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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced sweeping fuel subsidies and relief measures to shield citizens from increasing global oil prices driven by the ongoing Middle East conflict, as the government intensifies efforts to manage economic fallout. In a televised address, PM Sharif acknowledged the growing burden on households and farmers as energy prices spike worldwide. &ldquo;I am addressing you once again in these difficult times when war is raging in the Gulf and the prices of oil are skyrocketing,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It is a bitter reality that the poor are suffering and the farmers are facing new challenges.&rdquo; The measures come as Pakistan faces rising import costs and supply pressures amid instability in key energy routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, which has pushed global oil prices sharply higher and strained economies across Asia. The prime minister said his government had delayed passing on the full impact of rising oil prices to consumers over the past three weeks. &ldquo;I have not considered it appropriate to burden you with the prices of oil&hellip; because I know very well how a common man in Pakistan spends his life,&rdquo; he said. As part of the new relief package, the prime minister announced a significant reduction in petrol prices. &ldquo;I am announcing a reduction of Rs80 [$0.29] per liter in the price of petrol&hellip; the price&hellip; will be reduced to Rs 378 [$1.36] per liter,&rdquo; he said, adding the cut would remain in place for at least one month. The government also introduced targeted subsidies aimed at easing transport and agricultural costs. Motorbike users and public and goods transport will receive Rs100 ($0.36) per liter support, while small and large transport operators will be provided monthly subsidies to offset rising fuel expenses. Support has also been extended to farmers, with Rs1,500 ($5.39) per acre announced to help mitigate the impact of higher input costs. Officials say the measures are being financed partly through adjustments such as levies on higher-end fuel consumption and broader fiscal reprioritization, allowing relief to be directed toward lower- and middle-income groups. The announcement follows a series of high-level consultations involving federal and provincial leadership, aimed at coordinating a national response to the crisis. &ldquo;There was a lot of discussion&hellip; a comprehensive program was announced,&rdquo; PM Sharif said, highlighting efforts to ensure supply stability and avoid shortages seen in other countries. Additional steps have been rolled out across the country. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said public transport in Islamabad would be free for 30 days, with the government covering Rs350 million ($1.26 million) in costs. Provincial authorities have also introduced parallel measures. In Punjab, free public transport has been announced across major systems, while other regions are implementing targeted subsidies for commuters and fuel users. PM Sharif stated that the government would continue efforts to cushion the impact of the crisis. &ldquo;We will not rest until you return to your daily life in peace and tranquility,&rdquo; he said. The developments highlight how the conflict has extended beyond the battlefield, driving inflationary pressures and forcing governments to adopt emergency economic measures to protect vulnerable populations.

Economy

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announces fuel subsidies, petrol price cuts and free public transport to ease inflation pressures, as surging global oil prices driven by the Iran war strain Pakistan’s economy and household budgets.

Pakistan unveils fuel relief, free transport as oil prices surge

ISLAMABAD: A strong earthquake centered in Afghanistan&rsquo;s Hindu Kush region late Friday killed at least eight people in Kabul while sending tremors across major cities in Pakistan, officials said. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said the quake struck at 9:13PM local time with a magnitude of 6.3 and a depth of about 190 kilometers. Tremors were widely felt in Islamabad, Peshawar, Chitral, Swat and Shangla, prompting residents to rush out of homes, offices and commercial buildings. &ldquo;There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties in Pakistan,&rdquo; a PMD official said, adding that monitoring was ongoing. Authorities in Afghanistan confirmed fatalities in the capital. Hafizullah Basharat, a spokesman for the Kabul governor, said eight people were killed when a house collapsed on the outskirts of Kabul. &ldquo;All the victims belonged to the same family, and a child was also injured,&rdquo; Basharat said. According to the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Center and the US Geological Survey, the earthquake&rsquo;s epicenter was located in the Hindu Kush mountain range, about 150 kilometers east of Kunduz. The relatively deep focus allowed the tremors to be felt across a wide region, including northern Pakistan. Afghanistan&rsquo;s Health Ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman said emergency services in Kabul and provincial areas had been placed on alert following the quake. Despite the strong shaking, there were no immediate reports of damage from areas closer to the epicenter, which are remote and often slow to communicate with central authorities. Seismologists note that the Hindu Kush region is among the most seismically active zones in the world. In recent years, earthquakes have caused significant loss of life in Afghanistan, where vulnerable housing structures and limited disaster response capacity increase risks. In August last year, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake killed more than 2,200 people in eastern Afghanistan, while another 6.3 quake in November left at least 27 dead and hundreds injured. A series of powerful earthquakes in October 2023 also killed thousands in western parts of the country.

Climate & Environment

A strong earthquake strikes Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush, killing eight in Kabul while tremors are widely felt across northern Pakistan. Residents rush outdoors, but no damage or casualties are immediately reported in Pakistani cities, officials say.

