Pakistan Archives - Defence Monitor

01 Jul

We don’t fear bombings and hardships: Afghan minister’s stark warning to Pakistan

Kabul, July 1 (IANS) Afghanistan's Minister of Information and Culture, Shar Ahmad Haqqani, said on Wednesday that Afghans do not get intimidated by external pressure or military attacks, stressing that Kabul has already secured victory against opponents which have superior weapons and technology, local media reported. In his remarks at a seminar on intellectual, ideological and professional capacity building for journalists, Haqqani said Afghanistan has faced conflict for years and would not get deterred by threats, Afghanistan-based Ariana News reported. He said, "To those who killed our children in their sleep through cruel bombings, it must be said that we…

01 Jul

Voices for peace: Talks are welcome, but who is that authority in Pakistan?

New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) Many prominent citizens from both India and Pakistan have reportedly come together to appeal to Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif to end decades of hostility between the two nations which, despite being the ideal option otherwise, remains an uphill task in this case, with ground realities in Islamabad complicating prospects of meaningful talks. The appeal, signed by intellectuals, activists, and public figures, calls for a new chapter in South Asian relations -- one built on dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect rather than suspicion and confrontation. It is indeed appropriate and timely, but Pakistan's…

16 Apr

IMF cuts Pakistan growth forecast to 3.5 pc, raises inflation outlook

New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowered Pakistan’s economic growth forecast to 3.5 per cent for the fiscal year 2026-27 and raised its inflation outlook, a report has said. In its latest World Economic Outlook released during the Spring Meetings, the IMF cut down the growth projection from its earlier estimate of 4.1 per cent, citing the impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict, while warning that the global economy could face significant disruptions if the war escalates. For the current fiscal year, the growth forecast has been retained at 3.6 per cent, broadly in line…

05 Feb

Opposition demands fresh elections in Pakistan, plans nationwide protests on Feb 8

Islamabad, Feb 5 (IANS) A strong opposition alliance is emerging as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) gets ready to hold nationwide protests on February 8, the first anniversary of last year's "rigged" general election in the country. Posing a fresh challenge to the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PTI has announced anti-government protest rallies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Swabi, Peshawar and Lahore, stating that 'Black Day' will be observed across the country on February 8. PTI claims that it was on February 8 in 2024 that the will of the people and their support for party founder and former Prime Minister…

14 Nov

12 ‘terrorists’ killed in operations in Pakistan

Islamabad, Nov 14 (IANS) Twelve "terrorists" were killed in two separate intelligence-based operations in Pakistan, the military said. Security forces conducted the operations in the southwest Balochistan province and northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said in a statement late on Wednesday. During the operation in the Kech district of Balochistan, an intense fire exchange took place between security forces and "terrorists." Four of them, including a "high-value target," were killed, reports Xinhua news agency. Separately, eight "terrorists" were killed and six others injured after security forces effectively attacked their…

10 Feb

Pakistan awaits final poll results; PML(N), PPP hold talks for alliance to form govt

Islamabad, Feb 10, Even as final results of the Pakistan general elections are awaited, PTI founder Imran Khan and PML(N) supremo Nawaz Sharif have claimed win and delivered victory speeches. Now, since PML(N) has failed to get majority in the polls but has emerged as the "single largest party", it is in talks with PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutoo Zardari, Dawn reported. On Friday night, former president Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal met with former prime minister and PML(N) President Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore and exchanged views on government formation, Radio Pakistan reported. Both parties have agreed to work together to…

23 Jun

Shehbaz to virtually attend SCO India meeting

Islamabad, June 23, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will virtually attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting chaired by India on July 4. "We have received the official invitation from Indian Prime Minister for our Prime Minister for the virtual meeting of Heads of State of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation that is due to take place on July 4," The News quoted a spokeswoman at the Foreign Office as saying at a briefing. "Pakistan will be represented at the summit. We will be making an announcement regarding our participation in coming days," she added. Earlier this month, the Centre said that it…

17 Jun

Shehbaz says Nawaz Sharif to be Pak PM for 4th time

Islamabad, June 17 (IANS) Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his brother PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif would become premier for the fourth time after returning home. The PML-N Central General Council re-elected Shehbaz as party president for another four years in intra-party elections at a meeting here, reports The News. After his re-election, Shehbaz said he would hand over PML-N presidentship to Nawaz Sharif once he returned home. Shehbaz said Nawaz Sharif was the builder of modern Pakistan who eliminated energy shortages and laid down a network of roads, built infrastructure and developed agriculture, industry and other vital sectors of the…

13 Jun

Russia seeks expansion in ties with Pakistan

Moscow, June 13. Russia has sought to expand and deepen cooperation with Pakistan as the first shipment carrying Russian oil reached Karachi Port over the weekend, the media reported. On the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Moscow and Islamabad, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov issued a video statement expressing his country's desire to expand cooperation with the South Asian nation, The Express Tribune reported. Pakistan and Russia have remained bitter cold-war rivals but their bilateral ties have taken a positive turn in recent years with both sides willing to bury the past and adjust to the new…

09 Jun

Pakistan to examine Iran’s Indian Ocean naval alliance proposal

Islamabad, June 9 (IANS) Pakistan has said it will examine the proposal floated by Iran with regard to forming an Indian Ocean naval alliance aimed at ensuring collective maritime security, media reports said. Iran's Naval chief Rear Admiral Shahram Irani had proposed the alliance comprising Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, India and Pakistan, The Express Tribune reported. "We have seen that statement and we will examine any proposal when it comes to Pakistan. At this stage, we are not in a position to comment on a statement which has been made," Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said. The proposal, if…