黑料社区

Pakistan deputy PM in 黑料社区 to attend OIC meeting on Gaza, Lebanon

Pakistan deputy PM in 黑料社区 to attend OIC meeting on Gaza, Lebanon
Pakistan鈥檚 Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar gestures at the Madinah Airport in Madinah on November 10, 2024, ahead of his departure for Riyad to attend the OIC Foreign Ministers Meeting. (Photo courtesy: X/ @DPM_PK)
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Updated 10 November 2024

Pakistan deputy PM in 黑料社区 to attend OIC meeting on Gaza, Lebanon

Pakistan deputy PM in 黑料社区 to attend OIC meeting on Gaza, Lebanon
  • Ishaq Dar to take part in OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in 黑料社区 today
  • Pakistan PM to attend Nov. 11 Arab鈥揑slamic summit to show solidarity with Palestine

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan鈥檚 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is in 黑料社区 to attend the Organization of Islamic Cooperation鈥檚 (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting that will discuss Israel鈥檚 military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon, state-run media reported on Sunday.聽
黑料社区 will host the extraordinary Arab鈥揑slamic summit between the Arab League and the OIC on Nov. 11 to address Israel鈥檚 bombardment and ground offensives in Gaza and Lebanon.聽
Muslim countries have called on Israel to impose an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East after its military campaigns in Gaza have killed over 43,000 people in the strip and injured thousands more. Its military campaigns in Lebanon and attacks on Iran last month have heightened fears of a wider war in the Middle East.
鈥淒eputy Prime Minister is in 黑料社区 on an official visit to attend the meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers,鈥 state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said.
It said Dar visited the holy city of Madinah where he offered prayers at the Prophet鈥檚 Mosque and prayed for the peace, unity and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah.
Pakistan鈥檚 foreign office said this week that the CFM will be a preparatory session for the Nov. 11 summit on Monday, which will be attended by Pakistan鈥檚 Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.聽
The Nov. 11 summit will be a follow-up to the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit held in November 2023 in Riyadh, the foreign office said.聽
鈥淎t the Summit, the prime minister will reiterate Pakistan鈥檚 full support to the Palestinian cause,鈥 it said. 鈥淗e will call for an immediate end to the genocide in Gaza; an urgent and unconditional ceasefire; immediate cessation of the ongoing Israeli adventurism in the region that is endangering the security of the countries in the Middle East.鈥
On the sidelines of the summit, Sharif is expected to hold bilateral meetings with leaders from other Arab League and OIC Member States.


Finmin highlights Pakistan鈥檚 IT, mineral and agriculture potential for collaboration with US

Finmin highlights Pakistan鈥檚 IT, mineral and agriculture potential for collaboration with US
Updated 28 July 2025

Finmin highlights Pakistan鈥檚 IT, mineral and agriculture potential for collaboration with US

Finmin highlights Pakistan鈥檚 IT, mineral and agriculture potential for collaboration with US
  • Muhammad Aurangzeb briefs the US charg茅 d鈥檃ffaires on Pakistan鈥檚 macroeconomic indicators and rating upgrades
  • Both countries have been engaged in talks since the US announced in April 29 percent 鈥榬eciprocal tariff鈥 on Pakistani exports

KARACHI: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday met with US Charg茅 d鈥橝ffaires Elizabeth Horst and discussed with her the potential of Pakistan鈥檚 information technology (IT), minerals and agriculture sectors for collaboration with the United States, the Pakistani finance ministry said.

The meeting served as an opportunity to exchange views on matters of mutual interest and to reaffirm the positive trajectory of bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States.

Aurangzeb appreciated the continued US support for Pakistan鈥檚 development and macroeconomic stability achieved over the past year and a half, according to the Pakistani finance ministry.

鈥淎urangzeb underscored the importance of the US as Pakistan鈥檚 largest trading partner and highlighted Pakistan鈥檚 keen interest in broadening bilateral cooperation beyond traditional sectors,鈥 his ministry said.

鈥淗e specifically pointed to the promising potential in information technology, minerals and agriculture as avenues for mutually beneficial collaboration.鈥

The US is Pakistan鈥檚 top export destination, with shipments totaling $5.44 billion in fiscal year 2023-2024, according to official data. From July 2024 to February 2025, exports rose 10 percent from a year earlier.

Both countries have been engaged in talks after Washington announced a 29 percent 鈥渞eciprocal tariff鈥 on Pakistani exports in April. Islamabad said the move, paused in June for a 90-day period, may undercut its fragile, export-led recovery.

Recalling his visit to the US this month, Aurangzeb shared insights from his productive meetings with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer in Washington, noting 鈥渆ncouraging progress鈥 in deepening trade and economic ties between the two countries.

He also briefed Horst on Pakistan鈥檚 recent macroeconomic indicators, including sovereign rating upgrades and renewed investor confidence, according to the Pakistani finance ministry.

The US charg茅 d鈥檃ffaires appreciated the economic progress and the government鈥檚 reform-driven approach, emphasizing the US commitment to strengthening economic and trade ties with Pakistan.

