Pakistan’s iconic brand HBL, unveils Refreshed Brand identity

HBL, one of Pakistan’s most iconic brands, unveiled its refreshed brand identity, marking a defining moment in its evolution as Pakistan’s premier financial services group.

For more than eight decades, HBL has shaped Pakistan’s financial landscape and contributed meaningfully to the country’s economic development. The refreshed identity honours this heritage while expressing clarity of purpose and confidence in the future.

The ‘HBL’ wordmark remains unchanged, preserving the trust and institutional equity built over generations. The addition of a distinctive design device, inspired by the calligraphic precision of the HBL mark, introduces a contemporary visual language that conveys clarity, movement and progress.

HBL’s signature ‘Turquoise’ color continues to anchor the identity, complemented by ‘Light Lemon Yellow’ color to enhance vibrancy while remaining unmistakably HBL. Together, these elements create a unified and cohesive visual system across the institution.

The refreshed identity will be implemented across branches, ATMs, digital platforms, mobile applications, websites and customer-facing environments over the coming months, ensuring consistency and recognisability at every touchpoint.

The Refreshed Brand identity will also be rolled out across HBL’s subsidiaries, including HBL Microfinance Bank, HBL Asset Management, HBL Zarai Services Limited, HBL Currency Exchange, and HBL Bank UK.

The brand refresh is not a reinvention of HBL. It is a sharper expression of who it is today.

Nehal Hashmi sworn in as Sindh governor

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Nehal Hashmi has been sworn in as the Sindh governor during an oath-taking ceremony at the Governor’s House Karachi.

Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, Justice Zafar Rajput, administered him the oath. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, provincial ministers, officials from the Bar Council, and PML-N leaders, along with individuals from various walks of life, also attended the ceremony.

Nehal has been sworn in as the governor of Sindh, replacing Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P)’s Kamran Tessori, following President Asif Ali Zardari’s approval of his appointment on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Nehal, hailing from Karachi’s Malir district, has maintained a decades-long association with the PML-N. The politician’s career began as a legal adviser to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif from 1997 to 1999. The PML-N leader later took on key leadership roles within the party, serving as president of the PML-N Karachi chapter in 2012 before being appointed general secretary for the Sindh chapter in 2014. In 2015, he was elected to the Senate on a PML-N seat from Punjab. Although his party membership was briefly suspended in 2017, it was formally restored in 2021, marking his return to the party’s core political circle.

China steps in to defuse Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions

China has stepped in diplomatically to help defuse the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, urging both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue as cross-border frictions continue to strain ties between the two neighbours.

According to a statement issued by the Afghan foreign ministry, China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Yue Xiaoyong visited Kabul and held talks with the Taliban government’s acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to discuss bilateral cooperation as well as the deteriorating security situation in the region.

During the meeting, the Chinese envoy emphasised Beijing’s desire to see tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan resolved through diplomacy and dialogue. He stressed that preventing further escalation was important for regional stability and security.

Yue said China was in contact with both Kabul and Islamabad and was actively working to help reduce tensions between the two sides.

Bhutan, Singapore launch four new climate projects

Bhutan and Singapore have launched four innovative climate projects under Article 6 co-operation to develop Bhutan’s carbon market and low-carbon pathway.

The projects, announced by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR) include a nationwide clean cooking initiative, an integrated cooking and space heating mitigation programme, the Bhutan Rural Biogas Initiative, and the Thimphu Biogas and Bio-fertiliser Initiative.

During a three-day programme titled “From Agreement to Action: Bhutan–Singapore Article 6 – Capacity Building for Carbon Projects,” various discussions were held to bring in more projects.

Nearly 100 participants from the public, corporate, and private sectors took part in the programme, which was jointly organised by the MoENR and TERRAMA PTE. Limited from Singapore.

SBP maintains policy rate at 10.5pc

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in March maintained its key policy rate at 10.5 per cent.

The announcement was posted on the central bank’s X account. A detailed statement by the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was issued late.

In its statement, the MPC said that while the incoming data was largely consistent with the macroeconomic projections shared after the January meeting, it was observed that the macroeconomic outlook had become “quite uncertain following the outbreak of the war in the Middle East”.

