WASHINGTON: Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Friday said the US navy was preparing to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz &quot;as soon as it&#39;s reasonable to do it,&quot; as traffic through the key trade route remains choked due to the US-Israel war on Iran.&nbsp;&quot;As soon as it&#39;s reasonable to do it, we&#39;ll escort ships through the straits and get the energy moving again,&quot; he told US broadcaster Fox News&#39;s &quot;Fox and Friends&quot; show.&nbsp;US President Donald Trump had said on Tuesday that the US Navy would &quot;begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as soon as possible&quot; in a bid to avoid disruption of global oil supplies.

Asia

US plans to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz soon, after disruptions caused by the Israel–Iran conflict, with US president Donald Trump supporting tanker protection to maintain global oil supplies.

US says to escort ships in Strait of Hormuz 'soon'

Muhammad Ibrahim

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is pursuing alternative oil supply routes through Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s Red Sea port of Yanbu as the widening Middle East conflict disrupts global energy flows and pushes international crude prices sharply higher.&nbsp;Officials say the move is part of Islamabad&rsquo;s effort to safeguard energy security after shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil trade, was effectively halted amid escalating hostilities linked to the US&ndash;Israel war with Iran.&nbsp;The disruption has sent shockwaves through global markets.&nbsp;&nbsp;Amid surging global crude prices, Pakistan raised petrol and diesel rates by Rs55 ($0.20) per liter this week, officials said. Authorities stressed the hike was unavoidable given disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz and rising international costs.&nbsp;International crude benchmarks surged this week, with Brent crude rising close to $93 a barrel and US crude climbing above $91, as traders scrambled to secure alternative supplies while shipments from the Gulf remain constrained.&nbsp;Nearly one-fifth of the world&rsquo;s oil supply normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz each day, making the closure one of the most significant threats to global energy flows in years.&nbsp;Against this backdrop, Pakistani officials say rising international prices left the government with little room to absorb the shock domestically.&nbsp;Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said the government had already taken precautionary steps to preserve fuel availability while monitoring developments in international markets.&nbsp;&ldquo;Over the past few weeks, we have preserved petroleum reserves and maintained supply according to our available stocks,&rdquo; Malik said during a joint press conference in Islamabad.&nbsp;&ldquo;There is no doubt that we are going through extraordinary circumstances today,&rdquo; he added, noting that global fuel prices had increased sharply due to the conflict.&nbsp;Malik confirmed that Pakistan had approached Saudi authorities to explore the possibility of routing oil shipments through the Red Sea port of Yanbu in order to bypass disruptions in the Gulf.&nbsp;According to the minister, Saudi officials assured Pakistan that supplies could be facilitated through the port if required.&nbsp;Officials say such arrangements could provide Pakistan with an alternative energy corridor should instability continue to affect traditional maritime routes.&nbsp;Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said PM Shehbaz Sharif had personally reviewed the situation earlier in the day as the government weighed possible responses.&nbsp;&ldquo;The prime minister himself chaired a meeting today in which the situation was reviewed,&rdquo; Dar said.&nbsp;He said Islamabad was also maintaining diplomatic contact with foreign counterparts amid rising regional tensions.&nbsp;&ldquo;We have contacted the foreign ministers of other countries,&rdquo; Dar said, adding that Pakistan was working with partners to encourage de-escalation.&nbsp;&ldquo;We will have to see how long it takes to reduce these tensions,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the government was also examining the broader economic implications of the crisis, including its potential impact on Pakistan&rsquo;s imports and exports.&nbsp;&ldquo;We are also reviewing what impact the increase in prices will have on imports and exports,&rdquo; Aurangzeb said.&nbsp;He reassured the public that the country currently holds sufficient petroleum reserves and urged citizens not to panic as authorities formulate their response to the evolving situation.&nbsp;Aurangzeb added that PM Sharif had directed federal authorities to consult with provincial governments to ensure coordinated measures.&nbsp;Officials say Pakistan&rsquo;s strategy now focuses on securing alternative supply routes, protecting domestic fuel reserves and maintaining diplomatic engagement as the Middle East conflict reshapes global energy markets and threatens prolonged volatility in oil prices.

Business

Islamabad raises fuel prices amid global crude surge, citing disrupted Strait of Hormuz supplies. Authorities emphasize strategic alternative routes through Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea port to secure energy, while monitoring economic impacts on imports, exports, and domestic stability

Pakistan seeks Red Sea oil route as Gulf crisis disrupts supply

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Iran&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday to discuss the rapidly evolving security situation in the Middle East, as Islamabad continues diplomatic engagement with regional partners. In a statement posted on X, Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Office said the two leaders exchanged views on recent developments and agreed to remain in contact as the situation unfolds. &ldquo;Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke this evening with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi,&rdquo; the Foreign Office said. The call reflects Pakistan&rsquo;s effort to maintain open diplomatic channels with Tehran at a time of <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/usisrael-war-on-iran-day-7" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">heightened uncertainty across the Middle East</a>, where ongoing military activity and retaliatory threats have raised fears of wider instability. Islamabad has positioned dialogue as central to its response, urging restraint while coordinating with regional governments affected by the rapidly shifting security environment. During the conversation, Dar conveyed Islamabad&rsquo;s concerns about the rising tensions across the region. &ldquo;The DPM/FM expressed concern over the evolving regional situation. The two agreed to remain in touch on the developments,&rdquo; the statement added. The situation has also begun to spill over into Pakistan&rsquo;s border regions. Authorities in Balochistan say Pakistani nationals have started returning through the Taftan crossing from neighboring Iran as uncertainty grows. Families, traders and laborers arriving at the remote desert border post have described long journeys back home as tensions escalate across the region. Local officials say the government is monitoring the movement of returning citizens and assessing the potential need for further logistical support should the security situation deteriorate. Pakistan shares a long border with Iran and maintains deep economic and social ties with the region. Officials say Islamabad will continue diplomatic outreach while closely monitoring the safety of Pakistani nationals abroad as the regional situation continues to evolve.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar speaks with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, expressing concern over escalating regional tensions and agreeing to stay in close contact, as Islamabad continues diplomatic engagement and monitors Pakistanis returning home from Iran.

