Staff Reporter

LAHORE: Pakistan on Saturday rejected &ldquo;misleading and unfounded commentary&rdquo; surrounding financial deposits from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), asserting that the return of matured funds is a routine, agreed-upon financial transaction between the two countries. The clarification comes amid renewed attention to UAE deposits that have supported Pakistan&rsquo;s external financing position in recent years. The funds, placed with the State Bank of Pakistan since 2019, have been periodically rolled over and form part of broader arrangements with key partners to help maintain foreign exchange reserves as part of ongoing economic stabilization efforts. In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the deposits were placed &ldquo;under bilateral commercial agreements,&rdquo; reflecting the UAE&rsquo;s continued support for Pakistan&rsquo;s economic stability. &ldquo;Accordingly, pursuant to mutually agreed terms, the Government of Pakistan, through the SBP, is now returning the matured deposits to the UAE,&rdquo; the spokesperson said, adding, &ldquo;This is a routine financial transaction, and any attempt to portray it otherwise is erroneous and misleading.&rdquo; The remarks follow media reports speculating that Islamabad is set to return up to $3.5 billion to the UAE, raising concerns over potential pressure on foreign exchange reserves and the broader external financing outlook. Earlier, the Ministry of Finance also addressed the issue, stating that &ldquo;the Government of Pakistan is continuously monitoring and managing Pakistan&rsquo;s external flows in order to ensure stable foreign exchange reserves,&rdquo; while reaffirming its commitment to meeting all external obligations. The Foreign Office underscored that financial arrangements between Islamabad and Abu Dhabi should be viewed within the broader framework of longstanding bilateral cooperation, rather than through speculative interpretations. &ldquo;Pakistan and the UAE share a longstanding, fraternal partnership built on trust and strategic cooperation across trade, investment, defence, and people-to-people ties,&rdquo; the statement said. Reaffirming the strength of ties, the ministry highlighted the historic role of the UAE&rsquo;s founding leader, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, noting that the people of Pakistan &ldquo;warmly cherish&rdquo; his contributions in fostering close relations between the two nations. The Foreign Office further stressed that the relationship &ldquo;has stood the test of time&rdquo; and continues to deepen across multiple sectors. &ldquo;Pakistan remains fully committed to further strengthening this enduring relationship for a shared, prosperous future,&rdquo; the spokesperson added.

Economy

Islamabad says it is ‘now returning matured’ UAE deposits under agreed terms, calling the process routine, dismissing speculation as misleading, and reaffirming strong bilateral ties alongside continued commitment to external financial stability.

Pakistan rejects UAE deposit speculation, terms repayment routine transaction

KARACHI: Pakistan&rsquo;s Karachi Port experienced a surge in transhipment traffic this week as global shipping lines rerouted cargo away from the Gulf amid the escalating conflict linked to the US-Israeli war with Iran, pushing the port close to peak operational capacity.&nbsp;Port authorities said the facility reached about 80% capacity on Friday when two major transhipment vessels, M/V CGLA Ocean Breeze 1 and M/V GFS Jade, berthed simultaneously at the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) and Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited (KGTL) terminals, marking the busiest point in a week-long increase in diverted cargo.&nbsp;The surge comes as rising security risks and sharply higher war-risk insurance premiums for ships entering the inner Gulf have forced several international shipping companies to divert thousands of containers to Karachi as a safer regional alternative.&nbsp;The regional disruption is unfolding against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict triggered by coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, which has raised concerns about maritime security near key Gulf shipping lanes and energy routes.&nbsp;To maintain regional trade flows, KGTL this week launched a dedicated feeder service linking Karachi with major United Arab Emirates ports, including Fujairah and Khor Fakkan.&nbsp;The shuttle service allows large &ldquo;mother vessels&rdquo; to offload containers in Karachi&rsquo;s waters before smaller feeder ships transport the cargo onward to Gulf destinations.&nbsp;&ldquo;By linking Karachi directly with major UAE hubs, we are providing importers and exporters with reliable access to global shipping networks,&rdquo; said Khurram Aziz Khan, chief executive officer of KGTL, in a statement.&nbsp;Industry officials say the move has already attracted several regional shipping operators, including TS Line, Heung-A Shipping and Sinokor Merchant Marine, which are increasingly treating Karachi as a contingency hub for regional operations.&nbsp;However, the sudden influx of diverted cargo has placed pressure on port operations. Congestion data from Trans-Border Global Freight Systems shows vessel waiting times have risen to about 2.5 days as ships attempt to discharge containers at alternative destinations.&nbsp;To ease the strain, Pakistan&rsquo;s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry earlier announced an emergency waiver of demurrage charges for auctionable containers, provided they are cleared within seven days.&nbsp;The minister described the measure as a &ldquo;proactive approach to resolving congestion,&rdquo; aimed at speeding up the clearance of stalled cargo and creating space for incoming transhipment shipments.&nbsp;Officials say the shift began earlier in the week with several high-capacity arrivals, including the vessels MV TS Tacoma, MV TS Sydney, and MV Photon, initially viewed as precautionary diversions but now seen as part of a broader operational shift.&nbsp;Karachi Port Trust Chairman Rear Admiral (Retd) Shahid Ahmed reassured international partners that the port remains capable of handling the increased activity.&nbsp;&ldquo;Karachi Port remains fully operational and committed to facilitating uninterrupted maritime trade,&rdquo; he said in a statement on X.

