Naqvi, US envoy review security for expected US-Iran talks in Islamabad

Natalie Baker expresses appreciation for country’s efforts, role in ensuring secure environment amid regional tensions Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday met US Chargé d’Affaires to Pakistan Natalie Baker at the US Embassy to discuss security arrangements ahead of the expected US-Iran talks in Islamabad, according to the interior ministry. During the meeting, both sides…

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Sovereign debt trap and illusion of fiscal stabilisation

Govt is no longer borrowing to fund infrastructure or improve human capital; it is borrowing to service interest on pr KARACHI: The prevailing narrative suggesting that Pakistan has achieved macroeconomic stability through the current International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme is a dangerous oversimplification. Such a perspective conveniently ignores the systemic erosion of the national industrial…

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Between reserves and reality: external sector under pressure

For years, Pakistan has relied on friendly countries for financing, but recent developments suggest shift in behaviour ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s economic managers often point to rising foreign exchange reserves as a sign of stabilisation. On paper, the narrative appears reassuring: reserves have recovered from crisis lows, inflation remains within range, and the country continues to meet…

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Bulgaria’s pro-Russian former president set for landslide election win, exit polls show

Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria secures 44% in exit polls, far ahead of long-dominant GERB party at 12.5% Rumen Radev. PHOTO: PBS NEWS Pro-Russian former president Rumen Radev is set for a runaway victory in Bulgaria’s election and may even secure a parliamentary majority, exit polls showed, potentially ending years of weak coalition governments and altering the…

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Four terrorists killed, one police officer martyred in separate IBO’s in K-P

ISPR says one terrorist killed was ‘Waheedullah’, responsible for the martyrdom of Lieutenant Colonel Gul Faraz DERA ISMAIL KHAN: One police officer was martyred and four terrorists, including two highly wanted commanders, were killed in two separate intelligence-based operations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, officials confirmed on Monday. In one operation, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in…

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Is SBP hiding its exchange rate assumptions?

Existing communication methodology is being reused, repackaged rather than reformed KARACHI: The Monetary Policy Reports (MPRs) published by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) try to show the SBP’s intention of transitioning towards a more up-to-date, inflation-targeting framework where the central bank’s timely information sharing becomes crucial. The SBP attempts to pivot towards global best…

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Baisakhi pilgrims head back to India

Sikh pilgrims return to India via the Wagah Border after completing their 10-day stay in Pakistan. PHOTO: EXPRESS LAHORE: Indian Sikh pilgrims who visited Pakistan to attend the Baisakhi festival returned to India via the Wagah Border on Sunday after completing their 10-day stay, with emotional scenes witnessed at the time of departure. Officials said…

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