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ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced that the dredging of the Karachi Port Trust main channel by Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited, which began on Wednesday, will represent a significant upgrade to maritime infrastructure. In a statement, the minister&nbsp;said that the work follows a formal agreement between KPT and KGTL to enhance navigational capacity and meet rising demands from international shipping.&nbsp; &quot;This initiative underscores the government&#39;s commitment to modernizing port facilities and bolstering Pakistan&#39;s role in regional and global trade. Upon completion within three months, the project will enable KPT to accommodate vessels up to 350 meters in length with a gross registered tonnage (GRT) of 100,000,&quot; the minister said.&nbsp; &quot;This will boost port efficiency by handling higher-capacity ships, reducing congestion, and shortening turnaround times.&quot;&nbsp; The dredging will deepen the upper and lower harbour channels to 14 meters for safer navigation, while 14 berths will be raised to 15.5 meters to accommodate larger ships and expand cargo-handling capacity.&nbsp; The minister said that the project will drive higher trade volumes, slash shipping costs, streamline logistics, and fuel national economic growth.

Politics

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry says that the project will drive higher trade volumes, slash shipping costs, streamline logistics, and fuel national economic growth.

Karachi Port channel dredging to bolster Pakistan's maritime infrastructure

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will observe this year&rsquo;s national day on March 23 with simplicity at all its diplomatic missions abroad, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. In a message shared on social media platform X, Dar wrote that, &quot;This year&rsquo;s 23rd March National Day will be observed with simplicity at all Pakistan&rsquo;s Missions abroad, limited to the traditional flag-hoisting ceremony. &quot;I<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;" id="isPasted">n the light of the Prime Minister&rsquo;s announced austerity measures, and as a mark of solidarity with the countries and peoples of the Middle East and the wider region affected by the ongoing conflict and the tragic loss of innocent lives, National Day receptions will not be held this year. &quot;Pakistan hopes that dialogue and diplomacy will prevail, and that peace, stability and prosperity will soon return to the entire region and beyond,&quot; the foreign minister said.

Pakistan National Day Parade (Radio Pakistan) 

In a message shared on X, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that in light of the prime minister’s announced austerity measures, and as a mark of solidarity with the countries and peoples of the Middle East and the wider region affected by the ongoing conflict and the tragic loss of innocent lives, Pakistan Day receptions at its diplomatic missions abroad will not be held this year.

Pakistan diplomatic missions to observe national day with simplicity

ISLAMABAD: The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed deep concern over renewed military clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, urging both sides to exercise restraint and prioritize dialogue to prevent further escalation in the region.&nbsp;In a statement issued Saturday, the UAE called for de-escalation and warned against actions that could further destabilize South Asia.&nbsp; The ministry stressed the importance of reason and diplomacy in resolving disputes, reaffirming the UAE&rsquo;s support for initiatives aimed at strengthening security, stability and development for both nations.<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: 730px; 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=2027539408497627315&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=9c71badaeab44631c36a928ea704ec4fb86ef973&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>The diplomatic appeal came as Pakistan carried out what officials described as its most extensive military strikes inside Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.&nbsp; Pakistani authorities said the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-says-297-taliban-fighters-killed-in-afghanistan-strikes" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">operations targeted multiple locations</a>, including Kabul and Kandahar, in response to what they termed unprovoked cross-border attacks originating from Afghan territory. Islamabad declared a state of &ldquo;war footing,&rdquo; signaling heightened military readiness.&nbsp;Pakistani officials maintained that the strikes were defensive in nature and aimed at degrading militant capabilities allegedly being used to threaten Pakistan&rsquo;s national security. They emphasized that the operations fall within Pakistan&rsquo;s sovereign right to self-defense under international law. Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/trump-says-us-will-not-intervene-in-pakistanafghan-situation" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">signaled support for Islamabad&rsquo;s position</a>. The United States&rsquo; stance was formally conveyed by Allison Hooker, the US under secretary of state for political affairs, who said after talks with her Pakistani counterpart that the United States &ldquo;expressed support for Pakistan&rsquo;s right to defend itself against Taliban attacks.&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-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 321px; 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=2027488449171730683&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=9c71badaeab44631c36a928ea704ec4fb86ef973&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>International reactions, however, were mixed. The European Union urged both sides to step back from further confrontation. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for immediate de-escalation and a return to dialogue amid rising violence. &ldquo;The EU reiterates that Afghan territory must not be used to threaten or attack other countries and calls on the Afghan de facto authorities to take effective action against all terrorist groups operating in or from Afghanistan,&rdquo; Kallas said in a statement. Concerns were also voiced by the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, both of which highlighted the humanitarian risks of escalating conflict. Britain, Norway and Azerbaijan similarly called for restraint and immediate de-escalation. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are underway to contain tensions. China, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have reportedly initiated contacts aimed at facilitating dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul.&nbsp;As regional and global stakeholders urge calm, Pakistan has reiterated that its actions are a necessary response to sustained cross-border aggression, while emphasizing its commitment to regional peace and stability. The evolving situation continues to draw close international scrutiny amid fears of broader instability in South Asia.

