Pakistan

Artificial intelligence company Anthropic posed an “unacceptable risk” to military supply chains, the US government insisted on Tuesday, as it defends against the tech firm’s challenge to a designation as dangerous. Anthropic’s Claude AI model has been in the spotlight in recent weeks both for its alleged use in identifying targets for US bombing in Iran and the company’s refusal that its systems be used to power mass surveillance in the United States or lethal fully autonomous weapons systems. Justifying its decision to cut ties with Anthropic in response to a legal complaint from the firm, the Pentagon — dubbed the Department of War (DoW) by the Trump administration — said it “became concerned that allowing Anthropic continued access to DoW’s technical and operational warfighting infrastructure would introduce unacceptable risk into DoW supply chains,” in a court document seen by AFP. “AI systems are acutely vulnerable to manipulation,” the government added in the filing to a California federal court. “Anth...

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti on Wednesday said security forces arrested a “would-be” female suicide bomber in Khuzdar, with the help of “human intelligence”. Addressing a press conference in Quetta, alongside the alleged “would-be” suicide bomber, the chief minister said that terrorist groups in Balochistan were “exploiting” Baloch women. CM Bugti maintained that the operation to arrest the young woman — identified as Laiba — was carried out with the help of “human intelligence”, thanking the people for it. He added that with her arrest, major destruction had been averted. The chief minister found it unfortunate that a “young woman was radicalised and was being planned to be used against common citizens”. CM Bugti reiterated his appreciation to the people of Balochistan, “who are giving us information”. However, he noted that the mindset of young Baloch people was changing, recalling that security agencies receiving human intelligence in such operations was a “rare occurrence” in the recent past....

ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is expected to extend about $10 billion in financing to Pakistan over the next five years under its 2026-30 Country Partnership Strategy (CPS2026-30) launched on Wednesday. The CPS sets out “a roadmap to support the country’s transition to sustainable and inclusive growth through private sector-led development”, the Manila-based lending agency said. “The five-year strategy will focus on three pathways: enabling private sector development, advancing inclusion and empowerment, and enhancing resilience and sustainability”, it said, adding these priorities will be reinforced by crosscutting themes of good governance and institutional strengthening, gender equality and social inclusion, digital transformation, and regional cooperation and integration. “The new CPS is tailored to address Pakistan’s structural challenges and promote robust and lasting growth, which benefits the whole country, especially the poor and vulnerable,” said ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma ...

India is considering shelving three planned privatisation sales amid weak investor appetite, two government sources said, a slump that has already derailed its attempt to sell a stake in IDBI Bank and is a fresh blow to the government’s flagship divestment programme. The privatisation plan, delayed for years, is now facing fresh setbacks that include dwindling interest in state-run firms such as Shipping Corporation of India and HLL Lifecare, besides the collapse of the IDBI Bank stake sale last week after bids fell short of the government’s minimum price. India’s finance, shipping and health ministries and the companies did not respond to Reuters’ queries. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious privatisation plan was aimed at having the state exit most sectors while remaining only in sensitive ones such as telecom and banking. But the government could only sell Air India to Tata Sons, and indirect holdings in steel-maker Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd to Tata Steel, and Ferro Scrap Nigam to Konoike Trans...

The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark index KSE-100 continued its recovery on Wednesday, surging by over 4,200 points during intraday trade. The index gained 4,276.09 points, or 2.85 per cent, to stand at 154,292.25 points from the previous close of 150,016.16 points. The KSE-100 plunged to an intraday low of 150,284.25 points at around 9:30am, then reached its intraday high of 154,684.45 points at 1:30pm, before settling at 154,292.25. Topline Securities noted the bullish momentum reflected “recovery in overall market sentiment”. “The upward movement was largely supported by slightly lower international oil prices, alongside selective value hunting by investors,” it added. It noted that the rally was “primarily led by index-heavy stocks” — United Bank Limited (UBL), Oil & Gas Development Company (OGDC), Fauji Fertiliser Company Limited (FFC), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), and Meezan Bank Limited (MEBL) — which collectively added 1,816 points to the benchmark. “Trading activity remained firm,” Top...

Here are key facts and figures about the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route virtually paralysed by the Middle East war. Around a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the waterway in peacetime. The war erupted on February 28 when the US and Israel began bombing Iran, prompting it to retaliate with strikes across the region and restrict access to the strait. 21 security incidents Since March 1, 2026, 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 claimed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards have not been confirmed by international authorities. 8 sea workers killed Since the conflict began, at least eight seafarers or dock workers have died in incidents in the region, according to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). A further four remain mi...

