PIA escapes Airbus A320 software recall as carriers worldwide rush repairs

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines emerged unscathed from a sweeping Airbus SE recall of 6,000 A320-family jets over a software glitch, even as carriers worldwide scrambled overnight to implement fixes that temporarily grounded aircraft in Asia and Europe and loomed over US travel during the post-Thanksgiving surge.

Read more

Egypt urges focused role for Gaza peace force, seeks bigger Pakistani role in rebuilding

ISLAMABAD: Egypt’s foreign minister on Saturday outlined a narrowly defined mandate for a proposed international force to stabilise Gaza, emphasising its role in monitoring a ceasefire and securing borders, while calling for an expanded Pakistani contribution to the territory’s reconstruction amid ongoing devastation from the conflict.

Read more

Pakistan ready to join Gaza stabilisation force but rules out role in disarming Hamas

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is prepared to deploy troops as part of an international stabilisation force in Gaza under a United States-brokered peace plan, but it will not participate in any effort to disarm the Palestinian group Hamas, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Saturday.

Read more

By-elections marred by ‘gaps in transparency’; watchdog flags violations, weak turnout

ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz swept the by-elections held on Nov. 23, capturing all six vacant seats in the National Assembly and six of seven in the Punjab Assembly, amid what an independent election monitor described as “recurring violations” of campaigning rules and “gaps” in the transparency of results.

Read more

Pakistan sees ‘cautious optimism on growth’ as reforms lift outlook despite sticky inflation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan voiced cautious optimism over the economic outlook in its latest monthly update, citing strengthening industrial activity and structural reforms even as inflation remains stubborn in the 5-6% range due to pressures on food prices and agricultural production.

Read more