Afghanistan quake kills eight, tremors strongly felt across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed the need for urgent de-escalation in the Middle East, endorsing a broader diplomatic push centered on a five-point peace initiative jointly advanced by Islamabad and China.&nbsp;Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Office said in a statement.&nbsp;&ldquo;The two leaders exchanged views on the latest developments in the regional situation, emphasizing the urgent need for de-escalation and dialogue,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;The discussions come amid intensifying tensions following the ongoing conflict involving Iran, which has expanded across the Gulf, disrupted energy routes and heightened risks to global economic stability.&nbsp;Both sides also reviewed the Pakistan-China five-point initiative aimed at stabilizing the region through coordinated diplomatic efforts.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Pak-China Five-Point Initiative for peace in the Gulf and Middle East was also discussed,&rdquo; the Foreign Office said.&nbsp;The initiative calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the launch of peace talks, protection of civilians and critical infrastructure, safeguarding of maritime routes including the Strait of Hormuz, and adherence to the principles of the UN Charter.&nbsp;Officials say the framework reflects growing alignment among regional actors seeking to shift the crisis toward dialogue, as military escalation continues to impact energy markets and security dynamics.&nbsp;Dar and Prince Faisal also reaffirmed longstanding bilateral ties.&nbsp;&ldquo;Both leaders reaffirmed the strong, fraternal Pakistan&ndash;Saudi Arabia relationship and agreed to remain in close contact,&rdquo; the statement added.&nbsp;The exchange highlights continued coordination between Islamabad and Riyadh as diplomatic efforts intensify to contain a conflict that is increasingly affecting both regional stability and global economic flows.

Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar holds telephone conversation with Saudi counterpart, discussing Iran tensions and backing the Pakistan-China five-point peace initiative, while both sides stress urgent de-escalation and continued coordination amid escalating regional crisis.

Islamabad, Riyadh discuss Iran tensions, back Pakistan-China peace initiative

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday issued its first-ever presidential statement on closer cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)&nbsp;to address regional challenges, including maritime security, terrorism, and food and water security.&nbsp; The statement, submitted by Bahrain&#39;s UN representative in his capacity as Council President for April, recognizes the GCC&rsquo;s &quot;position and expertise&quot; in promoting regional peace and security, and acknowledges its &quot;contributions to regional and international stability through mediation, preventive diplomacy, technical and financial support, and humanitarian engagement.&quot; The Council requested that the UN Secretary-General, Ant&oacute;nio Guterres, include recommendations on strengthening institutional ties with the GCC in his next report, and encouraged regular briefings by the GCC Secretary-General. &quot;The ongoing escalation underlines the urgent need for coordinated multilateral action,&quot; said Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General, stressing the importance of &ldquo;strengthened&rdquo; UN-GCC cooperation. He highlighted the GCC&#39;s role in de-escalating regional tensions, supporting mediation in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, and its cooperation with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism. &#39;Cornerstone of the global economy&#39;GCC Secretary-General Jassim Albudaiwi told the Council the bloc is a &quot;cornerstone of the global economy&quot;, noting its combined output exceeded $2.3 trillion in 2024 and its members&rsquo; major contribution to global oil and gas supplies. He warned that instability in the Gulf carries global consequences. &quot;Stability in the Arabian Gulf is not merely a regional concern, but is rather a global necessity,&quot; he said. Bahrain&#39;s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid al Zayani announced that his country had submitted a separate draft resolution to the Council addressing what he described as Iran&#39;s &quot;unlawful and unjustified&quot; attempts to control navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, with a vote expected Friday. Delegates from the United Kingdom and France backed GCC states&#39; right to defend their sovereignty, with France stating Iran &quot;bears the primary responsibility for the current escalation.&quot;&nbsp; Russia countered that the conflict was &quot;the direct result of an unprovoked act of aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran&#39;s territory.&quot; China and Pakistan jointly called for an immediate ceasefire and the launch of peace talks. The GCC, founded in 1981, comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Middle East

Europe

Americas

The statement, submitted by Bahrain's UN representative, recognizes the GCC’s 'position and expertise' in promoting regional peace and security, and calls for deeper UN-GCC coordination on terrorism, maritime security, water and food security.

UNSC backs stronger cooperation with Gulf bloc in first-ever presidential statement

ISLAMABAD: Nepal&rsquo;s spring Everest season has opened under the shadow of a major rescue-fraud scandal that investigators say exploited trekkers, insurers and the country&rsquo;s mountaineering industry. Police allege that trekking guides, helicopter operators, hospitals and agents worked together to stage or exaggerate medical emergencies, trigger unnecessary evacuations and submit inflated insurance claims worth nearly $20 million, local media reported on Friday. The case centres on what Nepal Police&rsquo;s Central Investigation Bureau says was a years-long racket embedded in the trekking business. According to recent reporting, investigators found 317 fake rescues between 2022 and 2025 out of 2,320 helicopter operations, with fraudulent claims totalling about $19.65 million. Authorities have said the matter is now before the Kathmandu District Court, with 32 accused in the case, while some reports have described the action as 33 charges, reflecting different snapshots of the proceedings.&nbsp; Investigators say the scam followed a repeatable script. Trekkers were allegedly frightened into believing they were too ill to continue, or were made to appear sick, and were then flown to Kathmandu by helicopter. Once there, hospitals allegedly created false or inflated admission records, treatment notes and billing documents to support large insurance claims. Reporting also says that even when several trekkers shared one helicopter, each could be billed as if they had taken a separate full-fare flight.&nbsp; Some of the most disturbing allegations involve the deliberate creation of symptoms. Recent accounts citing police findings say certain trekkers were allegedly given substances such as baking soda or excessive Diamox with water to mimic altitude sickness and justify evacuation. Those claims remain allegations under investigation rather than court-established fact, but they have become the most alarming part of the case.&nbsp; The scandal is not entirely new. The Kathmandu Post first exposed Nepal&rsquo;s fake rescue network in 2018, prompting a government inquiry and a lengthy report, but the problem allegedly persisted and worsened. Officials now fear the case could damage Nepal&rsquo;s image just as climbers prepare to arrive for the main Everest window from late April through May.&nbsp;