Major Pakistani port sees a surge in diverted cargo as Gulf tensions disrupt shipping routes, prompting the launch of a feeder service to UAE ports while authorities introduce emergency measures to ease congestion and sustain regional trade flows.

Karachi Port becomes transshipment hub as Gulf war disrupts shipping

LAHORE: Saudi Arabia has agreed to extend the maturity of its $3 billion deposit placed with the central bank for another year, offering critical support to Pakistan&rsquo;s fragile external account, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Thursday. In a statement, SBP said the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has rolled over the deposit initially due to mature on December 8 for a further 12 months. &ldquo;The extension of the term of the deposit is a continuation of the support provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which will help strengthen Pakistan&rsquo;s foreign exchange reserves and contribute to the country&rsquo;s economic growth and development,&rdquo; the SBP noted. The $3 billion deposit was originally signed in 2021, and later rolled over in 2022, 2023, and 2024, making this the fourth extension.&nbsp; Last week, the SBP reported that its foreign exchange reserves increased slightly by $9 million, reaching $14.560 billion as of the week ending November 21. However, Pakistan&rsquo;s total liquid reserves fell to $19.605 billion, down from $19.738 billion, due to a decline in commercial banks&rsquo; foreign currency holdings, which dropped from $5.186 billion to $5.044 billion. Saudi Arabia has historically been one of Pakistan&rsquo;s most reliable partners, extending support in the form of oil on deferred payments, guarantees for international lenders including the International Monetary Fund, and recurring deposit rollovers to stabilize Pakistan&rsquo;s external sector. With over 2.5 million Pakistani expatriates working in the Kingdom, Saudi Arabia remains Pakistan&rsquo;s largest source of remittances. Following a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of the FII9 Conference in Riyadh, the two countries strengthened their strategic cooperation after signing a defense pact.&nbsp;

Foreign Affairs

State Bank says deposit’s term extension is a continuation of support provided by Saudi Arabia; will help strengthen Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, contribute to the country’s economic growth and development.

Saudi Arabia extends $3B deposit with Pakistan for another year

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday rejected Taliban accusations that its forces carried out overnight airstrikes inside Afghanistan&rsquo;s Khost province, after an explosion killed 10 civilians, including nine children.&nbsp;Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the raid &ldquo;martyred&rdquo; the victims and claimed the target was &ldquo;the house of a local civilian resident.&rdquo; He publicly blamed Pakistan for the attack in a statement posted on X. Islamabad flatly denied the allegation.&nbsp;Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, head of Pakistan military&rsquo;s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, during an interaction with senior journalists said, &ldquo;Pakistan has not attacked Afghanistan.&rdquo;&nbsp;He emphasized that &ldquo;whenever Pakistan conducts any operation, it announces it formally,&rdquo; underscoring that the country &ldquo;never attacks civilians.&rdquo;&nbsp;The latest charge has deepened tensions already heightened since two powerful explosions struck central Kabul on October 9. The Kabul incident triggered a week of cross-border hostilities that resulted in a 48-hour ceasefire brokered in Doha, with follow-up diplomacy in T&uuml;rkiye.&nbsp;Pakistani officials maintain the truce was contingent on a &ldquo;concrete and verifiable monitoring mechanism&rdquo; to ensure Afghan territory is not used to stage attacks against its forces or civilians.&nbsp;Lt. Gen. Chaudhry reiterated that Pakistan&rsquo;s conflict is with militant networks, not the Afghan population.&nbsp;&ldquo;Our policy is against terrorism, not against the Afghan people,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Our issue is with the Afghan interim government, not with Afghanistan&rsquo;s people.&rdquo;&nbsp;Security officials described the militants operating from Afghan soil as the Fitna al-Khawarij network, Islamabad&rsquo;s term for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), invoking the historic extremist sect synonymous with rebellion and violent upheaval.&nbsp;According to ISPR, since November 4, Pakistani forces have killed 206 militants in operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.&nbsp;Lt. Gen. Chaudhry noted that &ldquo;all suicide bombers are Afghan,&rdquo; warning that &ldquo;terrorists will be pursued until their last breath.&rdquo;&nbsp;He urged the Taliban regime to act decisively against cross-border militancy. &ldquo;The Afghan regime must take verifiable action against terrorist hideouts,&rdquo; he said, adding there would be no further talks &ldquo;until verifiable action is taken.&rdquo;&nbsp;Efforts to engage Kabul have repeatedly stalled.&nbsp;&ldquo;From 2021 to 2025 we repeatedly engaged the Afghan government, but no result came,&rdquo; Lt Gen Chaudhry said.&nbsp;Stressing Pakistan&rsquo;s posture as a responsible state actor, he added: &ldquo;We are a state, and we respond as a state. Blood and business cannot run together, it cannot happen that we face attacks and simultaneously maintain trade.&rdquo;

Security

Pakistan’s military media wing spokesperson denies Taliban claims of overnight Khost strikes, saying Pakistan conducts no such attacks and insists Kabul to take action against militants.

