The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl has blamed the former ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz for the soaring inflation, saying it had no role in it as the latter was in the driving seat. Maulana Amjad Khan told The Express Tribune that the main ministries and the prime minister were of the PML-N, and the JUI-F had only a limited share which was why …

Commenting on the recent clashes along the Pak-Afghan border, the Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson said on Friday that the weapons left in Afghanistan during the US withdrawal require global attention as they had “fallen in the hands of Afghan terrorists”. In a weekly media briefing, spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that Pakistan’s security agencies were determined to eradicate terrorism from …

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday rejected objections raised by the Shehbaz-led government over the larger bench formed against the formation of a judicial inquiry commission probing into the audio leaks allegedly involving current and former members of the superior judiciary and their family members. Justice Ijazul Hassan, in a reserved verdict, asserted that the government’s objections to the …

A huge number of people, including former MNA and politicians have been found to be involved in electricity theft in Lahore. Lahore Electricity Supply Company (LESCO), in a major operation against power thieves, caught 330 individuals, including former MNA Mehr Saeed Zafar Padhiar and two ex-district council chairmen. In the last 24 hours, the LESCO team recovered Rs 47.4 million …

In a historic milestone, the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) has achieved certification by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) Certification Program, affiliated with the esteemed American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). This landmark accomplishment places Pakistan at the forefront of cancer care, becoming the first nation in South Asia and the sixth globally, outside the …

Russia has expressed its intention to engage in more constructive energy discussions with Pakistan. The Russian Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov emphasised the need to accelerate the establishment of a working group for planning and executing a comprehensive strategy for Pakistan’s gas industry development. Russia’s intentions were communicated by the minister in a working meeting with Pakistan’s outgoing envoy Shafqat Ali …

ISLAMABAD: Japan’s nuclear wastewater dumping poses a serious threat to the marine environment and, in turn, affects the moral values of responsible environmental stewardship shared by humanity, a Pakistani marine expert said. Japan’s action will have longstanding repercussions and the entire humankind will have to pay its price in the future, as polluting the ocean with nuclear waste raises concerns …

KARACHI: Pakistani Air Force cadets marched at the mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah during a ceremony to mark the Defense Day in Karachi, Pakistan. Pakistan celebrates the Defense Day annually on Sept. 6 to commemorate the sacrifices made by Pakistani soldiers in defending its borders against India in 1965.

The Torkham border remained closed for the second day on Thursday after clashes between the security forces of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The border crossing – the main gateway for trade and travel between the two countries – is closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Tensions remain reportedly high in the area with reports suggesting both sides have placed heavy …

The Sindh Bar Council (SBC) has moved the Supreme Court against the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act, 2023 and the Official Secrets (Amendment) Act, 2023. The bar council has also challenged the trial of May 9 rioters in military courts. President Dr Arif Alvi sparked controversy on August 20 by claiming that he had not signed the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, …

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) indicted on Thursday the federal capital’s district commissioner in a case pertaining to the arrests of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders under Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO). Justice Babar Sattar took up the contempt plea pertaining to the arrests of PTI leaders Shehryar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar, who were released in August after being detained …

The Punjab Emergency Services Department (ESD) reported over 1,100 road traffic collisions across the province in the last 24 hours. According to the report, five people died, and 1,142 sustained injuries in 1,132 road accidents. Of these, 604 people sustained critical injuries and were put in urgent care at various hospitals. The remaining 570 victims suffered minor injuries and were …

The Pakistan Army successfully rescued a Russian mountaineer who had gone missing on Gasherbrum IV, the 17th highest mountain on Earth, located in the Karakoram range of the Baltoro Muztagh region. The operation took place on Wednesday, following the mountaineer’s disappearance with another climber a day earlier. Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Shigar, Wali Ullah Falahi, confirmed that an Army helicopter …

The main point of transit for travellers and goods between Pakistan and landlocked Afghanistan, Torkham border crossing, was closed on Wednesday as security forces from both countries exchanged fire, security sources said. Local residents reported the sound of gunfire by the Torkham crossing and said people around the busy border area near the Khyber Pass had fled once the firing …

