Tue, 21-Oct-2025

FM calls for broadening economic diplomacy

FM

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday emphasized on the need of enhancing economic diplomacy and efforts to bolster trade and investment ties with the foreign countries.

The foreign minister chaired an online meeting with Heads of the Missions to inter-alia review the progress made on market sounding efforts being made through Pakistan’s Missions Abroad for outsourcing of airports, a press release said.

The secretary Aviation / DGCAA presented the progress review and informed that concerted efforts by Heads of the Missions in Turkiye, Malaysia, UAE, Qatar, Paris, Spain, Germany, Kuwait, UK and Switzerland have reinvigorated interests of well-known airport operators, who had shown positive interests in bidding of Islamabad International Airport.

The renewed interest of foreign airport operators testified economic stability and confidence of investors in the political stability in Pakistan.

The session was followed by 9th Meeting of Steering Committee on Outsourcing of Airports, which was inter-alia attended by Secretary Aviation / DGCAA, Secretary Law & Justice, Additional Secretary MoFA ME, Additional Secretary BOI, DG ASF, DG ANF, Additional DGCAA, Additional DG FIA (Immigration), senior officer of Pakistan Customs and IFC Team.

The IFC presented progress review report and highlighted that foreign investors were showing keen interest in the bidding process of Islamabad International Airport and a healthy competition was expected.

The fora also reviewed Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and service delivery benchmarks worked out by international consultants to improve quality of services at airports.

It was assured by the heads of government agencies that all out efforts would be made for observance and adherence to service delivery benchmarks to ensure seamless passenger experience at airports.

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Pakistan, Saudi Arabia finalise implementation mechanism to execute investment matters

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia finalise implementation mechanism to execute investment matters

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday finalized a bilateral implementation mechanism to closely coordinate and execute investment related matters at the functional level to turn the sovereign commitments into tangible economic outcomes. The matters related to the investment opportunities in Pakistan’s multiple sectors were discussed at Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Investment Conference held here and attended … Read more

Ishaq Dar appointed leader of the House in Senate

Ishaq Dar inaugurates Charity Bazaar at Foreign Office

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was appointed as leader of the House in the Senate on Tuesday, according to a notification issued by the Senate Secretariat. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is also the president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), appointed Dar to the post. “Dar will act as leader of the House on … Read more

Yusuf Raza Gilani, Syedal Khan Nasir elected Senate Chairman, Dupty Chairman uncontested

Yusuf Raza Gilani, Syedal Khan Nasir elected Senate Chairman, Dupty Chairman uncontested

Yusuf  Raza Gilani was elected as Senate Chairman. Sardar Syedal Khan Nasir was elected as Senate Deputy Chairman. The PTI leader Ali Zafar expressed disappointment that the Senate elections Pakistan Peoples Party leader, Yusuf Raza Gilani, was elected as Senate Chairman while Sardar Syedal Khan Nasir of Muslim League (N) was elected as Senate Deputy … Read more

ECP issues notification of successful candidates of Senate

ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has released the notifications of all the successful candidates of the Senate.

The ECP has issued a notification of the success of Rana Mehmoodul Hasan, Ishaq Dar, Bilal Ahmad Khan, Abdul Wasay, Hasna Bano, and Rahat Jamali from Islamabad.

From Punjab, Ahad Cheema, Pervez Rasheed, Hamid Khan, Raja Nasir Abbas, Mohsin Naqvi, Talal Chaudhry, Nasir Mahmood, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Musadik Malik, Anusha Rehman, Bushra Anjum Butt and Khalil Tahir.

From Balochistan, Ahmed Khan, Anwar ul Haq Kakar, and Aimal Wali Khan won. The Notification has been issued.

The electoral body has issued the notification of successful candidates for 12 seats in the Senate of Sindh, in which Syed Masroor Ahsan of Pakistan People’s Party(PPP), Dost Ali Jessar, Ashraf Jatoi, Kazim Ali Shah and Nadeem Bhutto while  Aamir Chishti of Muttahida Qaumi Movement(MQM) Pakistan have been nominated for 7 general seats.

An independent candidate Faisal Vada has been successful.

Meanwhile, Qurat-ul-Ain Marri and Rubina Qaim Khani of PPP have won the women’s seat, Poonjomal Bheel of PPP has won the minority seat and Zameer Ghumaro and Sarmad Ali of PPP have won the technocrat seat.