Pakistan denies overnight strikes amid rising Kabul tensions

LAHORE: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has launched a new digital investment platform, InvestPak, enabling individuals and corporations to invest in government securities entirely online.&nbsp;The initiative forms part of the central bank&rsquo;s broader strategy to modernize Pakistan&rsquo;s financial infrastructure and accelerate the shift toward a cashless economy.&nbsp;According to the SBP, InvestPak digitizes the entire investment process for customers holding rupee accounts with banks, primary dealers (PDs), and microfinance banks (MFBs). Through the web portal, users can open Investor Portfolio of Securities (IPS) accounts, submit bids in primary auctions, and trade government securities in the secondary market without visiting a branch.&nbsp;&ldquo;All banks are mandated to facilitate customer registration on the portal,&rdquo; the SBP said in a circular. &ldquo;Microfinance banks are encouraged to extend the same facility to their clients. All financial institutions must ensure efficient onboarding and a seamless user experience.&rdquo;&nbsp;The system allows users to link and operate multiple rupee and IPS accounts across different financial institutions via a single login, with registration requests required to be processed within two working days.&nbsp;As of June 30, 2025, total investment in government securities stood at Rs46.566 trillion, with scheduled banks holding Rs38.7 trillion (83%) and corporates Rs7.856 trillion (17%). The SBP expects that opening access to individual investors through InvestPak will broaden participation, deepen the domestic debt market, and diversify the investor base.&nbsp;The launch comes as the central bank advances a comprehensive digitalization roadmap. In September, the National Assembly&rsquo;s finance committee was informed that all federal and provincial government payments are to be fully digitized by June 2026, including transactions of state-owned enterprises.&nbsp;SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad told the committee that the central bank is taking &ldquo;comprehensive steps to promote a secure, inclusive, and technology-driven payments ecosystem,&rdquo; noting that 88% of retail transactions in Pakistan are now digital&mdash;a major shift reflecting the rapid uptake of electronic payments.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s digital financial infrastructure currently supports 226 million bank accounts and 46 million Raast IDs. To strengthen consumer protection, the SBP has introduced a bank liability framework and a mandatory two-hour cooling-off period for digital transfers to mitigate fraud.&nbsp;The digital banking landscape is also expanding. Mashreq Bank recently became the first international bank to launch full digital operations in Pakistan, rolling out nationwide services in 12 months&mdash;significantly faster than the global average of five years. Five additional digital banks have received in-principle approval to operate.&nbsp;To promote innovation, the SBP has also backed new digital payment solutions. Governor Ahmad recently inaugurated the JazzCash Experience Lounge, featuring facial and palm biometrics, wearables, and QR-based payment technologies.&nbsp;The SBP said InvestPak represents a major step in expanding public access to investment opportunities in Pakistan&rsquo;s financial markets, calling it part of a long-term transition to &ldquo;a more transparent, inclusive, and digitally driven economy.&rdquo;

The State Bank of Pakistan launched InvestPak, a digital platform enabling individuals and corporates to invest in government securities online, aiming to modernize financial infrastructure, promote inclusion, and advance Pakistan’s cashless economy

Pakistan’s central bank launches InvestPak to expand digital access to government securities

