Amid simmering tensions between Pakistan and India, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on Monday for a one-day official visit, diplomatic sources confirmed. MrAraghchi will be leading a high-level delegation and is expected to hold key discussions with his Pakistani counterpart, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The talks will focus on bilateral relations as well …

Malaysia has extended its support to Pakistan’s position in the ongoing dispute with India, urging all parties to exercise restraint and uphold regional stability, the Foreign Office said on Sunday. In a telephonic conversation with Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Muhammad Hassan, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar apprised his counterpart of the recent regional developments, …

Amid rising tensions in the region, Pakistan successfully conducted a training launch of the surface-to-surface ballistic missile “Abdali,” which is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads up to a range of 450 kilometres, the military’s media wing said. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)on Saturday, the test was aimed at “validating the operational …

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and exchanged views on the current Pakistan-India situation, according to a press release issued by the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan on its WeChat account on Friday. Prime Minister Sharif briefed the ambassador on recent tensions between India and Pakistan, which were triggered by a sudden incident in Indian …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Pakistan’s GDP growth at 2.6% for the current fiscal year, down by 0.6% from earlier estimates, citing a sluggish economic environment and growing regional and global challenges. The forecast was released in the IMF’s latest ‘Regional Economic Outlook’ for the Middle East and Central Asia. According to the report, Pakistan’s economy began to …

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has granted bail to PTI Senator Ejaz Chaudhry and party leader Hafiz Farhat Abbas, both accused in the May 9 conspiracy case, against bonds of Rs 100,000 each. A three-member bench, led by Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, heard the case and issued its ruling. Justice Afghan remarked that bail should not be viewed as a …

Pakistan’s Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza cautioned against India’s pursuit of regional hegemony, saying it undermines efforts to resolve conflicts in South Asia and threatens peace in the region. Addressing the prestigious Shangri-La Dialogue, a global security summit held in Singapore, General Mirza stressed that security arrangements cannot be effective without mutual trust and inclusive …

Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday expressed optimism, stating that if the current reform agenda is implemented effectively, it may be the final time the country seeks assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Speaking at a budget seminar in Karachi, the finance minister said that while signs of economic stability were beginning to emerge, long-term and sustainable growth …

The State Bank of Pakistan will announce its new monetary policy on May 5. The business community and economic experts anticipate a reduction in interest rates. A meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee will be held on Monday at the central bank under the chairmanship of State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad, where the committee will decide on the interest rate. …

ISLAMABAD: Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong has stated that both China and Pakistan are traditional agricultural countries, and both need to safeguard food security to ensure a better life for our peoples. While addressing to the distribution ceremony of Chinese agricultural equipment and tools, Chinese ambassador said that the United States’ unilateral imposition of tariffs violates the legitimate rights …

The World Bank has approved an additional $108 million in financing for Pakistan, aiming to bolster infrastructure and resilience in rural and tourism sectors. According to a statement issued by the international lender, $78 million has been allocated for the Punjab Rural Accessibility Project, which seeks to enhance road connectivity, improve access to markets, and create better employment opportunities for …

Hajj operation in Pakistan has officially begun, with the national flag carrier’s first flight transporting 442 pilgrims from Islamabad to Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. According to a spokesperson for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the first Hajj flight from Quetta is scheduled to depart at 10 AM, carrying 170 pilgrims. Meanwhile, the first Hajj flight from Lahore …

Pakistan Army on Tuesday shot down an Indian quadcopter after it violated Pakistan’s airspace along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Manawar sector of Bhimber district. According to the security officials, the Indian quadcopter was attempting surveillance when it was intercepted and brought down by Pakistan Army troops. “The timely action by Pakistan Army thwarted the enemy’s nefarious attempt …

A powerful explosion rocked Wana Bazaar in Lower South Waziristan on Monday, claiming the lives of at least seven people and leaving 13 others injured. The blast, which was heard from a considerable distance, occurred during peak hours, sparking panic among the local population. According to police officials, the explosion was a targeted attack on Saif-ur-Rehman, a former member of …

Pakistan’s security forces have killed 17  terrorists  belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in a follow-up action on the Pak-Afghan border, the military’s media wing said on Monday. This brings the total number of TTP militants killed in security operations over the past three days to 71, according to the latest update from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The operation, …

Pakistan’s security forces successfully thwarted a major infiltration attempt by terrorists on the Pak-Afghan border in North Waziristan, killing 54 terrorists during a large-scale operation in the Hassan Khel area, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday. According to ISPR, the terrorists were attempting to infiltrate Pakistani territory with the intent to carry out terrorist activities. Security forces launched …

President Asif Ali Zardari directed on Sunday Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to complete ongoing projects in Sindh for public welfare on time. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah called on the president in Karachi. On this occasion, both discussed the overall political situation of Sindh and development projects. The president had emphasised the need for measures for the …

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has strongly rejected India’s allegations against Pakistan regarding the recent Pahalgam attack in India-held Kashmir, calling it a “fabricated drama” aimed at restoring Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political reputation. In an exclusive interview with Samaa TV from Sialkot, Khawaja Asif said that many voices within India itself are questioning Modi’s intentions, suggesting that the incident was orchestrated …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has categorically rejected India’s baseless and unsubstantiated allegations following the Pahalgam incident, asserting that Pakistan, as a responsible state, is ready to cooperate in an impartial international investigation into the matter. Addressing the passing-out ceremony of cadets at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul on Saturday, Prime Minister Sharif emphasised that water is Pakistan’s lifeline, and …

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a warning that most cities in Sindh province will remain in the grip of a heat wave until April 30, 2025, with temperatures rising significantly above normal across the region. According to the latest meteorological advisory, several districts including Dadu, Qambar Shahdadkot, Ghotki, and Jacobabad are expected to experience temperatures 6-8 degrees higher than …

