Saqib Tanveer

WASHINGTON: Members of the Khalistan movement gathered Thursday outside the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, offering $1 billion to join the Board of Peace and hold a referendum on an independent Indian Punjab. Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, a protester said the funds were meant to &ldquo;liberate our Punjab from Indian occupation.&rdquo; He said the group supports President Trump&rsquo;s initiative to stop wars worldwide and hopes to join the board to advance their cause. &ldquo;Since 1947, when Sikhs claimed their own independent state, the leaders of that time joined India&rsquo;s Punjab. But for the last 80 years, Sikhs have faced persecution and atrocities,&rdquo; he said. The protester added that the group seeks &ldquo;liberation through a peaceful and democratic referendum.&rdquo; He also addressed India directly, saying, &ldquo;Our message is clear. We want liberation from India through a peaceful and democratic process. Modi tried to assassinate Khalistan movement leaders, but he failed. We will not take a step back and will fight till the liberation of Punjab.&rdquo; The President of the Council of Khalistan, Dr Bakshish Singh Sandhu, said the proposal includes a $1 billion donation to fund an official referendum. &ldquo;Currently, Khalistan, under Indian control, is subjected to genocide, econocide, and transnational assassinations. We are here at the Board of Peace so the sovereignty conflict of Punjab can be resolved amicably through a referendum vote, which is legal and peaceful,&rdquo; he said. Sandhu added that joining the Board of Peace would establish geopolitical support with the US and reduce the risk of nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan. Protesters displayed a large check from Sikhs for Justice reading &ldquo;$1 billion for Khalistan referendum&rdquo; and &ldquo;for liberating Punjab from Indian occupation,&rdquo; with the years &ldquo;1984-2026&rdquo; printed on it. The Khalistan movement seeks an independent homeland for the Sikh community, known as Khalistan, in the Punjab region. It dates back to the 1947 partition of India and creation of Pakistan and peaked in the 1980s during the leadership of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, culminating in the 1984 Indian military operation at the Golden Temple. Recent high-profile incidents have heightened tensions between India and the West. On June 18, 2023, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistan advocate in Canada, was shot dead in Surrey, British Columbia. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there was &ldquo;credible intelligence&rdquo; linking the Indian government to the killing. Several Indian nationals were later arrested in connection with the murder. In late 2023, US prosecutors revealed they had foiled a plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a leader of Sikhs for Justice, in New York City. An Indian national extradited from the Czech Republic pleaded guilty in February 2026 to murder-for-hire charges. A former Indian intelligence officer was charged in October 2024 with directing the plot. Other notable cases include Satinderpal Singh Raju, who survived a drive-by shooting in California in 2024, and Avtar Singh Khanda, who died under suspicious circumstances in the UK in June 2023. The movement remains active among the Sikh diaspora in Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia. Sikhs for Justice organizes unofficial global referendums on Khalistan, non-binding votes that continue to create diplomatic tensions. Proposed boundaries of Khalistan typically include the Indian state of Punjab and, at times, parts of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh.

Members of the Khalistan movement gathered Thursday outside the Donald Trump Institute of Peace, offering $1 billion to join the Board of Peace and hold a referendum on an independent Punjab.

India

Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, a protester said the funds were meant to “liberate our Punjab from Indian occupation.” He said the group supports President Trump’s initiative to stop wars worldwide and hopes to join the board to advance their cause.

Khalistan activists offer $1 billion to join Trump’s Board of Peace for Indian Punjab referendum

VIENNA: Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will make a historic visit to Austria starting Sunday, the first by a Pakistani premier in 34 years since the last visit in 1992, the country&rsquo;s ambassador said. Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, Pakistan&#39;s Ambassador to Austria Mohammad Kamran Akhtar said the visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, established in 1956. &quot;There has been a sort of communication gap between Pakistan and one of the most important countries of European Union,&quot; Akhtar said. &quot;It might not be a large country, but it is very significant in terms of being the capital of international diplomacy, multilateralism and international negotiations.&quot; Bilateral meetings and economic engagement PM Sharif will meet the Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker for private talks followed by bilateral delegation-level meetings covering issues on the agenda between the two countries, according to the ambassador. The schedule includes a CEO forum co-chaired by PM Sharif and Stocker, bringing together leadership from Pakistani and Austrian companies already doing business in Pakistan. &quot;The Chancellor of Austria, since he will be co-chairing, that sends a very strong signal in Austria&#39;s interest in increasing its economic collaboration with Pakistan,&quot; the ambassador said. In the afternoon, PM Sharif will chair a larger business forum before proceeding to UN premises in Vienna, where he will deliver a keynote address at an event on sustainable development. UN agencies and development programs Vienna hosts three UN agencies critical to Pakistan: the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Kamran Akhtar said Pakistan maintains active country programs with all three agencies, benefiting from IAEA technical cooperation in peaceful nuclear power generation, cancer diagnostic and treatment, and development of climate-resistant crop varieties. He stated that UNIDO assists Pakistan with industrial development and the transition to low-carbon energy pathways, while&nbsp;UNODC provides capacity building and technical assistance for addressing drug-related challenges from Afghanistan. The ambassador revealed that during the current visit, Pakistan will sign a new country program with UNODC covering 2026 to 2030. Education opportunities for Pakistani students On education cooperation, the ambassador said approximately 400 Pakistani PhD students have completed their studies in Austria since the Higher Education Commission launched its program in 2012. Currently, around 500 Pakistani students study at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels across Austrian universities, primarily in science, technology and engineering fields. The Pak-Austria Fachhochschule in Haripur was established in collaboration with 11 Austrian tertiary institutions and five Chinese institutions. A new branch is planned for Sialkot. The ambassador said Austrian public universities charge nominal fees, making study affordable for Pakistani students who achieve C1-level proficiency in German. He added that Austria faces an acute shortage of trained manpower, and Pakistani students who perform well can secure employment in the Austrian economy.

