The Met Department has forecast extremely hot weather for most of the plains across Pakistan, with the heatwave intensifying in several regions. While rain is expected in select northern areas, the overall outlook indicates severe heat across the country. In the northern regions, rain is anticipated in a few locations, including Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and northeast Punjab. Cities …

As of May 29, 2024, the total number of illegal Afghan nationals who have left Pakistan has reached 590,445, with the repatriation process ongoing. Between May 20 and May 29, a total of 13,206 Afghans departed from Pakistan. This number includes 6,478 men, 2,987 women, and 3,741 children. A total of 387 families, traveling in 503 vehicles, have been repatriated …

Participants of the 35th Senior Management Course (SMC) at the National Institute of Management (NIM) were recently briefed on the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). The briefing covered various policy initiatives spearheaded by SIFC and the innovative strategies introduced by GPI. A highlight of the session was the introduction to the Land Information and …

The military leadership has stressed that “politically motivated and vested digital terrorism” against state institutions is meant to sow discord among national institutions and the people of Pakistan by peddling blatant lies, fake news, and propaganda. This was highlighted during the 83rd Formation Commanders Conference held at GHQ in Rawalpindi and presided over by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General …

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday declared the ECP’s order of recounting of votes in NA-97 Faisalabad as void. A single bench of the high court comprises of Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza heard petition of Sunni Ittehad Council’s MNA Saadullah against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s order for recounting of votes in NA-97. Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza of the …

As preparations for the budget of the new financial year are underway, the Annual Plan Coordination Committee is set to convene on May 31 to deliberate on crucial aspects of the upcoming fiscal plan. The meeting is aimed at approving the annual macroeconomic plan and development program, laying the foundation for the country’s economic agenda in the coming year. The …

A passenger coach traveling from Turbat to Quetta fell into a deep ditch on Wednesday morning, killing 28 people, including women and children. The incident occurred due to high speed, according to rescue officials. The crash left 26 passengers injured, with several of them being women and children. The injured were initially taken to Civil Hospital Basima for medical aid. …

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir police has claimed that Kashmiri poet Ahmed Farhad was arrested at Kohala checkpost on Wednesday. He was subsequently transferred to the Dhirkot police station, where a case has been registered against him. According to the police complaint, Farhad was apprehended for allegedly misbehaving with the police officials deputed at the checkpost and interfering in government …

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed Pakistan’s desire to increase cooperation with China on a priority basis in the areas of agriculture, information technology and energy as well as to boost its exports to China. Chairing a meeting in Islamabad today regarding enhancing cooperation with China in various fields, the Prime Minister assured to extend full facilitation to the …

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif Tuesday elected unopposed as Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president. Sharif lost the PML-N’s presidentship six years due to a Supreme Court decision in the Panama Papers case. The five-member election commission of the party headed by Rana Sanaullah. Iqbal Jhagra, Ishrat Ashraf, Jamal Shah Kakar and Khealdas Kohistani supervised the elections. No candidate submitted nomination …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued a directive to end unannounced loadshedding across the country and to reduce power outages on loss-making feeders. This announcement came during a high-level meeting held in Islamabad to address the issues of electricity theft, demand, supply and loadshedding. During the meeting, which Prime Minister Sharif chaired, the Ministry of Energy provided a comprehensive briefing, …

The country is commemorating the 26th anniversary of Youm-e-Takbeer today with great national zeal and fervour in remembrance of the successful nuclear tests carried out on this day in 1998 that rendered the nation’s defence unbeatable. On this day, Pakistan became the first Muslim state and the seventh nuclear-armed country in the world to have a nuclear arsenal for defence …

At least 23 terrorists were killed by the security forces in three separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military’s media wing said on Monday. According to Inter-Services Public Relations, the operations were conducted on May 26 and 27. “On 26-27 May 2024, twenty-three terrorists were sent to hell by the security forces in three separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa …

We live in very disturbing times, where rights-based approaches have given way to bloc politics. The current geopolitical climate is heavily influenced by fake news, with anything the West (major NATO members, G-7) does being deemed acceptable, while actions by Beijing or Moscow are painted as evil and motivated. This situation raises several questions: What is geopolitical hypocrisy doing to …

After weeks of sweltering heat, Pakistanis can finally look forward to some relief. The Meteorological Department has predicted rain in various parts of the country, starting from May 27, which is expected to bring down the mercury levels and provide a much-needed respite from the severe heat wave. According to the Met Department, rain is expected in upper areas, including Zhob, …

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said on Monday an effective action plan, devised in collaboration with the federal government, will put an end to the enduring issue of load shedding in the province. During a press conference held alongside Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Federal Minister for Energy Owais Leghari, the Chief Minister acknowledged the severity of load …

Pakistan has made significant progress on the diplomatic front as the Kuwait and Qatar emirs accepted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s invitation to visit Pakistan. According to details, the ambassadors of Kuwait and Qatar met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif separately on Sunday, where they presented letters from their respective leaders, accepting the invitation to visit Pakistan. The Kuwaiti ambassador presented …

Security forces killed five terrorists during an intelligence based operation in general area Hassan Khel of Peshawar, the military’s media wing said on Sunday. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement stated “During conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location, as result of which five terrorists were sent to hell, while three terrorists got injured.” …

The Met Office has forecast temperatures as high as 50 Celsius in Sukkur and Dadu in Sindh amid the heatwave boiling several districts of the country. Most of the districts in Sindh would have extremely hot weather while the coastal region of the province will remain hot and humid. The mercury could soar to 38 to 39 Celsius in Karachi, …

