Pakistan

The air force escorted Iranian negotiators home from inconclusive peace talks with the United States last weekend, launching a major operation after the Iranians said Israel might seek to kill them, three sources told Reuters. Pakistan deployed some two dozen jets in the escort, as well as the force’s Airborne Warning and Control System for aerial surveillance to ensure the safety of the delegation back from Islamabad, said two Pakistani sources with knowledge of the operation. One said similar security protection would be provided for subsequent talks if the Iranians ask for it, “otherwise Pakistani aircraft would receive them in Pakistan airspace”. A third source involved in the talks said measures were already in the works ahead of an expected further round of talks as soon as this weekend. ‘They might be targeted’ A regional diplomat briefed by Tehran, however, said Pakistan insisted on the escort after Iranian delegates raised the “hypothetical” possibility of a threat. The discussions with the Iranian d...

The Islamabad and Rawalpindi administrations on Friday refuted reports regarding the closure of transport terminals. In a post on the social media platform X, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfaz Nawaz Memon said, “All bus terminals in Islamabad are open as usual. All types of transport are operating as usual at all bus terminals, including Faizabad.” Further, the Islamabad Traffic Police also clarified that reports regarding the closure of transport stands in the federal capital were baseless. A traffic police official said that inter-city transport in Islamabad was operating as usual and no shutdown had been ordered. He said any decision regarding closure of bus terminals or inter-city public transport would be communicated to the public in advance through official channels. The official urged citizens to rely only on verified information and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports. The same was also shared by the Islamabad Traffic Police on X. Meanwhile, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema also s...

Pope Leo has debuted a new, forceful speaking style on his four-nation Africa tour this week, issuing sharp denunciations of war and inequality that have sparked repeated attacks on the pontiff from US President Donald Trump. The change in rhetoric reflects Leo’s growing concern with the direction of global leadership, experts said, after he maintained a relatively low profile for a pope during the first 10 months of his papacy. Trump first attacked Leo as “terrible” on Sunday, in an apparent response to the pope’s criticisms of the US-Israeli war on Iran. He lobbed more criticism again on Thursday, suggesting the pope didn’t understand foreign policy issues. The first US pope, speaking earlier that day in Cameroon, had said the world was “being ravaged by a handful of tyrants”, without naming individuals. “Normally popes and the Vatican are cautious when it comes to international politics, preferring diplomacy to public censure,” said John Thavis, a retired Vatican correspondent who covered three papacies. “...

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened on a strong note on Friday, driven by growing optimism over a possible peace deal between the United States and Iran, which boosted investor confidence.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has dismissed a petition challenging the federal government’s decision to monetise free electricity units for power sector officers, upholding the policy as lawful and constitutional.

The Iranian Rial (IRR) has seen increased volatility and a relative uptick in Pakistan’s informal currency markets, with traders reporting stronger demand in key trading hubs including Karachi and border areas.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Friday it is investigating Cricket Canada over allegations of match corruption, including the team’s loss to New Zealand at the recent T20 World Cup hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The game in Chennai — which Canada lost by eight wickets — is under scrutiny following allegations of corruption highlighted in a documentary aired by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) on Thursday. “The ACU (anti-corruption unit) is aware of the programme broadcast by CBC,” Andrew Ephgrave, interim general manager of the ICC’s Integrity Unit, said in a statement. The documentary by the public broadcaster made wide-ranging accusations of corruption and poor governance against Canada Cricket. In the Chennai game, suspicion is focused on the fifth over bowled by captain Dilpreet Bajwa during New Zealand’s chase, according to ESPNCricinfo. He started with a no-ball, bowled a wide, and ended up conceding 15 runs in the over. Canada scored 173 for four wickets in 20 overs, while Ne...

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has upheld the federal government’s policy to monetise free electricity units for officers of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) and power distribution companies, it emerged on Friday. As per the ruling, the benefit was a non-statutory service perk and could be lawfully altered as part of administrative and financial reforms. Justice Malik Javid Iqbal Wains announced the verdict dismissing a constitutional petition challenging a notification issued by the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) on December 5, 2023. The impugned notification introduced a policy to monetise free electricity units previously provided to officers in BPS-17 and above working in Wapda and ex-Wapda entities, including distribution and generation companies. Previously, officers from BPS-18 to 22 were given a total of 75 million units of electricity collectively, costing up to Rs4-4.5 billion annually. Under the policy, officers are now required to pay electricity bills, while a fixed monetary ...

Bushra Bibi, the wife of incarcerated ex-premier and PTI founder Imran Khan, was shifted back to Adiala jail on Friday after undergoing an eye surgery at a Rawalpindi hospital, according to jail authorities. Bushra is serving a seven-year sentence in the £190 million corruption case. In December 2025, she was sen­tenced to 17 years’ imprisonment in the Toshakhana 2 case, which revolved around the purchase of an expensive jewelry set gifted to Imran by the Saudi crown prince during his May 2021 visit. The PTI has expressed concern over reports about her health, demanding that she be taken to a hospital for diagnosis and treatment. According to a press release by the Adiala jail authorities, she had complained of impaired vision in her right eye, due to which the prison administrators immediately had her examined by ophthalmologists. The superintendent of the jail said that retinal detachment was diagnosed in the right eye. In view of the diagnosis, doctors advised surgery, he added. On Thursday evening, the pa...