Pakistan's Ambassador to Austria Muhammad Kamran Akhtar speaking to Pakistan TV Digital. 

Foreign Affairs

The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations established in 1956. PM Sharif will meet Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker for bilateral talks and chair business forums.

Pakistan PM to visit Austria for first time in 34 years 

DAVOS: International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Friday praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as &ldquo;a man of his word,&rdquo; endorsing Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to politically difficult economic reforms under its IMF program.&nbsp;Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital on the final day of the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos, Georgieva said Pakistan&rsquo;s government had demonstrated seriousness in implementing reforms agreed with the Fund. &nbsp;&ldquo;The Pakistani government has embraced serious reforms and the fruits of action are already there,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;We are finally seeing the budget discipline bringing resources that can be deployed to improve lives of people.&rdquo;&nbsp;Georgieva said the IMF was encouraged by the pace and intent of implementation, signalling continuity in engagement with Islamabad.&nbsp;&ldquo;I very much look forward to continuing the implementation of the program that is the Pakistani program, the IMF,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;The IMF chief spoke in personal terms about her interactions with Sharif, underscoring trust between the two sides.&nbsp;&ldquo;I highly respect the Prime Minister. He is serious. When he gives his word that something would be done, it gets done,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;Describing recent meetings, Georgieva noted a focus on accountability and follow-through. &ldquo;We have been in meetings many times,&rdquo; she told Pakistan TV Digital. &ldquo;We always use time effectively to identify where progress is made, where there is still more work to do.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;And that was exactly the case this time.&rdquo;&nbsp;She concluded by commending the government&rsquo;s resolve to press ahead with reforms despite domestic pressures. &ldquo;So, my high respect for the seriousness of the Prime Minister and his cabinet to carry forward difficult reforms for the betterment of Pakistan.&rdquo;&nbsp;Her remarks signal continued IMF confidence in Pakistan&rsquo;s reform trajectory, even as the country grapples with inflation, fiscal tightening, and the social costs of stabilization measures.

Europe

Kristalina Georgieva praises Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Davos, citing serious reforms, budget discipline, and continued confidence in Pakistan’s IMF-backed economic programme.

IMF chief calls PM Sharif ‘man of word,’ lauds Pakistan for undertaking difficult reforms

DAVOS: Pakistan Peoples Party chairperson and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said India&rsquo;s global image has &ldquo;become so very small&rdquo; in recent months, while Pakistan is increasingly being discussed in geopolitical circles. He credited Islamabad&rsquo;s diplomatic conduct during recent international crises for strengthening the country&rsquo;s standing on the world stage. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Pakistan TV Digital on the sidelines of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/trump-to-attend-world-economic-forum-in-davos-next-week-organizers" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">World Economic Forum</a>&nbsp;in Davos 2026, Bilawal highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s role in the newly launched Board of Peace (BoP), an international initiative aimed at conflict resolution. The organization, whose charter was signed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/board-of-peace-to-work-with-un-for-global-peace-efforts-trump" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif</a>&nbsp;at the Davos forum, has already attracted membership from roughly 19 countries. &ldquo;The Board of Peace is a new concept,&rdquo; Bilawal said. &ldquo;From Pakistan&rsquo;s perspective, it is very important for us to be in the room while such important conversations are being had,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;This allows us to put across not only our point of view but, more importantly, the point of view of the people of Palestine, whose right to self-determination and a peaceful home Pakistan has consistently advocated for since the country&rsquo;s foundation.&rdquo; He emphasized that, while the recent Gaza ceasefire achieved the release of hostages and prisoners, the focus now should be on ensuring uninterrupted humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. &ldquo;Our number one priority must be that humanitarian aid and access are fully and completely implemented,&rdquo; he said. Bilawal also spoke about the geopolitical implications of China and other major powers joining the BoP. &ldquo;China and other countries have also been invited to be members of this Board of Peace,&rdquo; the former foreign minister said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s a positive indication, and it&rsquo;s yet to be seen what their final decision will be,&rdquo; Bilawal added, reaffirming Pakistan&rsquo;s strong relationship with Beijing, citing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as a historic achievement. Turning to India, Bilawal offered a stark critique of New Delhi&rsquo;s global positioning. &ldquo;It is incredibly unfortunate,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;India, which presented itself as a great power and a great democracy, has really become so very small over the course of the many months that we&rsquo;ve seen post this conflict,&rdquo; Bilawal said, referring to the cross-border clashes between the two countries in May last year. The four-day conflict, triggered by a militant attack on civilians in Indian-occupied Kashmir, quickly escalated into the deadliest fighting between Pakistan and India since 2019, involving missile, drone, and artillery strikes before both sides accepted a US-brokered ceasefire. Bilawal also raised concerns about India&rsquo;s conduct on international platforms. &ldquo;Whether it&rsquo;s the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, or anywhere on the world stage, India seems to be shying away,&rdquo; he said, contrasting this with Pakistan&rsquo;s diplomatic performance. &ldquo;The world has recognized how Pakistan performed, not only during this conflict but as a responsible player within the region. If you compare Pakistan&rsquo;s positioning vis-&agrave;-vis India, despite India&rsquo;s larger finances and military, it is Pakistan that is now the talk of the town in geopolitical circles.&rdquo; On water issue, Bilawal highlighted the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/un-demands-india-explain-may-strikes-on-pakistan-indus-treaty-actions" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Indus Waters Treaty</a>, accusing India of illegally suspending the agreement. &ldquo;I discussed this with the World Bank president recently. The Indus Waters Treaty has long been the gold standard for water management. India&rsquo;s violation of it exposes their narrative internationally.&rdquo; He also spoke on US relations, offering measured praise for President Donald Trump&rsquo;s engagement in multilateral forums. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad we have a US president who focuses on the positive sometimes. I&rsquo;ve been to Davos often, and a lot of the time, countries focus on the negative,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s something we should welcome.&rdquo; Concluding on digital media and international perception, Bilawal lauded Pakistan TV Digital&rsquo;s efforts in presenting a domestic perspective to the world. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad the international audience is getting a perspective from inside Pakistan.&rdquo;

Pakistan Peoples Party chairperson and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said India’s global image has “become so very small” in recent months, while Pakistan is increasingly being discussed in geopolitical circles.

