Category: English

Pakistan and the Maldives on Wednesday agreed to increase the volume of their bilateral trade from around $13.9 million to $200 million within the next two years, opening new avenues of shared prosperity for the peoples of the two countries. The agreement was announced during a joint press stakeout by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. Shehbaz Sharif said the existing trade volume represented only a fraction of the economic potential of the two brotherly countries and expressed the resolve to work jointly to achieve the…

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Turkey has submitted a defence ‌pact with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to parliament for ratification, three parliamentary sources said on Tuesday, moving NATO’s second-largest army closer to a formal mutual defence pledge with Riyadh as it faces Houthi attacks. The three countries signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in August, under which an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all. The ​agreement’s first article says the parties shall use “all necessary means” to eliminate threats to one another’s territorial integrity, sovereignty or internationally recognised ​borders, according…

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Australian lawmaker Helen Haines has had both legs amputated after ​being rammed by a car outside her electoral office, her husband said on Wednesday, as the man accused of the ‌attack appeared in court. Doctors amputated Haines’ left leg after the alleged attacker struck her twice with his car in Wangaratta, northeast of Melbourne, on Monday, Phil Haines said. They worked for days to save her right leg but were ultimately unsuccessful, he told a press conference in Melbourne. “The good news in all this is Helen is alive, ​and…

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Pakistan and the Maldives on Wednesday signed a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at deepening bilateral relations in multiple sectors, including defence, IT, cybersecurity, health, education, social protection, agriculture and tourism, among others. The pacts were signed during the three-day state visit of President of the Maldives Dr Mohamed Muizzu, which is the first visit by the country’s president in 11 years, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Dr Muizzu witnessed the ceremony as the representatives from both…

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The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday announced that local government elections in Islamabad will be held on December 20 under the Islamabad Local Government Act, 2015. Polling will take place from 8am to 4pm, according to the election schedule released by the ECP following a hearing on delays in holding the polls. A public notice inviting nomination papers will be issued on October 30, while candidates can submit their papers from November 2 to 6. The list of nominated candidates will be published on November 7, and scrutiny…

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Iran has said that there would be no talks with Washington until Tehran’s ​demands were met, Iranian media reported. The remarks were made during a meeting between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in Tehran, according to Nournews. The statements underscored Iran’s hardening stance despite ‌mediation efforts by key interlocutor Pakistan.** President Masoud Pezeshkian discussed mediation efforts and regional developments with Field Marshal Asim Munir in Tehran, Nournews said. Pakistan is a key intermediary between ​the United States and Iran. Earlier mediation efforts helped…

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President of the Republic of Maldives Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Wednesday was presented with a guard of honour at the Prime Minister’s House upon his arrival to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and hold high-level delegation talks. Prime Minister Shehbaz warmly welcomed the Maldivian president as he arrived at the formal welcome ceremony. The national anthems of Pakistan and Maldives were played as the two leaders stood at the dais. A smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan armed forces presented a guard of honour to the visiting dignitary. Following the…

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Oil prices gained over $1 on Wednesday as escalating Middle East tensions fuelled fears of supply disruptions, while falling US crude and product inventories lent support to the market. Brent crude futures rose $1.59, or 1.5%, to $110.38 per barrel as of 0350 GMT. US West ​Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $1.36, or 1.4%, to $99.18 per barrel. Prices fell in the previous trading session after ​Iran’s president discussed mediation efforts in a meeting with Pakistan’s army chief in Tehran, though ⁠Brent hit a five-month high before easing. “Oil prices…

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President Donald Trump’s administration has revoked over 300,000 US visas during his second term, the State Department said on ​Tuesday as the federal government continues its sweeping immigration crackdown. The ‌number showed an acceleration in the pace of visa revocations in recent weeks. In an update issued on August 10, the State Department had put the number of ​visa revocations since Trump’s current term began in January 2025 at ​over 175,000. Trump says his immigration crackdown and deportation drive aim to ⁠improve domestic security. Rights advocates say the crackdown has…

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The Saudi-led coalition said on Wednesday it had intercepted and destroyed four drones launched towards Saudi Arabia, as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels continued attacks that have killed civilians and military recruits. Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki Al Maliki said the drones were intercepted near the holy city of Madinah and the Eastern Province regions. In a separate statement, he said coalition forces had also destroyed a drone heading towards the eastern region. Meanwhile, a Houthi strike on a residential area in Taiz, Yemen’s third-largest city, killed two teenage girls on…

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