Field Marshal Asim Munir has emerged as a central figure in Pakistan’s efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran, playing a crucial behind-the-scenes role in attempts to ease regional tensions.

KARACHI: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and FIA Director General (DG) Dr Usman Anwar on Friday directed the timely redressal of complaints and ensuring transparent investigations at all costs. The directions were issued during their visit to the FIA Karachi Zone, where they conducted a detailed inspection of various departments. On the occasion, the director of FIA Karachi Zone and the additional director general (South) gave a comprehensive briefing on ongoing complaints, inquiries, and important cases. The senior officials conducted a detailed review of the performance of all circles and emphasised that public grievances must be resolved on a priority basis. During the visit, special attention was also given to matters related to the welfare of officers and staff. Director FIA stated that the promotion system was being further improved to ensure the professional development of officers. He also issued directions regarding the conduct of medical tests for officers and staff, as well as the provision ...

The government has abolished the provision of free electricity units for power sector employees in a landmark decision aimed at reforms in the energy sector.

Alongside hundreds of others forced to flee south Lebanon, Amani Atrash and her family waited eagerly on Friday morning for bulldozers to reopen the Qasmiyeh bridge, which Israel bombed just hours before a ceasefire began. Her family was among the tens of thousands of people hoping to go home after being displaced by the Israel-Hezbollah war — despite warnings against returning to the south from the Iran-backed militant group, Lebanese officials and the Israeli army, which continues to occupy parts of the area. “We set off an hour before the ceasefire took effect so we could reach the bridge once it opens, allowing us to return to our town,” said Atrash, 37, who fled north at the start of the war. “The wait is very difficult because we want to get there as quickly as possible,” she told AFP as she sat in her car in a line stretching for kilometres northeast of the coastal city of Tyre. The 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into force at midnight, hours after it was announced by US President Don...

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday held a high-level meeting with Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in Tehran, according to Iranian state media posts shared on social media platform X.

Sweden’s government has faced growing criticism over its plans to require migrants to adhere to “honest living”, with rights groups and legal experts saying the proposed measure is discriminatory. Sweden’s government, which came to power in 2022 on vows to get tough on immigration and crime, is trying to rapidly push through a slew of reforms in various areas ahead of legislative elections in September. If approved by parliament, the “honest living” measure would come into force on July 13. Under the change, the Migration Agency will consider, when granting or renewing non-EU citizens’ residence permits, whether applicants have at any time posed a threat to public order or security, had extremist sympathies or links to groups advocating violence, or committed minor offences punishable by fines. Other factors may include going into debt “without any intention or effort to repay”, organised begging, committing welfare fraud, or working off the books. Those found not adhering to the “honest living” standard coul...

President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon, terming it an “important step” towards reducing tensions and restoring calm in the region, according to a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon, saying it was the result of diplomatic efforts led by former United States president Donald Trump.

A Pakistan-flagged tanker has become the first crude carrier to exit through the Strait of Hormuz with a cargo since a US blockade began earlier this week, in a rare passage that underlines how restricted traffic remains through the vital chokepoint.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday faced renewed calls from his political opponents ​to resign after it was revealed that his former ambassador to ‌the United States failed security vetting and was still allowed to take up the job. The government on Thursday confirmed Mandelson — who was subsequently fired after Starmer said he had lied ​about the strength of his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — had ​failed his security vetting before taking up the role. The government said ⁠Starmer was unaware officials in the Foreign Office had overruled the vetting ​recommendation, and a source said the most senior official at the Foreign Office, Olly ​Robbins, would leave his role after losing Starmer’s confidence. “I don’t think the prime minister can get out of his responsibility by sacking Olly Robbins. I think the buck has to ​stop with Mr Starmer,” Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey told BBC Radio. “I think ​the evidence suggests that he misled the Commons (parliament) and misled the public. ...

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb appreciated China’s support in facilitating Pakistan’s engagements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, the finance ministry said on Friday. Aurangzeb arrived in the United States on Monday to participate in the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings 2026, taking place from April 13 to 18 in Washington, DC. The Spring Meetings bring together finance ministers, central bank governors, policymakers and development experts from around the world amid ongoing global economic uncertainty. While there, the finance minister held an important meeting with China’s Finance Minister Lan Fo’an on the sidelines of the meetings, the ministry said in a statement on X. During the meeting, he expressed deep appreciation for China’s “long-standing and unwavering bilateral support” to Pakistan, as well as the constructive role played by China’s Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in facilit...