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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting on evacuating Pakistanis from Iran and those residing in Gulf countries. According to an official statement from the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office, officials briefed PM Sharif on the ongoing process to evacuate Pakistani nationals from Iran. Pakistani nationals are/have been returning safely, officials reported. The meeting reviewed steps by Pakistani embassies to assist citizens in Gulf countries. PM Sharif directed that all embassies must remain available around the clock to provide facilities. He directed the country&rsquo;s Foreign Office to monitor the situation continuously. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State Talal Chaudhry, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, and other senior officials. Foreign Office statement Meanwhile, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi on Thursday stated that the government has initiated proactive measures to evacuate its citizens from Iran and support stranded nationals across the region. According to an official statement released by the Foreign Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs&#39; Crisis Management Unit (CMU) now operates 24 hours a day. Staff members monitor regional developments and provide direct assistance to Pakistani nationals. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 922px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2029518714681561551&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=5d6cf356a38ac6626b66c098452c18dee51dc81a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2029518714681561551"></iframe></div></div> Andrabi stated that under directives from PM Sahrif, Pakistan&rsquo;s diplomatic missions have opened Special Facilitation Desks. These centers manage visa facilitation, logistics, and travel arrangements for stranded citizens. Missions also launched dedicated mobile applications, registration portals, and helplines to improve outreach. The spokesperson said that Pakistani diplomats are working with host governments to secure consular support for the diaspora. Commercial flights have partially resumed, allowing some stranded individuals to begin returning to their destinations. He stated that the government continues to prioritize the safety and return of overseas Pakistanis. Emergency contact details for the ministry and its missions are available on official websites.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting on evacuating Pakistanis from Iran and those residing in Gulf countries.(PMO)

Foreign Affairs

PM Sharif directed that all embassies must remain available around the clock to provide facilities.

PM Sharif chairs meeting on evacuating Pakistanis from Iran, Gulf

MOSCOW:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/russian-says-no-deadlines-to-end-ukraine-war" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moscow</a>&nbsp;and Kyiv will each release a total of 500 prisoners of war over Thursday and Friday, Russia&#39;s top negotiator said, with the Russian defense ministry saying the first 200 on each side had already been swapped. &quot;There will be an exchange of prisoners of war with Ukraine. 500 for 500,&quot; Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky wrote on Telegram. He added that the swap was part of agreements reached at trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States in Geneva searching for an end to the conflict. The Russian defense ministry said the UAE and the United States helped mediate Thursday&#39;s exchange of 200 captured Russian soldiers for 200 captured Ukrainians. It added that the Russian servicemen were in <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/ski-body-blocks-russian-belarusian-athletes-from-2026-winter-olympics" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Belarus</a>, a close ally of Russia that neighbors Ukraine. Moscow and Kyiv have held several rounds of prisoner exchanges throughout the war, one of the rare areas of cooperation between the warring countries. The swaps are among the very few tangible results of the talks, being pushed and mediated by Washington, trying to broker a deal to end the war. Negotiations appeared to have stalled amid a lack of progress and since the eruption of war in the Middle East. Kyiv had said there had been a tentative plan to hold talks in Abu Dhabi this week - one of the places being hit by Iranian missiles and drones. <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/trump-zelensky-speak-before-ukraineus-talks-in-geneva" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky</a> on Monday suggested holding the next meeting in Switzerland or Turkey, which both have hosted previous rounds talks, instead.

This handout photograph taken and released by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine on March 5, 2026 shows buildings on fire following a Russian attack in the coast of Bilgorod-Dnistrovskyi district in Odesa region. (AFP)

Europe

The swap was part of agreements reached at trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States in Geneva searching for an end to the conflict.

