Pakistan | News

Leading US publication The Diplomat has described 2025 as a pivotal year for Pakistan, citing a strategic comeback, renewed military confidence, and a marked improvement in the country’s international standing.

The Christian community in Pakistan is celebrating Christmas today with religious fervour and festive spirit, in line with celebrations around the world.

ISLAMABAD - At the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will undertake an official visit to Pakistan on December 26.

The President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will arrive in Pakistan for an official visit on December 26 (Friday), according to a statement from the Foreign Office (FO) issued on Wednesday. This will be the second time the Emirati president will visit Pakistan this year, having met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Rahim Yar Khan in January. However, Friday’s trip, according to the FO, will be his first official visit as president. According to the statement, President Al-Nahyan will review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations with PM Shehbaz and the pair will “exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest”. “The visit will provide an important opportunity to further strengthen the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates,” the FO said. The FO added that the visit reflects the depth of bilateral relations between both nations and their shared commitment to bolster collaboration in key areas, including ...

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Wednesday that Pakistan had reached a critical turning point, with macroeconomic stability, sustained reforms, and policy continuity restoring confidence and steering the economy toward export-led, long-term growth. In an interview with USA Today, the minister said this was opening new horizons for domestic and global investors, and positioning the country for sustainable, long-term economic growth. He said this transition was enabled by macroeconomic stabilisation, easing inflation and improved external balances, with the government driving export-led, productivity-based growth through structural reforms, sustaining reform momentum despite challenges, and actively encouraging global investment in emerging opportunities across agriculture, minerals, technology and climate resilience. He noted that, for the first time in several years, Pakistan had achieved both a primary fiscal surplus and a current account surplus, signalling a decisive shift away from the cycle of...

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) – the private sector arm of the World Bank Group – has announced its first local currency investment in Pakistan, which it said was aimed at strengthening the agriculture sector. According to a press release issued by the IFC on Tuesday, its first Pakistani rupee-denominated investment via an unfunded partial credit guarantee of up to Rs33.6 billion would support long-term financing from Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan Limited to Engro Fertilisers Limited. “The engagement marks IFC’s first local currency investment in Pakistan, thus expanding access to long-term financing solutions in both local and foreign currency, critical for economic growth, particularly in important sectors such as agriculture and micro, small, and medium enterprises,” the press release said. It added that the financing would enable Engro Fertilisers to strengthen the agri-value chain in Pakistan by mobilising local capital. “The investment — aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s agriculture sect...

Muslims across Pakistan are preparing to observe the holy night of Shab-e-Meraj 2026 following the sighting of the Rajab moon on Sunday.

Lockheed Martin, the US aerospace and defence company that manufactures F-16 fighter aircraft, has been named the principal contractor.—AFP/file • Lockheed Martin picked as main contractor; $686m deal aims to extend fleet service life until 2040 • US Congress was earlier notified of the proposed sale, didn’t raise any objections WASHINGTON: A US military upgrade package for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter fleet, worth $686 million, has been cleared through a statutory congressional notification process. Lockheed Martin, the US aerospace and defence company that manufactures the F-16 fighter aircraft, and has long been responsible for its design, upgrades, and sustainment programmes for international operators, has been named the principal contractor for the proposed sale. The sale was processed under existing authorities provided by the Arms Export Control Act and annual appropriations laws. These provisions allow the executive branch to obligate and disburse funds once Congress has been formally notified and does no...

KARACHI: Pakistan has signed a multi-billion dollar deal to sell conventional military equipment to the Libyan army, entering a select club of countries that export conventional arms and equipment. According to the Reuters news agency, the over $4 billion deal, one of Pakistan’s largest-ever weapons sales, will see arms sold to the Libyan National Army (LNA). It was finalised after a meeting last week between Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and Saddam Khalifa Haftar, deputy commander-in-chief of the LNA, in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, officials said. Although foreign ministry, defence ministry and military did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment, military officials called it “historic in terms of size and financial impact”. JF-17s, Super Mushak aircraft on LNA’s ‘shopping list’, said to be valued over $4bn A copy of the deal before it was finalised that was seen by Reuters listed the purchase of several JF-17 fighter jets, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, and a numbe...

