Pakistan

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the foreign minister of Bahrain, on Monday night to discuss the evolving situation in the region.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has temporarily halted preparations for the Hajj flight schedule in view of the tense regional situation arising from potential attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel.

Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja on Tuesday remarked that it appeared the current government was “ignoring” both the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the local government system.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Tuesday called on the media to exercise caution when discussing matters related to Pakistan’s foreign policy amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, citing “unease” voiced by “friendly countries”. He made the remarks while addressing a press conference alongside Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudry. The press conference came against the backdrop of conflict in Iran, which has been embroiled in a war with the United States and Israel since the latter’s February 28 strikes, prompting retaliatory strikes from Iran on neighbouring countries, which house US bases. Taking note of the recent escalation in the Middle East following US-Israeli attacks on Iran, the minister stressed the need for caution in the “narrative on these matters on social media, electronic media, and print media”. “As a nation, we must keep in mind that when expressing our views, we have to keep the constitution and Pakistan’s foreign policy under considera...

The governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab have decided to disburse salaries and pensions to government employees and pensioners in advance ahead of Eidul Fitr 2026.

Pakistan’s benchmark KSE-100 index advanced 9,696.98 points on Tuesday, closing in the green, up 6.62 per cent from its previous close. Shortly after opening, the index gained 9,303.75 points, or 6.35pc, in early trading before a temporary market halt was enacted following the sharp rally. Trading was temporarily suspended in accordance with regulations of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), according to an official notice issued by the exchange. The notification stated that the halt was triggered after the KSE-30 index recorded a 5pc increase from the previous trading day’s close, activating the exchange’s market suspension mechanism. Trading resumed at 10:27am. After the resumption of trade, the index rose to the intraday high of 11,846 points, after which it dipped to 10,085.15 points by 12:55pm. It later pared some gains before closing in the green at 2pm. This rally is in sharp contrast to the market’s previous close. On Monday, the KSE-100 index closed the session at 146,480 points, marking a decline of ...

WASHINGTON: During a heated debate on Afghanistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday, Pakistan lambasted India’s criticism of cross-border strikes, accusing Delhi of complicity in the terror threat at the western border. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad exchanged strong words with his Indian and Afghan counterparts after the former accused Islamabad of “flagrant violations of international law” during the Pak-Afghan conflict. During the session, India’s Permanent Representative Parvathaneni Harish said his country “reiterates UNSG’s deep concern at civilian casualties caused by cross-border violence and strongly condemns airstrikes which are flagrant violations of international law, UN Charter and state sovereignty”. India also expressed “grave concern on ‘trade and transit terrorism’” and said “these vulnerabilities of Land-Locked Developing Countries should not be weaponised”. India a ‘spoiler’ in Afghanistan: Pak envoy Ambassador Ahmad, following the r...

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, on Tuesday, in a phone call with his Bahraini counterpart, reiterated Pakistan’s call for de-escalation and dialogue for stability in the Middle East amid escalating tensions in the region. Iran, Pakistan’s western neighbour, has been embroiled in a war with the United States and Israel since the latter’s February 28 strikes that assassinated its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In retaliation for the strikes, Iran resorted to targeting neighbouring countries, which house US bases, including Bahrain. According to a statement by the Foreign Office (FO), Dar spoke with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al Zayani last night, and the two “exchanged views on the developments in the Middle East and the wider region, conveying grave concern over recent attacks, including in Bahrain”. FO added that during the call, Dar “reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Bahrain and its people”. He also underscored the need for “de‑escalation, dialogue,...

A ceremony for the auction of 5G spectrum in Pakistan was held under the supervision of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Tuesday.

Pakistan has received its first shipment of crude oil since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following tensions linked to the United States–Israel conflict with Iran, easing concerns about a possible petrol shortage in the country.

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, yesterday urged Pakistani nationals residing in Iran to immediately register with the embassy if they wish to return home, citing increasing logistical difficulties in arranging transportation.

WASHINGTON: The United States on Monday designated Afghanistan as a ‘State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention’, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio accusing the Taliban of using hostage-taking as leverage against Washington. Earlier, in February, Iran was also designated a ‘State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention’. The announcement came as Washington sharpened its criticism of Taliban policies at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), where US Ambassador Mike Waltz questioned continued international engagement and funding provided to Afghanistan. Rubio, in a statement issued on Monday evening, said: “Today, I am designating Afghanistan as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention.” He warned Americans against travel to Afghanistan, saying: “It is not safe for Americans to travel to Afghanistan because the Taliban continues to unjustly detain our fellow Americans and other foreign nationals.” He alleged that the Taliban “continue to use terrorist tactics, kidnapping individuals for ransom or to seek policy concessions...

Pollution resulting from the recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran’s oil sites could worsen air quality in Pakistan's western parts, the country's official weather agency cautioned on Monday.

The government of Balochistan has launched the Green Peoples Bus Service in Turbat to provide residents with safe, comfortable and efficient travel facilities while improving urban mobility in the region.

Flights from Pakistan to the Middle East continued to face disruptions on Tuesday amid ongoing regional tensions, leading to multiple flight cancellations.

Heavy rainfall is expected to begin today in the upper regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising concerns about possible flash floods, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Monday declined to say whether Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader has a “target on his back,” but made clear his dissatisfaction with Tehran’s choice, calling it “going to lead to more of the same.” Asked at a news briefing in Doral, Florida, whether Iran’s new leader was a target, Trump replied: “The new leader, you mean the son?… I was disappointed to see their choice,” before adding, “I don’t want to say whether he has (a target on his back).” Pressed again at the end of the session, he repeated that he would not comment on any targeting decision but reiterated his broader frustration, saying the Iranian people are “an amazing people but the system they have only leads to failure.” The remarks came a day after Iran’s Assembly of Experts formally appointed Mojtaba Khamenei — son of the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — to succeed his father following his death in a US-Israeli strike. The succession consolidates power within the clerical circles and sign...

The government has reassured citizens that petrol supplies across the country remain stable despite recent volatility in global energy markets.

The National Assembly will resume its session at the Parliament House in Islamabad at 12 noon on Tuesday.

PM Shehbaz Sharif • PM defends ‘difficult decision’ on fuel prices, says global oil market ‘not in Pakistan’s hands’ • Public, private workplaces to shift half their staff to ‘work from home’; won’t apply to essential services such as banks, hospitals, agricultural or industrial sectors • All schools, colleges to stay closed for two weeks; higher education institutes to shift classes online • Special cabinet committee reviews fuel stocks, assesses national preparedness • Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan also announce measures; Sindh cabinet meets today ISLAMABAD / LAHORE / PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced unprecedented austerity measures to cope with the situation that emerged due to the US-Israel war on Iran, which has led to a global oil crisis affecting various countries, including Pakistan, as three provinces with the exception of Sindh have taken their own set of steps to deal with the situation. In his address to the nation on Monday night, the premier unveiled the government’...