Opposition leader in the National Assembly (NA) Raja Riaz appears confident that he and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will reach a consensus on selecting a name for the caretaker prime minister. The tenure of the NA is set to expire on August 12 and meetings are under way between the members of the government on the details of an interim …

Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani on Sunday “dropped” a bill aimed at curbing violent extremism after fierce opposition from lawmakers, including those from the ruling coalition. According to the agenda for today’s session, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah was supposed to table the bill titled ‘The Prevention of Violent Extremism Bill 2023’. However, many parliamentarians, including those from the ruling coalition, opposed …

The Special Envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, He Lifeng, will arrive in Pakistan on Sunday for a two-day visit to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). During his visit, He Lifeng will call on President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He will also be the chief guest at an event celebrating the …

The Supreme Court has held that if the remedy of a constitutional petition was not availed within a reasonable time, the interference could be refused on the ground of laches a doctrine according to which a claimant is no longer entitled to bring an equitable claim if he sleeps over his rights by delaying in asserting them. The top court …

Ashura, the tenth day of the first Islamic month of Muharram, is being observed on Saturday across the country, as mourners solemnly participate in processions grieving and paying homage to the supreme sacrifice made by the family of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during the tragic events of Karbala. The day marks the undeterred resilience of the Prophet’s (PBUH) grandson, Hazrat Imam …

Three terrorists have been killed in successful operations conducted by security forces in Khyber and South Waziristan districts. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), one terrorist was killed during an exchange of fire with security forces in the Bagh area of Khyber district. Additionally, weapons and ammunition were recovered from the deceased terrorist. In a separate encounter, two more terrorists were …

Hafiz Hamdullah, a senior leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), has dropped hints about the potential dissolution of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), which currently represents a coalition of various political parties in Pakistan. In a recent exclusive interview, Hafiz Hamdullah expressed his disappointment with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for discussing the caretaker …

During a joint operation conducted by the Sindh and Punjab police in the Katcha area of Kandhkot, eight dacoits were killed, and three others were injured. According to the police, the encounter resulted in the death of eight dacoits, including the leader of the notorious Andhar group. The deceased were identified as Janwandhar, Somershar, Nazroshar, and Mushirwandhar. Among them, Janwandhar, …

Mourners across the country are taking out processions on Muharram 9 to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), his family, and his followers in Karbala. The processions are moving along their traditional, pre-determined routes in different cities and towns of the country, including Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Quetta, etc. The mourners were expected to perform different rituals associated …

After the backlash for his abhorrent remarks on the floor of the Senate a couple of days ago, our Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, who, by the way, has a sad history of passing sexist remarks in parliament, has come up with a typical explanation, one worthy of a misogynist of his cadre. Khawaja Asif claims that when he referred to …

Thousands of Shia Muslims marched through Indian-held Kashmir’s largest city on Thursday for a major religious procession permitted in the restive territory for the first time since a ban was imposed decades ago. The Islamic calendar is currently in the month of Muharram, the holiest time for Shias across the world when large processions mark the martyrdom of the Prophet …

To encourage people to file taxes, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has increased the withholding tax rate for non-activate tax filers or those not on the Active Taxpayers List (ATL). According to a Wednesday circular, non-ATL filers will be taxed Rs303 for a bank withdrawal of Rs50,500. Those withdrawing between Rs55,000-Rs75,000 will be taxed Rs450. However, Pakistan’s government agencies …

75th martyrdom anniversary of Captain Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed, the first Nishan-e-Haider recipient, is being observed. Captain Muhammad Sarwar demonstrated indomitable courage and valour in defence of motherland and embraced martyrdom at Tilpatra in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in 1948 The Armed Forces of Pakistan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and services Chiefs have paid glowing tribute to Captain Muhammad …

The Foreign Office has stated that there will be no talks with those who conduct terrorism in Pakistan. At the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Thursday reacted to media reports of Special Representative Asif Durrani’s visit to Kabul. “This is the same advice to those who advise negotiations with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan,” the spokesperson said. Furthermore, …

The Senate has passed the Pakistan Army Act (Amendment) Bill 2023.Defense Minister Khawaja Asif had introduced the bill to further amend the Army Act. According to the bill, a person who, in an official capacity makes an unauthorized disclosure of information obtained in the interest and security of Pakistan, will be punished with rigorous imprisonment for up to five years. …

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov spoke via telephone on Wednesday and discussed bilateral issues, including the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI), according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In recognition of the importance of the BSGI initiative as well as its potential impact on disrupting global food supply chains, resulting …

A joint session of the Parliament on Wednesday approved amendments to the Election Act 2017, granting the caretaker government powers to take actions or decisions regarding ongoing bilateral or multilateral agreements and projects. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Murtaza Javed Abbasi presented the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Sub-clauses 1 and 2 of Section 230 of the election act related to the functioning …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said reforms are needed in order to ensure economic growth in Pakistan. Addressing a ceremony of distributing laptops and cheques in Karachi, PM Shehbaz said the government has developed a plan to push Pakistan towards economic growth. “Despite all the challenges, Pakistan has averted potential default. Now, we need to introduce basic reforms for economic …

Dear Khawaja Asif, we listened to what you said about several PTI women leaders in the National Assembly but unfortunately, we’re not surprised. Your sexism is showing again, not that you ever made any great efforts to hide it. You’re quite the repeat offender a certain tractor trolley remark instantly comes to mind and you’re never repentant. Most of your …

Sindh MPA Muhammad Aslam Abro’s brother and nephew were shot dead on Wednesday after unidentified assailants opened fire on their vehicle in Phase 7 of Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA). South Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Asad Raza said that the vehicle that came under attack belonged to Aslam but he was not travelling with his brother and nephew. He …

