Pakistan’s new cabinet to be unveiled today

After a week-long delay, the government is forming the federal cabinet today (Monday) amid uncertainty whether Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) will become a part of it or abstain over a “disagreement” about the distribution of ministries.
18 April 2022, 06:31 AM

Deposit funds in domestic banks

Nepal is asking citizens living abroad to deposit funds in domestic banks as part of efforts to ensure the financial system has enough liquidity and to preserve foreign exchange reserves, finance finister Janardan Sharma said yesterday.
16 April 2022, 18:00 PM

Taliban summons Pakistani ambassador to protest air strikes

Taliban authorities on Saturday summoned Pakistan's ambassador in Kabul to protest against military strikes inside Afghanistan by Pakistani forces, the Afghan foreign ministry said.
16 April 2022, 15:55 PM

Sri Lanka stock exchange to stop trading for 5 days amid economic crisis

The Colombo Stock Exchange on Saturday announced a five-day trading halt after crisis-hit Sri Lanka hiked interest rates and declared a default on its external debt during the traditional New Year holiday.
16 April 2022, 11:06 AM

Pakistan's new govt won't roll back billions in fuel subsidies

Pakistan's new government on Friday decided not to roll back billions in fuel subsidies for the time being despite the strain on public funds, citing the possible backlash if it were to raise fuel prices just days after taking power.
15 April 2022, 19:22 PM

No foreign plot to oust Imran

Pakistan’s powerful military has dismissed ousted prime minister Imran Khan’s accusation that the United States had conspired to topple him in a parliamentary vote of confidence.
15 April 2022, 18:00 PM

Pak PM eager to work with Hasina

Pakistan’s newly-elected Prime Minister Mian Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif said he looks forward to working with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for a better future of the two countries and for achieving the common vision of peace and lasting prosperity in the region.
15 April 2022, 18:00 PM

New Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif wants to work with PM Hasina for regional peace and prosperity

Pakistan’s newly-elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said he looks forward to working with Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for a better future of the two countries and for achieving the common vision of durable peace and lasting prosperity in the region.
15 April 2022, 16:25 PM

India to up aid to Sri Lanka by $2 billion more: Report

With financial crisis-ridden Sri Lanka having announced a temporary suspension of its debt payment, India is reportedly willing to step in and provide financial assistance of another two billion dollars to the nation.
14 April 2022, 05:45 AM

Send home cash

Sri Lanka yesterday urged its citizens overseas to send home money to help pay for desperately needed food and fuel after announcing a default on its $51 billion foreign debt.
13 April 2022, 18:00 PM

Pak PM sends positive signals to China, US

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated the need for cooperation with the United States and India, while assuring Beijing of further deepening of relations.
13 April 2022, 18:00 PM

PM Hasina congratulates Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif on being elected

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan.
13 April 2022, 10:11 AM

Debt-ridden Sri Lanka urges citizens overseas to send home money

Sri Lanka urged its citizens overseas to send home money to help pay for desperately needed food and fuel Wednesday after announcing a default on its $51 billion foreign debt.
13 April 2022, 09:14 AM

Bangladesh's $200m loan to Sri Lanka hangs in balance

When Bangladesh agreed to provide $250 million to Sri Lanka last year, little did it think that it would become a side character in the horror show that is unfolding in the island nation.
12 April 2022, 18:00 PM

Sri Lanka now defaults on all of its $51b external debt

Crisis-stricken Sri Lanka defaulted on its $51 billion external debt on Tuesday, calling the move a "last resort" after running out of foreign exchange to import desperately needed goods.
12 April 2022, 07:30 AM

Modi congratulates Shehbaz Sharif on becoming Pakistan PM

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last night congratulated new Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif soon after the latter was sworn in and said India desired peace and stability in a region free of terrorism.
11 April 2022, 18:44 PM

‘Evil has been defeated’

Pakistan lawmakers yesterday elected Shehbaz Sharif as the country’s new prime minister following the weekend ouster of Imran Khan, who resigned his national assembly seat -- along with most of his party members -- ahead of the vote.
11 April 2022, 18:00 PM

Sri Lanka economic crisis: 3 parties seek interim govt with new PM

Three political parties that recently withdrew from Sri Lanka’s ruling coalition have proposed forming an interim government with a new prime minister replacing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s older brother, they said yesterday.
11 April 2022, 18:00 PM

Rajapaksa calls for patience over economic crisis in address to the nation

Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday said the country had reached a decisive juncture and called for patience as protests continued over the government's handling of a deepening economic crisis.
11 April 2022, 14:51 PM

Nawaz Sharif's younger brother liked to call himself 'chief servant'

Mian Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif was elected as the 23rd prime minister of Pakistan on Monday, receiving 174 votes in the 342-strong National Assembly after the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, which is the largest party in the lower house with 155 seats, boycotted the session and also decided to resign from the assembly.
11 April 2022, 14:10 PM