Upon receiving the call, police immediately arrived at the location, taking the wounded guards to a nearby hospital for medical attention. According to reports, a third person was also rescued from the site, but his identity and involvement in the incident remain unclear at this time. Increasing Number of Crimes in Islamabad A shocking 1,151 cases of theft were reported …

The interim government Wednesday unveiled new measures to curb power theft to help lower the power sector’s spiraling circular debt. Caretaker Energy Minister Mohammad Ali alongside interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said in a media briefing today that authorities are launching a crackdown on electricity theft. In this reference, he said work has started on the Electricity Theft Act through …

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar Wednesday directed to present a comprehensive strategy to boost the country’s IT exports. Chairing a meeting on information technology and telecom sectors in Islamabad, he said every facility will be provided for the promotion of the IT sector and all targets for the promotion of investment in the IT sector will be achieved from the …

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Wednesday approved a two-day physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in a case pertaining to an attack on Judicial Complex Islamabad. He was taken into custody by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police after the ATC announced the reserved verdict. A day earlier, the former Punjab chief minister was taken …

The Pakistan Embassy in Washington on Wednesday responded to “rumours” of visa refusals to US citizens of Pakistani origin because of their links to the PTI, terming the claims “misinformation and disinformation”. The issue was raised after recent media reports claimed the Pakistan Embassy had denied visas to American citizens of Pakistani origin on the basis of their association with …

The government announced plans on Wednesday to launch a crackdown on electricity theft, which federal ministers said lead to combined losses of hundreds of billions of rupees and higher bills for the common citizen. Power Minister Muhammad Ali and Information Minister Murtaza Solangi made the announcement and outlined the measures they would be taking during a press conference in Islamabad. …

The Supreme Court (SC) disposed of on Tuesday a petition filed six years ago to place now deceased military dictator Pervez Musharraf on the Exit Control List (ECL). A three-member bench headed by Justice Mazahar Akbar Naqvi heard the plea. “Isn’t this plea redundant now,” inquired Justice Naqvi. “If it had been fixed for hearing six years ago, it would …

A Pakistani citizen, hailing from Shangla, was arrested in India for illegal entry and living with his in-laws after a “secret” marriage, it emerged on Tuesday. According to Indian media, Faiz Muhammad was taken into custody from Hyderabad, India, for allegedly entering the country illegally. Faiz, a resident of Shangla, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, reportedly met Indian citizen Neha Fatima while living in …

The Supreme Court (SC) reserved the verdict on Tuesday on former prime minister Imran Khan’s petition challenging amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial said a “short and sweet order” would be issued soon after the counsels completed arguments. During the hearing, the CJP observed that amendments to Section 23 of …

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has suspended the detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Parvez Elahi under 3-MPO (Maintenance of Public Order) and ordered the Islamabad police to release him. Elahi, the former Punjab chief minister, was rearrested under 3-MPO by the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police shortly after being released by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on the Lahore …

Last month’s mob attacks on churches and homes of Christians in eastern Pakistan erupted after three Christians threw the pages of Islam’s holy book outside the house of two others to falsely implicate them in a blasphemy case due to a personal dispute, police said Monday. The three detained suspects confessed to conspiring and throwing Quran pages outside Raja Amir’s …

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar grapples with rising public discontent as protests persist over soaring electricity bills, with the people demanding action rather than simple expression of inability or just the good intentions. The unprecedented increase in consumer bills that triggered nationwide protests had prompted the interim prime minister to call back-to-back emergency meetings to discuss the crisis and …

Over the weekend, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) advised tourists visiting northern areas to avoid travel in the evening to avoid any inconvenience or danger during their journey. The department has decided to close Babusar Pass for all traffic after 6 p.m. on Sunday, per a PTDC advisory. It cited unpredictable weather and the recent flooding that submerged a significant …

