Economic gains derailed by ME war

Trucks drive past cargo shipping containers at the Evergreen shipping terminal at the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California on September 13, 2025. The US Supreme Court ruled on February 20 that Donald Trump exceeded his authority in imposing a swath of tariffs that upended global trade, blocking a key tool the president…

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Thailand’s former PM Thaksin freed from prison

After 15 years in exile, Thaksin returned to Thailand in 2023 to serve an eight-year sentence Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra reacts following his release on parole after serving eight months of his one-year sentence at Klong Prem Central Prison, in Bangkok, Thailand, May 11, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS Thailand’s billionaire former ​premier Thaksin Shinawatra…

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Senate human rights panel notes progress

. ISLAMABAD: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights has highlighted the progress in parliamentary oversight, legislative reforms and protection of vulnerable communities during the parliamentary year 2025-26. The annual report which was presented in Senate stated that the committee remained actively engaged in safeguarding constitutional rights through legislative scrutiny, policy review and accountability measures…

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can CPEC deliver Phase II?

SEZs become critical, yet despite years of policy focus, most of these zones have not reached meaningful operational s ISLAMABAD: Why Pakistan’s next economic test lies in turning strategic partnership into industrial performance? Pakistan’s economic engagement with China is among the most stable and strategically significant pillars of its external relations. As the largest trading…

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SC urges restraint to ensure peace

Says sectarian differences cannot justify exclusion of Muslims from public mosques Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi chairs a meeting of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan at the Supreme Court in Islamabad on Thursday, Jan 15, 2026. Photo: Supreme Court of Pakistan ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has urged restraint against unnecessary judicial intervention in mosque-related…

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Sailors held by pirates seek immediate rescue

Pakistani seafarers say they have run out of food supplies, medicines and drinking water Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recover a suspected Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon that was downed by the United States over the weekend over U.S. territorial waters off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, U.S., February 5, 2023….

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$32b deficit reflects policy failure

A picture showing $100 bills. SOURCE: REUTERS ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s external sector has once again sounded a loud alarm. The country’s trade deficit surged to $31.988 billion in the first 10 months of FY2026 and $4.074 billion in April 2026, a massive increase of 43.5% month-on-month and 20.28% year-on-year. Pakistan recorded goods imports of $6.553 billion,…

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PTCL warns of 7-day internet disruption

Company said maintenance activity was planned on submarine cables to repair a fault by International Cable Consortium ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) announced on Sunday that customers may face internet service degradation during the evenings from May 11-18. In a post on X, the company said that maintenance activity was planned on one of…

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Opposition announces anti-govt protest drive

K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi holds meeting with TTAP at National Assembly opposition leader Mahmood Achakzai’s house. PHOTO: TTAP ISLAMABAD: The Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP), a grand opposition alliance, on Sunday announced plans to launch a protest campaign against the latest increase in petroleum prices and said it is seeking support from other political parties…

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