Russia, Ukraine to exchange 500 POWs on March 5-6: negotiator

KATHMANDU: Nepal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/nepal-votes-in-key-postuprising-polls" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">voted</a>&nbsp;on Thursday for a new parliament in a high-stakes showdown between an entrenched old guard and a powerful youth movement, six months after deadly anti-corruption protests&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/nepals-gen-z-pins-hopes-on-postuprising-elections" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">toppled the government</a>. Key figures contesting for power include the Marxist former prime minister seeking a return to office, a rapper-turned-mayor bidding for the youth vote, and the newly elected leader of the powerful Nepali Congress party. Election commission officials began collecting ballot boxes after voting closed, with papers to be taken under guard to a center in each constituency, before counting starts. Some winners are expected to be published as early as Friday, but full results may take several days. &quot;Nepalis have been waiting for change for so long, from one system to another,&quot; said Nilanta Shakya, 60, a retired engineer, who was among the first to vote at a college in the capital, Kathmandu. &quot;I hope there is a meaningful change this time,&quot; she added. Voters have chosen who replaces the interim government in place since the September 2025 uprising, in which at least 77 people were killed, and parliament and scores of government buildings were torched. Youth-led protests under a loose Gen Z banner began as a demonstration against a brief social media ban, but were fed by wider grievances at corruption and a woeful economy. <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/nepals-exchief-justice-sushila-karki-becomes-interim-premier-after-protests" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sushila Karki</a>, the interim prime minister, said the vote was critical in &quot;determining our future&quot;. The polls are one of the most hotly contested elections in the Himalayan republic of 30 million people since the end of a civil war in 2006. Thousands of soldiers and police have been deployed. The election saw a wave of younger candidates promising to tackle Nepal&#39;s dismal economy, challenging veteran politicians who have dominated for decades and argue that their experience guarantees stability and security. &quot;Today feels like a day of celebration,&quot; said Nirmala Bhandari, 50, a housewife, who danced in the street with friends for a video for social media, after casting her vote in Bhaktapur district outside the capital. &quot;I am hopeful that the country will get new leaders and that we will build a better nation.&quot; &#39;Blood will bring change&#39; Helicopters will be used to collect ballot boxes from snowbound mountain regions across Nepal, home to eight of the world&#39;s 10 highest peaks, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/hundreds-of-hikers-rescued-from-everest-after-severe-snowstorm" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mount Everest.</a> But all eyes will be focused on the hot farming plains south of Kathmandu, where all three prime ministerial hopefuls contested seats &ndash; a departure from past elections that focused on the capital. KP Sharma Oli, the 74-year-old Marxist leader ousted as prime minister last year and seeking a return to power, is being challenged in the usually sleepy eastern district of Jhapa by former Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician. &quot;This election must reestablish democracy and contribute to end non-political, anarchic and violent tendencies,&quot; Oli said after voting, insisting his party would win the largest number of seats. The Jhapa-5 constituency, with around 163,000 voters, will determine whether Oli secures his seat or whether Shah enters parliament. Shah, from the centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), who queued to vote in Kathmandu dressed in a black suit and sunglasses, has cast himself as a symbol of youth-driven political change. Also in the race as aspiring prime minister is Gagan Thapa, 49, the new head of the country&#39;s oldest party, Nepali Congress, who has said he wants to end the &quot;old age&quot; club of revolving veteran leaders. After casting his ballot, Thapa told AFP that it is &quot;the duty of the leaders&quot; not to let the events of last September occur again. On social media, voters shared images of their ink-marked thumbs &ndash; alongside photographs of the September protests. &quot;At the Gen Z protest, people died &ndash; and their blood will bring change, we hope,&quot; said Tek Bahadur Aale, 66, who voted in Jhapa. &quot;We hope a government with good governance, no corruption, comes this time.&quot; More than 3,400 candidates are running for 165 seats in direct elections to the 275-member House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament, with 110 more chosen via party lists. Analysts say the vote is unlikely to deliver an outright majority for any party.

Security personnel and electoral officials carry ballot boxes to the counting centre after voting ends at a polling station during Nepal's general election in Lalitpur on March 5, 2026. (AFP)

Asia

Key figures contesting for power include the Marxist former prime minister seeking a return to office, a rapper-turned-mayor bidding for the youth vote, and the newly elected leader of the powerful Nepali Congress party.