Nepal

Nepal’s Everest season begins amid a massive rescue scam, with police claiming 317 staged evacuations, nearly $20 million in fraudulent claims, and trekkers manipulated or sickened for profit.

Nepal Everest season opens amid $20 million rescue scam

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday extended Good Friday greetings to the Christian community at home and abroad, emphasizing the values of compassion, tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Prime Minister Sharif in a post on X on Friday stated: &quot;On the occasion of Good Friday, I extend sincere greetings to our brothers and sisters of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pm-sharif-extends-heartfelt-greetings-on-joyous-blessed-christmas" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Christian community</a>&nbsp;in Pakistan and members of the Christian faith across the world.&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;"><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=2039943098672025844&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=cf1149a8b3beaafec088d9fab9bb7e3150ffa371&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 369px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>&ldquo;May this sacred day, marked by sacrifice and reflection, strengthen our shared commitment to compassion, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence,&quot; the prime minister added.

Culture

Says, ​'May this sacred day, marked by sacrifice and reflection, strengthen our shared commitment to compassion, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence'. 

Pakistan PM extends Good Friday greetings, urges compassion and tolerance

ISLAMABAD: Congress&rsquo; National spokesperson Dr Shama Mohamed renewed scrutiny of alleged RSS backing for propaganda-style films in an X post, on Thursday.&nbsp;Dr. Shama said producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah had &ldquo;openly admitted&rdquo; that the RSS supported &ldquo;Kerala Story 2&rdquo; and arguing that this showed the organisation had backed a film meant to defame Kerala. Her post brought fresh attention to a wider debate over how the BJP and the RSS ecosystem support politically aligned cinema through ideological links, endorsements, tax breaks and promotion.<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" 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=2039579655645348127&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=c92d3faf5176e582d37f5cad3e26fa7ac3e0dbe2&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>At least ten films have been produced or directed by individuals linked to the BJP, the RSS, or affiliated Hindutva organisations, an Indian news outlet, The Quint, reported on Friday. The films named in the report include The Kerala Story, The Kerala Story 2 Goes Beyond, Bastar: The Naxal Story, Razakar, Swatantra Veer Savarkar, PM Narendra Modi, Accident or Conspiracy: Godhra, Bengal 1947, The Accidental Prime Minister, and Jahangir National University.&nbsp;One of the most striking claims in that report concerns producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah. The Quint said Shah acknowledged at the 2023 World Hindu Congress that The Kerala Story could not have been made without RSS &ldquo;guidance and support.&rdquo; The report said he described the RSS as the film&rsquo;s &ldquo;guardian angels.&rdquo;&nbsp;Political endorsement has also come from the top. Reuters reported that Indian PM Narendra Modi publicly praised The Kashmir Files in 2022. BJP-ruled states then moved to make the film tax-free, helping widen its reach.&nbsp;A similar pattern was seen with The Kerala Story and Article 370. NDTV reported that BJP governments in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh made The Kerala Story tax-free. NDTV also reported that the BJP government in Chhattisgarh made Article 370 tax-free.&nbsp; Taken together, the reporting suggests these films are not just cultural products. They are increasingly part of a political ecosystem where cinema, ideology, and state patronage intersect.

India

The BJP and the wider RSS ecosystem are backing a string of ultra-nationalist and propaganda-style films in India; the support is not always visible as direct funding but through political links, public endorsements, tax breaks, and coordinated promotion by party leaders and allied networks. 

Scrutiny grows over BJP-RSS backing of propaganda films

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the suicide attack on a police station in the Domel area of District Bannu, said a press release issued by Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office on Friday. The prime minister expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the incident that took place in the northwest of the country. Sharif prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, the press release said. &ldquo;We are determined to completely eradicate all forms of terrorism from the country&rdquo;, the prime minister said.

Security

‘We are determined to completely eradicate all forms of terrorism from the country,’ the prime minister said, according to a press release.