KARACHI: Pakistan&rsquo;s economic future is increasingly linked to the sea, with sustainable &ldquo;blue growth&rdquo; positioned to drive the country toward a $100 billion maritime economy, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Thursday.&nbsp;He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Pakistan International Maritime Expo &amp; Conference (PIMEC) 2025 at the Expo Center Karachi.&nbsp;&ldquo;The sea is becoming the axis of Pakistan&rsquo;s trade and climate resilience,&rdquo; Chaudhry said, announcing that two new ships have joined the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) fleet, with three more expected soon.&nbsp;He also confirmed that Pakistan has issued a license for its first private ferry service, describing it as &ldquo;an important step toward sustainable maritime travel and regional connectivity.&rdquo;&nbsp;Chaudhry outlined plans for Pakistan&rsquo;s first green ship repair and recycling yard at Port Qasim, part of what he called a &ldquo;Sea-to-Steel Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex.&rdquo;&nbsp;He added that the government has allocated Rs12 billion [$42 million] to modernize the shipbreaking facilities at Gaddani to ensure compliance with international environmental standards.&nbsp;The four-day PIMEC exhibition, organized jointly by the Pakistan Navy and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, featured more than 150 domestic and 28 foreign exhibitors from 20 countries.<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: 624px; 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=1986427644007813372&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=b5526c5a7b4db488710934b272c751ac1545dd96&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="1986427644007813372"></iframe></div></div>Displays ranged from marine biotechnology and aquaculture to ocean renewable energy systems, digital navigation, autonomous marine vessels, and maritime defense technologies.&nbsp;Speaking at the opening session, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal described Pakistan as a &ldquo;natural maritime bridge between the East and West.&rdquo;&nbsp;However, he noted that the maritime sector currently contributes less than one percent to Pakistan&rsquo;s GDP, well below the four to seven percent share seen in comparable maritime economies.&nbsp;&ldquo;We must unlock the economic potential of our seas,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;This year&rsquo;s expo saw a notable rise in homegrown innovation. The National Electronics Complex of Pakistan (NECOP) showcased the SAFRAH Drone-Jamming Gun, which exhibitors said can neutralize drones within a 1.5 kilometer radius. Stingray Technologies displayed unmanned surface vessels for reconnaissance and logistics.&nbsp;Students from Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology introduced marine safety IoT devices, while Zarwah Enterprises highlighted bio-secure aquaculture systems for coastal livelihoods.&nbsp;The Gwadar Development Authority presented its Smart Port City Master Plan 2050, signaling long-term coastal urban development, while the Sindh People&rsquo;s Housing for Flood Affectees pavilion demonstrated climate-resilient housing models with strong women-led participation in post-flood reconstruction.&nbsp;Panelists at the parallel International Maritime Conference stressed that turning maritime innovation into large-scale economic gains will require coordinated policy, long-term financing, and stronger public-private collaboration.&nbsp;Chaudhry said Pakistan&rsquo;s shift toward a sustainable blue economy is not only an economic strategy but a climate resilience imperative.&nbsp;&ldquo;If nurtured strategically, Pakistan&rsquo;s blue economy can evolve into a $100 billion sector by 2047,&rdquo; he said, adding that building a &ldquo;green, secure, and competitive maritime sector&rdquo; is now a national priority.

Pakistan highlights sustainable “blue growth” to drive a $100bn maritime economy, as Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announces new shipping expansion, green shipyard development, and stricter environmental standards at PIMEC 2025 in Karachi.

Sustainable ‘blue growth’ key to Pakistan’s $100 billion maritime future, says minister

PESHAWAR: Authorities in Pakistan&rsquo;s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have issued a high weather alert for November 4 and 5, warning of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and snowfall in multiple districts already recovering from devastating floods earlier this year.&nbsp;The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said the incoming weather system poses a &ldquo;significant risk,&rdquo; particularly in mountainous areas weakened by the August 2025 cloudburst disaster that claimed nearly 400 lives across the province.&nbsp;&ldquo;This is not a routine weather advisory,&rdquo; the PDMA said in its alert. &ldquo;Given recent damage to terrain and infrastructure, even moderate rainfall may trigger landslides and disrupt mobility and essential services.&rdquo;&nbsp;The weather system is expected to affect nearly the entire province.&nbsp;Rain, thunderstorms, and snowfall are forecast in northern districts, including Upper and Lower Dir, Upper and Lower Chitral, Upper and Lower Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, and Mohmand.&nbsp;Rain and thunderstorms are also likely in central and southern areas, including Peshawar, Kohat, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, North and South Waziristan, Tank, and Dera Ismail Khan.&nbsp;Saeda Saleh, a meteorologist with the Pakistan Meteorological Department, said the system is being driven by &ldquo;western winds,&rdquo; adding that authorities have urged the public to remain alert.&nbsp;&ldquo;People should stay cautious, especially in areas where the land is still unstable,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;Officials fear that already weakened slopes in flood-affected districts could give way. The Met Office has explicitly warned of possible landslides in Abbottabad, Battagram, Dir, Chitral, Kohistan, Kurram, Shangla, and Swat, many of the same regions that were heavily impacted in August.&nbsp;In response, PDMA has directed all district administrations to activate emergency protocols, including &ldquo;cleaning of drainage systems to prevent urban flooding&rdquo; and ensuring &ldquo;full readiness of emergency response teams&rdquo; for rapid deployment. Authorities have also been instructed to issue timely alerts to residents and travelers, particularly in high-risk valleys.&nbsp;Residents have been strongly advised to avoid non-essential travel during the weather spell. Farmers and livestock owners, who suffered severe losses in the August floods, have been urged to move animals and stored crops to safer areas as a precautionary measure.&nbsp;PDMA said it will continue to monitor developments and provide further updates as the system approaches.

Climate & Environment

Pakistan’s disaster authority issued a high alert for November 4–5 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warning of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and snowfall that could trigger landslides in flood-weakened mountain districts and disrupt essential services.

