US and Iran have confirmed participation for peace talks in Islamabad on Friday as global efforts mount for a permanent agreement to end the war in the Middle East after a two week ceasefire, according to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Pakistan’s economy, already under strain from soaring oil prices, is facing a new setback after it failed to reach agreement with the United Arab Emirates to roll over $3 billion in debt for the first time in seven years.

Pakistan’s inflation accelerated in March, with fuel prices going up due to the war in the Middle East.

Pakistan reached an initial agreement with the International Monetary Fund to unlock about $1.2 billion from a $7 billion bailout program, as geopolitical risks from the conflict in the Middle East threaten to upend its economic recovery.

Pakistan reached an initial agreement with the International Monetary Fund to unlock about $1.2 billion from a $7 billion bailout program, as geopolitical risks from the conflict in the Middle East threaten to upend its economic recovery.

Pakistan has ordered fans of its top cricket tournament to stay home and watch matches on television to conserve fuel as disruptions from the Middle East war continue to batter the South Asian nation’s economy.

Pakistan has ordered fans of its top cricket tournament to stay home and watch matches on television to conserve fuel as disruptions from the Middle East war continue to batter the South Asian nation’s economy.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have decided to temporarily halt their clashes on the Muslim festivity of Eid, after deadly airstrikes in Kabul this week sparked global alarm and calls for a ceasefire.

Afghanistan’s Taliban government said at least 400 people were killed by Pakistani airstrikes on a drug treatment hospital in Kabul, marking a dramatic escalation in the conflict between the neighbors.

Pakistan’s prime minister pledged “full solidarity and support” for Saudi Arabia following a visit to the Middle Eastern kingdom on Thursday, as Islamabad steps up its diplomatic engagement in the Gulf region in an effort to mediate the widening war.

The US-Israeli attacks are shaking Islamabad’s delicate web of global alliances.

Pakistan’s central bank held its key policy rate after oil prices surged as the Strait of Hormuz remained largely closed and the US threatened to deepen a conflict that has upended energy markets.

Pakistan’s central bank held its key policy rate after oil prices surged as the Strait of Hormuz remained largely closed and the US threatened to deepen a conflict that has upended energy markets.

Pakistan announced a range of measures to curb government spending and steps to save fuel as the conflict in the Middle East disrupts energy supplies, threatening economic stability in the South Asian nation.

Pakistan won’t begin talks to end clashes with Afghanistan until Kabul stops supporting and harboring militant groups that launch cross-border attacks from its territory, a spokesman for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.

Pakistan is willing to halt operations against Afghanistan if the Taliban government stops supporting militant groups from its territory, the country’s top military leader Field Marshal Asim Munir said.

The US ordered its non-emergency staff and their family members working at its consulates in Lahore and Karachi to leave Pakistan, citing the risk of terrorist attacks after deadly protests erupted following the killing of Iran’s top leader.

At least 24 people were killed in protests outside several US consulates across Pakistan on Sunday, prompting authorities to impose a curfew in some regions to quell the anger against the killing of Iran’s top leader.

Pakistan said its ongoing campaign against Afghan militants have left more than 350 Taliban dead, as clashes between the two sides continued for a fourth day and showed few signs of easing.

At least 10 pro-Iranian protesters were killed in clashes with police as they tried to storm the gates of the US Consulate in Pakistan’s main port city of Karachi on Sunday.