Friday, June 19th, 2026
PM Shehbaz, Saudi Crown Prince pledge continued peace process support
ISLAMABAD, JUN 19 /DNA/ – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a warm and cordial telephone conversation with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday evening, during which the two leaders discussed regional peace efforts and the strengthening of bilateral relations. During the call, Prime Minister Sharif expressed his gratitude to the Crown Prince for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s steadfast support for Pakistan’s peace initiatives. He also congratulated His Royal Highness on the signing of the historic Islamabad Peace Deal, acknowledging the Crown Prince’s wise leadership and the Kingdom’s unwavering commitmentRead More
Japan owned vessels passed thru Hormuz
TOKYO, 19 JUN (DNA) — A vessel owned by a Japanese company carrying three Japanese crew members safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Friday and exited the Gulf, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The vessel, which had been stuck in the Gulf due to the Iran war, is now sailing toward Japan, MOFA said, adding the government had coordinated with Iran over the passage. The vessel is a Liberian-flagged crude oil tanker owned by Japan’s Kyoei Tanker, the company said. All Japan-linked vessels carrying Japanese crew members haveRead More
Quetta acid attack victim to receive specialised care in US: Balochistan govt
QUETTA: The Balochistan government has decided to send Dr Mahnoor Nasir, who was attacked with acid at a Quetta hospital, to the United States for specialised treatment, an official said on Friday. Shahid Rind, an assistant to the Balochistan chief minister, said that CM Sarfraz Bugti has approved Dr Mahnoor’s treatment abroad, with the provincial government initiating the necessary process for the treatment. According to Rind, the Chief Minister Secretariat had formally issued a letter to the relevant authorities in this regard. He added that the victim would continue receivingRead More
Iran thanks Pakistan for sustained mediation on nuclear talks
ISLAMABAD, JUN 19 /DNA/ – Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammed Ishaq Dar spoke this evening with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyed Abbas Araghchi. DPM/FM felicitated the leadership, government, and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the signing of the historic “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” with the United States. He also conveyed his best wishes for the commencement of the next phase of negotiations, expressing hope that the process would move smoothly and yield positive outcomes. FM Araghchi expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s constructive and sustainedRead More
‘Promise fulfilled’: PM Shehbaz cuts petrol and diesel prices by Rs74, Rs67 per litre
ISLAMABAD, JUN 19: The government on Friday reduced the prices of petrol by Rs74 per litre and diesel by Rs67 per litre following a sharp decline in international crude oil rates and easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The relief was announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a statement issued by his office. The relief comes in the wake of the US-Iran peace agreement, brokered and mediated with Pakistan’s diplomatic facilitation, and the subsequent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route. “Petrol pricesRead More
Privatisation board approves FESCO restructuring for sale plan
ISLAMABAD, JUN 19 /DNA/ – The Privatisation Commission (PC) Board, in its meeting held today under the chairmanship of Mr. Muhammad Ali, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation and Chairman of the Privatisation Commission, considered and approved a number of important measures relating to the Government’s ongoing privatisation programme. As part of the Government’s efforts to enhance efficiency, improve service delivery, and attract private sector investment, the Board approved the restructuring plan for Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO). FESCO forms part of the first batch of Power Distribution CompaniesRead More