ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is holding off on a decision to contribute troops to an international stabilization force in Gaza until the United States provides clear answers on its mandate and funding, a Foreign Office spokesman said on Thursday, as the country grapples with persistent cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan that has strained relations with its neighbour.
Lead
Direct flights between Bangladesh and Pakistan return after decade-long hiatus
KARACHI: Bangladesh’s national airline will resume direct flights to Pakistan this month after more than a decade, marking a key milestone in the warming of ties between the two South Asian nations following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hyderabad and Sialkot make PSL debut in over Rs3.6 billion auction
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Super League expanded to eight teams on Thursday with the addition of franchises in Hyderabad and Sialkot, as two investor groups submitted record bids totaling more than Rs3.6 billion in a closely watched auction that shows the growing commercial appeal of the country’s premier cricket competition.
Pakistan to fully deregulate sugar industry by June under IMF push
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to fully deregulate its sugar industry by the end of June, handing control of prices, production and trade over to market forces in a bid to meet International Monetary Fund requirements and ease fiscal strains.
Nepra cuts power tariff by 62 paise per kWh for first half of 2026
ISLAMABAD: The power regulator lowered the national average electricity tariff by 62 paise per kilowatt-hour for the next six months, providing some relief to consumers amid persistent energy cost pressures.
Cabinet blocks fuel margin increase until supply chain goes fully digital
ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has rejected a plan to boost profit margins for oil marketers and dealers, tying any increase to the full digitisation of the country’s fuel supply chain in a push to curb smuggling and revenue losses.
Pakistan in talks to swap Saudi loans for JF-17 jets, report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are negotiating to convert roughly $2 billion in Saudi loans into a deal for JF-17 fighter jets, according to two Pakistani sources with knowledge of the matter, a move that would further cement military ties between the allies just months after they sealed a mutual defence pact, Reuter reported on Wednesday.
PIA groundings, spare parts mismanagement cost carrier Rs33 billion, audit shows
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines Corp. suffered losses totaling about Rs22 billion from prolonged aircraft groundings, according to audit officials who briefed lawmakers this week on a litany of financial and operational missteps at the struggling carrier.
Sindh police, Rangers plan massive operation against riverine bandits
SUKKUR: The provincial Sindh government announced on Wednesday a sweeping offensive against the heavily armed criminal gangs that have long terrorized the marshy riverine areas along the Indus River, vowing to deploy all available resources in a bid to dismantle the networks responsible for kidnappings, extortion and violent assaults.
Bangladesh in talks with ICC over moving T20 World Cup games from India
LAHORE: The Bangladesh Cricket Board said on Wednesday that it was engaged in discussions with the International Cricket Council to find a “practical” resolution to its request to relocate the country’s group-stage matches in the upcoming T20 World Cup out of India, citing heightened security concerns amid strained diplomatic relations between the two nations.