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.
Sir David Beckham is set to receive a substantial £25 million payout following a record-breaking year for his brand empire. The windfall comes from DRJB Holdings, the holding company that oversees the former footballer's brand and TV production business, which paid dividends totaling $75.7 million to shareholders. Beckham's company, Footwork Productions, which holds a 45% stake in DRJB Holdings, entitles him to nearly half of this distribution.
The dividend payout represents a significant increase from the $67.4 million distributed last year, reflecting the continued commercial success of the Beckham brand. Through brand management arm DB Ventures, which is owned by DRJB Holdings, Sir David has secured lucrative marketing partnerships with companies including Stella Artois, Hugo Boss, and SharkNinja. The former England captain continues to capitalize on his personal brand despite having ceded control of the business operations.
DRJB Holdings Limited, which encompasses David Beckham Ventures Limited, Seven Global LLP and Studio 99 Group, posted a net profit of £35.1 million for the year, marking a nearly 25% increase from £29.1 million in 2023. This surge in profitability enabled the group to distribute an underlying ordinary dividend of £39 million. The remaining 55% of DRJB Holdings is owned by US sports branding giant Authentic Brands, which acquired its stake for $269 million three years ago.
The brand's expansion continues across multiple sectors, with recent developments including Safilo acquiring the perpetual license to design, produce, and distribute the Beckham eyewear collection. The group has also secured a multi-year design collaboration with Boss, launching new David Beckham collections, and has moved into the wellness sector through a partnership with health sciences company Prenetics. Through IM8, co-founded with Prenetics in 2024, Beckham has entered the nutritional supplement market, with the business rapidly becoming one of the fastest-growing in the global consumer health sector.