Former ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to withdraw the resignations of their remaining 44 lawmakers whose resignations are yet to be accepted by the speaker in the latest move.

Pakistan: PTI lawmakers make U-turn, decision after Imran Khan's instruction

Pakistan is without power for the second time in three months. All major cities in the country spend the entire day with no electricity supply. According to Pakistan's Energy Minister, the grid went down in the morning.

Pakistan: No electricity in the country's major cities, second major outage in three months

Pak's forex reserves have dropped to an all-time low but the country's elite are still buying luxury cars worth billions. Molly Gambhir brings you a report on Pak's 'Richie rich' club.

Gravitas: Cash-strapped Pakistan's elite are buying luxury cars

Pakistan's economic crisis has reached a critical juncture as the nation's foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) have dropped to an all-time low of $4.343 billion, sufficient only to cover three weeks of imports.

WION Dispatch: Pakistan left with only three-weeks of forex cover

WION Dispatch: 44 PTI lawmakers withdraw resignation in Pakistan national assembly

<p>A video showing a man dancing on&nbsp;<strong><em>Besharam Rang</em></strong>&nbsp;song has gone viral on the internet with netizens claiming him to be Pakistan’s foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto. The man spotted in the video making flawless and sizzling moves has now been identified as Pakistan’s Mehroz Baig, apparently a student from Karachi. The person in the viral video was seen dancing with Pakistani actress and influencer Inaya Khan at what appeared to be a party. The original video was uploaded on Instagram. The caption of the original video said it was from Inaya’s sister’s wedding.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Amid the Pathaan controversy, a video went viral on social media claiming the person dancing to the song of ‘Besharam Rang’ was Pakistan’s foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. But it was found that he was not Bhutto Zardari.<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BesharamRang?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BesharamRang</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bhutto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bhutto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pathaan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pathaan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/viralnews?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#viralnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/Cdx0UZdgT4">pic.twitter.com/Cdx0UZdgT4</a></p>
— News Leak Centre (@NLCnewsnetwork) <a href="https://twitter.com/NLCnewsnetwork/status/1617092250470846466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p><strong>Watch</strong>:&nbsp;<strong>WION Fineprint | Pakistan's economic turmoil</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-fineprint-pakistan-weekly-inflation-sees-an-increase-by-32-554783/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2><strong>Bilawal Bhutto making headlines for wrong reasons lately</strong></h2>

<p>Pakistan’s foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto has been making headlines for controversial reasons lately. In another viral video on the internet, he was seen smoking outside a building in Davos. In this video, it is Bilawal himself, not his lookalike.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A video of Foreign Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bilawal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bilawal</a> Bhutto-Zardari <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/smoking?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#smoking</a> cigarette has gone <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/viral?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#viral</a> on social media. <a href="https://t.co/K5XwvijwEn">pic.twitter.com/K5XwvijwEn</a></p>
— Siyasi Meme (@siyasi_meme) <a href="https://twitter.com/siyasi_meme/status/1616755963507220480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>In December last year, he stirred a massive controversy by inflicting personal attacks on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS, a nationalist organisation associated with India’s ruling Bhartiya Janata Party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pakistan is participating in the World Economic Forum amid huge economic turmoil at home. Recently, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his desire to mend ties with India after “having learnt lessons from the self-destructing wars”, before backing off the next day.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-ecp-to-appoint-mohsin-naqvi-as-punjabs-caretaker-cm-554952">Pakistan: ECP to appoint Mohsin Naqvi as Punjab`s caretaker CM</a></strong></p>

<p>Bilawal Bhutto, who is representing Pakistan at WEF in Davos, also tried raking up tensions with India on the Kashmir issue. He whined it was ironic that UNSC resolutions mean so much to Europe and the West but ‘are nothing more than the paper they are written on' when it comes to Jammu and Kashmir.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


A video showing a man dancing on Besharam Rang song has gone viral on the internet with netizens claiming him to be Pakistan’s foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto. The man spotted in the video making flawless and sizzling moves has now been identified as Pakistan’s Mehroz Baig, apparently a student from Karachi.

A video showing a man dancing on Besharam Rang song has gone viral on the internet with netizens claiming him to be Pakistan’s foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto. The man spotted in the video making flawless and sizzling moves has now been identified as Pakistan’s Mehroz Baig, apparently a student from Karachi. The person in the viral video was seen dancing with Pakistani actress and influencer Inaya Khan at what appeared to be a party. The original video was uploaded on Instagram. The caption of the original video said it was from Inaya’s sister’s wedding. Amid the Pathaan controversy, a video went viral on social media claiming the person dancing to the song of ‘Besharam Rang’ was Pakistan’s foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. But it was found that he was not Bhutto Zardari. #BesharamRang #Bhutto #Pathaan #viralnews pic.twitter.com/Cdx0UZdgT4 — News Leak Centre (@NLCnewsnetwork) January 22, 2023 × Watch: WION Fineprint | Pakistan's economic turmoil × Bilawal Bhutto making headlines for wrong reasons lately Pakistan’s foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto has been making headlines for controversial reasons lately. In another viral video on the internet, he was seen smoking outside a building in Davos. In this video, it is Bilawal himself, not his lookalike. A video of Foreign Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman #Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari #smoking cigarette has gone #viral on social media. pic.twitter.com/K5XwvijwEn — Siyasi Meme (@siyasi_meme) January 21, 2023 × In December last year, he stirred a massive controversy by inflicting personal attacks on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS, a nationalist organisation associated with India’s ruling Bhartiya Janata Party. Pakistan is participating in the World Economic Forum amid huge economic turmoil at home. Recently, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his desire to mend ties with India after “having learnt lessons from the self-destructing wars”, before backing off the next day. Also Read | Pakistan: ECP to appoint Mohsin Naqvi as Punjab`s caretaker CM Bilawal Bhutto, who is representing Pakistan at WEF in Davos, also tried raking up tensions with India on the Kashmir issue. He whined it was ironic that UNSC resolutions mean so much to Europe and the West but ‘are nothing more than the paper they are written on' when it comes to Jammu and Kashmir. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

