The Pakistan

Pakistan and the US finalised a trade deal on Wednesday night, expected to lower tariffs — although no figure was announced — while US President Donald Trump cited a pact aimed at helping  develop Pakistan’s oil reserves . Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is  currently  in Washington for negotiations on a tariff deal and also began meetings with senior US officials on Wednesday. “In a landmark development, Pakistan and the United States finalised a trade agreement today aimed at boosting bilateral trade, expanding market access, attracting investment, and fostering cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” the Pakistani embassy in the US posted on X on Thursday morning. Trump  announced  the deal on his platform Truth Social early Thursday morning. “We have just concluded a deal with the country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive oil reserves,” Trump wrote. “We are in the process of choosing the ...

    The Worcestershire County Cricket Club on Monday announced signing a three-year deal with Pakistan international Usama Mir. According to the club, the deal will see Mir representing Worcestershire Rapids as an overseas player in the 2026 season and will qualify as a local player for the subsequent two editions, a move that depicts their ‘long-term strategic planning’.  The first year of his contract will be as part of the club’s overseas player quota, while in years two and three, he will qualify as a local player due to residency regulations, a move that emphasises Worcestershire’s long-term strategic planning,” the club said in a statement. The upcoming stint will be his second with Worcestershire, as he represented the county in the 2023 season and topped both batting and bowling averages. He was due to return last year, but his inability to obtain the right paperwork hindered his stint, and he was subsequently replaced by West Indies’ Hayden Walsh. Commenting on h...

  In a push toward digital transformation, the Islamabad Excise and Taxation Department has announced the introduction of digital vehicle cards for all Islamabad-registered vehicles. This new system, which replaces the previous smart card format, will allow vehicle owners to store their digital cards in mobile wallets—removing the need for physical documents altogether. Currently in its initial rollout phase, the digital cards will be compatible with all digital parking plazas in the city, enabling users to pay parking fees directly through their cards. They will also provide access to traffic challan records and other vehicle-related details. Director Excise Bilal Azam said the department remains committed to innovation and improving public convenience. In a future phase, the department plans to digitize vehicle ownership transfers, allowing biometric verification and transfer procedures to be completed remotely via smartphones—eliminating the need to visit the excise office entir...

  Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon shared this during a meeting with a World Bank delegation at the Yellow Line project site near Jam Sadiq Bridge. The Yellow Line, funded by the World Bank, will run from Dawood Chowrangi in Quaidabad to Numaish. It will pass through Korangi Industrial Area, Main Korangi Road, FTC Interchange, Sharea Faisal, Shahrah-e-Quaideen, and Kashmir Road before merging with the Red Line at Numaish. Calling the project a “visionary step” for Karachi, the minister said the Yellow Line would offer safe, fast, and affordable transport to the public. “Only electric buses will be used to ensure minimal environmental impact,” he said. He highlighted that Pakistan’s first electric bus service and the women-only Pink Bus were launched under their leadership, both of which are operating successfully. The new Yellow Line, he added, would further reduce fuel costs and pollution.

Pakistan delivered the biggest result of the day, stunning hosts Uzbekistan to remain unbeaten alongside Argentina, France, Bulgaria, Spain, Korea and Finland on Thursday at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with matches held at Yunnusobod Hall and the Sport University Center. Watch the FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship on   VBTV In Pool A, Pakistan silenced the home crowd with a confident 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-21) win over Uzbekistan. Opposite and captain Muhammad Yahya powered the offense with 24 points, showing his strength on the right side with well-placed attacks that consistently broke through the block. With the victory, Pakistan joined Argentina at the top of the pool standings with two wins apiece. Argentina were pushed to five sets but ultimately overcame Türkiye 3-2 (21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 22-25, 15-12) in a high-scoring thriller. Federico Javier Debonis led the South Americans with 19 points, matching Türkiye's Mehm...

