Pakistan Financial News

The Pakistan batting crumbled against the New Zealand pace attack and the tourists were all out for 91 in 18.4 overs, its fifth-lowest total in T20 internationals. New Zealand easily ran down that total, reaching 92-1 from 10.1 overs with Tim Seifert making 44 from 29 balls and Finn Allen 29 from 17. Tim Robinson was 18 not out and took two runs from the first ball of the 11th over to complete the win. «It was obviously difficult and we weren't up to the mark,» Ali Agha said. «They bowled really well. They were bowling in the right areas and there was swing and seam for them as well. »But out batting wasn't up to the mark. We have won day before the next game and we will try to gather ourselves and be better in the next game."

Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008, when top Pakistani cricketers like Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Salman Butt, and Kamran Akmal played in the tournament. The prospect of more such moments, where Indian and Pakistani cricketers played as teammates rather than opponents, came to an abrupt end after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The attacks, carried out by a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation, shook India to its core and brought the two nations to the brink of war.

Baloch Liberation Army's hijacking of the Jaffar Express could intensify the growing mistrust between China's policy circles and Pakistan's security apparatus, as Beijing remains increasingly concerned over its vast investments in Balochistan. Chinese officials continue to voice concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the region, despite Pakistan's deployment of the Special Security Division (SSD) — a 15,000-strong force dedicated to protecting Chinese personnel involved in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). However, there are deepening doubts within China about Pakistan's ability to ensure security in the volatile province. In 2017, China proposed establishing joint security ventures with private security firms to protect Chinese nationals in Pakistan.

blockchain technology and digital assets into the country's financial system. The development comes following the recent appointment of Bilal bin Saqib as Chief Advisor to the Finance Minister for the management of digital assets. The Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) would regulate, promote, and incorporate blockchain and cryptocurrency innovations into Pakistan's economic framework. A statement from the Finance Division on Friday described the council's formation as a significant step in the country's efforts to adopt digital finance, positioning it as a key player in the global shift towards blockchain technology.

India has slammed Pakistan for its «unjustified» reference to Jammu and Kashmir in the UN General Assembly, with New Delhi asserting that such remarks will neither validate the country's claim nor justify its practice of cross-border terrorism. «As is their habit, the former foreign secretary of Pakistan today has made an unjustified reference to the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,» India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador P Harish, said in remarks on Friday in the General Assembly at the informal meeting of the plenary to commemorate the International Day to combat Islamophobia.

AIMIM chief Assadudin Owaisi on Friday criticized calls for Muslims to stay indoors or cover themselves during Holi, asserting the community's strength by saying, «We will not run, we are not cowards.» «Some say if you're so scared, you should not offer namaz and stay indoors. They say just like we have covered our mosques, we must cover ourselves also, or else stay indoors,» Owaisi said while addressing a gathering at Chowk-e-Masjid in Telangana's Hyderabad. His remarks were in response to statements by some officials advising Muslims to remain indoors if they did not want to be colored during Holi. In Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhary had on March 6 suggested that those uncomfortable with colours should stay inside, a comment later backed by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Several mosques in Uttar Pradesh were covered with tarpaulin on orders from the local administration to prevent any untoward incidents during Holi celebrations. «Those who migrated to Pakistan were cowards. We will not run, we are not cowards. A Chief Minister said Jumma namaz can be offered at home as well… Who is he to tell us what we can and cannot do?» Owaisi added.

Balochistan Liberation Army militants, who ambushed a train in Balochistan, were army and paramilitary soldiers. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, during a press conference with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, said 26 hostages were killed by the terrorists before the start of the army operation. «The 26 hostages include 18 army and paramilitary soldiers, three other government officials and five civilians,» he said. He also said that five paramilitary soldiers of Frontier Corps were killed during the operation, including four Frontier Corps personnel killed by terrorists when they attacked the train. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) terrorists ambushed the Jaffar Express carrying over 400 passengers on Tuesday in Bolan area of Balochistan and held the passengers hostage, prompting the security forces to initiate an operation that lasted until the next day evening. Security forces stormed the hijacked train on Wednesday, bringing a dramatic end to a 30-hour siege, killing all 33 terrorists, while successfully rescuing more than 300 passengers.

