The death of 10-year-old Fatima Furiro would have passed sadly but quietly had it not been for the two graphic videos that turned up on social media. The little girl’s body was this week exhumed for a postmortem examination, days after the videos mysteriously appeared online. One appeared to show signs of torture on Fatima’s body, while the other showed …

Employees of electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) consumed free electricity worth Rs. 8.19 billion in 2022, according to Senator Mushtaq Ahmed. In a post on X, the Senator highlighted that according to data provided by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), power sector employees consumed 340 million free electricity units. As many as 189,000 employees benefited from free electricity units, …

Despite the statement made by Shehbaz Sharif, PPP leader Syed Khursheed Shah has said that he does not see PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif returning to Pakistan in October. On Friday, after meeting his brother in London, Shehbaz had said that after consultations with the party’s senior leadership, it had been decided that Nawaz “will return to Pakistan in October”. Shehbaz …

ISLAMABAD: Annoushay Zahra, a 19-year-old medical student from the Pakistani capital Islamabad, was thrilled and excited about the beginning of a new phase of her life in China after receiving the Chinese government scholarship for 2023-2024. Zahra is one of the dozens of Pakistani students who have recently been awarded fully-funded scholarships by China to study in various top-ranking universities …

In the wake of protests, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) has sought deployment of police force at its different offices to avoid “unpleasant” situations. In a letter to Rawalpindi’s city police officer, IESCO said that consumers are visiting different offices of IESCO in groups and mobs to protest against electricity issues. “The employees of IESCO are feeling un-rest while performing …

People in different parts of the country on Saturday expressed despair and anger at unprecedentedly high electricity bills with some threatening demonstrations and even a civil disobedience campaign if the extra taxes weren’t deducted. The severe reaction led caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar to call an emergency meeting at the Prime Minister’s House tomorrow (Sunday). “In the meeting, a …

In a dramatic turn of events, a fierce dispute between two women over the ownership of an American cat erupted, resulting in extreme physical brawl. The exquisite American cat was discovered roaming the streets, approximately one month ago. Rani Bibi, a resident of Sadhoke, took it upon herself to rescue and provide a loving home for the cat. Little did …

The water level in India’s Pong and Bhakra dams constructed on the Sutlej River has risen to dangerously high levels. A spokesman for the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has warned that in case of more rains, a catastrophic increase in the water inflow from India is expected. The districts likely to be affected the most are Kasur, Okara, …

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has said that it is not necessary to agree with the US on every issue, adding that there are constructive and positive ties with Washington. In a conversation with a delegation of Harvard University students, the interim PM said there is agreement and disagreement on various issues between countries. He further said that Pakistan …

Justice Mohammad Ibrahim Khan took the oath of office as the Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court on Friday. The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Governor’s House, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali administering the oath. The event was graced by the presence of the Chief Minister, judges of the high court, lawyers, caretaker ministers, government officials, …

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Friday underscored that Pakistan was acting as a “bulwark against terrorism” and called on the international community to realise the immense sacrifices rendered by the country. He passed these remarks during an interactive session with a group of 38 students from Harvard from nine different countries at the General Headquarters in …

The Supreme Court’s Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail on Friday asked why the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had “unlimited power” to file cases against anyone as the court dismissed the watchdog’s appeal against the bail of Ahad Cheema, now an adviser to the interim prime minister. During the proceedings, the NAB’s prosecutor, who appeared on behalf of the watchdog’s Prosecutor General …

More than 8,400 people and 341 animals were evacuated to safe places in the past 24 hours from different Punjab districts as parts of Sutlej river Islam Headworks remained in high flood, rescue services reported on Friday. According to the Punjab government’s Flood Warning Center, River Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala was in high flood and kept rising. “The discharge …

The government on Friday warned government officials of attempts to hack mobile phones to obtain “sensitive information” and asked them to remain vigilant. In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said, “Security agencies have unearthed an attempt to hack the mobile phones of senior government officials in a bid to obtain sensitive information.” It said the elements behind the …