Pakistani soldiers patrol near the Pakistan–Afghanistan border crossing in Chaman on February 27, 2026, following overnight cross-border fighting between the two countries. (Photo: AFP)

The ministry stresses the importance of reason and diplomacy in resolving disputes, reaffirming the UAE’s support for initiatives aimed at strengthening security, stability and development for both nations.


UAE calls for de-escalation amid renewed Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions

Security personnel stand guard outside a mosque following an explosion in Islamabad on February 6, 2026. (AFP)

Retaliatory Pakistani airstrikes killed 133 Taliban fighters after Afghan forces launched a large border assault, marking the sharpest escalation in weeks of bombings, terrorist attacks and mounting tensions along the Afghanistan frontier.

Why Pakistan struck Afghanistan 

ISLAMABAD: Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan&#39;s vitals were stable, and he was discharged after a follow-up procedure for his eye at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), a statement issued by the hospital early on Tuesday said.&nbsp; In an earlier visit, PIMS Executive Director (ED) Professor Dr Rana Imran Sikander had said the PTI chairman had &ldquo;reduced vision in the right eye&rdquo; after a complete eye assessment was done in Adiala Jail. Subsequently, Khan was brought to PIMS early on Tuesday morning for his &ldquo;follow-up eye-treatment, i.e., second dose of anti-VEGF intravitreal injection on 24 February, 2026.&rdquo; Prior to the procedure, Khan was examined by a board of specialists who performed Echocardiography and an ECG [electrocardiogram]. The result for the tests returned as &ldquo;Normal.&rdquo; A consultant physician also said that Khan&rsquo;s condition was &ldquo;clinically stable.&rdquo; &ldquo;After obtaining informed consent, and under standard monitoring, precautionary measures and protocols in the operation theatre, he was injected with (a) second dose of intravitreal injection of Anti-VEGF under (the) guidance of (a) microscopy by Consultant Ophthalmologist, and Consultant Vitreo-Retinal Surgeon of PIMS and Al Shifa Eye Hospital,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp; &ldquo;The procedure was performed as a day care surgery,&rdquo; it added.&nbsp; The statement, issued by the ED Sikander, during the course of his stay, he remained &ldquo;vitally stable before, during, and after the procedure, and was discharged along with instructions for care, follow-up advice, and the documents.&rdquo;

PIMS Executive Director Sikander says Khan remained “vitally stable before, during and after the procedure, and was discharged along with instructions for care, follow up advice, and the documents.”

Imran Khan vitals stable, discharged after eye procedure: PIMS executive director 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has extended restrictions on Indian aircraft, keeping its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-extends-airspace-ban-on-indian-aircraft" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">airspace closed</a>&nbsp;to all Indian civil and military flights until March 23, the Pakistan Airports Authority said Thursday. The new notice, NOTAM A0096/26, covers both the Karachi and Lahore flight information regions, which make up the country&rsquo;s airspace. It replaces a previous directive that was set to expire on Feb. 23. Indian carriers have been forced to reroute flights along longer paths. Westbound flights from cities including Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad now take a southern route over the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman, passing through the United Arab Emirates or Oman before continuing to Europe, the UK, or North America. Some northern routes now pass through Chinese and Central Asian airspace. The rerouting has increased flight times and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/crash-pakistan-airspace-ban-push-air-india-toward-16-billion-annual-loss" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">operational costs</a>&nbsp;due to extra fuel stops.&nbsp;Indian airlines, particularly Air India, report fuel costs rising by up to 29% and estimated monthly losses of roughly $500 million. Pakistan and India have closed their airspaces to each other since tensions rose in late April 2025 following an attack in Pahalgam, in India-occupied Kashmir. New Delhi accused Islamabad of backing the attack, which Pakistan denied while offering a neutral probe. The two countries briefly fought their fiercest military engagement in decades in early May 2025, with Pakistan downing several Indian jets.

Pakistan has extended restrictions on Indian aircraft, keeping its airspace closed to all Indian civil and military flights until March 23. (PIA)

Indian carriers have been forced to reroute flights along longer paths, increasing flight times and operational costs, due to extra fuel stops. 