  Pakistan’s men’s and women’s baseball teams have improved their standings in the latest World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) rankings, climbing three places each. According to the updated rankings, the women’s team has risen to 14th position from 17th in 2024, while the men’s team has moved up to 35th with 160 points — including 30 earned in 2025. Japan continues to lead the men’s global rankings, followed by Chinese Taipei and the United States in second and third positions, respectively. Pakistan men’s team were previously 38th in world rankings. Notably, Pakistan had reached 22nd in 2022 before slipping due to lack of participation.  https://thepakistan.pk/pakistan-baseball-teams/

 The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) on Wednesday decided that a letter highlighting the rationale and objective of the national team’s participation in the 2025-26 FIH Pro League will be sent to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for final decision after the International Hockey Federation invited the country for the event. The Pro League matter was discussed in the 34th meeting of PSB board, which met in Islamabad with Adviser to Prime Minister on Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Rana Sanaullah in the chair. During the meeting, the participants were told that that PSB had no funds for the said event. However, the federal government could be asked for funds. The meeting decided that the matter would be taken up with the finance ministry and with the PM as well. “Concerning the invitation to participate in the FIH Pro League, [the] members authorised the PSB president Rana Sanaullah to take the final decision. It was agreed that a formal letter, outlining the rationale and objectives of ...

  Trade balance still favors UAE with Pakistan’s exports at $2.1 billion and imports at $8 billion; experts urge for increased investment and business-friendly policies  Bilateral trade between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) surged to $10.1 billion in FY25, marking a 20.24% increase from the previous year, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).  This growth reflects the strengthening of economic ties between the two nations, as both explore new areas for cooperation in trade, investment, energy, IT, and human resource development. However, the trade balance remains skewed in favor of the UAE, with Pakistan’s exports to the UAE standing at $2.1 billion, while imports from the UAE amounted to nearly $8 billion. Although exports remained stable compared to FY24, imports increased by $1.62 billion, contributing to the trade imbalance. The positive momentum in bilateral relations was further evidenced by the successful conclusion of the 12th session of the...

  The newly constructed runway at Quetta International Airport has been honored with the prestigious FIDIC Asia Pacific Engineering Excellence Award during a special ceremony held in Islamabad.  The award celebrates the achievement of the Pakistan Airports Authority and the consultancy teams involved in the project for their outstanding planning, technical capabilities, and adherence to high safety standards. According to officials, the runway project was completed at an estimated cost of PKR 5 billion without interrupting airport operations, a feat that earned praise from the regional engineering community. The new Quetta Airport runway is now regarded as one of the longest and strongest in the Asia Pacific region, enhancing the facility’s capacity to handle larger aircraft and increased traffic. https://thepakistan.pk/quetta-airport-honored-with-award/

  Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan yesterday signed a Framework Agreement on the Joint Feasibility Study for the Naibabad–Kharlachi segment of the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (UAP) Railway Corridor. The agreement, signed during a high-level trilateral ceremony in Kabul, was jointly announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan and the governments of Pakistan and Uzbekistan. It marks a renewed commitment by the three countries to strengthen infrastructure, boost transnational trade, and foster long-term political and economic cooperation. The UAP Railway Corridor, once completed, is envisioned as a vital transport link connecting Uzbekistan to Pakistan’s seaports via Afghanistan, offering landlocked Central Asian countries efficient access to global markets. The newly signed Framework Agreement lays the foundation for a comprehensive feasibility study that will assess the technical, economic, environmental, and logistical viability of the proposed route, parti...

  The federal government has approved civil awards for 71 Pakistanis in recognition of their bravery and exceptional service to the nation. The decision came during a crucial meeting held at the Cabinet Division, chaired by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The awards highlight the country’s appreciation for those who have shown courage and dedication in protecting Pakistan During the meeting, nominations of individuals who displayed remarkable bravery were thoroughly reviewed. Minister Naqvi stressed the importance of recognizing people who risked their lives for the safety and honor of the country. He described these heroes as national pride and said their selfless actions would always be remembered. “Martyrs are the pride of our nation, and their sacrifices are eternal,” Naqvi said. He also honored surviving heroes, calling their courage a source of inspiration for the entire nation. The minister assured that the government will never let their sacrifices go unnoticed or i...

