Pakistan | News

As Pakistan and the United States wrap up a historic chapter in economic diplomacy with the successful conclusion of trade negotiations, the two nations are now setting their sights on a new frontier of digital finance and blockchain innovation.

In a significant development for Pakistan’s export economy, the Government of Pakistan has successfully concluded tariff-related discussions with the United States, resulting in a 19% tariff on Pakistani exports to the American market.

Pakistan has enforced a ban on the entry of Afghan freight vehicles without valid driver visas at all trade crossings with Afghanistan, effective August 1.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to arrive in Islamabad on Saturday (tomorrow) for a two-day official visit to Pakistan, the Foreign Office confirmed on Friday.

Pakistan’s largest refiner Cnergyico will import 1 million barrels of oil from Vitol in October, its Vice Chairman Usama Qureshi told Reuters on Friday, marking the country’s first-ever purchase of US crude following a landmark trade deal. The West Texas Intermediate light crude cargo will be loaded from Houston this month and is expected to arrive in Karachi in the second half of October, Qureshi said. “This is a test spot cargo under our umbrella term agreement with Vitol. If it is commercially viable and available, we could import at least one cargo per month,” he said, adding that the shipment was not meant for resale. The deal follows months of multiple negotiations, which first began in April, he said, after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 29pc tariffs on imports from Pakistan. On Thursday, Pakistan hailed a trade deal struck with the US, its top export market, and said the agreement would increase investments. The White House said on Thursday the US will charge a 19pc tariff on imports f...

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and the United States on Thursday finalised a trade agreement aimed at boosting bilateral trade, expanding market access, attracting investment and fostering cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said the State of Pakistan is committed to eliminating the scourge of terrorism at its roots, and the world acknowledges Pakistan’s successful operations against terrorists.

Pakistan and the US finalised a trade deal on Wednesday night, expected to lower tariffs — although no figure was announced — while US President Donald Trump cited a pact aimed at helping develop Pakistan’s oil reserves. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is currently in Washington for negotiations on a tariff deal and also began meetings with senior US officials on Wednesday. “In a landmark development, Pakistan and the United States finalised a trade agreement today aimed at boosting bilateral trade, expanding market access, attracting investment, and fostering cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” the Pakistani embassy in the US posted on X on Thursday morning. Trump announced the deal on his platform Truth Social early Thursday morning. “We have just concluded a deal with the country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive oil reserves,” Trump wrote. “We are in the process of choosing the oil company that will lead this partnership. Who knows...

Pakistan successfully launched a remote sensing satellite from a launch centre in China on Thursday that aims to strengthen Pakistan’s agricultural monitoring and disaster management, among other capabilities, according to a Foreign Office statement. Pakistan has held strong bilateral relations with China which has supported it through many investments and development projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), termed as a “lifeline” for the country’s economy. “In a major milestone for space exploration and technological progress, Pakistan today successfully launched its Remote Sensing Satellite from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre (XSLC) in China,” a statement by the foreign ministry said. The satellite was launched by Pakistan’s national space agency, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), in collaboration with the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) and Microsat China, according to the ministry. According to the statement, the satellit...

Experts have welcomed the announcement of a trade deal struck between the US and Pakistan on Wednesday night that includes a partnership in developing oil reserves in the country. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is currently in Washington for negotiations on a tariff deal and also began meetings with senior US officials yesterday. United States President Donald Trump said early on Thursday that his administration has struck a trade deal with Pakistan that includes joint development of the country’s “massive” oil reserves. “We are in the process of choosing the oil company that will lead this partnership. Who knows, maybe they’ll be selling oil to India someday!” Trump said on social media. A post by US President Donald Trump on Truth Social in which he announced that a trade deal between Pakistan and the US had been reached, on July 31, 2025. — realDonaldTrump via Truth Social Additional details of the agreement were not immediately available; however, local experts welcome the development with a positive...

Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, said on Thursday that Pakistan’s first National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy would pave the way for the country’s entry into a new digital era.

In a major milestone for Pakistan’s space ambitions, the country has successfully launched a state-of-the-art remote sensing satellite developed by the Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).

Islamabad - The Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mr.

United States (US) President Donald Trump has announced the successful completion of a trade agreement with Pakistan, saying that the two countries will collaborate to explore and develop their respective oil reserves. In a post on his social media account, President Trump said that Pakistan and the US will jointly select an oil company to […]

Pacer Mohammad Abbas has joined legendary Pakistan fast bowlers in an elite list amid his stint with Nottinghamshire. The right-arm pacer bagged three wickets in the first innings of Somerset in the four-day fixture during the County Championship Division. With the three wickets, Mohammad Abbas became just the fifth Pakistan fast bowler to claim 800 […]

The Pakistani veterans team advanced into the World Championship of Legends (WCL) final on Wednesday after Indian players forfeited the semi-final scheduled for Thursday. The WCL is an international cricket league where retired, non-contracted international players return to competitive T20 cricket, according to the league’s website. The tournament commenced on July 18 and is being held in Birmingham, England. Earlier in the month, a group match between the two teams was also cancelled after Indian players, including Shikhar Dhawan, refused to play against Pakistan. In a statement posted on X today, WCL organisers announced: “Taking all factors into consideration, the match between the India Champions and the Pakistan Champions has been called off. As a result, Pakistan Champions will advance to the final.” The WCL said it respected the India Champions’ decision to withdraw from the semi-finals and “we equally respect the Pakistan Champions’ readiness to compete”. The league organisers added they believed in ...

The Iranian president’s political adviser said on Wednesday that Dr Masoud Pezeshkian was due to visit Pakistan on August 2 (Saturday) for a two-day trip, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported. Pezeshkian will be the second Iranian president to visit Pakistan in as many years. The visit was initially planned for the last week of July. In April 2024, Ebrahim Raisi undertook a three-day official visit to Pakistan. During the trip — which took place a month before Raisi’s death in a helicopter crash — the foreign dignitary also visited Lahore and Karachi. In a post on X, Political Adviser to the Iranian President Mehdi Sanai said Dr Pezeshkian would travel to Pakistan on Saturday at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He said official meetings and discussions with “cultural and commercial elites” were on the agenda. “The relations between the two countries encompass political, economic, religious and cultural dimensions, and the goals of the trip include developing provincial and border cooperation and i...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong and longstanding partnership with the World Economic Forum and appreciated the WEF’s continued engagement with Pakistan through its annual meetings held in Davos, Switzerland.

Pakistan has urged a stronger role for the United Nations peacekeeping missions in conflict resolution, stressing that their enhanced involvement is urgently needed to settle long-standing disputes such as Kashmir. Pakistan joined the United Nations shortly after gaining independence in 1947 and has played a prominent role in peacekeeping efforts, contributing to 48 missions in 29 countries since 1960. Islamabad has repeatedly called for enhancements in UN peacekeeping, with Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad in April urging the integration of the use of advanced technologies to boost effectiveness. Ambassador Ahmad, while addressing the 15-member UN Security Council on Tuesday, said: “Nowhere is this more urgently needed than in Jammu and Kashmir, a longstanding dispute on the UN Security Council’s agenda. “This Council, which mandates the missions, must ensure that missions are deployed with an accompanying credible political process that addresses the root causes of conflicts, and that mission mandates are dem...

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has accused India of launching a hybrid war against Pakistan following its defeat in Ma’arka Haq, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).