Monday, June 15

PAKISTAN NEWS

UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has welcomed Iran’s announcement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz
17Apr By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments
Latest, PAKISTAN NEWS, United Nation (UN), WORLD

UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has welcomed Iran’s announcement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz

New York, April 17, 2026(Ghufran):The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has welcomed Iran’s announcement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, calling it “a step in the right direction” amid ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.In a statement issued by his spokesperson, the Secretary General noted that the decision to keep the vital maritime route fully open for commercial vessels during the current ceasefire could help build confidence among parties involved in the conflict.He reiterated the United Nations’ firm position that international navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz must be fully restored and respected by all sides.The development comes at a critical time, as the waterway through which a sig...
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Pakistan–EU Business Forum (April 28–29) to Strengthen Trade, Investment Ties; GSP+ Remains Key Pillar
17Apr By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments
Latest, PAKISTAN NEWS

Pakistan–EU Business Forum (April 28–29) to Strengthen Trade, Investment Ties; GSP+ Remains Key Pillar

Islamabad, 17 April 2026(Kamran Raja):Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a detailed meeting with Raimundas Karoblis to discuss strengthening Pakistan–European Union economic relations, with a particular focus on the upcoming Pakistan–EU Business Forum—scheduled to be held on April 28–29, 2026, in Islamabad—and the continued importance of the GSP Plus scheme.The meeting underscored that the Pakistan–EU Business Forum will serve as a major platform to deepen trade and investment cooperation. Both sides highlighted that the forum is expected to bring together a large number of participants, including government representatives, business leaders, and institutional stakeholders from Pakistan and across the European Union.It was noted that the event will feature extensive ...
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Finance Minister Meets Shohei Hara, Senior Vice President JICA, on Development Cooperation
17Apr By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments
Latest, PAKISTAN NEWS, پاکستان ٹائمز

Finance Minister Meets Shohei Hara, Senior Vice President JICA, on Development Cooperation

Washington, D.C. - April 17, 2026(Kamran Raja):Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, held a productive meeting with Mr. Shohei Hara, Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), on the sidelines of the World Bank–IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.The Finance Minister welcomed JICA’s resumption of its lending portfolio with Pakistan after a prolonged pause and appreciated the identification of a water supply scheme in Faisalabad, Punjab, as the first project under the resumed Yen loan portfolio. He noted that the grants programme is progressing well, with previously long-standing bottlenecks having been largely resolved in coordination with the Pakistani side.The Finance Minister expressed concern that Pakistan’s ne...
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Finance Minister Meets Baroness Jenny Chapman of Darlington on Macroeconomic Outlook and Development Cooperation
17Apr By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments
Latest, PAKISTAN NEWS, WORLD

Finance Minister Meets Baroness Jenny Chapman of Darlington on Macroeconomic Outlook and Development Cooperation

Washington, D.C. - April 17, 2026(Kamran Raja):Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, held an important meeting with Jenny Chapman, Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister for International Development and Africa, United Kingdom, on the sidelines of the World Bank–IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.At the outset, the Finance Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding relationship with the United Kingdom. On the macroeconomic front, he highlighted that Pakistan has achieved a current account surplus for the first nine months of the fiscal year and reiterated the Government’s firm commitment to meeting all fiscal targets by the end of June. He also acknowledged the external support received from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.The Finance Minister not...
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Senate Sub-Committee Reviews Governance Framework, Petroleum Supply Situation
16Apr By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments
Latest, PAKISTAN NEWS

Senate Sub-Committee Reviews Governance Framework, Petroleum Supply Situation

Islamabad , 16 April 2026(Kamran Raja):A meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum was held at Parliament Lodges under the convenership of Senator Manzoor Ahmad Kakar. The meeting was attended by Committee Member Senator Rana Mahmood ul Hassan, senior officials from the Ministry of Energy, and other relevant stakeholders.The Sub-Committee conducted a comprehensive review of the legal and regulatory framework governing board appointments in public and semi-public entities. These included major organizations such as Pakistan Petroleum Limited, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited, Pakistan State Oil Company Limited, Sui Southern Gas Company Limited, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, and Pak-Arab Refinery Limited, among others.During the briefing,...
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Minister of State for Finance and Railways Meets Presidents of Anjuman-e-Tajiran Sialkot and Gujranwala
16Apr By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments
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Minister of State for Finance and Railways Meets Presidents of Anjuman-e-Tajiran Sialkot and Gujranwala

