JD Vance leaves after 21-hour talks end without agreement, praises Pakistan’s mediation efforts

US Vice President JD Vance speaks during a news conference after meeting with representatives from Pakistan and Iran on Sunday April 12, 2026 in Islamabad. Photo: Reuters United States Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday that intensive 21-hour discussions with Iran did not reach an agreement. He also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for a deal. The US…

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govt facilitated 50 foreign journalists

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Saturday stated that around 50 foreign journalists arrived in Pakistan for the “Islamabad Talks”. “Journalists from various countries, including China, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Germany and Korea have submitted visa applications to cover the talks,” he said while speaking to state broadcaster PTV. Tarar noted that yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister…

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The great gold squeeze

PUBLISHED April 12, 2026 KARACHI: Gold, in the subcontinent, has always been much more than just a metal you can buy and sell—it’s embedded in our social and emotional lives. It lives in velvet-lined boxes that smell faintly of stale attar and old wood, in musty bank lockers visited before weddings, in the quiet arithmetic…

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JD Vance says ’21-hour US-Iran talks end without agreement’, credits Pakistan for efforts

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. SCREENGRAB Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday stressed that the US and Iran should continue to uphold their commitment to the ceasefire as talks ended without an agreement. “It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to the ceasefire,” said…

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Business bodies unite on economic issues

KCCI, FCCI say high energy costs undermining competitiveness, demand tax rationalisation in upcoming budget KARACHI: The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) have agreed to maintain frequent interaction and structured engagements to effectively highlight and resolve pressing issues faced by the business community, according to…

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NDMA issues rain forecast for northern regions

ISLAMABAD: The NDMA on Saturday issued a rain alert for Punjab, K-P, AJK, and G-B from April 12 to 17. According to the NDMA, intermittent rain was expected in Punjab, K-P, AJK, and G-B, accompanied by thunderstorms, dust storms, and strong winds, with chances of hailstorms at isolated locations. “Rainfall is expected in Islamabad and…

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'War is not an option'

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari on Saturday said "war is not an option" and welcomed the Islamabad Talks as a key opportunity for peace as US and Iranian delegations arrived in Pakistan. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Bilawal said the negotiations come after weeks of devastation, noting that the world is watching "with…

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Indian media fails to digest Pakistan’s peacemaker role

Diplomatic momentum builds in Islamabad despite sensationalism and skepticism from Indian media KARACHI: As the Pakistan-mediated ‘Islamabad Talks’ between the United States and Iran began on Saturday, the world watched closely except for some “evil eyes” across the border still clinging to propaganda over nuance. Consistent with a long-standing pattern of criticising Pakistan, Indian broadcast…

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