CAIRO, JUN 19: Egypt’s foreign minister will host his counterparts from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey in the Mediterranean city of Alamein on Sunday, Cairo’s foreign ministry said.

Badr Abdelatty “will hold a quadrilateral meeting on Sunday with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, followed by an expanded session of talks and a joint press conference,” the ministry said in a statement late Thursday.

For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

It did not specify the topic of the discussions, but the four countries have been involved in mediation efforts around the Middle East war.

The four foreign ministers last met in April on the sidelines of a diplomatic forum in the Turkish resort city of Antalya.

The Alamein meeting comes after US-Iran talks scheduled in Switzerland for Friday, aimed at following up on the US-Iran agreement to end the war, were postponed, according to the Swiss foreign ministry.

The White House confirmed that US Vice President JD Vance’s planned trip to Switzerland for the talks had been cancelled.

The agreement, which was reached earlier this week, aims to end the fighting, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin a 60-day period of negotiations on broader issues, including Tehran’s nuclear program.

It was also meant to halt fighting in Lebanon. However, clashes have since resumed between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters. The US said a renewed ceasefire went into effect on Friday afternoon.

ISLAMABAD, JUN 19 (DNA): Chairman of Rawal General and Dental Hospital and Rawal Foundation, and head of the Pakistan Awami Quwat Party, Khakan Waheed Khawaja, has welcomed the government’s decision to reduce petroleum prices and urged authorities to provide further relief by cutting fuel prices even more.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Khawaja said that if the government is genuinely committed to improving the lives of ordinary citizens, it should further reduce the prices of petrol and diesel. He noted that the sharp increase in petroleum prices over the past months had driven the cost of essential commodities to unprecedented levels, placing an unbearable burden on low-income families.

He stressed that the recent reduction in fuel prices should be followed by a comprehensive mechanism to ensure that the benefits are passed on to the public. According to him, the government must introduce an effective monitoring system to bring down the prices of daily-use items and prevent profiteering.

Khawaja also called for an immediate reduction in public transport fares, arguing that lower fuel costs should translate into lower transportation expenses for citizens. He urged the authorities to restore the prices of essential commodities to the levels that existed before March 7, saying that people have yet to receive the full benefit of the decline in petroleum prices.

While acknowledging that the cumulative reduction of Rs74 per litre in petrol prices has provided some relief, he maintained that greater reductions are necessary to create meaningful ease for the poor and middle classes. He emphasized that only substantial relief measures would help struggling households cope with rising living costs and improve their standard of living.

Shamim Shahid

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Friday presented the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2026-27. The budget outlay is Rs2.17 trillion, with an estimated fiscal deficit of Rs48 billion, according to the budget documents.

At the outset of his budget speech, he said all parliamentarians of the PTI from the provincial assembly had “unanimously decided” to present the budget.

Earlier, the presentation of the KP budget remained doubtful as the provincial government reportedly linked it to a meeting with incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan.

In his speech, Afridi also announced that the budget he was presenting had a deficit of Rs48bn. “The KP government will not seek a loan of Rs48bn from anyone,” he said, adding that “we will provide this amount to the people of KP from our own resources”.

Moreover, he said the budget would be in accordance with the Federal Board of Revenue’s tax collection target of Rs15.2 trillion.

“There will be no grants for the Centre in this budget,” he added.

Here, he was apparently referring to an arragment under which provinces have been asked to freeze their share from the federal tax divisible pool under the National Finance Commission award, returning any receipts above the current year’s level to the Centre as grants.

The KP CM went on to say in his speech that his government’s representatives had clearly stated in a meeting of the National Economic Council that a decision on providing grants to the Centre could not be made without consulting Imran.

“We said Imran Khan sahib is the final authority on this,” he said, adding that the KP government’s representatives were not being allowed to meet Imran. He said his party had demanded a meeting with Imran ahead of the provincial budget, further reiterating the PTI’s allegation that Imran and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, were being kept in solitary confinement and isolation.

