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ISLAMABAD  : Chinese companies have announced plans to invest about $2.6 billion in Balochistan’s manufacturing sector and $14 million in the mineral industry, aiming to boost industrial growth and create jobs for local residents. The announcement was made during a meeting between a Chinese investor delegation, including Chang Jiang Industries chairman Zhang Yang, and Senate Deputy Chairman Syedal Khan. The investors also expressed interest in sectors such as agriculture, transport, and tourism over the next five years. Both sides highlighted the potential for stronger Pakistan–China economic cooperation, particularly to support Balochistan’s development.

Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have made “considerable progress” in discussions on the third review of the country’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme, IMF mission chief Iva Petrova said on Wednesday, adding that talks will continue in the coming days to further assess the impact of recent global developments on the economy. In a statement, she said that the IMF mission and the Pakistani authorities held discussions on the third review of the 37-month Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the second review of the 28-month arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). “While…

BEIJING: The first passenger train service between China and North Korea after a six-year hiatus is scheduled to set off ​from Beijing on Thursday, part of a series of ‌moves by China to shore up cross-border infrastructure and rebuild bilateral ties. Following a 24 hour and 41 minute journey skirting north of the Bohai Sea ​and a stopover in China’s northeastern border city of Dandong, train ​K27 from Beijing is scheduled to arrive in Pyongyang ⁠at 6:07 p.m. (0907 GMT) on Friday, according to a Tuesday notice ​from China’s railway authority. China and North Korea are “friendly neighbours” and a…

Chinese automakers gained ground in Europe’s competitive car market in 2025, but their market share varied greatly from country to country, data from automotive consultancy Inovev shows. Although Chinese firms doubled their overall share of car sales in Europe to 6% last year, they represented nearly 14% of sales in Norway, where almost all newly registered vehicles were fully electric, while making up just over 2% of sales in Germany and Slovakia. Companies including BYD, Geely Holding and Chery have expanded quickly into major markets across Europe, attracting cost-conscious buyers with cars that in some cases cost 10,000 euros ($11,902)…

China’s top political advisor Wang Huning visited representatives of the press who covered the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, extended greetings to the journalists. He commended the contribution made by media outlets and journalists to the annual session’s success, which concluded on Wednesday in Beijing. He also expressed hope for the media’s continued attention to and support for the CPPCC.

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing said  that China is willing to collaborate with all parties to ensure nuclear energy better supports the development and prosperity of all nations. Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while attending the second Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris as Chinese President Xi Jinping’s special representative. Zhang said China has always adhered to a sensible, coordinated and balanced nuclear security strategy proposed by President Xi and has made concrete contributions to promoting the global development of nuclear energy. China is willing to work…

A Chinese defense ministry spokesperson  sternly warned Japan against its deployment of long-range offensive missiles, stating that such moves pose a real threat to regional security and constitute a dangerous path. Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, made the statement in response to a media inquiry about Japan’s recent deployment of long-range missiles with a range of about 1,000 kilometers, capable of covering coastal areas of neighboring countries. Jiang noted that, for some time, right-wing forces in Japan have been accelerating moves toward remilitarization, including efforts to revise the Peace Constitution, amend key national security documents,…

Amid the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran, Pakistan has expressed readiness to support Saudi Arabia “whenever needed”. Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Prime Minister’s spokesperson for Foreign Media Mohsarraf Zaidi has said it is unquestionable that Islamabad will come to Riyadh’s aid “no matter what and no matter when”. Zaidi’s remarks are to be taken amid escalating tensions in the Middle East after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, with Tehran retaliating by targeting US bases across the Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia, with missiles and drones. Although Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed regret over strikes…

On the instructions of Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the National Assembly of Pakistan Secretariat has implemented wide-ranging austerity measures as part of the cost-cutting drive initiated by Shehbaz Sharif. According to an official notification, 70% of government vehicles used by the Secretariat will remain off the road, while members of the National Assembly will face a 25% cut in salaries and allowances for two months. The measures also include a complete ban on foreign visits by parliamentary delegations. Officers in Grade 20 and above, or those earning Rs300,000 or more per month, will contribute two days’ salary to the national exchequer.…

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), accusing the watchdog of using “delaying tactics” in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust corruption case involving former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. The hearing was conducted by a division bench headed by Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar along with Muhammad Asif. The court was reviewing petitions filed by the couple seeking the suspension of their sentences and appeals against their convictions. Before the hearing, NAB filed a legal response raising a jurisdictional objection. The bureau argued that the couple’s…