Esmail Baqaei ismael baqai

“Agreement Does Not Mean Forgiving U.S. War Crimes or Forgetting Them,” Says Iran

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei has stated that the agreement with the United States does not mean forgiving or forgetting alleged U.S. war crimes.

According to international media reports, Baqaei said that the return of Iran’s frozen assets, as well as compensation for damages caused by U.S. and Israeli military operations, are included in the agreement.

He said that a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States will be signed in Geneva on Friday. Prior to this, Iranian delegations will visit various regional and neighboring countries.

Addressing a press conference, Esmail Baqaei said that during the 110-day war, the Iranian people fully supported their government and armed forces and demonstrated exceptional resilience. He paid tribute to the Iranian people and said that Iran will never forget the sacrifices of its leadership, military commanders, and civilians.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused Israel of continuing aggression in Lebanon and Palestine, saying that international organizations have failed to stop Israeli actions and to condemn U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran.

Also Read: Pakistan Says Electronic Signing Ceremony of Iran-US Agreement to Be Held on Sunday

He said that Iran always prefers dialogue and diplomacy, but reaching an agreement does not mean it will forget its losses or alleged crimes committed during the war.

According to Baqaei, the restoration and return of Iran’s frozen assets abroad and compensation for war damages are key parts of the negotiations, and Iran has the full right to raise these demands.

He added that the memorandum of understanding with the United States also includes provisions related to Lebanon, and that Lebanon’s sovereignty and security will be ensured.

He alleged that despite a ceasefire, Israel continues attacks in Lebanon, and the implementation of the agreement will be closely monitored.

The Iranian spokesperson further said that steps will be taken with the assistance of Oman to secure maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz, along with consultations with other relevant parties.

He clarified that Iran has always maintained that no toll will be charged from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Also Read: Pakistan Says Electronic Signing Ceremony of Iran-US Agreement to Be Held on Sunday

Esmail Baqaei said the procedural details for signing the memorandum will be finalized today or tomorrow, after which an official announcement will be made.

He added that the United States still has a long way to go to regain the trust of the Iranian people, but Iran will fully abide by the agreement.

Punjab Assembly

Punjab and Sindh Assemblies Summoned for Budget Sessions

Budget sessions of the Punjab and Sindh Assemblies have been summoned to present the budget for the financial year 2026-27.

The 43rd budget session of the Punjab Assembly will be held on Tuesday, June 16, at 2:00 PM under the chairmanship of Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan. In this session, the budget for the upcoming fiscal year will be presented, in which new targets for development projects and government expenditures will be set. The Punjab Assembly Secretariat has issued a formal notification regarding the session.

On the other hand, the Sindh Assembly budget session has been summoned for Wednesday at 4:00 PM. Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah will present the new fiscal year’s budget in the House. Prior to the budget session, a meeting of the Sindh Cabinet will also be held to approve budget proposals.

Also Read: Polling Ends for Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly Elections; Vote Counting Underway Across 24 Constituencies

According to sources, the Sindh Assembly budget session is expected to continue for approximately five days, and a supplementary budget will also be presented in the House. The approval of the Sindh budget is expected in the coming week.

Pinky

Shocking Revelations in Interim Challan of Drug Trafficking Case Against “Pinky”

Karachi: An interim challan has been submitted in the drug trafficking case against notorious alleged drug dealer Anmol alias “Pinky,” revealing a series of sensational findings regarding an organized narcotics network.

According to media reports, the interim challan was presented before the court of the Judicial Magistrate South in Karachi in the case involving Anmol alias Pinky and her group. The challan, submitted by the investigating officer, unveiled a highly organized digital and manual network supplying cocaine to upscale areas of Karachi and Lahore, private parties, and educational institutions.

In the case, five accused persons including Humaira, Sabra, Anna, Aizaz, and Hamza have been declared absconders, while 16 witnesses, including private individuals, have been included in the investigation.