Nepal awaits results in key post-uprising polls

ISLAMABAD: Highlighting the government&rsquo;s proactive measures to manage potential economic impacts amid evolving regional developments, Pakistan&#39;s Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, said on Thursday that the country has adequate reserves and supply arrangements. The minister was talking to British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, who called on him here, said a press release issued by the Finance Ministry. The finance minister briefed the high commissioner on the government&rsquo;s proactive approach to managing potential economic implications arising from evolving regional developments.&nbsp; He shared that the prime minister has constituted a high-level committee comprising key federal ministries and the State Bank of Pakistan to closely monitor developments and undertake daily stock-taking of critical sectors, particularly energy supplies and global commodity markets.&nbsp; The committee is reviewing supply chains, price movements, and potential disruptions in petroleum products, crude oil, coal, and gas, while also assessing broader implications for inflation, external accounts, and financial stability. Senator Aurangzeb emphasized that Pakistan currently maintains adequate reserves and supply arrangements, noting that the government is undertaking scenario planning and sensitivity analysis in case the regional situation persists.&nbsp; The government is also reviewing energy conservation measures and coordinating with provincial authorities to ensure prudent resource management while avoiding unnecessary market panic. Both the dignitaries also discussed Pakistan&rsquo;s macroeconomic outlook, progress on economic reforms, and prospects for enhancing bilateral economic cooperation. During the discussion, Senator Aurangzeb provided an update on Pakistan&rsquo;s ongoing economic reform agenda and engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the current program.&nbsp; He noted that the government remains committed to meeting programme benchmarks and advancing structural reforms, particularly in the areas of tax policy, revenue mobilization, governance, and institutional transparency.&nbsp; He highlighted the government&rsquo;s focus on broadening the tax base through data-driven enforcement and improved compliance, while ensuring fairness across sectors. The finance minister also shared that Pakistan&rsquo;s macroeconomic indicators are showing signs of stabilization and recovery. He noted that economic growth in the first quarter of the current fiscal year reached 3.7%, with improvements in large-scale manufacturing and resilience in the agriculture sector.&nbsp; He underscored that the government is now focused on transitioning from stabilization to sustainable and inclusive growth while addressing social challenges such as unemployment and poverty. Jane Marriott appreciated the government&rsquo;s commitment to economic reform and reiterated the United Kingdom&rsquo;s continued support for Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts toward macroeconomic stability and long-term growth.&nbsp; She noted that the UK remains a strong partner in Pakistan&rsquo;s development and economic transformation, including through support for reform initiatives, private sector engagement, and technical cooperation. The High Commissioner also discussed the importance of promoting investor confidence, particularly in key sectors such as mining and minerals development.&nbsp; Both sides exchanged views on the importance of ensuring stability, good governance, and sustainable development in resource-rich regions to attract international investment and promote inclusive economic growth. Meanwhile, the finance minister welcomed the United Kingdom&rsquo;s continued engagement and support for Pakistan&rsquo;s reform agenda.&nbsp; He emphasized that Pakistan is committed to maintaining policy consistency, strengthening governance frameworks, and creating a conducive environment for domestic and foreign investment.&nbsp; Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-UK economic cooperation and maintaining close coordination on economic and development priorities.

Economy

Highlighting the government’s proactive measures to manage potential economic impacts amid evolving regional developments, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, said on Thursday that the country has adequate reserves and supply arrangements.

Finance Minister Aurangzeb highlights Pakistan’s preparedness amid regional market fluctuations

