Xi Jinping’s US visit: Is the ice finally beginning to melt?

By Shamsul Haq Relations between the world’s two largest economic and military powers, China and the United States, have in recent years been marked by rivalry, mistrust and periodic confrontation. Against this backdrop, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the United States from September 23 to 25 carries considerable diplomatic significance. The central question,…

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CPEC 2.0: From Infrastructure to Economic Transformation

By Shamsul HaqThe China-Pakistan relationship is entering a new phase. As the global order undergoes profound changes marked by geopolitical competition, economic uncertainty and shifting trade patterns, the partnership between Islamabad and Beijing has acquired renewed significance.At the centre of this relationship is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which now stands at a critical juncture….

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Fuel Price Swings Add to Economic Strain on Pakistan’s Working Families

By Riaz HussainPESHAWAR, — Frequent changes in fuel prices are adding to the financial pressures facing millions of ordinary Pakistanis, increasing transportation costs and putting further strain on household budgets already squeezed by higher food, education and healthcare expenses.For 46-year-old Nisar Khan, a taxi driver and father of six, the rising cost of petrol has…

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کراچی سے سسرال آیا داماد جیل پہنچ گیا، شیخ ملتون پولیس پر سوالات اٹھ گئے

مردان: نیو سرخ ڈھیری میں مبینہ سرچ آپریشن کے دوران ایک ایسا عجیب واقعہ سامنے آیا ہے جس نے پولیس کی کارروائی اور کرایہ داری قوانین کے نفاذ پر کئی سوالات کھڑے کر دیے ہیں۔مقامی افراد کے مطابق تھانہ شیخ ملتون کی حدود میں پولیس سرچ اینڈ سٹرائیک آپریشن کر رہی تھی، جس کا مقصد…

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14 Newborn Babies Killed in Fire at PIMS Hospital in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Fourteen newborn babies were killed when a fire broke out in the neonatal unit of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad early Wednesday morning, raising serious questions about fire safety and emergency response arrangements at one of the country’s major public hospitals. According to officials, the fire erupted at around 6:45…

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Makkah defence pact: A new strategic equation in the Middle East?

By Shamsul HaqThe Middle East is passing through one of the most critical phases in its recent history, with war, diplomacy, energy security and shifting strategic alliances increasingly intertwined. Against this backdrop, the defence agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye in Makkah carries significance far beyond the three signatories. It could potentially contribute…

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Pakistan’s Tobacco Dilemma: Balancing Farmers’ Livelihoods, Industry Interests and State Regulation

By Shamsul Haq Every summer, as tobacco leaves begin to mature across the fertile plains of Mardan, Swabi and Charsadda, a familiar dispute resurfaces. Farmers demand higher prices for their crop, tobacco companies complain of overproduction and regulatory constraints, while the Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) finds itself accused by both sides of failing to ensure…

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Oil Surge and Middle East Tensions Shake Global Markets, PSX Falls Over 2,000 Points

Riaz Hussain Global oil prices climbed sharply on Monday as escalating tensions in the Middle East heightened fears of disruptions to energy supplies, while stock markets across Asia — including Pakistan — came under renewed pressure.Brent crude rose by $2.01, or 1.84 per cent, to reach $111.27 per barrel during early trading after touching its…

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Islamabad Talks: Centre Stage Set for US–Iran Peace Negotiations

By H. Nawaz Afghan : Islamabad has emerged as the focal point of high-level diplomacy as the United States and Iran engage in crucial peace negotiations aimed at easing tensions and converting a fragile ceasefire into a lasting agreement. Senior delegations from both countries have arrived in Pakistan’s federal capital under tight security arrangements. The…

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Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt to Visit Islamabad for Consultations

At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt are scheduled to visit Islamabad from March 29 to 30, 2026. The visiting dignitaries include Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Hakan Fidan, and Badr Abdelatty. During their visit, the foreign ministers will engage…

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