Month: October 2026

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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State Minister for Climate Change Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal said on Wednesday that Pakistan will need an estimated $565 billion in investment through 2035 to meet its climate commitments, while limited fiscal space and gaps in international climate finance pose major challenges to implementing its targets. Addressing a roundtable “Pre-COP31 Multi-stakeholder Consultation” ahead of Pakistan’s participation in the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, the state minister said the country needed a well-defined negotiating position on adaptation finance, loss and damage, and the climate risks…

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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Wednesday called on the President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, during which he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to its longstanding fraternal relations with the Maldives. Warmly welcoming the Maldivian president and his delegation to Pakistan, the deputy prime minister conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to President Muizzu. He underscored the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, education, climate change and tourism. Dar welcomed the participation of…

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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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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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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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