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Trade deficit narrows 39% as imports fall

Pakistan's merchandise trade deficit narrowed by 39.46% month-on-month in May 2026, driven by a sharp decline in imports and a rise in exports, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. The trade deficit stood at Rs721.6 billion in May 2026, compared with Rs1.19 trillion in April 2026. This represents an improvement of around Rs470.4 billion over the previous month, reflecting a significant easing of external sector pressures on a monthly basis. Exports increased to Rs753.7 billion in May from Rs688.7 billion in April, registering a 9.45% month-on-month increase. Imports, meanwhile, fell by 21.55% to Rs1.48 trillion from Rs1.88 trillion in April. This combination of rising exports and falling imports helped narrow the trade gap substantially during the month. On a year-on-year basis, the trade deficit contracted by 14.35% from Rs842.5 billion in May 2025 to Rs721.6 billion in May 2026. Exports remained largely flat, edging up just 0.18% from Rs752.4 b...
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JAAC boycotts APC as parties reject refugee seats proposal for AJK Assembly

The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on Wednesday boycotted an All Parties Conference (APC) convened by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir government to discuss its demands, as the participants unanimously rejected its proposal to abolish refugee seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. The APC held at the Prime Minister’s House in Muzaffarabad lasted for more than six hours and was attended by almost all political and religious parties of the region, except the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the JAAC leadership, who boycotted the meeting despite being invited. A joint statement, based on a resolution adopted by consensus, was later read out by AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore before the media. The JAAC confirmed that it had received an invitation from the AJK prime minister to attend the all-parties consultative meeting. However, it decided not to attend after the government rejected its proposal, which it termed an injustice to the people of the re...
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K-P govt, dissident PTI lawmakers fail to reach reconciliation ahead of budget

Reconciliation efforts between the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government and its dissident lawmakers in the provincial assembly have failed, as the disgruntled members have adopted a hardline stance and decided not to support the upcoming budget without prior consultation with PTI founder Imran Khan. In a meeting held in Peshawar, the dissident lawmakers linked their movement to the campaign for Imran’s release. A statement issued by the group said the participants discussed the prevailing political situation and various other matters in detail during the meeting. The statement strongly condemned the denial of a meeting between the founder and his family once again, calling it a violation of basic human rights, the law, and the Constitution. “We strongly condemn this move,” the statement read. Also Read: Afridi displays majority amid PTI dissent The dissidents warned that unless a comprehensive and workable strategy is adopted for the former prime minister’s rel...
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Bangladeshi FM elected president of UN General Assembly

Bangladesh's top diplomat was elected president of the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday in a vote that, unusually, featured more than one candidate. Khalilur Rahman won 99 votes in the secret ballot compared to 91 for Cypriot diplomat Andreas Kakouris. He will succeed the outgoing president, Germany's former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, in September. “This landmark victory is a strong testament to the confidence and trust that the international community places in Bangladesh, as well as to the country’s growing diplomatic stature and constructive engagement within the multilateral system,” said Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry in a statement. Calling it a “historic achievement”, the ministry said it also constituted a “significant international recognition of Bangladesh’s longstanding commitment to multilateral diplomacy, international peace and security, sustainable development, and globa...
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Lahore bat populations declining amid urban growth, light pollution and public myths

Urbanisation, shrinking green spaces, artificial lighting and widespread misconceptions among the public are contributing to a gradual decline in bat populations in Lahore, wildlife experts and biologists have warned, stressing the need for conservation measures to protect the species and maintain urban biodiversity. The historic Bagh-e-Jinnah remains one of the largest bat roosting sites in Lahore, where hundreds of bats can still be seen hanging from old trees during the day before leaving in search of food at dusk. However, experts say their numbers have been steadily declining over the years. According to wildlife expert Shahzaib Khurshid, rapid urban expansion is the primary reason behind the decrease in bat populations. He said the construction of roads, housing schemes and commercial projects has led to the loss of mature trees and natural habitats that bats depend on for shelter. “Bats prefer old and dense trees in relatively undisturbed environments. As cities con...
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FM Dar calls for sustained US-Iran ceasefire to prevent breakdown of understandings in call with Araghchi

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday stressed the importance of sustaining the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran to prevent any breakdown of existing understandings during a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. Earlier today, Iranian state media said the Islamic Republic's negotiating team was stopping exchanging messages with Washington through mediators over attacks on Lebanon, where the US-Israeli war against Iran has reignited Israel's conflict with Hezbollah. However, United States President Donald Trump later claimed that talks with Iran were ongoing at a rapid pace and Israel had agreed to send no troops to Beirut. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the two leaders discussed the current regional situation and developments of mutual interest and agreed to remain in close contact. “FM Dar conveyed Pakistan’s serious concern and emphasised the importance of ensuring that...
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UNSC to hold meeting on Lebanon after Netanyahu orders deeper incursion

The UN Security Council will hold a meeting on Lebanon on Monday, diplomatic sources told Anadolu. The meeting followed a request by France, which described Israel's ongoing military operations in the country as "extremely concerning." According to sources, Russia "strongly" supported France's request for a meeting. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot made the request on Sunday, calling for urgent international attention to the situation as Israeli strikes continued despite a ceasefire that took effect on April 17 and was subsequently extended for 45 days following indirect US-mediated talks. Macron says 'nothing justifies' escalation in southern Lebanon French President Emmanuel Macron said that “nothing justifies” the ongoing escalation in southern Lebanon, as tensions continue to rise in the region. “Nothing justifies the major escalation currently underway in southern Lebanon. France will continue its support for ...
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