Laila Tariq

Pakistan Says No Compromise on Indus Waters Treaty

Pakistan Says No Compromise on Indus Waters Treaty

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Thursday it will not compromise on its water rights and will continue legal action against India at the International Court of Arbitration. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andarabi said India has failed to appear in the proceedings. He stressed that the Indus Waters Treaty is a binding international agreement. Andarabi condemned killings […]

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Gen Qamar Bajwa Hospitalised After Slip at Residence, Confirms ISPR

Gen Qamar Bajwa Hospitalised After Slip at Residence, Confirms ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Former Chief of Army Staff General (Retired) Qamar Javed Bajwa has been hospitalised following a fall at his residence, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed on Thursday. According to an official statement, General Bajwa suffered injuries after slipping at his home and was promptly taken to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for medical care.

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Saudi Firm Eyes Major Multi-Sector Investment in Pakistan

Saudi Firm Eyes Major Multi-Sector Investment in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A Saudi company is exploring multi-sector investment opportunities in Pakistan, with each project estimated at a minimum value of $200 million, the Ministry of Information. The move comes as Pakistan aims to attract greater foreign direct investment (FDI) from Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, to stabilise the economy, boost investor confidence, and expand industrial

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Students Visit Line of Control Under ISPR Winter Internship

Students Visit Line of Control Under ISPR Winter Internship

ISLAMABAD: The military’s media wing ISPR is continuing its Winter Internship Programme across Pakistan to promote national awareness among young people. As part of the program, organizers arranged an educational and recreational visit to Azad Jammu and Kashmir for participating students. Under the ISPR internship initiative, students from Azad Kashmir visited the Line of Control

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Pakistan, UAE Near Signing of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement: Envoy ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates are in the final stages of concluding a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aimed at boosting bilateral trade and removing business barriers, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) said on Wednesday, quoting UAE Ambassador Salem Mohammed Al Zaabi. Pakistan and the UAE share strong economic ties, with the Gulf state ranking among Islamabad’s largest trading partners and a key source of remittances. Bilateral trade currently ranges between $8–10 billion, according to LCCI estimates, while millions of Pakistani expatriates live and work in the Emirates. The proposed CEPA — a wide-ranging trade framework designed to reduce tariffs, improve market access and enhance investment flows — is expected to formalize and deepen these economic links. Addressing the Lahore Chamber, Ambassador Al Zaabi said the agreement would significantly expand trade and help eliminate obstacles faced by businesses in both countries. “Pakistan and the UAE are at the final stage of signing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which would significantly boost bilateral trade and remove business obstacles between the two countries,” he said, according to a statement issued by the LCCI. He noted that the current trade volume does not reflect the full potential of the partnership and revealed that the UAE leadership has issued a “clear directive” to double bilateral trade at the earliest opportunity. Al Zaabi said the UAE is scaling up investments in Pakistan across infrastructure, ports, aviation, agriculture, minerals and railways. He added that talks with Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways are progressing, with new agreements expected soon to enhance supply chain connectivity from the northern regions to Karachi, including the possible establishment of a dry port. The envoy also said efforts are underway to reactivate the Joint Business Council to strengthen institutional cooperation between the two sides. On mobility and visas, Al Zaabi highlighted steps being taken to streamline procedures through digital systems and commended Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior for its cooperation. Discussions are also ongoing with the Punjab Skilled Labor Authority to facilitate the movement of skilled workers. “I am personally working at operational and technical levels to ensure that all signed agreements, including CEPA and other trade frameworks, are fully implemented,” he added. The ambassador underscored the UAE’s rapid transition toward a digitized, artificial intelligence-driven economy, noting that nearly 99 percent of government services are now available online. He emphasized opportunities in information technology, digital banking and innovation, and invited the Lahore Chamber to submit a comprehensive document outlining challenges and investment prospects. He assured that the UAE Embassy would review recommendations from the business community and facilitate investors from both countries, including giving special consideration to genuine business visa cases referred by the Chamber. Al Zaabi also acknowledged the vital role of the Pakistani diaspora in the UAE’s development, particularly in aviation and finance, and pointed out that the Emirati economy has diversified significantly, reducing its dependence on oil to below 25 percent. LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol described the UAE as one of Pakistan’s most important trading partners in the Middle East and a major source of remittances. He said remittances from the UAE reached $7.8 billion in 2024. During fiscal year 2024–25, Pakistan’s exports to the UAE totaled $2.1 billion, while imports — largely petroleum products — stood at around $8 billion. These figures underline a persistent trade imbalance, with Pakistan importing far more from the UAE than it exports, despite the significant presence of Pakistani workers in the Gulf state. Saigol stressed that substantial untapped potential exists in renewable energy, agriculture and food processing, information technology, logistics, construction, tourism, health care and mining. He proposed establishing dedicated display centers for Pakistani products in the UAE, leveraging its status as a global re-export hub, and called for stronger engagement through trade delegations, business-to-business meetings and joint ventures.

Pakistan, UAE Near Signing of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement: Envoy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates are in the final stages of concluding a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aimed at boosting bilateral trade and removing business barriers, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) said on Wednesday, quoting UAE Ambassador Salem Mohammed Al Zaabi. Pakistan and the UAE share strong economic ties,

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Over 100 Rescued After Fire Erupts in Karachi Residential Building

Over 100 Rescued After Fire Erupts in Karachi Residential Building

KARACHI: A fire that erupted in a residential building near Baloch Colony Bridge in Karachi spread panic across the area on Thursday. Rescue officials said the blaze started in the building’s basement, where vehicles were parked and a generator was installed. Flames spread rapidly within minutes. Authorities initially believed the structure was five stories high.

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US prepares warship deployment amid Iran tensions

WASHINGTON : The Pentagon has ordered an additional aircraft carrier strike group to prepare for deployment to the Middle East as the Trump administration signals possible military action should nuclear negotiations with Iran collapse, multiple U.S. officials told the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday . Three U.S. officials confirmed that preparations are underway for a

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A striking crescent moon glows brightly against a deep black night sky.

Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to meet February 18 for Ramazan moon sighting

ISLAMABAD : The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has summoned a meeting in Peshawar on February 18 for the sighting of the Ramazan-ul-Mubarak moon, the Ministry of Religious Affairs announced on Wednesday. The meeting will be chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. Members from across the country are expected to attend

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