Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has stressed that a competitive automobile industry can deliver significant benefits to consumers and the economy, including lower prices, improved quality, greater choice, and enhanced export potential. Unveiling a comprehensive report, “The Road to Fair Competition — A Study of Pakistan’s Automobile Industry”, the watchdog on Monday highlighted structural and regulatory challenges in the sector and recommended wide-ranging reforms, including a long-term policy roadmap, improved vehicle financing, and removal of regulatory distortions to foster competition and efficiency. The commission expressed the hope that the study will inform policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders and support the development of a modern, competitive, and globally integrated automobile sector in Pakistan. The automobile industry remains a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economy, contributing approximately 2.8 per cent to GDP and employing more than 215,000 people directly. A...

This handout satellite image taken by 2026 Planet Labs PBC on Monday shows smoke billowing following an explosion from the port of Bandar Abbas along the Strait of Hormuz.—AFP KARACHI: Escalating military conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have forced global shipping companies to adopt precautionary measures for the movement of goods by sea as well as for their staff and crew, while some firms have indicated the imposition of war-risk and contingency surcharges on cargo. The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic maritime corridor through which nearly 25 per cent of the world’s oil passes. Any disruption to traffic through the narrow passage linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman could lead to increases in crude oil and LNG prices as well as higher shipping insurance costs. “Given that a large proportion of Pakistan’s trade transits through the Gulf region and the fact that most major shipping lines have already announced service disruptions, Pakistan’s trade will suffer dela...

• Says invasion will ‘hardly last longer than a month’, refuses to rule out ‘boots on ground’ • Claims potential successors to Khamenei identified by Washington have also perished • Larijani insists country prepared for long war; Tehran says over 500 targets hit, more than 550 Iranians killed in strikes • Top US general claims air superiority over Iran; says more losses expected after six soldiers killed, three planes downed WASHINGTON: Anyone trying to keep track of US President Donald Trump’s comments is bound to be confused by his constantly shifting stance on the invasion of Iran. The US president, who has been on a media blitz ever since he ordered the strikes in the early hours of Saturday, has changed his tune so many times, it is hard to keep track. Speaking to The Atlantic at 9.30am on Sunday, one day after launching the strikes that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and embroiled the region in war, President Trump said Tehran’s new leadership wants to talk with him and that he plans to do so. By 5.30pm,...

• Shehbaz lauds Oman efforts for Iran-US deal, rues attack derailed peace process • Premier speaks to Kuwaiti crown prince, opposes escalatory actions; receives call from Syrian president ISLAMABAD: As war continued to rage in the Gulf on Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke to the rulers of Oman, Kuwait, and Syria to advocate diplomatic routes to restore peace in the region following the US-Israel strikes on Iran. In a conversation with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, the PM discussed the prevailing regional situation in the wake of the attack on Iran and subsequent hostilities that had endangered the peace and security of the entire Gulf region. The PM said the escalation had taken place at a time when diplomatic efforts facilitated by Oman were underway to reduce the US-Iran tensions, according to a statement from his office. “The attacks had not only derailed the delicate diplomatic process, but had also undermined efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation in the region,” he was quoted as sayi...

ISLAMABAD: A senior security official on Monday dismissed speculation that after Iran, Pakistan could be the next target of US-Israeli military action, saying such perceptions were “devoid of facts” and were being spread by “agents of chaos”. According to a brief shared with Dawn, the official said Pakistan was unlike Iran, that it was fully integrated with the world and fully capable of defending itself. He said that those spreading “alarmist narratives” were pursuing “nefarious and vested interests.” His remarks came amid an escalating war in the Middle East in which Israel and the United States, for the second time in eight months, launched coordinated strikes against Iran. Tehran retaliated by targeting Israeli territory and American military facilities in neighbouring countries, raising fears of a wider regional conflagration. Following the US-Israeli airstrikes, there has been speculation and concerns that Pakistan could face similar aggression. Some analyses from Western think tanks had also speculated...

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the mandatory installation of e-tags on all vehicles, including motorcycles, across the province and directed authorities to present a comprehensive micro security plan within seven days.

Islamabad - Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday said Pakistan remains a strong proponent of regional peace and stability but it will make no compromise on its sovereignty and safety of its people.

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have decided to continue their ongoing economic review talks virtually due to the prevailing security situation.

Asif Ali Zardari says Pakistan won’t allow use of neighboring territory to destabilize peace Addresses joint session of parliament amid opposition protest.

Islamabad - At least 435 Afghan Taliban operatives have so far been killed and over six hundred and thirty injured during the ongoing Operation Ghazab lil-Haq.

ISLAMABAD - Senior Pakistani security officials said cross border operations into Afghanistan will continue until what they described as the operational backbone of the Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan and the Baloch Liberation Army is dismantled.

Peshawar - A high-level meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi to review the overall law and order situation in the province at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar.

ISLAMABAD: The ongoing talks between an International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff mission and authorities in Islamabad had to be converted to virtual mode on Monday due to the regional situation following the attack on Iran by the United States and Israel. The IMF mission, led by Iva Petrova, had to immediately relocate to Istanbul following an advisory issued by the money lending agency’s headquarters, disrupting a series of sectoral meetings planned for the day. The remaining schedule of meetings, however, will remain intact and will progress through video link between Islamabad and Istanbul. “An IMF mission led by Iva Petrova has started discussions with the authorities in Karachi and Islamabad on the third review of Pakistan’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement and the second review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). Discussions will continue to be held virtually,” the Fund said in a statement. Earlier in the day, the two sides had a kick-off meeting presided over by Finance Minister...

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed each member of the squad for the T20 World Cup Rs5 million following their “underwhelming” campaign, ESPNcricinfo reported on Monday. According to the report, the fines were not for disciplinary reasons, but specifically for what the cricket board deemed “poor performance” at the event. “They were imposed immediately following Pakistan’s match against India in the group stages, where a meek showing resulted in a 61-run defeat,” it stated. The report further said that players were told that the fines might have waived off, if Pakistan had reached the tournament’s semi-finals. “The PCB has come down hard on players in the past, though sanctions have generally been framed as disciplinary,” the report said. “ESPNcricinfo has learned there were no disciplinary issues within the team throughout the tournament, and the fines have been levied specifically for the quality of their on-field performances,” it added. “That makes the sanctions handed out by the PCB particularly...

President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that France would increase the number of its nuclear warheads and cooperate with eight European countries to help protect the continent as the clock ticks on his presidency. His speech at France’s Ile Longue nuclear submarine base came after US and Israeli attacks against Iran in a campaign that risks destabilising the Middle East. Macron updated France’s nuclear doctrine as Russia’s war against Ukraine grinds into a fifth year and Nato allies worry about Washington’s wavering commitment to Europe. “We must strengthen our nuclear deterrent in the face of multiple threats, and we must consider our deterrence strategy deep within the European continent, with full respect for our sovereignty,” Macron said. He announced “the gradual implementation of what I would call advanced deterrence”. Macron announced a series of concrete measures in a bid to bolster Europe’s security as France’s allies are concerned that a possible win by the eurosceptic far-right National Rally part...

Issues notices on appeal challenging FSC ruling against quota system

Official says operation will be taken to its logical end; dismisses regional spillover

Taliban ammo dump pulverised as operation continues unabated

Zardari reaffirms support for Kashmir, slams regional escalation

Embassy in Islamabad, consulates in Karachi, Lahore cancel visa services