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Pakistan becomes a go-between for conflicting Libyan factions.

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A Reuters report says Pakistan has discreetly taken on a diplomatic role mediating between opposing eastern and western administrations in Libya, a move that might further burnish Islamabad’s international credentials if successful.

The mediation effort comes after months of US-backed attempts to find a political settlement in Libya, which has been divided between rival eastern and western administrations since the civil conflict that broke out after the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi.

It comes on the heels of Pakistan’s major contribution to promoting negotiations between the United States and Iran earlier this year, an action that drew repeated acclaim from the administration of Donald Trump.

Pakistani sources quoted by Reuters said the United States was “fully aware and involved” in Islamabad’s mediation efforts in Libya. Saudi Arabia is also said to be supporting the plan. Last year Pakistan and Saudi Arabia struck a defence deal to boost bilateral ties.

Sources familiar with the subject said Pakistan’s mediation attempts started late last year after both warring Libyan factions asked Islamabad to help. The extent to which Pakistan’s initiative has been coordinated with other regional players is not apparent.

The military’s propaganda arm, Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Libyan officials from both the eastern and western administrations and the foreign ministries of Qatar, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and the United States have yet to comment on the claimed mediation.

Last month, Libyan military head Saddam Haftar met head of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir in Rawalpindi, before travelling to Washington to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio days later.

The US State Department commended Libyan authorities for their efforts to bridge political divides during the meeting and restated Washington’s support for a unified and stable Libya.

Pakistan has also explored defence collaboration with the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), including the sale of JF-17 fighter aircraft and Super Mushak trainer planes, in defiance of the UN arms embargo on Libya.

Meanwhile, the western-based Government of National Unity (GNU) in Libya has also sought direct cooperation with Pakistan. Qatar and Türkiye, both major backers of the GNU, urged Pakistan to play a mediating role in a bid to assist resolve the long-running political conflict in Libya, two Pakistani sources said.

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Pakistan make good start in reply to West Indies’ 311 in first innings

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West Indies were bundled out for 311 runs in 98.5 overs in the first innings against Pakistan at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad on Sunday.

West Indies’ best scorer was Shai Hope who scored 92 runs off 182 balls and Kavem Hodge who scored 84 runs off 183 balls. The duo held firm after the early wickets fell.

Mohammad Ali of Pakistan was the top wicket-taker with four wickets, while Mohammad Abbas took three wickets. Khurram Shahzad took 2 wickets while Aamer Jamal took 1 wicket.

West Indies were losing wickets at regular intervals but Hope and Hodge batted through trying conditions. Rain delays interrupted the first day of the first Test, with West Indies finishing on 194 for three.

West Indies went above 300 before getting bowled out but Pakistan got key breakthroughs on the second day. Roston Chase, Kemar Roach, Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales also added to the total.

Roston Chase, the captain of the West Indies, elected to bat after winning the toss. The match is a part of the Pakistan tour of West Indies and ICC World Test Championship.

Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Abbas.

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Red Sea oil tanker attacked, one hits mine in Hormuz

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A marine mine struck an oil ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian media was cited as saying the tanker was destroyed after attempting to move away from Iran’s designated path and hitting the explosive device.

Separately, a British marine agency said an oil ship was hit by a projectile in the southern section of the Red Sea. Early reports indicated the ship and all crew members were safe.

Iran’s military said six ships going through the Strait of Hormuz were warned in 24 hours. It stated that the vessels were moving away from the path chosen by Iran and that marine traffic should respect the procedures set by Iran.

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MQM-P demands 28th Constitutional Amendment

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Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Mustafa Kamal said on Sunday that his party was seeking its rights through the constitutional means and wanted a 28th Constitutional Amendment. 

Addressing a public gathering in Karachi, Kamal said that the system with one prime minister and four chief ministers has failed and cannot continue any longer. He demanded that the rulers provide a deadline for when the people would receive their rights.

He questioned the authorities over how many more children would have to fall into open manholes before changes were made in the system of governance.

Kamal said he did not accept a system in which people were denied their basic rights. The federal health minister added that he was a federal minister under the current system, but he could give up the ministry if his people were provided with powers and resources.

Kamal demanded written assurance from the rulers on when the quota system and the existing governance structure would come to an end. He said the MQM-P wanted changes in the current system.

He said the party had failed due to the Pakistan Peoples Party’s opposition, adding that the proposed constitutional amendment was not being accepted by the PPP. He claimed the PPP had warned that accepting the MQM-P’s amendment could bring down the government.

Kamal said that if the 27th Constitutioal Amendmnent could be passed, then the 28th Amendment should also be introduced. He added that the procedure for establishing new administrative units would have to be included in the proposed amendment.

He said the country was run according to the Constitution and questioned whether the Constitution stated that the Sindh chief minister could receive federal funds but not spend them on the people. He said the issue was not a shortage of resources, adding that Sindh’s rulers had received Rs22 trillion in 18 years.

Kamal said the federal government was not stopping Sindh’s funds, but the provincial government was not spending them on the public. He said Karachi had become one of the worst cities for living conditions despite generating thousands of billions of rupees.

He said they carried the blood of those who created Pakistan and a decision had to be made whether the current system would continue or be removed. He stressed that the MQM-P wanted its rights within the framework of the Constitution.

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