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Pakistani Astronaut to Join China's Tiangong Space Station Mission

Pakistani Astronaut to Join China's Tiangong Space Station Mission

A Pakistani astronaut is set to become the first foreigner to visit China's Tiangong space station, participating in the Shenzhou-24 mission. This development stems from a February 2025 agreement between Pakistan and China, establishing a Chinese government training program for Pakistani astronauts. While the China National Space Administration (CNSA) has not specified a departure date, the mission is anticipated to occur by the end of the year. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal previously indicated a November 25 launch. The Pakistani astronaut, designated as a payload specialist, will undertake a brief orbital flight before returning with the Shenzhou-23 spaceship, which docked at Tiangong in May. Astronauts Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud were selected for training in China, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commending their efforts and highlighting the mission as a source of national pride.

IMF Country Director Reports Pakistan's Economic Growth Rate Rising to 3.5%

IMF Country Director Reports Pakistan's Economic Growth Rate Rising to 3.5%

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Country Director Mahir Binici announced that Pakistan's economic growth rate is increasing from 2% to 3.5%. Speaking at a conference organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in Islamabad, Binici characterized this development as significant, indicating that Pakistan has transitioned from an economic crisis to a period of stability. He highlighted the ongoing implementation of economic reforms and the importance of sustaining this growth momentum. Binici also mentioned discussions with Pakistani authorities aimed at boosting tax revenues and improving the tax-to-GDP ratio. Concurrently, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director for Pakistan Dr. Emma Xiaoqing Fan emphasized the necessity of providing greater growth opportunities for the private sector and reducing industrial costs to enhance exports. She also pointed out that over half of Pakistan's female population is not contributing to economic development and advocated for increased opportuni...

IMF Raises Moldova's 2026 Economic Growth Forecast to 1.7%

IMF Raises Moldova's 2026 Economic Growth Forecast to 1.7%

IMF Raises Moldova's 2026 Economic Growth Forecast to 1.7%

Pakistani astronaut to board Shenzhou 24 and become the first foreigner on China's space station

Pakistani astronaut to board Shenzhou 24 and become the first foreigner on China's space station

A Pakistani astronaut will board China’s Shenzhou 24 spacecraft as the first foreign national on Beijing’s space station

UN Security Council Issues Presidential Statement on Diplomacy During Active Hostilities

UN Security Council Issues Presidential Statement on Diplomacy During Active Hostilities

The United Nations Security Council has adopted a presidential statement emphasizing the critical role of diplomacy during active hostilities. Authored by Pakistan, the statement underscores the importance of maintaining communication channels between parties in armed conflict to prevent escalation, facilitate ceasefires, and create conditions for peaceful political settlements. This initiative builds upon Resolution 2788, adopted in July 2025, which reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to peaceful dispute resolution under Chapter VI of the UN Charter. The statement requests the Secretary-General to continue promoting and supporting diplomacy, de-escalation, and mediation efforts before and during conflicts, utilizing his good offices and UN capacities, and to keep the Council informed of these endeavors.

UN Warns Against Peacekeeping Budget Cuts Amidst Global Crises

UN Warns Against Peacekeeping Budget Cuts Amidst Global Crises

The United Nations has been cautioned against reducing its peacekeeping budget, with Pakistan's Permanent Representative, Ambassador Syed Haider Shah, emphasizing that financial constraints should not compromise the organization's ability to maintain international peace and security. The General Assembly recently approved a budget of $5.1 billion for peacekeeping operations for 2026-27, which marks a 10% decrease from the previous year's allocation. This reduction follows a funding crisis in the preceding year that necessitated a cut in mission expenditures and the repatriation of a quarter of its uniformed personnel. Ambassador Shah, speaking to the Fourth Committee of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, advocated for reforms to enhance peacekeeping effectiveness without sacrificing essential capabilities. He highlighted the increasing complexity of political and security environments faced by peacekeeping operations and stressed the undiminished need for a credible UN presence, despite a growing...

Inter-American Development Bank Approves $750 Million Package for Bolivia's Economic Stabilization

Inter-American Development Bank Approves $750 Million Package for Bolivia's Economic Stabilization

Inter-American Development Bank Approves $750 Million Package for Bolivia's Economic Stabilization

Egypt Proposes Preferential Trade Access to U.S. Market for Pakistani Businesses

Egypt Proposes Preferential Trade Access to U.S. Market for Pakistani Businesses

Egypt Proposes Preferential Trade Access to U.S. Market for Pakistani Businesses

Pakistan's Foreign Exchange Reserves Reach Record High Amidst Regional Conflict

Pakistan's Foreign Exchange Reserves Reach Record High Amidst Regional Conflict

Pakistan's Foreign Exchange Reserves Reach Record High Amidst Regional Conflict

Pakistan Prime Minister Orders Coordinated Polio Eradication Plan Amidst Rising Cases

Pakistan Prime Minister Orders Coordinated Polio Eradication Plan Amidst Rising Cases

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed federal health officials and polio eradication teams to develop a coordinated strategy within a week to combat the rising number of polio cases. This directive follows the report of the ninth wild poliovirus case of 2026, detected in a seven-month-old boy from Khyber district in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). Seven of the nine cases this year have been reported from K-P, with the remaining two from Sindh. The Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) has linked the cases in Khyber district to poliovirus strains circulating in Afghanistan, highlighting cross-border transmission as a significant factor. The Prime Minister expressed concern over the latest infections and called for a more effective strategy and intensified efforts to contain the virus, emphasizing that the government cannot afford to lose momentum in its campaign against the crippling disease.

Turkish lawmakers approve a 3-nation defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan

Turkish lawmakers approve a 3-nation defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan

Turkish legislators have approved a defense cooperation agreement with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia

Pakistan and UK Deepen Cooperation on Security, Trade, and Migration Amid Regional Threats

Pakistan and UK Deepen Cooperation on Security, Trade, and Migration Amid Regional Threats

Pakistan and the United Kingdom have agreed to enhance cooperation across several key areas, including security, law enforcement, migration, trade, and investment. This decision followed a meeting in Islamabad between Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and visiting UK Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis. The discussions also covered regional and global security environments, with both nations expressing significant concern over terrorism originating from Afghanistan. Specifically, they highlighted the ongoing threat posed by groups like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, which operates from within Afghanistan. Both sides emphasized the critical need for a stable and secure Afghanistan to ensure lasting peace and prosperity throughout the region. This agreement builds on previous bilateral counter-terrorism dialogues held in Islamabad.