Amid protest by the opposition, he continued that a demand to allow Imran’s meetings with his family had also been made. “The restoration Imran’s fundamental rights was also demanded,” he added.

He went on to say that demands for Imran’s treatment in the presence of his personal physicians and allowing him telephone calls with his sons and access to television, books and newspapers were also demanded.

“We will not sign any draft until we are allowed to meet Imran,” he asserted, seemingly linking the provision of grants from KP to the Centre to meetings with Imran.

Coming to the budget for FY2026-27, he said his government’s focus was now on moving from development to progress and prosperity. The vision under the FY27 budget, “Khushaal Pakistan”, was to ensure that the fruits of prosperity reached the people.

Afridi said the KP government was to get Rs1.59tr through federal transfer in the coming fiscal year, and the target for provincial receipts was set at Rs182.4bn. Overall, the revenue target was set at Rs2.12tr against the budgeted expenditure of Rs2.17tr.

A breakdown shows that Rs1.64trillion has been allocated for current expenditure and Rs524.2bn for the annual development programme.

Petrol will fall to Rs299 per litre, while diesel will decrease to Rs311 per litre, reads PMO statement

Fiaz Chaudhry

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 prices are being reduced by Rs74 per litre and diesel prices by Rs67 per litre. As a result, the price of petrol will fall from Rs373 to Rs299 per litre, while diesel will decrease from Rs378 to Rs311 per litre,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

He said the government was immediately passing on to the public the benefits of improved economic conditions in the region and lower international oil prices.

“We had made a promise to the nation and, by the grace of Allah, we are now fulfilling it,” he said.

The prime minister acknowledged the difficulties faced by citizens and thanked them for showing patience during the recent crisis. He said the federal government had used Rs129bn from development allocations and savings generated through austerity measures to provide relief and shield consumers from the full impact of rising fuel prices.

The prime minister further said Pakistan had avoided an energy crisis despite regional economic challenges. “There were no fuel shortages, no long queues and no disruption in the supply of petroleum products,” he said, attributing this to government planning and coordination between the federal and provincial governments.

He added that any further decline in global oil prices would be passed on to consumers. “Whatever reduction takes place in international oil prices will be transferred to the public in full,” he said.

The prime minister also said the government would continue efforts to maintain economic stability and reduce inflation while prioritising public relief.

Referring to regional developments, PM Shehbaz said peace in the region had become possible through Pakistan’s mediation efforts and described the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as a historic achievement.

He also praised Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other members of the government for their contributions to the peace process and economic management during the crisis.

The government has been reviewing petroleum prices on a weekly basis since the US-Israeli conflict with Iran on February 28.

As global rates increased, the government raised domestic fuel prices by more than 50%. Petroleum prices were revised twice in the first week of March. The steepest hike was recorded in April. During that month, petrol price was raised by Rs137 per litre to a record Rs458.4 per litre.

Meanwhile, diesel was at Rs275.7 per litre and jumped to as high as Rs520.35 per litre.

Petrol is mainly used by commuters in small vehicles, rickshaws and two-wheelers. Higher fuel prices significantly impact the budgets of middle and lower-middle-class households, who rely on petrol for daily travel.

On the other hand, a significant portion of the transport sector relies on high-speed diesel. Its price is considered inflationary since it is predominantly used in heavy goods transport vehicles, trucks, buses, trains, and agricultural machinery such as tractors, tube wells, and threshers.

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 commitment to regional stability as vital guiding forces throughout the recent crisis.

The two leaders agreed that the next phase of negotiations must continue to be driven by a firm commitment to dialogue and diplomacy. They also emphasized the need for sustained vigilance against any attempts to undermine the peace process.

Prime Minister Sharif conveyed his complete satisfaction with the excellent state of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations and expressed his eagerness to further enhance economic partnership under the visionary leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The conversation underscored the deep-rooted fraternal ties between the two nations and their shared resolve to promote peace and prosperity in the region.

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 receiving treatment at a private hospital in Karachi for another week before arrangements for treatment in the US are finalised.