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Pakistan on Thursday formally voiced concerns about a new uranium supply and nuclear technology agreement between Canada and India, warning that the deal could upset the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/how-indias-23-billion-weapons-spree-aims-to-fight-pakistan-without-triggering-nuclear-response" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">strategic balance in South Asia.</a> Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi issued the statement following the conclusion of the bilateral arrangement, which includes the supply of uranium, cooperation on small modular reactors, and advanced nuclear technologies. Andrabi stated that the arrangement as a &quot;country-specific exception&quot; undermines global non-proliferation efforts. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 924px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2029455114680082681&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F4569%2F&sessionId=311811c39e22d2da76fa8e87d32270d96f402d3d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div><div class="fr-embed"><div><div style="line-height: 2;"> He noted the irony of the deal by citing India&rsquo;s 1974 nuclear test, which used plutonium from a Canadian-supplied reactor and led directly to the creation of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. The spokesperson said a nation whose past actions necessitated global export controls is now receiving &quot;preferential access&quot; through selective agreements. He said that India has not placed all its civilian nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/un-nuclear-watchdog-approves-safety-for-pakistans-new-chashma-reactor" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">IAEA</a>) safeguards, and the current agreement includes no binding commitment to do so. With several facilities remaining shielded from international inspection, Andrabi said the deal lacks clear, concrete non-proliferation assurances. The ministry warned of significant strategic consequences, stating that assured uranium supplies from external sources effectively free up India&rsquo;s domestic reserves for&nbsp;military applications. This shift allows India to expand its fissile material stockpiles and accelerate the growth of its nuclear arsenal, deepening existing asymmetries in the region. The spokesperson said that these developments contradict <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/canada-launches-huge-defense-plan-to-curb-reliance-on-us" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Canada&rsquo;s own</a> international non-proliferation obligations. Islamabad maintains a non-discriminatory, criteria-based approach that must govern civil nuclear cooperation, he said. Such standards should apply equally to all states that are not parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Andrabi said that selective exceptions erode the credibility of the global framework and pose a risk to both regional and global security. </div></div></div>

Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited)

Foreign Office Spokesperson stated that the deal undermines global non-proliferation efforts.

Canada-India uranium deal threatens regional stability warns Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Taliban intelligence officers have seized and shut down the privately owned Rah-e-Farda television station in Kabul, the latest in a series of raids targeting independent media, international media watchdogs reported. According to the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/israel-committed-twothirds-of-record-press-killings-in-2025-cpj" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Committee to Protect Journalists</a>, intelligence officers entered the broadcaster&#39;s headquarters on Feb. 28, forcing it off the air and ordering staff to leave the premises. The New York-based organization said the station&rsquo;s assets were confiscated following an order by the Afghan Taliban&rsquo;s supreme leader, <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/leaked-audio-exposes-taliban-fractures-as-akhundzada-tightens-grip-on-power" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hibatullah Akhundzada</a>. The broadcaster was closed because of televised comments made by its owner, Mohammad Mohaqiq, regarding recent border skirmishes between the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan, according to a spokesperson for the Taliban&rsquo;s Ministry of Information and Culture, Khubaib Ghufran. Fighting erupted last week after Islamabad conducted <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/operation-ghazab-lilhaq-481-taliban-fighters-terrorists-killed-as-pakistan-continues-strikes" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">airstrikes</a> in Afghanistan to target terrorists harbored by the interim Afghan government. The seizure follows a broader collapse of the Afghan media landscape since the Taliban&rsquo;s return to power in August 2021. More than half of the country&rsquo;s media outlets have ceased operations in the last three years, according to figures released by UNESCO and the International Federation of Journalists. At the time of the takeover, Afghanistan had 543 active outlets; only 312 remained by late 2021, according to a survey conducted by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Afghan Independent Journalists Association. Taliban authorities have intensified a crackdown on media professionals through arbitrary detentions and physical abuse. Between August 2021 and September 2024, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan documented 336 rights violations against media staff, including 256 instances of arbitrary detention and 130 cases of torture. The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) reported on March 4 that such violations increased by 56% in early 2025 compared to the previous year. Stringent censorship laws now govern the remaining press. Under the 2024 Law on the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, the Afghan Taliban has banned the broadcasting of images of living beings in several provinces, according to the AFJC. Media organizations must also seek prior approval for political content, while direct criticism of Taliban officials is strictly prohibited, as per directives from the Ministry of Vice and Virtue. The environment is particularly <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/taliban-government-instituted-systematic-institutionalized-campaign-to-erase-afghan-women-un-experts" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">restrictive for women</a>, with 80-90% of female journalists having lost their jobs since the takeover, according to RSF. In several regions, the Taliban have banned female voices from being broadcast on radio programs entirely. Afghanistan&rsquo;s global standing has plummeted as a result of these policies. The country ranked 178th out of 180 nations in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, with RSF noting that it fell 44 places in a single year.

