KARACHI: Pakistan has increased the prices of petroleum products by as high as Rs3 per liter, the country’s finance division said late Friday.
The government increased the price of petrol by Rs2.43 per liter to Rs265.45 and that of high-speed diesel by Rs3.02 to Rs278.44 per liter, according to a finance division notification.
The prices of superior kerosene oil and light diesel oil were maintained at Rs181.71 and Rs162.76 per liter respectively. The new prices have already taken effect.
“The government has revised the prices of the petroleum products following input from the Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and the relevant Ministries,” the finance division said in its notification.
Fuel prices in Pakistan are adjusted every two weeks and are influenced by global oil market trends, currency fluctuations and changes in domestic taxation. The mechanism ensures that the net impact of changes in import costs is passed on to consumers, helping sustain the country’s fuel supply chain.
Petrol is mostly used for private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws and two-wheelers, while diesel powers heavy vehicles used for transportation of good across the South Asian country.
Any increases have a direct impact on inflation, raising production and transportation costs and driving up the prices of essential goods and services, particularly food. The effect is further amplified by Pakistan’s reliance on imported fuel.
On Oct 16, the government had reduced the price of petrol by Rs5.66 per liter to Rs263.02 and that of high-speed diesel by Rs1.39 to Rs275.41 per liter, according to a finance division notification.
KARACHI: The 39-day World Culture Festival 2025 began on a vibrant note at the Arts Council of Pakistan in Karachi on Friday, marking the start of one of South Asia’s largest cultural gatherings that brings together artists from 141 countries under themes of peace — with a homage to Gaza — and environmental awareness.
The festival opened with colorful performances, film screenings and exhibitions aimed at promoting cross-cultural harmony. The event, which runs through December 7, features artists and troupes from countries including ֱ, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, France, Japan, Türkiye and Sri Lanka, alongside a strong lineup of Pakistani performers.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who inaugurated the event, praised the Arts Council for turning Karachi into “the cultural heart of the nation.”
“Karachi, unpredictable, vibrant and alive, has always embodied the soul of Pakistan,” he said. “Today, it welcomes the world.”
“What began last year as a bold experiment with artists from 44 countries has now grown into a festival representing 142 nations and over 1,000 artists,” he continued, highlighting this as proof of Pakistan’s commitment to building cultural bridges.
The performers sing during the World Culture Festival 2025 in Karachi, Pakistan, on October 31, 2025. (World Culture Festival 2025)
The chief minister described the event as a symbol of Pakistan’s openness to global artistic exchange.
The festival’s first theme, peace, focuses on global conflicts, particularly Gaza, which Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah called “the greatest tragedy of the 21st century.”
“We need a better and more civilized world. Artists around the globe have strongly condemned this genocide,” he said, adding the second theme focuses on the environment, with short films and performances emphasizing the global impact of climate change.
“Representatives from all over the world are participating to celebrate the beautiful fusion of cultures,” he continued.
The dancer performs during the World Culture Festival 2025 in Karachi, Pakistan, on October 31, 2025. (World Culture Festival 2025)
Shah said the festival aims to build bridges through art at a time when “the world needs more empathy than ever.”
“Artists around the globe have condemned war and violence,” he said. “This festival is our collective message that humanity can be united through art, music and culture.”
The opening night drew a distinguished audience, including the consul generals of Australia, France, Japan, the UAE and Türkiye, as well as officials from Sri Lanka, Russia and Bangladesh.
Live performances filled the venue with music, dance and visual art from around the world.
People gather outside Arts Council of Pakistan for World Culture Festival 2025 in Karachi, Pakistan, on October 31, 2025. (World Culture Festival 2025)
Pakistan’s Amin Gulgee staged a performance, while the Balochi folk dance Leva captivated audiences with its rhythmic energy.
International acts included Madan Gopal from Nepal, Lucy Tasker from Belgium, Ammar Ashkar from Syria, and Shireen Jawad from Bangladesh.
French musician Zakaria Haffar performed on the santoor, and Pakistani flutist Akbar Khamiso Khan added a traditional touch to the evening.
Dance groups such as Ballet Beyond Borders and Chrome Louie from the United States, along with artists from Italy, Romania and the Congo, performed contemporary and classical routines that celebrated global unity.
The dancers perform during the World Culture Festival 2025 in Karachi, Pakistan, on October 31, 2025. (World Culture Festival 2025)
A short film from South Korea titled Plastic and another from Kiribati, Love Note to an Island, were screened to highlight the environmental theme.
The chief minister commended the Sindh government’s partnership with the Arts Council and reaffirmed continued support for creative industries.
“In Sindh, culture is not just a policy, it’s our identity,” he said. “From Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s poetry to our theater and cinema, our artists are Pakistan’s true ambassadors of peace.”
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif met US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, state media reported Friday, urging action to address challenges arising from Afghan territory to ensure regional peace and stability.
The meeting came a day after Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to extend a ceasefire following deadly clashes earlier this month that left dozens of soldiers, civilians and militants dead.
Pakistan has frequently raised concerns about the militant presence in Afghanistan, saying they launch cross-border attacks targeting its civilians and security forces while asking the administration in Kabul not to allow Afghan soil to be used by armed groups.
“Both sides underscored the importance of a peaceful, stable and secure Afghanistan, emphasizing challenges emanating from its territory should be effectively addressed to safeguard regional peace and stability,” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said in its report on the meeting between the Pakistani minister and the US diplomat.
During the meeting, Asif and Baker discussed matters of mutual interest aimed at strengthening bilateral defense cooperation between the two countries.
“Pakistan’s constructive role and growing contribution as a responsible and forward-looking partner in the international community were appreciated,” APP added.