India’s image shrinking, Pakistan now ‘talk of the town’ globally: Bilawal

DAVOS: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said he will visit Pakistan in the near future, reaffirming his commitment to support the country&rsquo;s football development and expressing confidence in its long-term potential.&nbsp;Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Infantino said he had promised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that he would travel to Pakistan soon.&nbsp;He praised the leadership of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), saying it is doing &ldquo;a fantastic job&rdquo; in reviving and strengthening the game.&nbsp;Describing Pakistan as a &ldquo;great football country,&rdquo; Infantino said FIFA&rsquo;s objective is to help elevate Pakistan to the top tier of Asian football by ensuring opportunities for emerging talent across the country.&nbsp;FIFA Chief of Global Football Development and former Arsenal manager Ars&egrave;ne Wenger echoed similar views, saying Pakistan&rsquo;s population of 250 million represents a vast opportunity for football growth.&nbsp;&ldquo;There is a huge potential [in the country],&rdquo; Wenger told Pakistan TV Digital, stressing that it must be developed in partnership with FIFA.&nbsp;He stressed that establishing football academies and strengthening youth development are essential first steps in building a sustainable football structure.&nbsp;Wenger said nurturing the game at the grassroots level is critical for translating Pakistan&rsquo;s demographic strength into on-field success.&nbsp;The statements from FIFA&rsquo;s top leadership signal renewed momentum for Pakistan football, with a focus on institutional reform, youth development, and long-term growth aimed at restoring the country&rsquo;s standing in Asian football.

Football

Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he will visit Pakistan soon, praising the PFF’s leadership and aiming to elevate the country’s football potential.

FIFA president to visit Pakistan ‘soon’ after ‘promise’ to PM Sharif

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Global ride-hailing platform inDrive is set to expand into Pakistan&rsquo;s foodtech and healthcare sectors, citing what it describes as &ldquo;significant injustice&rdquo; in pricing and commissions, according to the company&rsquo;s founder and CEO, Arsen Tomsky.&nbsp;Speaking exclusively to Pakistan TV Digital on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, about inDrive&rsquo;s growth strategy, Tomsky said the company enters markets where policies are stable and where it can challenge what it sees as unfair practices, particularly inflated rates, high commissions, and price monopolies.&nbsp;&ldquo;We are the team who fight injustice,&rdquo; Tomsky said, adding that Pakistan has proven to be a strong fit for the company&rsquo;s model. &ldquo;We saw this in the past in Pakistan. This is good for us because we can help people reduce injustice and protect them from inflated rates, commissions, and price manipulations.&rdquo;&nbsp;He said inDrive&rsquo;s launch in Pakistan quickly gained traction, with many users switching to the platform. &ldquo;In a short period, we became the leaders in the country,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;According to Tomsky, Pakistan is now among the company&#39;s top ten markets globally.&nbsp;He explained that inDrive maintains one of the lowest commission structures in the market. The platform charges around 10% commission, compared to 25-40% charged by competitors.&nbsp;&ldquo;This helps make services more affordable,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;inDrive currently operates in more than 20 cities across Pakistan and plans to continue expanding geographically. Beyond mobility, the company is now looking at new sectors where it believes consumers and service providers face unfair pricing.&nbsp;&ldquo;We have started to think about healthcare,&rdquo; Tomsky said. He also confirmed that inDrive is expanding into foodtech this year, calling the sector another area marked by significant injustice.&nbsp;Describing Pakistan as a rapidly growing, youthful market, Tomsky noted that the country&rsquo;s population exceeds 250 million, with more than 60% under 30.&nbsp;&ldquo;The market is absolutely booming and taking off,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I believe in the fantastic future of the country.&rdquo;&nbsp;The planned expansion into food and healthcare would mark a significant broadening of inDrive&rsquo;s footprint in Pakistan, positioning the company beyond ride-hailing as it seeks to replicate its low-commission, user-driven pricing model in other sectors.

Artificial Intelligence

The ride-hailing service operates in more than 20 cities across Pakistan. Beyond mobility, the company is looking at sectors where it believes consumers and service providers face unfair pricing.