Landslides weather warning alert issued for Pakistan's north-west

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will depart for an official visit to Washington, DC on May 29 to meet US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, to review bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest, the Foreign Office (FO) said.&nbsp;The visit comes as Islamabad is attempting to negotiate a peace pact to permanently end the US-Israeli war with Iran.&nbsp;&ldquo;The discussions will also focus on strengthening cooperation in key priority sectors, as well as Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts to promote regional peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy,&rdquo; the statement added. <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" allowfullscreen="true" 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=2059968087022252182&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=015939253156fb33cbe5b67e24ec984483c80e46&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 874px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;FM Dar visit reflects Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to further deepening its longstanding and broad-based partnership with the United States.&nbsp;Earlier, FM Dar held a series of high-level bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the United Nations Security Council Open Debate in New York, discussing regional stability, multilateral cooperation and expansion of Pakistan&rsquo;s diplomatic and economic partnerships. <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" 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=2059484008589980120&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=015939253156fb33cbe5b67e24ec984483c80e46&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 696px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;During a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Dar discussed developments in the Middle East and Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts to promote dialogue and diplomacy for &ldquo;lasting peace and stability&rdquo; in the region.&nbsp;Following the completion of his official engagements in Washington DC, the deputy prime minister will depart for Islamabad later the same day.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will visit Washington on May 29 to meet Marco Rubio to discuss bilateral ties, regional developments, and Pakistan’s efforts for Middle East peace and stability.

Pakistan foreign minister, Marco Rubio to discuss Islamabad peace efforts in Washington tomorrow: FO

KATHMANDU: US climber Tyler Andrews set a new speed record using supplementary oxygen on Mount Everest on Thursday, his team told AFP, summiting the world&#39;s highest peak an hour quicker than anyone before.&nbsp;Andrews, 36, climbed the 8,849-metre (29,032-foot) peak in just 9 hours and 55 minutes, smashing the record of 10 hours and 56 minutes held since 2003 by Nepali climber Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa.&nbsp;The time requires formal verification by Nepal&#39;s mountain authorities.&nbsp;Andrews summited Everest just before dawn on Thursday, according to posts on his Instagram, which included live GPS tracking of his route.&nbsp;&quot;He reached Everest&#39;s peak in just 9 hours 55 minutes,&quot; team leader Dawa Steven Sherpa of Asian Trekking told AFP.&nbsp;The Asian Trekking team said that Andrews completed a solo climb, during which guides provided supplementary oxygen, food and water while tracking his ascent.&nbsp;He had initially tried to break the 22 hours and 29 minutes speed record to climb Everest without supplementary oxygen earlier in May, but had to turn back.&nbsp;Andrews, who said he is a cancer survivor, is raising funds to support youth athletes who lack access to coaching and equipment in Ecuador and Nepal.&nbsp;More than 950 climbers have reached the top of Everest this season, with the weather window rapidly coming to a close.&nbsp;Five people have died this season -- two Indians and three Nepali climbers involved in Everest preparations.&nbsp;That compares to the 18 people who died in 2023, the deadliest season on the mountain.

Climate

US climber Tyler Andrews set a new Mount Everest speed record using supplementary oxygen, reaching the 8,849-metre summit in 9 hours and 55 minutes, beating the previous record held since 2003 by Nepali climber Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa.

US climber smashes Everest speed record

GENEVA:&nbsp;The United Nations rights chief warned Thursday against a &quot;dangerous escalation&quot; in Ukraine, and Russia&#39;s threats to ramp up attacks, urging both sides to return to the negotiating table. &quot;I strongly urge restraint. Resume negotiations and end the suffering,&quot; Volker Turk said in a statement. His appeal comes days after one of the worst combined missile and drone attacks on Kyiv since <a href="https://pakistantv.com/article/russia-threatens-more-strikes-on-kyiv-urges-foreigners-to-leave-city" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Russia</a> launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago. It was the latest in a string of large-scale attacks by Russia in recent weeks. The <a href="https://pakistantv.com/article/russia-kills-4-in-massive-ukraine-attack-after-vowing-retaliation" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">UN rights office</a> said 815 civilians had been killed and 4,174 injured in Ukraine in the first four months of 2026 -- a 21% increase in civilian casualties over the same period last year. &quot;As if all these casualty figures weren&#39;t horrifying enough on their own, following these attacks, Russian officials have publicly threatened to increase attacks across Kyiv,&quot; Turk said.&nbsp;Call for avoiding civilian harm&quot;International humanitarian law demands that parties to a conflict take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian harm,&quot; he said. &quot;These are not simply suggestions or recommendations, but binding obligations carrying legal responsibility for those involved.&quot; His office also pointed to an attack by Ukrainian armed forces on an educational complex in the occupied city of Starobilsk on May 21-22, in which Russian authorities say 21 people were killed and 44 injured. &quot;The UN Human Rights Office has conducted a thorough review of publicly-available information, which indicates that the educational facilities were operational at the time of the attack and that civilians -- many of them students -- were killed or injured,&quot; it said. Eighteen of those killed were women, it said, adding that attacks by Ukrainian armed forces had also killed and injured civilians within Russia itself. Turk called on both Russian and Ukrainian authorities to conduct &quot;prompt, independent, and effective investigations and hold those responsible accountable&quot;.

