Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir has ruled out any change in the country’s leadership, describing circulating rumours as completely false and against both the government and the establishment. Speaking to senior journalist Sohail Waraich in Brussels, the army chief said, “God made me this country’s guardian”, adding that he has no desire for any other position. He …

ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Friday unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming the nation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty, upholding democratic values, and building a prosperous, united future for coming generations. The resolution moved by Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar in connection with Independence Day, pledged national unity, sustainable development, and economic empowerment while honouring the vision of Quaid-e-Azam …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States on Friday agreed to make exchange of information more effective in the fields of counterterrorism and counter-narcotics in yet another sign of deepening security cooperation between the two sides. The development came during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and US Coordinator for Counterterrorism Gregory LoGerfo at the Ministry of Interior. Minister of …

The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a monsoon flood fact sheet, warning of heavy rains and possible flash floods across the province in the next 24 hours. Rainfall was recorded in Murree, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, and Bahawalpur over the past day, while upper Punjab districts face risks of torrential rains and cloudbursts, PDMA officials said. PDMA Director General Irfan …

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has called for transformative reforms that integrate technological innovation, administrative restructuring and disciplined case management to ensure the expeditious disposal of cases. In a four-page judgment authored by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, delivered while hearing a case challenging the auction of an immovable property, the apex court stressed that the judiciary must draw upon the …

At least 307 people have died and 23 sustained injuries across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) during the past 48 hours of heavy rains and flash floods, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said Saturday. Buner was the worst-hit district with 184 fatalities, followed by Shangla with 36, Bajaur 21, Mansehra 23, Swat 22, Battagram 15, Lower Dir five, and Abbottabad one, according …

ISLAMABAD: The friendship between Pakistan and China is a model of political trust and enduring cooperation, said Mushahid Hussain Syed, former chairman of the Pakistani senate’s defense committee, calling for joint efforts to build a closer Pakistan-China community with a shared future in the new era. Syed, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI), said in a …

BEIJING (Internews): The Pakistan Embassy organized a dignified flag hoisting ceremony to commemorate the 79th Independence Day of Pakistan. The event also celebrated the historic victory in Marka-e-Haq during Operation Bunyan al-Marsous. The ceremony commenced with the hoisting of the national flag by Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Bilal Mahmood Chaudhary. Messages of felicitations from the President, Prime Minister, and …

          BEIJING (Internews) — The Pakistan Embassy in China’s capital of Beijing, in collaboration with Ms. Hao Yuejiao of Asia-Africa Trade Promotion Office of China-Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Council，organized a mango festival here on Wednesday. The festival titled “Golden Silk Road Mangoes: A True Oriental Treasure” to showcase a wide variety of premium Pakistani mangoes …

Moody’s Ratings on Wednesday upgraded Pakistan’s credit rating with a stable outlook from Caa2 to Caa1, citing the country’s improved financial position supported by a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Upgrade was secured after similar moves by S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings in the past four months following repeated pledges by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government to stay …

National Assembly Tuesday passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2024 by a majority vote amid strong opposition protests. The session, chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, saw opposition lawmakers opposing the bill, raising slogans, and staging protests during its passage. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said such laws effectively treat every citizen as a criminal from birth, allowing institutions to arrest anyone, …

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Tuesday that an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation will visit Pakistan at the end of September, with the country expecting to receive the third tranche of $1 billion upon completion of the next review. Speaking informally to SAMAA, Aurangzeb said preparations for the upcoming economic review were complete. Pakistan has so far received $2.1 billion …

The United States has hailed its role in helping Pakistan and India reach a ceasefire during a recent conflict, calling it a “proud moment” for American diplomacy. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said quick engagement by top US leaders helped prevent a potentially “horrible” escalation. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Bruce recalled how Washington acted immediately when tensions …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that Pakistan would give befitting response to India if it stops water flow to Pakistan. Addressing an event in connection with the World Youth Day, the premier said: “Enemy is talking about stopping the water flow to Pakistan. The enemy got drubbed at the hands of Pakistan on May 10.” He reiterated the …

