Backchannel diplomacy expands across region

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warmly receives Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a meeting in Islamabad. Photo: app ISLAMABAD: Despite no immediate prospects of direct talks between Iran and the United States, diplomacy remains very much alive, as a flurry of behind-the-scenes activity suggests a serious push to seek a permanent end to the war,…

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Europe may face flight cancellations by end of May over jet fuel shortages, IATA warns

IEA says outlook hinges on Europe replacing Middle East supply, source of 75% of jet fuel imports آirlines are working to secure alternative supply routes, but stressed that governments must also prepare contingency plans in case fuel rationing becomes necessary. PHOTO: PIXABAY The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned on Friday that Europe could see…

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Provinces urged to lead SME financing efforts

LAHORE: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), on advice of the Special Assistant to PM Haroon Akhtar Khan, convened a series of five meetings with regional stakeholders, including banks and industries departments of Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) for equitable promotion of the SME financing across Pakistan. Nadia Jahangir Seth, Chief…

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The misdeed of seeking ‘intervention’

The misdeed of using shortcuts instead of arduous path of good governance to assume power The writer is a public policy analyst based in Lahore. She can be reached at durdananajam1@gmail.com Imran Khan wants to talk to the establishment. What is the establishment in Pakistan’s political parlance? Is it the Pakistan army? But why does…

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No country for a woman alone

By Yusra Salim/Fouzia Nasir Ahmad | PUBLISHED July 20, 2025 KARACHI: “It was in the early 2000s that my daughter decided to move to the US where her father lived, to finish her high school,” recounts Fareeha Mirza*, a teacher in her 50s, her temples graying, her eyes soft brown. ‘Life in Karachi was getting…

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Foolproof security set for Islamabad talks

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi addresses a press conference in Islamabad on Saturday. — SCREENGRAB ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi assured US Charge d’Affaires to Pakistan Natalie Baker on Thursday of foolproof security ahead of the arrival of high-level foreign delegations in Islamabad on Friday for the US-Iran ceasefire talks. The meeting came a day after…

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SC petition challenges IHC judges’ transfer

Police officers walk past the Supreme Court of Pakistan building, in Islamabad, Pakistan April 6, 2022. REUTERS ISLAMABAD: A petition filed in the Supreme Court on Thursday challenging the transfer of three Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges has brought the controversy to the fore, with the plea arguing that the move violates constitutional guarantees and…

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