Author: EchoAsiaNews

Players in the 11th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL 11) have vowed to maintain high standards on the field despite matches being played without spectators, Dawn reported on Wednesday. The tournament, set to begin on 26 March, has been billed as a “new era” for the league with eight teams participating for the first time under an expanded format. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that all fixtures will proceed behind closed doors at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and National Stadium in Karachi, instead of the originally planned six cities, as part of nationwide austerity and fuel‑conservation…

Washington reportedly sent a peace plan to Iran as US President Donald Trump expressed optimism on Tuesday over ending nearly a month of warfare, while Tehran announced it would allow “non-hostile” vessels safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the critical oil shipping route. The developments came amid continuing violence in the region. (Source: Dawn) Trump told reporters at the White House that the United States was “in negotiations right now” with Iran. He described a recent Iranian gesture related to the strait as a “very big present worth a tremendous amount of money,” signaling tentative progress in diplomacy. Iran,…

Pakistan, alongside the United Kingdom, Arab League members, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and several European countries, strongly condemned Israel’s plans to annex parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar, stated that any attempt to alter the demographic character or status of Palestinian territories violates international law and undermines efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace. In New York, the lead envoy for U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” initiative called on UN Security Council members to press Hamas to disarm without delay, as part of a…

The Government of Pakistan on Wednesday strongly condemned the sentencing of Kashmiri separatist leader Asiya Andrabi and two other women activists by an Indian court, describing the verdict as a “grave miscarriage of justice” and part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Indian‑administered Kashmir. In a statement, the Foreign Office said a Delhi court’s decision to award life imprisonment to Andrabi and 30‑year jail terms to her associates Fehmeeda Sofi and Nahida Nasreen under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) raised serious concerns about due process, judicial independence and fundamental rights. The court’s sentencing follows the trio’s January convictions…

Global oil prices plunged sharply on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a peace proposal to Iran, spurring optimism about a potential de‑escalation of the recent Middle East conflict and triggering broad gains in financial markets. Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell 5.92% to $98.30 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropped 5.01%, settling around $87.72 in early trading. The sharp decline came as investors reacted to reports that Trump sent a 15‑point peace plan to Tehran aimed at ending weeks of hostilities that have severely disrupted energy markets. Risk assets including U.S. stock futures climbed, with major…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for an immediate end to hostilities in the Middle East and a return to normalcy during a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as regional tensions continue to escalate. According to official statements, the premier expressed concern over the rapidly deteriorating security situation following recent military exchanges involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. He stressed the need for restraint and urged all parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy to prevent further escalation. Pakistan reaffirmed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia, with Sharif emphasizing Islamabad’s commitment to regional peace and stability.…

Global K-pop group BTS reunited in the United States for the first time in four years, staging an exclusive, small-scale performance for select fans in New York City. The event, hosted by Spotify, brought together all seven members, RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook, marking their first US appearance since their 2022 concerts in Las Vegas. Held at an invitation-only venue, the show was attended by approximately 1,000 top listeners, creating a rare intimate setting in contrast to the group’s usual stadium-scale performances. During the event, BTS performed tracks from their newly released album “Arirang”, including songs such…

The Punjab government is considering extending school holidays and introducing early market closures as part of a broader strategy to manage a worsening energy crisis, officials said on Tuesday. According to sources, the Punjab Energy Department has submitted a set of recommendations aimed at reducing fuel consumption as Pakistan faces supply disruptions linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East. Among the key proposals is extending ongoing school holidays, currently scheduled to end on March 31, until April 15, along with shifting educational institutions to a hybrid learning model to cut energy usage. Authorities are also weighing fuel rationing measures,…

The Sindh provincial government has placed its disaster response apparatus on heightened alert ahead of an expected rain spell starting tomorrow, according to official directives and weather forecasts. At a high‑level meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, district administrations, local government bodies and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) were ordered to be fully mobilised and maintain field presence throughout the coming week. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has projected scattered showers in parts of Sindh from March 25 to March 29, with intermittent gaps. Officials have also warned of gusty winds and possible thunderstorms that could…

Renowned Pakistani singers Atif Aslam and Aima Baig are set to perform the official anthem for the 11th season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), organisers confirmed ahead of the tournament’s launch later this month. Aslam, one of Pakistan’s most widely recognised pop vocalists, will headline the anthem alongside Baig, who has previously co‑sung multiple PSL title songs. They will be joined by additional performers, including the Sabri Sisters, a female Sufi music duo, and rapper Daniya Kanwal, indicating a blend of musical styles in this year’s soundtrack. The PSL anthem traditionally serves as a musical kickoff to the country’s…