The challan states that the main accused, Anmol alias Pinky, has allegedly been involved in the narcotics trade for the past 16 years. It further claims that she learned the method of producing drugs and cocaine from her former husband Rana Nasser and, after their divorce, continued the illegal business independently by frequently changing hideouts in Karachi and Lahore.

According to reports, she sold ordinary cocaine at Rs 20,000 per gram and “Golden Stuff” cocaine at Rs 40,000 per gram. It also highlights a heavy criminal record of the accused and her family. A total of 27 cases have been registered against her in Karachi and Lahore, while her brothers Kamran Murad, Shaukat, Nasser, and Riaz face 2, 4, 1, and 2 cases respectively.

Also Read: Nigerian Handler, 13 Supply Riders Arrested in ‘Pinky’ Drug Case

The challan further reveals that initially the accused used co-accused Sabra to transport cocaine to Karachi via local bus networks, paying her Rs 50,000 per trip. In 2019, following an Anti-Narcotics Force operation that led to the closure of Anmol Pinky’s bank account, she allegedly opened an account in Sabra’s name. After Sabra’s arrest, she reportedly involved Humaira and Anna in the operation, with Anna being paid Rs 70,000 per trip.

Evidence obtained from forensic examination of mobile phones, voice notes, and chats by the cybercrime wing suggests that the network operated entirely online.

According to the police challan, once an order was finalized, Pinky would provide buyers’ details to her operatives Zeeshan and Sohail through “Fayyaz Communication” accounts. After receiving payments, Zeeshan would send screenshots to Anmol Pinky, and upon confirmation, she would arrange delivery through three designated riders in Karachi—Aizaz, Hamza, and Aqib.

The investigation also revealed that Zeeshan had five active bank accounts and Sohail had two. Substantial evidence of transactions worth millions of rupees was found in one of Zeeshan’s accounts. These funds were later transferred into accounts opened in the name of co-accused Sameer, whose ATM card was recovered from Anmol Pinky at the time of arrest.

Also Read: Pinky in Jail, Yet Alleged Cocaine Network Remains Active; Drugs Supplied in Chips Packets

Sameer reportedly confessed that he allowed his account to be used in exchange for money and also supplied drugs on the accused’s instructions. It was further revealed that Pinky assisted him in securing bail in court cases.

According to the challan, the ANF had frozen the accused’s CNIC, passport, and two bank accounts, including one account in Lahore containing Rs 63.9 million.

The investigating officer stated in the challan that a letter has been written to the Federal Investigation Agency to obtain the complete travel history of the accused. The seized narcotics have also been chemically analyzed.

The mobile phones of Zeeshan and Sohail have been sent to the Punjab Forensic Lab for further data recovery.

Investigating officials said that the final challan will be submitted in court once complete responses are received from the FIA and other relevant agencies.

Youtube

YouTube Rolls Out New In-App Messaging Feature After Testing Phase

YouTube has begun a wider rollout of its new in-app messaging feature after completing its testing phase, aiming to allow users to directly discuss videos within the platform itself.

Under the new feature, a messaging icon has been added to the top-right corner of the YouTube app. Through this icon, users will be able to share videos, Shorts, and live streams, as well as engage in one-on-one chats.

However, the feature includes a specific safety and control system. According to the platform, users must first send an invitation link before starting a direct conversation with another user. This link will remain valid for seven days and can be shared via WhatsApp or any other third-party chat application. The purpose of this restriction is to encourage communication mainly between friends and family rather than strangers.

YouTube stated that the feature received strong user demand during its testing phase last year. It is also worth noting that the company previously offered a similar messaging service until 2019, which was later discontinued.

Also Read: Pakistan to Unveil Over Rs17.5 Trillion Federal Budget Today

Under the new system, when a user clicks on an invitation link, they will be given the options to either “Allow messaging” or “Not now.” As a result, the feature is designed to remain limited mainly to video sharing and discussions, rather than functioning as a full-scale social chat platform.

trump

Iran Deal Ready for Signing Tomorrow, Strait of Hormuz to Be Opened: Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump has said that a deal with Iran is set to be signed tomorrow, after which the Strait of Hormuz will be opened for all. He further stated that once calm is restored, the remnants of nuclear material will be retrieved at an appropriate time.

