Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh&nbsp;Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Thursday called for an immediate halt to military escalation in order to prevent the conflict from spilling over. The call came during a telephonic conversation between&nbsp;Bangladesh PM and the UAE president, said the former&#39;s Press secretary Saleh Shibli.&nbsp; Rahman also thanked the UAE leadership for the care and support extended to Bangladeshi nationals living and working in the UAE, the PM&#39;s Press secretary added.&nbsp; He said President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan accepted PM Rahman&#39;s invitation to visit Bangladesh. Both leaders emphasized the need for an immediate halt to military escalation in order to prevent the conflict from widening and threatening regional and global security, he added. They also reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and diplomatic engagement to resolve disputes and achieve a peaceful solution to the crisis, Shibly added.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council amid the current regional tensions.

Bangladesh PM, UAE President seek end to escalation in region

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Friday that at least 527 Afghan Taliban have been killed and more than 755 injured during Pakistan&rsquo;s cross-border offensives conducted under <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/operation-ghazab-lilhaq-435-killed-as-pakistan-strikes-afghan-targets" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Operation Ghazb lil Haq</a>.&nbsp;In a statement shared on the social media platform X, the minister said Pakistani forces inflicted substantial losses on Afghan Taliban positions while targeting multiple locations across Afghanistan.<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-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 471px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2029879575329517624&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=3156f2cf9157da1499123d1f99571ec10799d96d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2029879575329517624">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>According to the update, the ongoing operation led to the destruction of 237 Taliban check posts, while 38 additional posts were captured and subsequently demolished by Pakistani forces.&nbsp;The minister added that 205 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery guns belonging to the Afghan Taliban were also destroyed during the course of the operation.&nbsp;Tarar further said that 62 locations across Afghanistan were effectively targeted through air operations as part of the military response. The Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, had previously defined the operation as a &quot;measured and proportionate response&quot; to unprovoked cross-border aggression. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Tahir Andrabi called the engagement an &ldquo;effective and forceful response&rdquo; to safeguard territorial integrity during a weekly press briefing on Feb. 26.

Security

Minister adds that 205 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery guns belonging to the Afghan Taliban were also destroyed during the course of the operation.

527 Afghan Taliban killed in cross-border strikes under Operation Ghazb lil Haq: Pakistan minister

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday condemned the recent drone attacks targeting civilians in Azerbaijan&rsquo;s Nakhchivan region and expressed Pakistan&rsquo;s solidarity with both Azerbaijan and Turkiye amid rising regional tensions.&nbsp;In a statement on X, the prime minister said he spoke with Ilham Aliyev, president of Azerbaijan, and strongly condemned the attacks on innocent civilians in the country&rsquo;s exclave of Nakhchivan.&nbsp;Sharif said he conveyed Pakistan&rsquo;s &ldquo;complete solidarity with the leadership and brotherly people of Azerbaijan&rdquo; during the difficult time.&nbsp;The prime minister also briefed Aliyev on Pakistan&rsquo;s ongoing diplomatic outreach amid the evolving situation in Iran and the wider Gulf region.&nbsp;Both leaders agreed on the importance of de-escalation and stressed the urgent need to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-urges-restraint-as-pm-sharif-intensifies-diplomacy-over-middle-east-war" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">restore peace and stability in the region</a>&nbsp;while remaining in close contact.&nbsp;In a separate message, Sharif also expressed deep concern over a recent attack targeting Turkiye, reaffirming Pakistan&rsquo;s solidarity with the Turkish people.&nbsp;He said Pakistan stands &ldquo;in full solidarity with our brave Turkish brothers&rdquo; and warned that such acts risk further escalation and undermine regional peace and stability.&nbsp;The prime minister called for maximum restraint and emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to uphold sovereignty and maintain peace in the region. Regional tensions have escalated sharply following the initial US-Israeli strikes on Iranian military and leadership targets, including facilities linked to the country&rsquo;s defence establishment. The strikes triggered retaliatory attacks by Iran across the Gulf and surrounding areas, raising fears that the conflict could draw in additional states. Azerbaijan&rsquo;s President Ilham Aliyev has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/azerbaijan-vows-retaliation-after-irans-terrorist-drone-strikes" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">accused Iran of &ldquo;terrorism&rdquo;</a>&nbsp;after drone attacks struck an airport and a school in the country&rsquo;s border region, warning that retaliation could follow. T&uuml;rkiye has also reported a missile incident linked to the widening hostilities. Turkish authorities said a ballistic missile launched from Iran passed over Iraqi and Syrian airspace before being intercepted by NATO air defense systems.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets with President of Azerbaijan Illham Aliyev; Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir is also present (Friday, November 7, 2025). (File photo: Handout/PMO)

Foreign Affairs

Convey Pakistan’s 'complete solidarity with the leadership and brotherly people of Azerbaijan' during the difficult time.

