WORLD

Islamabad, May 20, 2026(News Desk): Federal Minister for Petroleum Mr. Ali Pervaiz Malik today witnessed the signing ceremony of Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) and Exploration Licences (ELs) for offshore exploration blocks awarded under the Offshore Bid Round 2025, marking the formal reopening of Pakistan’s offshore exploration frontier after nearly two decades. The awarded blocks are located in the Indus and Makran offshore basins adjoining the territorial waters of Sindh and Balochistan. The Offshore Bid Round 2025 attracted bids covering approximately 54,600 square kilometres of Pakistan’s offshore area, resulting in the award of 23 offshore blocks. Two offshore blocks — Offshore Deep-C and Offshore Deep-F — had earlier been executed on December 2, 2025, with Mari Energies Limited...

Islamabad, 20 May 2026(Kamran Raja): A high-level delegation from the People’s Republic of China, led by Mr. Cai Dafeng, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), arrived in Islamabad today to participate in commemorative activities marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China. Upon arrival, the distinguished delegation was warmly received by the Honorable Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, along with Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, MNA and Convener of the Pakistan-China Parliamentary Friendship Group. The visit, taking place from 20–21 May 2026, reflects the enduring and time-tested friendship between Pakistan and China, often described as an “All-Weat...

Islamabad, May 19, 2026(Ghufran): The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, in collaboration with the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), hosted a special launch event to officially begin the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlighting the power of sports diplomacy and the growing cultural and economic connections fostered through international sporting events.The event was hosted at the U.S. Embassy and attended by approximately 150 distinguished guests from the diplomatic corps, sports community, corporate sector, and government institutions.Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker and PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani welcomed chief guest Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, representatives from leading football ...

Quetta, May 19, 2026(Kamran Raja): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee on the National Action Plan (NAP) in Quetta today. During the meeting, the Prime Minister was briefed on the overall security situation in Balochistan, progress on counterterrorism measures, development projects, governance reforms, digitization initiatives, efforts toward a cashless economy, and other key matters.The Prime Minister paid tribute to Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the Armed Forces of Pakistan for their unwavering efforts and sacrifices in combating terrorism across Balochistan and the rest of the country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also appreciated Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti and his team for undertaki...

Islamabad, Tuesday, 19 May 2026(Kamran Raja): Federal Minister for Petroleum Mr. Ali Pervaiz Malik welcomed the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan H.E. Akamatsu Shuichi during his visit to the Geoscience Advance Research Laboratories (GARL) of the Geological Survey of Pakistan. The Minister highlighted the longstanding scientific cooperation between Pakistan and Japan in the field of geosciences and mineral research. During the visit, the Minister appreciated the valuable support extended by the Government of Japan and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in establishment and strengthening of GARL, describing it as a landmark scientific cooperation initiative between the two countries. Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik stated that Pakistan is actively upgrading its mineral sector and is com...

Islamabad, May 18,2026(Kamran Raja): Pakistan strongly condemns the drone attack on the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the United Arab Emirates on 17 May 2026. Pakistan stands in full solidarity with the brotherly people and Government of the UAE. Any deliberate targeting of nuclear facilities constitutes a grave violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, the United Nations Charter, and the fundamental principles of nuclear safety and security enshrined in the Statute and resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Nuclear installations must never be targeted under any circumstances. Such reckless actions carry potentially catastrophic and irreversible consequences for human life, the environment, and regional as well as global peace and se...

Islamabad : 14 May, 2026(Ghufran): H.E. Mr. Farid Turab Oglu Ahmadov, Justice Minister of Azerbaijan, paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at the Prime Minister House earlier today. The Prime Minister was assisted by Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Minister of State for Law & Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Amb. Amna Baloch. During their warm and cordial meeting, the Prime Minister welcomed the visiting Minister and said Pakistan and Azerbaijan were brotherly countries whose ties were growing stronger with every passing day. He conveyed his warmest greetings for H.E. Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, while fondly recalling their telephone conversation earlier this week....

Islamabad, May 13, 2026(Ghufran): The United States formally repatriated more than 450 cultural artifacts to Pakistan during a ceremony held at the Islamabad Museum, reaffirming the shared commitment of both countries to combat illicit trafficking of antiquities and protect cultural heritage. The repatriated collection includes historically significant objects that were illegally removed from Pakistan and later identified and recovered through close cooperation between U.S. law enforcement agencies and Pakistani authorities. The artifacts will now be preserved and displayed in Pakistan, allowing scholars and the public to reconnect with an important part of the country’s cultural legacy. Speaking at the ceremony, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Pa...