In a statement posted on his social media platform Truth Social, Donald Trump said that Barack Obama’s agreement with Iran was an easy, smooth, and attractive path that could have led to nuclear weapons, and that Iran would have obtained nuclear weapons six years ago and possibly used them by now.

Trump said that his agreement with Iran is completely the opposite, describing it as a “wall of no nuclear weapons.” According to him, Iran neither wants nuclear weapons nor will it be able to acquire them, whether by purchase or any other means.

The US president stated that the agreement is ready for signing tomorrow and that as soon as it is signed, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened for everyone. He added that relations with Iran under the current arrangement are completely different and better compared to previous administrations.

Trump further said that unlike the hundreds of billions of dollars and $1.7 billion in cash reportedly given to Iran under Obama, there will be no exchange of money in this agreement. He added that at an appropriate time, once conditions are fully calm, the nuclear material will be retrieved.

Also Read: Islamabad Memorandum Near Completion, Trump Shares Iranian Foreign Minister’s Post

The US president also said he looks forward to working with Iran and the entire Middle East for a long period in the future. He expressed hope that the process will be completed quickly and smoothly, warning that if not, the United States has a final and decisive alternative, which he hopes will never need to be used again.

budget

Budget Raises Tax Burden, Government to Borrow $23.4 Billion

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has introduced a budget for the upcoming fiscal year featuring a wide range of new taxes, while also planning to secure $23.4 billion in fresh loans during the next financial year. The budget also incorporates green subsidies under the Green Initiative program, with a total allocation of Rs476 billion.

According to details, debt servicing will continue to consume a significant portion of the budget. The government has set a tax collection target of more than Rs15 trillion, a move that is expected to increase the financial burden on the public. In addition, a 5 percent withholding tax has been imposed on income earned through social media platforms.

The budget documents show that Rs423 billion has been allocated as green subsidies for the energy sector. For the next fiscal year, the food sector will receive Rs19 billion in green subsidies.

According to the documents, the industrial sector has been allocated Rs8 billion in green subsidies, while the transport sector will receive Rs5 billion. The agricultural sector has been allocated Rs21 billion under the green subsidy program.

Also Read: Budget 2026: 7% Salary and Pension Hike Announced for Government Employees

The budget further states that all government ministries will be required to take measures aimed at reducing environmental pollution. The government will provide these subsidies under its Green Initiative program to support environmentally focused measures across various sectors.

Iran US Deal

Pakistan Says Electronic Signing Ceremony of Iran-US Agreement to Be Held on Sunday

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has announced that the electronic signing ceremony of an agreement between the United States and Iran will take place tomorrow, Sunday.

According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan, during which they discussed the regional situation, the US-Iran negotiations, and upcoming diplomatic engagements in the region.

The statement said that both sides welcomed the progress of the US-Iran talks, noting that the negotiations have entered their final phase. They also expressed hope that the expected electronic signing ceremony would contribute to lasting peace and stability in the region.

Also Read: Pakistan Records 3.7% Economic Growth Despite Global Uncertainties, Says Finance Minister

During the conversation, the Saudi foreign minister appreciated Pakistan’s continued and effective efforts in promoting mediation, reconciliation, and dialogue throughout the negotiation process.

However, the Foreign Office clarified that no further details regarding the timing or venue of the electronic signing ceremony have been released so far.

The statement further added that the two foreign ministers also discussed preparations for the upcoming four-nation regional foreign ministers’ meeting (R-4) scheduled to be held in Egypt later this month, along with other matters of mutual interest.

Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination in order to promote peace, stability, and cooperation in the region.

WhatsApp Image 2026-06-13 at 4.45.34 PM

Hafizabad: “Get Lost” Remark After Washroom Use by MPA’s Son at DPO Office Reportedly Leads to DPO Transfer

HAFIZABAD: An unusual incident at the District Police Officer (DPO) Office in Hafizabad allegedly escalated into political tension and ultimately resulted in the transfer of the district police chief.

