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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar will travel to the United States next week to chair UN Security Council meetings in New York focused on multilateralism and the Palestinian issue, the foreign office said in a statement on Saturday.

Pakistan assumed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council earlier this month and is hosting a series of “signature events” — or high-level meetings organized by the Council president — to spotlight key diplomatic priorities.

Dar will chair an open debate on strengthening multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes, and preside over a quarterly debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

“The high-level debate aims at exploring ways to strengthen multilateralism, and at enhancing diplomacy and mediation for peaceful settlement of disputes,” the foreign office said.

Dar will also lead a briefing at the Council on enhancing cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as part of Pakistan’s broader effort to bolster institutional partnerships for international peace and security.

“To express Pakistan’s strong commitment, and unwavering support for the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, the DPM/FM will also attend the high-level Conference on the ‘Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the implementation of Two-State Solution,’” the statement added.

Pakistan has consistently supported Palestinian statehood and called for an end to Israeli occupation in various multilateral forums.

During his stay in New York, Dar is expected to hold bilateral meetings with UN officials and counterparts from other member states.

The foreign office said he will also travel to Washington for other official engagements.

“Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar’s visit to New York and Washington exemplifies Pakistan’s growing role and importance in the multilateral arena as well as its expanding multifaceted relations with the US,” the statement said.

PESHAWAR: A joint operation by police and security forces killed nine militants in Hangu district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday, police said, after a fierce gunbattle that left three senior officials, including the district police chief and a military officer, wounded.

The operation, launched around 1 PM based on actionable intelligence about militant presence in the area, resulted in a two-hour-long firefight before the area was cleared, according to police.

Hangu has long experienced sectarian and militant unrest, including deadly suicide bombings targeting civilian areas and mosques, and Saturday’s raid marked the latest in a series of operations aimed at curbing militant violence in the province.

Hangu police spokesperson Saqib Khan told Arab News reinforcements were quickly deployed to support frontline units and block any escape routes.

“During the intense exchange of fire, DPO [District Police Officer] Khalid Khan, a police inspector Nabi Khan and a senior military official sustained injuries,” he said. “Fortunately, all three are out of danger and receiving proper medical care.”

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed commended the bravery of the officers and said he had spoken to the injured district police chief.

“He is in high spirits and recovering well,” the IGP noted in a statement.

Following the operation, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur paid tribute to the DPO and his team for their “exemplary courage and bravery.”

“DPO Khalid Khan and his team thwarted the nefarious designs of the terrorists with exceptional valor and determination,” a statement quoted Gandapur as saying.

He directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured personnel.

“DPO Khalid Khan led from the front and confronted the terrorists head-on, displaying remarkable bravery,” he added. “We are proud of such fearless and courageous police officers and personnel.”

Gandapur reaffirmed the entire nation stood firmly behind its security forces in the fight against militant violence.