inDrive Pakistan set to expand into foodtech, healthcare: CEO

DAVOS: Pakistan&rsquo;s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the country is &ldquo;open for business&rdquo; as he held a series of <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-finance-minister-highlights-120000-new-investors-boosts-confidence" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">high-level political and corporate</a> engagements on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting, positioning Islamabad as a destination for investment driven by macroeconomic stability and technology-led growth.&nbsp;In an exclusive interview with Pakistan TV Digital, Aurangzeb outlined Pakistan&rsquo;s outreach strategy at the five-day WEF meeting in Davos, where nearly 3,000 global leaders from politics, business, finance and civil society are gathering to discuss pressing global challenges.&nbsp;Aurangzeb said his engagements included meetings with fellow finance ministers from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt, alongside interactions with existing and prospective investors.&nbsp;&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a great opportunity to meet your counterparts and have conversations about their economies, our economy, and mutual areas of cooperation, investment and trade,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;The finance minister noted that Davos offers a rare platform where political leadership and global business converge, enabling Pakistan to simultaneously engage governments and multinational corporations.&nbsp;He said discussions were underway with major existing investors in Pakistan, including global companies active in aviation, food and beverages, to understand how they plan to expand their footprint in the country.&nbsp;Highlighting the presence of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pm-sharif-to-lead-pakistan-delegation-to-wef-2026-in-davos" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif</a>&nbsp;at the forum, Aurangzeb said Pakistan&rsquo;s leadership was using the platform to present a renewed national narrative anchored in economic stabilization achieved over recent years.&nbsp;&ldquo;This is to tell the Pakistan story. The macroeconomic stabilization we have achieved and, more importantly, how we want to move forward toward sustainable growth,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Aurangzeb emphasized that Pakistan is now seeking market-efficiency-driven foreign investment that can generate exportable surpluses and long-term value.&nbsp;&ldquo;This is a very big opportunity for us to showcase Pakistan, the opportunity in Pakistan, and the message that Pakistan is open for business,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;Turning to the digital economy, the finance minister said Pakistan is positioning itself to capitalize on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain and Web3. Key themes at this year&rsquo;s WEF meeting.&nbsp;He said regulatory progress through the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and engagement with global technology leaders signal Pakistan&rsquo;s intent to compete in the knowledge economy.&nbsp;Aurangzeb underlined Pakistan&rsquo;s strength as one of the world&rsquo;s top freelance markets, saying targeted investment in blockchain and AI centers of excellence could significantly raise earnings and productivity.&nbsp;He said such initiatives would not only benefit individual professionals but also strengthen the national economy through higher-value exports of digital services.&nbsp;Summing up Pakistan&rsquo;s pitch to the international community, Aurangzeb pointed to opportunities across traditional sectors such as agriculture, minerals and mining, alongside fast-growing areas like information technology and startups.&nbsp;The finance minister said Pakistan aims to leapfrog in the knowledge economy by attracting expertise, financing and technology transfer through global partnerships.&nbsp;The World Economic Forum annual meeting, held every January in the Alpine town of Davos since 1971, brings together heads of state, ministers, corporate leaders and policymakers. This year&rsquo;s meeting, which began on January 19 and concludes on January 23, comes amid global economic uncertainty and heightened focus on technological transformation and international cooperation. <div class="fr-embed youtube-embed"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uSIuj_Y9ayk?si=6ESAjjOQmQ9MS9Nf" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" style="width: 100%; height: auto; aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; max-width: 100%; display: block;"></iframe>&nbsp;</div>

Economy

In conversation with Pakistan TV Digital in Davos, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb says Pakistan is engaging global counterparts, courting investors, and leveraging digital innovation to drive sustainable, export-oriented economic growth.

Pakistan pitches stability, AI-led growth to investors at Davos forum

ISLAMABAD: The Afghan Taliban have committed to taking &ldquo;clear, verifiable, and effective action&rdquo; against terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Pakistani sources told Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp;The announcement follows a five-day negotiation in Istanbul, where both sides agreed to extend the ceasefire.&nbsp;Official sources described the development as a key step toward regional peace and stability and an important milestone for international security.&nbsp;While the ceasefire will continue, Pakistani officials stressed that it is conditional on Afghanistan not being used as a launchpad for attacks against Pakistan.&nbsp;&ldquo;This outcome has been achieved through reasoned diplomacy, patience, and steadfast commitment to national interest, despite hurdles and accusations from adversaries,&rdquo; sources said.&nbsp;Afghanistan and Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire during talks mediated by T&uuml;rkiye and Qatar, according to a joint statement released by the Turkish Foreign Ministry. The talks aimed to consolidate the truce originally agreed upon in Doha on Oct. 18-19, with a principal-level meeting scheduled for Nov. 6 to finalize further implementation details. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1983980512046985585&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=6652bdd701f220ebc8bad8fec5974eead6ae7a79&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 801px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The Qatar foreign ministry also confirmed the development in a post later on X. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 849px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1983996754577256826&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=7c20b0e41c6bb8cfcc9ba92af1cf60b6569cb840&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The statement also confirmed that a joint monitoring and verification mechanism will be established to ensure compliance and impose penalties on violators. T&uuml;rkiye and Qatar, as mediators, praised the active participation of both sides and reaffirmed their readiness to continue supporting efforts for lasting peace and stability.&nbsp;Reaffirming the agreement, Afghanistan&rsquo;s interim government spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the talks concluded with an understanding that both sides will continue future meetings to review the remaining issues.&nbsp;Mujahid emphasized that Kabul seeks positive relations with Pakistan based on mutual respect, non-interference, and avoidance of actions that could threaten either side.&nbsp;Speaking to SAMAA TV, Pakistan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar described the outcome as a victory for Pakistan and thanked Qatar and T&uuml;rkiye for their mediation. He added that the responsibility now rests with the Afghan Taliban to take concrete action against terrorism.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s stance has been clear: support for terrorism must end. A mechanism for monitoring, verification, and enforcement in case of violations will also be implemented,&rdquo; he said.

In a statement released by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to continue their ceasefire, establish a joint monitoring mechanism, and finalize implementation details in a principal-level meeting on Nov. 6.