鈥淪he reiterated US support for continued economic and political stability in Pakistan, and expressed optimism for an enduring and robust business partnership between the two nations,鈥 the Pakistani ministry said.

鈥淭he meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to building on the momentum of current engagements to further deepen bilateral cooperation.鈥


15 militants killed as Pakistani helicopters pound hideouts near Afghan border聽鈥斅爋fficial

15 militants killed as Pakistani helicopters pound hideouts near Afghan border聽鈥斅爋fficial
Updated 28 July 2025

15 militants killed as Pakistani helicopters pound hideouts near Afghan border聽鈥斅爋fficial

15 militants killed as Pakistani helicopters pound hideouts near Afghan border聽鈥斅爋fficial
  • The development comes a week after eight Pakistani paramilitary troops were killed in a clash with militants in Orakzai district
  • More than 200 army and police personnel are participating in the ongoing grand operation in Hangu, Karak, Orakzai and Kurram areas

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani gunship helicopters have hit militant hideouts near the country鈥檚 border with Afghanistan in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, a senior police official said on Monday, adding that the days-long operation has left 15 militants dead so far.

Pakistan has struggled to contain a surge in militancy in KP in recent years. Militant groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have frequently targeted security forces convoys and check-posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in the region.

Regional Police Officer Abbas Majeed Marwat said the gunship helicopters destroyed several militant hideouts in Kohat, Hangu, Orakzai and Lower Kurram border areas and several militants were seen fleeing to mountain forests in the vicinity.

鈥淥peration against terrorists is underway in Chapri, Kandao, Shanawari, Zargari, Naryab and other mountainous areas. More than 200 army and police personnel are participating in the ongoing grand operation against khawarij [TTP militants],鈥 Marwat said in a statement.

鈥淔ifteen terrorists have been killed and many others have been injured in the operation in Hangu, Karak, Orakzai and Kurram that has been going on for the past ten days.鈥

Marwat鈥檚 comments came a week after eight Pakistani paramilitary troops and four militants were killed in a clash in KP鈥檚 Orakzai district that borders Afghanistan.

鈥淎rmed terrorists attacked a Frontier Corps (FC) convoy with heavy weapons... The fighting continued for several hours,鈥 AFP news agency quoted a senior local security official as saying.

鈥淓ight FC personnel were killed, and 11 were injured.鈥

In recent months, Islamabad has frequently accused India of backing militant groups and Afghanistan of allowing the use of its soil for attacks against Pakistan. Kabul and New Delhi deny the allegation.


Pakistan projects July inflation at 3.5-4.5% as price pressures ease

Pakistan projects July inflation at 3.5-4.5% as price pressures ease
Updated 28 July 2025

Pakistan projects July inflation at 3.5-4.5% as price pressures ease

Pakistan projects July inflation at 3.5-4.5% as price pressures ease
  • Inflation stood at 3.2% in June, while average inflation for the fiscal year ending June 30 dropped to 4.49%
  • Large-scale manufacturing maintained momentum, supported by private sector credit offtake, expanding production

KARACHI: Pakistan鈥檚 finance ministry on Monday projected consumer inflation for July to remain in a 3.5-4.5% range, citing stable prices and improved supply conditions, as price pressures ease further after the previous fiscal year鈥檚 sharp decline.

Inflation stood at 3.2% in June, the ministry said in its monthly economic report, while average inflation for the fiscal year ending June 30 dropped to 4.49%, a nine-year low, from 23.4% the year before. Pakistan鈥檚 fiscal year begins on July 1.

The ministry said the economy is expected to sustain its recovery in the early months of fiscal year 2026, underpinned by an improved macroeconomic backdrop and growing investor confidence.

Large-scale manufacturing likely maintained momentum in June, supported by rising private sector credit offtake and expanding production activity, the report said. The rebound is expected to lift imports of raw materials and intermediate goods, while aiding value-added exports, it added.

Strengthening domestic demand, a stable exchange rate, and steady global commodity prices were also likely to boost exports, remittances and imports in July, reinforcing external sector stability, the ministry said.

However, it warned that recent heavy rains could pose risks to agricultural output and supply chains, potentially impacting the inflation outlook in the coming months.

Since June鈥 26, rain- and flood-related incidents have killed at least 266 people and injured more than 630 nationwide, according to the National Disaster Management Authority, adding that 1,557 houses had been destroyed.


Defense minister denies India bowed to pressure to end fighting with Pakistan

Defense minister denies India bowed to pressure to end fighting with Pakistan
Updated 28 July 2025

Defense minister denies India bowed to pressure to end fighting with Pakistan

Defense minister denies India bowed to pressure to end fighting with Pakistan
  • Pakistan thanked Trump for brokering the agreement but India said Washington had no hand in it and that New Delhi, Islamabad agreed between themselves
  • Pakistan claimed it had downed five Indian planes and India鈥檚 highest ranking general told Reuters India suffered initial losses in the air, but declined to share details

NEW DELHI: India鈥檚 defense minister said on Monday that New Delhi had ended its military conflict with Pakistan in May as it had met all its objectives and had not responded to pressure, rejecting US President Donald Trump鈥檚 claim that he brokered the truce.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh was speaking at the opening of a discussion in parliament on the April 22 attack on Hindu tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir in which 26 men were killed.