'Besharam’ Bilawal Bhutto? Here’s the truth behind the viral video showing Pak FM ‘setting the stage on fire’

The World Bank has forecast Pakistan's economic growth to slow further to two percent during the current year — down by two percentage points from its June 2022 estimates — because of the devastating floods and slowdown in the global growth rate.

World Business Watch: World bank cuts Pakistan's GDP growth forecast

<p>On Sunday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) unanimously took the decision to appoint Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi as Punjab's caretaker chief minister.</p>

<p>Naqvi, whose name was included in Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz's suggestion, owns a media house and is believed to have close ties with PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ECP took the decision in a meeting presided by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja.</p>

<p>The ECP, in its press release, stated that they have issued a notification announcing the appointment while a separate letter has been sent to Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman so that the oath can be administered to Naqvi.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ECP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ECP</a> has unanimously decided to appoint Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi as Care-Taker Chief Minister Punjab <a href="https://t.co/MUiGKVfEd0">pic.twitter.com/MUiGKVfEd0</a></p>
— Election Commission of Pakistan (OFFICIAL) (@ECP_Pakistan) <a href="https://twitter.com/ECP_Pakistan/status/1617192618042990592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The electoral watchdog issued a subsequent notification which read, “Pursuant to the proviso of Clause(3) of Article 224-A of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and as a result of detailed deliberations made on January 22, the ECP has unanimously decided to appoint Syed Mohsin Rana Naqvi as the caretaker chief minister, Punjab with immediate effect.”</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-imran-khans-party-uses-pm-modis-old-clip-to-target-pak-govt-funny-part-is-553230">WATCH| Imran Khan's party uses PM Modi's old clip to target Pak govt, funny part is....</a></p>

<p>The caretaker CM's appointment was unusually delayed after the Punjab Assembly was dissolved last week because of constant back-and-forth between the opposition and the provincial government on the nominees.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The names of Naveed Akram Cheema and Sardar Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera were proposed by outgoing Chief Minister Parvez Elahi while the names of Ahad Cheema and Naqvi were endorsed by Hamza Shehbaz for the caretaker slot.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>PTI refuses to accept decision of ECP&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Reacting to the appointment of Naqvi, PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry stated that the commission “never failed to disappoint”.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | WION Dispatch: Cash-strapped Pakistan government imposes PKR 30 bn as additional taxes</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-cash-strapped-pakistan-government-imposes-pkr-30-bn-as-additional-taxes-502642/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>“We reject the decision to appoint a controversial person such as Mohsin Naqvi as the chief minister,” he added, stating that they had no option but to protest in the streets.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He appealed to the party workers to make preparation stating that they would launch a large campaign under party chief Imran Khan's leadership.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="rtl" lang="ur">الیکشن کمیشن نے کبھی مایوس نہیں کیا، محسن نقوی جیسے متنازعہ سخص کو وزیر اعلی مقرر کرنے کے فیصلے کو مسترد کرتے ہیں ، اس نظام کے خلاف سڑکوں پر جدوجہد کے علاوہ کوئ راستہ نہیں ۔۔ کارکنان تیاری کریں عمران خان کی قیادت میں بڑی مہم چلائیں گے</p>
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) <a href="https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry/status/1617189812972183556?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Meanwhile, PTI Secretary General Asad Umar stated that Naqvi's appointment as the caretaker chief minister was like mocking the Constitution. He added that the decision would be challenged by the PTI and protests will be held against it.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="rtl" lang="ur">محسن نقوی کی بطور نگران وزیر اعلیٰ تعیناتی آئن کے ساتھ مذاق کے مترادف ہے. تحریک انصاف اس کے خلاف قانونی چیلنج بھی کرے گی اور عوامی احتجاج بھی</p>
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) <a href="https://twitter.com/Asad_Umar/status/1617196163219832833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>You can&nbsp;<strong>now write for wionews.com</strong>&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


On Sunday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) unanimously took the decision to appoint Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi as Punjab's caretaker chief minister. Naqvi, whose name was included in Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz's suggestion, owns a media house and is believed to have close ties with PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari.

