Imran Khan

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a $3 billion loan agreement for Pakistan, unlocking crucial funding for the troubled South Asian economy.

In a statement, the IMF said its executive board gave the green light to the nine-month standby arrangement, in order "to support the authorities' economic stabilization program."

Clashes between Pakistan's police and supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan persisted for a second day outside his home in the eastern city of Lahore on Wednesday, a day after officers went to arrest him for failing to appear in court on graft charges.

Pakistani police have filed terrorism charges against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, authorities said Monday, escalating political tensions in the country as the ousted premier holds mass rallies seeking to return to office.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan congratulated Pakistan's new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a phone call on April 11. 

According to the Turkish Communications Directorate, Erdoğan called Sharif after he took the oath of office.

Sharif was sworn-in on Monday after former Premier Imran Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote that he attempted to thwart. 

The ouster of Prime Minister Imran Khan in a parliamentary no-confidence vote early Sunday set Pakistan on an uncertain political path, with his supporters taking to the streets in protest and the political opposition preparing to install his replacement.

Pakistan's political opposition ousted the country's embattled prime minister in a no-confidence vote early Sunday, which they won after several of Imran Khan's allies and a key coalition party deserted him.

Turkey's foreign minister discussed the latest situation in Afghanistan over the phone with his Pakistani counterpart, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Aug. 21.

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Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi called Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, and they discussed the latest situation in Afghanistan, the statement noted.

At least 30 people were killed and dozens injured on June 7 when a packed Pakistani inter-city train ploughed into another express that had derailed earlier, officials said.

Pakistan and Turkey are considering working on a joint project to produce a TV series, according to an official statement issued by Pakistani premier's office.

Prime Minister Imran Khan discussed the proposal with Turkish director Kemal Tekden and his team, who met with Khan at his office in Islamabad.

Pakistan will now chemically castrate convicted rapists after new laws were signed in by the government recently.

The country has brought in tough new laws seeking to tackle the rape epidemic in Pakistan following public outcry against sexual violence in the country.