Pakistan on Tuesday welcomed the US move to designate Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Majeed Brigade as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, and also adding the latter as an alias to BLA. This decision came after the US Department of State designated the same militant group — BLA — a specially designated global terrorist (SDGT) in 2019. In a statement issued, the …

The Punjab government has decided to introduce uniforms for the Crime Control Department (CCD) to improve discipline. Officials said the force was initially exempted from wearing uniforms, but complaints of corruption and abuse of authority during operations without identification prompted the move. According to CCD sources, a special uniform design has been proposed, featuring a sky-blue shirt and dark-blue trousers. The …

The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has acquitted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi in two major cases related to the violent incidents of May 9 — the Rahat Bakery arson and the Shadman police station burning and siege. However, the court sentenced former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, former provincial minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, former provincial …

The sugar industry owes sugarcane farmers more than Rs3 billion, according to the Punjab Cane Commissioner’s audit report for 2024-25. The findings expose that during the 2023-24 fiscal year, mill owners failed to pay Rs3.0469 billion to growers, despite legal requirements mandating payment within 15 days of purchase. The report also shows that mill owners bought sugarcane at rates lower than …

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the landmark peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, hailing the development as a historic turning point for the South Caucasus and a gateway to regional prosperity. The prime minister received a telephone call from President Aliyev in which the two leaders discussed the peace accord, bilateral relations, …

The National Assembly Secretariat on Friday declared the post of opposition leader vacant after removing Omar Ayub from the position. The move is part of a broader reshuffle that sees Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) losing multiple influential roles in the assembly. According to the official notification issued by the Secretariat, three major positions held by PTI have been vacated. Besides Omar …

The Crime Control Department (CCD) has requested 290 kanals of land, funding of Rs11 billion and the recruitment of 10,000 personnel to expand its operations across Punjab. According to official sources, the CCD has submitted a formal demand to the provincial government for the construction of police lines on the proposed land. The requested funds are earmarked for the development …

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has introduced a major policy shift, announcing that companies providing satellite internet services will no longer be required to obtain multiple Local Loop (LL) licences. According to details surfaced on Friday, under the new framework, a single license will suffice for satellite internet operations across the country. The sources divulged that the move aligns with …

Security forces killed 33 terrorists linked to the Indian-sponsored group Fitna-ul-Khawarij during a major operation near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Balochistan’s Zhob district. According to the military’s media wing, the terrorists were attempting to infiltrate into Pakistan on the night of August 7–8 when their movement was detected in the Sambaza area. Terrorist infiltration attempt foiled ISPR said Pakistani troops …

With Independence Day celebrations nearing, the Islamabad district administration has imposed a citywide ban on the sale and use of horns (bajas or vuvuzelas). According to officials, the move aims to curb public nuisance and maintain order in the federal capital in the lead-up to August 14. Daily operations ordered against baja stalls The Islamabad deputy commissioner has instructed all …

An explosion occurred near the railway track in Sibi, Balochistan, on Thursday, shortly before the arrival of the Jaffar Express from Peshawar to Quetta. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, and train operations have resumed following a swift clearance operation. Blast close to track as train approached According to railway officials, the explosion took place just two to two-and-a-half feet from …

A remote-controlled bomb exploded near a police mobile in Rustam Bazaar, Wana on Thursday killing two people and injuring 15 others, including several police personnel and civilians. According to DSP Imranullah, the blast occurred as a police van was passing through Shakai Stand, a bustling part of the Wana Bazaar in Lower South Waziristan. The explosion caused severe damage to …

The federal government has announced a three-phase plan to privatize 24 state-owned enterprises (SOEs), starting with 10 major institutions — including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the Roosevelt Hotel within the next 12 months. According to a written response submitted in the National Assembly, the privatisation plan will be executed as follows: Phase 1 (within 1 year): 10 institutions, including: PIA …