A member of Taliban security force keeps a vigil during an event organised to mark the 'World Press Freedom Day' at the office of the Afghan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA) in Kabul on May 3, 2023. (AFP)

Afghanistan

Taliban officers have confiscated all station assets and expelled employees following reports on regional border hostilities. These actions coincide with a 56% increase in documented rights violations against Afghan media staff.

Afghan Taliban shut down TV station under supreme leader’s orders

BEIJING: China has unveiled its main policy priorities for the year during its annual &quot;Two Sessions&quot; political conclave, emphasizing economic recovery, technological self-reliance, carbon reduction, social support measures and anti-corruption efforts. Presenting the government work report, Premier Li Qiang told delegates, including President Xi Jinping, that Beijing would prioritize boosting domestic demand and strengthening economic stability amid ongoing challenges. Boost economy&nbsp;China set its economic growth target for the year at 4.5&ndash;5 percent, the lowest target since 1991 and slightly below last year&rsquo;s goal of around five percent, according to AFP research. Li acknowledged that the country needs to prioritize strengthening domestic demand and to implement more proactive fiscal policies. &quot;We will focus on vigorously boosting consumption, expanding effective investment, and fully leverage the benefits of China&#39;s super-large market,&quot; Li told ruling party cadres, including President Xi Jinping. He acknowledged that China was facing &quot;quite a few problems and challenges&quot; in economic development. Beijing has not managed to stage a full recovery from the pandemic, with a property sector crisis, flagging consumption and high youth unemployment weighing on growth. &quot;The imbalance between strong supply and weak demand is acute, market expectations are weak, and there are many risks and hidden dangers in key areas,&quot; the report said. China will also aim to create over 12 million new jobs in cities and push for around two percent inflation this year. Tech advancesChina must accelerate efforts to strengthen its independence and capabilities in science and technology, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said, underscoring Beijing&rsquo;s determination to lead in emerging high-tech sectors. Technology development has become a central pillar of China&rsquo;s new Five-Year Plan, which is expected to be approved during the Two Sessions. In remarks outlining the government&rsquo;s priorities, Li pledged increased funding and policy support to drive &ldquo;original advances&rdquo; in cutting-edge industries. These include Quantum Technology, embodied artificial intelligence, Brain&ndash;Computer Interface systems, and next-generation 6G Technology.&nbsp; Beijing has spent billions of dollars to position itself as a global leader in high-technology sectors, particularly in robotics and artificial intelligence. The government&rsquo;s investment push has helped fuel rapid growth in new AI companies across the country. Much of the momentum has been attributed to the success of startup DeepSeek, which surprised the global technology industry last year by releasing a powerful AI model developed at a significantly lower cost than many competitors. Li said China will continue expanding the use of AI agents and promote the large-scale commercial deployment of artificial intelligence in key industries and sectors, signaling a broader push to integrate AI into the country&rsquo;s economy and technological infrastructure. Cutting carbon emissionsChina, the world&rsquo;s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, announced plans to intensify efforts to cut carbon emissions and accelerate its transition toward a greener economy. In a policy report delivered Thursday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang outlined new environmental targets aimed at reducing the country&rsquo;s carbon footprint while maintaining economic growth.&nbsp; Such a drop will enable us to move step by step toward the goal of peaking carbon emissions before 2030,&quot; the report said. China will aim for a 17% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP over the next five-year period. China will foster new growth drivers such as hydrogen power and green fuels, it added, with Li pledging tighter regulation over energy-intensive projects.&nbsp; Support for elderly, parents&nbsp;China will increase the minimum basic old-age benefits for rural and non-working urban residents by 20 yuan ($2.90) per person per month, Li said. The country&#39;s rapidly ageing population and sputtering birth rates have presented fresh challenges for authorities, which have relied on its vast workforce as a driver of economic growth. A proactive national strategy responding to population ageing will be advanced and measures will be introduced to promote the development of the silver economy, Li said. The country will increase the supply and quality of elderly care services, especially in rural areas. Beijing will foster &quot;positive attitudes&quot; towards marriage and childbearing, the report said, adding that China will boost housing support for first-time married couples and those with their first child. China&#39;s birth rate plunged last year to its lowest level on record, according to official data released in January. &quot;We will refine the maternity insurance and parental leave systems, expand demonstrations and trials for subsidised childcare services, and provide support for public-interest childcare services and integrated nursery and childcare services,&quot; it added. Rooting out corruptionCombating corruption is a key goal for the country, which has launched a drive to root out graft at all levels of the Chinese Communist Party and state since Xi came to power. Li told cadres on Thursday that there was a need to intensify efforts to address Party misconduct, acknowledging that &quot;corruption still occurs frequently in some sectors and localities&quot;. &quot;We will tighten regulation and oversight over the allocation and exercise of power... build integrity, and combat corruption in the government,&quot; the report said. &quot;Some officials have a misguided understanding of what it means to perform well; they lack drive, act arbitrarily, work for show, or just go through the motions in their work,&quot; it added.

