Author: EchoAsiaNews

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially confirmed that Islamabad has received an invitation to take part in upcoming diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran focused on de-escalating long-standing regional tensions. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told reporters that Pakistan was invited to join the discussions, which are expected to be held in Istanbul, Türkiye, later this week. The meeting, reportedly scheduled for this Friday, will involve top officials from both Washington and Tehran, as well as several regional partners. According to regional diplomatic sources cited by Reuters, the principal goal of the talks is to avoid further…

The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a government funding package aimed at ending a partial federal government shutdown that began over the weekend. The measure passed by a narrow 217-214 vote and was sent to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature, effectively reopening most federal operations that had been stalled due to the funding lapse. The legislation, totaling approximately $1.2 trillion, funds most federal agencies, including the Defense, Education, Treasury, Labor and State departments, through the end of the current fiscal year on September 30, 2026. However, funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was extended…

Pakistan’s decision to boycott its scheduled February 15 match against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 continues to generate controversy across the cricketing world. The move has intensified debate among fans, former players, and officials, as political tensions once again intersect with international sport. Critics argue that the boycott could damage Pakistan’s reputation in global cricket and affect its relations with the International Cricket Council (ICC), which is currently reviewing the situation. According to officials, Pakistan’s stance reflects broader diplomatic concerns, while the Pakistan Cricket Board has maintained that player safety and national interests remain its priority.…

Pakistan and Libya have agreed to deepen defence cooperation and military collaboration following high-level meetings between senior military leadership from both countries in Islamabad on Monday. The discussions focused on expanding professional military ties, enhancing security cooperation, and addressing shared regional security concerns. The visit by Libya’s armed forces commander-in-chief, Field Marshal Khalifa Abu-al-Qasim Haftar, along with senior Libyan leaders, was received by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, at the General Headquarters (GHQ). The meeting emphasized sustained engagement between the two nations’ armed forces and explored avenues for joint training,…

Bitcoin’s price has continued to weaken in recent sessions, with the leading cryptocurrency trading near the $76,000 to $78,000 range. This marked one of the weakest levels for Bitcoin in nearly a year, as broad-based selling pressure gripped crypto markets and investors reassessed risk assets. During the sharp downturn, Bitcoin’s price briefly dipped toward $75,000 to $77,000, levels last seen in April 2025 before recovering slightly. Market data show that heavy liquidations of leveraged positions contributed to the recent slide, with over $2.5 billion in cryptocurrency liquidations recorded as traders were forced out of bullish bets. Analysts say weak liquidity…

Pakistan’s security forces have killed 177 militants linked to the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in a large-scale counter-terrorism operation in the southwestern province of Balochistan, officials said. The offensive, which took place over the past three days, followed a wave of coordinated attacks by militants that struck multiple districts and targeted police stations, government facilities, and security posts across the province. Authorities reported that militants carried out simultaneous assaults in cities including Quetta, Gwadar, Dalbandin, Nushki and Mastung, killing at least 31 civilians and 17 security personnel during the weekend violence. The BLA, designated a terrorist organisation by the…

The United States and India have agreed on a significant bilateral trade deal aimed at reducing long-standing tariff barriers and strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries. The agreement was announced on February 2, 2026, following discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under the terms of the deal, the United States will lower its tariffs on a wide range of Indian imports to 18 percent, down from previous rates that had reached as high as 50 percent due to reciprocal and punitive duties. This tariff reduction is contingent on India’s commitment to halt purchases…

Senior officials from the United States and Iran are expected to resume direct nuclear negotiations this Friday (February 6) in Istanbul, Türkiye, marking the first face-to-face engagement since diplomatic efforts stalled and tensions escalated following a regional conflict last year. U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are scheduled to meet to discuss a possible framework for a renewed nuclear agreement. The planned talks aim to revive diplomacy after months of strained relations and could involve representatives from regional countries seeking to mediate. Both sides have signaled openness to restarting discussions, although details…

ISLAMABAD/CAIRO — Pakistan and seven other Muslim-majority nations have issued a joint condemnation of repeated Israeli violations of the Gaza ceasefire, warning that continued breaches risk undermining peace efforts and regional stability. In a joint statement released Sunday, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates condemned what they described as repeated and sustained violations of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces. The ministers said the actions have resulted in widespread Palestinian casualties and pose a threat to efforts to consolidate calm and advance a lasting resolution. The…

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, has warned that any unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty by India could trigger serious humanitarian and security consequences for the region. Speaking at an Arria Formula meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Ahmad said the decades-old water-sharing agreement remains one of the most resilient international treaties and should not be undermined for political reasons. He cautioned that disrupting established water arrangements would directly affect millions of people downstream in Pakistan. India announced last year that it was keeping the treaty “in abeyance” amid rising tensions with…