Pakistan extends airspace ban for Indian flights until March 23

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan improved its standing in international corruption perceptions, scoring 28 out of 100 in Transparency International&#39;s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index released Tuesday. The gain reflects ongoing institutional reforms and enhanced oversight mechanisms aimed at strengthening governance, according to the Berlin-based watchdog organization. Pakistan ranked alongside Iraq, Liberia, Mali and Bolivia in the latest assessment. The country has pursued judicial reforms and increased transparency measures in recent years while working to strengthen accountability institutions. The improvement comes as Pakistan continues efforts to address governance challenges across multiple government sectors. Transparency International&#39;s index measures perceived levels of public-sector corruption across 182 countries and territories using 13 independent data sources that reflect assessments from business executives and country experts. Scores range from zero, indicating high corruption, to 100, representing very clean governance. The global picture showed concerning trends, with the worldwide average dropping to 42 out of 100, marking the first decline in more than a decade. Over two-thirds of countries scored below 50, indicating serious corruption problems in most parts of the world. The organization noted that sustained improvements require comprehensive legal reforms and protection of civic freedoms. Countries showing long-term gains have typically implemented broad institutional changes while safeguarding press independence and civil society organizations. The index draws on expert perceptions of corruption in the public sector rather than measuring specific corrupt activities directly. Denmark leads 2025 rankings Meanwhile, Denmark led the 2025 rankings with a score of 89, maintaining its position for the eighth consecutive year. Finland scored 88, Singapore 84, New Zealand 81 and Norway 81. Somalia and South Sudan tied for last place at nine points each.

Pakistan improved its standing in international corruption perceptions, scoring 28 out of 100 in Transparency International's 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index released February 9, 2026. (World Economic Forum)

Pakistan scored 28 out of 100 in Transparency International's latest corruption index, up from 27, reflecting institutional reforms though challenges remain in governance and accountability.

Pakistan records improvement in 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday asserted that terrorism would not be allowed to defeat Pakistan, stressing that the nation would continue its fight until all terrorist elements are eliminated, state-run APP reported.&nbsp;Addressing participants from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) at a national workshop in Islamabad, the prime minister said Pakistan&rsquo;s progress depends on the development of all four provinces. He noted that KP, a strategically important province, has made immense sacrifices in the war against terrorism and has been provided Rs800 billion over the past 15 years to strengthen&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/counterterrorism-misplaced-global-assumptions-and-outdated-narratives" target="_blank" style="font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 115, 230);" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="fr-green">counterterrorism efforts</a>.&nbsp;PM Sharif criticized the spread of lies and propaganda, particularly on social media, saying such campaigns poison the minds of youth and undermine the sacrifices of the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/suicide-attack-reported-outside-district-court-in-pakistans-capital-city-security-sources" target="_blank" style="font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 115, 230);" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="fr-green">country&rsquo;s martyrs</a>. He warned that attempts to glorify or justify terrorist narratives amount to echoing the voices of Pakistan&rsquo;s enemies.&nbsp;Highlighting KP&rsquo;s frontline role in the fight against militancy, the prime minister recalled that millions of Afghan refugees were hosted by Pakistan, particularly KP, during the Afghan war. While this was a humanitarian duty, he said the aftermath included the spread of weapons and terrorism, claiming thousands of innocent lives across the country.&nbsp;The prime minister said that by 2018, terrorism had been largely eradicated due to the sacrifices of more than 100,000 soldiers, law enforcement personnel, and civilians, following a national consensus to make no distinction between &ldquo;good&rdquo; and &ldquo;bad&rdquo; Taliban. However, he added that serious mistakes later allowed militants to regroup, damaging peace and economic progress.&nbsp;PM Sharif said Punjab had voluntarily given up part of its NFC share to support KP and Balochistan. He reiterated that the federal government remains committed to equitable development, noting that Pakistan can only move forward if all provinces grow together.&nbsp;He also outlined government initiatives aimed at economic stability, youth employment, education, and agricultural development, including scholarship programs and overseas training for agricultural graduates.&nbsp;On foreign relations, the prime minister said Pakistan desires peaceful ties with Afghanistan but will not tolerate terrorism emanating from Afghan soil. He emphasized that decisive action had been taken when dialogue failed, adding that it is now up to the Afghan interim government to choose peaceful coexistence.&nbsp;The session was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Attaullah Tarar, along with senior officials.

Allocates Rs800 billion allocated to the security of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