PM Sharif strongly condemns suicide attack in northwest Pakistan  

DHAKA: The Bangladesh government has introduced a series of measures aimed at addressing the impact of global disruptions and ensuring stability in fuel oil supply, following a high-level cabinet meeting held at night at the Cabinet Room in the Parliament Secretariat.&nbsp; Under the new directives, all government and private offices will operate from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Banking hours for public transactions will run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, while banks will officially close at 4:00 pm, Bangladeshi state media Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported.&nbsp; In an effort to conserve energy, shopping malls and markets nationwide must shut down by 6:00 pm. However, essential services including kitchen markets, food outlets, and pharmacies will remain exempt from this restriction. The decisions were taken by the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday night. Later, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani briefed the journalists at the media centre of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, saying that the government took measures considering fuel supply disruptions caused by the Middle East war.&nbsp;&nbsp;Prime Minister&rsquo;s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly was present at the briefing. Noting that several steps have been taken for the next three months to reduce government expenditure, the cabinet secretary said, &ldquo;No new vehicles, watercraft or aircraft will be purchased during this period&rdquo;.&nbsp;&nbsp;Procurement of new equipment, including computers, will also remain suspended, he said, adding, internal training has been reduced by 50 percent, while all foreign training under government funding will remain suspended until further notice.&nbsp;&nbsp;Expenditure on meetings and seminars has also been cut by 50 percent, Ghani said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Besides, he said, government spending in the power, energy and gas sectors will be reduced by 30 percent. The meeting issued a directive to reduce unnecessary travel expenses by 30 percent, the cabinet secretary added.&nbsp;&nbsp;He said new directives will be issued for the education sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Ministry of Education will start issuing instructions in phases from Sunday, considering the needs of different levels, so that the measures do not have a negative impact on the education system, Ghani said.&nbsp;&nbsp;In a bid to reduce traffic congestion in the capital city during the school hour, he said, the government has decided to introduce electric buses for school students instead of private cars.&nbsp;&nbsp;Educational institutions joining the initiative will be able to import buses duty-free, the cabinet secretary said, adding, the private sector will also get this facility, but a 20 percent duty will apply for commercial purposes.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, only new buses will be allowed for import, he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Noting that imports from alternative sources are also being increased to maintain normal fuel supply, Ghani said initiatives have already been taken to import fuel from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan.

Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani briefed the journalists at the media centre of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (Photo : BSS)

Bangladesh

The Bangladesh government has introduced reduced working hours, spending cuts, and energy-saving measures to manage fuel shortages caused by global disruptions.

Bangladesh cuts expenditure, reduces office hours, orders markets shut after 6pm

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday warned India that any aggression would be met with a &ldquo;swift, calibrated, and decisive&rdquo; response, after his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, issued fresh warnings amid rising regional tensions.&nbsp;The exchange underscores renewed friction between the nuclear-armed neighbors months after a brief but intense conflict in May 2025, raising concerns for international observers about escalation risks in South Asia, at a time when the world is already grappling with heightened instability in the Middle East following the ongoing Iran crisis and widening regional tensions.&nbsp;Addressing a Sainik Sammelan in Indian state of Kerala, Singh said India remained alert to the possibility of &ldquo;hostile actions from across the border&rdquo; and cautioned that any such move would be met with a &ldquo;firm and decisive response,&rdquo; according to Indian media reports.&nbsp;Referring to India&rsquo;s &ldquo;Operation Sindoor,&rdquo; Singh claimed Indian forces had brought Pakistan &ldquo;to its knees&rdquo; within 22 minutes and warned that further provocation could trigger &ldquo;unprecedented action.&rdquo;&nbsp;Responding sharply, Asif dismissed the remarks as part of a &ldquo;predictable pattern,&rdquo; accusing New Delhi of &ldquo;externalising internal fragility&rdquo; and attempting to &ldquo;provoke escalation&rdquo; under the guise of &ldquo;unsubstantiated allegations&rdquo; for political purposes.&nbsp;&ldquo;Such threat-mongering from India is not new,&rdquo; Asif said, adding that the rhetoric reflected &ldquo;not strength, but visible strategic anxiety.&rdquo;&nbsp;He warned that &ldquo;miscalculation has consequences,&rdquo; saying recent history remained &ldquo;fresh in our minds,&rdquo; and cautioned that any future confrontation would draw an even more &ldquo;forceful and decisive&rdquo; response.&nbsp;Reiterating Pakistan&rsquo;s official position, Asif said the country remained committed to peace and regional stability but its &ldquo;resolve to defend sovereignty is absolute.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Our preparedness is complete, and our response will be swift, calibrated, and decisive,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;He further cautioned that the notion of conventional conflict between two nuclear-armed states was &ldquo;inconceivable&rdquo; and would carry &ldquo;drastic consequences.&rdquo;&nbsp;The latest war of words follows a four-day conflict in May 2025, triggered by a militant attack on civilians in Indian-occupied Kashmir. New Delhi blamed Islamabad for the attack, a charge Pakistan firmly rejected. The fighting, involving missile, drone and artillery strikes, marked the deadliest cross-border escalation since 2019 and ended only after a US-brokered ceasefire.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif says Pakistan will respond swiftly, decisively to India’s warnings, calling its rhetoric a sign of “strategic anxiety” as tensions rise months after the May 2025 conflict.