The highest number of seats, 14, was won by the PPP, while the PML-N followed closely with 13, according to the results. Two seats went to the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) each.

The parties with single-seat victory included the MQM-P, the Awami National Party (ANP), and the National Party (NP).

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Ishaq Dar, Mehmood ul Hassa win Senate polls

Ishaq Dar

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Pakistan Peoples Party’s Mehmoodul Hassan eemerged victorious in the Senate elections for the general and technocrat seats, respectively, in the Federal Capital.

Ishaq Dar secured 222 votes for the general seat, while Mehmoodul Hassan obtained 224 votes for the technocrat seat.

Mehmoodul Hassan was nominated by the Pakistan Peoples Party for the general seat, whereas Muhammad Ishaq Dar was the nominee of the PML-N for the technocrat seat in the federal capital.

Farzand Hussain and Raja Ansar Mehmood, representing the Sunni Ittehad Council, received 79 and 81 votes, respectively.

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Resumption of trade with India on the anvil, says Dar

Resumption of trade with India on the anvil, says Dar

LONDON: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan is considering its trade relations with India. Speaking to the media in London following his participation in the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels, Dar, a former finance minister of Pakistan, noted that trade with India via Dubai and Singapore has proven to be costly. Trade relations with … Read more

Pakistani businessmen seek trade restoration with India: FM

FM Ishaq Dar

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that Pakistani businessmen want to restore trade with India, and Pakistan will review the opening of trade with India. Speaking to the media in London, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that the 16-month government under the leadership of Shahbaz Sharif was only to save the country from bankruptcy, and … Read more

FM Dar arrives in Brussels to attend Nuclear Energy Summit

FM Dar

BRUSSLES: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has arrived here to attend the First Nuclear Energy Summit on Thursday.

He was received by Ambassador of Pakistan to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg Amna Baloch.

Besides participating in the Summit, Foreign Minister Dar will hold bilateral meetings with leaders and foreign ministers of participating countries.

The foreign minister’s participation in the Summit will contribute to further strengthening of Pakistan’s collaboration with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and developing a shared perspective on peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

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Mohsin Naqvi assumes charge of Interior Ministry

Mohsin Naqvi

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister Mohsin Naqvi took charge of the Ministry of Interior as the 49th minister.

Interior Secretary Aftab Akbar Durrani and senior officials of the Ministry welcomed the Federal Interior Minister on his arrival.

After a detailed introduction with the senior officials of the ministry, an important meeting was presided over by the Interior Minister.

Mohsin Naqvi said that peace and security of the people will be ensured in the country. The Interior Minister was given a detailed briefing regarding the Ministry of Interior and its subsidiaries.

On the other hand, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has received congratulatory messages from his counterparts of various countries on assuming his office.

Foreign Minister of Czech Republic Jan Lipavsky, congratulating Ishaq Dar on his appointment as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan said Czechia and Pakistan had long enjoyed friendly and constructive relations.

Foreign Minister of Maldives Moosa Zameer also extended congratulations saying he was confident that the bilateral relations will continue to grow stronger under his leadership.

Likewise Ukrainian FM Dmytro Kuleba congratulating Ishaq Dar on his appointment as Pakistan’s 39th Foreign Minister wished him every success in his most responsible mission.

“I look forward to expanding mutually beneficial bilateral and international cooperation between Ukraine and Pakistan”, he added.

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President bound to call NA session by Feb 29 at any cost, claims Dar

President bound to call NA session by Feb 29 at any cost, claims Dar

ISLAMABAD: PML-N Senator Ishaq Dar has said that the President of Pakistan is required to convene the National Assembly session by February 29 at every cost. Speaking to the media, the former finance minister stressed that it is a legal requirement for the NA session to be called within 21 days of the election. “We … Read more

PML-N prepares an election rally plan for party chief, organizer

PML-N election rally plan

Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) has prepared the election rally plan of party chief Nawaz Sharif and chief organizer Maryam Nawaz in Lahore. The sources revealed that PML-N has decided to launch political rallies in Lahore. The decision was taken in the meeting of Ishaq Dar and Bilal Yasin with PML-N supreme Nawaz Sharif. Moreover, in … Read more