Both sides also expressed satisfaction over the “positive trajectory of bilateral relations,” highlighting the need to further expand cooperation.
Pakistan and the US have stepped up cooperation in various fields this year, including the signing of a trade deal earlier this year which was said to be a step toward broader economic collaboration.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir also met US President Donald Trump to discuss regional and international issues.
Babar becomes highest T20 run-scorer in Pakistan’s big win against South Africa
Saim Ayub smashes unbeaten 71 off 38 balls as Pakistan chase 111 in 13.1 overs
Babar Azam overtakes India’s Rohit Sharma to reach 4,234 runs in men’s Twenty20s
Updated 31 October 2025
AP
LAHORE: Babar Azam broke Rohit Sharma’s record for most runs in men’s Twenty20s as Pakistan hammered South Africa by nine wickets and leveled their series on Friday.
Saim Ayub returned to form with a belligerent unbeaten 71 off 38 balls as Pakistan raced to 112-1 in just 13.1 overs after bowling out South Africa for 110. Fast bowlers Salman Mirza and Faheem Ashraf shared seven wickets.
The third and deciding T20 is on Saturday.
Babar needed nine runs to pass Sharma’s record of 4,231 runs and finished 11 not out. He overtook the Indian batter’s record when he drove spinner Donovan Ferreira for a single to long-off.
Pakistan recalled Babar for his first T20s in almost a year after Fakhar Zaman was rested. Babar missed the chance in the first match to set the record when he was dismissed for a two-ball duck at Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
Babar has 4,234 runs in 130 T20s, including 36 half-centuries and three centuries. His strike rate of 129 has often been criticized. He missed the Asia Cup in which Pakistan was beaten by India.
Sharma played 159 T20s but quit international cricket’s shortest format after leading India to the T20 World Cup title last year.
Pakistan invited to Muslim states’ meeting in Turkiye on next steps for Gaza peace plan
Invited countries met US President Donald Trump in September before the plan was unveiled
Turkiye says it will discuss implementation of the plan, accuses Israel of trying to undermine it
Updated 31 October 2025
AFP
ISTANBUL: Turkiye will on Monday host a meeting of foreign ministers from Muslim countries to discuss a US peace plan for Gaza, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.
Fidan told reporters on Friday that the Istanbul meeting would “evaluate our progress and discuss what we can achieve together in the next stage.”
A ministry spokesman said ministers from Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, ֱ and the United Arab Emirates had all been invited.
The foreign ministers of all these countries met US President Donald Trump on September 23 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
“A glimmer of hope emerged, offering a glimmer of hope for everyone,” Fidan said during a joint news conference with his Estonian counterpart Margus Tsahkna.
There were a number of issues that needed to be addressed at the meeting, he said.
“What are the obstacles to its implementation? What are the challenges to be faced? What are the next steps? What will we be discussing with our Western friends? And what support is there for the ongoing talks with the United States?“
Fidan accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “looking for a pretext to violate the ceasefire [in Gaza] and relaunch the genocide under the eyes of the whole world.”
Turkiye sent an 81-strong distaster response team to Gaza a week ago to help with search and rescue operations.
But it is still waiting at the border for Israeli approval to enter the Palestinian territory, said Fidan.
The foreign ministry was still “working intensively” and its army was discussing the possibility of joining the international force to oversee the ceasefire, said Fidan.
But Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Monday it would not be reasonable for them to let Turkiye participate because of their “hostile approach” to Israel.
“So it is not reasonable for us to let their armed forces enter [the] Gaza Strip, and we will not agree to that, and we said it to our American friends,” said Saar.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan warned India on Friday against using a six-month sanctions waiver granted by the United States to operate Iran’s Chabahar Port — a key trade route to Afghanistan that bypasses Pakistan — to promote cross-border militancy in the restive, southwestern Balochistan province.
India signed a 10-year contract with Iran last year to develop and operate the port and this month stepped up its engagement with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan by reopening its embassy in Kabul, which was closed after the Afghan group seized power in 2021. The port on Iran’s southeastern Gulf of Oman coast was initially planned with a rail link to Afghanistan to help build the landlocked country’s economy through trade and reduce Kabul’s dependence on Pakistani ports.
The waiver was announced by Indian authorities after Washington said it was seeking to reach a broader trade deal with New Delhi following earlier tariff disputes under the administration of President Donald Trump.
Addressing his weekly news conference, foreign office spokesman Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan had taken note of the development.
“First of all, let me make one point clear. We welcome any decision that leads to the economic development and improvement of trade and business prospects in our brotherly country of Iran,” he said, adding that it was Washington’s sovereign decision to grant the waiver as the country that had originally imposed sanctions.
“We would warn India to not use or abuse this opening to promote terrorism, subversion, particularly the terrorism and subversion of Fitnah Al-Hindustan, into Pakistan through the adjacent borders,” he continued, referring to separatist groups such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). “India has promoted cross-border terrorism from this area into Pakistan in the past. It must desist in doing so in the future.”
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but poorest province, has long been plagued by an insurgency that has intensified in recent months, with separatist militants increasingly targeting security personnel, government officials, infrastructure, and non-local residents.
The province is strategically significant for its vast mineral wealth and as a transit hub for the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Islamabad accuses India of backing anti-Pakistan militant factions operating from the region, a charge New Delhi denies.
Andrabi said Pakistan had taken notice of an ongoing military exercise by Indian forces near the border, adding that Pakistan’s military was keeping a close watch.
“Any misadventure by India will be tackled with a quid pro quo-plus response,” he warned. “We have assured it before and we can assure it again.”
The two South Asian nuclear-armed neighbors fought a brief but intense war earlier this year in May, involving missile, drone, and artillery exchanges, before a ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump on May 10.