Pakistan issues tit-for-tat warning after Indian defense minister remarks

Simran Siraj

KARACHI: As dusk settled over Saint Patrick&rsquo;s Cathedral, four young volunteers arranged chairs for the evening vigil, their quiet coordination punctuated by a familiar seasonal aroma drifting through the air. Warm raisins, cinnamon and fresh yeast. For many gathered near the cathedral, Easter in Karachi is inseparable from a ritual just a short walk away. Just two streets down, outside Misquita Bakery, customers clutched paper bags heavy with freshly baked hot cross buns, their warmth still escaping into the evening air. The bakery, a Saddar institution, produces the spiced loaves only once a year, a tradition that has endured for more than six decades. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the most iconic Easter treat,&rdquo; one volunteer told Pakistan TV Digital, gesturing toward the bustling bakery. Each spring, the scene repeats itself: long queues, hurried exchanges and the unmistakable scent of spice-laced bread. At the center of it all is a single, symbolic loaf, the hot cross bun. For those waiting patiently, the experience is as much about memory as it is about taste. &ldquo;The thing very famous here is their hot cross buns,&rdquo; said Christopher Miranda, a long-time patron. &ldquo;They are famous all over the world. Not only in Karachi or Pakistan, people even freeze them and send them abroad. The taste is just very nice.&rdquo; For Miranda, the buns are more than a seasonal indulgence; they mark a moment in time. &ldquo;These buns are significant. We buy them once a year. They are only had on Good Friday. It&rsquo;s a very old tradition that pulls all our people over here.&rdquo; A legacy baked in spice and memory Inside the bakery, preparation begins weeks in advance. According to Tanzim, the manager, the demand shows no sign of slowing. &ldquo;We have been making hot cross buns here for about 60 to 70 years,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The demand is unlimited. Customers are always lined up, and sometimes we can&rsquo;t even meet the full demand.&rdquo; The recipe, however, remains closely guarded. A blend of spices and techniques passed down through generations. &ldquo;We have a specific formula. We add many different spices into it. That is how the preparation is done,&rdquo; Tanzim explained. Beyond the ingredients, he added, the buns carry a deeper cultural meaning. &ldquo;Just as we Muslims visit each other&rsquo;s homes during our festivals and bring sweets, similarly, the community gifts each other hot cross buns during this festival.&rdquo; For families, the ritual spans generations. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been taking these buns from Misquita Bakery for many, many years, from my childhood, in fact,&rdquo; said Sarah, balancing several bags. &ldquo;Now my children are eating them, and my grandchildren. I&rsquo;m so happy that every year we get a chance to buy them.&rdquo; Others echo the same loyalty. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been coming here for the past 25 years,&rdquo; said Roger Anthony. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve tried other places also, but these are exceptional.&rdquo;

Golden buns bind Karachi in timeless Easter ritual tradition.

In Karachi, Misquita Bakery draws Easter crowds with its once-a-year hot cross buns, a 60-year tradition blending faith, family, and flavour, as generations gather to share and celebrate the seasonal ritual.

Golden buns bind Karachi in timeless Easter ritual tradition

DAMASCUS: Syrian state media said Israeli fire killed a man in Qunietra province in the country&#39;s south near the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/usisrael-war-on-iran-day-35" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Israeli-occupied</a> Golan Heights as the foreign ministry decried the death of a civilian. State news agency SANA said that the man was killed in an attack by &quot;an Israeli tank&quot;, while state television said a car was targeted. Syria&#39;s foreign ministry in a statement condemned &quot;in the strongest terms the crime committed by Israeli occupation forces in targeting a civilian car with a tank shell&quot;. It said the attack &quot;led to the death of a civilian&quot;, calling it &quot;a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law&quot; and urging the international community to help &quot;stop these repeated violations&quot;. After the December <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/syria-government-agrees-new-truce-with-kurdish-forces" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">2024 overthrow</a> of Syria&#39;s longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, Israel sent troops into a UN-patrolled buffer zone that separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights. Israel has also carried out repeated incursions into Syrian territory since then, as well as bombings, and has said it wants a demilitarized zone in the country&#39;s south. State media regularly reports Israeli incursions and sometimes the detention of individuals in southern Syria. Earlier Friday, SANA reported that Israeli forces in Quneitra province had closed several roads &quot;leading to new military positions that they have established in the area&quot;, restricting the movement of local residents and farmers. It also said several Israeli vehicles had set up a temporary checkpoint in a village where they searched passers-by. Last month, Israel&rsquo;s military said it struck Syrian army camps in response to what it claimed were attacks on the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/druze-seek-sweida-autonomy-turn-to-israel-amid-syria-tensions" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Druze</a> community in southern Sweida province, while the Syrian foreign ministry called it &ldquo;an outrageous assault.&rdquo; The Israeli strikes came as war roils the Middle East after the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. Israel captured most of the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and later annexed the areas under its control, in a move not recognized by most of the international community. Despite the tensions, Israel and Syria&#39;s new authorities have held several rounds of direct talks and have agreed to establish an intelligence-sharing mechanism as they edge towards a security agreement.

Israeli security personnel secure an area around a rocket partly buried in a field in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on March 19, 2026. (AFP)

Syrian state media says Israeli tank fire killed a man in Quneitra near the Golan Heights. Damascus condemned the attack as a civilian-targeted violation of international law amid ongoing war in the Middle East.

