Author: Admin

ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON: Donald Trump has announced an extension of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, citing a request from Pakistan’s leadership to allow more time for diplomacy. In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the decision followed appeals from Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir to delay military action and give negotiations a chance. The ceasefire, initially set to expire this week, will now remain in place until Iran presents a “unified proposal” and talks are concluded. “I have directed our military to continue the blockade…

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ISLAMABAD: The International Labour Organization (ILO) has estimated that around 3.3 million jobs were affected by the devastating floods of 2025 in Pakistan, underscoring the severe impact on livelihoods across key regions. The assessment, covering 14 of the worst-affected districts in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, revealed that the majority of employment losses occurred in nine flood-hit districts of Punjab. Rural areas bore the brunt of the crisis, accounting for nearly 78% of total job disruptions. According to the ILO, the agriculture sector suffered the most significant losses, followed by services…

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ISLAMABAD: Azerbaijan has expressed readiness to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Pakistan as the country scrambles to secure fuel amid growing energy shortages. State-owned energy company SOCAR confirmed that it can begin LNG deliveries immediately upon receiving a formal request from Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL). The offer comes under a framework agreement signed in 2025 between SOCAR Trading and PLL, which enables Pakistan to procure LNG cargoes through an expedited process. “SOCAR is ready to provide LNG to Pakistan as soon as PLL submits a corresponding request,” the company…

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ISLAMABAD: In response to disruptions in coal transportation that threatened power generation, the government has stepped in to stabilize fuel supply to the 1,320MW Sahiwal Coal Power Plant, a key base-load facility in Punjab. Coal reserves at the plant had dropped to critically low levels—sufficient for only a few days of operation—amid ongoing legal and procedural disputes between railway authorities and plant management. The situation raised concerns over grid stability at a time when LNG-based power generation capacity remains largely unavailable. According to informed sources, the Power Division escalated the…

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SINGAPORE: China’s fuel oil exports surged to a three-month high in March, driven largely by increased low-sulphur marine fuel sales, while imports declined amid softer refinery demand and shifting market dynamics, according to official data. Exports rose sharply by 57% month-on-month to 1.93 million metric tons (around 395,000 barrels per day), marking a 10% increase compared to the same period last year. The growth was supported by competitive pricing, as bunker fuel rates at Chinese ports fell below those in Singapore toward the end of the month, attracting additional demand.…

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