Countries agree to record release of emergency oil reserves as prices surge

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s total external debt and liabilities have exceeded $138 billion, while interest payments on foreign loans have surged by 84 percent over the past three years, according to an official government document.A report by the Economic Affairs Division revealed that Pakistan paid $3.59 billion in interest on external debt last year alone — an…

By Muhammad Shahzad | Lahore, PakistanLAHORE: Construction and rehabilitation of major roads in Punjab are progressing rapidly, with several key projects recently completed, according to Provincial Minister for Communications Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharth.In a briefing chaired by the minister, officers from the Highways Department detailed ongoing and completed projects. The 25-kilometer road from Hafizabad to…

The outbreak of the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz triggered petroleum price increases in nearly 150 countries worldwide.According to Arab media reports, Cambodia recorded the steepest rise, with petrol prices jumping 67.81% from $1.11 in February to $1.32 in March.Pakistan ranked sixth in the price hike list, with petrol prices…

Islamabad (M.Saleem) Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has categorically rejected Indian media claims suggesting that the clause declaring the Pakistani passport “not valid for travel to Israel” has been removed. Several Indian news outlets recently alleged that Pakistan had made changes to its passport policy by dropping the restriction related to Israel. Refuting the reports,…

Islamabad: A Pakistani court has formally indicted human rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha in a controversial tweet case. The indictment was issued by Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka during a hearing at the District and Sessions Court in Islamabad. Both Mazari and Chattha pleaded not guilty to the charges,…