Pakistan PM Sharif condemns drone attacks in Azerbaijan, expresses solidarity with Turkiye

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed provincial governments to take strict legal action against those involved in hoarding petroleum products and creating artificial shortages in the country.&nbsp;Chairing a high-level meeting on petroleum supplies in Islamabad, the prime minister was briefed by the Ministry of Petroleum on the country&rsquo;s fuel reserves in the context of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-urges-restraint-as-pm-sharif-intensifies-diplomacy-over-middle-east-war" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">evolving regional situation</a>.&nbsp;Officials informed the meeting that Pakistan currently has adequate stocks of petroleum products to meet domestic requirements.&nbsp;The prime minister, however, warned against profiteering and instructed provincial authorities to act firmly against hoarders. He said any petrol pump found involved in creating artificial shortages should be immediately sealed, its licence cancelled, and legal action initiated.&nbsp;Sharif also directed the federal petroleum minister to visit provinces and coordinate with provincial governments to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure the conservation of petroleum products and their uninterrupted supply to the public. The prime minister further ordered the establishment of a digital dashboard to monitor the movement of petroleum products, enabling real-time data sharing with provinces to ensure effective oversight of fuel transportation and distribution. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Jam Kamal Khan, Ahsan Iqbal Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Owais Leghari, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan, and State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad.&nbsp;Chief secretaries from all four provinces, as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, also attended the meeting along with senior government officials.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a high-level meeting on petroleum supplies in Islamabad on Friday, March 6, 2026, directing authorities to crack down on petrol hoarding and establish real-time monitoring of fuel stocks. (Photo: Handout/PMO)

Economy

Directs federal petroleum minister to visit provinces and coordinate with provincial governments to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure the conservation of petroleum products and their uninterrupted supply to the public.


Pakistan PM Sharif orders crackdown on petrol hoarding, calls for real-time stock monitoring

KATHMANDU: Counting was underway in Nepal on Friday, after a high-stakes parliamentary election to reshape the country&#39;s leadership following 2025 protests that toppled the government. Key figures vying for power include Marxist leader KP Sharma Oli, the ousted four-time prime minister, rapper-turned-mayor Balendra Shah, bidding for the youth vote, and the newly elected leader of the Nepali Congress party, Gagan Thapa. In Kathmandu&#39;s tea shops and city squares, people were glued to their phones, checking results as early trends flashed up -- suggesting Shah&#39;s centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) was ahead. Prakash Nyupane, a spokesman for the Election Commission, said that counting was ongoing &quot;in a peaceful manner&quot; across the Himalayan nation, from snowbound high-altitude mountain regions to the hot plains bordering India. 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. &quot;This is even a bigger upset than we expected -- it underscores the level of public disenchantment with the old parties for under-performance, as well as anger over the events of September,&quot; Kunda Dixit, publisher of the weekly Nepali Times, told AFP. &#39;Fate of the country&#39; 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. All eyes are watching the results in the key head-to-head battleground constituency of Jhapa-5, a usually sleepy eastern district, where 35-year-old Shah challenged directly the veteran Oli, aged 74. Shah, better known as Balen, snappily dressed in a black suit and sunglasses, has cast himself as a symbol of youth-driven political change -- and early trends suggested he was in the lead. Soldiers with armoured trucks manned barbed wire barricades around the counting centre in Jhapa. &quot;I hope this result changes the fate of the country for the better,&quot; Bhagawati Adhikari, 38, told AFP, who was among a crowd of dozens at Jhapa gathered outside the security cordon. &quot;The country should be peaceful and secure, youth should get opportunities, corruption should stop -- that&#39;s my appeal.&quot; &#39;Better path&#39; More than 3,400 candidates ran 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. Turnout was 59 percent. Some results are expected later Friday, but full nationwide tallies could take several days. Even then, negotiations to form a government may drag on if -- as many analysts predict -- no single party secures an outright majority. But Dixit raised the possibility that Shah&#39;s RSP could stage a dramatic win. &quot;If RSP hits the magic 138 seats, Balen will become prime minister -- and hopefully a cabinet of technocrats,&quot; added Dixit. Sushila Karki, the interim prime minister, praised the peaceful conduct of a vote she has said was critical in &quot;determining our future&quot;. The challenge that Karki -- a 73-year-old former chief justice who reluctantly left retirement to lead the nation -- now faces will be managing the reaction to results. 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. Mira Ranjit, 49, who voted in the capital, Kathmandu, clapped as ballot boxes were collected under heavy guard and taken to counting centres late on Thursday. &quot;A new leader should emerge who can guide our country and show a better path for the nation, so that the Gen Z protest achieves its goal,&quot; she said. &quot;We don&#39;t need anything more than this. Many mothers lost their children, and their demands should be fulfilled.&quot;

