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ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has thanked ��������, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia and Egypt for supporting Pakistan’s stance on the Palestine issue at various international forums, state-run media reported on Sunday, crediting PM Shehbaz Sharif with “effectively” raising the issue at global platforms last week. 

Sharif led the Pakistan delegation at the United Nations last week, during which he addressed the UN General Assembly. The Pakistani prime minister called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, describing Israel’s actions in the Middle East as “rogue behavior” and called for granting Palestinians access to food and lifesaving medicines in Gaza. The Pakistani prime minister was also part of a multilateral meeting of Muslim leaders from ��������, UAE, Turkiye, Indonesia and others with US President Donald Trump at the UNGA’s sidelines. The leaders discussed Israel’s war on Gaza, which has cost over 66,000 Palestinians their lives, and called for a cessation of hostilities. 

Speaking to reporters in London, Dar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has effectively raised the issues of the disputed Kashmir and Palestine territories at international forums.
“He thanked ��������, UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and Indonesia for supporting Pakistan’s stance on Palestine,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. 
Dar also spoke about Pakistan’s economy, saying it is “on the path to recovery” marked by growing international confidence and a surge in “fresh investments.”
Earlier this month, American firm US Strategic Metals (USSM) and Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization signed an agreement to deepen cooperation in the critical minerals sector. As per the deal, the US firm would invest $500 million in Pakistan’s critical minerals sector. 
Dar said the investment deal with USSM is “clear evidence” of Pakistan’s renewed economic engagement, adding that the country was heading toward genuine economic improvement and poverty alleviation. 
“He said the country is now moving toward genuine economic improvement and poverty alleviation,” the state broadcaster said
Pakistan has been suffering from a prolonged economic crisis that brought the country to the brink of a sovereign default in 2023 before a last-gasp bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) helped avert it. Since then, Pakistan has undertaken painful financial reforms mandated by the IMF to reform its economy. 
Pakistan also formed the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in June 2023 to fast-track decisions related to international investment in its priority sectors of minerals, livestock, agriculture, tourism, IT and others. 

DUBAI: Pakistan captain Salman Agha said India had “disrespected cricket” while Indian counterpart Suryakumar Yadav complained his side “were denied the trophy” after winning a fraught Asia Cup.

The two teams did not shake hands for the third Asia Cup match running as India won the final by five wickets in Dubai on Sunday.

Suryakumar’s side did not attend the victory ceremony after refusing to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), who is also chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistan interior minister.

Suryakumar told reporters: “I think this is one thing which I have never seen since I started playing cricket that the champion team is denied the trophy.

“We took the call on the ground about not taking the trophy.”

The regional Twenty20 tournament was the first time the Asian cricket giants had met since deadly fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbors earlier this year.

Tensions had been running high after the two previous matches in the competition saw political posturing and aggressive on-field behavior.

“If you tell me about the trophies, my trophies are sitting in my dressing room — all the 14 players and support staff. They are the real trophies for me,” said Suryakumar.

“It appeared on the big screen that India is Asia Cup 2025 champion. It was a great journey and moment for us as a team.”

The presentation ceremony was delayed for an hour before announcer Simon Doull said: “I have been informed by the ACC that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. So that does conclude the post-match presentation.”

Pakistan’s Agha said India’s actions during the tournament had been “bad for cricket.”

“I think what has happened in this tournament is very disappointing,” Agha told reporters.

“If they think they disrespected us by not shaking hands, then I say they disrespected cricket.

“What they did today, a good team doesn’t do that. Good teams do what we have done. We waited for our medals and took them.

“It’s been seen for the first time. I do not know where it will stop. What has happened in this tournament is bad for cricket.”