Pakistan

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is set to visit Beijing today, following reported progress in regional diplomacy after a four-nation meeting held in Islamabad.

Peshawar - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Suhail Khan Afridi met with a delegation of leaders and tribal elders from Khyber district on Sunday to address pressing public concerns, security issues, and regional development strategies.

Israel said the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem would regain access to Christianity’s holiest site after the decision to block him from entering the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday triggered international condemnation. Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the church, citing security concerns as Israel enforces a ban on gatherings in synagogues, churches and mosques during the ongoing war with Iran, which has brought missile strikes near holy sites. After widespread backlash, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday the Latin Patriarch would get “full and immediate access”. Members of the clergy attend a prayer service in the Church of All Nations held by Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, to mark Palm Sunday in Jerusalem on March 29, 2026. —AFP The Latin Patriarchate said in a statement that Pizzaballa and the Custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Ielpo, were travelling privately without a ceremonial procession when officers at the...

Educational institutions across Punjab will reopen from April 1, operating five days a week, provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat announced.

The National Assembly is set to convene today (Monday) at 5:00 pm with a 16-point agenda, featuring key legislative business and policy discussions.

A sudden and intense fire broke out at a private superstore on Zamzama Street in Karachi’s Clifton area on Monday, triggering panic as shoppers and nearby residents rushed to safety.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar suffered a “hairline fracture” in his shoulder after slipping and falling while welcoming Egypt’s foreign minister in Islamabad, his son Ali Dar said late on Sunday. In a post on X, Ali Dar said his father continued to fulfill his “official duties” despite the injury. “Ishaq Dar sahib, despite sustaining an injury during the reception of the Egyptian Foreign Minister today, completed all highly important meetings throughout the day on painkillers, Alhamdulillah, in the best possible manner,” he wrote. He added that around 9pm, following the conclusion of official engagements, a medical examination was carried out at the family’s insistence. “His X-rays are overall fine. There is a hairline fracture in the shoulder. In the coming few days, his pain will be managed through medications and other precautionary measures. Thank you all for your messages, prayers, and kind wishes,” Ali Dar said. The incident occurred on Sunday, during a four-country meeting focuse...

A court in Dadu has acquitted all accused in the high-profile triple murder case involving the family of Umm-e-Rabab Chandio.

A new initiative aimed at expanding educational opportunities for thousands of children has been launched in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), marking a significant step toward improving access to education in the region.

Australia will halve a fuel tax to help motorists experiencing soaring petrol prices due to war in the Middle East, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Monday. Albanese announced the step after meeting with the leaders of Australia’s states and territories on Monday, agreeing a plan to tackle fuel shortages as the war in the Middle East continues. Australia charges a sales tax of 52 cents on each litre of petrol sold at the pump, which will be halved for three months. The measure will cost the government $1.75 billion (Aus$2.55 billion), officials said. “We are making fuel cheaper today because we understand that Australians are under serious pressure,” Albanese said. Albanese’s government has sought to reassure motorists that shipments of fuel continue to arrive in Australia, and petrol shortages in rural towns stem from panic buying and distribution bottlenecks. Victoria and Tasmania states have made travel on public transport free, and Albanese urged motorists nationally to do what they can to conserve pe...

Lahore Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations) Muhammad Faisal brought to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) chief executive officer’s notice on Sunday the alleged breach of security protocols involving Lahore Qalandar players Sikandar Raza and Shaheen Shah Afridi and urged necessary action to prevent the recurrence of such violations. Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar is among several overseas players who arrived in Lahore to join their franchises for the 11th edition of the PSL. In his letter, the Lahore DIG said, “As per the contents of the report of the superintendent of police (operations), Civil Lines Division, Lahore, a serious breach of established security protocols occurred on March 28, 2026 at the PC hotel where all PSL participant teams are currently residing under strict security arrangements.” The letter said that at approximately 10:35pm, the Lahore Qalandars liaison officer approached Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Security and Anti-Corruption Manager Lt Col (retd) Akhtar Hussain, seeking his p...

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Sunday that both the US and Iran had expressed confidence in Pakistan to facilitate talks between them amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. He made these remarks in a televised address after a quadrilateral moot on the ongoing Middle East crisis. The meeting in Islamabad was also attended the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt. Dar said he had also held “very productive” bilateral meetings with the three foreign ministers, who also called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. “As you know, the purpose of this visit of the foreign ministers was to participate in the second meeting of consultations among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt, which was held today in Islamabad. “You may recall that our first meeting was held in Riyadh on March 19, 2026,” he added. Sharing details of today’s quadrilateral meeting, Dar said the four foreign ministers had a very detailed and in-depth discussion on the current regional situation. “We al...

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Sunday said that leadership transcends gender, stressing that courage and merit are not defined by being male or female, and urged women not to be discouraged by criticism.

ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court of Pakistan, on on Tuesday (tomorrow) will resume hearing of appeals filed by Imran Khan against the Lahore High Court’s April 23, 2025 decision rejecting his plea to implicate the Punjab government in a Rs10 billion defamation suit filed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Directs provinces to facilitate bike, rickshaw registration for targeted relief.

Islamabad - While reaffirming Pakistan’s full and unwavering solidarity and support with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appreciated the remarkable restraint exercised by Saudi Arabia amid the current crisis and assured the Saudi Foreign Minister that Pakistan would always stand shoulder to.

DPM Dar says ways for early, permanent end to ME war discussed at quadrilateral moot Four countries stress dialogue, diplomacy only viable pathway to achieve lasting peace Reaffirm respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity in accordance with UN Charter In call with Iranian FM Araghchi, Dar emphasises urgent.

MIRPUR (AJK) - Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore has reaffirmed that the promotion of small, medium and large-scale industries remains a central priority of his government, as part of a broader strategy to accelerate economic growth and generate employment.

The first Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) direct flight to London in six years took to the skies on Sunday afternoon after a special inauguration ceremony at Islamabad International Airport and landed at Heathrow airport hours later. The national flag carrier is expected to operate four weekly flights from Islamabad to London. These will be operated from Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4, according to an earlier statement issued by the PIA spokesperson. PK-785’s voyage was inaugurated by Defence Secretary Lt Gen (r) Muhammad Ali, British High Commissioner Jane Mariott, and Chairman PIA Consortium Arif Habib, who jointly cut the ribbon, state-run Pakistan TV reported. The flight was scheduled to take off at 12:50pm, but faced a slight delay, eventually departing at 1:19pm. On March 26, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had said that the PIA would commence its first direct flights from Islamabad and Lahore to London’s Heathrow Airport on March 29 and 30, respectively. Last September, PIA had received the go-ahead...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the “remarkable restraint” exercised by Saudi Arabia amid the Middle East crisis in a meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Islamabad, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said on Sunday. He also assured him of Pakistan’s full and unwavering solidarity and support, the statement said. The Saudi foreign minister called upon PM Shehbaz after the conclusion of quadrilateral ministerial meeting in Islamabad, attended by the FMs of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye. PM Shehbaz shared with FM Faisal Pakistan’s extensive diplomatic outreach during the current crisis, including mediation efforts for de-escalation and attempts to bring both the United States and Iran to the negotiating table, the PMO said. The Saudi FM also shared the latest Saudi perspective on the regional situation with the prime minister, who assured the visiting dignitary of Pakistan’s full and unwavering solidarity and support. The premier also emphasised Saudi Arab...