Pakistan pitches China, UK for investment

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi called on Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to discuss economic cooperation and investment promotion, according to a statement on Wednesday. Hashmi informed the minister that Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) valued at over $20 billion had been signed between Pakistani and Chinese entities, with many progressing into formal agreements. He…

Read More

Argentina stun England in comeback

Lionel Messi sinks to his knees after Argentina reached their second consecutive World Cup final. Photo: AFP ATLANTA: Lautaro Martinez scored a 92nd minute winner as Lionel Messi inspired World Cup holders Argentina to a stunning comeback to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday and set up a final with European champions Spain. England had been…

Read More

Two cops martyred in twin K-P attacks

Six policemen among 10 injured in car bombing at Bannu police station. MIRANSHAH: At least two police personnel were martyred and 26 people, including 22 policemen, injured in separate terrorist attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu and Lower Dir districts on Wednesday, while search and clearance operations in the affected areas continued amid heightened security. In Bannu…

Read More

Trade deficit hits decade-high $39.4b

Exports decline 6.8% to $30.1b as imports surge 17.6%, exposing structural weakness KARACHI: Over the past decade, exports grew by a mere 37.4%, up from $21.9 billion in FY2016 to $30.1 billion in FY2026. In the same period, imports surged 69.1% to reach $69.5 billion, causing the trade gap to balloon by 105.2% – the…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

$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…

Read More

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…

Read More

‘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…

Read More