On Sunday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) unanimously took the decision to appoint Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi as Punjab's caretaker chief minister. Naqvi, whose name was included in Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz's suggestion, owns a media house and is believed to have close ties with PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari. The ECP took the decision in a meeting presided by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja. The ECP, in its press release, stated that they have issued a notification announcing the appointment while a separate letter has been sent to Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman so that the oath can be administered to Naqvi. #ECP has unanimously decided to appoint Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi as Care-Taker Chief Minister Punjab pic.twitter.com/MUiGKVfEd0 — Election Commission of Pakistan (OFFICIAL) (@ECP_Pakistan) January 22, 2023 × The electoral watchdog issued a subsequent notification which read, “Pursuant to the proviso of Clause(3) of Article 224-A of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and as a result of detailed deliberations made on January 22, the ECP has unanimously decided to appoint Syed Mohsin Rana Naqvi as the caretaker chief minister, Punjab with immediate effect.” ALSO READ | WATCH| Imran Khan's party uses PM Modi's old clip to target Pak govt, funny part is.... The caretaker CM's appointment was unusually delayed after the Punjab Assembly was dissolved last week because of constant back-and-forth between the opposition and the provincial government on the nominees. The names of Naveed Akram Cheema and Sardar Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera were proposed by outgoing Chief Minister Parvez Elahi while the names of Ahad Cheema and Naqvi were endorsed by Hamza Shehbaz for the caretaker slot. PTI refuses to accept decision of ECP Reacting to the appointment of Naqvi, PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry stated that the commission “never failed to disappoint”. WATCH | WION Dispatch: Cash-strapped Pakistan government imposes PKR 30 bn as additional taxes “We reject the decision to appoint a controversial person such as Mohsin Naqvi as the chief minister,” he added, stating that they had no option but to protest in the streets. He appealed to the party workers to make preparation stating that they would launch a large campaign under party chief Imran Khan's leadership. الیکشن کمیشن نے کبھی مایوس نہیں کیا، محسن نقوی جیسے متنازعہ سخص کو وزیر اعلی مقرر کرنے کے فیصلے کو مسترد کرتے ہیں ، اس نظام کے خلاف سڑکوں پر جدوجہد کے علاوہ کوئ راستہ نہیں ۔۔ کارکنان تیاری کریں عمران خان کی قیادت میں بڑی مہم چلائیں گے — Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) January 22, 2023 × Meanwhile, PTI Secretary General Asad Umar stated that Naqvi's appointment as the caretaker chief minister was like mocking the Constitution. He added that the decision would be challenged by the PTI and protests will be held against it. محسن نقوی کی بطور نگران وزیر اعلیٰ تعیناتی آئن کے ساتھ مذاق کے مترادف ہے. تحریک انصاف اس کے خلاف قانونی چیلنج بھی کرے گی اور عوامی احتجاج بھی — Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) January 22, 2023 × (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pakistan: ECP to appoint Mohsin Naqvi as Punjab's caretaker CM

After a self-imposed exile since 2019, former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif is looking at a possible return to his homeland. Sharif will travel back to chair Pakistan Muslim League.

WION Fineprint | Pakistan: Ex-PM Nawaz Sharif may return to his homeland in February

Pakistan: Ex-PM Nawaz Sharif likely to return after his exile since 2019

<p>Pakistan Railways spokesperson revealed that a powerful blast near a railway track on Friday (January 20) derailed compartments of a passenger train, injuring at least eight people. The train was going from Mach to Peshawar.&nbsp;Jaffar Express was passing by the Paneer area of district Bolan in the restive Balochistan province when the explosion took place.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As reported by local media outlets, Pakistan Railways spokesperson Muhammad Kashif confirmed that eight passengers were injured. He mentioned that six bogies of the train were derailed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It appears that the explosive was triggered by a remote control device," he said as quoted by Dawn. He further added that the rescue teams were rushed to the site.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Authorities were also working to repair the damaged tracks. Kashif added that those injured have been sent to the hospital for treatment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In recent days, Balochistan has seen a rise in terror incidents. Terrorists recently attacked a police station in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The attack was alarming as the terrorists were equipped with sniper guns fitted with night vision thermal goggles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Badaber Sardar Hussain and two constables were killed during an exchange of gunfire with the terrorists during the overnight attack on assault on the Sarband Police Station in Peshawar.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


Pakistan Railways spokesperson revealed that a powerful blast near a railway track on Friday (January 20) derailed compartments of a passenger train, injuring at least eight people.

Pakistan Railways spokesperson revealed that a powerful blast near a railway track on Friday (January 20) derailed compartments of a passenger train, injuring at least eight people. The train was going from Mach to Peshawar. Jaffar Express was passing by the Paneer area of district Bolan in the restive Balochistan province when the explosion took place. As reported by local media outlets, Pakistan Railways spokesperson Muhammad Kashif confirmed that eight passengers were injured. He mentioned that six bogies of the train were derailed. "It appears that the explosive was triggered by a remote control device," he said as quoted by Dawn. He further added that the rescue teams were rushed to the site. Authorities were also working to repair the damaged tracks. Kashif added that those injured have been sent to the hospital for treatment. In recent days, Balochistan has seen a rise in terror incidents. Terrorists recently attacked a police station in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The attack was alarming as the terrorists were equipped with sniper guns fitted with night vision thermal goggles. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Badaber Sardar Hussain and two constables were killed during an exchange of gunfire with the terrorists during the overnight attack on assault on the Sarband Police Station in Peshawar. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan: Powerful explosion derails passenger train in Balochistan, eight injured

<p>Pakistan has announced that it will be buying cheap Russian oil to cushion the current energy crisis that emanated due to the balance of payment crisis.</p>

<p>Pakistan has also been unable to procure oil after the banks refused to settle letters of credit (LCs) for the import of crude and petroleum products. The country’s foreign exchange reserves have lately depleted to about $4.6 billion, barely enough to cover three weeks of imports — mostly for oil.</p>