Pakistan urges restraint as FM Dar speaks with Iranian foreign minister

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s retaliatory military campaign against Afghan Taliban positions has entered its eighth day, with Islamabad saying its forces have inflicted significant battlefield losses under Operation Ghazab lil Haq following repeated cross-border attacks. Pakistan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said at least 527 Afghan Taliban combatants and affiliated terrorists have been killed and more than 755 injured since the operation began.<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-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" 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=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%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">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Tarar said Pakistani forces had carried out sustained strikes on terrorist positions across Afghanistan as part of a coordinated military response. According to the latest operational update, 237 Taliban check posts have been destroyed, while 38 additional posts were captured and subsequently demolished by Pakistani forces. Tarar added that 205 tanks, armored vehicles and artillery guns belonging to Afghan Taliban forces were destroyed during the course of the operation. He also said 62 locations across Afghanistan were effectively targeted through air operations, describing the strikes as part of Pakistan&rsquo;s effort to dismantle infrastructure used to launch attacks across the border. Earlier, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry described the operation as a &ldquo;measured and proportionate response&rdquo; to what Pakistan says were unprovoked attacks originating from Afghan territory. Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry has also defended the military action. During a weekly press briefing last week, spokesperson Tahir Andrabi characterized the engagement as an &ldquo;effective and forceful response&rdquo; aimed at safeguarding Pakistan&rsquo;s territorial integrity. The fighting along the Afghanistan&ndash;Pakistan border has drawn international attention as hostilities intensify across the frontier region. Russia&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry also expressed concern over the escalation. In a statement on March 4, spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Moscow was &ldquo;concerned about the ongoing fighting along the Afghan-Pakistani border.&rdquo; She called on both countries &ldquo;to resolve their differences through dialogue based on mutual respect.&rdquo; Pakistani officials, however, maintain that the objective of Operation Ghazab lil Haq remains the neutralization of terrorist threats emanating from across the border and the protection of Pakistan&rsquo;s sovereignty and security.

Security

As border fighting intensifies, Pakistani officials say Operation Ghazab lil Haq targets militant infrastructure inside Afghanistan following cross-border attacks, while foreign governments voice concern and urge both sides to avoid further military escalation.

527 Afghan Taliban combatants killed as Pakistan’s retaliatory operation enters eighth day

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday condemned recent drone attacks targeting civilians in the Azeri region of Nakhchivan and expressed solidarity with both Azerbaijan and T&uuml;rkiye as tensions continue to rise across the wider region. In a statement posted on X, the prime minister said he spoke with Azerbaijan&rsquo;s President Ilham Aliyev and strongly denounced the attacks that struck civilian areas in the country&rsquo;s exclave of Nakhchivan. Sharif said he conveyed Pakistan&rsquo;s &ldquo;complete solidarity with the leadership and brotherly people of Azerbaijan&rdquo; during difficult time for the country. During the call, the prime minister also briefed Aliyev on Pakistan&rsquo;s ongoing diplomatic outreach in response to the rapidly evolving security situation in Iran and the broader Gulf region. Both leaders discussed the need to reduce tensions and agreed on the importance of diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation. &ldquo;They agreed on the importance of de-escalation and stressed the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region,&rdquo; officials said, adding that the two leaders would remain in close contact as developments unfold. In a separate message, PM Sharif also expressed deep concern over a recent attack targeting T&uuml;rkiye, reiterating Pakistan&rsquo;s support for Ankara amid the growing regional uncertainty. The prime minister said Pakistan stands &ldquo;in full solidarity with our brave Turkish brothers,&rdquo; warning that such incidents risk worsening an already volatile situation. Sharif reiterated that restraint and diplomacy remain essential to preventing a broader regional confrontation. &ldquo;The prime minister called for maximum restraint and emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to uphold respect for sovereignty and maintain peace and stability in the region,&rdquo; officials said. The diplomatic outreach comes as tensions across the Middle East and surrounding regions have escalated sharply following initial strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian military and leadership targets, including facilities linked to the country&rsquo;s defense establishment. The strikes triggered retaliatory attacks by Iran across parts of the Gulf and neighboring regions, raising fears that the conflict could expand and draw in additional countries. Azerbaijan has accused Iran of carrying out drone strikes in its border region, with President Aliyev describing the attacks as &ldquo;terrorism&rdquo; after an airport and a school were reportedly hit. T&uuml;rkiye has also reported a missile-related incident linked to the widening hostilities. Turkish authorities said a ballistic missile launched from Iran traveled over Iraqi and Syrian airspace before being intercepted by NATO air defense systems. Against this backdrop, Pakistan has intensified diplomatic engagement with regional partners while calling for restraint, dialogue and renewed efforts to prevent the crisis from spiraling into a wider conflict.

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)

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned drone attacks in Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan region and expressed solidarity with Azerbaijan and Türkiye, urging restraint and diplomacy as regional tensions escalate following retaliatory strikes linked to the widening Iran conflict.

Pakistan condemns attacks on Azerbaijan, Türkiye urges regional de-escalation

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 cracks down on fuel hoarders amid Middle East tensions

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;

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=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%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.

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