Author: EchoAsiaNews

Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of Pakistan, held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on global and regional security issues during a meeting in Munich, Germany, on February 14, 2026. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, where world leaders, defence officials and policymakers gathered to deliberate on pressing international security challenges. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the discussions focused on evolving security dynamics and counterterrorism cooperation between Pakistan and the United States. Field Marshal Munir was…

An Indian national has pleaded guilty in a United States federal court to participating in a 2023 plot to assassinate a prominent Sikh separatist leader in New York City, federal prosecutors said on Friday. The defendant, 54-year-old Nikhil Gupta, admitted in the Southern District of New York to several charges including murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and money laundering. Prosecutors said Gupta conspired to hire a hitman to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an American Sikh activist and lawyer who leads the U.S. branch of the Sikhs for Justice group and advocates for an independent Sikh state known as Khalistan. According…

The federal government of Pakistan on Saturday announced a Rs38 billion relief package ahead of Ramadan, aimed at providing essential support to around 12 million deserving families across the country, officials said. The package, approved by the federal cabinet, is designed to lower the cost of essential goods during the holy month and help ease inflationary pressures on low-income households, particularly those affected by rising prices of food and basic commodities. According to the Finance Ministry, the Ramadan package includes targeted subsidies and cash-assistance measures to ensure that beneficiaries have access to staple items such as flour, sugar, ghee, pulses…

The government of Pakistan has said that eye specialists will conduct further medical check-ups and treatment for jailed former prime minister Imran Khan at a specialised medical facility, amid rising concerns over his deteriorating vision. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on social media platform X that detailed medical examinations by expert ophthalmologists will take place and a full report will be submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He urged the public and political groups to avoid conjecture and political rhetoric around the matter. The announcement comes as opposition lawmakers from the alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aiyeen Pakistan (TTAP) continued a sit-in…

World leaders from across Europe, North America, Asia and beyond met in Munich, Germany, on Saturday for the second day of the 62nd Munich Security Conference, one of the year’s most significant global security forums. The three-day event brings together senior statesmen, defence ministers and policy experts to address urgent geopolitical challenges including the war in Ukraine, transatlantic relations, Middle East tensions and the future of global security cooperation. The conference, held at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, has drawn more than 60 heads of state and government, 50 senior officials from international organisations, and representatives from over 115 countries. On…

China’s foreign minister Wang Yi, the country’s top diplomat, on Saturday warned against what he described as “knee-jerk” calls to sever economic and supply-chain ties between China and the United States, urging a more “positive and pragmatic” approach to bilateral relations. Speaking at the 2026 Munich Security Conference in Germany, Wang said cooperation, rather than abrupt disengagement, would produce the best outcome for both nations and the wider global economy. He acknowledged recent encouraging signals from the White House but said some voices in the U.S. were undermining efforts to stabilise the relationship. Wang met U.S. Secretary of State Marco…

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 captain Salman Ali Agha said on Saturday that he expects Sunday’s highly anticipated match against arch-rivals India to be played in the “right spirit,” but he remained uncertain about whether the customary pre-match and post-match handshakes will take place. Addressing reporters in Colombo, Agha acknowledged the political tensions surrounding the clash and the added pressure of captaining in one of cricket’s most watched fixtures. The two sides have not played each other since the tense Asia Cup 2025 final, where India refused handshakes before and after matches, drawing criticism from players and fans alike. “I…

The government is expected to increase petrol and diesel prices for the upcoming fortnight, sources in the Finance Division have told Geo News, indicating another round of fuel price adjustments as part of ongoing economic measures. According to the officials, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has submitted its recommendations for revised ex-depot prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) after a review of global oil market trends and currency exchange fluctuations. The Finance Division is reviewing these recommendations ahead of a final decision. If approved, the price of petrol and diesel will be raised for the period of…

The Taliban government in Afghanistan has reacted strongly to the United Nations Security Council’s decision to extend the mandate of the team monitoring sanctions imposed on the Taliban for another 12 months. The UN Security Council approved a resolution renewing the mandate of the sanctions monitoring team, which oversees the implementation of restrictions related to the Taliban and associated individuals and entities. In response, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid described the decision as “unjust” and said it amounted to “repeating failed experiences of the past” that had produced no meaningful results. Mujahid maintained that Afghanistan is now experiencing security and stability,…

Senior U.S. military officials are reportedly preparing for the possibility of extended military operations against Iran, with plans that could last for several weeks if a decision is made to use force, according to two U.S. government sources cited by Reuters. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the preparations are underway amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. The move comes as President Donald Trump keeps all strategic options on the table regarding Iran. When asked about preparations for such a military campaign, White House spokesperson Ana Kelly declined to confirm specifics but emphasized that “President Trump has…