Saina Nehwal and PR Sreejesh, have written a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidential candidates, urging them to make climate action their top priority. As IOC members gather in Costa Navarino, Greece, to vote on the seven candidates next week (March 18-21), the Olympians called for stronger commitments from the IOC to cut carbon emissions, promote sustainability in host cities, set clear guidelines on polluting sponsors and use its platform to advocate for climate action. Climate impacts are «no longer a distant threat, but a current and growing harm to the sports we love and to the countries that make up our Olympic family», the letter said. The signatories include 57 Olympic champions and over 100 Olympic flag bearers. They represent some of the world's most climate-vulnerable nations, including Argentina, Aruba, the Bahamas, Cabo Verde, Colombia, Cook Islands, Eswatini, Fiji, Ghana, India, Kenya, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Sierra Leone and Zambia. Recognizing that extreme weather events are already disrupting the Summer and Winter Olympics and affecting athlete performance and safety, the letter urges decisive action to ensure the games remain accessible and safe for future generations. Earlier this year, massive wildfires burned large areas of Los Angeles, the host city of the 2028 Olympic Games. The fires killed about 30 people, destroyed thousands of buildings, and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight landed at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport with a missing rear wheel, an airline official confirmed on Friday. Fortunately, no accidents or incidents were reported following the Thursday morning landing. The domestic flight, PK-306, had departed from Karachi for Lahore when it was discovered upon landing that one of its rear wheels was missing. A PIA official told PTI that an investigation has been initiated to determine whether the aircraft took off from Karachi with the missing wheel or if it detached during takeoff. Some wheel fragments were later found at Karachi airport, suggesting possible damage before departure. “It appears that one of the rear wheels was in poor condition when the aircraft took off,” the official noted. Despite the missing wheel, a PIA spokesperson reassured that PK-306 made a “smooth and uneventful landing” as scheduled, with passengers disembarking normally.

The Hundred draft. Big names like Imad Wasim, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali and Naseem Shah, who was the highest priced, all found no bidders. Among women Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Yusra Amir, Iram Javed, and Jaweria Rauf did not find any takers. Meanwhile, Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad and New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell got the best deal. Ahmad joined Manchester Originals, while Bracewell was picked by Southern Brave. Former Australia cricketer David Warner was picked by London Spirit.

The recent surge in terrorist attacks in Jammu region has been attributed to the involvement of active foreign militants, with Union home minister Amit Shah recently directing security agencies to step up the fight against terrorism by aiming for «zero infiltration». On January 30, while attempting to infiltrate from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), two militants said to be associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba were killed in a gunfight with the Army along the Line of Control in Poonch district of J&K. The presence of foreign militants, despite the army and Border Security Force (BSF) claiming «zero infiltration», has been a cause of concern among the security agencies. These militants have been carrying out attacks on security forces in the Jammu region with logistical support from overground workers, said officials.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group operating along the Afghan-Pakistani border, allegedly carried out a suicide attack on the Jandola military camp in the Tank District of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to several media reports. Pakistani news outlet Geo News reported that the Pakistan army killed eight to nine militants following the suicide attack near the Frontier Corps (FC) camp in South Waziristan district. Police officials told the media that a loud explosion was heard in Jandola, followed by heavy gunfire. Militants attempted to attack the Jandola checkpost but were stopped by Pakistan security forces. A suicide bomber, however, exploded a vehicle near the FC camp, Geo News quoted security sources as saying. The attack comes days after the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant group, on March 11, hijacked the Jaffar Express, a train en route from Quetta to Peshawar, in the strategic Bolan Valley. The train, which was carrying over 450 passengers, including 200 security personnel, became the center of a high-stakes standoff between the BLA and Pakistani security forces. Pakistani forces reported on Wednesday that they had eliminated all 50 attackers. According to military statements, the assailants killed 21 passengers, while the remaining passengers were safely rescued.

