A press release issued by the authority said the two would collaborate on a child safety programme focused on “awareness, education and capacity-building, equipping parents and teachers with practical tools and resources to help children navigate the digital world safely”.

“Key initiatives include developing awareness content in English and local languages, conducting training programmes in educational institutions and supporting a nationwide outreach campaign to connect millions of families with localised online safety resources and tutorials,” it said.

The statement said that on the occasion, PTA Chairman (retd) Maj Gen Hafeezur Rehman highlighted the “importance of collective efforts and stakeholder collaboration to protect children in an increasingly digital environment”.

Dr Khawar Siddique, a member of authority’s compliance and enforcement team, emphasised the “importance of promoting digital literacy and responsible use of online platforms to promote a safer digital environment for children and families” in the country.

“The collaboration reflects the PTA and Google’s shared commitment to empowering parents and teachers, enhancing digital awareness, and creating a safer and more secure online environment,” the statement concluded.

The development comes after the US-based technology giant on Tuesday inaugurated its local office in Pakistan, nearly four years after it first registered in Pakistan, describing the development as a “big milestone” in its engagement with the country.

On Wednesday, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry held a meeting with a delegation from Google and called for enhanced cooperation to promote a safe and peaceful digital environment in Pakistan, stressing the need for proactive monitoring of social media in view of the country’s security challenges.

A statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) following a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad said the drafts of the Defence Forces Act, 2026 and amended National Command Authority Act, 2010 had been approved.

The statement said the Defence Forces Act’s draft had been prepared in continuation of the tweaks made to the Constitution under the 27th Amendment and “aims to determine the relevant administrative matters regarding the office of the Chief of Defence Forces and the Chief of Defence Forces Headquarters”.

Regarding amendments to the National Command Authority Act, the statement said it was “a necessary process” following the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

It said both drafts will be presented in Parliament for approval during its ongoing session, which was summoned by President Asif Ali Zardari around a week ago and began on August 17.

The 27th Constitutional Amendment, enacted in November last year, fundamentally altered Pakistan’s higher defence architecture by abolishing the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and creating the new position of chief of defence forces, concurrently held by the chief of army staff.

Field Marshal Asim Munir became the country’s first chief of defence forces following the constitutional changes.

The Amendment also resulted in the creation of the Commander of the National Strategic Command (CNSC) post, a four-star office that oversees the operational integration of Pakistan’s strategic forces.

Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had promoted Gen Syed Aamer Raza from the rank of lieutenant general and simultaneously appointed him as the country’s first CNSC.

Following his appointment, amendments in the National Command Authority Act, 2010, which still reflects the pre-27th Amendment military hierarchy, are needed.

PM again extends olive branch to opposition

The federal cabinet meeting also saw a renewed offer for talks to the opposition by PM Shehbaz. In televised remarks, he said the government was ready for “meaningful” parleys with the opposition and again invited them for talks.

The government had always expressed its willingness for talks with the opposition, he added.

“I once again invite the opposition for talks from this forum […] to support Pakistan’s economic progress and to strengthen democracy.

“But it takes two to tango. Now it’s on them how soon they agree for constructive dialogue,” he added.

The government and the opposition have been at odds since the 2024 elections, after which the PTI had demanded a judicial commission to probe May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024 protests.

The 2023 protests were held across the country after PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested and the 2024 demonstration in Islamabad was held to demand his release. Both protests had turned violent.

The scope of sticking points between the two sides has widened in the following period, including PTI founder Imran Khan’s health.

However, the government, including the prime minister, has repeatedly urged the PTI-led opposition to engage in dialogue.

PM Shehbaz’s invite for the talks today is the latest one, and it came merely days after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry told the opposition during a Senate session that the government’s offer for dialogue remained on the table.

The minister said, “The solution lies in seriousness,” and called on the opposition to agree on a time and venue for negotiations.

The same day, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Chaudhry met the opposition leader in the National Assembly, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, and the leader of the opposition in the Senate, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, in the NA opposition leader’s chamber.

The two sides discussed the appointment of the chief election commissioner, the country’s political situation and mutual political matters, according to a statement issued by the spokesperson of the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP).

The two sides agreed to continue the meetings, the spokesperson said.

Later, Chaudhry said while speaking on Geo News show ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ that Achakzai had written a letter to the prime minister seeking a “constitutional consultative meeting”. The parliamentary affairs minister expected that the prime minister would respond in the “next two days”.

These developments take place as the PPP — an ally of the PML-N in the Centre — has established formal contact with the PTI amid a rift in the ruling coalition over the recently held Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections.

Reduction in diesel price

In his address to the federal cabinet, the prime minister noted that the diesel price had been reduced by around Rs32 per litre as a result of efforts by the petroleum ministry.

“This is good news,” he said, mentioning the disruption in fuel supply due to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz — the maritime passage for one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supply in peacetime — amid the US-Israeli war on Iran.

He recalled that when the war began, the federal government “took a hit of Rs128 billion by cutting down its budget for the Public Sector Development Programme” to provide relief to the people.

The SC registrar’s office returned the petition, citing incomplete paper books as the reason.

An informed source told Dawn that the review petition may be filed afresh with certain amendments along with an appeal against the registrar’s objections.

Reacting to the development, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said the state had “withdrawn its review petition” after the court’s objections.

“There is no excuse whatsoever for not complying with the SC order of Aug 18. Imran Khan sahib must be transferred to Shifa International Hospital forthwith. Today is the day,” he said.