The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved the National Adaptation Plan 2023 which is aimed at protecting communities that are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. The cabinet approved the plan on the recommendation of the Ministry of Climate Change. An official handout from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said that under the plan, the government, along with other …

Punjab Police has set forth a bold proposal to implement a substantial increase in driving license fees, aiming to generate additional revenue and enhance road safety measures. The Inspector General (IG) Punjab has recently forwarded a summary to the provincial government, seeking approval for the proposed fee hike across various categories of licenses. If the proposal garners the necessary approval, …

Imran took TikTok by storm, gaining nearly 3 million followers on the social app within 24 hours of making an account. But this was clearly not the end of it as the former Prime Minister’s follower count continued to skyrocket with more social media posts. Now Imran Khan has become the most followed political leader on TikTok with 6.7 million …

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Wednesday released a detailed report on the devastating loss of life and property caused by the recent monsoon rains across Pakistan. According to the report, since June 25, a staggering 150 people have tragically lost their lives in various accidents directly related to the heavy rains, while 233 individuals have been injured across the …

The 12-member medical board of the Lahore General Hospital has submitted its report to the Punjab government in the incident of alleged torture of the administrative officer of the Islamabad Judicial Complex on his minor domestic worker. Meanwhile, the Islamabad police has contacted the Sargodha police in the case. They have recommended they be handed over the probe into the …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday blasted “evil people” for burning a copy of the Holy Quran in front of the Iraqi embassy in Denmark which followed similar incidents in Sweden. “The latest incident of desecration of the Holy Quran in front of an Iraqi Embassy in Denmark has left Muslims all over the world deeply anguished,” PM Shehbaz said in …

In yet another tale of cross-border love story, an Indian woman made headlines today as she embraced Islam and tied the knot with her long-time Pakistani Facebook friend. The 35-year-old Anju, who came from India, got married to 29-year-old Naseerullah from the village of Deer Bala. She changed her name to Fatima In the photos and video shared online, the …

As a first information report into the case of the violence against a minor domestic worker in Islamabad was registered against a civil judge and his wife who employed her, the judicial officer has claimed that the girl was beaten up by her own mother. The 14-year-old domestic worker, Rizwana, was found badly wounded at the house of the administrative …

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari engaged in a crucial telephonic conversation on Tuesday, where they delved into matters concerning Pakistan’s economic outlook and ongoing developments in Afghanistan. Following the conversation, Secretary Blinken took to Twitter and penned that “Had a good call with @BBhuttoZardari to discuss our support for Pakistan’s economic recovery and …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday deferred the indictment of PTI Chairman Imran Khan till August 2 in a case pertaining to contempt of the electoral body and the chief election commissioner (CEC). The ECP issued the directives as a four-member bench headed by member Nisar Durrani heard the case. During today’s hearing, Imran made his first appearance …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reiterated the country has managed to avert a ‘sovereign default’ while recent improvements in the agriculture and energy sectors would translate into saving billions of dollars. The remarks from the prime minister came while addressing a ceremony in Dera Ismail Khan, where he laid the foundation stone of eight development projects. “The coalition government …

The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday barred authorities from arresting PTI Chairman Imran Khan till August 9 in a case pertaining to the murder of lawyer Abdul Razzaq Shar in Quetta. A three-member bench led by Justice Yahya Afridi and comprising Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Mussarat Hilali issued the directives while hearing Imran’s plea seeking to …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday that the increase in the power tariff would not affect those using up to 200 units per month. He made the remarks while addressing a ceremony in Lahore during which Pakistan LNG Limited and Azeri company Socar signed a framework agreement for liquefied natural gas (LNG). Last week, the federal cabinet had approved the …

In a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Monday, US Central Command (Centcom) chief, General Michael Erik Kurilla, discussed the regional security situation. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a statement, said the meeting between the two sides took place at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. Gen Kurilla acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan Army’s successes in …

The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday gave Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan relief in the case related to the murder of senior lawyer Abdul Razzaq Shar in Quetta, restricting the police from arresting the former prime minister till August 9. The deposed prime minister had filed a plea in the SC seeking the quashing of the FIR that nominated …

The World Bank has pushed back the deadline for the Sindh Solar Energy Project (SSEP) from September 2023 to July 2025, citing insufficient progress with the project facing a variety of issues, including a two-year delay in picking a full-time Project Management Unit (PMU), COVID-19, the 2022 floods, and the PMU’s limited capacity. The extension will enable the PMU to …

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) one of the two major coalition partners at the Center has not ruled out appointing the current finance minister and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) as caretaker prime minister. While both the main coalition partners agreed that a politician should be appointed as the head of the interim set-up, PPP’s Qamar Zaman Kaira said no …

Sources claim that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have agreed on Finance Minister Ishaq Dar as caretaker prime minister, Dar said, adding that the Election Act, 2017 will be amended to enable the interim ruler to take important decisions. During an interview with a local television channel, Dar when asked whether Section 230 of the Election …

In view of the prevailing weather conditions, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a timely alert, warning residents of Punjab, including Lahore, about an expected spell of heavy rains from July 23 to 29. Alongside this forecast, authorities have also expressed concerns over rising water levels in the rivers of Punjab, which may lead to medium to high-level …

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has made remarkable strides in its food street project in Islamabad by successfully conducting an auction for 18 plots on Capital Street, generating Rs. 3.827 billion over a span of two days. During the first day’s auction, nine plots were sold, fetching a substantial sum of Rs. 1.82 billion. Following this success, the auction committee …