BRUSSELS: The Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels solemnly observed Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir, marking the sixth anniversary of India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The event was a somber reminder of the ongoing suffering of the Kashmiri people under Indian occupation and reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast solidarity with their legitimate struggle. Held …

On the sixth anniversary of Youm-e-Istehsal, Pakistan’s armed forces reaffirmed their unwavering support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). In their message issued on Tuesday, the military leadership — including Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chief of Naval Staff, and Chief of Air Staff — …

As Pakistan marked the sixth anniversary of Youm-e-Istehsal on August 5, the country’s civil and military leadership strongly condemned India’s ongoing demographic engineering in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Islamabad warned that New Delhi’s attempts to alter the region’s Muslim-majority identity not only violate international law but also pose a grave threat to regional peace and stability. Six …

BEIJING (Internews): Pakistan and China’s Development Research Center (DRC) have agreed to sign a historic MoU to strengthen cooperation through joint research, expert exchanges, and training programs. According to the details, the initiative will support Pakistan’s shift toward a tech-driven, export-led economy, drawing on China’s reform model that lifted over 800 million people out of poverty. It aligns with the …

Pakistan’s largest oil refiner, Cnergyico (CNER.PSX), has signed a landmark agreement with American energy firm Vitol to explore and develop domestic oil reserves and import crude. The agreement, described by officials as a breakthrough in bilateral trade cooperation, comes as part of a broader trade deal between Islamabad and Washington aimed at reducing tariffs on Pakistani exports and enhancing cooperation …

RAWALPINDI (Internews): The 98th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China was commemorated at GHQ today. His Excellency Mr. Jiang Zaidong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Pakistan, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The ceremony was also attended by Major General Wang Zhong, Defence Attaché, officials from the Chinese Embassy and …

ISLAMABAD, (Internews) : The Chinese embassy in Pakistan has extended warm congratulations to Pakistan on the successful launch of a new remote sensing satellite, marking another milestone in China-Pakistan space cooperation. In an official statement released on Thursday the embassy warmly congratulated the successful launch of a new remote sensing satellite for Pakistan from the Xichang satellite launch center, China! …

            A Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A) carrier rocket carrying the Pakistan Remote-Sensing Satellite (PRSS-1) blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, July 31, 2025. Launched at 10:00 a.m. (Beijing Time) by a KZ-1A carrier rocket, the PRSS-1 has entered its planned orbit. The satellite will be primarily used in the fields …

Consumers in Pakistan may get some relief at the fuel pumps as prices of petroleum products are expected to drop from August 1, according to sources familiar with the matter. The ex-refinery price of petrol is projected to decrease by Rs9.7 per litre, while the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) is likely to fall by Rs3.73 per litre, sources said. …

The Auditor General of Pakistan has revealed a staggering Rs300 billion profit made from recent sugar price hikes, triggering a political firestorm during a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) held under the chairmanship of MNA Junaid Akbar. The revelation has exposed deep-rooted corruption in the country’s sugar industry, with top political families and elite businessmen being accused of …

Five of the six independent senators elected with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) backing from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa  have officially joined the party raising PTI’s strength in the Senate to 21 members. According to party officials, the senators — Mirza Afridi, Azam Swati, Faisal Javed, Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, and Rubina Naz — have submitted their formal declarations of affiliation to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar …

More than half of the medicines available in Pakistan, including life-saving drugs, are expected to become more expensive in the coming weeks, as the government prepares for an annual price adjustment under the Drug Pricing Policy. According to official sources, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has started receiving price hike applications from several pharmaceutical companies. Under the current …

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has officially extended the deadline for filing sales tax and federal excise duty returns for the tax period of June 2025, granting taxpayers additional time until August 4 to submit their returns. Previously, the deadline was set for July 18, but the extension was announced to facilitate businesses and individuals who were unable to …