With no takers, smart lockdown proposal scrapped

Fuel supply stays steady, reserves adequate Coordinated strategy to tackle economic pressures President, PM to p ISLAMABAD: A high-level consultative session at the Aiwan-e-Sadr decided on Monday not to impose a nationwide smart lockdown, following global fuel supply disruptions caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East. Monday saw a series of high-level meetings … Read more

Dar heads to Beijing amid mediation push

ISLAMABAD: Just two days after hosting foreign ministers from Türkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is heading to Beijing in a move officials say underscores Islamabad’s intensifying diplomatic push to defuse the Middle East crisis. According to a Foreign Office statement issued on Monday, Dar will visit China … Read more

Nationwide hailstorm, rain forecast until April 4

KARACHI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday issued a weather advisory forecasting widespread rain, wind, and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms, across various regions of the country from April 1 to April 4. According to a PMD statement, a westerly wave is expected to approach the southwestern parts of Balochistan on April … Read more

City plunges into massive water crisis

Power outage at Dhabeji Pumping Station ruptures major supply line, disrupting water for up to 48 hours Rawalpindi water crisis. Photo: INP (file) KARACHI: A major power breakdown at the Dhabeji Pumping Station has triggered a severe water crisis in Karachi, after a 72-inch diameter main supply line burst once again, wasting millions of gallons … Read more

Metro buses hit by flooding, poor maintenance

. New Metro buses lined up before induction in fleet. PHOTO: FILE RAWALPINDI: The heavy rain has badly affected the condition of the metro buses running between the twin cities with public buses becoming swamped by water leaks, causing damage to its interior and troubling passengers. Passengers reported that during the thunderstorm, water began pouring … Read more

Fence-mending move

The quadruple talks involving the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt and Pakistan were a step in the right direction. The intention on the part of Islamabad was to iron out a factual position that could subsequently lead to parleys among the major stakeholders in the conflict i.e. Iran and the US. The dynamic … Read more

Iran war ‘shock’ is dimming outlook for many economies, IMF says

IMF says war from Feb 28 strikes causing global asymmetric shock, tightening financial conditions The International Monetary Fund logo is seen during the IMF/World Bank spring meetings in Washington, U.S., April 21, 2017. REUTERS The war in the Middle East has caused serious disruption to the economies of frontline countries, and is dimming the outlook … Read more

China urges US-Iran talks as soon as possible, praises Pakistan mediation

Says it supports mediation and stands ready to work with Pakistan and others to end hostility Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning gestures during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, on May 24, 2023. PHOTO: CHINESE FORIEGN MINISTRY China on Monday reiterated its call for the United States and Iran … Read more