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday rejected two major tax proposals of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for the upcoming financial year’s Budget 2024. According to sources, the FBR had suggested increasing the sales tax on various items from 18% to 19%, as well as imposing up to 18% tax on petroleum products aimed to collect billions of …

Pakistani journalist Mona Khan detained in Greece for waving the Pakistani flag during a hiking trip. Mona Khan, an anchorperson for a state-run TV channel, was on a trip to Greece with her son when she was arrested by police for displaying the Pakistani flag. Speaking to INTERNEWS, Mona Khan’s coach Muhammad Yousuf has confirmed that she was taken into custody …

The once-thriving tourism sector of Azad Kashmir is experiencing a significant downturn due to continuous protests led by the Awami Action Committee. These demonstrations, coupled with shutter-down strikes and wheel jam protests, have created a climate of panic among tourists, leading to deserted guest houses and a sharp decline in visitors. Hotel owners and tour operators have voiced their concerns, …

Pakistan on Saturday welcomed a new ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah. The ICJ amended an earlier order and demanded Israel immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where Tel Aviv sent forces May 6. “Israel must immediately hold its military offensive or …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that his country will learn from China’s experience to eradicate poverty and enhance exports to increase foreign exchange reserves, the Prime Minister’s Office said. In a meeting held in his office, Sharif said that China’s success in lifting more than 700 million people out of poverty serves as a role model …

In a tragic incident, at least five people were killed in the Chamkani area of Peshawar over a property dispute. As per details, the police officials said that the incident occurred in Peshawar where two groups opened fire and killed five over a property dispute between two groups. Police have registered an FIR stating the dispute was ongoing between the …

In a move to strengthen economic ties with Iran, Pakistan has decided to keep two border crossing points open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The decision aims to enhance the flow of goods between the two countries and create new economic opportunities. Pakistani Ambassador to Iran Muhammad Mudassir Tipu announced the development on Twitter, calling it a …

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb Thursday presided over a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), where several crucial financial approvals were made. The ECC approved $2.58 million in compensation for the families of the six Chinese nationals killed in a terrorist attack on the Dasu Hydro Project on March 26. The compensation will be disbursed through the Pakistani Embassy in …

The National Institute of Health (NIH) has issued multiple advisories to prevent and control Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), heatstroke, sunstroke, and typhoid fever, following the report of a CCHF case in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The advisories aim to sensitize relevant authorities and improve preparedness in managing these health threats. The Centre for Diseases Control (CDC) under NIH highlighted the critical need …

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Dubai on a day-long visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). On arrival, he was welcomed by Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. According to the Foreign Office, this is Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s first visit to the UAE since his election. …

The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Thursday dismissed plea seeking Article 6 proceedings against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan. A two-member bench of BHQ comprising Chief Justice Hashim Kakar and Justice Shaukat Rakhshani took up the plea. The plea was dismissed by the court on the basis of jurisdiction. A senior lawyer of the Supreme …

The country is on high alert as meteorologists predict an intensification of the ongoing heatwave. Citizens are urged to prepare for another severe spell of high temperatures, while the ongoing one is expected to last several more days. According to Mahr Sahibzad Khan, director of the Met department in Lahore, temperatures are likely to escalate further in Sindh, Punjab, and …

ISLAMABAD: Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong Wednesday said CPEC’s various projects are continuously enhancing the capacity of sustainable development for Pakistan. A momentous occasion celebrated with warmth and gratitude, Chinese ambassador underscored the enduring strength of this friendship poised for unprecedented economic and strategic cooperation. Speaking at a ceremony here at the 73rd anniversary of China Pakistan Diplomatic relations, …

A Met Official has said that ongoing hot weather will persist until the first week of June. The maximum temperature could soar above 50 degree Celsius during May 23 to 28, Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz has said. “Pre-monsoon rainfall could begin in the first week of June,” the weather official said. The heatwave with soaring temperatures continuing in most parts of …

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) has released the final investigation report of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Airbus A320 flight four years after the incident. On May 22, 2020, a PIA Airbus A320 coming from Lahore crashed in Karachi. The catastrophic aviation disaster took the lives of 99 passengers including the crew and two people on the ground. Only …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has touched down in the Islamic Republic of Iran to offer condolences on the sad demise of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian. The Iranian president and foreign minister were among a group of officials killed in a helicopter crash in the Eastern Azerbaijan province of Iran on Sunday. The prime minister is …

In a surprising turn of events, a case of electricity theft has been registered against a three-year-old child at the Cantt Police Station in Dera Ismail Khan. The incident has left many baffled, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the accusation. According to reports, the case was registered against the child, identified as Zaigham, for allegedly being involved in electricity …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) top brass on Wednesday called for the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the brutal attack on party’s spokesman Raoof Hasan. In a press conference held in Islamabad, PTI leader Omar Ayub flanked by Raoof Hasan, Azam Swati and other leaders detailed the “horrific nature” of the attack, describing how a sharp instrument was used to …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan abides by the one-China principle as the country always chooses to stand on the right side of history, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said during a recent interview with Chinese media. Tuesday marks the 73rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. Recalling the rapport between the previous generations’ leaders of the two countries, …

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday emphasised that a durable peace in South Asia was contingent upon a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of Kashmiri people. The prime minister made these remarks while talking to a delegation of Kashmiri Diaspora activists, led by Secretary General, …

The electricity shortfall in the country has surged to 4,500 megawatts, with the total demand standing at 25,000MW against a production of 20,000MW. According to official data, 4,000MW of electricity is being generated from water resources, while private sector power plants are contributing 8,500MW to the national grid. Nuclear power plants are producing 3,500MW, and 1,500MW is being generated from …