SBP opens formal banking to licensed virtual asset service providers
PVARA chairman terms it a foundational step in bringing virtual assets into the formal financial system of Pakistan State Bank of Pakistan. Photo: File The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has allowed banks to open accounts for licensed virtual asset service providers, overriding a 2018 ban, as the country moves to integrate digital assets into the […]
Iran says message exchanges with US continue, set to host Pakistani delegation
Field Marshal Asim Munir is received by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran, Iran on Wednesday. — ISPR Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir landed in Tehran on Wednesday as part of the ongoing Mideast peace negotiation efforts. The Inter Services Public Relations said in a […]
Stokes targets Durham comeback
England captain aims to play three first-class games Ben Stokes plans to play a maximum of three first-class matches before England’s Test series against New Zealand in June as he continues his recovery from serious facial injuries. Stokes, who oversaw England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia, underwent surgery in February after being struck by a […]
Erdogan says Turkiye working to extend Iran ceasefire, continue talks
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Turkey on March 9, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Ankara was working to extend the ceasefire between the US and Iran, ease tensions, and ensure the continuation of talks, adding that Turkiye was hopeful of negotiations despite stumbling […]
PSX surges over 4,700 points as Saudi funds lift market sentiment
KARACHI: Buying momentum continued at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday, with investors reacting positively to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment of an additional $3 billion in deposits for Pakistan, boosting market sentiment early in the session. The benchmark KSE-100 Index, at 12:34pm, stood at 170,347.47 – up 4,712.63 points, or 2.85%. Trading commenced […]
Iran used Chinese spy satellite to target US bases, FT reports
Iran has attacked Saudi petrochemical complex in Jubail, Fars news agency reports. SCREENGRAB Iran secretly acquired a Chinese spy satellite in late 2024 that enabled it to target United States military bases across the Middle East during the recent war, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. The TEE-01B satellite — built and launched by Chinese […]
Iranian supertanker reached Iranian waters via Strait of Hormuz despite US blockade threats: Report
A vessel at the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman’s Musandam province. PHOTO: REUTERS A giant Iranian crude carrier entered Iranian waters after transiting the Strait of Hormuz despite US blockade threats, Iranian media claimed on Wednesday morning. According to Iran’s Fars News Agency, the supertanker, which it said is capable of carrying […]
US vice president says Trump seeking ‘grand bargain’ with Iran
Says deal is not yet done because president wants deal where Iran doesn’t have nuclear weapon US Vice President JD Vance, April 15, 2026. PHOTO: ANADOLU AGENCY US Vice President JD Vance said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump was pursuing a sweeping agreement with Iran rather than a narrower deal. Speaking at an event […]
US shuts down Iran’s maritime trade despite optimism for more talks
Trump said negotiations between US and Iranian officials could resume in Pakistan in the next two days A vessel at the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman’s Musandam province, April 12, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS The United States said on Wednesday its military had completely halted trade going in and out of Iran by […]
Trump teases talks in Pakistan in ‘two days’
US President says it’s more likely that we go back there, Iranian officials say negotiating teams could return US President Donald Trump speaks to the media before boarding Air Force One on his way to Virginia, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, US, April 10, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON: With Pakistan racing to bring Iran and the […]