Syria says Israeli tank fire kills man in country's south

Web Desk/AFP

This live blog follows updates for Day 36 of the US-Israeli war on Iran. For a recap of Day 35, go&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/usisrael-war-on-iran-day-35" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a><hr><ul style="list-style-type: square;"><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Iran shot down a US A 10 Thunderbolt aircraft over the Persian Gulf; pilot rescued</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Iran shot down a US F 15E fighter jet over Iran; one crew rescued, one missing</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">White House proposed $1.5 trillion US defense budget for 2027</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">French-owned ship passed Strait of Hormuz despite Iran blockade</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">UN: global food prices rose 2.4% in March from war-linked energy/fertilizer costs</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Trump: US forces have yet to hit remaining Iranian bridges and power plants.</li></ul><hr> Explosions heard in Beirut as strikes reported in southern suburbs: AFP journalist Published: April 4, 2026 | 1:18 GMT Loud explosions were heard in Beirut on Saturday, an AFP journalist said, as the Israeli military said it had begun striking &quot;Hezbollah infrastructure&quot; in the Lebanese capital. AFP&#39;s correspondent in Beirut heard at least two explosions within half an hour and reported smoke billowing from one of them. The Israeli military said on Telegram it &quot;has begun striking Hezbollah infrastructure sites in Beirut&quot;. Local media reported two strikes on the southern suburbs.

A photograph shows a collapsed building at the site of an Israeli airstrike in the Haret Hreik neighborhood of Beirut’s southern suburbs on April 3, 2026. (AFP)

Iran says it shot down two US combat aircraft, an A-10 Warthog over the Persian Gulf and an F‑15E over Iran. Meanwhile, explosions rocked southern Beirut early on Saturday as Israel intensified strikes on the Lebanese capital. 

Iran says it downed two US warplanes as Israel intensifies strikes on Beirut

HOUSTON: As Artemis 2 astronauts forged ahead Friday on their lunar mission, NASA released initial images taken from inside the Orion spacecraft, including a full portrait of Earth featuring its deep blue oceans and billowing clouds. After a flurry of high-stakes activity including a dramatic blast-off and an engine firing that catapulted them on their historic trajectory to circle the Moon, the four astronauts aboard were able to catch their breath, even as they continued to perform a variety of equipment checks and tests. &quot;There has been a tremendous amount of disbelief for me, it&#39;s just so extraordinary,&quot; said Canadian Jeremy Hansen during a Q&amp;A session with press late Thursday. &quot;I really like it up here,&quot; said Hansen, on his first ever journey to space. &quot;The views are extraordinary.&quot; &quot;It&#39;s really fun to be floating around&quot; in zero gravity, he added. &quot;It just makes me feel like a little kid.&quot; Hansen is on the crew with Americans Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman. They are due to loop around the Moon early next week &ndash; a feat not accomplished in more than 50 years. NASA official Lakiesha Hawkins praised the photographs taken by commander Wiseman, calling them &quot;amazing&quot; during a briefing Friday. &quot;We continue to learn all about our spacecraft as we operate it in deep space with crew for the first time,&quot; Hawkins said. &quot;It&#39;s important to remind ourselves of that as we learn a little bit more day by day. &#39;Great spirits&#39; Friday&#39;s to-do list includes a CPR demonstration and medical kit checks, the US space agency said, as well as preparation for the scientific observations they&#39;ll need to document when they are closest to the Moon on day six of their journey. NASA officials reported Friday that all systems were performing well, and that the astronauts were in &quot;great spirits&quot; and had spoken to their families. The next major milestone of the approximately 10-day journey is expected overnight Sunday into Monday, at which point the astronauts will enter the &quot;lunar sphere of influence&quot; &ndash; when the Moon&#39;s gravity will have stronger pull on the spacecraft than Earth&#39;s. If all proceeds smoothly, as Orion whips around the Moon the astronauts could set a record by venturing farther from Earth than any human before. &quot;There is nothing normal about this,&quot; said mission commander Wiseman late Thursday. &quot;Sending four humans 250,000 miles away is a Herculean effort, and we are now just realizing the gravity of that.&quot; The Artemis 2 mission is part of a longer-term plan to repeatedly return to the Moon, with the goal of establishing a permanent lunar base that will offer a platform for further exploration.

This handout picture provided by NASA shows Earth as seen through the Orion spacecraft’s window, photographed by NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, commander of Artemis II, on April 2, 2026, after completing the translunar injection burn. (AFP)

Artificial Intelligence

Artemis 2 astronauts, including Canada's Jeremy Hansen, share stunning Earth views from Orion spacecraft en route to loop the Moon—first crewed flyby in more than five decades. 