The attack led to a fierce, four-day military conflict with Pakistan in May, the worst between the nuclear-armed neighbors in nearly three decades.

鈥淚ndia halted its operation because all the political and military objectives studied before and during the conflict had been fully achieved,鈥 Singh said.

鈥淭o suggest that the operation was called off under pressure is baseless and entirely incorrect,鈥 he said.

Singh鈥檚 comments came as the Indian Army said that it had killed three men in an intense gunbattle in Kashmir on Monday.

Indian TV channels said the men were suspected to be behind the April attack. Reuters could not immediately verify the information.

The Kashmir attack was the worst assault on civilians in the country since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. New Delhi said Pakistani nationals were involved in the killings and blamed Islamabad for backing them. Pakistan denied involvement and sought an independent investigation.

In the latest conflict, the two sides used fighter jets, missiles, drones and other munitions, killing dozens of people, before Trump announced they had agreed to a ceasefire.

Pakistan thanked Trump for brokering the agreement but India said Washington had no hand in it and that New Delhi and Islamabad had agreed between themselves to end the fighting.

Indian opposition groups have questioned what they say is the intelligence failure behind the Kashmir attack and the government鈥檚 inability to capture the assailants 鈥 issues they are expected to raise during the parliament discussion.

They have also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for coming under pressure from Trump and agreeing to end the fighting, along with reports that Indian jets were shot down during the fighting.

Pakistan claimed it downed five Indian planes in combat, and India鈥檚 highest ranking general told Reuters that India suffered initial losses in the air, but declined to give details.

The Himalayan region of Kashmir has been at the heart of the hostility between old rivals India and Pakistan, both of whom claim the region in full but rule it in part, and have fought two of their three wars over it.

India accuses Pakistan of helping separatists in its part of Kashmir, but Pakistan denies this and says it only provides diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris seeking self-determination.


PM directs provinces to cooperate with center to implement 鈥榗ashless鈥 system in Pakistan

PM directs provinces to cooperate with center to implement 鈥榗ashless鈥 system in Pakistan
Updated 28 July 2025

PM directs provinces to cooperate with center to implement 鈥榗ashless鈥 system in Pakistan

PM directs provinces to cooperate with center to implement 鈥榗ashless鈥 system in Pakistan
  • Shehbaz Sharif chairs weekly review meeting on government鈥檚 measures for cashless economy
  • PM says digitizing economy will ensure greater transparency and convenience for Pakistani masses

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed provincial governments on Monday to fully cooperate with the center to move the country toward a 鈥渃ashless鈥 system, a statement from his office said as Islamabad attempts to digitize its economy for greater transparency. 

Pakistan is a cash-dominated market where a significant portion of transactions, particularly in the informal sector, are conducted using cash.

The country鈥檚 central bank has taken steps in recent months to ensure a transition toward a more cashless economy so that financial transactions are more traceable, reducing chances of tax evasion and corruption. Pakistan鈥檚 digital payments have also been on the rise. Since its 2021 launch, the central bank鈥檚 Raast system has processed over 892 million transactions worth Rs20 trillion ($72 billion).

Sharif held a weekly review meeting on Pakistan鈥檚 cashless economy and digitization efforts on Monday, the Prime Minister鈥檚 Office (PMO) said in a statement. 

鈥淭he federal government should hold meaningful consultations with the provincial governments for effective and comprehensive implementation of the digitization transformation plan,鈥 the PMO quoted Sharif as saying following a review meeting on cashless and digital economy.

鈥淗e further directed that all provincial governments, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, should fully cooperate with the federal government in digitizing the economy and moving toward a cashless system.鈥

The premier said that with coordination from provinces, the federal government鈥檚 digitization transformation plan should be made more efficient so that its goals are achieved within the stipulated time.

During the meeting, Sharif highlighted that digitizing the economy will enhance transparency and offer greater convenience to the public without incurring additional costs.

鈥淭he government is encouraging digital payments and digital transfer of funds through policy measures,鈥 the PMO quoted him as saying. 

Pakistan launched the Merchant Onboarding Framework last week that requires banks and payment providers to equip all merchants with Raast-enabled digital payment tools such as QR codes and POS [Point of Sale] systems.

Earlier in July, Sharif ordered the doubling of all key digital economy targets including mobile-based payments, QR code adoption and overall transaction volumes as part of the same plan.

The government in May also approved setting up the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority to regulate blockchain-based financial infrastructure.

Pakistan, a country of over 240 million people, has a vast informal economy and low tax compliance. The government has long identified digitization as a key tool to improve governance, reduce corruption and expand the country鈥檚 narrow tax base.