Ishaq Dar appointed chairman of PMLN’s election cell

Pakistan aims to strengthen partnership with UK, says Ishaq Dar

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) President Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday appointed Senator Ishaq Dar as the chairman of party’s election cell. A notification in this regards had been issued PMLN Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal. PMLN hopes election campaign to be carried at a faster pace under the hands of Ishaq Dar. Under Dar’s leadership, matters … Read more

Dar underscores US role as Pakistan’s largest trade partner

Dar underscores US role as Pakistan's largest trade partner

ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador Donald Blome called on Leader of the House in Senate Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday at the Parliament House. The meeting served as an important platform for discussing various topics of mutual interest including the ways and means for further strengthening the enduring relationship between Pakistan and the United States. Senator Dar … Read more

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif arrives at Jati Umra

Jati Umra
  • PML-N workers have also reached Jati Umra to welcome Nawaz Sharif.
  • Nawaz Sharif was warmly welcome by family members and servants.
  •  Earlier , Nawaz Sharif addressed large gathering at at Minar e Pakistan.

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-N leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif reached his residence in Raiwind, Jati Umra.

The PML-N workers and supporters have also reached Jati Umra to welcome Nawaz Sharif.

It should be noted that Nawaz Sharif returned home after four years this morning. The former prime minister’s plane landed at Islamabad International Airport where former federal ministers Ishaq Dar and Azam Nazir Tarar welcomed the party leader.

Nawaz Sharif had a consultation with the legal team of the Muslim League (N) in the state lounge at the airport after which he signed the legal documents. He signed a petition to revive appeals against conviction in the Avonfield and Al-Azizia references, his biometric certificate was also taken.

Nawaz Sharif stayed at Islamabad Airport for about two hours and later Nawaz Sharif reached Lahore on a special flight where workers including Shahbaz Sharif welcomed him.

Nawaz Sharif left for the Minar e Pakistan by helicopter from Lahore Airport. A helipad was built for his helicopter at Diwan Khas near the Shahi Fort, Nawaz Sharif offered prayers after getting off the helicopter.

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Accountability court reserves verdict in assets beyond means case against Ishaq Dar

Ishaq Dar

ISLAMABAD: An accountability of Islamabad on Tuesday reserved its verdict in the case pertaining to assets beyond means against Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader Ishaq Dar, Bol News reported. The accountability court judge Muhammed Bashir would announce the verdict on October 21. Arguments of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor and Ishaq Dar’s lawyer, Qazi … Read more

ECC approves uniform tariff policy for K-Electric consumers   

tariff
  • Federal Finance Ishaq Dar chaired ECC meeting.
  • The meeting approved subsidy on five items utility items.
  • 3 billion were approved for health insurance for media workers.

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved the application of uniform tariff for K-Electric consumers.

A meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee was held under the chairmanship of Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

According to the statement, the meeting approved subsidy on five items for 10 months on utility stores under Prime Minister’s Relief Package, subsidy on five essential items from August 01 to June 30 and directed not to increase the price of flour.

In the meeting, three billion were approved for health insurance for media workers and artists.

ECC approves technical supplementary grant of Rs 500 million to Ministry of Defence.

6 incentive schemes of State Bank of Pakistan were approved to increase remittance collection. ECC also approved application of uniform tariff for K-Electric consumers.

The ECC also approved amendments to the Transmission Line Policy 2015.

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Finance Minister Pledges Full Support for Asia Cup Hosting

Asia Cup Hosting

PCB delegation, led by Zaka Ashraf, meets with Dar in Islamabad. Discussions held on hosting Asia Cup and World Cup. Asia Cup scheduled from August 30 to September 17. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has pledged full support to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for hosting the Asia Cup in August-September this year. A delegation from … Read more

We are moving from stability to growth again: Ishaq Dar

Ishaq Dar

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has expressed the confidence that economic and diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China will touch new heights in the time to come. Addressing the opening ceremony of Bank of China, Islamabad Branch, on Tuesday, he said China has always supported Pakistan at world forums. He said China is our time … Read more

No deadlock over dissolution of NA: Rana Sanaullah

  • He said caretaker prime minister should be a politician.
  • Rana Sanaullah said Nawaz Sharif will return home soon.
  • He said Dar or anyone like him can become caretaker PM.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has said that there is no deadlock in the dissolution of the National Assembly and added that the assembly will be dissolved two days before the end of its fixed term.