Muzaffargarh Traffic Police has issued a truck driver’s license to a transgender person for the first time in Punjab. According to a media report, Shahaana Abbas Shani has received a Heavy Transport Vehicle (HTV) license from the department. She told the media that her desire to earn an honorable living motivated her to take this step. Shani told the media that, …

The Hundi rate (illegal money exchange business) often leads to a preference for Hundi channels when it comes to remittances. He emphasised that if these rates were aligned, remittances would naturally flow through the SBP. Anwar emphasised the importance of an enhanced and sustained interactive dialogue between the business community and relevant authorities. He expressed concerns over the prevailing lack …

Special Court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain, who is hearing the cipher case against PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, is on leave, it emerged on Monday. The cipher case pertains to a diplomatic document which reportedly went missing from Imran’s possession. The PTI alleges that it contained a threat from the United States to oust Imran …

BAHAWALPUR: Bahawalpur Commissioner Dr Ehtesham Anwar Mahar says good quality toilets have been established for women along the major highways in the Bahawalpur division. The commissioner said the facility had been made available at select fuel stations and in the first phase, five, six and 10 sites have been selected in Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalpur districts, respectively. He …

PESHAWAR: Several Jamaat-i-Islami activists were booked by the police here on Sunday allegedly for blocking traffic, burning tyres and forcefully shutting down shops in the provincial capital on Saturday. The FIR, registered at Shaheed Gulfat Hussain police station, under sections 436, 341, 148, 149, 153 and 506 against seven JI activists says that the police received a call about a …

Two Pakistan Navy officers and one soldier were martyred on Monday in a helicopter crash in Balochistan’s Gwadar, a spokesperson for the navy said. In a statement, the spokesperson said that the helicopter crashed during a training flight in Gwadar. “The helicopter crashed during the flight due to a possible technical fault,” the spokesperson said. “As a result of the …

MOSCOW: Russia’s former president and Security Council chairman Dmitry Medvedev said Sunday that Moscow had recruited some 280,000 people into the army since the start of the year. Russia has not announced another mobilisation, seen as an unpopular measure, but has led an active campaign to attract more men into the military as its Ukraine offensive drags into a 19th …

ISLAMABAD: Carjacking and cell phone snatching witnessed an increase in the federal capital during the last week as more than 91 vehicles were stolen or snatched and 72 mobile phones snatched from citizens, mostly at gunpoint, in various localities. According to data, over 10 cases of theft including robbery and snatching of cash were reported to the city’s different police …

LONDON: The persistent and damaging debt problems gripping a number of developing world nations will be a core topic during the G20 summit in Delhi next month. Below is a look at countries currently facing problems. Pakistan Pakistan needs upwards of $22 billion to service external debt and pay other bills for fiscal year 2024. A caretaker administration is in …

A delay in the decision-making by the Power Division and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has proved to be a shocker for the people. Under an agreement with the IMF, the electricity tariff was supposed to be increased from July 1. However, NEPRA and the Power Division delayed raising the basic tariff and multi-air tariff. Owing to the negligence …

Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Murtaza Solangi has denied the deployment of Pakistan Army in Gilgit-Baltistan. In a statement, Murtaza Solangi said that the reports about the deployment of Pakistan Army in Gilgit-Baltistan are baseless. The information minister said that all the roads, commercial centers, educational institutions are open as usual across the GB region. Only in view of the security and …

The Gilgit-Baltistan government has decided to call in the army to ensure peace in the region and maintain the law and order situation, it emerged on Saturday. The decision was arrived at during a meeting of the Parliamentary Peace Committee the apex body headed by the chief minister that decides on matters related to law and order held yesterday. The …

ISLAMABAD: The Punjab Intelligence Agencies have proposed to the provincial government to stress upon the federal government to address excessive billing issue on emergent basis as some political parties including PTI could further strengthen protests. In a letter to Punjab Government, Provincial Intelligence Centre (PIC) explained that apropos reports of public protests in various districts of the Punjab against astronomical …