Asia

Vote counting is underway in Nepal for the first election since youth led protests toppled the government in 2025

Nepal counts votes after key post-uprising election

ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday unveiled the shortlist for the Player of the Tournament award at the ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup 2026, with Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan among the leading contenders after a record-breaking campaign.&nbsp;Farhan scored 383 runs in seven matches at an average of 76.60, becoming the highest run-scorer in a single edition of the Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup. He also became the first player to score two centuries in one tournament, reaching three figures against Sri Lanka and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/tonup-farhan-helps-pakistan-seal-super-eight-spot-with-namibia-rout" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Namibia</a>.<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: 829px; 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=2027937397942718663&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=3156f2cf9157da1499123d1f99571ec10799d96d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>The ICC named eight players on the shortlist, with finalists New Zealand and South Africa contributing two nominees each.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/ahmed-jacks-blast-england-to-thrilling-win-over-new-zealand" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">India&rsquo;s Sanju Samson</a> made the list after scoring 232 runs in four matches at an average of 77.33 and a strike rate of 201.73, including match-winning knocks of 97* against West Indies and 89 in the semifinal.&nbsp;England all-rounder Will Jacks was also nominated after scoring 226 runs and taking nine wickets in eight matches, earning four Player of the Match awards.&nbsp;South Africa&rsquo;s Lungi Ngidi claimed 12 wickets in seven matches, while captain Aiden Markram scored 286 runs with three half-centuries during their run to the final.&nbsp;New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra contributed 128 runs and 11 wickets, while teammate Tim Seifert scored 274 runs in eight matches, including three fifties.&nbsp;USA pacer Shadley van Schalkwyk also made the shortlist after taking 13 wickets in four matches with an economy rate of 6.80.&nbsp;The winner will be announced after the conclusion of the ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup 2026 final.

Cricket

Farhan is among eight players on the shortlist, with finalists New Zealand and South Africa contributing two nominees each.


Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan shortlisted for ICC Player of the Tournament

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, on Thursday accused India of engaging in &ldquo;water terrorism&rdquo; and urged the international community to ensure adherence to the Indus Waters Treaty during a Security Council briefing on &ldquo;Energy, Critical Minerals, and Security.&rdquo; Addressing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/disrupting-indus-waters-treaty-poses-immediate-humanitarian-security-risks-pakistan-at-un" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">water resources</a>, Ahmad said: &ldquo;This applies equally to water, the most critical of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/indias-indus-treaty-abeyance-breaches-international-law-pakistan-tells-un" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">natural resources</a>.&rdquo; He added that &ldquo;shared water resources are indispensable for sustaining life, and for sustainable development and prosperity.&rdquo;<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: 721px; 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=2029705649064640652&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=5c93a164c4385a40ae1731c435bc75a3afefd2f6&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2029705649064640652"></iframe></div></div>&ldquo;We reject the weaponization of water to choke this lifeline for lower riparians, also threatening regional peace, security and stability,&rdquo; he said. India&#39;s &#39;water terrorism&#39;&nbsp; Referring to India, Ahmad said: &ldquo;Pakistan itself is confronted with water terrorism by India that has resorted to unilateral and unlawful action of putting in abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty in violation of international law and the provisions of that Treaty.&rdquo; He added, &ldquo;International community must impress upon India to return to full compliance with the Indus Waters Treaty, which remains valid and in-force as per the August 2025 award of the Court of Arbitration.&rdquo; Speaking at the session, Ahmad said: &ldquo;Access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy is essential for development, stability and prosperity.&rdquo; He added that the global shift toward renewable energy, electric mobility, battery storage, advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure and grid modernization has &ldquo;sharply increased the demand for critical minerals.&rdquo; &ldquo;This upsurge has generated new geopolitical and geo-economic pressures,&rdquo; he said, warning that &ldquo;if not managed responsibly, competition over natural resources can affect supply chains, aggravate tensions, undermine sovereignty, and contribute to instability.&rdquo; Highlighting risks in conflict-affected regions, Ahmad said: &ldquo;Experience shows that where mineral wealth intersects with weak governance, entrenched poverty and external interference, the risks of instability increase.&rdquo; He noted that &ldquo;illicit extraction, trafficking networks and opaque financial flows have fuelled armed conflict and violence, weakened state institutions and deprived populations of legitimate revenues.&rdquo; He said, &ldquo;The scramble for natural resources and its linkage to conflict and instability is therefore not new.&rdquo; Ahmad added that Pakistan believes &ldquo;natural resources must serve as instruments of economic development and shared prosperity, and not coercion or conflict.&rdquo;

