Pakistan refineries are under severe financial pressure as a dispute over the government’s pricing formula and rising import costs continues to deepen. The sector, which had earlier agreed to a pricing mechanism linked to international crude benchmarks, is now warning of unsustainable losses. Industry officials say Pakistan refineries are struggling due to what they call an “artificial” cap on profit margins. The government has fixed the diesel crack spread at $41.5 per barrel, but refineries argue this figure does not reflect real market conditions. They claim the actual cost of crude oil is much higher once freight charges, premiums, and…
Author: Web Desk
US awards $488m F-16 radar support under a new defence contract aimed at strengthening technical and engineering services for key military aircraft systems. The deal includes Pakistan among several partner nations benefiting from the programme. The United States Air Force has awarded the contract to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. The agreement focuses on providing long-term engineering and technical support for F-16 radar systems used by multiple countries under the Foreign Military Sales programme. The contract covers maintenance and support for APG-66 and APG-68 radar systems. Work will be carried out in Maryland and is scheduled to continue until March 2036,…
Hyderabad Kingsmen vs Islamabad United turned into one of the most exciting matches of PSL 11 as the Kingsmen secured a dramatic two-run victory to book their place in the final. The high-pressure second eliminator was played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Friday and kept fans on the edge until the last ball. With this win in Hyderabad Kingsmen vs Islamabad United, the debutant side moved into the PSL 11 final, where they will face table-toppers Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday at the same venue. The defeat ended Islamabad United’s journey in the tournament. Chasing 187 runs, Islamabad United started poorly…
India facing isolation has become a key point in Pakistan’s recent diplomatic narrative, as Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the country has achieved both military and diplomatic success. Speaking at an event in Islamabad, he stressed that Pakistan is gaining global recognition as a voice for peace. He said Pakistan’s position has strengthened on the world stage, while India is facing isolation, failure, and growing criticism. According to him, the success of Marka-e-Haq was not limited to the battlefield. It also played out strongly on the diplomatic front. The minister pointed out that acts of terrorism in Pakistan have not…
Terror attacks in April saw a sharp decline across Pakistan, showing clear signs that ongoing security operations are working. Official figures reveal that incidents dropped by 42 percent compared to March, marking a major improvement in the country’s security situation. A total of 85 attacks were recorded nationwide in April, down from 146 in the previous month. This fall reflects the growing impact of Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, as security forces stepped up efforts against militant groups. During the same period, forces carried out targeted actions and eliminated 224 militants. The number of deaths linked to these incidents also fell…
Hostilities against Iran have officially been declared over by U.S. President Donald Trump, who told Congress that fighting had stopped following a ceasefire. He said there had been no exchange of fire since early April, calling the conflict “terminated.” Trump made the announcement as a legal deadline approached. Under U.S. law, presidents can carry out military action for 60 days without Congress approval. After that, they must either seek permission or withdraw forces. By stating that hostilities against Iran have ended, Trump is trying to avoid that requirement. However, the situation remains disputed. Lawmakers, especially Democrats, argue that the conflict…
Key Points: Israel and Lebanon extend ceasefire for three more weeks Talks held at the White House with US mediation US signals hope for broader peace agreement Both sides still accuse each other of violations Israel insists focus must remain on Hezbollah threat Lebanon seeks withdrawal and border resolution Situation remains tense despite reduced violence Extension seen as cautious diplomatic progress Israel and Lebanon extend ceasefire for another three weeks after high-level diplomatic talks held at the White House. The decision comes as the United States pushes both sides toward a more permanent peace arrangement in the conflict-ridden region. The…
Iran rejects Trump claims about divisions within its leadership, with top officials strongly denying any internal rift. Senior figures said the country stands united and dismissed the remarks as baseless. President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei all responded firmly. They pushed back against statements made by Donald Trump, who had suggested that “hardliners” and “moderates” were at odds in Iran. The Iranian leaders said such labels do not reflect reality. They stressed that all factions in the country share the same goals and values. According to them, the idea of internal division…
Pakistan repays UAE loan in full, closing a major financial chapter as the State Bank confirmed the return of $3.45 billion to the United Arab Emirates. The latest payment of $1 billion, made on April 23, completed the process after $2.45 billion had already been repaid earlier. Officials said the deposits were held with the central bank and have now been cleared entirely. The update came through an official statement, confirming that Pakistan repays UAE loan as part of its ongoing financial commitments. This development comes at a time when the country faces pressure on its external finances. The repayment,…
US Iran talks in Islamabad remain uncertain as both sides wait for a clear signal from Tehran. Officials say there is still no confirmed date for the second round, keeping diplomatic circles cautious but hopeful. Sources familiar with the situation describe the current status as “still awaited.” This reflects the slow pace of progress despite ongoing behind-the-scenes efforts. The delay has not dampened hopes entirely, but it has added to the uncertainty around the next step. Pakistan continues to play an active role in pushing US Iran talks in Islamabad forward. Officials are in contact with both Washington and Tehran.…