Afghanistan to take ‘clear, verifiable action’ against terrorists: sources

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has agreed to extend the ongoing dialogue process with Afghanistan in Istanbul following a request from the host country, T&uuml;rkiye, well-placed sources confirmed to Pakistan TV Digital on Thursday.&nbsp;The talks will resume at 2pm Pakistan Time, according to sources. &quot;It was decided to resume the dialogue process to give peace another chance,&quot; sources said. The talks will focus on Pakistan&rsquo;s central demand that Afghanistan take clear, verifiable and effective action against terrorists, the sources added. Pakistan has once again stressed that Afghan territory must not be used for terrorism against it. The sources appreciated the constructive role of the hosts and reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to pursuing a peaceful resolution through dialogue in good faith. BackgroundThe four-day high-level security talks between the two South Asian nations in Istanbul had ended on Tuesday without an agreement after the Afghan delegation &ldquo;declined to accept verifiable measures&rdquo; against the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).&nbsp;&ldquo;The Afghan side did not sign the final draft despite multiple near-agreements,&rdquo; a senior security source added.&nbsp;Pakistan presented evidence and proposed enforcement steps to curb cross-border attacks, but Kabul &ldquo;avoided concrete commitments,&rdquo; another source said. Mediators from Qatar and T&uuml;rkiye facilitated the discussions. On Oct. 17, the two countries had agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire in Doha, the capital city of Qatar, and for a second round of talks in Istanbul.&nbsp; Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban leadership to act against the proscribed TTP and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), saying both groups operate from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan. Officials note that commitments made under the Doha Agreement have not been fully implemented.&nbsp;Earlier, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said Pakistan joined the Doha and Istanbul rounds &ldquo;to give peace a chance&rdquo; at the request of Qatar and T&uuml;rkiye. However, he said, the Afghan side resorted to &ldquo;blame, deflection, and excuses,&rdquo; leaving the dialogue fruitless.

Security

At the request of the host country, Türkiye, the talks will resume at 2pm Pakistan Time, sources said.

Pakistan agrees to extend dialogue process with Afghan Taliban in Istanbul: sources

ISLAMABAD: High-level security talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul ended without an agreement, sources told Pakistan TV Digital on Wednesday. According to the sources, the four-day negotiations concluded after the Afghan delegation &ldquo;declined to accept verifiable measures&rdquo; against the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). &ldquo;The central issue was verifiable action to restrain the TTP and prevent cross-border attacks,&rdquo; a senior security source said. &ldquo;The Afghan side did not sign the final draft despite multiple near-agreements.&rdquo; Pakistan, the sources said, presented evidence and proposed enforcement steps, but the Afghan delegation &ldquo;kept avoiding concrete commitments.&rdquo; &ldquo;They acknowledged the concern but would not agree to mechanisms of verification. This affects peace and stability,&rdquo; another source said. Mediators from Qatar and T&uuml;rkiye facilitated the discussions. Pakistan thanked both host countries for their role. Patience ran its courseIn a detailed statement on X, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said Pakistan had engaged the Afghan Taliban leadership repeatedly after their takeover in Kabul to address &ldquo;persistent cross-border terrorism&rdquo; carried out by &ldquo;Indian-abetted TTP and the Indian proxy BLA [Balochistan Liberation Army].&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 393px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1983278941944107396&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard%2F&sessionId=de3a52aa346e03965fbbca4d6dd1ec9b26cd3cee&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div> &ldquo;Pakistan has time and again asked the Afghan Taliban regime to fulfil their written commitments under the Doha Agreement,&rdquo; Tarar said. He said Pakistani efforts had &ldquo;proved futile&rdquo; due to what he described as &ldquo;unabated support to anti-Pakistan terrorists&rdquo; inside Afghanistan. &ldquo;For four years, Pakistan has borne heavy losses in men and material. Pakistan&rsquo;s patience has run its course,&rdquo; he said. Tarar added that Pakistan attended the Doha and Istanbul rounds &ldquo;to give peace a chance&rdquo; at the request of Qatar and T&uuml;rkiye. &ldquo;Irrefutable evidence was shared and acknowledged by the Afghan side and the hosts,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But instead of taking responsibility, the Afghan Taliban resorted to blame, deflection, and excuses. The dialogue, therefore, failed to produce any workable outcome.&rdquo; He said Pakistan would continue to take &ldquo;all necessary measures to protect its people&rdquo; and &ldquo;eliminate terrorists, their sanctuaries, abettors and supporters.&rdquo;

After four days of talks in Türkiye, negotiations end without agreement as Afghanistan decline verifiable action against cross-border militants, prompting concern from mediators and leaving future dialogue prospects uncertain.

Pakistan, Afghan Taliban talks in Istanbul end without resolution

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has formally reopened offshore oil and gas exploration after nearly 20 years, with the signing of 23 production-sharing agreements and exploration licenses for blocks awarded under the Offshore Bid Round 2025, marking a renewed push to attract investment in the country&rsquo;s offshore energy sector, according to an official statement on Wednesday.&nbsp; The awarded blocks are located in the Indus and Makran offshore basins, adjoining the territorial waters of Sindh and Balochistan. The agreements cover approximately 54,600 square kilometers of Pakistan&rsquo;s offshore area. Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik witnessed the signing ceremony. Two offshore blocks awarded under the same bid round, Offshore Deep-C and Offshore Deep-F, had earlier been executed on December 2, 2025, with Mari Energies Limited, Turkish Petroleum Overseas Company, and Fatima Petroleum Company Limited during a ceremony held at the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office.&nbsp; The statement said that with the signing of the remaining 21 agreements, the contractual framework for the entire 2025 portfolio is now complete. Mari Energies Limited emerged as the most active participant in the 23 offshore blocks, serving as operator on 18 blocks and as a joint venture partner on five blocks with other exploration and production companies. Oil and Gas Development Company Limited and Pakistan Petroleum Limited have each been awarded eight exploration blocks, including two blocks as operators. Prime Global Energies Limited has been awarded one block as operator. United Energy Pakistan Limited and Orient Petroleum Incorporation, alongside other joint venture partners, also participated in the signing ceremony. Collectively, the awarded blocks represent an investment of approximately $82 million during Phase I of the initial three-year license period. Total investment is projected to increase to approximately $1 billion if exploration activities progress to Phase II drilling operations. Phase I activities will involve extensive geological and geophysical studies, including seismic data acquisition, processing, and interpretation, aimed at better defining the hydrocarbon potential of Pakistan&rsquo;s offshore basins. Subject to encouraging results, Phase II will involve the drilling of exploratory wells in prospective offshore areas. The Petroleum Division intends to engage leading international oil companies in the next phase of offshore exploration, with several global energy firms already evaluating available offshore data, the statement said.&nbsp;

Agreements signed for 23 blocks in the Indus and Makran basins to attract foreign investment and boost offshore oil and gas exploration.