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, on Thursday accused India of engaging in 'water terrorism' and urged the international community to ensure adherence to the Indus Waters Treaty during a Security Council briefing on 'Energy, Critical Minerals, and Security.'



Pakistan urges action on India for Indus Waters Treaty compliance

Faraz Saeed

LAHORE: Pakistan&rsquo;s services exports rose 18.78% in the first seven months of the fiscal year, driven by strong growth in information technology services, according to official data, providing a rare bright spot in the country&rsquo;s external sector. Exports of services totaled $5.66 billion during July&ndash;Jan. FY26, compared with $4.76 billion in the same period a year earlier, data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) showed. The expansion comes at a time when Pakistan has been seeking to diversify its export base and increase foreign-exchange earnings beyond traditional goods shipments, which have experienced uneven performance.The increase in services exports has been largely driven by telecommunication, computer and information services, which have expanded steadily since the start of the fiscal year. Data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) shows exports from this segment reached $2.61 billion in July&ndash;Jan. FY26, up 19.72% from $2.18 billion recorded during the same months last year. The category includes software development, IT-enabled services, freelancing, and digital consulting, areas where Pakistani technology firms and independent professionals have increasingly secured contracts with international clients. Industry representatives say export-oriented technology companies have gradually expanded their global presence in recent years. Demographic advantageSajjad Mustafa, chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), speaking to Pakistan TV Digital said the sector&rsquo;s growth reflects Pakistan&rsquo;s demographic advantage and improving technical capabilities.He pointed to the country&rsquo;s large youth population alongside advances in product quality, software engineering practices, and algorithmic development skills.&nbsp; The IT industry operates with an estimated 70% trade surplus, Mustafa said, adding that increased investment in the sector could help boost services exports further and support efforts to narrow Pakistan&rsquo;s trade and current account deficits. He also noted that Pakistani firms have built a reputation for developing reliable and scalable solutions while working with relatively modest computing resources, a factor that has made them competitive outsourcing partners for global companies. Monthly data shows services exports have posted consistent year-on-year growth throughout the fiscal year so far. Exports rose 18.27% in July, followed by 8.41% in Aug., 14.85% in Sept., 17.61% in Oct., 22.26% in Nov., 15.94% in Dec., and 31.12% in Jan.. In January alone, services exports reached $885.09 million, up from $675.03 million in the same month last year. On a month-to-month basis, however, exports declined 6.34%, reflecting some short-term fluctuations despite the broader upward trend. Upward trajectoryIn local currency terms, services exports increased 20.22% to Rs1.593 trillion during the first seven months of FY26, compared with Rs1.325 trillion in the corresponding period last year. The latest figures build on growth recorded in the previous fiscal year. In FY25, Pakistan&rsquo;s services exports rose 9.23% to $8.39 billion, up from $7.68 billion in FY24. Services exports have generally been on an upward trajectory since Feb. 2024, supported mainly by rising earnings from information technology and other business services.&nbsp; The only notable setback during that period was a 6.5% decline recorded in Aug. 2024. The continued expansion of IT-related services has become an increasingly important contributor to Pakistan&rsquo;s services trade, as technology firms expand exports of digital products and outsourcing services to overseas markets.

Exports of services totaled $5.66 billion during July–January FY26, compared with $4.76 billion in the same period a year earlier, data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) shows.

