ISLAMABAD : Pakistan has completed its largest-ever single international bond transaction, raising $3 billion through a dual-tranche Eurobond, the Ministry of Finance announced on Thursday. The Pakistan Eurobond issuance drew nearly $6 billion in bids, roughly double the amount actually sold, with orders flowing in from a wide mix of institutional investors spread across several regions and markets. The deal was split into two parts: a $1.75 billion tranche with a 5.5-year maturity carrying a 7.5% coupon, and a $1.25 billion tranche with a 10-year maturity priced at 7.9%. Finance officials said the healthy appetite across both timeframes, especially the…
Author: Web Desk
ISLAMABAD — Pakistani security forces eliminated 15 India-backed militants after intercepting an infiltration bid along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border facing North Waziristan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing confirmed on Thursday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), troops first spotted a group of Fitna al-Khawarij fighters attempting to slip into Pakistani territory during the night of August 31 into September 1. The North Waziristan terrorist attack unfolded after forces tracked the militants’ movement and responded with what ISPR described as a calculated, patient approach before launching their operation. The confrontation stretched across 36 hours, ending with all 15…
Police records have revealed a troubling surge in child abuse cases across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with 370 incidents reported in various districts during the first seven months of this year alone. Cases Reported Across District Police Stations According to police sources, these cases were logged at police stations in multiple districts of the province, including Peshawar. The reports involve both boys and girls who were allegedly subjected to sexual exploitation. 370 Cases, Hundreds of Suspects Named Officials say a total of 565 suspects were named across the 370 reported cases, and 486 of them have already been arrested. The scale of…
Pakistan is preparing to finalize a set of oil refinery agreements with five major companies on Thursday, unlocking more than $6 billion in planned investment aimed at upgrading outdated facilities, lifting domestic fuel output, and cutting the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products. The deals involve Pak-Arab Refinery Ltd. (Parco), Pakistan Refinery Ltd. (PRL), National Refinery Ltd. (NRL), Cnergyico, and Attock Refinery Ltd. (ARL). A senior Petroleum Division official told The News on Tuesday that the agreements are being wrapped up through a series of meetings between the Petroleum Division and Inter-State Gas Systems (ISGS). “The signing parties are ready,…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Wednesday that Pakistan intends to push Pakistan Kyrgyzstan trade up to $200 million within the next two years, urging both nations to deepen their economic and diplomatic ties. Speaking at a joint press conference with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov at the presidential palace in Bishkek, Shehbaz noted that current trade volumes stand at roughly $16 million, a figure he said falls well short of the strong friendship shared by the two countries. Focus on Trade, Education and Technology The prime minister said talks between the two sides centered heavily on expanding commercial ties, with…
The Pakistan Navy has kicked off its large-scale Seaspark 2026 exercise in Karachi, with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf attending the opening briefing as chief guest. Speaking at the event, Admiral Ashraf said the Navy has no room for compromise when it comes to staying combat-ready, pointing to what he described as a volatile and increasingly complicated security landscape across the region. He also touched on the rising significance of information warfare, noting that modern conflict demands closer coordination between all three branches of the armed forces rather than isolated planning. What the Seaspark 2026 Exercise Involves…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued a pointed warning against using water as a political tool, declaring that it should never become a means of coercion between nations. His comments on water weaponisation came during an address to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Council of Heads of State Summit, held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The speech coincided with Pakistan officially taking over the SCO chairmanship for the 2026–27 term. Islamabad will hold the role for a full year and is scheduled to host the next Council of Heads of State summit in 2027. Over the coming months, Pakistan is expected to guide…
A violent clash over the construction of a government hospital has left three people dead and one injured in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district. The Hangu hospital dispute firing occurred within the jurisdiction of Thana Tal police station, where tensions between two rival groups escalated into an exchange of gunfire. According to local reports, the dispute centered on the construction of a Basic Health Unit (BHU) in the area, a disagreement that had reportedly been simmering for some time before turning deadly. Details of the Hangu Firing Incident District Police Officer (DPO) Tariq Habib confirmed the casualties, stating that the tragic…
India is accelerating efforts to secure long-term uranium supplies as it expands its nuclear energy programme. After strengthening cooperation with Australia, New Delhi has now reached an agreement with Uzbekistan covering long-term uranium supplies and cooperation on rare minerals. The agreement was reached during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is among the world’s major uranium producers, and Indian media reports say the deal is aimed at ensuring a steady supply of nuclear fuel for India’s growing nuclear power sector. The development is significant for Pakistan because India’s nuclear expansion is taking place alongside a broader effort…
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar wrapped up a one-day trip to Istanbul on Monday, where he took part in the first-ever meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee. The body was set up under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. Following the meeting, Dar left Istanbul for Bishkek, travelling alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and National Defence Minister Yasar Güler. The trip to Kyrgyzstan is aimed at joining the SCO Council of Heads of State Meeting and the accompanying SCO Plus Summit. Bilateral Talks and Committee Meeting in Istanbul While in Istanbul, Dar also…