Europe

The UN rights office said 815 civilians had been killed and 4,174 injured in Ukraine in the first four months of 2026 -- a 21% increase in civilian casualties over the same period last year.

UN condemns 'dangerous escalation' in Ukraine war

Simran Siraj

On Eid Al-Adha, Karachi&#39;s streets transform as blacksmiths work relentlessly, market stalls spring up across neighborhoods, and a seasonal economy worth nearly $3 billion takes shape across Pakistan. From knives for sacrifice to decorative accessories for animals, stalls cater to the needs of the local communities preparing for one of the holiest days of the year.

Shorts

On Eid Al-Adha, Karachi's streets transform as blacksmiths work relentlessly, market stalls spring up across neighborhoods, and a seasonal economy worth nearly $3 billion takes shape across Pakistan.

Animal accessories, blades, feed sales surge as Pakistan's $3 billion Eid Al-Adha economy kicks in

TEHRAN: Iran&#39;s football federation expects FIFA to facilitate multiple-entry visas for the United States for the Iranian national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, its president said in a video broadcast by Iranian media Thursday. &quot;FIFA is expected to deliver a multiple-entry visa so that the players can enter (the United States) and return (to Mexico),&quot; federation president <a href="https://pakistantv.com/article/mexico-accepts-to-host-iran-during-the-world-cup-president" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mehdi Taj</a> said.&nbsp;&lsquo;Team Melli&rsquo;Known as &quot;<a href="https://pakistantv.com/article/fifa-reveals-48-world-cup-team-base-training-sites" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Team Melli</a>&quot;, the Iranian squad had initially planned to base itself in Tucson in Arizona during the tournament, but later moved its training camp to Tijuana in Mexico, which will co-host the World Cup alongside the US and Canada. Taj previously said the move was intended to avoid complications related to US visas and to allow the squad to travel directly to Mexico aboard Iran Air flights. Iran are scheduled to play all three of their Group G matches in the United States. &quot;It is certain now that we will go to Mexico. The team is preparing,&quot; Taj said. Iran&#39;s participation in the World Cup had been uncertain for months, with a backdrop of the Middle East war triggered by the US-Israeli bombing campaign against Iran on Feb. 28. The team will open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 before facing Belgium in the same city and Egypt in Seattle later in the group stage.

Football

 Iranian squad had initially planned to base itself in Tucson in Arizona during the tournament, but later moved its training camp to Tijuana in Mexico, which will co-host the World Cup alongside the US and Canada.

Iran expects FIFA to facilitate multi-entry visa to US for team

WASHINGTON:&nbsp;The United States has arrested a former senior CIA official after a search found $40 million worth of gold bars at his home. FBI officers also seized $2 million in cash and around 35 luxury watches this month from the home of David Rush in the US state of Virginia, according to court documents. The New York Times reported on Wednesday that he was a former senior CIA official, quoting people familiar with the investigation. An FBI probe found that Rush had provided false information about his education and military background in his job application, including lying about obtaining university degrees and serving as a pilot in the navy. He also filled out fraudulent time sheets and obtained $77,000 in military leave pay by falsely claiming he was a member of the navy reserves, according to the affidavit. The document describes Rush as a former senior employee at a US government agency with top secret clearance and access to classified information. Over $40 millionHe was arrested on May 19 and charged with theft of government money.&nbsp;A lawyer for Rush declined to comment to the Times. From last November to this March, Rush made several requests to his employer for &quot;a significant quantity of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars for work-related expenses.&quot; The affidavit says that Rush received the cash and gold, without giving further information on why he needed them. The gold and most of the cash were later found to be missing from a storage space at the official&#39;s workplace, triggering a search of his home which discovered around 303 gold bars -- worth over $40 million.&nbsp;

Americas

FBI officers also seize $2 million in cash and around 35 luxury watches this month from the home of David Rush in the US state of Virginia, according to court documents.