It noted that the conflict had led to a sharp increase in global fuel prices as well as freight and insurance costs, while also affecting cross-border trade and travel.

“Given the evolving nature of events, the MPC observed that the intensity and duration of the conflict will both be important determinants of the impact on the domestic economy,” the statement said.

The MPC also acknowledged the “important role of the prudent monetary and fiscal policies in increasing the economy’s resilience to shocks”. It noted that the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals were better compared to the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in early 2022.

The Oscars 2026 took place amid controversies and conspiracy theories

Hollywood’s best and brightest have been honoured with the most coveted awards in the film industry, the Oscars.

One Battle After Another was named best picture at the 98th Oscars held in March. That film took home six Oscars in total. Paul Thomas Anderson also won the award for best directing and best adapted screenplay, marking his first-ever wins. Sean Penn, who wasn’t at the ceremony, won best supporting actor for One Battle After Another, setting a record with his win. One Battle also landed an Oscar for best film editing for Andy Jurgensen.

This year, the Oscars added a new category, the first since best animated feature was introduced in 2002, recognizing best casting. Cassandra Kulukundis won the Oscar for One Battle.

Elsewhere, Sinners took home four Oscars. Michael B. Jordan was named best actor, while Ryan Coogler won best original screenplay for his film, which also nabbed the award for best original score for Ludwig Goransson and best cinematography for Autumn Durald Arkapaw, who became the first woman to ever win the award. One Battle and Sinners powered Warner Bros. to a record night. Jessie Buckley was named best actress for Hamnet. Amy Madigan won best supporting actress for her role in Weapons.

KPop Demon Hunters won the Oscar for best animated feature, while the film’s “Golden” became the first K-pop song to ever win an Oscar, for best original song. Frankenstein scooped up a trio of wins, for costume design, for makeup and hairstyling, and for production design. In the live-action short category, there was a rare tie. Norway’s Sentimental Value was named best international feature, and Mr. Nobody Against Putin won the Oscar for best documentary feature. Also this year, the Academy has decided to feature live performances of two nominated songs — “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters and “I Lied to You” from Sinners — citing a desire to keep the show moving and end on time. (Read all about the 2026 Oscars.)

In addition, a star-studded lineup of presenters, including past winners, past nominees, and even past hosts, will take the stage Sunday. Among them are last year’s acting winners, Mikey Madison, Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña. Other presenters will include Will Arnett, Javier Bardem, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Anna Wintour, Anne Hathaway, Chase Infiniti, Paul Mescal, Demi Moore, Kumail Nanjiani, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman, Jimmy Kimmel, Delroy Lindo, Ewan McGregor, Wagner Moura, Pedro Pascal, Bill Pullman, Lewis Pullman, Channing Tatum, and Sigourney Weaver. Also, a special Bridesmaids reunion took place, including current Oscar nominee Rose Byrne, Ellie Kemper, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Melissa McCarthy. There was also a Marvel reunion with Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans.

The show also featured tributes to several stars who died within the past year, including Rob Reiner, Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, and Catherine O’Hara. The 98th edition of the awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien for the second year in a row, aired live on ABC and Hulu from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Paltry growth in exports to EU

Pakistan’s exports to European countries experienced a modest year-on-year growth of 1.32 per cent in the first seven months of 2025-26, mainly due to increased shipments to southern and eastern European nations.

Official data showed that, in absolute terms, export earnings from the European Union increased to $5.436 billion in July-January, up from $5.365bn during the same period last year, according to figures compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan.

In FY25, exports to the EU increased by 7.44pc to $8.863bn, up from $8.249bn in the preceding fiscal year. In FY24, exports declined by 3.12pc to $8.240bn despite its GSP+ status, which allows duty-free entry into most European markets. Western Europe, which includes countries like Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and Belgium, accounts for the largest share of Pakistan’s exports to the EU. Exports to this region decreased marginally by 3.14pc to $2.622bn in 7MFY26, from $2.707bn in FY25.

There will be a greater challenge for exporters to retain market share following the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, coupled with rising input costs in the country. Exports to northern Europe also slightly declined by 1.12pc to $435.085m in 7MFY26, from $439.998m in the same period last year. However, there is a slight increase in exports to eastern and southern Europe.