PM Sharif says terrorism will not defeat Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday that&nbsp;Taiwan is an &quot;inalienable part of China&#39;s territory.&quot;&nbsp; Speaking at the weekly press briefing in the capital, the FO spokesperson cited a joint communiqu&eacute; from the seventh round of Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue held January 4 in Beijing. &quot;Pakistan reaffirmed its firm commitment to One-China principle and reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China&#39;s territory,&quot; Andrabi said. Pakistan also supports China&#39;s efforts toward national reunification on issues concerning Xinjiang, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and the South China Sea. Backs counterterrorism efforts The FO spokesperson revealed that China pledged steadfast support for Pakistan&#39;s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.&nbsp; Beijing praised Pakistan&#39;s counterterrorism measures and recognized &quot;the significant contribution and huge sacrifices that Pakistan has made in combating terrorism over many years.&quot; On Kashmir, China said the dispute &quot;is a leftover from the history and should be properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and bilateral agreements.&quot; Economic corridor expansion Both countries agreed to build on the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, part of the Belt and Road Initiative project. They will align development plans across defense, security, economy, trade, investment, and cultural exchange. The two sides agreed to oppose unilateral actions and talked about the need to maintain peace and stability in South Asia through dialogue and consultations. Afghanistan security concerns Andrabi stated that Pakistan and China agreed for &quot;more visible and verifiable actions to dismantle and eliminate all terrorist organization based in Afghanistan which continue to pose serious threats to regional peace and global security.&quot; They agreed to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan territory for attacks against other countries. Both nations will continue cooperation through the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral foreign ministers&#39; dialogue and the China-Bangladesh-Pakistan cooperation mechanism. Kashmir self-determination day Pakistan observed Right to Self-Determination Day for Jammu and Kashmir on January 5, marking the 1949 UN Security Council resolution that enshrined the right of Kashmiris to determine their future through a UN-supervised plebiscite. &quot;The Kashmiri people have been denied this right by India for over decades,&quot; Andrabi said. &quot;The illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir by India stands as a stark tragedy of our time.&quot; Andrabi said thousands of Kashmiri leaders and civil society members remain imprisoned, including Musarrat Alam, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Asiya Andrabi and Dr Qasim Fakhto. He said Yasin Malik was convicted after &quot;a sham trial,&quot; while journalist Irfan Mehraj is jailed for reprisals by Indian authorities. Pakistan condemned India&#39;s August 5, 2019, actions as &quot;a blatant attempt to consolidate the illegal occupation through demographic engineering&quot; that violates international law. &quot;Pakistan will continue to extend its unwavering moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people in their just struggle for the right to self-determination,&quot; Andrabi said. Regional diplomacy The FO spokesperson stated that the country&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar&nbsp;held phone calls with foreign ministers from Myanmar, Indonesia, Egypt, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates this week. The talks covered bilateral relations and regional issues, including developments in Gaza, Somalia, and Yemen. The foreign minister spoke twice with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, welcoming Saudi Arabia&#39;s statement on Yemen. Dar stated that regional parties &quot;must avoid any escalatory move&quot; and resolve issues through dialogue. Andrabi also mentioned Azerbaijan&#39;s Economy Minister Mikhail Jabarov discussing a $2 billion investment in Pakistan with Dar. Both sides agreed to finalize mechanisms for Azerbaijani investment in identified sectors of Pakistan&#39;s economy.

Pakistan’s weekly briefing highlights China ties and calls for action against terrorism based in Afghanistan.

Pakistan backs One-China policy, calls Taiwan part of Chinese territory: FO

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday reaffirmed his government&rsquo;s commitment to providing equal opportunities for persons with visual impairments, marking World Braille Day.&nbsp;In a message on the occasion, the prime minister highlighted the importance of Louis Braille&rsquo;s system, which has opened doors to education, information, and professional opportunities for millions worldwide. He noted that the United Nations General Assembly recognized Jan. 4 as World Braille Day in 2018.&nbsp;Sharif praised the achievements of visually impaired Pakistanis, citing Saima Saleem, a diplomat at Pakistan&rsquo;s mission to the United Nations, as an example of overcoming challenges through excellence.&nbsp;He emphasized that Pakistan, as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and after ratifying the Marrakesh Treaty in 2023, is committed to making education, work, and information accessible to all visually impaired citizens. The prime minister called on educational institutions, civil society, the private sector, and the media to promote Braille literacy and accessible facilities. He reiterated that the government is focused on ensuring no citizen is left behind and that everyone can contribute to the country&rsquo;s development. Across Pakistan, legal and policy frameworks support the blind. The ICT Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2020 and provincial laws in Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan, and Islamabad formally recognize visually impaired individuals as &ldquo;Special Persons.&rdquo; These laws provide job and education quotas, financial assistance, mobility support, and access to healthcare. Programs such as the Punjab Himmat Card and Sindh&rsquo;s disability allowances provide monthly stipends, medical aid, and education support. Specialized schools, including Islamabad&rsquo;s Al-Maktoom National Special Education Center, offer free education, Braille materials, and modern assistive technologies.&nbsp;The State Bank of Pakistan ensures financial inclusion by requiring banks to provide accessible services and allowing blind individuals to hold individual accounts. National and provincial initiatives also include special CNICs for travel and utility discounts, barrier-free public health services, and legal protection through special disability courts. PM Sharif said these measures reflect the government&rsquo;s determination to empower the visually impaired, ensuring equal opportunities in every sector of society. President Zardari&#39;s message Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, in a post on X on Sunday to mark World Braille Day, reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to the rights, dignity, and full inclusion of persons with visual impairments, in line with the UNCRPD and the SDGs, and paid tribute to all those advancing Braille education and accessibility.<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: 321px; 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=2007700965915521276&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=8e2d8719efe6974b1c2e2498093b5314a23ebe2b&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2007700965915521276"></iframe></div></div>

Cites Saima Saleem, a diplomat at Pakistan’s mission to the United Nations, as an example of overcoming challenges through excellence.