Islamabad 16 April 2026(Kamran Raja):Minister of State for Finance and Railways, Bilal Azhar Kayani, held a meeting with representatives of the business community, led by Haji Mehr Ghulam Mujtaba, President Central Anjuman-e-Tajiran Sialkot, and Sheikh Fazal ur Rehman Babar Khuran, President Anjuman-e-Tajiran Gujranwala, at the Finance Division to discuss matters related to the forthcoming federal budget and taxation reforms. This meeting is part of larger reach out exercise to traders being conducted by Ministry of Finance, Tax Policy Office and FBR.Welcoming the participants, the Minister acknowledged the pivotal role of Sialkot and Gujranwala in Pakistan’s export economy and industrial output, and underscored that the primary objective of the engagement was to obtain practical and c...
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NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq Felicitates Pakistan Navy on Successful Anti-Ship Missile Test
16Apr By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments
Latest, PAKISTAN NEWS

NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq Felicitates Pakistan Navy on Successful Anti-Ship Missile Test

Islamabad,16 April 2026(Kamran Raja):Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has congratulated the engineers and officers of the Pakistan Navyon the successful test of an anti-ship missile. In his statement, the Speaker lauded the outstanding performance and professional excellence of the Navy personnel, calling the successful test a matter of pride for the entire nation. He said that the achievement reflects Pakistan’s growing defense self-reliance and technological advancement. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq emphasized that the successful missile test has further enhanced the operational capabilities of the Pakistan Navy, adding that the armed forces remain committed to making the country’s defense impregnable. He noted that the nation takes pride in the capabilities of its armed forces...
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Pakistan Navy Successfully Conducts Live Firing of Indigenously Developed Ship-Launched Anti-Ship Missile
16Apr By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments
Latest, PAKISTAN NEWS

Pakistan Navy Successfully Conducts Live Firing of Indigenously Developed Ship-Launched Anti-Ship Missile

Rawalpindi, 16 April 2026(Kamran Raja): In a resolute display of operational preparedness and precision-strike capability, Pakistan Navy successfully conducted a Live Weapon Firing of an indigenously developed ship-launched anti-ship missile, accurately engaging its target with high speed at extended range. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, NI, NI (M), T Bt, along with leading scientists and engineers, witnessed the missile firing. The missile incorporates a cutting-edge guidance system and advanced maneuverability features, enabling it to evade threats, adapt to dynamic operational environments, and deliver with exceptional precision and lethality. The successful launch highlights the synergy between technological innovation and operational expertise within Pakistan’s defen...
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Finance Minister Highlights Policy Response to Global Shocks at IMF MENAP Meeting
15Apr By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments
Latest, PAKISTAN NEWS, WORLD

Finance Minister Highlights Policy Response to Global Shocks at IMF MENAP Meeting

    Washington, D.C. April 15, 2026(Kamran Raja): Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, participated in a meeting convened by the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors, and heads of regional financial institutions from the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAP) region, on the sidelines of the World Bank–IMF Spring Meetings 2026.In his intervention, the Finance Minister characterized the ongoing crisis in the Middle East as one of the most significant supply shocks in recent history. He outlined the immediate measures undertaken by the Government of Pakistan to address its first-order effects, including adjustments in procurement...
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President reviews water situation, calls for declared and transparent load shedding
15Apr By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments
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President reviews water situation, calls for declared and transparent load shedding

Islamabad, 15 April 2026(Kamran Raja):President Asif Ali Zardari chaired a meeting on water resources management at Aiwan-e-Sadr today.The meeting reviewed issues related to water availability, governance and regional developments affecting Pakistan’s water security.The President expressed concern over the weaponisation of water by India by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. He noted that the attempt to use water as a political tool is a matter of serious consequence. He emphasised the importance of safeguarding Pakistan’s water rights and ensuring that all necessary diplomatic and legal measures are pursued.Addressing the issue of energy shortfalls linked to the regional situation, the President directed that all possible efforts be made to minimise load shedding across the c...
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