Reserves strengthen to $22.6 billion

KARACHI: Pakistan’s foreign exchange buffers strengthened sharply during the week ended May 15, 2026, as the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) reserves increased $1.214 billion to $17.081 billion, driven primarily by multilateral inflows and recent market-based external borrowing. According to official data, the jump in reserves was largely attributed to receipts from the International Monetary…

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Taliban’s new marriage separation decree draws UN criticism

. KABUL: The Taliban government’s new decree governing the separation of spouses “reinforces systemic discrimination” and erodes the rights of Afghan women and girls, the United Nations said on Thursday. Published in mid-May, the 31-article code sets out various grounds for separation in Afghanistan, including a husband’s prolonged disappearance, “incompatibility” between couples, renunciation of Islam…

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Achakzai, Abbas to lead talks with govt

Resolution states any decision by Achakzai would be binding on all parliamentary party members ISLAMABAD: A grand opposition alliance on Thursday formally empowered leaders of the opposition in the National Assembly and the Senate to hold negotiations on its behalf with the government and their decisions would be binding after an eight-hour huddle, even as…

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CDF vows relentless anti-terror fight

A veteran salutes Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir during an investiture ceremony at the GHQ in Rawalpindi. Photo: PPI RAWALPINDI: Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Thursday reaffirmed that Pakistan’s fight against terrorism “will continue with full national resolve” until “enduring…

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Security forces kill 23 terrorists in K-P IBOs

RAWALPINDI: At least 23 terrorists belonging Indian-sponsored Fitna-al-Khwarij were killed during a series of intelligence-based operations carried out by security forces over the past 48 hours in various areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing said on Thursday. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces are continuing a series…

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Efforts intensify for ‘standby agreement’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, along with other regional countries, is believed to have been pushing for a “standby agreement” aimed at bringing a formal closure to the Iran-US war while laying down a framework for resolving contentious issues that continue to divide Tehran and Washington, it emerged on Thursday. As part of those efforts, Interior Minister Mohsin…

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US sanctions nine over Hezbollah ties, including Lebanese MPs

. WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday sanctioned nine Hezbollah-linked individuals it accused of “obstructing the peace process in Lebanon,” as Israeli strikes on the southern part of the country continued despite a ceasefire.“Hezbollah is a terrorist organization and must be fully disarmed,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.“Treasury will continue to take action against officials…

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Two Shangla miners killed in accidents

First accident occurred around 1 pm at Mine No 5 of Akhorwal coal mines, second in Chaparmashti area SHANGLA: Two miners from Shangla district lost their lives in two separate coal mine accidents, while a third was injured, plunging the region into mourning. The first accident occurred around 1 pm at Mine No 5 of…

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