Rind said that the provincial government was utilising all available resources to ensure the affected doctor receives the best possible medical facilities and care.

The female doctor is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Karachi where she was shifted earlier this month after she was attacked with acid at Quetta’s Civil Hospital.

Hours after the incident, police said that the suspect involved in the acid attack was killed in an encounter.

Following her shifting to the Karachi hospital, sources said that reconstructive surgeons and eye specialists had completed their assessment of the doctor.

According to sources, Dr Mahnoor sustained burn injuries to her face, abdomen, legs, and right hand.

They said that the victim suffered burns over 13% of her body. While her eyes were also affected by the acid, her eyesight remained intact.

As Dr Mahnoor underwent treatment for her injuries, the Balochistan chief minister announced a civil award for a man who rushed to her help following the acid attack.

In a post on X on July 7, the Balochistan chief minister announced the decision while sharing a picture of hospital staff member Abdul Razzaq Tarakai.

CM Bugti lauded Tarakai as a “precious asset to society” for rushing to the female doctor’s help during the attack, saying that “a civil award will be conferred upon Abdul Razzaq Tarakai” for displaying extraordinary courage, humanity, and dedication to duty.

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 sustained mediation efforts.

The two leaders exchanged views on regional developments and highlighted the ceasefire violations conducted by Israel in Lebanon, expressing serious concern over the situation.

FM Araghchi also thanked DPM/FM for Pakistan’s facilitation in the repatriation of thirty (30) Iranian nationals, including 8 fishermen rescued at sea by the United Kingdom and 22 crew members recently interdicted by the United States. The transit arrangements of whom are currently being coordinated by Pakistan.

Both sides agreed on the importance of continued engagement and agreed to remain in close contact.

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 prices are being reduced by Rs74 per litre and diesel prices by Rs67 per litre. As a result, the price of petrol will fall from Rs373 to Rs299 per litre, while diesel will decrease from Rs378 to Rs311 per litre,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

He said the government was immediately passing on to the public the benefits of improved economic conditions in the region and lower international oil prices.

“We had made a promise to the nation and, by the grace of Allah, we are now fulfilling it,” he said.

The prime minister acknowledged the difficulties faced by citizens and thanked them for showing patience during the recent crisis. He said the federal government had used Rs129bn from development allocations and savings generated through austerity measures to provide relief and shield consumers from the full impact of rising fuel prices.

The prime minister further said Pakistan had avoided an energy crisis despite regional economic challenges. “There were no fuel shortages, no long queues and no disruption in the supply of petroleum products,” he said, attributing this to government planning and coordination between the federal and provincial governments.

He added that any further decline in global oil prices would be passed on to consumers. “Whatever reduction takes place in international oil prices will be transferred to the public in full,” he said.

The prime minister also said the government would continue efforts to maintain economic stability and reduce inflation while prioritising public relief.

Referring to regional developments, PM Shehbaz said peace in the region had become possible through Pakistan’s mediation efforts and described the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as a historic achievement.

He also praised Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other members of the government for their contributions to the peace process and economic management during the crisis.

The government has been reviewing petroleum prices on a weekly basis since the US-Israeli conflict with Iran on February 28.

As global rates increased, the government raised domestic fuel prices by more than 50%. Petroleum prices were revised twice in the first week of March. The steepest hike was recorded in April. During that month, petrol price was raised by Rs137 per litre to a record Rs458.4 per litre.

Meanwhile, diesel was at Rs275.7 per litre and jumped to as high as Rs520.35 per litre.

Petrol is mainly used by commuters in small vehicles, rickshaws and two-wheelers. Higher fuel prices significantly impact the budgets of middle and lower-middle-class households, who rely on petrol for daily travel.

On the other hand, a significant portion of the transport sector relies on high-speed diesel. Its price is considered inflationary since it is predominantly used in heavy goods transport vehicles, trucks, buses, trains, and agricultural machinery such as tractors, tube wells, and threshers.