According to senior journalist Muhammad Umair, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab Assembly member Shahid Hussain Bhatti, along with his son Haider Bhatti and several associates, was present at the DPO Office a few days ago when DPO Kamran Hamid was reportedly not on duty.

Reportedly during this visit, Haider Bhatti used the DPO’s personal washroom. Upon leaving the facility, he encountered DPO Kamran Hamid, which led to a verbal exchange between the two. The journalist claims that during this exchange, the DPO told Haider Bhatti to “Get Lost.”

The reported confrontation is said to have triggered political developments, culminating in the transfer of DPO Kamran Hamid on the previous day. He has reportedly been posted to the Punjab Safe Cities Authority.

Following the transfer, Haider Bhatti allegedly posted a message on Facebook stating, “Now You Get Lost.”

The journalist further stated that an audio recording attributed to former MPA Mamoon Jafar Tarar has also surfaced online, in which the washroom-related incident is reportedly discussed.

Reportedly, a prominent political family from Hafizabad played a key role in the transfer process.

US Iran Talk

Islamabad Memorandum Near Completion, Trump Shares Iranian Foreign Minister’s Post

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has reposted a statement by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi regarding the Islamabad Memorandum, which has been under discussion during negotiations between Iran and the United States.

According to an international news agency, President Trump shared Araghchi’s post on his social media platform, Truth Social, in what is being viewed as a significant development in the ongoing negotiations.

In his social media post, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that, amid ongoing tensions involving the United States and Israel, the completion of the Islamabad Memorandum has never been closer than it is now.

However, he urged the media to refrain from speculating about the contents of the memorandum until it is finalized. He said that all details would be shared with the public at the appropriate time.

Also Read: Pakistan Records 3.7% Economic Growth Despite Global Uncertainties, Says Finance Minister

Araghchi further indicated that work on the Islamabad Memorandum is continuing, describing the process as part of Iran’s responsible diplomacy and transparent approach.

By reposting the Iranian foreign minister’s statement on his social media account, President Trump has effectively endorsed the message, bringing the matter into the global spotlight and making it a subject of wider international discussion.

The Islamabad Memorandum referenced by the Iranian foreign minister relates to a phase of negotiations during which American and Iranian delegations met in Islamabad under Pakistani mediation.

However, the details of the Islamabad Memorandum remain unclear, and all parties involved have so far issued cautious statements regarding the matter.

FIFA World Cup 2026

FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Match: Mexico Defeat South Africa 2–0 in Heated Clash with Three Red Cards

Mexico defeated South Africa 2–0 in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in a high-intensity and dramatic encounter played in Mexico City.

The match, which began at 1:00 PM local time (around 12:00 AM Pakistan Standard Time), saw both teams playing an aggressive style of football from the start. The game also witnessed extraordinary disciplinary action, with a total of three red cards shown—setting a new record for the highest number of red cards in a World Cup match since 2006.

Mexico made a strong start in front of their home crowd. In the 9th minute, Julian Quinones scored a brilliant goal to give Mexico an early 1–0 lead, sending the home supporters into celebration.

In the second half, South Africa struggled to cope with Mexico’s continuous attacking pressure. In the 66th minute, experienced striker Raul Jimenez doubled Mexico’s lead, effectively sealing the result for the hosts.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026: Eight Players Aged 40 or Above Expected to Feature

South Africa failed to score throughout the match and could not achieve their hopes of an opening-game upset in the tournament.

The match was played at the famous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, which has become the first stadium in the world to host World Cup opening matches three times (1970, 1986, and 2026).

The game also made disciplinary history, as three players were shown red cards and sent off the field. South Africa’s players Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off for serious fouls, while Mexico defender Cesar Montes also received a red card in the 92nd minute.

Also Read: Pakistan Records 3.7% Economic Growth Despite Global Uncertainties, Says Finance Minister

The 2026 World Cup has also introduced a new “hydration break” rule, under which a mandatory three-minute pause is taken in the 22nd minute of each half due to extreme heat conditions, making it an official feature of the tournament.