TOPSHOT - A woman takes a photo of the Lujiazui financial district across the Huangpu River on the Bund promenade in Shanghai on March 5, 2026. 

Business

Presenting the government work report, Premier Li Qiang told delegates, including President Xi Jinping, that Beijing would prioritize boosting domestic demand and strengthening economic stability amid ongoing challenges.

Five things to know about China's 2026 economic goals

KATHMANDU: Nepal voted on Thursday for a new parliament in a high-stakes showdown between an entrenched old guard and a powerful youth movement, six months after deadly anti-corruption protests toppled the government. Key figures contesting for power include the Marxist former prime minister seeking a return to office, a rapper-turned-mayor bidding for the youth vote, and the newly elected leader of the powerful <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/nepals-gen-z-pins-hopes-on-postuprising-elections" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nepali Congress party</a>. &quot;Nepalis have been waiting for change for so long, from one system to another,&quot; said Nilanta Shakya, 60, a retired engineer, who was among the first to vote at a college in the capital, Kathmandu. &quot;I hope there is a meaningful change this time,&quot; she added. Nearly 19 million voters are choosing who replaces the interim government in place since the September 2025 uprising, in which at least 77 people were killed, and parliament and scores of government buildings were torched. Youth-led protests under a loose Gen Z banner began as a demonstration against a brief social media ban, but were fed by wider grievances at corruption and a woeful economy. Sushila Karki, the interim prime minister, urged a &quot;peaceful election&quot;, saying the vote was critical in &quot;determining our future&quot;. The polls, which close at 5:00 pm (1115 GMT), are one of the most hotly contested elections in the Himalayan republic of 30 million people since the end of a civil war in 2006. Thousands of soldiers and police have been deployed at polling centres. The election has seen a wave of younger candidates promising to tackle Nepal&#39;s woeful economy, challenging veteran politicians who have dominated for decades and argue that their experience guarantees stability and security. &quot;Today feels like a day of celebration,&quot; said Nirmala Bhandari, 50, a housewife, who danced in the street with friends for a video for social media, after casting her vote in Bhaktapur district, outside the capital. &quot;I am hopeful that the country will get new leaders and that we will build a better nation.&quot; &#39;Blood will bring change&#39;&nbsp;Helicopters have flown voter materials to snowbound mountain regions across Nepal, home to eight of the world&#39;s 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest. But all eyes will be focused on the hot farming plains south of the capital, where all three prime ministerial hopefuls are contesting seats -- a departure from past elections that focused on the capital. KP Sharma Oli, the 74-year-old Marxist leader ousted as prime minister last year and seeking a return to power, is being challenged in the usually sleepy eastern town of Jhapa by former Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician. The Jhapa-5 constituency, with around 163,000 voters, will determine whether Oli secures his seat or whether Shah enters parliament. Shah, from the centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), who queued to vote in Kathmandu dressed in a black suit and sunglasses, has cast himself as a symbol of youth-driven political change. Also in the race as aspiring prime minister is Gagan Thapa, 49, the new head of the country&#39;s oldest party, Nepali Congress, has said he wants to end the &quot;old age&quot; club of revolving veteran leaders. After casting his vote, Thapa told AFP that it is &quot;the duty of the leaders&quot; not to let events of September 2025 occur again. On social media, voters shared images of their ink-marked thumbs -- alongside photographs of the September protests. &quot;At the Gen Z protest, people died -- and their blood will bring change, we hope,&quot; said Tek Bahadur Aale, 66, who voted in Jhapa. &quot;We hope a government with good governance, no corruption, comes this time.&quot; More than 3,400 candidates are running for 165 seats in direct elections to the 275-member House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament, with 110 more chosen via party lists. Analysts say the vote is unlikely to deliver an outright majority for any party. Some early winners are expected to be published by Friday, but full results, including those under the proportional representation system -- crucial if a coalition government has to be formed -- may take several days.

