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THE recent visit to Kabul by Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is a sign that Pak-Afghan relations may be moving in a more positive direction. Mr Dar’s interactions with the Afghan Taliban leadership were quite cordial, with promises from both sides to improve ties and address the irritants standing in the way of better relations. Ishaq Dar met the acting Afghan PM and the foreign minister, among other top officials. The Kabul authorities assured Pakistan that Afghan soil would not be used against this country, while Mr Dar expressed similar sentiments. The high-level exchange comes after a period of relative turmoil, with both sides at times trading fire at the border, and Pakistan expressing frustration with the Taliban authorities for failing to neutralise the Afghanistan-based TTP. From here, the warm smiles and promises to prevent hostile actors from harming either country must be translated into concrete efforts. Pakistan has suffered immensely due to TTP terrori...

• Second contact between PPP, PML-N leaders in as many days hints at ‘softening of stances’ • Rana Sana says water distribution issue to be resolved on administrative, technical grounds • Azma criticises Bilawal for ‘harsh remarks’; Ghani accuses PML-N of trying to hurt PPP KARACHI: As both coalition partners began seeing eye to eye on the issue of canals , the acrimony caused by the controversial canals on the Indus River continues to rile up their middle-tier leaders, highlighting the extent to which the issue has driven a wedge between them. The initial anger, however, seems to have subsided, with both sides agreeing to a dialogue, and two phone calls between the senior leaders of the PPP and the PML-N in as many days showing that both sides have softened their stances, which may pave the way for a consensus. On Monday, Prime Minister’s adviser Rana Sanaullah and Sindh’s senior minister Sharjeel Memon held a second consecutive telephonic conversation in as many days. Both leade...

AS the bloodbath in the Middle East continues unabated — from the Israeli genocide in Gaza , to the American aggression against Yemen — the ‘democracies’ of the West as well as members of the ‘ummah’ remain unmoved by the grievous loss of life. On Friday, the Americans struck an oil facility in the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, ostensibly to degrade the capabilities of the pro-Iran Houthi movement, which acts as Yemen’s de facto government. Nearly 80 people were reportedly killed in the attack, which has been described as the bloodiest since Washington began its anti-Houthi campaign in January 2024, ostensibly to assure ‘freedom of navigation’ in the Red Sea, and protect Israel. While there is disagreement on a wide range of issues, both the Trump administration and its predecessor were convinced that that Yemen must be relentlessly bombed. Meanwhile in Gaza, there is no end to the butchery, as the death toll since Oct 7, 2023, has reached over 51,000. Just under 100 people were massac...

• Kharif shortage prediction revised down from 43pc to 27pc as dam levels rise • Irsa meeting to examine whether water releases to provinces can be increased further ISLAMABAD: In a godsend development, the water shortage predicted for Kharif season has dropped by almost two-third to 27pc, prompting the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) to increase provincial water shares. This has brightened hopes in the coming days for better cotton sowing as a 43pc water shortage was earlier feared to dent Kharif crops. The water regulator is also expected call a meeting of its advisory committee, the second in almost a month, to review latest situation and examine if water discharges to provinces could be further enhanced. An official said the decision to increase provincial water shares and releases was taken at a meeting of the five-member Irsa, which noted significant impro­vement in river flows and the water storage situation. The Irsa advisory committee had earlier resisted provinc...

WASHINGTON: Pakistan is expected to seek financial support for its debt-ridden economy and funds to address climate vulnerability at the 2025 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb arrived in Washington on Sunday to attend the talks , which bring together finance ministers and central bank governors from 191 countries to address global challenges such as sovereign debt, climate finance, and reforming the international financial system. Mr Aurangzeb is leading a high-level delegation, which includes State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmed, Finance Secretary Imdad Ullah Bosal and other senior officials. The meetings, held twice a year, provide a rare forum for high-level consultations among global financial institutions and policymakers. FM Aurangzeb arrives in Washington This year, the meetings are scheduled from April 21 to 26. Among the key sessions, a meeting organised by the Coalition of Fi...

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to revitalising the country’s agriculture sector by promoting innovation, sustainable development, and the active involvement of young experts and key stakeholders to revive the agricultural economy. “Pakistan has fertile land, capable agricultural engineers, and hardworking farmers. Other than climate challenges, we have all the ingredients for success. Real growth and progress in this sector can only come through science-led strategies,” the prime minister said while chairing a high-level consultative meeting on agriculture sector. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the meeting was attended by a diverse group of young agricultural scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, and exporters, along with key federal ministers, to explore a forward-looking roadmap for agricultural reform in the country. PM Shehbaz called for tapping into the talent of young professionals and researchers,...

• Visits revenue body’s headquarters, launches indigenous performance management system • Tax authority set to roll out digital invoicing for 6,000 firms by June ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to speed up the implementation of long-overdue tax reforms , including the rollout of a nationwide digital invoicing system for businesses over the next few months. During a visit to the FBR headquarters in Islamabad, the prime minister launched an indigenous performance management system and reviewed the operation of Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL), the FBR’s information technology subsidiary. He also inaugurated the newly established Delivery Unit of the FBR and met the tax authority’s officers. The prime minister directed his team to replicate the FBR’s performance management system for other cadre groups. “This is the best system, and the establishment secretary should implement it for other groups,” the premier sa...