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Barrister Aqeel Malik says US-Iran deal near, calls coming week ‘significant’ for Pakistan

Minister for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said on Friday the coming week would be “quite significant” for Pakistan, as Islamabad was once again expected to host talks between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the Middle East war. Pakistan is mediating between the US and Iran after the war began on February 28 and has hosted the highest-level talks between the two sides since they snapped diplomatic ties in 1979. Speaking to a private news channel, Malik said the government had completed preparations for the next round of talks, including preventive security measures. He added that, as in the previous round, foolproof security would be ensured, with even stronger arrangements this time. “Within a few hours or by later tonight, things will start becoming clearer. I will not give a specific date or time, but the coming week appears to be very significant for Pakistan, especially for Islamabad,” he said. Malik added that today's announcement by Iranian Foreign Ministe...
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Pakistan seeks ‘permanent’ end to war, urges US and Iran for ‘flexibility’: FM Dar

Pakistan wants a “permanent termination” of the US-Israeli war on Iran, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Friday, calling on Washington and Tehran to “show flexibility”. Pakistan is mediating between the US and Iran after the war began on February 28 and has hosted the highest-level talks between the two sides since they snapped diplomatic ties in 1979. Islamabad’s “objective is not ceasefire extension. Our main objective is the permanent termination of war" and an agreement between the parties, FM Dar told the high-level segment of the forum in the Turkish resort city of Antalya. About Pakistan’s ongoing mediation, FM Dar said: “More than 80% of the work has been done. And a couple of things are [remaining] … both parties have to show flexibility.” Read More: Iran FM announces Hormuz's opening for all commercial vessels till ceasefire's remaining duration The statement by FM Dar urging the US and Iran to show some fle...
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Pakistan, UK launch initiative to strengthen geoscientific capacity, mineral sector

Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, along with British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott, on Thursday launched a capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening the country's geoscientific capabilities and supporting the development of the mineral sector. The programme was formally inaugurated at the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP), marking a significant step in Pakistan-UK collaboration. The initiative is being delivered through the UK-funded REMIT programme in partnership with International Geoscience Services (IGS), a UK-based geoscience consultancy with extensive experience in supporting geological survey organisations worldwide. The programme will run from April to July 2026 and aims to enhance GSP’s technical capacity through hands-on training aligned with international standards. Speaking at the event, the minister expressed gratitude to the British official for her support and said the timing of the initiative was particularly appropriate....
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Govt weighs spot LNG as Iran war hits supply, ramps up domestic oil and gas

Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik said on Wednesday that the government is considering buying liquefied natural gas (LNG) on the spot market to offset supply disruptions caused by the Iran war, but would favour government-to-government deals to avoid paying steep premiums. Qatar's force majeure has forced ​Pakistan to make costly spot purchases or find alternative fuels ahead of summer ​demand. Spot LNG cargoes have surged to $20 to $30 per mmBtu amid the Middle East ⁠conflict, Malik told Reuters. Read: 'Country has sufficient petroleum stocks' Purchases would depend on whether ​prices are acceptable to the power sector, including under existing government-to-government arrangements with Azerbaijan's SOCAR. Pakistan has ​also been routing some crude supplies via Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port of Yanbu to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, with Malik saying insurance costs on that route were lower than routes crossing or near Hormuz. The country ​imports nearly all of ...
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Lebanon, Israel begin first direct talks in more than 30 years under US mediation

Lebanon and Israel began the first round of direct diplomatic talks in more than 30 years on Tuesday under US mediation as Israel continues to pursue an offensive in southern Lebanon that it says targets Hezbollah. Lebanese ambassador to the US, Nada Hamadeh, and Israeli ambassador Yechiel Leiter, represented their countries during the meeting at the State Department. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also doubles as US President Donald Trump's national security adviser, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, Counsellor Michael Needham and US envoy to the UN Mike Waltz represented the Trump administration. Rubio sought to temper expectations for the talks, saying the meeting represents the start of a "process", rather than a culminating event. "All of the complexities of this matter are not going to be resolved in the next six hours, but we can begin to move forward to create a framework where something can happen, something very positive, something very permanent,...
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Alibaba-backed Buy Now Pay Later firm gets SECP licence

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has granted a licence to Koko Tech Pakistan (Private) Limited (KTPL) to operate a Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) business in Pakistan, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday. KTPL is owned by Alibaba.com Holdings, one of the world’s leading e-commerce and technology companies. The entry of Alibaba-backed KTPL marks a significant milestone for Pakistan’s digital financial ecosystem, reflecting growing international confidence in the country’s large consumer base, expanding digital economy and untapped financial services market. With advanced AI-driven credit assessment systems and globally tested digital infrastructure, KTPL is expected to introduce innovative, data-driven lending solutions in the BNPL space. This will enhance access to consumer financing, particularly for young users, freelancers and small businesses that remain underserved by traditional banking channels, which have often been relucta...
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China says Islamabad US-Iran talks a step towards de-escalation, hopes ceasefire holds

China said on Monday that the US-Iran talks in Islamabad were a step towards de-escalation, expressing hope that both parties will maintain the ceasefire. "US-Iran negotiation in Islamabad was a step towards de-escalation. China hopes the ceasefire will be kept, disputes will be resolved through political and diplomatic means rather than reigniting the flames of war, and conditions will be created for an early return of peace to the Gulf," a spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China Lin Jian said in a post on X. The U.S.-Iran negotiation in Islamabad was a step towards de-escalation. China hopes the ceasefire will be kept, disputes will be resolved through political and diplomatic means rather than reigniting the flames of war, and conditions will be created for an early return of peace… pic.twitter.com/VDU95i8jfW — Lin Jian 林剑 (@SpoxCHN_LinJian) April 13, 2026 Jian also called for ending the United States–Iran dispute at the earliest, terming the military con...
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