US arrests ex-CIA official with $40M in gold at home

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Youm-e-Takbeer (28 May) remains a powerful symbol of national unity, unwavering resolve, and collective strength. He emphasized that it reflects Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to safeguarding its independence while ensuring peace and strategic stability in the region. Youm-i-Takbeer commemorates May 28, 1998, when Pakistan became a nuclear power following atomic tests conducted in the Chagai Hills of Balochistan. Sharif, in his message shared on X on the occasion of Youm-e-Takbeer, said, &ldquo;28 May 1998 was a defining moment in our national history - a day when Pakistan demonstrated to the world that it would never compromise on its sovereignty, security, dignity, or right to self-defence.&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-3" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-3&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2059882929031880861&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard%2F&sessionId=9cfb5131b4917d6a01888e54fe609d9c3fc3c6d8&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 369px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>&ldquo;As we commemorate Youm-e-Takbeer today, we pay glowing tribute to Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who laid the foundation of Pakistan&rsquo;s nuclear programme, and to Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, whose bold, courageous, and resolute leadership in May 1998 transformed that vision into reality despite immense international pressure.&rdquo;&nbsp;&lsquo;Symbol of national unity&rsquo;&nbsp;Sharif said, &ldquo;We also honour Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, Dr. Samar Mubarakmand and the countless brilliant scientists, engineers, valiant armed forces personnel, and all those associated with the nuclear programme, whose dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment made Pakistan&rsquo;s defence invincible.&rdquo; The prime minister said, &ldquo;Youm-e-Takbeer remains a symbol of national unity, unwavering resolve, and the collective strength of all elements of national power in safeguarding Pakistan&rsquo;s independence while ensuring peace and strategic stability in the region.&rdquo; &ldquo;On this historic day, let us renew our pledge to build a strong, prosperous, united, and self-reliant Pakistan founded on faith, unity, and discipline,&rdquo; he said. Effective deterrence doctrine&nbsp;In a separate message shared on X, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said, &ldquo;Youm-e-Takbeer revalidates our effective deterrence doctrine, which is indispensable to maintain regional peace and stability.&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-4" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-4&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2059711831988654371&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard%2F&sessionId=9cfb5131b4917d6a01888e54fe609d9c3fc3c6d8&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 921px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2059711831988654371"></iframe></div></div>He said, &ldquo;The wars of present age, and future, are likely to consist of multi-domain operations, where, alongside nuclear deterrence, cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, drones and modern technologies are deemed to play a decisive role.&rdquo; The president said, &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s armed forces have Al Hamd-o-Lillah equipped themselves with such expertise and professionalism related to all fields of battle and they have demonstrated their skills and capabilities during the Marka-e-Haq last year.&rdquo;&nbsp;&lsquo;Responsible and peace loving&rsquo;He said, &ldquo;Pakistan harbours no aggressive designs against anyone. We are a responsible and peace-loving nation as we respect international norms and laws.&rdquo; President Zardari said, &ldquo;We reserve the right of self defence under Article 50 of UN charter.&rdquo; &ldquo;Exercising this right Pakistan last year gave a crushing blow to the Indian aggression during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.&rdquo; &ldquo;Our victory in Marka-e-Haq was the result of national unity, courage and professional excellence of our armed forces,&rdquo; he said. &#39;Unwavering resolve&#39;On the 28th anniversary of Youm-e-Takbeer, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, COAS and CDF, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of the Naval Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, on behalf of Armed Forces of Pakistan, extended heartfelt felicitations to the people of Pakistan, said a statement released by Pakistan military&#39;s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday. Youm-e-Takbeer, &quot;symbolizes the nation&rsquo;s unity, resilience and unwavering commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national honour,&quot; the statement said. &quot;The Armed Forces of Pakistan reaffirm their unwavering resolve to defend the motherland against all threats and remain committed to ensuring the security, stability and prosperity of the nation,&quot; the press release said.

Says, ‘We honor Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, Dr Samar Mubarakmand and the countless brilliant scientists, engineers, valiant armed forces personnel, and all those associated with the nuclear programme.’

Youm-e-Takbeer symbolizes unity, resolve and strategic stability, says Pakistan PM

ISLAMABAD: Kashmiri leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has condemned the Indian authorities&rsquo; denial of Eid prayers at Eidgah and Jamia Masjid for the eighth consecutive year in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The Kashmiri leader, in a post on X on Wednesday, stated: &ldquo;For the 8th consecutive year, Muslims of <a href="https://pakistantv.com/article/former-occupied-kashmir-cm-abdullah-survives-attempt-on-life-man-arrested" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kashmiris</a> have been denied the right to offer Eid prayers at the historic&nbsp;<a href="https://pakistantv.com/article/bjp-targeting-islamic-institutions-to-erase-iiojk-identity-says-former-cm" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Eidgah/Jama Masjid</a>, and I have been placed under house arrest.&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-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2059492307200868521&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard%2F&sessionId=9cfb5131b4917d6a01888e54fe609d9c3fc3c6d8&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2059492307200868521"></iframe></div></div>&lsquo;Assault on religious identity&rsquo;&nbsp;He said, &ldquo;On the revered and celebratory occasion of Eid, Muslims of Kashmir are greeted with barricades, restrictions, locked gates and intimidation.&rdquo; Farooq further said, &ldquo;This is not governance; it is a systematic assault on our religious identity, dignity and fundamental rights which deeply hurts us.&rdquo;&nbsp;A generation deprived&nbsp;The Kashmiri leader lamented, &ldquo;It is very unfortunate that children in Kashmir are growing up without witnessing the spiritually uplifting Eid prayers at Eidgah and the festivities thereof.&rdquo; &ldquo;An entire generation is being deprived of knowing their traditions and making memories that have shaped our collective life for centuries.&rdquo; Farooq said, &ldquo;But let those in power know that no power on earth can erase the deep spiritual bond people of Kashmir share with Eidgah, Jama Masjid and their religious institutions.&rdquo; &ldquo;Faith cannot be imprisoned or suppressed through force,&rdquo; he said in his social media post.

