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Friday, 17 April, 2026 | 28 Shawwal, 1447
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 22 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
PM SHEHBAZ, QATARI EMIR PUSH FOR URGENT DE-ESCALATION AS PAKISTAN DEEPENS ROLE IN GULF STABILITY EFFORTS
g PAKISTAN REAFFIRMS SOLIDARITY WITH
g SHEHBAZ, EMIR STRESS URGENCY OF
g BILATERAL TIES EXPAND WITH FOCUS ON
g DIPLOMATIC PUSH INTENSIFIES AFTER
QATAR AMID RISING REGIONAL TENSIONS
SECURITY, ENERGY AND INVESTMENT
DIALOGUE TO PREVENT WIDER CONFLICT
STALLED US–IRAN ISLAMABAD TALKS
Shehbaz, MBS reaffirm strategic Pakistan–Saudi partnership JEDDAH
staff CorresponDent
P
DOHA
Mian abrar
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with Qatar and called for immediate de-escalation and sustained diplomatic engagement in the Middle East during a high-level meeting with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Held at the Amiri Diwan and lasting over an hour, the meeting took place against the backdrop of intensifying regional tensions, with both leaders holding detailed discussions on the evolving situation and the urgent need to prevent further escalation. At the outset, the Qatari emir warmly welcomed the prime minister and his delegation, commending Pakistan’s “pivotal
and constructive role” in facilitating dialogue and supporting peace efforts in a volatile regional environment. He acknowledged Islamabad’s diplomatic outreach as instrumental in promoting restraint and encouraging negotiations between key stakeholders. Prime Minister Shehbaz, in turn, strongly condemned recent attacks targeting Qatar and other Gulf countries, reiterating Pakistan’s full support for the Qatari leadership and its people. He emphasised that stability in the Gulf was essential not only for regional peace but also for global economic security. Both leaders underscored the importance of intensifying international coordination to support de-escalation efforts, particularly at a time when disruptions to energy supply chains could have farreaching global consequences. They
China urges seizing 'window for peace' as Wang Yi, Araghchi discuss peace talks BEIJING
staff CorresponDent
China has intensified its diplomatic engagement in the Middle East crisis, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi holding a key phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi, as Beijing called for urgent efforts to steer the region away from the brink of war. According to a statement shared by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, Wang warned that the situation in the Middle East has reached a “critical stage between war and peace,” but emphasised that a “window for peace” is emerging — a phrase widely echoed in Chinese state media as a signal of cautious optimism. Chinese outlets, including Xinhua News Agency and China Global Television Network, highlighted Beijing’s consistent position that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path forward, stressing that all parties must seize the current opportunity to consolidate ceasefire gains and resume meaningful negotiations. During the call, Wang Yi reiterated China’s support for maintaining the momentum of ceasefire efforts and advancing peace talks, noting that de-escalation must remain the immediate priority. He underscored that respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is fundamental to any sustainable solution, reaffirming China’s backing for Iran’s “legitimate rights and security concerns.” Particular attention was given to the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy supplies. Wang stressed that ensuring the freedom and safety of navigation through the waterway is essential not only for regional stability but also for the broader global economy — a concern frequently emphasised in Chinese policy commentary. Chinese media analysis has framed the Hormuz issue as a “global security concern,” warning that any disruption could trigger energy shocks and economic instability far beyond the region. Commentaries have also pointed to China’s significant reliance on Gulf energy imports, reinforcing Beijing’s strong interest in maintaining stability in the area.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed Pakistan’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia amid rising regional tensions, commending the Kingdom’s “exemplary restraint” and describing its leadership as a stabilising force for peace in the Middle East. The prime minister made the remarks during a “warm and cordial” nearly two-hour-long meeting with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, where both leaders held detailed discussions on the evolving regional situation and broader geopolitical developments. Accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, PM Shehbaz conveyed Pakistan’s condolences over the loss of lives in the recent regional escalation and reiterated that the people of Pakistan stood firmly with Saudi Arabia in a moment of heightened uncertainty. He briefed the Saudi leadership on Is-
stressed the need to ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy resources and maintain stability in critical maritime routes. Beyond the immediate crisis, the two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, expressing satisfaction over the growing cooperation between
lamabad’s ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at de-escalation, including efforts that contributed to a ceasefire framework involving the United States and Iran, as well as the recent round of high-level engagement hosted in Islamabad. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued commitment to facilitating dialogue between the parties to secure a durable peace settlement. The crown prince, according to official statements, appreciated the constructive role played by Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership — particularly Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir — in supporting regional peace efforts. Both leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction over the depth of Pakistan–Saudi ties, particularly in economic cooperation, defence collaboration, and strategic alignment. PM Shehbaz thanked the Saudi leadership for its consistent support in stabilising Pakistan’s economy and highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation across new sectors.