<p>Russian Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov, who is in Islamabad for the annual inter-governmental commission on trade and economy, said that they are in the final stages of the agreement and added that the oil exports will begin by end of March.</p>

<p>He further announced that the payments will be made in the “currencies of friendly countries," without elaborating on which currency would be used.</p>

<p>"We have already decided to draft an agreement to sort out all the issues that we have with regard to transportation, insurance, payments and volumes. These issues are in the final stage of the agreement," Shulginov said in a statement on Saturday.</p>

<p>"We have already established a timeline of this agreement by the end of March," the Russian minister added.</p>

<p>The development comes at a time when the Group of 7 (G7) countries are reviewing the price cap on exports of Russian oil. They are scheduled to meet in March.</p>

<p>Earlier in December, the Pakistani government announced that Russia had agreed to export oil to the energy-starved country at a reduced price.</p>

<p>In an interview to Geo News TV later in the day, Pakistani junior oil minister Musadik Malik said that the country is looking to 35 per cent of its total crude oil requirement.</p>

<p>"If we have dollars in excess, then we are ready to do the trade in dollars, and if there is a shortage of dollars and we have some other currency in our reserves, we are ready to trade in that.”</p>

<p>"All these things will be finalised in the next 60 days, so that by the end of March the oil supply starts from&nbsp;Russia."</p>

<p>Oil takes the lion's share of Pakistan’s import bill. Islamabad has traditionally been importing&nbsp;from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This is the first time they would be procuring Russian oil.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE: </strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


Pakistan has announced that it will be buying cheap Russian oil to cushion the current energy crisis that emanated due to the balance of payment crisis. Pakistan has also been unable to procure oil after the banks refused to settle letters of credit (LCs) for the import of crude and petroleum products.

Pakistan has announced that it will be buying cheap Russian oil to cushion the current energy crisis that emanated due to the balance of payment crisis. Pakistan has also been unable to procure oil after the banks refused to settle letters of credit (LCs) for the import of crude and petroleum products. The country’s foreign exchange reserves have lately depleted to about $4.6 billion, barely enough to cover three weeks of imports — mostly for oil. Russian Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov, who is in Islamabad for the annual inter-governmental commission on trade and economy, said that they are in the final stages of the agreement and added that the oil exports will begin by end of March. He further announced that the payments will be made in the “currencies of friendly countries," without elaborating on which currency would be used. "We have already decided to draft an agreement to sort out all the issues that we have with regard to transportation, insurance, payments and volumes. These issues are in the final stage of the agreement," Shulginov said in a statement on Saturday. "We have already established a timeline of this agreement by the end of March," the Russian minister added. The development comes at a time when the Group of 7 (G7) countries are reviewing the price cap on exports of Russian oil. They are scheduled to meet in March. Earlier in December, the Pakistani government announced that Russia had agreed to export oil to the energy-starved country at a reduced price. In an interview to Geo News TV later in the day, Pakistani junior oil minister Musadik Malik said that the country is looking to 35 per cent of its total crude oil requirement. "If we have dollars in excess, then we are ready to do the trade in dollars, and if there is a shortage of dollars and we have some other currency in our reserves, we are ready to trade in that.” "All these things will be finalised in the next 60 days, so that by the end of March the oil supply starts from Russia." Oil takes the lion's share of Pakistan’s import bill. Islamabad has traditionally been importing from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This is the first time they would be procuring Russian oil. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Pakistan to import cheap Russian oil, deal in ‘final stages’

Pakistan's dire economic situation shows signs of getting worse day by day. Now data on the inflation rate records an increase of about 32 percent from the combined income group on a year-on-year basis ending the 19th of January.

Pakistan: Short-term inflation increases to 31.83%

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has received a special message from Russian President Vladimir Putin after he reportedly said that Moscow sees Islamabad as a key partner in South Asia and the Islamic world.

Pakistan to buy Russian oil and gas, Putin calls the country a 'key partner'

WION Fineprint | Pakistan: Weekly inflation sees an increase by 32%

Pakistan will purchase oil from Russia at a discount, the deal was secured at the end of the 3-day visit by the Russian energy minister, raising hopes of some respite for the South Asian country's cash-strapped economy.

Pakistan to buy discounted Russian oil to ease economic pains

Vladimir Putin calls Pakistan 'a key partner' after latter decides to buy oil, gas from Moscow

<p>In a rare move, Pakistan's foreign office on Thursday summoned the Iranian envoy to Islamabad,&nbsp;Mohammad Ali Hosseini, in the wake of Wednesday's attack on Pakistani security personnel from across the Iranian border in Balochistan.&nbsp;Sources at Pakistan's foreign office confirmed the development adding that Ambassador of Iran was called to the office on Thursday&nbsp;to express Pakistan’s grave concern over the terrorist attack from inside the Iranian territory in which four Pakistani security personnel were killed.</p>

<p>Sources further added that the Ambassador was conveyed Pakistan’s expectation that the Government of Iran would swiftly bring the perpetrators of the terrorist attack to justice and to prevent recurrence of such incidents.</p>

<p>Extending hand of cooperation, the Iranian ambassador was also told that Pakistan remains committed to work with Iran in combatting the common threat posed by the menace of terrorism, sources added.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranian-intel-officer-among-19-killed-near-afghan-pakistan-border-521430">Iran Revolutionary Guard intel officer among 19 killed in gun battle near Afghan-Pakistan border</a></strong></p>

