Pakistan

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Islamabad's behind-the-scenes efforts tone down joint statement

Engages Ulema on security, national harmony

Tehran unleashes intense strikes across Gulf; Qatar gas output badly damaged; US F-35 damaged by Iranian fire

FO rejects US DNI's claims

The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee said on Thursday that the Shawwal moon had not been sighted and Eidul Fitr would be celebrated on March 21 (Saturday). Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad made the announcement while addressing a press conference in Islamabad. The press conference followed a meeting of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, and zonal and district committee meetings at their respective headquarters. He said that the skies remained cloudy over most parts of Pakistan, while in some areas it was clear. He said that no credible moon sighting testimonies were received. The Ruet-i-Hilal Committee chairman said that the 1st of Shawwal would fall on Saturday. Subsequently, a notification was also issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, which stated that Shawwal moon had not been sighted and the month would commence from March 21. However, there were reports that Eid would be celebrated in some parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur, Bannu and Lakk...

LAHORE - A high-level meeting chaired by PML-N President Mian Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday approved a wide-ranging plan to revive Lahore’s historic character, including restoring original names of roads, institutions and key heritage sites across the city.

ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar on Thursday said that the federal government is committed to provide full support to the development projects of the Bar Councils.

LAHORE - Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed authorities concerned to ensure foolproof security arrangements at bus stands, commercial centres and markets across the province.

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif extended his heartfelt greetings to the Parsi community in Pakistan and all those celebrating this day around the world.

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan intensified its diplomatic engagement with key regional partners as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar yesterday held high-level consultations with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt on the sidelines of the Consultative Meeting of Arab and Islamic countries in Riyadh.

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said the launch of 5G spectrum marked a major milestone for Pakistan, benefiting sectors including agriculture, technology and industry.

Highlights Pakistan’s efforts in seeking regional de-escalation.

Additional measures will be taken in coming days due to unstable situation in Middle East.

Peshawar - Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, has directed relevant departments to ensure time-bound and results-oriented implementation of skills development and employment programmes, emphasising measurable outcomes and accountability.

Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan have signalled their readiness to support efforts to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. “We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the strait. We welcome the commitment of nations that are engaging in preparatory planning,” the leaders said in a joint statement. The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route, has been virtually paralysed by the Middle East war. The war erupted on February 28 when the US and Israel began bombing Iran, prompting it to retaliate with strikes targeting US assets and bases in the Gulf and restricting access to the strait. Since March 1, 2026, at least 21 commercial vessels, including 10 tankers, have been attacked or reported incidents in the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz or the Gulf of Oman, according to the British naval maritime security agency UKMTO. Across all types of vessels, an additional four attacks c...

Running conventional SUV strains household budgets as fuel prices surge

Rs23b subsidy keeps petrol, diesel rates unchanged for one week

Lower cargo thresholds, fuel incentives aim to raise ship traffic

Mobile banking users hit 126 million but ATM withdrawals still dominate transaction values