RIYADH: A day after Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark mutual defence agreement during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh, the premier on Thursday expressed gratitude for the “heart-warming welcome” given to him in the Gulf State and shared that his talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman covered regional challenges, as well as enhancing bilateral cooperation. …

ISLAMABAD: The federal government agreed to provide $390 million to the Reko Diq mining project to build rail tracks from mines in Balochistan, according to the Finance Division on Thursday. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) in Islamabad, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, according to a press release from the Finance Division. …

RIYADH: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday signed a “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” in Riyadh, pledging that any attack on either nation would be treated as an act of aggression against both. The two countries have long shared a multifaceted relationship rooted in strategic military cooperation, mutual economic interests, and shared Islamic heritage. …

RAWALPINDI: PTI founder Imran Khan has been directed to appear via video link from Adiala Jail for the next hearing, as the anti-terrorism court (ATC) adjourned the General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case to October 1. The development came after the Punjab government formally withdrew its notification for holding a jail trial in the case. Presided over by ATC Judge Amjad …

DOHA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani in Doha on Tuesday and reaffirmed Pakistan’s “all-out support and solidarity” for the Gulf state after last week’s Israeli attack on its capital. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha, where leaders from the Arab League and Organisation of Islamic …

ISLAMABAD: Apart from the affluent sheikhs of Qatar and Saudi Arabia, who lavished Pakistan’s dignitaries — including visiting bureaucrats — with expensive gifts, mainly wristwatches, Prime Minister Sheh­baz Sharif received a traditional golden dagger during the first six months of 2025. The Toshakhana record, made public by the cabinet division for the period between January and June 2025, lists high-value …

DOHA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday arrived in Doha, for a one-day official visit to Qatar to attend the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit. At Doha Airport, the Prime Minister and the Pakistani delegation were welcomed by His Excellency Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Culture. The extraordinary meeting has been convened in …

DUBAI/ LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup. In a letter written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the board warned it would reconsider continuing in the tournament if Pycroft is not removed. According to sources, the PCB in its letter accused …

BEIJING: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday assured the Shanghai Electric Power Company that “any outstanding issues” would be amicably resolved as he invited the firm to invest in Pakistan’s energy infrastructure. The firm last week decided to terminate its offer to acquire up to 66.4 per cent of K-Electric Ltd due to changes in Pakistan’s business environment. It added …

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call on Saturday night, the Foreign Office (FO) said, adding that the two leaders reaffirmed the commitment to strengthen bilateral ties and discussed regional and international developments. “Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar received a call tonight from the US secretary …