Exports to southern Europe increased by 7.21pc to $1.920bn in 7MFY26, up from $1.791bn in the same period last year. Within this region, exports to Spain rose 8.93pc to $933.85m in 7MFY26, from $857.27m a year ago. Exports to Italy increased 5.02pc to $698.33m in 7MFY26 compared to $664.96m in the same period last year. Exports to Greece recorded an 8.45pc decline to $74.71m, down from $81.61m in the previous year. However, exports to Eastern Europe increased by 7.59pc to $459.293m in 7MFY26 from $426.885m in the same period last year.

Before Brexit, Pakistan’s major export destination was the United Kingdom. In the post-Brexit period, Pakistan’s exports to the UK slightly decreased to $1.272bn in 7MFY26 from $1.273bn over the corresponding period last year, a decline of 0.07pc. In FY25, Pakistan’s exports to the UK increased by 7.19pc to $2.160bn from $2.015bn in the preceding year. Pakistan’s exports to western Europe slightly declined by 3.14pc to $2.622bn in 7MFY26, from $2.707bn last year.

Exports to Germany dipped 1.76pc to $987.30m in 7MFY26 from $1.005bn. Similarly, exports to the Netherlands, the second-largest market for Pakistani goods, fell by 1.82pc to $866.05m in 7MFY26 from $882.08m over the corresponding period last year. Exports to France fell by 2.89pc to $320.21m in 7MFY26 from $329.76m, followed by a 3.29pc decline to Belgium’s $332.77m against $344.12m.

New Nepal govt faces same old challenges

Nepal’s rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah is set to become the next prime minister after his centrist Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) won a commanding majority in parliamentary elections.

His meteoric rise, propelled by anti-establishment sentiment and youth anger over corruption, marks one of the most dramatic shifts in Nepal’s political landscape in decades. The high-stakes March 5 election came six months after deadly protests that toppled the government, in which 77 people were killed.

Just 35, Shah rose from mayor of the capital Kathmandu to defeat veteran four-time prime minister KP Sharma Oli in his own constituency. But the new government now faces the far harder task of fixing the Himalayan nation’s ailing economy.

Shah faces the difficult transition from disruptive political outsider to governing leader.

“A serious challenge for the RSP is implementing the promises it has made in its manifesto, given the country’s limited resources, infrastructure, and policy capacity,” political analyst Krishna Khanal said.

“Now the party cannot blame anyone, because it has a majority government. From the day it forms the government, it must go into action.”

Iran war puts Trump’s Gaza disarmament plan on hold

Talks to advance President Donald Trump’s plan to end the Gaza war have been on hold since last week, when the US and Israel jointly attacked Iran, sparking a broader Middle East war, three sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations said.

The pause threatens to stall implementation of Trump’s flagship Middle East peace initiative, which he has cast as a major foreign policy objective. It comes less than a month after he secured billions of dollars in pledges for Gaza from Gulf Arab states — countries that are now facing Iranian attacks as the conflict widens.

Trump’s Gaza plan has hinged in part on whether Hamas would lay down their arms in exchange for amnesty, a step intended to pave the way for reconstruction and further Israeli military with-drawals. White House mediators have been backchanneling between Israel and Hamas on the disarmament question.

Negotiations on this and other issues were paused when the Iran war began on Feb 28, the three sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive talks. The pause in disarmament talks has not been previously reported.

Zaha Hassan, of the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said countries, including the UAE and Qatar, which pledged funds for Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ mission, may be questioning if this is “really money well spent now that they are dodging rocket fire”.

Stranded Iranian sailors put Sri Lanka, India in diplomatic dilemma

Sri Lanka and India are providing sanctuary to 434 sailors from three Iranian naval vessels targeted or threatened by the United States, a diplomatic conundrum as the US-Israel attack on Iran and the subsequent war spills into the Indian Ocean.

The ships had taken part in a naval exercise organised by India off the coast of Visakhapatnam when the US and Israel began bombing Iran.

For Sri Lanka and India, wary of a US response, the dilemma of what to do with the ships and crew has sent legal officials scouring conventions and the laws of the sea.

IRIS Dena, a frigate, was sunk with a torpedo fired by a US submarine, just outside Sri Lanka’s territorial waters. Between 130 and 180 sailors were on board, and at least 84 were killed.