Pakistan reopens offshore exploration after 20 years, 23 agreements signed 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan declared a three-day public holiday from May 26 to 28 to observe Eid-ul-Adha, according to a government notification. Eid-ul-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, marks the conclusion of the annual <a href="https://pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-hajj-operation-accelerates-as-thousands-of-pilgrims-arrive-in-saudi-arabia" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hajj pilgrimage</a> to the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The festival takes place on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month in the Islamic lunar calendar. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim&#39;s (Abraham) submission to God. On the festival&#39;s opening day, Muslims gather for special congregational prayers. Families engage in &quot;qurbani,&quot; the ritual slaughter of permissible (halal) livestock, including goats, sheep, cattle, and camels. The sacrificial meat is divided equally among the household, extended family and friends, and the poor. Throughout the celebration, adherents dress in new clothes, visit relatives, and greet one another with &quot;Eid Mubarak.&quot;

Culture

Pakistan's government declares a three-day public holiday for Eid-ul-Adha, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signing off on the decision

Pakistan announces three-day public holiday for Eid-ul-Adha

ISLAMABAD: The US Senate on Tuesday advanced a resolution to limit President Donald Trump&rsquo;s authority to conduct military action against Iran without congressional approval, marking the first time Democrats have cleared such a procedural vote after seven failed attempts. The joint resolution, introduced by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine and several other senators, directs the president to remove US armed forces from &quot;hostilities within or against Iran&quot; unless Congress formally authorizes military action through a declaration of war or a specific use-of-force authorization. According to the text of the resolution, lawmakers argued that Congress alone has the constitutional authority to declare war under Article I of the US Constitution and that Congress has neither declared war on Iran nor approved military force against the country. The Senate voted 50-47 to discharge the resolution from the Committee, with four Republican senators, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Bill Cassidy, joining most Democrats in backing the resolution, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman voted against it, CBS News reported. The resolution further states that military action against Iran, including the enforcement of a naval blockade, would constitute hostilities under the War Powers Resolution. However, the measure includes provisions allowing the United States to defend itself against attacks, continue intelligence-sharing with allies, and assist partner countries targeted by Iran or its proxies through defensive support, according to the resolution. Speaking before the vote, Kaine said Americans were increasingly opposed to another conflict in the Middle East. &quot;They are deeply opposed to this war,&quot; he told reporters, according to CBS News. Kaine also linked the conflict to rising economic pressure on Americans, particularly fuel prices ahead of the Memorial Day holiday travel period. &quot;We&rsquo;re coming up on Memorial Day. A lot of people do a lot of driving, they&rsquo;re going to be paying a lot for gas,&quot; Kaine said, according to CBS News. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the vote showed growing Republican unease over the administration&rsquo;s Iran policy. &ldquo;Momentum is building to check him,&rdquo; Schumer said. The resolution still has to pass a final vote and, even then, would face major obstacles in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, which has already rejected similar efforts, and would almost certainly be vetoed by Trump if it reached his desk, AFP reported.

US Senator Tim Kaine speaks following the Senate's vote on the War Powers resolution, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on February 13, 2020. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP)

Americas

Middle East

The Senate has approved a procedural step to limit unauthorized US hostilities against Iran. However, the resolution still has to pass a final vote in both chambers of Congress and likely presidential opposition. 

US Senate moves to restrict unauthorized hostilities against Iran

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations has warned of a growing and potentially grave threat of nuclear terrorism emerging from Afghanistan under the Taliban.&nbsp;According to a UN report, the Taliban regime has sheltered international terrorist groups to sustain its rule, allowing militant networks operating from Afghan territory to pose a serious danger to global security.&nbsp;The report raises particular alarm over 133 tablets of stolen uranium dioxide taken from Tajikistan, which could potentially be acquired by the banned al-Qaeda network in Afghanistan. &ldquo;I think the threat has never been so high as it is today,&rdquo; according to Mauro Miedico, Director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT). &ldquo;Terrorist groups and individuals engage much more strongly with new technologies. Terrorist groups have recruited experts, including AI specialists, and we have seen the use of drones in terrorist acts. This potentially makes it more possible that they will launch a dirty bomb via drone.&rdquo;&nbsp;The report notes that al‑Qaeda has repeatedly signaled intent to conduct nuclear attacks, and that incidents of smuggling and theft of radioactive material have been recorded in several countries.&nbsp;Experts cited in the report say the combination of foreign fighters, modern technology available to militant groups in Afghanistan, and the sanctuary provided by the Taliban creates a real risk of nuclear terrorism.&nbsp;The findings echo warnings previously issued by the United States, Pakistan, European states and Central Asian countries, which have repeatedly described terrorism emanating from Afghanistan as a major security threat.&nbsp;The UN has called for strengthened international cooperation, improved controls on nuclear and radiological materials across the region, and enhanced monitoring and interdiction efforts to prevent dangerous materials from reaching extremist hands.

Artillery shells have hit areas near the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine since the full-scare Russian invasion of the country in 2022. (File photo: United Nations/IAEA)

Afghanistan

The report notes that al‑Qaeda has repeatedly signaled intent to conduct nuclear attacks, and that incidents of smuggling and theft of radioactive material have been recorded in several countries.

