Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko will arrive in Islamabad for three day official visit today.

This visit is expected to mark a pivotal moment in the growing diplomatic and parliamentary ties between the two nations.

During her stay, Valentina Matvienko is scheduled to meet with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif besides addressing a special session of the Senate tomorrow.

This visit, featuring significant discussions and strategic engagements, underscores the commitment of both nations to fostering stronger relations.

Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and the world over are observing Black Day today to send a message of rejecting India’s illegal occupation of their homeland.

It was on October 27, 1947 that Indian troops invaded Jammu and Kashmir in blatant violation of the Partition Plan and occupied region against the will of the Kashmiri people.

The day is being marked by a complete shutdown in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Protest marches, rallies, and seminars will be held in Pakistan and across the globe.

In Azad Kashmir, protest marches, rallies and seminars will also be held at all the Districts and Tehsil headquarters to condemn the Indian Army’s invasion on October 27, 1947 and the revocation of the special status of IIOJK by the BJP-led Hindutva government of India.

In the state capital Muzaffarabad, Kashmir Liberation Commission has arranged a protest demonstration followed by a rally.

Similarly, Pasban-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmiri Refugees, other Hurriyat organizations and political and religious parties have arranged anti-India rallies and seminars to observe the Black Day.

President AJK Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry and Prime Minister Ch Anwarul Haq have appealed Kashmiris all over the world to register their protest against India.

Pakistan has strongly condemned today’s cowardly attack on the facilities of TUSAS (Türk Havacilik ve Uzay Sanayii AS) in Ankara, Türkiye, resulting in multiple casualties.

In a statement issued today, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said the government of Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering support for Türkiye’s efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism, and stands in solidarity with the brotherly people of Türkiye.

She expressed her heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

The Spokesperson expressed the confidence that the brave Turkish nation, with its characteristic grit and determination, will defeat the menace of terrorism