Tuesday, April 21

PAKISTAN NEWS

مکہ انیشی ایٹو کا پاکستان میں 30,000 عازمین حج کی آمدورفت کے لیے آغاز
18Apr By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments
Latest, PAKISTAN NEWS, WORLD

مکہ انیشی ایٹو کا پاکستان میں 30,000 عازمین حج کی آمدورفت کے لیے آغاز

 : کامران راجہ اسلام آباد وزارت داخلہ کے ایک سرکاری ذریعے نے انکشاف کیا کہ وزارت، پاکستان میں مکہ روٹ انیشی ایٹو کے ذریعے اس سال 30,000 پاکستانی عازمین کو حج کے لیے منتقل کرنے کا ارادہ رکھتی ہے۔ پاکستان میں پہلی پروازیں اس اتوار کو کراچی سے روانہ ہوں گی، اس کے بعد لاہور اور اسلام آباد کے لیے پروازیں ہوں گی۔ ذرائع نے مزید کہا کہ یہ اقدام حجاج کی محفوظ اور آرام دہ آمدورفت کو یقینی بنانے کے لیے تمام ضروری سہولیات فراہم کرے گا جب تک کہ ان کی بحفاظت وطن واپسی نہ ہو۔ دریں اثنا، وزارت داخلہ نے سات ممالک: مراکش، انڈونیشیا، ملائیشیا، پاکستان، بنگلہ دیش، اور پہلی بار ترکی اور کوٹ ڈی آئیوری میں پانچویں سال کے لیے "مکہ روٹ" اقدام پر عمل درآمد جاری رکھا، جو مہمانوں کی خدمت کے پروگرام کا حصہ ہے، جو سعودی ویژن 2030 پروگراموں میں سے ایک ہے۔ "مکہ روٹ" اقدام کا مقصد عازمین حج کا استقبال کرنا اور ان کے آبا...
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Makkah Initiative Launches in Pakistan to Transport 30,000 Pilgrims
18Apr By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments
Latest, PAKISTAN NEWS, WORLD

Makkah Initiative Launches in Pakistan to Transport 30,000 Pilgrims

Islamabad, 17 April 2026(Kamran Raja): An official source from the Ministry of Interior revealed that the Ministry, through the Makkah Route Initiative in Pakistan, aims to transport 30,000 Pakistani pilgrims for Hajj this year. The first flights in Pakistan will depart this Sunday from Karachi, followed by flights to Lahore and Islamabad. The source added that the initiative will provide all necessary facilities to ensure the safe and comfortable transport of pilgrims until their safe return home.Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior continues to implement the "Makkah Route" initiative, part of the Guests of God Service Program, one of the Saudi Vision 2030 programs, for the fifth year in seven countries: Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and, for the first time, Türki...
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Algeria, Pakistan Agree to Strengthen Bilateral Ties, Discuss Regional Peace Efforts at Antalya Forum
17Apr By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments
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Algeria, Pakistan Agree to Strengthen Bilateral Ties, Discuss Regional Peace Efforts at Antalya Forum

Antalya, Turkey, 17 April 2026(Kamran Raja): On the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Algeria and Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation and supporting peace initiatives in the Middle East.Algeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, held a bilateral meeting with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, in Antalya on Friday.During the meeting, both sides reviewed the longstanding and friendly relations between Algeria and Pakistan, emphasizing the need to enhance cooperation across various sectors. They agreed on intensifying joint efforts to elevate ties to a higher level.In a significant development, Ishaq Dar extended an official invitation to his Algerian counterpart to visit Pakista...
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NA Speaker reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued role as a facilitator for peace and dialogue
17Apr By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments
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NA Speaker reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued role as a facilitator for peace and dialogue

Istanbul, Türkiye 16th April, 2026(Kamran Raja): The Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan addressed the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Istanbul. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye for its warm hospitality.Speaking on the theme “Nurturing hope, securing peace and ensuring justice for future generations,” the Speaker described it as a critical test of the collective role of parliamentarians in the contemporary global order. He noted that the international system, established through the collective will of humanity over eight decades ago, is currently facing a critical point of inflection amid unresolved conflicts, prolonged disputes, and emerging global crises. He said that ongoing wars across various regions con...
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NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq reiterates Pakistan’s desire for global peace & resolution of disputes through dialogue
17Apr By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments
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NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq reiterates Pakistan’s desire for global peace & resolution of disputes through dialogue

Istanbul, 17 April 2026 (KamranRaja):Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has reiterated Pakistan’s sincere desire for global peace and resolution of disputes through sustained dialogue and engagement, stressing an end to wars and conflicts.He arrived here in Istanbul to lead Pakistan’s parliamentary delegation at the 152nd General Assembly meeting of the Inter Parliamentary Union. Out of the 183 Member national parliaments of the IPU, over 136 are present in the Turkish capital to deliberate on the Conference theme: *Nurturing hope, securing peace and ensuring justice for future generations.Pakistan’s ongoing peace efforts have drawn significant international attention, as a chain of Speakers from around the world made a beeline to meet and congadulate Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq...
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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
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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
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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
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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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