PM Sharif stresses equal opportunities for visually impaired

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday issued its first-ever presidential statement on closer cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)&nbsp;to address regional challenges, including maritime security, terrorism, and food and water security.&nbsp; The statement, submitted by Bahrain&#39;s UN representative in his capacity as Council President for April, recognizes the GCC&rsquo;s &quot;position and expertise&quot; in promoting regional peace and security, and acknowledges its &quot;contributions to regional and international stability through mediation, preventive diplomacy, technical and financial support, and humanitarian engagement.&quot; The Council requested that the UN Secretary-General, Ant&oacute;nio Guterres, include recommendations on strengthening institutional ties with the GCC in his next report, and encouraged regular briefings by the GCC Secretary-General. &quot;The ongoing escalation underlines the urgent need for coordinated multilateral action,&quot; said Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General, stressing the importance of &ldquo;strengthened&rdquo; UN-GCC cooperation. He highlighted the GCC&#39;s role in de-escalating regional tensions, supporting mediation in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, and its cooperation with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism. &#39;Cornerstone of the global economy&#39;GCC Secretary-General Jassim Albudaiwi told the Council the bloc is a &quot;cornerstone of the global economy&quot;, noting its combined output exceeded $2.3 trillion in 2024 and its members&rsquo; major contribution to global oil and gas supplies. He warned that instability in the Gulf carries global consequences. &quot;Stability in the Arabian Gulf is not merely a regional concern, but is rather a global necessity,&quot; he said. Bahrain&#39;s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid al Zayani announced that his country had submitted a separate draft resolution to the Council addressing what he described as Iran&#39;s &quot;unlawful and unjustified&quot; attempts to control navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, with a vote expected Friday. Delegates from the United Kingdom and France backed GCC states&#39; right to defend their sovereignty, with France stating Iran &quot;bears the primary responsibility for the current escalation.&quot;&nbsp; Russia countered that the conflict was &quot;the direct result of an unprovoked act of aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran&#39;s territory.&quot; China and Pakistan jointly called for an immediate ceasefire and the launch of peace talks. The GCC, founded in 1981, comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Americas

Europe

Middle East

The statement, submitted by Bahrain's UN representative, recognizes the GCC’s 'position and expertise' in promoting regional peace and security, and calls for deeper UN-GCC coordination on terrorism, maritime security, water and food security.

UNSC backs stronger cooperation with Gulf bloc in first-ever presidential statement

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday extended Good Friday greetings to the Christian community at home and abroad, emphasizing the values of compassion, tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Prime Minister Sharif in a post on X on Friday stated: &quot;On the occasion of Good Friday, I extend sincere greetings to our brothers and sisters of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pm-sharif-extends-heartfelt-greetings-on-joyous-blessed-christmas" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Christian community</a>&nbsp;in Pakistan and members of the Christian faith across the world.&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" allowfullscreen="true" 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=2039943098672025844&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=cf1149a8b3beaafec088d9fab9bb7e3150ffa371&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 369px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>&ldquo;May this sacred day, marked by sacrifice and reflection, strengthen our shared commitment to compassion, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence,&quot; the prime minister added.

Culture

Says, ​'May this sacred day, marked by sacrifice and reflection, strengthen our shared commitment to compassion, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence'. 

Pakistan's PM Sharif extends Good Friday greetings, urges compassion and tolerance