Pakistan has said that it has not made any formal request to join BRICS group of nations. While answering a question about the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan will examine the latest developments and make a determination about its future engagement with the group. The statement comes a day after BRICS – Brazil, …

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) adjourned on Friday the hearing of a case pertaining to former prime minister’s Imran Khan’s conviction in the Toshakhana case. The hearing has been adjourned till August 28 (Monday). On Thursday, both the IHC and Supreme Court had adjourned the hearing till Friday (today). During the hearing on Thursday, Sardar Latif Khosa, Salman Akram Raja, …

Bushra Bibi, the wife of former prime minister Imran Khan, claimed in an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court (SC) Friday that the life of her husband is in danger at Attock jail, where he has been serving three-sentence after being convicted in Toshakhana case earlier this month. The former first lady submitted the sworn statement in the apex court …

ISLAMABAD: Japan’s self-centric and irresponsible approach to dumping nuclear-contaminated wastewater in the sea will take a serious toll on human health and the global ecosystem, a Pakistani expert said. The release of wastewater into the ocean would be a disaster for maritime security, the blue economy, oceanography, biodiversity, and climate change, and will increase the risk of radiation in the …

Unfortunately, on the 16th of August, 2023, many homes of Christian communities living in different part of Jaranwala were attacked and burnt. Even two Christians were also brutally killed by violent mobs of Muslims. In a mad chase of their own vested interests many Churches were also demolished indicating severe religious intolerance, widespread fanaticism creating serious problems for the State …

The Supreme Court (SC) reiterated its decision on Thursday to halt proceedings on a plea challenging the remand of the Toshakhana case to Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Humayun Dilawar who convicted PTI chief Imran Khan in the case until the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) decision on another petition seeking the suspension of the former premier’s sentence. On August 5, a …

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja on Thursday responded to the letter written to him by President Arif Alvi for meeting to “fix an appropriate date” for general elections, saying that participating in such a confab would be of “scant importance” after changes to the election law. The president had written to Raja on Wednesday, inviting him for a …

32 percent of the firms in Pakistan identify corruption as a major business constraint. This is higher than the average for South Asia, which is 28 percent, and higher than the global average of 29 percent Constraints such as corruption which are high in Pakistan compared to other regions in the world, can reduce opportunities for new entrants into the …

The caretaker government has constituted a new Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE), according to an official notification of the Cabinet Division. The committee will comprise Ministers of Power and Petroleum; Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Privatization; Planning, Development & Special Initiatives; Communications, Railways and Maritime Affairs; and Law & Justice, Climate Change and Water Resources. The terms of reference of …

Eastern Europe is seeing a rise in foreign workers on construction sites, signaling a change in the region’s attitude towards immigration. While this shift is driven by economic needs, it stands in contrast to some political narratives that have been dominant in countries like Poland and Hungary, reported Bloomberg. R ows of white containers house thousands of workers from Pakistan, …

Lahore police officials have been arrested after five government guns got stolen from the Township police station. According to a media report, five government-owned 9mm Beretta guns were stolen from Lahore Township police. The department filed a charge against 13 police officials as per DIG Operations Ali Nasir Rizvi’s direct orders. The department has filed a case against ASI Tariq Aziz, …

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has declared 185 housing societies and residential projects illegal in Islamabad. The CDA has updated the list of illegal housing societies on its website. According to the latest list, CDA has declared 24 residential projects and housing societies illegal in Zone I, 7 housing societies in Zone II, and 15 housing societies in Zone III …

President Dr Arif Alvi has sought a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja today [Wednesday] or tomorrow “to fix an appropriate date” for the general elections. The president assented to a premature dissolution of the National Assembly on August 9, shortly after former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif forwarded the summary. After that, general elections in the country …

