Page 9 - Pakistan

Five held in Chandigarh BJP office blast, ISI-backed module busted

Five individuals, part of a module backed by Pakistan's ISI, have been arrested in connection with the blast incident outside the Punjab BJP headquarters in Chandigarh, said Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Saturday. The Counter-Intelligence wing of Punjab Police, in a joint operation with Chandigarh Police, solved the Chandigarh grenade attack case, DGP Yadav said. Police recovered one hand grenade and one .30 bore Zigana pistol along with ammunition from their possession, the officer mentioned further. Those arrested have been identified as Balwinder Lal alias Shami of village Majari in SBS Nagar, Jasvir Singh alias Jassi of village Bharapur in SBS Nagar, Charanjit Singh alias Channi of village Sujawalpur in SBS Nagar, Rubal Chauhan of village Thana in Shimla and Mandeep alias Abhijot Sharma of Dhuri in Sangrur. According to DGP Yadav, preliminary investigations revealed that the module was backed by Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence and ...

Pakistan rejects media reports of setback in US-Iran peace talks initiative

Pakistan on Saturday rejected media reports that its initiative to facilitate talks between the US and Iran to end the ongoing conflict in West Asia had hit obstacles after initial exchange of peace proposals. Speculation emerged after a senior official of the Foreign Ministry briefed a select group of journalists on Pakistan's efforts to find a negotiated settlement of the ongoing conflict. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi in a statement rejected the media reports as "baseless" and a "figment of imagination". "We have noted several reports in the media, including on social media, citing so-called official government sources regarding the ongoing conflict in the region and Pakistan's efforts to promote peace and dialogue," he said. "We categorically reject these false insinuations attributed to purported official sources as baseless and a figment of imagination. Any attribution to official sources in this regard is incorrect." He said that it was a matter of concern that

Iran says 'no' to Pakistan's attempt to play peace broker, eyes Qatar role

Iran has called the list of demands from the US as unacceptable, pushing the possibility of an early resolution to the crisis to the back burner

Pakistan cuts petrol price by PKR 80, day after hike saw severe backlash

A day after an unprecedented surge in fuel prices triggered severe backlash, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced slashing the petrol price by PKR 80. Sharif in a midnight address Friday announced that the government has decided to reduce petrol levy by PKR 80 per litre, making the commodity available to the end consumer for PKR 378 per litre. The government on Thursday announced an unprecedented hike of 43 per cent and 55 per cent in the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD), respectively. The rise in petrol price from PKR 321.17 to PKR 458.41 per litre came as the government levy increased from PKR 105 to PKR 160 per litre. The government had also increased HSD price by PKR 184.49 per litre -- from PKR 335.86 to PKR 520.35 -- but had abolished the levy, prompting demands that the government should follow suit with regard to petrol price, providing some relief to citizens. "I am announcing an immediate reduction of PKR 80 per litre in petrol levy," he said,

Pakistan-led ceasefire push between US and Iran hits dead end: Report

Iran has officially told mediators that it is unwilling to meet US officials in Islamabad in the coming days and considers US demands unacceptable, the report said

Pakistan hikes petrol, diesel prices by record 43% and 55% amid Iran war

Pakistan has announced an unprecedented increase of 43 per cent and 55 per cent in the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD), respectively, in response to spiking global oil prices amid the US-Israel war on Iran. The government made the announcement on Thursday. The price of petrol has been increased by Rs 137.23 per litre (42.7 per cent) to Rs 458.41 from Rs 321.17, while HSD by Rs 184.49 per litre (55 per cent) to Rs 520.35 from Rs 335.86, with immediate effect. The price of kerosene was also increased by Rs 34.08 per litre to Rs 457.80. The government also adjusted the petroleum levy rates to limit the increase in diesel prices as the levy on petrol was increased to Rs 160 per litre from Rs 105, while it was reduced to zero on diesel from Rs 55. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik while making the announcement, which he termed as a "difficult decision", said that the objective was to restrict subsidies to the most deserving segments while maintaining fiscal discipline an

China in talks with 'all parties' on need to restore Strait of Hormuz

China on Thursday said that it is in communication "with all parties" about the need to restore stability in the Strait of Hormuz, and that everyone should work toward that end. "We believe that an early ceasefire and restoration of peace and stability in the Strait of Hormuz and its adjacent waters is a common aspiration of the international community, and all sides should work towards this end," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. "China is maintaining communication and coordination with all parties," she said. Mao said that "the root cause of the disruption to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz lies in the illegal military actions taken by the US and Israel against Iran," and said the way to restore safety in the area is to end the hostilities. "Military means cannot fundamentally resolve the issue, and an escalation of the conflict is not in the interest of any party," she said. China and Pakistan agreed this week to promote a five-point proposal, which includ

Pakistan, Afghan Taliban resume talks in China as Beijing seeks ceasefire

Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban governments have resumed talks in China, which is mediating between the two sides to broker a durable ceasefire after more than a month of fighting, two Pakistani officials said Wednesday. A third person who is in a position to know about China's mediation efforts said the talks were aimed at ending the current fighting. Representatives from both countries are meeting in Urumqi, in northern China, the officials told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the media. China has not commented. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs neither confirmed nor denied the latest development.