PARIS:&nbsp;Iran should make a deal with the United States to end the war by offering to curb its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief, a former Iranian foreign minister said. Mohammad Javad Zarif, who served as foreign minister from 2013-2021, claimed in an op-ed for American journal Foreign Affairs that Tehran had the &quot;upper hand&quot; in the conflict against the US and Israel, but argued Iran needed to stop the war to prevent the loss of more civilian lives and damage to infrastructure. &quot;Iran should use its upper hand not to keep fighting but to declare victory and make a deal that both ends this conflict and prevents the next one,&quot; Zarif said in the piece published late Thursday. &quot;It should offer to place limits on its nuclear program and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for an end to all sanctions a deal Washington wouldn&#39;t take before but might accept now,&quot; he added. &#39;Nonaggression pact&#39;&nbsp; Iran should also be prepared to accept a mutual &quot;nonaggression pact&quot; with the United States, as well as economic relations, he said. Tehran and Washington have had no diplomatic ties since shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution. Zarif, one of the architects of the now moribund 2015 deal over the Iranian nuclear program, is seen as a relative moderate within the Islamic republic elite, but has no official post in the current government. However this is one of the first times during this conflict that a high profile figure in Iran has called for a deal and an end to the war, with top military and political officials urging daily for fighting to continue until the US is defeated. &#39;Back to the stone ages&#39;US President Donald Trump has evoked ongoing talks with Tehran without giving details but also threatened to send the country &quot;back to the stone ages&quot; if it fails to agree terms. &quot;As an Iranian, outraged by Donald Trump&#39;s reckless aggression and crude insults, yet proud of our armed forces and resilient people, I am torn about publishing this peace-plan in Foreign Affairs,&quot; Zarif wrote in English on X Friday. &quot;Yet I&#39;m convinced that war must end on terms consistent with Iran&#39;s national interests,&quot; he added. Zarif in the Foreign Affairs piece warned that &quot;although continuing to fight the United States and Israel might be psychologically satisfying, it will lead only to the further destruction of civilian lives and infrastructure&quot;.

Mohammad Javad Zarif (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Mohammad Javad Zarif urges Iran to end the conflict with the US by negotiating a deal to limit its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief.

Iran's former top diplomat urges deal with US to end war

ISLAMABAD: Congress&rsquo; National spokesperson Dr Shama Mohamed renewed scrutiny of alleged RSS backing for propaganda-style films in an X post, on Thursday.&nbsp;Dr. Shama said producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah had &ldquo;openly admitted&rdquo; that the RSS supported &ldquo;Kerala Story 2&rdquo; and arguing that this showed the organisation had backed a film meant to defame Kerala. Her post brought fresh attention to a wider debate over how the BJP and the RSS ecosystem support politically aligned cinema through ideological links, endorsements, tax breaks and promotion.<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=2039579655645348127&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=c92d3faf5176e582d37f5cad3e26fa7ac3e0dbe2&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>At least ten films have been produced or directed by individuals linked to the BJP, the RSS, or affiliated Hindutva organisations, an Indian news outlet, The Quint, reported on Friday. The films named in the report include The Kerala Story, The Kerala Story 2 Goes Beyond, Bastar: The Naxal Story, Razakar, Swatantra Veer Savarkar, PM Narendra Modi, Accident or Conspiracy: Godhra, Bengal 1947, The Accidental Prime Minister, and Jahangir National University.&nbsp;One of the most striking claims in that report concerns producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah. The Quint said Shah acknowledged at the 2023 World Hindu Congress that The Kerala Story could not have been made without RSS &ldquo;guidance and support.&rdquo; The report said he described the RSS as the film&rsquo;s &ldquo;guardian angels.&rdquo;&nbsp;Political endorsement has also come from the top. Reuters reported that Indian PM Narendra Modi publicly praised The Kashmir Files in 2022. BJP-ruled states then moved to make the film tax-free, helping widen its reach.&nbsp;A similar pattern was seen with The Kerala Story and Article 370. NDTV reported that BJP governments in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh made The Kerala Story tax-free. NDTV also reported that the BJP government in Chhattisgarh made Article 370 tax-free.&nbsp; Taken together, the reporting suggests these films are not just cultural products. They are increasingly part of a political ecosystem where cinema, ideology, and state patronage intersect.

India

The BJP and the wider RSS ecosystem are backing a string of ultra-nationalist and propaganda-style films in India; the support is not always visible as direct funding but through political links, public endorsements, tax breaks, and coordinated promotion by party leaders and allied networks. 

Scrutiny grows over BJP-RSS backing of propaganda films

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the suicide attack on a police station in the Domel area of District Bannu, said a press release issued by Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office on Friday. The prime minister expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the incident that took place in the northwest of the country. Sharif prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, the press release said. &ldquo;We are determined to completely eradicate all forms of terrorism from the country&rdquo;, the prime minister said.

Security

‘We are determined to completely eradicate all forms of terrorism from the country,’ the prime minister said, according to a press release.

