ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Friday scheduled a March 31 hearing on petitions filed by former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, seeking to suspend their prison sentences in a major corruption case involving £190 million.
Politics
Direct US-Iran talks could begin soon in Pakistan, German minister says
ISLAMABAD: The United States and Iran are preparing for direct negotiations “very soon” in Pakistan, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Friday, as back-channel diplomacy intensifies to halt a Middle East war that has killed thousands, disrupted global energy supplies and driven oil prices above $110 a barrel.
Pakistan resumes targeted operation against Afghan Taliban after Eid pause ends
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office said on Thursday that a temporary pause in its military operation against the Afghan Taliban had ended, and strikes would resume immediately and continue “until its objectives are achieved.”
Israel backs off targeting Araqchi and Qalibaf after US steps in at Pakistan’s request – report
ISLAMABAD: Israel has removed Iran’s foreign minister and the speaker of its parliament from its list of targets for elimination, after Pakistan asked the United States to intervene and prevent their deaths, a Pakistani source with knowledge of the discussions told Reuters on Thursday.
Falling debris claims another Pakistani life in Abu Dhabi, bringing toll to four since strikes on Iran began
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani national was killed Thursday when debris from the interception of a ballistic missile struck Sweihan Street in Abu Dhabi, the Emirates Media Office said, marking the fourth death of a Pakistani citizen in the United Arab Emirates from such incidents since the United States and Israel began military operations against Iran.
Pakistan says US and Iran are exchanging messages through Islamabad
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister said Thursday that the United States and Iran are engaged in indirect talks, with Islamabad relaying messages between the two sides as they seek to end the conflict that has roiled the Middle East for nearly a month.
Iran rejects US ceasefire proposal, sets strict terms to end war
ISLAMABAD: Iran has flatly rejected a US proposal aimed at ending the nearly month-old war with the United States and Israel, insisting that any cessation of hostilities will occur only on Tehran’s terms and timeline, a senior Iranian political-security official told state broadcaster Press TV on Wednesday.
PM Sharif hails Saudi restraint in Iran conflict in call with crown prince
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan on Wednesday praised Saudi Arabia for showing restraint amid Iranian retaliatory strikes and called for urgent de-escalation and Muslim unity during a telephone conversation with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as Islamabad stepped up its role as an intermediary in the four-week-old Middle East war.
Imran Khan’s sisters again barred from jail visit as family sounds alarm over ex-PM’s eye condition
RAWALPINDI: The sisters of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan were refused entry to Adiala Jail on Tuesday for what has become a routine denial of family visits, even as a court has explicitly authorized twice-weekly meetings and as new concerns mounted over the opposition leader’s medical condition.
PM Sharif says Islamabad is ready to broker negotiations between Washington and Tehran to end four-week war
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that Pakistan stands ‘ready and honoure’ to host direct negotiations between the United States and Iran, offering Islamabad as a neutral venue for ‘meaningful and conclusive talks’ to end the four-week-old war in the Middle East.