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, on Wednesday, underlined the need to rebuild railway infrastructure across the country on sustainable foundations to support economic and industrial growth.

Security forces in Balochistan have arrested a female suicide bomber, foiling a major terrorist plot, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said on Wednesday.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that employees working under cantonment boards are not classified as civil servants, meaning their service-related appeals cannot be heard by the Federal Service Tribunal.

ISLAMABAD: After charging Rs1.63 per unit as positive fuel cost adjustment (FCA) this month, power companies have sought another Rs1.64 per unit for April bills as demand increased. The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) demanded the higher fuel cost on account of power consumed in February, even though more than 75 per cent of power generation came from domestic and cheaper sources. Electricity consumption was reported to be around 11.42pc higher than the same month of last year but about 15pc lower than January 2026. Once approved, the power companies would charge an additional amount of about Rs12.2bn to consumers of all the power companies, including ex-Wapda Distribution Companies (Discos) and K-Electric, in the billing month of April. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has called a public hearing on March 31 to examine the request for additional FCA charges for consumers. The CPPA also filed the petition for a higher FCA for February consumption. The power companies have claime...

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday that Pakistan is prepared to play a constructive role in easing rising tensions in the Middle East amid the intensifying conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

Maryam Nawaz met with China’s newly appointed Consul General Sun Yan in Lahore, where both sides reaffirmed the longstanding friendship and strategic partnership between Pakistan and China.

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Wednesday morning suspended its flights to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the next 48 hours in view of the “security situation” as the Middle East war persists. In a statement, the carrier’s spokesperson said that for the time being, PIA flights to the UAE will only be operated to Al Ain. The decision comes amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, which began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran and the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. As its leadership continues to be targeted by the US and Israel, Iran has kept up retaliatory strikes targeting US assets and bases in Gulf countries, disrupting air travel as airlines periodically cancel flights. Indian airline Air Indigo has also suspended operations to Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain and Dammam until March 28. A day earlier, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority announced the “temporary and full closure” of the country’s airspace, ...

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced a temporary suspension of its flights to Fujairah for 48 hours due to the prevailing security situation in Gulf countries.

WASHINGTON: A federal judge has ordered the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to recall more than 1,000 Voice of America (VOA) journalists and staff by March 23 and restore the broadcaster’s operations. In a sweeping decision announced on Tuesday, US District Judge Royce C. Lamberth found that actions taken under the agency’s previous leadership to shut down large parts of VOA and its sister networks violated federal law and the agency’s statutory mandate. The ruling directs USAGM to return VOA and affiliated networks to the air and reinstate employees who had been dismissed or placed on leave. The dispute stems from restructuring measures carried out in 2025 under Kari Lake, an American political figure and former television news anchor who later became a prominent supporter of US President Donald Trump. In early 2025, the Trump administration brought Lake into USAGM — the independent federal agency that oversees VOA and other US government-funded international broadcasters. She was named senior adviser to ...

A woman on an evening walk in Macau was briefly hospitalised after a humanoid robot startled her and left her feeling unwell, police told AFP on Wednesday. Police said they had received a call for assistance for the woman, who “was startled when she suddenly noticed a robot behind her while using her mobile phone”. Video widely shared online showed a woman angrily confronting a robot as it waved its metallic arms at her, while a crowd of curious onlookers gathered around. “With so many other things to do, why bother me? Are you crazy?” the woman yelled at the unperturbed bot in Cantonese, as she gestured agitatedly towards it. The woman did not suffer injuries and there had been no physical contact with the robot, but she required hospital treatment, police said in a statement. “She has since been discharged and has not pressed charges regarding the incident,” which took place earlier this month, the statement said. Social media videos showed officers leading a forlorn robot away, though police stressed they ...

The arrival of petrol and crude oil tankers continues at Port Qasim as the government steps up efforts to ensure fuel availability amid the ongoing Middle East crisis.

Asif Ali Zardari has approved a summary to cancel the Pakistan Day parade and all related events scheduled for March 23, 2026, citing the ongoing Gulf oil crisis and prevailing austerity measures.

Maryam Nawaz has directed authorities to launch a province-wide crackdown on transporters charging excessive fares during Eid travel.

Light rain in Lahore and its adjoining areas during the early hours of Wednesday brought a noticeable drop in temperature, prolonging the winter-like conditions in the region.