Artemis 2: 'Extraordinary' views of home as astronauts head towards Moon

PARIS: Ousmane Dembele scored twice, including a stunning opening goal on the volley, as Paris Saint-Germain warmed up for their Champions League quarter-final showdown with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/salah-to-leave-liverpool-at-the-end-of-the-season" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Liverpool</a>&nbsp;by beating Toulouse 3-1 on Friday to cement their place at the top of Ligue 1. Last year&#39;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/dembele-beats-yamal-to-ballon-dor-as-bonmati-retains-womens-award" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ballon d&#39;Or</a>&nbsp;winner smashed in a superb strike to give PSG the lead and then got the second from close range just after the half-hour mark, but in between Toulouse were gifted an equalizer after calamitous goalkeeping from home shot-stopper Matvey Safonov. Substitute Goncalo Ramos wrapped up the win at the death, and the result ensures that Luis Enrique&#39;s side will finish the weekend on top of the French table. Their advantage is now four points from second-placed Lens, who play Lille away on Saturday. PSG came into the weekend with a game in hand and their scheduled trip to title rivals Lens next weekend has been controversially postponed until May to allow them extra rest in between the two legs of the Liverpool Champions League tie. The reigning European champions host Liverpool in the first leg of their quarter-final clash next Wednesday before going to Anfield for the return on Tuesday, April 14 in a tie that is a repeat of the last-16 encounter last season which PSG won on penalties. Retaining the Champions League crown is the absolute priority for PSG, but they remain well on course to claim a fifth consecutive Ligue 1 title, and a 12th in the last 14 years. Toulouse, meanwhile, are in mid-table and their season will now be defined by the outcome of their French Cup semi-final tie away to Lens, set for April 21. Luis Enrique gave a rest at kick-off to several players who had just returned from long trips away on international duty, including captain Marquinhos and the Portugal trio of Nuno Mendes, Vitinha and Joao Neves. Safonov howler Among the players coming into the line-up was Brazilian center-back Lucas Beraldo, who was surprisingly selected in central midfield. Dembele, who starred in the France side that beat Brazil in the United States last week, started a Ligue 1 game for just the eighth time this season. He marked it in style with his strike to give PSG the lead midway through the first half, nonchalantly swinging out his left leg on the edge of the box to meet a Mark McKenzie clearance and send the ball soaring into the top corner. Toulouse nevertheless drew level only four minutes later after a disastrous sequence of play by Safonov. The Russian initially came racing out of his box to attempt a headed clearance, only to be completely caught out by the bounce of the ball. He was saved by his defense who conceded a corner, but Safonov then failed to hold onto the resulting delivery and Danish defender Nicolaisen gratefully headed in for Toulouse. However, Safonov&#39;s blushes were soon saved by Dembele, who was left with an easy close-range finish on 33 minutes after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia nodded down a corner. Dembele is now on his own as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/paris-saintgermain-to-make-intercontinental-cup-debut-in-doha-final" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">PSG</a>&#39;s leading scorer this season on 14 goals in all competitions, with 10 coming in Ligue 1 including four against Toulouse. The second half was almost entirely devoid of interest until Ramos swept in his team&#39;s third goal in injury time with a low shot from outside the area. The Portuguese striker has now scored 12 goals in all competitions for his club this season, despite having started only 12 times.

Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #10 Ousmane Dembele (L) celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Toulouse FC at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on April 3, 2026. (

Football

Ousmane Dembele scored twice as PSG beat Toulouse 3-1, extending Ligue 1 lead. Despite a goalkeeping error, Ramos sealed victory before Liverpool Champions League clash.

Dembele leads PSG to victory ahead of Liverpool tie

TEHRAN:&nbsp;Iranian and American forces were racing each other early Saturday to recover the crew of the first US fighter jet to go down inside Iran since the start of the war. Tehran said it had shot down the F-15 warplane, while US media reported American special forces had rescued one of two crew members. Iran&#39;s military also said it downed a US A-10 ground attack aircraft in the Gulf, with US media saying the pilot was rescued. The war erupted more than a month ago with US-Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, triggering retaliation that spread the conflict throughout the Middle East. It also convulsed the global economy and impacted millions of people worldwide. US Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the loss of the F-15, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: &quot;The president has been briefed&quot;. President Donald Trump told NBC the F-15 loss would not affect negotiations with Iran, saying: &quot;No, not at all. No, it&#39;s war.&quot; &#39;Valuable reward&#39; A spokesperson for the Iranian military&#39;s central operational command said &quot;an American hostile fighter jet in central Iranian airspace was struck and destroyed by the IRGC Aerospace Force&#39;s advanced air defense system&quot;. &quot;The jet was completely obliterated, and further searches are ongoing.&quot; An Iranian television reporter on a local official channel said anyone who captured a crew member alive would &quot;receive a valuable reward&quot;. The US military has announced the loss of several aircraft during Iran operations, including one tanker that crashed in Iraq and three F-15s shot down by Kuwaiti friendly fire. Fresh strikes meanwhile hit Israel, Iran, Lebanon and Gulf countries while large blasts rocked northern Tehran, an AFP journalist said. Israel said it had launched a wave of strikes in the Iranian capital, alongside parallel attacks in Beirut. Blown-out windows Earlier, Israel&#39;s military reported a new missile salvo from Iran, activating its air defenses. Strikes by all sides have increasingly targeted economic and industrial sites, raising fears of wider disruption to global energy supplies. In the area around a bridge west of Tehran that was targeted by the United States, an AFP reporter saw a villa and residential buildings with blown-out windows &ndash; but no military installations. According to the martyrs foundation of Alborz province, cited by the official IRNA agency, the attack killed 13 civilians and wounded dozens. In Abu Dhabi, Iran&#39;s neighbor across the Gulf, metal giant Emirates Global Aluminium meanwhile said it could take up to a year before it can resume full production, after its site was damaged by Iranian strikes. Ex-FM urges deal Writing in the US journal Foreign Affairs, Iran&#39;s former foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said Tehran should make a deal with Washington to end the war by offering to curb its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran has virtually blocked the key waterway since the war began, where one-fifth of the world&#39;s oil and natural gas normally passes. Of the few ships that have managed to cross, most have had links to Iran, with 60% of commodity-bearing ships crossing the strait either coming from Iran or heading there, an AFP analysis of maritime data showed. In the first known transit by a major European shipping group since March 1, the Maltese-flagged Kribi, belonging to the French maritime transport group CMA CGM, crossed the strait to exit the Gulf on Thursday, according to Marine Traffic data analyzed by AFP. Three other ships, including one co-owned by a Japanese company, crossed Thursday. Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari warned that Iran would increase its own attacks on energy sites in the region in response to threats from Trump of attacks on infrastructure. A drone attack on a refinery owned by Kuwait&#39;s national oil company on Friday sparked fires at several of its units, state media said. Later, an Iranian attack damaged a power and desalination complex, Kuwait&#39;s water and electricity ministry said. In Abu Dhabi, a gas complex shut after a fire broke out, following an attack that resulted in &quot;falling debris&quot; upon interception, the government media office said. Bridge destroyed in Lebanon The Israeli military said Friday it had struck more than 3,500 targets across Lebanon in the month since Israel began its assault on the latter. It added that it would attack two bridges in Lebanon&#39;s eastern Bekaa region &quot;in order to prevent the transfer of reinforcements and military equipment&quot;. Lebanese state media later reported that Israel destroyed one bridge in the region. Lebanon&#39;s health ministry said Thursday that 1,345 people had been killed &ndash; &nbsp;and 4,040 wounded &ndash; since the start of the war. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon peacekeeping force said a blast of unknown origin wounded three peacekeepers Friday, the third such incident in a week.

