Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated that sustainable peace and normalization of relations between Pakistan and India are impossible without resolving the Kashmir dispute. Addressing an Overseas Pakistanis Convention in London, the premier stated that any belief that bilateral relations can be established without addressing the Kashmir issue constitutes living in a "fool's paradise." He emphasized that Pakistan seeks dialogue with India on the basis of equality, noting that the two countries have spent billions of dollars on wars that could have been invested in public welfare and development.

Sharif criticized New Delhi's approach and urged India to behave as a cooperative neighbor rather than a combative one. "Pakistan and India are neighbors we must learn to live together. But let me be clear: there can be no normalization of ties without resolving Kashmir," he added. The prime minister's comments come amid heightened tensions following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack, where 26 civilians were killed by militants.

The prime minister also addressed the Pahalgam incident, recalling that he had announced the formation of an international committee and clarifying that Pakistan had no connection with it. He said Pakistan had repeatedly offered India a transparent investigation into the matter. Regarding the events of May 6, Sharif stated that when Pakistan decided to respond to India, the military leadership did not look back, claiming that in a decisive response, six Indian planes were destroyed.

During his speech, Sharif praised overseas Pakistanis as the "true ambassadors" of the country, acknowledging their hard work and immense contribution to Pakistan's economy. He revealed that overseas Pakistanis remitted $48.5 billion this year alone, calling these remittances a lifeline for the nation. The prime minister assured the government's commitment to protecting their rights and representing their concerns internationally, saluting them for defending Pakistan's image abroad.

King Charles has joined forces with Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett in a previously unpublicized podcast recording focused on global conservation efforts. The 22-minute episode, titled "Unearthed: The Need For Seeds," was recorded in the private gardens of Windsor Castle in July and features the monarch alongside Blanchett and Kew seed scientist Dr. Elinor Breman. This marks only the second podcast recording in the King's public life, demonstrating his continued commitment to environmental causes that have defined much of his royal work.

The conversation centered on the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst, West Sussex, which King Charles originally opened in 2000 and has maintained an active interest in since. The facility represents one of the world's most ambitious conservation projects, having collected, cleaned, dried and stored nearly 2.5 billion seeds from more than 40,000 plant species in walk-in freezers maintained at minus 20 degrees Celsius. Both the King and Blanchett, who became Wakehurst's first ambassador last year, emphasized the critical importance of this work in preserving global biodiversity.

During the discussion, Blanchett expressed concern about the rapid loss of natural habitats, noting that "97 percent of wildflower meadows have been decimated" in recent decades. She highlighted the disconnect between perceived natural beauty and actual ecological fragility, stating that "there is an urgency to the work that the seed bank does." The King echoed this sentiment, reflecting on his long-standing awareness of environmental degradation, particularly the damage to flower-rich meadows since the postwar period.

The podcast also touched on broader conservation challenges, including the need for increased funding and public awareness. Blanchett pointed to the frustration of seeing "so many extraordinary initiatives right there ready to be scaled up" but lacking financial support and direction. King Charles acknowledged both the progress made and the need to accelerate conservation efforts, stating that while the seed bank's work is "wonderful," the process must speed up to address escalating environmental threats facing plant species worldwide.