Oil storage containers and facilities of the TotalEnergies refinery in Leuna, Germany PHOTO: REUTERS Oil prices rose on Thursday as doubts over a fragile two-week Middle East ceasefire raised concerns that energy flows through the crucial Strait of Hormuz will remain restricted. Brent crude futures were up $1.96, or 2.07%, at $96.71 a barrel at…
PML-N-led coalition government in the Centre now has 229 members in the NA. PHOTO: APP ISLAMABAD: The opposition in the National Assembly on Wednesday offered unconditional support for Pakistan’s efforts to ensure regional peace, as the house held a detailed debate following the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Lawmakers from…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: Reuters ISLAMABAD’: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a National Coordination and Management Council (NCMC) to deal with the aftermath of the Middle East war on the nation’s economy and its internal security, in a move that will also ensure faster decision making during uncertain times. The council was established…
Smoke rises from an explosion in the Abbasiyeh neighbourhood following an Israeli strike, in Tyre, Lebanon, April 8, 2026. Photo: Reuters TEHRAN/ BEIRUT: Just hours after Pakistan successfully brokered a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, the fragile truce was already under strain as Israel launched its heaviest strikes on Lebanon since the…
People gather after a two-week ceasefire in the Iran war was announced, in Tehran, Iran, April 8, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS ISLAMABAD: All bets were off. The world and the region were preparing for the worst. At one point, it looked all Pakistan’s efforts to seek an end to the hostilities would come to naught. Pakistani…
Shehbaz says country has changed forever Calls on all sides to respect ceasefire Credits civil-military unity fo Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: Reuters ISLAMABAD: Islamabad stood on the cusp of an extraordinary diplomatic moment on Wednesday as Pakistan transitioned from crisis mediator to host of high-stakes negotiations, a development framed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif…
The world leaders on Wednesday praised Pakistan after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the United States and Iran had reached a two-week ceasefire, marking a temporary but significant halt to the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict. In a post on X, Shehbaz wrote, “With the greatest humility, I am pleased to announce that the Islamic…
The Pak-Afghan border at Chaman. PHOTO: FILE BEIJING: Technical-level delegations from Pakistan and Afghanistan have concluded the first round of talks facilitated by China in Urumqi, with both sides “committed to resolving differences as soon as possible”, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular briefing that the meetings,…
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet has approved a summary submitted by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination for a Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) amounting to Rs2.8 billion in favour of the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI). The committee was informed that the FDI remained a key national programme…
Sugar. Photo: file LAHORE: The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has appealed to the government to immediately export the surplus sugar produced during the current crushing season 2025-26 in order to boost the country’s foreign exchange reserves. A spokesperson for the association stated that as of November 15, 2025, the carry-forward stock from the previous…