Islamabad - Pakistan has reached an agreement to supply conventional arms and military equipment to Libya, offi-cials said, describing it as one of the largest defense export deals concluded by the country in recent years.

A prominent American publication has described 2025 as a year of dramatic transformation in Pakistan–United States relations, pointing to a major shift in Washington’s diplomatic priorities in South Asia.

Head coach Shahid Anwer said that Pakistan had achieved their goal of playing “fearless but not careless cricket” after they won the Under-19 Asia Cup with a crushing victory over India on Sunday. Opener Sameer Minhas led the way for Pakistan at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai with a breathtaking 172 to set up a massive 191-run victory for his side. “We began a process on June 17 [this year],” recalled Shahid at a news conference in Islamabad on Monday, following the team’s arrival and a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif where a Rs10million cash award was announced. “It was an unprecedented step … we called up 70 players, conducted trials and gave each player four matches each and then they participated in a regional One-day tournament,” he added. “The top performers, 30 of them, then took part in a five-month long camp … that’s how the team was made. “We wanted to play fearless but not careless cricket. We wanted a united team and the result is in front of us.” Team mentor and manager Sarfaraz Ahmed...

Pakistan honoured as guardian of Haramain.

ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardari, Sunday, reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm support for Iraq’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity, and reiterated commitment to Iraq’s stability, prosperity and democratic progress.

LAHORE - Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi has said that the nation remains fully united on matters of Pakistan’s defence and warned that those spreading rumors and propaganda will never succeed.

LAHORE - Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Sunday stressed that Pakistan ur-gently needs a “charter of politics” to ensure political maturity, stability and national progress.

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and the United Kingdom have formalised a wide-ranging climate part-nership with the launch of the UK–Pakistan Green Compact, a framework aimed at strengthening climate resilience, accelerating the clean energy transition and scaling up nature-based solutions, particularly mangrove conservation.

Pakistan produced a dominant all-round performance to thrash arch-rivals India by a massive 191 runs in the final of the U-19 Asia Cup at the ICC Academy Ground on Sunday, claiming the prestigious title in emphatic fashion. The victory marked a sweet redemption for Pakistan, who had suffered a heavy defeat to the same opponents in the group stage and had entered the final as underdogs against an unbeaten Indian side. Praise and congratulatory messages poured in on social media as former players, politicians and other public figures celebrated the victory. Applause continues to spur President Asif Ali Zardari applauded the victory of Pakistan in the U-19 Asia Cup finals as “a proud moment for the nation”. According to a statement, Zardari congratulated the team for their “impressive victory” against India in the finals, which showed young players’ “dedication and resolve”. He appreciated the whole team, including the captain, coaches, support staff and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a...

The European Union (EU) has welcomed Pakistan’s progress towards implementing 27 international conventions under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) framework, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement. According to the EU, GSP+ status is a special incentive awarded to developing countries to “pursue sustainable development and good governance” in exchange for cutting import duties to zero on two-thirds of the tariff lines of its exports. Governments with this status need to implement 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, good governance and the environment. According to Saturday’s statement, the FO noted that the 15th Pakistan-EU Joint Commission meeting was held in Brussels on December 17 and that cooperation between Islamabad and the bloc in several different fields was discussed. The meeting “reviewed Pakistan’s progress on the implementation of the 27 international conventions as required under the GSP+ framework,” the statement read, adding that Deputy Prime Minist...

Pakistan produced a dominant all-round performance to thrash arch-rivals India by a massive 191 runs in the final of the U-19 Asia Cup at the ICC Academy Ground on Sunday, claiming the prestigious title in emphatic fashion. Opener Sameer Minhas lit up the first half of the match with a record-breaking 172 — the highest individual score in a U-19 Asia Cup final — propelling Pakistan to a formidable 347 for 8 after being asked to bat first. In reply, India’s much-vaunted batting line-up crumbled spectacularly, folding for a paltry 156 in just 26.2 overs as pacer Ali Raza ripped through the order with figures of 4 for 42. The victory marked a sweet redemption for Pakistan, who had suffered a heavy defeat to the same opponents in the group stage and had entered the final as underdogs against an unbeaten Indian side. Instead, it was Pakistan who delivered a clinical display, overwhelming India in every department to lift the trophy amid jubilant celebrations. India captain Ayush Mhatre won the toss and elected to ...