QUETTA: A remote-controlled bomb exploded near the convoy of a local official in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan on Monday, wounding eight people, including seven members of a paramilitary force, and underscoring the persistent threat of militant violence in a region long plagued by insurgency and attacks on security forces.
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Deadlocked talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan extend into third day as Trump renews offer to mediate
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and Afghan officials convened for a third day of negotiations in Istanbul on Monday, struggling to forge a durable peace accord amid mutual recriminations over cross-border terrorism, even as President Donald Trump reiterated his willingness to step in as a mediator.
SBP keeps policy rate at 11 percent as floods drive up inflation risks
KARACHI: Pakistan’s central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 11% on Monday as policymakers assessed the impact of recent floods on food prices and the broader economy, extending a pause in monetary easing for a fourth straight meeting.
Babar Azam returns to T20 squad after Fakhar Zaman opts out
LAHORE: Former captain Babar Azam has been recalled to the T20 International squad for the three-match series against South Africa only after fellow batter Fakhar Zaman opted out, white-ball head coach Mike Hesson said on Sunday.
Pakistan resumes household gas hookups after four-year ban
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif kicked off the rollout of regasified liquefied natural gas connections for households nationwide, meeting a longstanding public push for more affordable fuel amid dwindling domestic reserves.
PPP nears control of AJK after defections, with fourth premier likely in four years
MUZAFFARABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party appeared poised to assume control of the government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir after 10 lawmakers from a dissident faction defected to its ranks, paving the way for the ouster of Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq and the installation of a PPP leader through a no-confidence motion or his resignation.
Stalemate in Istanbul talks as Pakistan presses Afghanistan on militant havens
ISLAMABAD: Negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan remained deadlocked on Sunday, with Afghan Taliban officials showing little willingness to commit to dismantling terrorist sanctuaries on their soil, Pakistani security officials involved in the talks said.
Military says thwarted infiltration attempts from Afghanistan, 25 militants killed
ISLAMABAD: Security forces killed 25 militants, including four suicide bombers, and seized a large cache of weapons and explosives in two separate operations along the border with Afghanistan, thwarting what the military described as major infiltration attempts by a banned terrorist group amid delicate talks between the two countries.
Rubio says US seeks to broaden strategic ties with Pakistan without undermining India
ISLAMABAD: Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States sees an opportunity to expand its strategic relationship with Pakistan, emphasising that the recent strengthening of ties between the two countries does not come at the expense of Washington’s relationship with New Delhi.
Lahore tops global pollution index for third day, AQI surges past 400
LAHORE: For the third straight day, Lahore has held the grim distinction of being the world’s most polluted city, with a blanket of smog pushing air quality to hazardous levels and prompting urgent health advisories from officials.