Author: Asghar Ali Mubarak

With trade already touching $4.7bn, Islamabad hailed the new accords as a chance to prise open untapped markets in palm oil, textiles, halal goods and emerging technologies By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Indonesia moved to deepen their long-standing relationship as President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto arrived in Islamabad, where he and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the signing of a wide-ranging set of agreements aimed at expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. The two governments signed seven Memorandums of Understanding, but it was the trade-centered commitments that dominated the conversation in diplomatic and business circles. With bilateral trade…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the country’s highest civil award, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, on the visiting Indonesian President, Prabowo Subianto, in a ceremony that unfolded with a sense of both dignity and diplomatic warmth. The honor, reserved for distinguished contributions to Pakistan’s national interests and its international partnerships, marked a significant moment in the leader’s visit and reflected Islamabad’s appreciation for Indonesia’s long-standing friendship. The ceremony, held at the Presidency, carried an atmosphere of formality, yet there was an unmistakable undertone of camaraderie between the two leaders. As the insignia was placed, President Zardari spoke of…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif reiterated his government’s commitment to tackling financial corruption while firmly rejecting the use of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for political purposes. Speaking at a ceremony at the Prime Minister’s House to mark International Anti-Corruption Day, he praised the agency’s recent efforts and acknowledged the NAB chairman and staff for their successful operations against financial malfeasance. Shahbaz Sharif emphasized that the NAB operates with full institutional independence and that the government would not interfere in its work. “Pakistan will continue to take organized steps to eliminate financial corruption,” he said,…

Pakistan edges closer to self-reliance with proposed Anka-3 deal, promising full tech transfer and homegrown drone production to reshape regional security By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Turkey offered Pakistan its latest Anka-3 stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle in a deal that could include the establishment of a domestic production line if Islamabad committed to buying at least 100 units, according to senior officials familiar with the ongoing negotiations. The proposal, confirmed by highly placed defence sources, was described as one of the most significant advances in Pakistan–Turkey military cooperation in recent years. If finalised, it would grant Pakistan full technology…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak In what may be considered a historic juncture in Pakistan’s military evolution, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir assumed the unprecedented post of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), unifying the command of the Army, Navy, and Air Force under a single, consolidated authority. The creation of this position, formalized under the 27th Constitutional Amendment in 2025, not only marks a structural shift in Pakistan’s defence apparatus but also reflects the country’s response to an increasingly complex security environment. In his first address to the officers of the three armed services at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, Munir…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved a set of new electricity projects for Gwadar and Gilgit-Baltistan, signaling a renewed push to ease chronic power shortages and accelerate development in the two underserved regions. Chairing a review meeting on reforms in the power sector, Sharif authorized the immediate rollout of a comprehensive plan to stabilize electricity supply in Gwadar, the strategically important port city at the heart of Pakistan’s trade ambitions. He directed all relevant agencies to work in lockstep to deliver “uninterrupted, affordable and reliable power” for residents and businesses in the area, warning that…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan sparked fresh debate on Pakistan’s administrative future by asserting that the creation of smaller provinces was “bound to happen” and would ultimately benefit citizens by enhancing governance. Speaking at a workers’ convention in Faisalabad, Khan argued that dividing the country’s larger provinces would bring government closer to the people and improve administrative efficiency. He, known for his outspoken views, directly criticized online commentators he described as spreading “nonsense” on social media, warning that those responsible for misinformation would be held accountable. The minister framed the discussion of provincial restructuring as…

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…