<p>During a weekly press briefing today, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, "Pakistan strongly condemns the terrorist attack from across the Iran border."</p>

<p>According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) , militants used Iranian soil to "target a convoy of security forces patrolling along the border" on Wednesday. Following the attack, Iran had been asked to hunt down the terrorists on their side, the ISPR had said.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-ttp-ends-ceasefire-warns-pakistan-of-nation-wide-attacks-538644">Gravitas: TTP ends ceasefire, warns Pakistan of nation-wide attacks</a></strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-ttp-ends-ceasefire-warns-pakistan-of-nation-wide-attacks-538644/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Baloch asserted on Thursday, "Terrorists used the territory of Iran [to conduct the attack]. We hope that Iran would take an action against the responsible factors."</p>

<p>The Iranian Embassy in Islamabad on Thursday condemned the terrorist attack in Pakistan’s Balochistan province that left four security personnel dead earlier in the week.</p>

<p>The embassy in a statement said that terrorism is a common problem facing Iran and Pakistan, with both neighbouring countries being victim of that "evil phenomenon."</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


In a rare move, Pakistan's foreign office on Thursday summoned the Iranian envoy to Islamabad, Mohammad Ali Hosseini, in the wake of Wednesday's attack on Pakistani security personnel from across the Iranian border in Balochistan.

In a rare move, Pakistan's foreign office on Thursday summoned the Iranian envoy to Islamabad, Mohammad Ali Hosseini, in the wake of Wednesday's attack on Pakistani security personnel from across the Iranian border in Balochistan. Sources at Pakistan's foreign office confirmed the development adding that Ambassador of Iran was called to the office on Thursday to express Pakistan’s grave concern over the terrorist attack from inside the Iranian territory in which four Pakistani security personnel were killed. Sources further added that the Ambassador was conveyed Pakistan’s expectation that the Government of Iran would swiftly bring the perpetrators of the terrorist attack to justice and to prevent recurrence of such incidents. Extending hand of cooperation, the Iranian ambassador was also told that Pakistan remains committed to work with Iran in combatting the common threat posed by the menace of terrorism, sources added. ALSO READ | Iran Revolutionary Guard intel officer among 19 killed in gun battle near Afghan-Pakistan border During a weekly press briefing today, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, "Pakistan strongly condemns the terrorist attack from across the Iran border." According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) , militants used Iranian soil to "target a convoy of security forces patrolling along the border" on Wednesday. Following the attack, Iran had been asked to hunt down the terrorists on their side, the ISPR had said. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: TTP ends ceasefire, warns Pakistan of nation-wide attacks × Baloch asserted on Thursday, "Terrorists used the territory of Iran [to conduct the attack]. We hope that Iran would take an action against the responsible factors." The Iranian Embassy in Islamabad on Thursday condemned the terrorist attack in Pakistan’s Balochistan province that left four security personnel dead earlier in the week. The embassy in a statement said that terrorism is a common problem facing Iran and Pakistan, with both neighbouring countries being victim of that "evil phenomenon." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan summons Iranian envoy to lodge protest over cross-border 'terror' incident

In a first, Pakistan's minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had a brief interaction with Ukraine's first lady, Zelenska, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Pakistan minister Bilawal Bhutto meets Ukraine's first lady Zelenska on sidelines of WEF

Pakistan has finally decided to buy the IMF bullet, battered by a huge financial crunch, the country will give in to all demands laid down by the International Monetary Fund to move forward on the release of desperately needed funds.

Pakistan financial troubles: Pak gives in to IMF demands; Finance Secy writes to IMF

A World Bank report says Pakistan's economy is the weakest in South Asia. The country's forex reserves are shrinking, the rupee is at an all-time low. Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas | World Bank: Pak's economy is weakest in South Asia

<p>Thanks to centuries of cultural relations between what is now Pakistan and what remains India, there is almost always a poetic reference point to discuss the frosty diplomatic relations between the two countries divided by the bloody Partition of British-ruled India in 1947.</p>

<p>One shair, or Urdu couplet, is appropriate to discuss the strange, contradictory behaviour of Pakistan Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif who has called for "serious" bilateral talks with "sincerity of purpose" in what appeared to be a candid interview with Saudi Arabian-owned, Dubai-based Al Arabiya TV.</p>

<p>On the one hand, he spoke of his country having "learned lessons"&nbsp;on the <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-sharif-calls-for-serious-and-sincere-talks-with-indian-pm-modi-on-burning-topics-553457">futility of the wars it has fought with India</a></strong> and how they had only brought only "misery, poverty and unemployment" to Pakistan, setting the stage for what briefly appeared as a gesture of modesty that might lead to peaceful subcontinental reconciliation in the backdrop of a deep economic crisis in Pakistan.</p>

<p>On the other hand, the Pakistan Prime Minister's Office soon moved to clarify on Twitter (quoting Sharif's previous records) that any such talks can take place only under United Nations resolutions on the Kashmir dispute and that too after a reversal of the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution that conferred a special self-governance status for Jammu and Kashmir.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indians-view-us-as-second-significant-security-threat-ahead-of-pakistan-shows-survey-553608">Indians view US as second significant security threat ahead of Pakistan, shows survey</a></strong></p>