Pakistan and Qatar. They agreed to further strengthen collaboration in key sectors including security, defence, investment, and energy, with a shared vision of expanding economic and strategic ties.
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No date fixed yet for fresh round of US–Iran talks, says FO ISLAMABAD
staff CorresponDent
Pakistan on Thursday maintained strict confidentiality over ongoing backchannel diplomacy between the United States and Iran, as the Foreign Office confirmed that no dates have yet been finalised for the second round of talks. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, addressing his weekly briefing, said discussions between Washington and Tehran were continuing, with nuclear issues among the key subjects under consideration. Declining to disclose specifics, Andrabi stressed that Pakistan would not comment on
the positions of either side, calling confidentiality a cornerstone of the trust placed in Islamabad by the negotiating parties. He urged the media to avoid speculation, noting that the process was proceeding with a high degree of secrecy and mutual confidence. “It is essential for us to keep the negotiations confidential,” he said, adding that decisions regarding the timing, composition, and movement of delegations rested solely with the parties involved. He reiterated that Pakistan’s role as a mediator and facilitator remained active beyond the Islamabad round of talks, underscoring that diplomatic engagement was ongoing at mul-
tiple levels. Highlighting regional dynamics, Andrabi said stability in Lebanon was crucial for the broader US-Iran dialogue, expressing cautious optimism over recent improvements along the Israeli-Lebanon front. Pakistan’s leadership has intensified diplomatic outreach to revive negotiations after the Islamabad talks over the weekend ended without a breakthrough. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is currently on a multi-country visit to Riyadh, Doha, and Istanbul, while Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir is leading a high-level delegation in Tehran.
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Pakistan faces 6,500MW power shortfall, outages hit up to 16 hours PROFIT
Monitoring Desk
Pakistan is facing a widening electricity crisis, with the overall power shortfall reaching around 6,500 megawatts (MW), leading to prolonged and widespread load shedding across the country. Total electricity demand has risen to approximately 22,000MW, while generation remains limited to about
15,400MW, according to sources. The energy mix includes 1,500MW from hydropower, 9,250MW from thermal sources, 2,850MW from nuclear, 1,200MW from wind, 400MW from solar and 200MW from bagasse. The supply gap has resulted in outages ranging from 8 to 16 hours in different regions, with both rural and urban areas affected. In Lahore Electric Supply
Company’s jurisdiction, unannounced outages continued overnight, while the utility faced a shortfall of around 1,000MW with demand reaching 2,900MW during peak hours. Officials said electricity demand drops during daytime due to increased solar generation, but outages intensify during evening and night hours.
