Lawmakers are expressing skepticism over Pakistan’s expanding role in the Middle East, cautiously welcoming its involvement in U.S.-Iran negotiations while questioning its defense aspirations in the region and whether it can truly serve as an impartial intermediary — even as the Trump administration increasingly engages with the country.

Pakistan’s central bank raised its benchmark policy rate by a massive 100 basis points to 11.5 percent on Monday, marking the first hike in nearly three years, as the country struggles to counter inflationary risks stemming from rising global oil prices amid the West Asia conflict.

Pakistan is planning to launch a $250 million Panda bond in May as part of its shift toward commercial financing, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are heading to Islamabad for the next round of U.S.-Iran peace talks during Operation Epic Fury. Iran’s foreign minister has arrived in Pakistan but has not publicly confirmed plans to meet with U.

Mortar and rocket attacks launched by Pakistan against Afghanistan killed four people on Monday and wounded 70 ​more, the Taliban government said, as fighting between the countries erupted again and threatened ‌to derail fragile peace talks.

China’s Wasion Holdings Limited has secured smart metering contracts in Pakistan worth over RMB115 million, approximately $16.85 million, as the country