Iran-US conflict: Senate body seeks key updates on diplomatic engagements

The Senate Foreign Affairs Committee has called for an in-depth briefing on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recent UN engagements, Islamabad's involvement in the Iran-US conflict, the Makkah Pact, and evolving regional developments. Concern was expressed over delays in the Foreign Office's digital document attestation system, despite efforts to digitize processes.

The committee, chaired by Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani, reviewed Pakistan's relationships with Afghanistan, Prime Minister Sharif's visit to the UN, and other diplomatic engagements. They also discussed reforms in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' document attestation process, emphasizing the need for a seamless, citizen-friendly system.

Pakistan's leadership role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) was highlighted, with a focus on digital transformation to maximize benefits from these platforms. The committee received an in-camera briefing on relations with Afghanistan, with a call for proactive measures to translate diplomatic engagements into economic opportunities and regional connectivity.