<p>As the French say: The more it changes, the more it remains the same.</p>

<p>Or better still, let me quote 19th Century Urdu poet Daagh Dehlvi (whose surname comes from his birthplace Delhi). Daagh's famous <strong><a href="https://www.shairiforu.xyz/2021/12/khoob-parda-hai-ki-chilman-se-dagh-dehlvi-ghazal.html"> </a></strong>love couplets&nbsp;on the strange ways of a relationship were popularised by Farida Khanum, who is appropriately enough a consummate Pakistani singer of ghazals.</p>

<p>Khoob parda hai ki chilman se lage baithe hain</p>

<p>Saaf chhupte bhi nahin saamne aate bhi nahin</p>

<p><strong>Translation:</strong></p>

<p>What coyness this is, to abide, by a curtain beside her face</p>

<p>Which neither she clearly hides nor openly displays.</p>

<p>This diplomatic purdah in which Shehbaz seems to display love only to backtrack into what digital age kids might call "ghosting" is typical of Pakistani diplomacy.</p>

<p>But seriously, India is in a who-cares mood on this, and the backtracking or rebalancing or whatever you might want to call the Pakistani PM's blow-hot-blow-cold act comes amid unprecedented confusion on where Islamabad's centre of power might be heading and this is even more strongly reinforced by failed previous attempts at peace.</p>

<p>For the record, India and Pakistan signed the Shimla Treaty in 1972 after Pakistan's humiliating defeat in 1971 in the Bangladesh war and at the core of the pact was the insistence that problems will be resolved through bilateral negotiations. Any condition linked to the UN resolutions that go back to the Independence times flies in the face of such bilateralism. And it doesn't help that the man who represented Pakistan at Shimla, then Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was overthrown in 1978 by General Zia-ul-Haq who ushered in what is referred to as a policy to "bleed India through a thousand cuts" (a philosophy that was seen in the subsequent Pakistan-backed militant attacks in Kashmir and elsewhere in India).</p>

<p>Similarly, months after then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee rode a bus to Lahore in February 1999 with a truckload of cultural ambassadors in what seemed like a major peace initiative, Pakistan's generals led an incursion in Kashmir's Kargil region that resulted in a war-like conflict that eventually led to Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz's brother, being overthrown as elected prime minister by General Pervez Musharraf who went on to rule Pakistan as president for several years.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH | Imran Khan: Pak President Arif Alvi to ask PM Shehbaz Sharif to obtain vote of confidence</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/imran-khan-pak-president-arif-alvi-to-ask-pm-shehbaz-sharif-to-obtain-vote-of-confidence-553215/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>So, one might be justified in asking Shehbaz Sharif if his words carry any weight at all in a country where the generals call the shots anyway. His prime opposition leader, ousted PM Imran Khan, is shouting for the world to hear that he was cleaned out by the army to make way for Sharif's fractious coalition. The former cricketer-turned-deposed-PM's popular street protests and the army's historic role make one serioulsy doubt Sharif's credibility and relevance as a long-term representative of Pakistan's political will.</p>

<p>It doesn't help that Pakistan's economy is in a deep crisis to the point where it has foreign exchange reserves of just about $10 billion -- not enough to cover even a month's imports.</p>

<p>In fact, given the vagueness of Sharif's remarks and the manner he did it -- in an interview to Al Arabiya TV -- my inference would be that talking about talks in the Arab media was only a way to impress inquisitive foreign donors. Pakistan is said to be approaching friendly countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, for additional foreign exchange deposits to tide over its financial crisis until it seals a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that is not about to hand over things on a platter anyway.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/islamabad-responds-to-allegations-of-indian-woman-accusing-pakistan-high-commission-staffer-of-misconduct-552089">Islamabad responds to allegations of Indian woman accusing Pakistan High Commission staffer of misconduct</a></strong></p>

<p>So we are not even back to Square One. Reading the tea leaves is hardly the way for us to look at Pakistan's diplomacy when what it needs is a quantum jump.</p>

<p>Al Arabiya TV is not the middleman or interlocutor for Shehbaz Sharif to seek talks. If he has to seriously display the sincerity he talks of, he might as well write an open letter to his counterpart Narendra Modi in India. But seriously, if real power is any indication, Modi's counterpart would be General Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan's army chief, not the stand-in brother of a disgraced former prime minister leading a hotchpotch coalition steeped in an economic crisis.</p>

<p>One can only cite Urdu's oft-quoted poet Mirza Ghalib in response to Sharif's laboured efforts.</p>

<p>Hamko ma’aloom hai jannat ki haqeeqat lekin, dil ke khush rakhne ko, ‘Ghalib’ yeh khayaal achcha hai</p>

<p>(We all know the reality of this place called Heaven. Yet, to keep the heart feeling happy and content, the idea of Heaven is a beautiful one).</p>

<p>Heaven can wait. So can talks that talk of heaven.</p>

<p><i><strong>(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) &nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></i></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


Thanks to centuries of cultural relations between what is now Pakistan and what remains India, there is almost always a poetic reference point to discuss the frosty diplomatic relations between the two countries divided by the bloody Partition of British-ruled India in 1947.