PM Sharif strongly condemns suicide attack in northwest Pakistan  

JINJA: Giggles and songs ripple across a field in rural eastern Uganda where elderly women swing cricket bats as a way to reshape what ageing, health and sports can look like in later life. The so-called &quot;cricket grannies&quot; are bound together by a growing love of a game they initially knew nothing about but is now helping them manage age-related health conditions, stress and loneliness. Clad in floor-length dresses and mostly barefoot, the women, aged 50 to 90, gather weekly at a playground in Jinja district, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the capital, Kampala. Each swing draws cheers from teammates as the women turn Saturday morning practice into a lively spectacle. &quot;With the exercises I&#39;ve been doing, my legs used to hurt, but they no longer do,&quot; Jennifer Waibi Nanyonga, 72, told AFP. &quot;I spent the whole of last year without seeing a doctor for my back, yet it had previously been paining me,&quot; added the grandmother of 29. The initiative began in 2025 with just 10 grandmothers in the remote village of Kivubuka and has since grown more than tenfold. The programme was initially aimed at children, but when cricket coach Aaron Kusasira realised their caregivers had little knowledge of the game and often kept them from joining, he decided to involve the elderly women, too. &quot;We come here, we jog, we move around, we do some stretches,&quot; Kusasira, 26, said. They &quot;unknowingly have to run because they have to compete,&quot; he added. Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for deaths from noncommunicable diseases and, according to the World Health Organization, it is more common among women globally. International health data estimates that sedentary lifestyles are costing public health systems roughly US$27 billion per year and will continue to rise if activity levels are not improved. Fresh start&nbsp; Beyond physical activity, cricket has also fostered a sense of community among the Ugandan grannies. &quot;When at home, you have no company and spend your time buried in your thoughts,&quot; said an elderly woman who only gave her first name, Patriciah. For others, the weekly meetings have proved cathartic. &quot;When I arrive here and see my friends, we get together and talk about our problems, we counsel each other,&quot; said Jennifer Waibi Nanyonga. &quot;By the time we return home, everyone is lighter and with a fresh start,&quot; she added. For coach Kusasira, training the women has been a win-win, giving him the opportunity to coach children in the area without opposition. &quot;From the kids to the elders, provided I see the smiles it&#39;s enough. I know that is a day well spent,&quot; he said.

In eastern Uganda’s Jinja district, groups of older women have embraced cricket as a way to stay physically active and socially connected later in life. Often referred to locally as “cricket grannies”, they take part in informal games and training that co

Africa

The so-called "cricket grannies" are bound together by a growing love of a game they initially knew nothing about but is now helping them manage age-related health conditions, stress and loneliness.

From bats to bonds: Uganda's 'cricket grannies'

DHAKA: The Bangladesh government has introduced a series of measures aimed at addressing the impact of global disruptions and ensuring stability in fuel oil supply, following a high-level cabinet meeting held at night at the Cabinet Room in the Parliament Secretariat.&nbsp; Under the new directives, all government and private offices will operate from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Banking hours for public transactions will run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, while banks will officially close at 4:00 pm, Bangladeshi state media Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported.&nbsp; In an effort to conserve energy, shopping malls and markets nationwide must shut down by 6:00 pm. However, essential services including kitchen markets, food outlets, and pharmacies will remain exempt from this restriction. The decisions were taken by the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday night. Later, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani briefed the journalists at the media centre of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, saying that the government took measures considering fuel supply disruptions caused by the Middle East war.&nbsp;&nbsp;Prime Minister&rsquo;s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly was present at the briefing. Noting that several steps have been taken for the next three months to reduce government expenditure, the cabinet secretary said, &ldquo;No new vehicles, watercraft or aircraft will be purchased during this period&rdquo;.&nbsp;&nbsp;Procurement of new equipment, including computers, will also remain suspended, he said, adding, internal training has been reduced by 50 percent, while all foreign training under government funding will remain suspended until further notice.&nbsp;&nbsp;Expenditure on meetings and seminars has also been cut by 50 percent, Ghani said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Besides, he said, government spending in the power, energy and gas sectors will be reduced by 30 percent. The meeting issued a directive to reduce unnecessary travel expenses by 30 percent, the cabinet secretary added.&nbsp;&nbsp;He said new directives will be issued for the education sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Ministry of Education will start issuing instructions in phases from Sunday, considering the needs of different levels, so that the measures do not have a negative impact on the education system, Ghani said.&nbsp;&nbsp;In a bid to reduce traffic congestion in the capital city during the school hour, he said, the government has decided to introduce electric buses for school students instead of private cars.&nbsp;&nbsp;Educational institutions joining the initiative will be able to import buses duty-free, the cabinet secretary said, adding, the private sector will also get this facility, but a 20 percent duty will apply for commercial purposes.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, only new buses will be allowed for import, he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Noting that imports from alternative sources are also being increased to maintain normal fuel supply, Ghani said initiatives have already been taken to import fuel from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan.

Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani briefed the journalists at the media centre of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (Photo : BSS)

Bangladesh

The Bangladesh government has introduced reduced working hours, spending cuts, and energy-saving measures to manage fuel shortages caused by global disruptions.

