Gold steady despite US-Iran tensions

Rises Rs900/tola, though international markets fall on producer price data; rupee inches up Gold imitation and US dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration picture taken February 20, 2026. Photo: Reuters RATODERO/KARACHI: Gold prices in Pakistan posted gains, although marginal, on Wednesday, bucking the softer trend in international markets, where the precious metal trimmed losses…

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Has Pakistan taken a back seat?

ISLAMABAD: For months, Pakistan found itself in an unfamiliar but influential role: acting as one of the principal mediators between Iran and the United States at a time when the two adversaries appeared dangerously close to a wider regional war. Today, however, that diplomatic momentum has all but evaporated. The renewed exchange of military strikes…

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$6.7b oil facility sought from Saudi

Pakistan has sought a $6.7 billion concessional oil financing facility from Saudi Arabia for a period of 15 years, aimed at ensuring energy security amid heightened Middle East conflict that may keep global prices high and put additional stress on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. A spokeswoman of the Ministry of Economic Affairs confirmed to…

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New fellowship for Pakistan’s emerging women documentary filmmakers announced

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy names eight fellows for ‘Claim the Frame’ which will support production of four documentary fi KARACHI: Two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has announced the eight fellows selected for the latest edition of Patakha Pictures’ Claim the Frame programme, which will support four documentary films by emerging women filmmakers from across Pakistan. The…

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‘Sway’ gives voice to Pakistan’s football dream

KARACHI: KARACHI As Pakistan’s football revival gathers pace on and off the field, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has released “Sway,” a music project that brings together football, culture and artists from across the world. Produced in collaboration with Humnava and co-curated by music producer Xulfi, the song was filmed in Hunza and Lyari, highlighting…

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PSX regains ground, ends up 1,767 points

KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday staged a modest rebound as investors returned to accumulate selective blue chips after the previous session’s sharp sell-off, with easing concerns over the Strait of Hormuz disruptions restoring confidence. In the morning, the market got off to a flying start, when the benchmark KSE-100 index surged more than…

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K-P raises allowances for govt employees

. PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a major increase in various allowances for provincial government employees, including doubling the travel allowance for disabled staff from Rs6,000 to Rs10,000 per month. Following cabinet approval, the Finance Department has issued separate notifications outlining the re-vised benefits, which will be implemented from July 1, and reflected in…

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Robbery hoax uncovered

. SARGODHA: Kirana police on Wednesday uncovered a false claim of robbery after an investigation revealed that the complainant had staged the incident. According to police sources, Shehbaz, resident of the same area, called the Police Emergency Helpline 15 and alleged that a gang of eight armed dacoits had entered his house while he was…

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France approves landmark assisted-dying bill

. PARIS: French lawmakers on Wednesday adopted a bill that will create a legal right to assisted dying for adults with incurable illnesses, capping an intense ethical and political debate. The legislation will, under strict conditions, allow a person who requests it to receive a lethal substance. The substance could be self-administered or, if the…

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PM Shehbaz stresses importance of reactivating regional cooperation in meeting with outgoing SAARC chief

South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation Secretary General Ambassador Md. Golan Sarwar calls on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Wednesday. — PMO Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday stressed the importance of reviving regional cooperation in a meeting with outgoing South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) Secretary General Ambassador Golam Sarwar.  A…

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