Nearly 19 million voters are choosing who replaces the interim government in place since the September 2025 uprising, in which at least 77 people were killed, and parliament and scores of government buildings were torched.

Nepal votes in key post-uprising polls

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has dismissed as fake a social media notification claiming the government ordered a temporary halt of all port entries across the country due to the current security situation. In a statement shared Thursday through the ministry&rsquo;s official X account dedicated to countering misinformation, the government said the purported notification attributed to the Cabinet Division was fabricated. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 969px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2029447980315750816&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=2c9d7c98b99ba3a9b3fdf41fee8ebe81b1b56af6&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>According to the viral claim, the Cabinet Division had directed a &ldquo;temporary suspension of all port entries in Pakistan&rdquo; until March 10, 2026, citing security concerns.&nbsp;&lsquo;Notification is fabricated&rsquo; &nbsp;However, the ministry clarified that no such directive had been issued. &ldquo;The notification is fabricated,&rdquo; the statement said, adding that neither the Cabinet Division nor the Ministry of Maritime Affairs had issued any order to suspend port operations. Authorities urged the public to verify information through official channels and avoid sharing unverified content on social media.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has dismissed as fake a notification circulating on social media that claimed the government had ordered the temporary suspension of all port entries across the country due to the prevailing security situation.

Fact check: Pakistan ministry calls port entry suspension notification ‘fabricated’

BANGKOK: The head of the IMF Kristalina Georgieva warned on Thursday that the global economy is facing a new test of resilience due to escalating conflict in the Middle East.&nbsp; <span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;" id="isPasted">&quot;This week global resilience is tested yet again by the new conflict in the Middle East,&quot; Georgieva said during a livestream of the &quot;Asia in 2050&quot; conference in Bangkok. <span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;" id="isPasted">&quot;This conflict, if proven to be more prolonged, has obvious potential to affect global energy prices, market sentiment, growth and inflation, and place new demands on the shoulders of policymakers everywhere,&quot; she added.&nbsp;<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: 2; letter-spacing: normal; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: source-sans-pro, Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;" id="isPasted">The United States and Israel began launching strikes against Iran on Saturday, killing its supreme leader and sparking a wave of retaliatory attacks across the Gulf.<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: 2; letter-spacing: normal; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: source-sans-pro, Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">The conflict in the resource-rich region has sent global oil prices soaring, and markets have been thrown into turmoil.<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: 2; letter-spacing: normal; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: source-sans-pro, Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">&quot;We are in a world of more frequent, more unexpected shocks and we have been warning our membership for quite some time that uncertainty is now the new normal,&quot; Georgieva said on Thursday.<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: 2; letter-spacing: normal; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: source-sans-pro, Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">&quot;We are potentially in a prolonged period of flux.&quot;<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: 2; letter-spacing: normal; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: source-sans-pro, Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Energy security was &quot;at stake&quot; for most of Asia, she told the conference in Thailand&#39;s capital, noting the markets have fluctuated &quot;like a roller coaster over the last couple of days&quot;.<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: 2; letter-spacing: normal; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: source-sans-pro, Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">&quot;So the sooner we see the end of calamity, the better for the whole world.&quot;

'This week global resilience is tested yet again by the new conflict in the Middle East,' Georgieva says during a livestream of the 'Asia in 2050' conference in Bangkok.

PM Sharif chairs meeting on evacuating Pakistanis from Iran, Gulf

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