Sri Lanka rescued 32 survivors, many of whom have since been discharged from the hospital to be hosted at the Koggala air force base in the island’s south.

IRIS Lavan, an amphibious landing ship, docked in India’s southern port of Kochi. It had 183 sailors aboard, now hosted in naval facilities.
IRIS Bushehr, a supply vessel, entered Sri Lankan waters, carrying 219 crew members.

Among those, 15 remain onboard to assist Sri Lanka’s navy, which has taken full control of the vessel. The total of Iranian sailors hosted by Sri Lanka is currently 251.

Sahibzada Farhan makes it to ICC’s Team of the Tournament

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the Team of the Tournament for this year’s T20 World Cup, with Pakistani opener Sahibzada Farhaan making the list despite the Green Shirts’ dismal campaign.

Farhan became the only Pakistani player to be named in the 12-member team for his excellent performance during the tournament, sealing 383 runs – the highest a batter has scored in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.

“Though Pakistan were patchy in the tournament, Sahibzada Farhan was consistently brilliant,” the ICC said.

The 29-year-old opener also became the first batter to score two hundreds in a single edition of a T20 World Cup.

Former CEO of Sri Lankan Airlines arrested

Sri Lankan anti-graft officials arrested the former head of the national airline on charges of conspiring to accept bribes from Airbus in connection with a multi-million-dollar deal.

Kapila Chandrasena, who was CEO of Sri Lankan Airlines during a 2013 deal to purchase 10 aircraft worth $2.3 billion, was arrested and remanded in custody.

“He conspired to accept a bribe of $16 million and received 1.45 million euros into a bank account in Singapore,” an official of Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption commission said.

Prosecutors say Chandrasena created a shell company in Brunei in his wife’s name and arranged for the kickback to be paid into its Singapore account.
Sri Lanka’s national carrier is saddled with debt, with estimated accumulated losses of 596 billion rupees ($1.9 billion) at the end of March last year. Attempts to sell the airline have so far failed to attract a buyer.

Pakistan, India in same Hockey World Cup pool

Pakistan has been placed alongside arch-rivals India in Pool ‘D’ after the International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced the groupings for this year’s World Cup, scheduled to be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands in August.

According to an official announcement, Pakistan will face India, England, and Wales in what is being viewed as one of the most competitive pools of the tournament.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), in a press release issued, said the groups were finalised following a transparent draw process.
“The Pakistan hockey team has been placed in the challenging Pool ‘D’, where they will face formidable opponents including traditional rivals India, England, and Wales,” the PHF stated.

The inclusion of both Pakistan and India in the same pool is expected to generate significant global interest, with the much-anticipated clash between the two sides set to take place at the world level after several years.

Pakistan’s recent struggles and lower international ranking had limited opportunities to face top-ranked teams prior to their participation in this year’s FIH Pro League.

Hockey followers are particularly looking forward to the Pakistan-India encounter, traditionally regarded as one of the sport’s biggest rivalries.
FIH World Cup pools:

Pool ‘A’: Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, and Japan; Pool ‘B’: Belgium, Germany, France, and Malaysia; Pool ‘C’: Australia, Spain, Ireland, and South Africa; Pool ‘D’: India, Pakistan, England, and Wales.

Shipping lines increase war-risk surcharges

Pakistani exporters are facing mounting cost pressures as new surcharges imposed by global shipping lines and air cargo handlers — triggered by the Middle East conflict — threaten to erode competitiveness, disrupt supply chains, and deepen external-sector risks.

Shipping giant Maersk has announced an increase in its Emergency Contin­gency Surcharge (ECS) for shipments from Pakistan and the wider subcontinent to West Africa, effective April 1.

Menzies RAS and Gerry’s Dnata imposed Rs25-50 per kg “ad hoc charges” on export cargo, in addition to heavy war risk and emergency conflict charges by shipping lines.

A UAE-based airline has also announced supplementary freight charges of $0.70 per kg on exports from Pakistan, effective March 19, 2026, citing changes in market conditions.

The outbreak of war in the Middle East has led to the imposition of war-risk and emergency conflict surcharges ranging from $3,500 to $4,000 per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU), depending on the shipping line.