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IMF urges Pakistan to phase out fuel subsidies, expand tax base for fiscal stability PROFIT
Monitoring Desk
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised Pakistan to gradually phase out fuel subsidies, address contingent liabilities and expand its tax base to ensure medium-term fiscal sustainability, Dawn reported. In its Fiscal Monitor 2026, the IMF projected Pakistan’s fiscal deficit to remain stable at around 3.2% of GDP in FY26 and FY27, down from 5.4% in FY25, before declining to 3% in FY28 and 2.8% in FY29. However, the deficit is expected to rise again to 3.6% in FY30 and 4.6% in FY31. The fund estimated the primary surplus at 2.5% of GDP in FY26, compared to 2.4% last year. It is projected to decline to 2% next year, remain stable for two years, and then fall to 1% in FY30 and 0.1% by FY31. Government revenues are expected to remain broadly stable at around 15.8% of GDP this year, before easing to 15.3% next year and stabilising near 15.5% over the medium term. The IMF noted that public expenditure is projected to decline to 19% of GDP in FY26, supported by lower debt-servicing costs following a drop in interest rates from 22% to below half that level. Spending is expected to ease further to 18.5% in the next two years before rising again to 20% by FY31. Pakistan’s gross government debt is projected at 70.1% of GDP in the current fiscal year, down from 72.8% last year, and expected to decline gradually to 58.2% by FY31. Net government debt is also forecast to fall from 64.4% this year to 55% by FY31. The IMF said revenue growth has likely peaked and warned that sustained fiscal consolidation would require structural reforms, including broadening the tax base and reducing reliance on subsidies. On the global outlook, the fund cautioned that financial stability risks remain elevated due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, which could lead to higher energy prices, tighter financial conditions and increased inflationary pressures.
Finance minister joins launch of borrowers’ platform at IMF–World Bank meetings PROFIT
news Desk
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb participated in the launch of the Borrowers’ Platform on the sidelines of the World Bank–IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C. Addressing the event, the finance minister said many developing countries are facing debt distress amid high borrowing costs and tightening global financial conditions, limiting their ability to invest in growth and sustainable development. He noted that while domestic reforms are being pursued, structural constraints in the global financial system continue to restrict policy space for borrowing nations. The minister said the Borrowers’ Platform fills a gap by providing a forum for countries to exchange experiences, identify risks, and present a more coordinated perspective in global financial discussions. He clarified that the platform is not a negotiating bloc but a voluntary, member-led initiative focused on peer learning and experience-sharing. In his remarks, the minister acknowledged the United Nations Secretary-General’s advocacy for reforms in the global financial architecture and appreciated the role of Egypt and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in supporting the initiative. He also noted that Egypt has been announced as the interim chair of the platform.
BACKCHANNEL DIPLOMACY INTENSIFIES
Pakistan pushes US–Iran nuclear breakthrough as Gen Munir holds high-stakes talks in Tehran TEHRAN
Mian abrar
Pakistan’s quiet but high-stakes diplomacy on the US–Iran conflict gathered momentum on Thursday, as Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir met Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf during a crucial visit aimed at unlocking a breakthrough on Tehran’s nuclear programme. According to officials familiar with the mediation effort, Islamabad is working to forge a “maximum understanding” between Washington and Tehran within days, focusing on the nuclear issue — the central obstacle to any comprehensive settlement. Sources revealed that Iran has, in principle, agreed to a Pakistani proposal for thirdparty monitoring of its nuclear programme,
involving four countries alongside the International Atomic Energy Agency. Tehran has reportedly conveyed its acceptance to Field Marshal Munir, while the United States has yet to formally respond. The proposed framework is seen as a potential compromise, as Washington continues to demand strict, long-term oversight to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons. While the US is pushing for a suspension of uranium enrichment for up to 20 years in exchange for sanctions relief, Iran is said to be offering a shorter pause of around five years. Diplomatic sources suggest that a hybrid arrangement could emerge, possibly extending the moratorium period to 10 years under a jointly monitored mechanism. Technical teams from both sides are currently engaged
in continuous message exchanges, with both capitals aiming for the next round of talks to culminate in a formal agreement. There are also indications that Field Marshal Munir may travel to Washington shortly for direct talks with Donald Trump, although no official confirmation has been issued. Munir arrived in Tehran on Wednesday as part of Pakistan’s broader mediation push, accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The delegation was received by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who welcomed Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue and reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to regional peace. Iran has confirmed that communication with Washington continues through Pakistani intermediaries.
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