Iranian forces downed a US F-15 and A--one crew rescued amid races to recover pilots; fresh strikes hit Tehran, Israel, and Gulf energy sites, disrupting global oil flows.

Iran searches for downed US jet crew, as US media says one member rescued

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump asked lawmakers on Friday to approve a massive $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027, as the United States faces rising costs from its war with Iran and mounting global security commitments. The proposal would lift Pentagon spending by more than 40 percent in a single year -- the sharpest increase since World War II -- as Washington seeks to sustain military operations and rebuild depleted weapons stockpiles. The request highlights the growing financial pressure of a conflict now in its fifth week, and sets up a political battle in Congress over how to fund a dramatic expansion of military spending. US media -- citing closed-door congressional briefings -- have reported that the Iran war could be costing as much as $2 billion per day, underscoring the scale of the burden even before longer-term reconstruction and resupply costs are factored in. To offset part of the increase, the administration is proposing around $73 billion in cuts to non-defense spending -- roughly 10 percent -- targeting a range of domestic programs including environmental initiatives, housing assistance and education funding. White House officials say the reductions would eliminate what they describe as wasteful spending and shift some responsibilities back to state and local governments. Trump has framed the defense increase in urgent terms, arguing that military investment must take precedence during wartime, even at the expense of federal social programs. &quot;It&#39;s not possible for us to take care of day care, Medicaid, Medicare,&quot; Trump said at a recent private event, adding that such responsibilities could be handled at the state level while Washington focuses on &quot;military protection.&quot;<h2 style="line-height: 2;"> </h2><h2 style="line-height: 2;">&#39;Reckless war&#39;</h2>The budget outline, released in summary form, is not binding but serves as a statement of the administration&#39;s priorities as Congress begins drafting spendilegislation. Lawmakers retain the power to rewrite or reject the plan. Trump is urging Congress to approve the bulk of the defense budget -- more than $1.1 trillion -- through the standard appropriations process, while seeking to pass a further $350 billion using a party-line mechanism that would bypass Democratic support. Republican leaders have shown openness to that approach, particularly as they push for higher defense and immigration enforcement spending. But the plan may face resistance within Trump&#39;s own party, where some lawmakers are wary of deepening federal deficits. The United States is already running annual shortfalls approaching $2 trillion, with total debt exceeding $39 trillion, leaving limited fiscal space for new spending without further widening the gap. Lawmakers from both parties have also raised concerns about the scale of the proposed military increase, particularly as the administration has provided limited detail on the trajectory of the Iran conflict. There is similar skepticism about the domestic cuts, many of which Congress has previously rejected. Spending bills passed earlier this year largely preserved funding for programs the White House is again seeking to reduce or eliminate. Beyond defense, the administration is also proposing increased funding for federal law enforcement, including a boost of more than $40 billion for the Justice Department. Even so, the plan could add trillions more to the federal debt over the coming decade if enacted in full, highlighting the trade-offs facing lawmakers as they weigh wartime demands against long-term fiscal pressures. &quot;The American people want health care, not warfare. The Trump administration has spent billions on a reckless war with Iran but REFUSES to increase funding for health care,&quot; House Democrats said in a statement on social media. &quot;It&#39;s heartless and House Democrats will not stand for it.&quot;

US President Donald Trump asks lawmakers to approve a massive $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027, as the United States faces rising costs from its war with Iran and mounting global security commitments.

Articles by Web Desk