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Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to promoting peace, dialogue, and diplomacy in the region amid tensions between the United States and Iran. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi stated that Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement remained active and constructive in support of de-escalation and possible negotiations. Speaking at the weekly press briefing, Andrabi emphasized that Pakistan respected the principles of sovereignty and equality of all nations and believes that lasting regional peace can only be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy. He noted that Pakistan maintained close communication with regional and global leaders, including China, which has praised Islamabad’s constructive role and highlighted…

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed authorities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations in a grand manner. Special ceremonies will be held on May 21 and May 25 to mark the completion of 75 years of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China. Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb expressed these views during a meeting with Chinese Consul General Sun Yan in Lahore, where she warmly welcomed the Chinese diplomatic delegation. Marriyum Aurangzeb conveyed good wishes from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to the Chinese leadership and people, while both sides reviewed cooperation in various sectors and…

Pakistan has successfully conducted a training launch of the indigenously developed Fatah-4 ground-launched cruise missile, the military’s media wing said on Thursday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the test was aimed at evaluating the missile’s technical performance and improving the operational readiness of troops. Fatah-4 equipped with advanced technology In a statement, the ISPR said the Fatah-4 is equipped with advanced avionics and state-of-the-art navigational systems. The missile system is capable of engaging long-range targets with high precision, reflecting Pakistan’s growing indigenous defence capabilities. Military officials said the training launch was conducted by the Pakistan Army Rocket Force Command to validate the…

Pakistan’s major water infrastructure projects are facing severe delays due to a shortage of development funds and rapidly increasing costs, according to official documents from the Ministry of Water Resources. The documents reveal that several critical projects, including the Diamer Bhasha, Dasu, and Mohmand dams, may take decades — and in some cases centuries — to complete under the current funding pattern. Major dams facing long delays According to the official figures, the Dasu Hydropower Project could take around 65 years to complete if funding continues at the current pace. The total estimated cost of the project has reached Rs1,737 billion, while…

Iran hosted a World Cup departure rally attended by thousands of fans in Tehran’s Enqelab Square on Wednesday night even if concerns remain about the team getting into the United States and competing at the tournament. The players, who will continue their preparations at a training camp in Turkey next week, were cheered by the crowd as they made patriotic statements from a stage and the kit they will wear at the June 11 to July 19 tournament was unveiled. “This is the best send-off in the last four World Cup campaigns,” Iranian FA (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj told state…

The election commission has released the final list of candidates for the 2026 Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly polls, with a total of 403 contenders entering the race. Of these, 272 are independent candidates, while 131 represent political parties. The elections will see participation from eight women candidates, including five independents and one each from Pakistan Peoples Party, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, and Pakistan National Party. Among party candidates, Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians is fielding 23 candidates, Pakistan Muslim League-N 22, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam 9, Islami Tehreek Pakistan 10, Jamaat-e-Islami 6, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen 7, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party 15, and Pakistan Nazariati Party 10. MQM has 6 candidates,…

Almost 90 people were killed in a violent ​storm that pounded India’s most populous ‌state of Uttar Pradesh with rain and hail, a state official told Reuters. Storms are ​common in the northern state during ​the hot season from March to ⁠June, before monsoon rains bring respite. Television ​images showed trees and billboards uprooted ​by gusts of wind in Wednesday’s storm, sending some crashing into cars amid clouds of ​dust and debris that blew down ​wooden furniture at roadside stalls. “About 89 people were ‌killed ⁠because of the storm, lightning, and rain-related incidents,” said the official, who sought anonymity because of lack…

The International Monetary Fund has reportedly expressed serious concerns over Pakistan’s growing tax shortfall during ongoing technical-level budget talks with the Finance Ministry. Officials are currently sharing fiscal data with the IMF delegation as discussions continue over the country’s upcoming federal budget and new tax measures worth more than Rs400 billion. According to reports, Ishaq Dar has been assigned the central role in preparing the upcoming budget. A committee headed by Dar will finalise tax proposals and key fiscal recommendations for the next financial year. IMF raises concerns over revenue gap Sources said the IMF expressed reservations over the Rs683 billion tax shortfall and…

The United Arab Emirates has firmly denied reports that Benjamin Netanyahu conducted a covert visit to the Gulf state during the US-Israel military escalation involving Iran. The statement comes amid rising regional tensions and growing cooperation between Israel and Gulf countries. Abu Dhabi stressed that all diplomatic relations remain official and publicly known. The UAE state news agency WAM said its relationship with Israel is “public and transparent,” established under the framework of the Abraham Accords. It strongly rejected suggestions of any undisclosed diplomatic activity. The statement added that any claims of secret visits or arrangements are “baseless” unless confirmed by official Emirati authorities. Netanyahu’s alleged meeting…

US Vice President ‌JD Vance said on Wednesday he believes progress is being ​made in negotiations ​with Iran to end hostilities, ⁠after President Donald Trump ​rejected Tehran’s latest proposal ​as unacceptable. “I think that we are making progress. The fundamental question ​is do we ​make enough progress that we satisfy ‌the ⁠President’s red line?” Vance told reporters at the White House. “And the red line ​is ​very ⁠simple. He needs to feel confident that ​we put a ​number ⁠of protections in place such that Iran will never ⁠have ​a nuclear ​weapon.” Vance brushed aside concerns over President Donald Trump’s comments…