PAKISTAN NEWS

ISLAMABAD, 25 August, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday congratulated the nation on Moody’s upgrading Pakistan’s sovereign credit rating from Caa1 to B3. In a statement, the prime minister welcomed the improvement in Pakistan’s credit rating and appreciated the efforts of the government’s economic team. He particularly commended Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and all concerned ministers and officials for their contributions. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the improvement in Pakistan’s credit rating reflected growing international confidence in the government’s economic policies and reforms. He welc...

ISLAMABAD, 25 August, 2026 (Nosheen): Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday visited Islamabad’s Diplomatic Enclave to review ongoing development work and assess progress on key infrastructure projects. During the visit, the minister inspected construction activities and directed officials to accelerate work while ensuring environmental protection and improved facilities for residents. Mohsin Naqvi reviewed progress on the boundary wall, remodeling of security checkpoints, and construction of cycling and walking tracks inside the Diplomatic Enclave. He directed that work on the boundary wall continue without interruption and ordered officials to ensure that no trees are cut during the development projects.The interior minister instructed authorities to develop the cycling and walking tr...

ISLAMABAD, 25 August, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Pakistan and Iran have made significant progress in talks focused on the US-Israeli conflict with Iran and efforts to find a path towards peace, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Tuesday. Naqvi said Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and he held a “very positive and productive” meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. He said the discussions focused on the Iran-US conflict, tensions in the Middle East and the way forward, as well as steps required by both sides for the restoration of the Islamabad MoU, which could pave the way for a comprehensive settlement of the conflict. According to Naqvi, President Pezeshkian openly shared his government’s perspective and concerns, leading to a con...

 ISLAMABAD, 25 August, 2026 (Nosheen): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan by telephone on Tuesday. During the conversation, the two foreign ministers discussed Pakistan-Türkiye bilateral relations, regional developments and other matters of mutual interest. The ministers also exchanged views on the upcoming meeting of the Regional Four (R4) Foreign Ministers as well as other forthcoming multilateral engagements. Both sides agreed to remain in close contact and continue consultations on matters of mutual interest.

 ISLAMABAD, 25 August, 2026 (Ghufran): The government has decided to change the spokesperson of the Foreign Office, according to sources. Sources said Sajjad Haider Khan has been selected for appointment as the new Foreign Office spokesperson. He is currently serving as Director General South Asia. According to sources, the incumbent Foreign Office spokesperson, Tahir Hussain Andrabi, is likely to be appointed as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Sources further said that a formal notification regarding Sajjad Haider Khan’s appointment as Foreign Office spokesperson is expected to be issued soon.

LAHORE, 25 August, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif departed for China on Tuesday for a four-day official visit aimed at further strengthening cooperation between Punjab and the Chinese province of Xinjiang. Chinese Consul General Sun Yang was present at the airport to see off the chief minister before her departure. Upon arrival at Urumqi International Airport, Maryam Nawaz will be received by senior Chinese officials. She will then begin her official engagements at the Kunlun Hall of the conference centre at the Xinjiang State Guest House. During the visit, the chief minister is scheduled to meet a high-level delegation led by Xinjiang Party Secretary Chen Xiaojiang. She will also hold a meeting with He Zhongyou, Deputy Party Secretary of the Xinjiang Uyghur ...

 KARACHI,  24 August, 2026 (Nosheen): The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) welcomed Tasdeeq Information Services Limited as its latest listed company through a gong ceremony held at the PSX Trading Hall on Monday, marking the listing of South Asia’s first publicly listed credit bureau. The transaction involved 219 million ordinary shares, including 69 million shares placed with pre-IPO investors at Rs2.35 per share and 150 million shares offered through the initial public offering (IPO) at a strike price of Rs3.00 per share. The total transaction size stood at approximately Rs612 million. The retail portion of the IPO was oversubscribed 21.68 times, attracting 11,358 applications and total participation of Rs2.4 billion. The strong investor response highlights growing confidence in P...

 LONDON, 24  August, 2026 (Ghufran): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Arsenio Dominguez in London and reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding commitment to the international maritime body.During the meeting, Dar appreciated the IMO’s role as the principal international regulatory organization for ensuring safe, secure and efficient international shipping. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister thanked the IMO Secretary-General for his support in efforts to secure the safe release of 10 Pakistani seafarers being held captive aboard MT Honour 25. He called for urgent and effective institutional intervention to facilitate the early and safe return of all Pakistani seafarers....

LAHORE, 24 August, 2026 (Ghufran): The Punjab government has extended the ban on flying drones in open spaces across the province for another 30 days in view of security concerns. According to the Punjab Home Department, the ban has been extended under Section 144(6) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. Under the order, outdoor drone flights will remain prohibited throughout Punjab.However, limited use of small drones inside halls and marquees during events will be permitted, subject to safety measures. Event organizers will be responsible for ensuring the safe operation of such drones. Intelligence and law enforcement agencies have been exempted from the restrictions. Drones may also be used for agricultural, irrigation and research purposes after obtaining written permission from the...

ISLAMABAD, 24 August, 2026 (Ghufran): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday participated in the launch ceremony of the “Pakistan National Olive Value Chain Policy” in Islamabad and addressed a gathering of olive growers, farmers, researchers, experts, federal ministers and foreign diplomats. Addressing the ceremony, the prime minister said he was pleased to speak to Pakistan’s distinguished olive farmers, researchers and exporters, adding that their tireless efforts had set a remarkable example in the olive sector. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif particularly appreciated the contributions of Abdul Habbir from Loralai, Quratul Ain from Mardan and Yaqub Azhar from Chakwal. He also expressed gratitude to provincial governments for their cooperation in promoting olive cultivation. Pa...