He said that it is under consideration that the caretaker prime minister should be a politician.

He said that if this is decided then Finance Minister Ishaq Dar or anyone like him can become caretaker Prime Minister.

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Chinese EXIM Bank rolls over $2.4 billion loan to Pakistan: Ishaq Dar

Ishaq Dar

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday said Chinese EXIM Bank has rolled over interest-based $2.4 billion loan to Pakistan, Bol News reported. “Chinese EXIM Bank has rolled over for 2 years principal amounts of following loans totalling US$ 2.4 billion which are due in next 2 fiscal years: FY2023-24: US$1.2 billion and FY2024-25: US$ 1.2 billion,” … Read more

Pakistan Approves UAE Terminal Transfer at Karachi Port

UAE Terminal Transfer

Pakistan has given its initial approval to enter into a framework agreement with UAE. Pakistan has given its initial approval to enter into a framework agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to transfer two additional terminals at Karachi port, along with the development of a new multipurpose cargo terminal. The Cabinet Committee on Intergovernmental … Read more

Khawaja Asif dismisses speculations on Ishaq Dar being appointed Caretaker PM

Caretaker PM

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has dismissed speculations that Ishaq Dar is being appointed as the caretaker prime minister. Speaking to a private channel, the PML-N leader said there are only rumours on the name of the caretaker prime minister and no decision has been taken yet. He said that the interim setup will … Read more

PML-N recommends Ishaq Dar as Caretaker Prime Minister

The PML-N has decided to nominate Ishaq Dar as Caretaker Prime Minister. Ishaq Dar’s name will be among the three recommendations sent by the PML-N. The PPP has denied reaching an agreement on Ishaq Dar’s name as interim PM. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided to propose the name of Ishaq Dar as the … Read more

Dar says no new tax being imposed on agri, real estate sectors

Ishaq Dar

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has said the country’s foreign exchange reserves have reached fourteen billion dollars as a result of government’s efforts. Speaking in the National Assembly on Friday, he said 8.7 billion dollars are in possession of State Bank of Pakistan and 5.3 billion dollars are held by the Commercial Banks. Referring to the … Read more

Dar vows to fulfill all Int’l obligations within stipulated time

Ishaq Dar

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has reiterated government’s commitment to fulfill all the international obligations within the stipulated time. He expressed this resolve, while talking to a delegation of the Asian Development Bank in Islamabad     on Wednesday. The Finance Minister also expressed Pakistan’s determination to fulfill the pledges made with the IMF under the … Read more

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar meets with Air Chief

Dar
  • Matters about regional security situation were discussed.
  • The Air Chief also praised the pragmatic policies.
  • Dar lauded matchless professionalism of PAF.

KARACHI: Finance Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Ishaq Dar, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force during his visit to Air Headquarters, Islamabad.

Matters about evolving geo-economic environment and regional security situation were discussed during the meeting.

The Air Chief briefed the visiting dignitary about various ongoing projects being carried out by the Pakistan Air Force with a special focus on the modernization and development of indigenous capabilities.

Chief of the Air Staff briefed the Finance Minister about PAF’s National Aerospace Science & Technology Park project and highlighted that the mega project is aimed at fostering collaborative research, development, and innovation in the domains of aviation, space, IT, cyber & computing in order to accrue maximum economic, technological and scientific dividends for Pakistan.

The Air Chief also praised the pragmatic policies and initiatives of the government to lead the economy toward growth and stability.

The Finance Minister lauded the matchless professionalism of PAF personnel and stated that the government would utilize all its resources to modernize Pakistan Air Force in order to ensure an impregnable aerial defence of the country.

He also shared the broad contours of the economic policies being implemented by the government to pave the way for a prosperous and financially stable country.

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State Bank Reports Pakistan’s Foreign Exchange Reserves Surpass $9.83 Billion

State Bank of Pakistan

Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves rise to $9.83 billion. State Bank of Pakistan reports an increase of $60 million in reserves. Deposits of $2 billion from Saudi Arabia and $1 billion from the UAE contribute to the improved reserves. Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have witnessed a significant improvement following the release of anticipated bailout funds from … Read more