How a 35-year-old crypto bro helped Pakistan win over Trump world

Led by Bilal Bin Saqib, Pakistan's crypto diplomacy deepens engagement with Trump's inner circle, boosting Islamabad's bid to mediate in US-Iran tensions amid fears of disruption to global energy supp

Iranian strikes spread as US troop buildup spurs escalation concern

The arrival of a US amphibious assault group and the entry of Iran-backed Houthi forces heightened fears of escalation as the war entered its second month

Pakistan to host US-Iran talks amid escalating West Asia conflict

Pakistan's Foreign Minister on Sunday indicated the prospect of potential talks between the US and Iran to de-escalate the ongoing war, underlining that both countries have expressed their "confidence" in Islamabad to facilitate their talks. Ishaq Dar made these remarks while addressing the media after holding the quadrilateral consultations with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkiye. The leaders also discussed ways to bring an "early and permanent end to the war" in the region as they held consultations on the West Asia conflict. After the quadrilateral consultations, Dar also briefed the visiting dignitaries on the prospects of potential US-Iran talks in Islamabad. "The visiting foreign ministers expressed their fullest support to this initiative," he said. "In this context, Pakistan is very happy that both Iran and the US have expressed their confidence in Pakistan to facilitate their talks. Pakistan will be honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks betw

One killed, several hurt as Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of shelling

Afghanistan's government accused Pakistan's military of shelling the outskirts of an eastern Afghan city on Sunday, killing one person and wounding more than a dozen in the latest episode of renewed fighting between the two neighboring countries. The fighting, which erupted in late February, has been the most severe between Afghanistan and Pakistan in decades. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of providing a safe haven for militants who carry out attacks inside Pakistan, especially for the Pakistani Taliban. The group is separate but closely allied with the Afghan Taliban, which seized power in Afghanistan in 2021 during the chaotic withdrawal of U.S.-led troops. Kabul denies the allegation. Afghan deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said that "mortars and other heavy weaponry" were used Sunday afternoon to strike rural areas and civilian homes on the outskirts of the city of Asadabad in Kunar Province. In a post on X accompanied by photos of wounded children, Fitrat said that

Regional powers' huddle in Pakistan to de-escalate West Asia conflict

Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkiye and Pakistan held consultations on the West Asia conflict in Islamabad on Sunday to find a way to de-escalate the ongoing war that has unsettled the region and caused severe global economic disruptions. The foreign ministers discussed the evolving regional situation and exchanged views on security issues while exploring options for broader peace in the region, an official said. The talks were held amidst a delay in the direct talks between the US and Iran. No statement was issued after the meeting. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan arrived in Islamabad on Saturday, while their Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, reached here on Sunday at the invitation of Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The two-day quadrilateral summit is Pakistan's attempt to broker peace in West Asia. After the meeting, the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farh

Iran warns US over ground attack as regional powers meet in Pakistan

Washington has dispatched thousands of Marines to the West Asia, with the first of two contingents arriving on Friday aboard an amphibious assault ship, the US military has said

Pak set to host summit with Saudi, Egypt, Turkey to discuss West Asia war

Pakistan is set to host a quadrilateral summit of foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye on Sunday, to discuss the ongoing conflict in West Asia and efforts to negotiate peace, the Foreign Office said. According to the Foreign Office (FO), the foreign ministers of Egypt and Turkiye have already reached Islamabad while their Saudi Arabian counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud was scheduled to arrive on Sunday. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan arrived in Islamabad on Saturday at the invitation of Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the FO said. During the visit, the leaders will hold consultations on regional developments and also call on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the FO added. In a press statement on Saturday, the FO said the visiting foreign ministers will hold "in-depth discussions on a range of issues, including efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region". Separately, the FO

Why Barrick's Reko Diq mining delay matters for Pakistan and its economy

Barrick's 12-month review of Reko Diq shows how security risks, regional conflict and cost uncertainty can stall even a flagship mine Pakistan sees as vital for exports and investment

Navel-gazing, in national interest: India balances both sides in war

It's easy to understand why the government can't speak the hard truth. When this war ends, as all wars do, India's interests will lie with both the winner and the loser

Why Bangladesh PM Rahman's post on 1971 genocide puts revisionism to rest

Tarique Rahman's Genocide Day post names Pakistan's role, signalling a shift in Bangladesh's narrative amid Yunus-era revisionism and evolving ties with Islamabad

Fighting resumes between Pak, Afghanistan after temporary ceasefire ends

Renewed fighting erupted along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan on Wednesday after a temporary ceasefire expired, killing at least two civilians and wounding others in eastern Afghanistan, Afghan Taliban officials said. The brief truce had been announced by the two sides ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. Ziaur Rahman Speenghar, a director at the information and culture department in Afghanistan's Kunar province, said Pakistani forces fired dozens of artillery shells into the Narai and Sarkano districts, killing two civilians and wounding eight others after the ceasefire expired. Afghan border forces returned fire, he said, claiming they destroyed three Pakistani military posts and killed one person. His claims could not be independently verified. There was no immediate comment from Pakistan's military. However, a local Pakistani official in the northwest accused Afghan forces of initiating the exchange of fire in multiple areas. The latest violence comes about a

India not 'broker' amid West Asia crisis: Jaishankar at all-party meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed to US President Donald Trump that the war in West Asia must end soon as it is hurting everyone, the government told an up-in-arms Opposition at an all-party meeting on Wednesday, terming Pakistan a "dalaal" (broker) nation in reference to its reported mediation in the conflict. There is nothing new in Pakistan's mediation efforts in the matter as that country has been "used" by the US since 1981, sources quoted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as saying. "We are not a dalaal nation," Jaishankar is said to have told the attendees of the meeting convened at the Parliament complex to discuss the West Asia crisis. The sources added that the government refuted the Opposition's charge that New Delhi was silent on the situation, asserting that "we are commenting and responding". When the Iran embassy was opened, the Foreign Secretary visited immediately and signed the condolence book, the government told the parties in response to the ...