Bangladesh cuts expenditure, reduces office hours, orders markets shut after 6pm

WASHINGTON:&nbsp;US President Donald Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday and named his former personal lawyer to serve as the acting chief of the Justice Department. The US president announced the move in a social media post. &quot;Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year,&quot; Trump said on Truth Social. &quot;Pam did a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in Crime across our Country.&quot; Bondi &quot;will be transitioning to a much needed and important new job in the private sector,&quot; the president said, and will be replaced on an interim basis by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who Trump described as &quot;a very talented and respected Legal Mind.&quot; According to The New York Times, Trump may name former Republican congressman Lee Zeldin, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, to be the next attorney general.In the meantime, the post will be filled by Blanche. &#39;Honor of a lifetime&#39;Bondi, in a post on X, said serving as attorney general had been &quot;the honor of a lifetime&quot; and said she will &quot;continue fighting for President Trump&quot; in her unspecified new private sector job. &quot;Over the next month I will be working tirelessly to transition the office of Attorney General to the amazing Todd Blanche,&quot; she said. &quot;I remain eternally grateful for the trust that President Trump placed in me to Make America Safe Again.&quot; Bondi&#39;s ouster comes nearly a month after Trump fired Kristi Noem as the head of the Department of Homeland Security.&nbsp;Democratic lawmakers welcomed Bondi&#39;s firing. Bondi served as a prosecutor for 18 years before being elected Florida&#39;s attorney general in 2010, the first woman to hold the post.&nbsp;She was reelected to a second term in 2014.

Bondi 'will be transitioning to a much needed and important new job in the private sector,' the president said, and will be replaced on an interim basis by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who Trump described as 'a very talented and respected Legal Mind.'

Trump sacks attorney general Pam Bondi, replaces with lawyer Todd Blanche

Faraz Saeed

LAHORE: Pakistan&rsquo;s digital economy could contribute between 5%-7% of gross domestic product by 2030, provided structural constraints are addressed and reforms accelerate, according to a new report by the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI).&nbsp;Titled &ldquo;Recommendations for Pakistan&rsquo;s Digital Future,&rdquo; the OICCI Digital Report 2025 presents a detailed assessment of the country&rsquo;s digital landscape, highlighting both measurable gains and persistent bottlenecks shaping future growth.&nbsp;The report frames Pakistan&rsquo;s digital sector as a rapidly expanding but uneven ecosystem, where strong growth in connectivity, exports and digital finance is being tempered by infrastructure gaps and slow policy execution, raising the stakes for reforms needed to unlock its full economic potential.&nbsp;The report identifies the digital sector as an emerging driver of productivity, exports and financial inclusion, supported by a growing user base and rising adoption of digital services.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) exports have reached $3.8 billion, while the freelance economy contributes $779 million in earnings.&nbsp;Digital access continues to expand, with more than 150 million broadband subscriptions and over 200 million telecom connections. The broader mobile ecosystem contributes an estimated $17 billion to the national economy.&nbsp;The report also underscores rapid growth in digital finance.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan has made notable strides in digital payments and financial inclusion. The Raast instant payment system processed Rs18 trillion in peer-to-peer transactions in FY26, demonstrating the rapid adoption of digital financial services,&rdquo; said OICCI President Yousaf Hussain.&nbsp;However, infrastructure limitations remain a key constraint.&nbsp;Only 18% of cellular towers are connected through fiber, well below the global benchmark of around 40%, limiting network capacity and readiness for next-generation technologies.&nbsp;Policy execution is another concern.&nbsp;While engagement on digital policy has improved, implementation remains slow. The report notes that only about one-quarter of recommendations from OICCI&rsquo;s 2022 Digital Report have been carried out.&nbsp;&ldquo;Only about one-quarter of OICCI&rsquo;s digital policy recommendations issued in OICCI&rsquo;s Digital Report 2022 have been implemented so far. Faster execution, improved fiber penetration and a more investment-friendly regulatory environment will be essential to unlock Pakistan&rsquo;s digital potential,&rdquo; said M. Abdul Aleem, Secretary General of OICCI.&nbsp;To address these gaps, the report recommends reducing taxes on broadband services and digital devices, accelerating fiber deployment, ensuring regulatory clarity in data protection and cybersecurity, and strengthening public-private collaboration.&nbsp;The government has set a target of $5 billion in IT exports for FY26, while analysts project exports could reach around $4.5 billion, implying annual growth of 18% to 20% from the $3.8 billion recorded in FY25.&nbsp;Under the broader Uraan Pakistan framework, policymakers are targeting $10 billion in IT exports by FY29, requiring a compound annual growth rate of approximately 27%.&nbsp;The report concludes that while Pakistan&rsquo;s digital economy is expanding and foundational elements are in place, closing infrastructure gaps, accelerating policy implementation, and investing in advanced skills such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity will determine whether current momentum translates into sustained economic impact

Economy

Pakistan’s digital economy is growing fast and could reach 5–7% of GDP by 2030, driven by rising IT exports, digital payments, and increasing internet and mobile use.

Pakistan digital economy seen reaching 7% GDP by 2030: Report

Web Desk/AFP

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