UN warns of rising nuclear terrorism risk from Afghanistan under Taliban

STRASBOURG (FRANCE): EU lawmakers and member states reached a deal in the early hours of Wednesday to implement the bloc&#39;s nearly year-old trade pact with the United States, as President Donald Trump threatened new tariffs unless the pact is implemented by July 4. The 27-nation bloc struck an accord with Washington last July, setting levies on most European goods at 15%, but to Trump&#39;s frustration, it had yet to make good on its pledge to scrap levies on most US imports in return. Negotiators from the EU&#39;s parliament and capitals wrangled late into the night, finally emerging several hours after midnight with news of an agreement to move forward. &quot;This means we will soon deliver on our part,&quot; EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said as she welcomed the agreement and called for the implementation process to be finalized quickly. &quot;Together, we can ensure stable, predictable, balanced, and mutually beneficial transatlantic trade,&quot; von der Leyen said in a social media post. The EU agreement puts the bloc on track to meet Trump&#39;s deadline for ratification of the deal sealed in Turnberry, Scotland, between Trump and von der Leyen, and hopefully turn the page on more than a year of transatlantic trade battles. Short of that, Trump had warned the European Union should expect &quot;much higher&quot; tariffs -- and had already vowed to raise duties on European cars and trucks from 15% to 25%. The tariff blitz unleashed by Trump before the Turnberry accord, including hefty levies on steel, aluminum and car parts, jolted the bloc into cultivating trade ties around the world. But the EU cannot afford to neglect the &euro;1.6-trillion ($1.9-trillion) relationship with the US, its largest trade partner. No more &#39;sunrise&#39;&nbsp;The EU parliament gave the deal a conditional green light in March, after months of delay caused by Trump&#39;s designs on Greenland and a US Supreme Court ruling striking down many of the president&#39;s tariffs. Lawmakers were under pressure to renege on several amendments that the Americans considered unacceptable -- including a suspension clause that would scrap favorable tariff conditions for US exporters should the US breach the deal. The final text empowers the European Commission to trigger the suspension mechanism if the US fails to meet its commitments or disrupts trade and investment with the EU, including by &quot;discriminating against or targeting EU economic operators.&quot; It also gives the EU means to address spikes in US imports &quot;that cause or threaten to cause serious injury to domestic producers,&quot; with suspension again a possible outcome. But parliament also agreed to scale back some demands -- and the final text notably gave the US until the end of the year to drop surtaxes above 15% on steel components, rather than insisting on it as a precondition. Another fight was over so-called &quot;sunrise&quot; and &quot;sunset&quot; clauses under which the EU side of the accord would kick in once the US makes good on its pledges, and would expire unless renewed in 2028. The sunrise clause was removed altogether, while the sunset was pushed back to the end of 2029, according to a parliament statement. The head of parliament&#39;s trade committee, Bernd Lange, faced the challenge of hammering out a common stance between different factions that haggled until the last moment. Lange played down the concessions extracted from lawmakers, declaring after the deal was announced that &quot;parliament has prevailed with its demands for a comprehensive safety net.&quot; But Anna Cavazzini of the EU&#39;s Greens was less effusive, saying the &quot;deal puts the EU at a disadvantage&quot; while conceding &quot;it can secure a certain degree of economic stability.&quot; &quot;One can only hope that the agreement on the tariff deal will now calm the situation, so that other major issues in the EU-US relationship can be addressed,&quot; she said.

EU lawmakers and member states approve progress on a major US trade pact to avoid fresh Trump tariffs and stabilize the $1.9 trillion transatlantic economic relationship after months of tensions.

EU agrees to implement US trade pact after Trump threats

SYLHET:&nbsp;Spinner Taijul Islam took six wickets to lead Bangladesh to a 78-run win over Pakistan in the second Test and clinch a famous 2-0 series win on Wednesday. Pakistan, who started the fifth day on 316-7 chasing a record 437, were bowled out for 328 in the first session in Sylhet after Mohammad Rizwan hit a valiant 94. It was Bangladesh&#39;s first Test series win at home against Pakistan and a second successive sweep after their 2-0 triumph on Pakistani soil in 2024. The win marked another major milestone for Bangladesh, who secured four successive Test series victories for the first time in their history. &quot;It&#39;s difficult to explain the emotions of that final hour because Pakistan were batting really well and we were under pressure,&quot; Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said. &quot;But compared to previous matches, we controlled our emotions better and avoided panic. &quot;Every player and member of the support staff contributed, and as captain I feel very proud of the team&#39;s work ethic.&quot; Wicketkeeper Rizwan kept Pakistan in the hunt for an unlikely win with a 166-ball stay after the visitors had slumped to 162-5 on day four. Rizwan put on an eighth-wicket partnership of 54 with overnight partner Sajid Khan, who made 28. Taijul broke through to dismiss Sajid for his 18th Test five-wicket haul, and pace bowler Shoriful Islam had Rizwan caught in the next over to end Pakistan&#39;s resistance. &quot;It&#39;s never good to lose games,&quot; said Pakistan skipper Shan Masood. &quot;In both matches we had significant chances, but we need to reflect on where we lost the game in batting, bowling and fielding if we want to move forward as a side.&quot; Taijul took the final wicket of Khurram Shahzad to return second-innings figures of 6-120 and trigger the Bangladesh celebrations. Taijul&#39;s four wickets on Tuesday had left Pakistan in deep trouble. Former captain Babar Azam counter-attacked with 47 before wicketkeeper Litton Das produced a stunning catch off Taijul. Captain Masood made 71, while Salman Ali Agha added 71 in a crucial 134-run sixth-wicket stand with Rizwan before Taijul broke through. Taijul, a left-arm spinner, also took 3-67 during Pakistan&#39;s first innings of 232. Litton, who was named player of the match, scored 126 in Bangladesh&#39;s first innings of 278. Veteran batsman Mushfiqur Rahim scored 137 in the second to guide Bangladesh to 390, with contributions from Mahmudul Hasan Joy (52) and Litton (69). The 39-year-old Mushfiqur was named player of the series for his 253 runs in two matches. Bangladesh won the opening Test by 104 runs.