Pakistan’s services exports climb nearly 19%, driven by IT sector

MAIQUET&Iacute;A: Venezuela and the United States are restoring diplomatic ties, the two countries announced Thursday, in a new sign of thawing relations after Washington ousted former president Nicolas Maduro. The announcement came as US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum wrapped up a two-day trip to Venezuela, part of US President Donald Trump&#39;s push for greater access to the country&#39;s mineral wealth. The re-establishment of diplomatic and consular relations &quot;will facilitate our joint efforts to promote stability, support economic recovery, and advance political reconciliation in Venezuela,&quot; the US State Department said. &quot;Our engagement is focused on helping the Venezuelan people move forward through a phased process that creates the conditions for a peaceful transition to a democratically elected government.&quot; Venezuela&#39;s foreign ministry said it would &quot;move forward in a new stage of constructive dialogue, based on mutual respect, the sovereign equality of states and cooperation between our people,&quot; adding that the renewed ties would be &quot;positive and mutually beneficial.&quot; The announcement came hours after Burgum, a member of Trump&#39;s cabinet who leads the National Energy Dominance Council, said he had received assurances from Caracas that the government would ensure the security of foreign mining companies keen to invest there. &#39;Right kind of security&#39; Burgum, who held talks with interim president Delcy Rodriguez during his trip, said dozens of companies had expressed interest in investing in Venezuela. &quot;I think you&#39;re going to see this government very concerned about providing the right kind of security,&quot; Burgum said. He told reporters his meetings were &quot;fantastically positive,&quot; and predicted Venezuela would surpass its oil and gas production targets in 2026. Trump&#39;s administration says it effectively runs Venezuela and controls the country&#39;s vast natural resources after toppling Maduro. Burgum is the second senior US official to visit since the bombing raid on January 3 that left around 100 people dead and saw Maduro and his wife flown to New York for trial on drug trafficking charges. Besides oil, Venezuela is rich in minerals such as gold and diamonds, as well as bauxite, coltan and other rare materials used to make computers and mobile phones. Mining activity is concentrated in a territory known as the Orinoco Mining Arc, where armed groups are active. Burgum&#39;s visit follows that of US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who pushed for a &quot;dramatic increase&quot; in Venezuela&#39;s oil output and talked up &quot;tremendous opportunities&quot; for both Washington and Caracas. The enthusiastic assessments of both men, which echo Trump&#39;s stance, reflect the sea change in relations between Washington and Caracas since the capture of Maduro. Trump has allowed Rodriguez, who was Maduro&#39;s vice president, to move up to interim leader so long as she grants US access to Venezuela&#39;s natural resources. Venezuela has the world&#39;s largest proven oil reserves, and Rodriguez last month overhauled the state-controlled oil sector to enable a wave of private investment. She now has her sights set on updating the mining code.

Americas

Announcement comes as US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum wraps up a two-day trip to Venezuela, part of US President Donald Trump's push for greater access to the country's mineral wealth.

US, Venezuela restore ties as Washington pushes for minerals access

WASHINGTON: The US government on Thursday temporarily eased economic sanctions against Russia to allow Russian oil currently stranded at sea to be sold to India. The Treasury Department&#39;s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a Russia-related license &quot;Authorizing the Delivery and Sale of Crude Oil and Petroleum Products of Russian Federation Origin Loaded on Vessels as of March 5, 2026, to India,&quot; the Treasury said in a statement. It said the transactions, including those from vessels blocked by various sanctions regimes, are authorized through the end of the day on April 3, 2026. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the waiver was issued &quot;To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market.&quot; &quot;This deliberately short-term measure will not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government as it only authorizes transactions involving oil already stranded at sea,&quot; he posted on X. The sale to India will &quot;alleviate pressure caused by Iran&#39;s attempt to take global energy hostage,&quot; he added, even though India has said it will stop purchasing Russian oil as part of a trade deal with the United States. In a rare effort to pressure Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Russian oil majors Lukoil and Rosneft last November. Those moves &mdash; the most powerful by Trump against Russia over the Ukraine war &mdash; saw major buyers of Russian oil scramble to find alternative suppliers. Russia has reportedly built up a flotilla of old oil tankers of opaque ownership to get around sanctions imposed by Washington, the European Union and the G7 group of nations, over Moscow&#39;s 2022 all-out invasion of Ukraine.

Russia has reportedly built up a flotilla of old oil tankers of opaque ownership to get around sanctions imposed by Washington, the European Union and the G7 group of nations, over Moscow's 2022 all-out invasion of Ukraine.

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