On Tuesday, the SC had ordered the government to shift Imran to Shifa International Hospital within two days for examination and treatment by a multidisciplinary medical board.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and comprising Justices Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Ishtiaq Ibr­ahim issued the interim directions on petitions seeking Imran’s hospitalisation, access to personal physicians and family members and provision of his medical record to his family.

The court also allowed his personal physician and sister to remain associated with his medical care and directed authorities to facilitate regular family contact.

However, the government on Wednesday approached the SC to review and recall its order, arguing that the directive was discriminatory and issued in violation of prison rules and principles of natural justice.

Moved through the Islamabad chief commissioner under Article 188 of the Constitution, the review petition argued that Rule 197 of the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978, which governs the manner and mode of transferring a prisoner to a hospital, had escaped the SC’s attention while issuing directives for shifting the former prime minister from Adiala jail to the private hospital in Islamabad.

Had the Supreme Court taken note of this provision of law, the order under review could not have been passed, argued the review petition filed through Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Advocate General Naveed Hayat Malik on behalf of the chief commissioner.

The review petition contended that ordering the treatment of a convict in a private hospital, and that too on the basis of a report that did not disclose any condition requiring immediate medical treatment, would severely disturb the entire criminal justice system.

The petition highlighted that Article 25 of the Constitution bestowed a fundamental right to be treated equally and that the Constitution abhorred discrimination and favouritism.

Similarly placed convicts would claim the same special treatment afforded to the respondent, in violation of the prison rules, the petition said.

It contended that the Aug 18 order was discriminatory in nature, as similarly placed prisoners had not been afforded the same opportunity of receiving medical treatment at private hospitals of their own choosing, the petition contended.

Government ministers on Wednesday had also questioned the SC’s order, asking whether all prisoners should be provided with access to private hospitals.

Addressing a news conference in the federal capital, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the PML-N had never politicised health matters, while PTI leaders had a history of making political statements about the health of PML-N leaders.

Tarar maintained that Imran had already been provided with medical facilities in the past and would continue to receive treatment in accordance with prison rules and legal provisions.

“There is no ambiguity regarding his treatment,” the minister said, adding that healthcare facilities were being provided under the jail manual and all applicable rules. He stressed that health issues should remain separate from politics.

Security forces said that intelligence was received regarding the movement of terrorists planning an attack. They said that five terrorists were killed in the incident while several others were wounded.

Security forces also said that a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and equipment was recovered from the terrorists. They added that the killed terrorists were involved in robbery, extortion, kidnapping for ransom, targeted killings and attacks in Panjgur and surrounding areas.

Security forces said operations under Operation Raddul Fitna 3 would continue as part of efforts to eliminate militant threats and restore security in the region.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi commended security forces for thwarting the “nefarious designs” of the terrorists affiliated with Fitna-al-Hindustan, according to a statement issued by his ministry.

The state has designated Balochistan-based terrorist groups as Fitna-al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.

“The successful operations of the security forces against enemies of peace in Balochistan are commendable,” the statement quoted Naqvi as saying.

He added that the nation stood united against terrorism and in solidarity with the security forces.

Thursday’s operations are the latest in a string of actions being taken as Balochistan continues to grapple with security challenges.

On Tuesday, more than nine terrorists were killed in an IBO in Ziarat, Harnai and Surab under Operation Raddul Fitna 3. On Monday, two terrorists were killed and three others were injured in an IBO in the Killi Zaik area of Balochistan.

According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies’ (PICSS) monthly security assessment released on July 31, the security situation deteriorated most significantly in Balochistan in the country last month.

The overall death toll increased by 241pc in Balochistan, from 109 in June to 372 in July, the report said.

Security personnel deaths in Balochistan increased from six in June to 62 in July, representing a rise of 933pc. Terrorist deaths rose from 75 to 238, while civilian deaths increased by 93pc, from 28 to 54. Eighteen members of peace committees were also killed in the province.

Al-Shaibani arrived in Islamabad early on Thursday on an official visit. In a post on X, the Foreign Office (FO) said the two sides held a “warm and constructive” restricted meeting, where they “reaffirmed the deep-rooted brotherly ties between Pakistan and Syria”.

The two also discussed advancing bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest and regional developments.

Earlier, FO shared pictures of the visiting minister arriving in Islamabad on the social media platform X.

“Upon arrival, the distinguished guest was received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ additional secretary (Middle East),” it said.

Later in the day, the Syrian minister arrived at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was received by DPM Dar.

“The two foreign ministers will hold a tête-à-tête, followed by delegation-level talks, to discuss the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Syria bilateral relations and explore avenues for further strengthening bilateral cooperation,” the FO said.

The visit comes as Syria’s transitional leadership pursues regional and international engagement following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in 2024.

A day earlier, the FO said the two sides would hold in-depth discussions across the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, review avenues for further enhancing bilateral cooperation, and exchange views on regional and international developments.

It also said the visit would mark an important step towards further enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation between Pakistan and Syria.

The visit is the first by a Syrian foreign minister since Walid al-Mouallem travelled to Pakistan in May 2007 and the first since the change of government in Damascus.

The visit also comes after Pakistan on Wednesday strongly condemned an “unprovoked” attack carried out by Israel on an airbase in Syria, saying such acts had the potential to “further undermine regional peace and stability”.

Syria’s state-run Ekhbariya television, citing a military source, said on Tuesday that Israel carried out eight airstrikes on the runway and storage facilities at the Abu al-Duhur base near Aleppo in northwest Syria. A separate military source and a civilian who lives near the base said there were no casualties.

“Such provocative actions constitute a flagrant violation of international law and have the potential to further undermine regional peace and stability,” the FO said.

“Pakistan expresses its unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people of Syria, and reiterates its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as peace and prosperity of the Syrian Arab Republic.”