Pakistan

A delegation from Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD met Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and emphasised Pakistan’s growing potential as a market for new energy vehicles, according to a statement issued by the finance ministry on Thursday. The delegation was led by BYD Group Vice President and General Manager for Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division Liu Xueliang and Mega Motor Company (MMC) Chief Executive Officer Aly Khan. Last year it was announced that BYD planned to roll out its first car assembled in Pakistan by July or August 2026 to capture growing demand for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in the region. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance, the finance minister welcomed the delegation and appreciated BYD’s expanding footprint in Pakistan. He underscored the importance of strengthening business-to-business cooperation as a key pillar of Pakistan-China economic relations. “The finance minister said Pakistan attaches high priority to attracting technology-driven investments and...

ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $700 million policy-based loan to support reforms aimed at strengthening insurance in Pakistan. In an official announcement, the Manila-based lending agency said the programme seeks to expand insurance coverage and reduce protection gaps. It will also help stimulate private sector participation and support sustainable economic growth. It said the Insurance Transformation Programme will strengthen Pakistan’s financial resilience by deepening insurance markets and expanding financial protection for households, businesses, farmers and public finances against extreme weather events, disasters and life-cycle risks. The reforms are expected to reduce financial vulnerabilities, support faster recovery from shocks, and lessen pressure on public finances following disasters and other crises, it said. “This programme supports the transformation of Pakistan’s insurance sector from a legacy, rules-based framework to a modern, risk-based, and market-oriented syste...

Pre-monsoon showers swept across several parts of the country on Thursday, bringing light to heavy rainfall and strong winds to various regions.

The government has formally invited the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to join the federal cabinet, sources familiar with the development said on Thursday, signalling a possible expansion of the ruling coalition ahead of an anticipated cabinet reshuffle.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there had been “significant progress” in long-running talks with Washington for a trade deal, according to a statement issued on Thursday after his meeting with United States President Donald Trump. The leaders met on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian in France on Wednesday, their first face-to-face talks since February 2025 in Washington. “The leaders noted with particular satisfaction the significant progress made in negotiations towards an interim bilateral trade agreement”, a readout of the meeting from India’s foreign ministry read. Asked if the US and India are close to a trade deal, Trump told reporters in Evian that they were “very close”. “He’s a very tough negotiator, one of the toughest, actually. So you look at this man, I’ll give you a lesson,” said the US president. “He’s the most beautiful looking man. He looks so nice. He’s like an angel, but actually he’s a killer.” The Indian statement said the leaders had ordered officials to work towards strik...

Peshawar - Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, chaired a high-level review meeting at the Chief Minister’s House to assess the utilization of development funds and progress on key development initiatives across the province.

National Dialogue Committee leaders grill govt over federal budget.

ISLAMABAD - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar yesterday announced that Pakistan is facilitating the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals, reaffirming the country’s commitment to humanitarian cooperation and regional goodwill.

• PPP leader likely to deliver speech today, to ‘share reservations’ on budget; lauds premier, Field Marshal Munir for Iran peace deal • PM Office says Shehbaz, Bilawal agreed on ‘sustained collaboration’ between Centre, provinces for completion of projects ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif managed to convince the head of his coalition par­t­ner, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhu­tto-Zardari, to join the budget session after the latter skipped ear­lier debates owing to his gri­e­v­­a­n­ces with the federal government. The PPP leader was also reluctant to join the budget debate, and it took Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to convince him to come to the house so that the budget could be tabled. A source close to Bhutto-Zardari said the PPP leader still had reservations but agreed to deliver his speech in the lower house, most likely on Thursday (today), where he would share some of his concerns. In the meeting at the PM House, the premier agreed to address all the PPP concerns r...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said early on Thursday that the ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding’ (MoU) between the United States and Iran had been signed electronically by both sides. “The memorandum has been signed by honourable presidents of both the countries and also endorsed by me as the mediator. The signing of this agreement at the highest level of the respective governments demonstrates the commitment of both sides to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict,” he said. He added that the MoU shall “enter into force with immediate effect and as a first step, Islamic Republic of Iran will instantly reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the United States of America will immediately lift the naval blockade”. He offered his congratulations to US President Trump, saying his “steadfast commitment to diplomacy and preference for peaceful resolution have once again helped end a conflict that could have led to devastating consequences for the region and beyond”. He also commended the dedication and efforts of the ...

Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-equalling sixth World Cup got off to a disappointing start as the Democratic Republic of Congo secured their first ever point at the finals, drawing 1-1 with Portugal in their Group ‘K’ match in Houston on Wednesday. Yoane Wissa’s header cancelled out Joao Neves’s early goal and the African side — appearing in their first World Cup since 1974 when it was known as Zaire — more than held their own. Ronaldo, 41, was largely a peripheral figure throughout the match — failing to make the impact his great rival Lionel Messi had done on Tuesday in scoring a hat-trick against Algeria. The DRC’s achievement was even greater given their preparations had been disrupted by the Ebola outbreak back in their country. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez acknowledged his side felt the pressure of trying to win the tournament while failing to carve out enough opportunities and keeping the ball in areas that allowed DR Congo to adjust. “We didn’t create enough chances and probably we lost that intention o...

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, who is facing trial on rape charges in Britain, lost a court challenge on Tuesday that would have allowed him to enter Canada for his side’s World Cup opener in Toronto. Ottawa denied the Villarreal player a visa over the British charges, blocking him from playing for Ghana against Panama on Wednesday. Accra filed a request for an injunction in federal court on Tuesday seeking to set aside Ottawa’s decision. But broadcaster CBC said Judge Roger Lafreniere had dismissed the challenge. Shortly before the decision was handed down, Ghana’s veteran coach Carlos Queiroz told reporters in Toronto that his side would be ready, regardless of the court outcome. “My business is to play with the cards that I have in front of me,” Queiroz said. “When the decision comes, we are ready.” Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen, also asked about Partey’s possible exclusion, said he believed Ghana would pose strong competition even if the former Arsenal player was not on the pitch. “They have a lo...

ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday issued notices to respondents in a petition challenging the appointment of Am-breen Jan as Chairperson of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).

ISLAMABAD - The Higher Education Commission (HEC) announced the results of Pakistan’s first National Skills Competency Test (NSCT) 2026, providing the country’s first nationwide benchmark of IT and computer science skills among university students.

The United States on Wednesday read out the text of the interim US-Iran agreement to halt the war in Iran and open the Strait of Hormuz, according to a Reuters report. The agreement, read to reporters by a senior US official, outlines in 14 points a high-level understanding that defers many of the most difficult issues, such as how to wind down Iran’s nuclear program, until a final deal is reached. It paves the way for a broader 60-day negotiation period due to begin in Switzerland on Friday. Here is the full document, titled “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran”, as it was read out: 1. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran and their allies in the current war, by signing this MOU (Memorandum of Understanding), declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other, and ...

CHAKWAL: The post-mortem report of nine-year-old Hania Ahmed, an Australian national who was killed in a shootout in Chakwal on Wednesday night, has confirmed that she sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Adeel Ahmed, 39, his wife Dr Sidra Khan, their daughter Hania Ahmed, 9, and son Aafan Ahmed, 10, were shot at during a robbery when CCD personnel opened fire on their vehicle, mistaking it for that of robbers. As a result, Hania died on the spot, while Adeel and Aafan were critically injured. Dr Khan remained unhurt. The report, available with Dawn, reveals that Hania sustained 10 gunshot wounds. The post-mortem examination was conducted at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Chakwal on the night of June 11. “She was hit by five bullets, which appeared to have been fired from AK-47 rifles. The five bullets caused 10 wounds, as all of them passed through her body, leaving both entry and exit wounds,” a senior doctor at DHQ Hospital told Dawn. The report states that the examination began at 4:27am after the...

Vehari - Deputy Commissioner Vehari Khalid Javed Goraya chaired a series of important meetings and events aimed at promoting rural development, strengthening social harmony, and improving educational outcomes across the district.

Lahore - Member of the Minority Advisory Council Punjab and representative of the Christian community Sohail Alam welcomed the peace agreement between the United States and Iran, describing it as a positive diplomatic development for regional stability and peaceful coexistence.

BAHAWALNAGAR - Bahawalnagar Police on Wednesday conducted a flag march across the city as part of efforts to ensure peaceful observance of Muharram-ul-Haram and maintain law and order.

MUZAFFARGARH - Regional Police Officer (RPO) Dera Ghazi Khan Muhammad Azhar Akram on Wednesday paid a special visit to Muzaffargarh district, where he conducted emergency inspections of City and Sadr Police Stations, chaired a crime review meeting with circle officers, met with Muharram stakeholders, and inaugurated several newly completed police.