Pakistan

Iranian and American forces were racing each other early Saturday to recover the crew of the first US fighter jet to go down inside Iran since the start of the war. Tehran said it had shot down the F-15 warplane, while US media reported American special forces had rescued one of two crew members. It was unclear which of the two crew members was recovered, and the US official who confirmed the recovery did not offer any details on how it took place. Iran’s military also said it downed a US A-10 ground attack aircraft in the Gulf, with US media saying the pilot was rescued. A statement from Ebrahim Zolfaghari, the spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al Anbiya central headquarters, said that the F-15 was shot down using Iran’s “new advanced defence system”, and that “an advanced hostile fighter jet was also targeted south of Qeshm Island, crashing into the waters between Qeshm and Hengam Islands”. US Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the loss of the F-15, but White House Press Se...

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan-led initiative to facilitate US-Iran talks has been held up, with Tehran yet to formally respond to proposals for dialogue despite back channel exchanges in recent days, a senior official told Dawn on Friday. The official, who was speaking on background, said some ground had been covered, with messages relayed between Washington and Tehran, but the absence of a clear Iranian signal has slowed momentum at this critical stage. “It is surprising that despite the obliteration of significant naval, air force, and other military and civilian infrastructure, Iran has not responded positively to calls for negotiations,” the official, who is familiar with the discussions, said. He said both Pakistan and China had urged Iran to engage, but “Tehran has so far not conveyed its readiness to take part in the dialogue.” He added that Pakistani leaders, despite Tehran not giving a reply, have remained in contact with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in an effort to...

ISLAMABAD: Pakis­tan has decided to return $3.5 billion in debt to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before the end of this month, a senior Pakistani official said on Friday. The official described the move as a cost the country was willing to bear to uphold “national dignity,” even as it is set to significantly draw down foreign exch­ange reserves. The official disclosed that Abu Dhabi had sought the immediate return of the amount. “The amount will be returned as soon as possible,” the official said, adding that “national dignity could not be compromised for financial considerations”. These funds were part of external financing support extended by the UAE in 2019 to help stabilise Pakistan’s balance of payments. The official said the dec­i­sion had ended the uncertainty surrounding the deposits placed through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, which had been rolled over multiple times since 2019. In recent months, the extensions had become as shorter as month long, reflecting Emirati unease over the continuati...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday that the government was reducing the petrol levy by Rs80 per litre, after which the commodity would be available to the end consumer for Rs378 per litre. He said the new price would take effect at 12am on Saturday. The premier said this in a televised address to the nation a day after the government announced an unprecedented increase of 43 per cent and 55pc in the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD), respectively. Petroleum levy rates were adjusted to limit the increase in diesel prices — which stand at RsRs520.35 — and its impact on transportation and freight costs. The levy on petrol was increased to Rs160 per litre from Rs105, while it was reduced to zero on diesel from Rs55, sources had told Dawn. Consequently, the petrol price had increased to Rs458 per litre. The premier said after the reduction in levy, the petrol price would now reduce to Rs378 per litre and would remain unchanged for at least one month. The new price would be effective acros...

In a move aimed at providing relief to the public amid the ongoing Middle East crisis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday that the petrol price will be reduced to Rs378 per litre for the next month, accompanied by a cut of Rs80 per litre in the petroleum levy.

A powerful earthquake shook Islamabad and several cities across Pakistan, including Rawalpindi and Peshawar, sending residents rushing out of their homes in panic.

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday unveiled a comprehensive relief package featuring free public transport, fuel subsidies and targeted financial support for transporters, aimed at easing the burden on citizens amid rising global economic pressures.

ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that ownership of property cannot be established solely on the basis of an agreement.

ISLAMABAD - Romanian Ambassador to Pakistan Dan Stoenescu has marked a significant moment of cultural diplomacy by presenting the official album and written score of the first-ever professional choral arrangement of Pakistan’s National Anthem (Qaumi Tarana), to Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Centre, provinces close ranks on targeted relief

Discussions on to convert portion of amount into investment

Family of four among victims; 13 injured in Domel blast

US, Iran face complex considerations

• Downed fighters include F-15E, A-10C Thunderbolt II & Blackhawk • One F-15E crew member recovered, search continue

6.1-magnitude quake rattles K-P, Islamabad

PM announces cut in petrol price by Rs80 Rs129b deployed to cushion inflation blow Relief package targets commut

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Russia, China urge halt to US-Israeli strikes on Iran; US backs Gulf allies

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US faces rising costs from war against Iran