– Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Sunday, reiterated that the Federal Government was committed to addressing the challenges being faced by the people of Balochistan province, in achieving their legitimate aspirations for economic prosperity and development, within the confines of the Constitution of Pakistan.

Govt. committed to addressing Balochistan issues: DPM/FM DarThe deputy prime minister/foreign minister received President of the National Party Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, along with parliamentary members of his party, the DPM Office said in a press release.

Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah Khan and SAPM Tariq Bajwa also attended the meeting.

Govt. committed to addressing Balochistan issues: DPM/FM Dar

Dr. Baloch thanked the DPM /FM and said that the National Party was willing to work together with all for the betterment and welfare of the people of Balochistan, and highlighted that certain elements operating in the province had neither support nor legitimacy in the hearts of the people of Balochistan.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has arrived in Washington on a three-day official visit and is anticipated to hold talks with US authorities on trade, investment, finance and broader economic cooperation.

Pakistan and the United States will restart talks Monday to boost economic ties between the two countries. Aurangzeb is due to see officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the US Export-Import Bank, the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during his visit.

Talks will concentrate on a framework of a potential bilateral trade pact to boost trade and investment between the two countries. Tariffs, market access, investment opportunities and broader economic cooperation are scheduled to be discussed at talks.

The meetings with the US Export-Import Bank and DFC will also cover funding prospects for infrastructure, energy and private sector investment projects in Pakistan.

Aurangzeb’s visit comes as Washington and Islamabad resume talks over US tariffs on Pakistani exports. A visit to Washington by a Pakistani delegation earlier this month has resulted in the planned tariff rate being lowered from 29% to 19%.

The tariff structure has been altered by a US Supreme Court case that overturned duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The US administration then put in place a temporary 10% global duty under Section 122 of the Trade Act, which expires July 24.

Pakistan is also among roughly 60 nations being probed by USTR under Section 301 over suspected forced labour and associated trade violations. Ahead of the latest round of negotiations, Islamabad has filed detailed responses and a supplementary submission.

Besides the tariff problems, the two sides are also scheduled to discuss ways to boost bilateral commerce and attract more investment.

Earlier this year, Aurangzeb visited Washington for the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, where he discussed Pakistan’s economic reform agenda, macroeconomic stability and plans to return to international capital markets through Panda Bonds and Eurobonds with international financial institutions, investors and US officials.

Despite the most recent increase in the cost of fuel, the Petroleum Division has determined to keep the existing petroleum charge on petrol, diesel and kerosene. This decision was communicated through a notification.

The statement states that the petroleum duty has not altered from its previous levels of Rs80 per litre for petrol, Rs70.82 per litre for high-speed diesel and Rs20.36 per litre for kerosene.

In accordance with the new daily pricing method, the government has declared that the prices of petroleum will be adjusted and will continue to be in place for a period of three days.

As a result of the most recent revision, the price of high-speed diesel has increased by Rs31.05 per litre, bringing the new retail price to Rs354.35 per litre.

The price of fuel has also been increased by Rs5.44 per litre, and the new rate is Rs316.15 a litre. This represents a significant increase.

In the meantime, the price of kerosene oil has increased by Rs34.33 per litre, leading to an increase in the price from Rs242.33 per litre to Rs276.66 per litre.

In accordance with the recently implemented daily petroleum pricing procedure, which was recently enacted by the government, the prices of fuel will henceforth be evaluated and notified on a daily basis.