Author: Asghar Ali Mubarak

The talks focused on Pakistan’s dedication to building a strong regulatory framework for digital assets, prioritizing transparency, security, and the protection of investors By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: During a visit by the senior leadership of Binance to Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a high-profile meeting with the cryptocurrency platform’s global CEO, Richard Teng, government officials confirmed. The session, announced by the Prime Minister’s Office, also included Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and Bilal Bin Saqib, chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), who provided a detailed briefing on the agency’s ongoing initiatives and…

Leghari asserted that the government was steering Pakistan’s power sector toward a fully digital, transparent, and consumer-friendly model, describing the nation as undergoing a historic energy transformation By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will unveil a new set of net-metering reforms in the coming weeks as part of a wider effort to modernize the country’s power sector, federal energy minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said during an address at the Asia Energy Summit hosted by LUMS University. Leghari said the government was working to make the power system fully digital, transparent and consumer-friendly, insisting that Pakistan was in the…

Dar highlighted Pakistan’s continued commitment to safeguarding its borders and ensuring Afghan territory is not exploited for cross-border militant activity By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday struck a cautious yet firm tone on regional security, suggesting that while the situation in Afghanistan could be resolved through force, Pakistan did not wish to “attack a brother inside his home.” He contrasted this approach with India, saying that teaching New Delhi a lesson, if necessary, would carry no such moral hesitation. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Dar outlined Pakistan’s ongoing efforts…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari visited the National Defence University (NDU) in Islamabad on Friday, where he addressed participants of the 27th National Security Workshop — a program that brings together parliamentarians, senior civil and military officers, and representatives from academic and social sectors. According to the military’s media wing, ISPR, the president congratulated the participants on completing the course and praised their commitment to strengthening national awareness on security matters. Officials said the workshop remained one of Pakistan’s most important platforms for fostering dialogue on national security and helping institutions understand the country’s evolving challenges.…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: An opposition delegation comprising a joint committee of senators and members of the National Assembly met Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in Islamabad on Friday to raise concerns over what they described as restrictions on family visits to imprisoned PTI founder Imran Khan. The meeting reflected mounting tensions between the ruling and opposition benches, as lawmakers sought to draw attention to the perceived hardships faced by Khan and his family. During the discussions, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali emphasized what he said was an ongoing obstacle preventing Khan’s relatives from meeting him in prison. His intervention appeared…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak RAWALPINDI: Pakistan clinched the T20 Tri-Nation Series title on Sunday with a composed six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the final at Rawalpindi Stadium, capping off a tournament that highlighted the team’s blend of resilience and skill. Sri Lanka set a modest target of 115 runs, but Pakistan approached the chase with confidence, reaching the total with eight balls to spare. The innings got off to a solid start as Sahibzada Farhan and Saeem Ayub put on a 46-run partnership in just 7.3 overs. Farhan contributed 23 runs, including a six and two boundaries, before falling…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak RAWALPINDI: Sri Lanka edged past Pakistan by six runs in the final league match of the T20 Tri-Nation Series to secure a place in the tournament final this Saturday. At Rawalpindi, Pakistan won the toss and invited Sri Lanka to bat first. The visitors’ innings got off to a shaky start as opener Pathum Nissanka fell for eight, but a 66-run partnership between Kusal Mendis and Kamal Mishara steadied the innings. Mendis contributed 40 before being dismissed, while Mishara remained unbeaten on 76. Bhanuka Liyanage added a quick 24 not out, helping Sri Lanka post a…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Energy Owais Leghari has highlighted the urgent need for reforms in Pakistan’s solar net-metering system, noting that the country is witnessing one of the fastest expansions in solar energy globally. Renewable sources now account for 55 percent of Pakistan’s energy mix, he said. Leghari underlined that while the net-metering framework requires improvement, reform efforts are already underway, with results expected soon. The country’s solar journey, which began almost from scratch in 2015, is projected to supply up to 20 percent of total electricity generation by 2026. According to the World Resources Institute,…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said that Iran had fulfilled its obligations under the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline agreement, and the line had been completed up to the border. “If there had been no obstacles, Pakistani homes would be using Iranian gas today,” he told reporters in Islamabad, expressing hope for a swift resolution to the project. Speaking at a press conference, Larijani said Iran was ready to play any role needed to resolve issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan. “Whenever Pakistan requests our cooperation, we will assist. Pakistan stood by Iran during…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, warned that lasting peace in the region could not be achieved while militant groups such as the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) continued to operate with impunity, urging Afghanistan to take a clear stance against extremism. Speaking at the opening of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference in Islamabad, Sharif emphasized that Pakistan had repeatedly faced hostile actions from forces opposed to peace, but that its armed forces had successfully thwarted attempts to destabilize the country. He described the gathering of parliamentary leaders from across the world to discuss security, peace, and development…