India

The Kashmiri leader, in a post on X on Wednesday, stated, 'For the 8th consecutive year, Muslims of Kashmiris have been denied the right to offer Eid prayers at the historic Eidgah/Jama Masjid, and I have been placed under house arrest.'

Mirwaiz condemns continued Eid prayer ban at Jamia Masjid in occupied Kashmir

HONG KONG:&nbsp;Oil prices bounced higher on Thursday while Asian stocks mostly fell, as new US strikes on Iran marked the latest test of a shaky ceasefire in the Middle East war. The price jumps erased much of Wednesday&#39;s declines on the hopes of an imminent deal to end the conflict that has all but halted shipping through the crucial <a href="https://pakistantv.com/article/asia-stocks-oil-prices-mixed-on-usiran-deal-uncertainty" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Strait of Hormuz</a> for months. An American official said the military had shot down four Iranian drones and struck a control center in the southern city of Bandar Abbas. The official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, described the latest actions as &quot;measured, purely defensive, and intended to maintain the ceasefire&quot;. Tehran&#39;s state media said Iranian forces had fired at four ships in the strait, while Kuwait said its air defenses were responding to missile and drone attacks. The developments came despite an Iranian official saying renewed hostilities with the United States were unlikely, and a threat from US President Donald Trump to &quot;finish the job&quot; if a peace deal was not reached.&nbsp;Mixed signals&nbsp;The mixed signals underscored the fragile state of talks aimed at ending the Middle East war, which has profoundly shaken <a href="https://pakistantv.com/article/oil-falls-asian-stocks-climb-on-hopes-of-usiran-hormuz-deal" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">global energy markets</a>. Brent North Sea crude, the main international benchmark, rose by 1.8% in Thursday morning trade to $95.95 a barrel, while the main US contract, WTI, increased by 1.7% to $90.17. Stock markets across Asia were mostly down, with Hong Kong&#39;s Hang Seng index dipping more than 1.5%. Seoul was down nearly one percent, while Shanghai ticked 0.3% lower. Taipei&#39;s main index gained more than one percent, while Tokyo was flat at the midday break. The declines came after a strong day for global stocks on Wednesday, as investors, bullish on artificial intelligence, looked past the conflicting headlines on Iran. In Asia, South Korean chipmaker SK hynix hit a $1 trillion market capitalization, placing it alongside regional tech heavyweights Samsung Electronics and TSMC, as well as US chipmaker Micron. The tech surge has coincided with a persistent spike in energy prices, which has threatened several major Asian economies that rely on oil shipments from the Middle East. Economists warn that central banks may have to raise interest rates if inflation worsens as a result of the war, increasing borrowing costs and potentially weighing on economic growth. On Wednesday, &quot;every headline pulled the market in a different direction, leaving traders with the same conclusion they have been wrestling with for weeks&quot;, said Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management. &quot;The Strait may eventually reopen fully, but until there is something more concrete than draft frameworks and political theatre, every barrel remains hostage to headline volatility, even if sub-$100,&quot; he said. <h2 style="line-height: 2;">Key figures at around 0230 GMT&nbsp;</h2>Brent North Sea Crude: UP 1.8% at $95.95 a barrel West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.7% at $90.17 a barrel Tokyo - Nikkei 225: FLAT at 64,980.63 points Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 1.5% at&nbsp;24,943.99 Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.3% at&nbsp;4,082.86 Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1614 from $1.1629 on Wednesday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3405 from $1.3434 Dollar/yen: UP at 159.54 from 159.53 yen Euro/pound: UP at 86.64 from 86.59 pence New York - DOW: UP 0.4% at 50,644.28 (close) London - FTSE 100: UP 0.1% at 10,505.01 (close)

Business

The mixed signals underscored the fragile state of talks aimed at ending the Middle East war, which has profoundly shaken global energy markets.

Oil prices bounce higher after new US strikes on Iran   

Faraz Saeed

Pakistan TV Digital&#39;s Faraz Saeed marks Eid Al-Adha in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, offering prayers at the central mosque while covering the International Water Conference 2026.

Asia

Pakistan TV Digital's Faraz Saeed marks Eid Al-Adha in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, offering prayers at the central mosque while covering the International Water Conference 2026.


Articles by Staff Reporter