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Wednesday asserted that under no circumstances would the country consider surrendering to terrorists as he renewed Pakistan’s resolve to continue its fight against extremism. The interim premier’s remarks come in the context of a skirmish with terrorists in the Asman Manza area of South Waziristan district where the military’s media wing had confirmed …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan moved the apex court against the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday, levelling serious allegations of “deep and settled bias” on the high court’s chief justice. The former prime minister in the petition alleged that he is being held in Attock jail after being “convicted on a cooked up and fabricated charge after a …

The Supreme Court, while hearing the appeals of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case, has declared that the trial court’s decision in the case was incorrect in retrospect. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, and comprising Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel heard the case. The CJP remarked …

The Indonesian Embassy in Islamabad hosted an event to celebrate Pakistani students who have won scholarships to study in Indonesia. The scholarships, which are part of the Dharmasiswa cultural exchange program, cover tuition, accommodation, and living expenses. In his speech at the event, Indonesian Ambassador, Adam Tugio, congratulated the students and said that Pakistan has the most students receiving these …

An audacious group of Afghan criminals brazenly kidnapped a businessman, his elderly mother, and accompanying individuals during broad daylight in F-10 Markaz, Islamabad. The incident took place at approximately 12:15 pm, leaving witnesses and locals stunned by the audacity of the criminals. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nasir Akbar said that the motive behind the abduction might be rooted in …

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan Reaza Amiri Moghaddam said that Pakistan and Iran’s bilateral relations have a resounding future and they have a great potential to achieve high goals in era of geo-economics. Speaking at Islamabad Policy Research Institute’s Distinguished Lecture Series, titled ‘Diplomatic Reflections’ under the theme of Iran-Pakistan Relations, Reaza Amiri urged upon to tap all the …

Four terrorists were killed and six soldiers embraced martyrdom in an exchange of fire on Tuesday in South Waziristan district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. “On 22 August 2023, [a] fire exchange took place between own troops and terrorists in general area Asman Manza, South Waziristan District,” the ISPR said. According to the military’s media wing, …

As the Sutlej River continues to experience severe flooding, the resulting devastation in adjacent villages had led to the migration of people from the affected areas while many others face the looming threat of being drowned out by the unsparing deluge. The flood water has reached 175,000 cusecs, breaching protective dykes, submerging numerous villages and disrupting transportation links. However, the …

Two wires of a chairlift car in Battagram’s Allai tehsil snapped on Tuesday morning leaving at least eight people, including schoolchildren and teachers stranded at over 2,000 metres mid-air. The children were headed to school when the incident occured at around 8am, according to Allai tehsil chairperson Mufti Gulamullah. Meanwhile, a notice issued by the provincial authorities later in the …

The Pakistani government has formally requested Saudi authorities to grant an exemption for elderly pilgrims from the mandatory biometric verification process. Interim Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Aneeq Ahmed praised the Saudi government’s commitment to providing top-notch facilities to Pakistani pilgrims. Speaking at a joint press conference alongside the Saudi Minister for Hajj and Umrah, Ahmed highlighted the historic and …

RAWALPINDI: Pakistani forces had arrested six suspected smugglers from Pakistani territory near the Indo-Pak border, said the military on Tuesday. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan army, said in a statement that Pakistan Rangers, a force guarding the country’s eastern border with India, detained the smugglers from July 29 to Aug. 3, 2023. The ISPR …

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar visited Jaranwala on Monday to express solidarity with the victims of the Christian community, distributing cheques worth two million rupees each. A violent mob last week ransacked and torched several churches while also attacking the residences of members of the Christian community in Jaranwala. During the visit, the premier also examined the restoration and repair …

The Supreme Court’s (SC) Registrar Office refused to entertain on Monday a petition challenging ‘political victimisation’ and denial of ‘right to fair trial’ over rejected pre-arrest bail pleas of ousted prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan. A constitutional petition was filed before the top court on Imran’s behalf seeking relief in cases wherein his pre-arrest bail pleas were …