market rose on Friday as investors bought the dip pointing to US–Iran de-escalation and a dovish tilt in rate expectations, lifting risk appetite early in the session.
The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s benchmark KSE-100 Index climbed to an intraday high of 184,645.65, gaining 3,189.32 points, 1.76%, from the previous close of 181,456.33, and reached a low of 182,559.69, up 1,103.36 points, or 0.61%.
“The market witnessed a sharp recovery after the latest news flows suggest the de-escalation between the US and Iran,” said Huzaifa Riaz, Director, Mayari Securities (Pvt) Limited.
“Additionally, sentiment around the next monetary policy remains dovish as the latest auction suggests a 50 bps cut, which could further improve a risk-on sentiment,” he added.
Ahsan Mehanti, Managing Director and CEO of Arif Habib Commodities, echoed the sentiments, saying: “Bullish activity witnessed in early session at PSX amid reports of US-Iran de-escalation,” adding: “Speculations over further SBP policy easing amid falling government bond yields played a catalyst role in bullish activity at PSX.”
A Topline Research survey ahead of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Monetary Policy Committee meeting on January 26, 2026, showed 80% of participants expect a rate cut.
Of those, 56.4% see 50 bps, 15.4% expect 100 bps, 5% look for 25 bps, and 3% foresee 75 bps, while 20% expect no change. In the previous decision on December 15, 2025, the SBP cut 50 bps.
SBP reserves rose $16 million to $16.072 billion in the week ended January 9, taking total liquid reserves to $21.248 billion (commercial banks $5.177 billion, up $40 million).
The SBP noted ongoing foreign exchange purchases amid a steadier current account supported by remittances; from June 2024 to September 2025, net market purchases totalled $9.7 billion.
The central bank projects the FY26 current account deficit at 0–1% of GDP and sees reserves at $17.8 billion by June 2026 with planned official inflows.
On Thursday, the KSE-100 Index fell 1,113.48 points (0.61%) to 181,456.34 from 182,569.82, after trading between 183,717.54 and 180,783.63.
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