Thanks to centuries of cultural relations between what is now Pakistan and what remains India, there is almost always a poetic reference point to discuss the frosty diplomatic relations between the two countries divided by the bloody Partition of British-ruled India in 1947. One shair, or Urdu couplet, is appropriate to discuss the strange, contradictory behaviour of Pakistan Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif who has called for "serious" bilateral talks with "sincerity of purpose" in what appeared to be a candid interview with Saudi Arabian-owned, Dubai-based Al Arabiya TV. On the one hand, he spoke of his country having "learned lessons" on the futility of the wars it has fought with India and how they had only brought only "misery, poverty and unemployment" to Pakistan, setting the stage for what briefly appeared as a gesture of modesty that might lead to peaceful subcontinental reconciliation in the backdrop of a deep economic crisis in Pakistan. On the other hand, the Pakistan Prime Minister's Office soon moved to clarify on Twitter (quoting Sharif's previous records) that any such talks can take place only under United Nations resolutions on the Kashmir dispute and that too after a reversal of the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution that conferred a special self-governance status for Jammu and Kashmir. ALSO READ | Indians view US as second significant security threat ahead of Pakistan, shows survey As the French say: The more it changes, the more it remains the same. Or better still, let me quote 19th Century Urdu poet Daagh Dehlvi (whose surname comes from his birthplace Delhi). Daagh's famous love couplets on the strange ways of a relationship were popularised by Farida Khanum, who is appropriately enough a consummate Pakistani singer of ghazals. Khoob parda hai ki chilman se lage baithe hain Saaf chhupte bhi nahin saamne aate bhi nahin Translation: What coyness this is, to abide, by a curtain beside her face Which neither she clearly hides nor openly displays. This diplomatic purdah in which Shehbaz seems to display love only to backtrack into what digital age kids might call "ghosting" is typical of Pakistani diplomacy. But seriously, India is in a who-cares mood on this, and the backtracking or rebalancing or whatever you might want to call the Pakistani PM's blow-hot-blow-cold act comes amid unprecedented confusion on where Islamabad's centre of power might be heading and this is even more strongly reinforced by failed previous attempts at peace. For the record, India and Pakistan signed the Shimla Treaty in 1972 after Pakistan's humiliating defeat in 1971 in the Bangladesh war and at the core of the pact was the insistence that problems will be resolved through bilateral negotiations. Any condition linked to the UN resolutions that go back to the Independence times flies in the face of such bilateralism. And it doesn't help that the man who represented Pakistan at Shimla, then Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was overthrown in 1978 by General Zia-ul-Haq who ushered in what is referred to as a policy to "bleed India through a thousand cuts" (a philosophy that was seen in the subsequent Pakistan-backed militant attacks in Kashmir and elsewhere in India). Similarly, months after then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee rode a bus to Lahore in February 1999 with a truckload of cultural ambassadors in what seemed like a major peace initiative, Pakistan's generals led an incursion in Kashmir's Kargil region that resulted in a war-like conflict that eventually led to Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz's brother, being overthrown as elected prime minister by General Pervez Musharraf who went on to rule Pakistan as president for several years. ALSO WATCH | Imran Khan: Pak President Arif Alvi to ask PM Shehbaz Sharif to obtain vote of confidence × So, one might be justified in asking Shehbaz Sharif if his words carry any weight at all in a country where the generals call the shots anyway. His prime opposition leader, ousted PM Imran Khan, is shouting for the world to hear that he was cleaned out by the army to make way for Sharif's fractious coalition. The former cricketer-turned-deposed-PM's popular street protests and the army's historic role make one serioulsy doubt Sharif's credibility and relevance as a long-term representative of Pakistan's political will. It doesn't help that Pakistan's economy is in a deep crisis to the point where it has foreign exchange reserves of just about $10 billion -- not enough to cover even a month's imports. In fact, given the vagueness of Sharif's remarks and the manner he did it -- in an interview to Al Arabiya TV -- my inference would be that talking about talks in the Arab media was only a way to impress inquisitive foreign donors. Pakistan is said to be approaching friendly countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, for additional foreign exchange deposits to tide over its financial crisis until it seals a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that is not about to hand over things on a platter anyway. ALSO READ | Islamabad responds to allegations of Indian woman accusing Pakistan High Commission staffer of misconduct So we are not even back to Square One. Reading the tea leaves is hardly the way for us to look at Pakistan's diplomacy when what it needs is a quantum jump. Al Arabiya TV is not the middleman or interlocutor for Shehbaz Sharif to seek talks. If he has to seriously display the sincerity he talks of, he might as well write an open letter to his counterpart Narendra Modi in India. But seriously, if real power is any indication, Modi's counterpart would be General Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan's army chief, not the stand-in brother of a disgraced former prime minister leading a hotchpotch coalition steeped in an economic crisis. One can only cite Urdu's oft-quoted poet Mirza Ghalib in response to Sharif's laboured efforts. Hamko ma’aloom hai jannat ki haqeeqat lekin, dil ke khush rakhne ko, ‘Ghalib’ yeh khayaal achcha hai (We all know the reality of this place called Heaven. Yet, to keep the heart feeling happy and content, the idea of Heaven is a beautiful one). Heaven can wait. So can talks that talk of heaven. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan's talking of talks with India is a case of vagueness wrapped in contradictions inside a crisis

The speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly has accepted the resignation of the 34 lawmakers of Pakistan. This comes just days after the party Chief Imran Khan had hinted that the lawmakers could actually go back to the National Assembly.

