Day: April 15, 2026

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: Donald Trump has indicated that a second round of talks between the United States and Iran could take place in Islamabad within days, even as Washington intensifies military pressure through a naval blockade of Iranian ports. In an interview with the New York Post, Trump suggested negotiations may resume in Pakistan “over the next two days,” reversing his earlier stance. He praised Asim Munir for facilitating dialogue, calling him “fantastic,” and highlighting Pakistan’s role in hosting the initial round of talks. The first round of negotiations, mediated by Pakistan,…

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ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah and Chairman Water and Power Development Authority, Muhammad Saeed, on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating the completion of critical energy and water projects across Pakistan. The meeting, held at the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination in Islamabad, focused on improving water resource management, reviewing the progress of ongoing WAPDA development schemes, and strengthening inter-provincial coordination. Both sides conducted a detailed assessment of initiatives aimed at enhancing water storage capacity, a key priority for ensuring long-term water and energy security in the country.…

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ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund has cautioned that the ongoing Middle East conflict is likely to fuel global inflation and dampen economic growth, while also widening Pakistan’s external imbalances. In its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO), released during the World Bank–IMF Spring Meetings 2026, the IMF projected Pakistan’s current account to shift from a surplus of 0.5% of GDP to a deficit of 0.4% in the current fiscal year, further expanding to 0.9% in the coming years. The Fund estimated Pakistan’s economic growth at 3.6% for the current year, easing…

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Washington, DC: Saudi Arabia has pledged a fresh $3 billion deposit for Pakistan and extended its existing $5 billion financial facility for three years until 2028, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced on the sidelines of the World Bank–IMF Spring Meetings 2026 in Washington, DC. The move comes at a critical time as Pakistan prepares to repay a $3.5 billion loan to the United Arab Emirates, placing pressure on foreign exchange reserves and IMF programme targets. Aurangzeb noted that the extended Saudi facility would no longer require annual rollovers, providing longer-term…

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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: A new policy advisory by the International Renewable Energy Agency highlights how the rapid deployment of renewable energy is helping countries strengthen resilience amid the ongoing global energy crisis. The report underscores that renewables are already reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels across regions—from Europe to Asia, including countries like Pakistan. In 2025 alone, global renewable capacity surged by a record 692 GW, reflecting accelerated adoption driven by both economic and security concerns. A key finding of the advisory is the dramatic decline in renewable…

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