Bangladesh's players celebrate after the dismissal of Pakistan’s Babar Azam during the fourth day of the second Test cricket match between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet on May 19, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Cricket

With this win, Bangladesh completes a 2-0 whitewash, marking their second consecutive series win against Pakistan in red ball cricket.

Taijul takes six to lead Bangladesh to Pakistan Test series win

ISLAMABAD: Taliban authorities in southern Afghanistan&rsquo;s Kandahar province have imposed new restrictions on YouTubers and video content creators, warning them against producing and publishing videos on social media platforms, according to Afghanistan International on Wednesday. According to the report, officials from the Taliban&rsquo;s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice recently summoned several YouTubers and social media activists in Kandahar and ordered them to stop creating video content.&nbsp; The move has alarmed young Afghan creators who say social media platforms such as YouTube have become one of the few remaining outlets for cultural expression and employment in the country. Youtubers spoke to Afghanistan International that they made videos about the city, historical sites, markets, traditions and people&rsquo;s lives.&nbsp; They said some of the videos also focused on social issues, including harmful customs, drug addiction and illiteracy. Other creators said their content had attracted thousands, and in some cases millions, of online views, helping showcase Afghan culture and daily life to international audiences. &ldquo;YouTube was one of our main sources of income, but now that making videos has been banned, we are effectively unemployed,&rdquo; another creator said. The restrictions currently appear to apply only in Kandahar province, though creators expressed concern that the policy could expand to other parts of Afghanistan. Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have steadily tightened restrictions on media and public expression. Under the Taliban&#39;s morality law, the publication of images of &ldquo;living beings&rdquo; is prohibited. As part of enforcing the policy, Taliban authorities have suspended state television broadcasts and shut down or restricted several local media outlets in different provinces. International rights organizations and media advocacy groups have repeatedly condemned the Taliban&rsquo;s restrictions on images and media content, calling on the authorities to respect freedom of expression and reverse policies limiting independent journalism and digital media activity in Afghanistan.

Freedom of expression - (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

The Taliban in Kandahar have banned YouTubers and content creators from making videos, further tightening media restrictions and threatening livelihoods and freedom of expression in Afghanistan.

Afghan Taliban tighten restrictions on youtubers and video creators in Kandahar

BEIJING: Beijing has agreed to work with Washington on reducing levies affecting tens of billions of dollars in goods, a commerce ministry statement said Wednesday, days after US President Donald Trump visited China. Under the auspices of a newly established trade council, &quot;both sides agreed in principle to discuss a framework arrangement for reciprocal tariff reductions on products of equivalent scale&quot;, covering &quot;$30 billion or more on each side&quot;, the online statement said. US President Donald Trump was in Beijing last week, where he held talks with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, over a variety of issues, especially the trade tariffs.

Asia

A statement from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said that Beijing and Washington agreed in principle to discuss a framework arrangement for reciprocal tariff reductions on products of equivalent scale.

China says to work with US on reciprocal tariff cuts for $30 billion of goods each

ISLAMABAD: Students across Afghanistan are growing discouraged as the Taliban expand religious schools while public education facilities continue to deteriorate, according to the daily Hasht-e-Subh. Images circulating on social media in recent days showed students sleeping inside classrooms, highlighting worsening conditions in public schools and sparking renewed criticism of the Taliban&rsquo;s education policies. Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, modern education has been systematically weakened while the group has prioritized religious instruction through madrasa networks. According to the daily, subjects such as mathematics, physics and chemistry have received less attention in some schools, while greater emphasis has been placed on ideological, political and military-related topics aligned with Taliban teachings. The concerns come as Afghanistan&rsquo;s education sector continues to face severe economic strain. Many families struggling with poverty are unable to keep children in school, while restrictions imposed by the Taliban have further discouraged students from pursuing education.&nbsp; International observers and education advocates have repeatedly warned about the growing imbalance between religious and public education in Afghanistan. An international survey found that the Taliban had built 15 religious schools for every one public school, despite the country&rsquo;s deepening education crisis. Afghanistan&rsquo;s public schools also continue to suffer from shortages of qualified teachers, learning materials and proper classroom facilities, particularly in rural areas.

Afghan schoolboys in Helmand (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Afghanistan’s public education system is deteriorating under Taliban rule as religious schools expand, classrooms decline, and students lose access to quality modern education.

Afghan Taliban’s focus on religious schools is discouraging students from education

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has emphasized the need for sustained &ldquo;confidence-building measures&rdquo; and expedited &ldquo;resumption of negotiations,&rdquo; reiterating Islamabad&rsquo;s deep concern over the ongoing war in Ukraine.&nbsp; Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with the ensuing conflict resulting in a tidal wave of destruction that has left entire cities in ruins. Speaking at the UNSC, Acting UN Permanent Representative of Pakistan Ambassador Usman Jadoon, the ambassador said, &ldquo;The conflict has persisted for over four years, resulting in widespread devastation that has severely impacted human lives and livelihoods.&rdquo; He said that Islamabad was concerned about the prolongation of the war, condemning reports of increased attacks. Such actions prolong the conflict, erode trust, and obstruct meaningful progress toward peace, he said, stressing that civilians remained the primary victims.&nbsp; The ambassador reiterated that protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and civilian infrastructure was a fundamental legal obligation under international humanitarian law, which all parties must uphold under all circumstances. Welcoming the recent ceasefire announcements, the ambassador said these measures can help build confidence and should be sustained to create an enabling environment for a complete ceasefire and lasting peace. He also urged both parties to &ldquo;prioritize diplomacy, demonstrate genuine political will, and move forward constructively toward a just and enduring solution.&rdquo;

Acting UN Permanent Representative of Pakistan says Islamabad is concerned about the prolongation of the war, condemns reports of increased attacks.

Articles by Saqib Tanveer