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on India and Pakistan to exercise “maximum restraint” following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that killed at least 26 people. UN secretary general spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, urged both countries to avoid further escalation in the already tense region. “We very much appeal to both the governments of Pakistan and India to exercise …

The federal government has officially resumed the privatization process of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), issuing a notice inviting expressions of interest for the sale of 51 to 100 percent shares of the national airline. The process, which has seen several hurdles in recent years, also includes the transfer of management control of PIA. The Privatization Commission has set June 3, …

The official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Government of Pakistan, @GovtofPakistan, has been withheld in India following a legal demand. Users attempting to view the account from within the country are met with a message stating: “Account Withheld @GovtofPakistan’s account has been withheld in India in response to a legal demand.” The move comes amid rising diplomatic tensions between …

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced an additional $330 million in financial assistance for Pakistan’s social protection programme,  aiming to benefit around 9.3 million people nationwide. The announcement was made as part of ADB’s recently released Annual Development Report 2024. According to the ADB, the support will fund conditional cash transfers to promote education for children and adolescents, as well as …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Aliya Hamza on Wednesday secured post-arrest bail in a protest case. Aliya Hamza, along with five party workers, had been booked in connection with a protest in the Dhoke Kamal Din area of Rawalpindi. The FIR includes charges of obstructing official duties and blocking roads, with allegations of pelting stones at police personnel. Judicial Magistrate Qamar …

Pakistan Kisan Ittehad (PKI) chairman on Wednesday claimed the country’s “agriculture sector is on the verge of collapse,۔ Addressing a press conference, Pakistan Kisan Ittehad chairman Khalid Hussain said, the cost of agricultural production has jumped to to Rs3,400, but farmers are receiving only Rs2,000, resulting in a loss of Rs1,106 billion. Criticising the provincial leadership, Pakistan Kisan Ittehad chairman …

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the Punjab government’s appeals seeking physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, observing that there was no legal justification to pursue such a request more than a year after his arrest. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Hashim Kakar and Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, heard the matter and ruled that the provincial government was …

Pakistan’s Ministry of Industry has launched a significant initiative to promote electric vehicles in the country with assistance from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). An agreement has been signed with the International Finance Corporation to attract investment in the electric vehicle sector, marking a major development in Pakistan’s sustainable transportation plans. The initiative includes reforms to policies and regulations aimed …

Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a polio vaccination team in the Teri area of Mastung, killing two security personnel assigned to protect the team, officials confirmed. One Levies officer was initially injured in the attack but later succumbed to his wounds, raising the death toll to two. Both martyrs were deployed to ensure the safety of the polio workers. Following …

Pakistan on Wednesday expressed greif over the killing of tourists in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam area. Responding to media queries, the Foreign Office spokesperson said, “We express concern over the death of tourists as a result of the attack in the Anantnag district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families …

The journey of 67,000 Pakistanis to perform Hajj through private operators has seemingly become an impossible mission. The final date for issuing visas, according to the Saudi deadline, was April 18. Private Hajj operators have blamed the Saudi government for the delay, claiming they had sent the payments before the deadline, but the Saudi software system crashed. The Pakistan Ulema …

Pakistan received $5.5075 billion in external financial assistance during the first nine months of the ongoing fiscal year, amounting to just 28.4% of the country’s annual borrowing target of $19.39 billion, according to official documents from the Economic Affairs Division. The financial inflow includes $5.37 billion in loans and $135.6 million in grants, while a separate $1 billion tranche from …

Federal Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb held significant meetings on the opening day of the IMF and World Bank spring meetings in Washington. In his meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, the Finance Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continuing reforms. He also extended an invitation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his to visit Pakistan. During his visit, Mohammad Aurangzeb …

BRUSSELS: The Ambassador of Pakistan to the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg, H.E. Rahim Hayat Qureshi, celebrated Easter with prominent members of the Pakistani Christian community at an event held today at the Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels. The gathering brought together distinguished individuals from the community, including those holding key positions in churches across Belgium. Ambassador Qureshi lauded their …

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong said that president Xi Jinping personally cared for and promoted China-Pakistan relations over the past decade, and successive Pakistani governments have consistently upheld friendship with China the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. While addressing the symposium celebrating the 10th anniversary of president Xi Jinping’s historic visit to Pakistan on Monday, ambassador said that …

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has announced a complete nationwide strike on April 26 to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Gaza. Speaking at the Gaza Million March in Islamabad, he declared that while the rulers remain asleep, the Muslim Ummah was wide awake. He condemned those who visited Israel from Pakistan, warning that any alliance with Israel or …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has once again extended an offer of talks to the government. The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Conference was held in Islamabad under the auspices of the Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), where leaders of the opposition alliance voiced strong protests and forcefully criticised the government’s policies. Salman Akram Raja In his address, Salman Akram Raja said, “We invite …

Pakistan will host its first-ever Digital Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Forum in Islamabad on April 29-30, a historic initiative jointly organized by the Government of Pakistan and the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO). The event, which has been described as a turning point for Pakistan’s digital future, is being supported by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). The Forum aims to …

PML-N top leadership Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have urged the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to address all canal-related and inter-provincial issues through dialogue and mutual understanding. The development comes amid growing concerns about the politicisation of the water crisis, especially in Sindh, where the PPP has been vocal about alleged injustices in resource distribution. Echoing the leadership’s …

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar paid an official visit to Kabul, where he held high-level meetings with the Afghan leadership to strengthen bilateral relations, boost trade, and enhance regional security. During his meeting with Acting Afghan Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi, the two leaders engaged in detailed discussions on peace, security, trade, and people-to-people connections. …