BANNU: Militants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a police checkpost in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province late on Saturday, triggering a powerful blast that killed 15 officers and touched off a fierce gunfight, authorities said on Sunday.
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Military chief warns of ‘far-reaching and painful’ consequences for any future aggression by India
RAWALPINDI: Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the chief of defence forces and chief of army staff, warned on Sunday that any future “misadventure” against Pakistan would produce “extremely far-reaching and painful” consequences for the aggressor, delivering the message at a high-profile military ceremony marking the first anniversary of the country’s victory in last year’s brief but intense conflict with India.
Pakistan says fuel-price increase required by IMF deal despite stable global markets
ISLAMABAD: The petroleum minister on Saturday defended the government’s decision to raise petrol and diesel prices by nearly Rs15 a liter, saying the increase was required to honor commitments made to the International Monetary Fund even though global oil markets had shown no major swings.
Pakistan marks first anniversary of ‘Marka-e-Haq,’ hailing military standoff with India as a defining victory
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that Pakistan “can neither be intimidated nor subdued by any aggressor,” as the government observed the first anniversary of the military confrontation with India that the country has christened Marka-i-Haq, or Battle of Truth.
Pakistan and Bangladesh sign agreement to combat drug trafficking as bilateral ties continue to warm
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Bangladeshi counterpart, Salahuddin Ahmed, signed a memorandum of understanding on Saturday aimed at deepening cooperation against drug trafficking and narcotics abuse, officials said.
Pakistan returns to LNG spot market with Qatar supplies still stalled
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan LNG Ltd. invited international suppliers Saturday to bid for two spot cargoes of liquefied natural gas, the second tender in a week, as deliveries from its primary supplier Qatar stayed blocked by continued restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump’s Iran ceasefire push stalls as fresh naval clashes in Persian Gulf deepen distrust
ISLAMABAD: Iran cast doubt on Saturday on the sincerity of American diplomacy following renewed naval clashes in the Persian Gulf, leaving the Trump administration without a clear response to its latest proposal for extending a month-old ceasefire and opening talks on a permanent settlement.
US expects Iranian reply to war-ending proposal as naval clashes in Hormuz raise doubts about ceasefire
ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that the United States is awaiting an Iranian response later in the day to a US proposal aimed at ending the conflict in the Persian Gulf, even as fresh military exchanges between the two sides have cast doubt on the durability of a fragile cease-fire.
Australia imposes sanctions on BLA and three senior leaders, citing role in Pakistan attacks
ISLAMABAD: Australia on Friday imposed counterterrorism financing sanctions on the Balochistan Liberation Army and three of its senior leaders, freezing their assets and prohibiting any financial dealings with the group in a move aimed at disrupting its operations in Pakistan.
IMF board approves $1.2 billion tranche for Pakistan after clearing key reform review
ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund’s Executive Board approved the latest review of Pakistan’s economic program on Friday, clearing the way for the disbursement of about $1.2 billion in fresh financing.