Jaffar Express hijack has taken a dire turn, with authorities dispatching over 200 coffins to Quetta railway station, indicating expectations of heavy casualties. Human rights activist Amjad Ayub Mirza believes the Pakistarmy has decided not to negotiate, putting the lives of military personnel at risk. Mirza said in a statement, «More than 200 wooden coffins have been brought at the Quetta Railway Station. This means that the Pakistani army has decided not to do negotiations, thus has decided to get its military personnel killed.» He added that the bodies of 30-40 military personnel had already been brought to Quetta, and an emergency had been declared in nearby hospitals. A tense standoff is unfolding in Pakistan, where the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has hijacked the Jaffar Express train, holding over 200 hostages, mostly Pakistani security personnel.

Pakistan security forces on Wednesday claimed to have rescued at least 155 passengers and killed 27 Baloch rebels as the rescue operation continues into the second day after terrorists hijacked the Jaffer Express train near Balochistan’s Bolan district. Pakistan Railway officials said that around 750 passengers had booked to travel by the Jaffar Express, but the train left Quetta with around 450 people onboard. Sources said that over 200 security personnel were also travelling on the same train. Balochistan is experiencing its worst phase of insurgency of all the four phases it has witnessed since 1948, a security expert told ET. This phase could be the defining moment in Balochistan’s history and its fight with Punjabi-dominated Pakistan governance structure. The daring nature of the hijack reflects a major Intelligence failure of the ISI and Pakistan Army, a source pointed out. Chinese reaction to the incident will be keenly watched. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has threatened to execute ten Pakistani hostages following drone strikes and artillery shelling by Pakistani forces amid the ongoing hostage crisis in Balochistan’s Bolan district.

trade with Pakistan means expanding their export base and extending economic influence in the region. For Pakistan, reopening structured trade with India could be a lifeline. Institutional frameworks built during the Indo-Pak trade discussions of 2011-12 still exist. Rather than settling for a hesitant revival of pre-2019 trade, both nations have the chance to build a structured, high-impact trade corridor that turns decades of rivalry into economic interdependence, stretching beyond Afghanistan to CIS countries. Despite ad-hoc bans and restrictions, trade has not vanished. But it has been driven underground, morphing into an informal, fragmented and inefficient shadow of its true potential. In 2023-24, India officially imported only $3 mn worth of goods from Pakistan, while its exports to Pakistan reached $1.2 bn.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand on Sunday, India's stalwart batter Virat Kohli shared his thoughts on the title win and said that he is happy as the team was able to play as a unit. In the final, it was Rohit Sharma who led the way. In the semi-final, it was Virat Kohli with the bat and Mohammed Shami with the ball, among others. India won five straight games to claim the Champions Trophy 2025, and in each of those contests, a handful of their star players shone brightly. Those contributions led to another title-yielding run in a major ICC event.

National Center for Seismology (NCS) said. As per the NCS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10km, making it susceptible to aftershocks. In a post on X, the NCS said, «EQ of M: 4.0, On: 10/03/2025 07:01:10 IST, Lat: 36.97 N, Long: 73.14 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Hindu Kush Region, Afghanistan.» Shallow earthquakes like this one are more dangerous than deeper ones due to their greater energy release closer to the Earth's surface, causing stronger ground shaking and increased damage to structures and casualties, compared to deeper earthquakes, which lose energy as they travel to the surface.

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma hugging each other at the Dubai stadium. India won another global cricket tournament with a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final on Sunday. Rohit Sharma led the chase with 76 off 83 balls and Lokesh Rahul’s unbeaten 34 helped India cross the finish line on 254-6 in 49 overs to win the Champions Trophy for the third time.

Shoaib Akhtar called India as the best team of the Champions Trophy, saying the Men in India deserve to lift the trophy. «The best team of the tournament has won the Champions Trophy. That too without dropping a single match!!» said the Pakistani bowler in a post on his social media platforms. India won another global cricket tournament with a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final on Sunday.

Rohit Sharma and his men overcame a fierce challenge from New Zealand on Sunday to clinch their third Champions Trophy title in style. Both India and New Zealand have tasted success in this tournament before. India's last triumph came in 2013, while they finished as runners-up to Pakistan in 2017. The Men in Blue also shared the title with Sri Lanka in 2002 after a rain-marred two-day final. New Zealand, on the other hand, won the Champions Trophy in 2000—then known as the ICC Knockout Trophy—defeating India in the final at Nairobi, Kenya. To this day, it remains the Black Caps’ only ICC limited-overs title.