  The United Kingdom has removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List, clearing the way for Pakistani airlines to apply for flight operations to the country, UK’s Air Safety Committee announced on Wednesday. Though Pakistani carriers can now apply to operate flights to the UK, each airline will still need to secure the necessary permits from the UK Civil Aviation Authority through a separate application process. The move follows years of technical collaboration between the UK’s Air Safety Committee and Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), with officials confirming that sufficient improvements have been made since Pakistan was first listed in 2021 due to safety concerns. The decision is expected to ease travel for over 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage living in the UK and thousands of British nationals in Pakistan. It may also support increased bilateral trade, which currently stands at £4.7 billion, making the UK Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner.

  Pakistan has introduced AI-powered machines capable of printing up to 300 passports per hour, bringing relief to thousands awaiting passport deliveries. According to the Director General of Passports, Mustafa Jamal Kazi, six cutting-edge machines, procured in March 2025, have now been fully integrated with NADRA’s central database. These AI-powered systems are expected to dramatically reduce delays, increase daily output, and streamline the overall issuance process. “These machines will significantly reduce waiting times and improve service delivery,” said Kazi, calling the development a leap forward for Pakistan’s passport infrastructure. In another progressive move, Pakistan has added the mother’s name to its passports. This step is meant to align with international documentation standards and enhance accuracy in global identification systems. Meanwhile, the federal government has initiated strict actions against individuals deported for unlawful activities abroad. This include...

  LAHORE: Interna­tional wrestler Moham­mad Inam Butt was elected as secretary of the Pakistan Wres­tling Feder­ation while Arshad Sattar was elevated as president by the PWF general body in the elections held here at the Olympic House on Sunday for the period of 2025-2029. A prominent Pakistan wrestler at international level with two gold medals each in the Commonwealth Games and the South Asian Games, Inam was elected to PWF post for the first time, while Arshad worked as secretary during the last two tenures of four years each. Arshad later in his comments said that Inam’s election as PWF secretary would be a turning point in promoting the game, adding as an active wrestler he would be in a better position to know the problems faced by wrestlers. Speaking on the occasion, Inam declared that he would not participate in all wrestling competitions in future, except for some sele­c­ted international events. “I want to spare [some] time for the new post,” the 36-year-old Inam, who wo...

  Pakistan Railways will roll out a new high-tech business train on July 19, featuring 28 digitally equipped coaches, complimentary Wi-Fi, and an international-standard dining car. The train aims to provide passengers with a significantly upgraded travel experience. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to inaugurate the new service in Lahore. The launch marks a key milestone in Pakistan Railways’ broader modernization strategy. As part of its reform agenda, Pakistan Railways is introducing digital ticketing systems and improved onboard services, along with upgraded facilities at stations nationwide. The goal is to boost passenger satisfaction and improve operational efficiency across the board. Separately, the Railways Ministry has confirmed that the department earned over Rs 3.95 billion from brake and luggage van operations in the past three years. A portion of this revenue was generated through outsourcing services to private contractors via open tenders. Officials stated ...

https://thepakistan.pk/why-july-full-moon-called-buck-moon/   The July full moon put on a magnificent show on July 10, rising low over the southern horizon to the delight of stargazers and astrophotographers worldwide. Read on for a roundup of the best photos of the lunar show. July's full moon  is known as the 'Buck Moon', in reference to the male deer — called bucks in the U.S. — that begin to grow out their antlers around this time of year. Eagle-eyed observers may have noticed this month’s  full moon  riding unusually low on the horizon. This is a result of the Buck Moon’s proximity to the  summer solstice  — a time when  the sun  is at its highest in the daytime sky and the moon travels a correspondingly low path through the night. It also appeared near a phenomenon called a Major Lunar Standstill. Roughly every 18.6 years, the sun's gravity pulls the moon's tilted orbit into its most extreme inclination relative to  Earth 's celestial e...