Pakistan Political Crisis: Tensions simmer in Islamabad after resignation of 34 PTI MNAs accepted

Pak Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan wants to live in peace with India and called for serious and sincere talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on burning issues like Kashmir.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif wants to resolve 'burning issues like Kashmir'

According to reports, Pakistan is said to be facing an economic collapse, similar to what has happened with Sri Lanka. The country's rupee has fallen more sharply than expected. Watch to know more.

WION Dispatch: Pakistan's Rupee falling faster than expected, economy on the brink of collapse

According to reports, Pakistan is said to be facing an economic collapse, similar to what has happened with Sri Lanka. The country's rupee has fallen more sharply than expected.

Pakistan's rupee falling faster than expected, more pain ahead

A US lawmaker has introduced a legislation in the US House of Representatives that seeks to terminate Pakistan's designation as a major non-NATO ally. Watch this report to know further.

US lawmaker moves bill to strip Pakistan of major non-NATO ally status

Pakistan Election Commission de-notifies 34 PTI MNAs who resigned en masse in April 2022

Pak PM Shehbaz recently made a peace offer to India saying Pakistan had learnt its lesson from 3 wars with India. However, the Pak PMO has now withdrawn this statement. Did Pak PM buckle under pressure?

Gravitas: Pak PM offers peace to India, then retracts statement

<p>Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has come in support of their captain Babar Azam after he was falsely accused of 'sexting' with the girlfriend of another Pakistani cricketer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"As our media partner, you might have considered ignoring such unsubstantiated personal allegations which Babar Azam has not deemed worthy of a response," tweeted PCB while quote tweeting Foxsports which published an article on the controversy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The false allegations were first posted by a parody Twitter account named Dr Nimo Yadav which, incidentally had a Twitter blue&nbsp;verified account.</p>

<p>“Babar Azam sexting with GF of another Pakistan cricketer and promising her that her bf won’t be out of the team if she keeps sexting with him is just," read the now-deleted tweet.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/babar-azam-should-let-go-of-t20i-captaincy-to-focus-on-batting-feels-shahid-afridi-535259"><strong>Read more:&nbsp;Babar Azam should let go of T20I captaincy to focus on batting, feels Shahid Afridi</strong></a></p>

<p>Soon, media outlets picked the tweet thread without doing any due diligence and the allegations went viral.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the controversy snowballed, the parody account deleted its Babar Azam related tweets&nbsp;and requested Fox Sports to delete the article as well.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Delete this tweet, “bf in team for sexting” story is false, I did this in a satirical way."&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delete this tweet, “bf in team for sexting” story is false, I did this in a satirical way.</p>
— Dr Nimo Yadav (@niiravmodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/niiravmodi/status/1615192642597564419?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>After PCB's rebuttal, the parody account said, "If you want to sue Fox News, reach me out in DMs. I am ready to become a witness in this case for my fellow lovely Pakistani people."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/babar-azam-is-being-forced-to-become-weak-which-is-not-good-feels-former-captain-misbah-ul-haq-551608"><strong>Read more:&nbsp;Babar Azam is being forced to become weak, which is not good, feels former captain Misbah-ul-Haq</strong></a></p>

<p>This is not the first time that the Pakistani skipper has found himself in such a controversy. in 2020, a woman alleged that Azm had promised to marry him and got her pregnant.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, as the controversy died down, the woman quietly dropped the charges.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has come in support of their captain Babar Azam after he was falsely accused of 'sexting' with the girlfriend of another Pakistani cricketer.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has come in support of their captain Babar Azam after he was falsely accused of 'sexting' with the girlfriend of another Pakistani cricketer. "As our media partner, you might have considered ignoring such unsubstantiated personal allegations which Babar Azam has not deemed worthy of a response," tweeted PCB while quote tweeting Foxsports which published an article on the controversy. The false allegations were first posted by a parody Twitter account named Dr Nimo Yadav which, incidentally had a Twitter blue verified account. “Babar Azam sexting with GF of another Pakistan cricketer and promising her that her bf won’t be out of the team if she keeps sexting with him is just," read the now-deleted tweet. Read more: Babar Azam should let go of T20I captaincy to focus on batting, feels Shahid Afridi Soon, media outlets picked the tweet thread without doing any due diligence and the allegations went viral. After the controversy snowballed, the parody account deleted its Babar Azam related tweets and requested Fox Sports to delete the article as well. "Delete this tweet, “bf in team for sexting” story is false, I did this in a satirical way." Delete this tweet, “bf in team for sexting” story is false, I did this in a satirical way. — Dr Nimo Yadav (@niiravmodi) January 17, 2023 × After PCB's rebuttal, the parody account said, "If you want to sue Fox News, reach me out in DMs. I am ready to become a witness in this case for my fellow lovely Pakistani people." Read more: Babar Azam is being forced to become weak, which is not good, feels former captain Misbah-ul-Haq This is not the first time that the Pakistani skipper has found himself in such a controversy. in 2020, a woman alleged that Azm had promised to marry him and got her pregnant. However, as the controversy died down, the woman quietly dropped the charges. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

PCB comes in defence of Babar Azam after bizarre sexting allegations

United Nations Security Council has listed Pakistan-based terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki as a global terrorist. The listing comes after China last year put down India's bid to name the Laskar-e-Taiba leader a global terrorist. Watch to know more.

Pak's Abdul Rehman Makki named as Global Terrorist

pakistan-0

Pakistan, News on Pakistan, stories on Pakistan, articles on Pakistan, Pakistan stories at Wion, Pakistan news, Pakistan latest news

pakistan 0