ISLAMABAD: A band of onetime leaders from former prime minister Imran Khan’s party joined with other figures on Wednesday to press for face-to-face discussions between the government and opposition to ease the sharp divisions roiling Pakistan’s politics, starting with the freeing of jailed activists as a gesture of good faith.
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Pakistan plans special police force to guard Chinese projects and workers
ISLAMABAD: In a push to tighten security for Chinese workers and investments in Pakistan, the two countries have settled on a series of new steps, including a dedicated police unit in Islamabad to guard Chinese citizens, officials said on Wednesday after high-level talks in Beijing.
Opposition PTI fires back at military over claims of fostering terrorism in key province
ISLAMABAD: The main opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party fired back on Tuesday at accusations from the military’s chief spokesman that its policies in the restive Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province had fostered a surge in terrorism, dismissing the claims as politically motivated and a threat to democratic norms.
Defence Minister Asif says arms exports tested in India conflict could cut reliance on IMF bailouts
ISLAMABAD: Defence minister Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday that a surge in orders for the country’s fighter jets, spurred by its military performance in a brief but intense conflict with India last year, could soon make international bailouts unnecessary, potentially allowing Islamabad to break free from its longstanding dependence on the International Monetary Fund.
Imran Khan looms over talks as PTI rejects govt’s call for negotiation among top five leaders
RAWALPINDI: Leaders of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party on Tuesday dismissed a government proposal for negotiations involving the country’s most powerful figures, insisting that no meaningful dialogue could occur without the direct involvement of their jailed founder, Imran Khan, the former prime minister.
Govt freezes gas prices for six months to shield consumers from winter costs
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government will hold natural gas prices steady for the next six months, delivering a reprieve to households and industries battered by soaring energy costs, even as the sector’s circular debt balloons to more than Rs3 trillion.
India paid Trump-linked lobbyists to reach US officials during ceasefire talks with Pakistan – report
ISLAMABAD: In the fraught period after an attack in occupied Kashmir last spring, India’s embassy in the United States turned to a well-connected Republican lobbying firm with close ties to the White House to help manage diplomatic relations, trade talks and a mounting confrontation with Pakistan, Indian newspaper The Hindu reported on Tuesday.
UBL overtakes OGDC as Pakistan’s most valuable listed firm at $4.6 billion
KARACHI: United Bank Ltd. has vaulted to the top spot among Pakistan’s listed companies, with its market capitalisation swelling to Rs1.28 trillion ($4.6 billion) on Tuesday, eclipsing longtime leader Oil & Gas Development Co.
Pakistan and Bangladesh air chiefs hold talks on defence ties and possible JF-17 sale
ISLAMABAD: The air force chiefs of Pakistan and Bangladesh met on Tuesday to discuss deepening military cooperation, including the potential sale of Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, amid shifting regional alliances and Dhaka’s fraying relations with India.
Military says Taliban rule and Indian support fueled cross-border attacks
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s military on Tuesday delivered a blistering indictment of the Afghan Taliban government, accusing it of turning Afghanistan into a breeding ground for terrorists who carried out thousands of attacks inside Pakistan last year, many with alleged financial and logistical support from India.