Pakistan seeks to fast-track projects under $20 billion World Bank partnership

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga agreed on Monday to accelerate the implementation of development projects and bolster oversight mechanisms, as the cash-strapped South Asian nation pushes forward with a broad reform agenda backed by international lenders.

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Pakistan rules out talks, vows full force against Balochistan militants

ISLAMABAD: The defence minister said on Monday the state would not negotiate with militants behind a wave of attacks in Balochistan, describing the violence as a cover for criminal activities linked to smuggling networks and foreign support, as security forces reported killing more than 170 terrorists in counter-operations.

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Security forces kill 22 more militants in Balochistan operations, toll hits 177

QUETTA: The security forces have killed 22 more militants in ongoing operations in the southwestern province of Balochistan, bringing the total number of insurgents eliminated over the past three days to 177, security officials said on Monday, as sweeps continued following a wave of coordinated separatist attacks.

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PM Sharif holds rare meeting with KP Afridi in bid to ease security, fiscal strains

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met on Monday with the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province governed by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, to discuss pressing issues of security, finance and development, a rare display of cross-party dialogue in Pakistan’s fractious politic.

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Security forces killed 145 militants in Balochistan in 40 hours, chief minister says

QUETTA: Security forces in Pakistan’s Balochistan province killed 145 militants in operations over the past 40 hours after separatist gunmen carried out coordinated attacks that left dozens dead, the provincial chief minister said on Sunday, as officials accused neighbouring India of orchestrating the violence.

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