Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has underscored the crucial role of taxpayers in the country’s development, acknowledging their contributions to increasing exports and addressing economic challenges. Addressing the Tax Excellence Awards 2024 ceremony in Islamabad, taxpayers were architects of Pakistan, as they helped increase exports. “We have to work together to solve the country’s economic conditions and challenges. The federation has …

ADDIS ABABA: Cooperation with China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has significantly contributed to the betterment of the lives of ordinary Ethiopians, Ethiopian experts have said. Ethiopia, as one of the growing list of countries cooperating with China under the BRI, has witnessed the initiative’s significant contribution in terms of meaningfully transforming the lives of millions of Ethiopians, …

BOAO, Hainan: Some 2,000 participants will attend the 2024 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) annual conference, scheduled for March 26 to 29 in Boao, a coastal town on China’s island province of Hainan, BFA secretary general Li Baodong said on Tuesday. This year’s conference will draw about 2,000 delegates from over 60 countries and regions and more than 1,100 journalists …

WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s latest snowline survey revealed “continued shrinkage” of glaciers in the country. New Zealand’s glaciers appear “smashed and shattered” due to enduring ice loss, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) said on Monday. NIWA has been flying over New Zealand’s mountain ranges to conduct their end-of-summer snowline survey, observing the state of glaciers and the …

UNITED NATIONS: The Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution that demands an immediate cease-fire in Gaza for the holy month of Ramadan. Resolution 2728 won 14 votes in favor among the 15 members of the council. The United States, which had previously vetoed three draft resolutions that would have called for or demanded a cease-fire in Gaza, abstained on …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit in Beijing on Monday. Noting that Dominica is an important country in the Caribbean, as well as a trustworthy good friend and partner to China in the region, Xi said the two countries have respected each other and treated each other as equals since …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nauruan President David Adeang held talks in Beijing on Monday. Xi noted that Nauru’s political decision to adhere to the one-China principle and restore diplomatic ties with China in January is a move that conforms to the trend of history and the times. Friendship, no matter its beginning, will have a bright future, and …

In the run-up to the Senate elections scheduled for the first week of April, the political landscape across Pakistan is once again being dominated by familiar faces and family ties rather than merit-based selections. The trend is evident across Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), and Balochistan, reflecting a nationwide phenomenon of prioritising personal relationships and dynastic politics over a democratic …

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the names of 29 players who will be participating in an intensive physical fitness camp set to kick off tomorrow at Kakul. Leading the group are Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, joined by talents like Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, and Saud Shakeel. Pakistan T20 players to undergo Physical fitness camp in Kakul from …

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the 20-player probable squad for the upcoming series against West Indies women. Set to commence from April 18th to May 3rd at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium. Led by Saleem Jaffar, the selection committee picked players based on their recent performances in domestic and international cricket. Key inclusions are Ayesha Zafar, Rameen Shamim, and …

Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has announced the launch of Pakistan’s largest IT Park in Islamabad, marking a significant step forward in the country’s tech sector. Covering an expansive 3.3 acres in Sector G-10, this initiative promises to revolutionize the information technology landscape of the federal capital. Pakistan’s first IT Park launched in Islamabad promises to revolutionize the tech landscape. …

Major progress reported in the repatriation of Afghan citizens. As of March 24, 2024, the number of illegal Afghans voluntarily returning to their homeland has surged to 520,692, with the repatriation process ongoing. Over the past 12 days, from March 12 to March 24, a total of 7,186 Afghan individuals, including 2,874 men, 1,543 women, and 2,769 children, have chosen …

Principle Aitchison College Michael Thompson has resigned from his post due to political interference in his official work. Federal Minister Ahad Cheema’s family requested not to charge fees during the holidays due to shifting to Islamabad, Principal Aitchison College Michael Thomson rejected the request for a fee waiver, but the Governor House Secretariat by using their powers issued a notification …

FC Balochistan (North) conducted anti-trafficking operations across various areas of Balochistan in collaboration with other organizations. From March 6th to March 24th, 2024, a huge amount of illegal goods was intercepted, preventing its entry into the region. A total of 12 metric tons of drugs, 1135 solar panels and inverters, 410 cartons of cigarettes, and 39,260 liters of Iranian diesel …

Islamabad District and Sessions Court Additional Sessions Judge Tahir Abbas Supraon Monday issued the production orders of PTI founder Imran Khan on the six bail cases of former prime minister and his wife Bushra bibi. Despite the court order, the PTI founder could not appear on the video link, and despite the order, Jail Superintendent Adiala did not ensure the …

The govt has announced major adjustments to various National Savings Schemes. The latest changes bring good news for investors, as the rates of return on several schemes have been uplifted. According to the official statement, the rate of return on Behbood Certificates has been increased by 24 basis points, now standing at an attractive 15.60%. Similarly, investors in Special Savings …

The Supreme Court (SC) hearing intra-court appeals against the civilian trial in the military courts sought a detailed report of the accused persons who were declared innocent in the May 9 cases. A 6-member larger bench headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan including Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Musrat Hilali, and Justice Irfan Saadat …

BEIJING: U.S. politicians relish touting their country as the “indispensable” global leader, and with lofty slogans, empty talks and deadly bombs, they constantly remind other nations who is calling the shot. Yet the world, once again reminded by the 21st anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the risible third edition of the Washington-orchestrated “Summit for Democracy,” has become …

ADEN, Yemen: Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the leader of Yemen’s Houthi group, raised alarms earlier this month with his declaration of intent to disrupt maritime traffic in the Indian Ocean, particularly around the strategic Cape of Good Hope. Broadcast on the group’s al-Masirah TV, al-Houthi’s pronouncement of ongoing operations to hinder Israeli-affiliated shipping has heightened regional tensions. Further compounding these concerns …

BEIJING: China’s focus on developing new quality productive forces and promoting high-quality development will create great opportunities for businesses both at home and abroad, and inject strong impetus into global economic recovery and growth, according to the country’s top economic planner. China will take solid steps to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces, boost industrial innovation via technological …

DHAKA: With the last wind-driven generator installed, Cox’s Bazar wind plant, the first centralized wind power project in Bangladesh invested and constructed by Chinese enterprises, was fully put into operation on Sunday. The wind power project, located in Bangladesh’s southeastern Cox’s Bazar district, some 400 km away from capital Dhaka, is invested by Wuling Power Corp., a subsidiary of China’s …

ISLAMABAD: In northwest Pakistan’s Peshawar, artisans still preserve the traditional craft of making pottery, locally known as “Peshawar pottery”. Peshawar pottery is made from a special blend of white clay and ground glass, which makes it stronger and more durable. A worker makes pottery in northwest Pakistan’s Peshawar on March 24, 2024. (Photo by Saeed Ahmad/Xinhua)  A worker makes pottery …

BEIJING: A compilation of excerpts from discourses on China’s financial sector by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has been published by the Central Party Literature Press. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has strengthened overall leadership and …

At least six people were killed and eight others injured during a clash over a land dispute in Nawabshah district on Sunday. The conflict erupted early this morning between two factions of the Dahri community stemming from a disagreement over contracted land within the jurisdiction of Pubho police station. According to Nawabshah police, the armed confrontation resulted in the deaths …

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-backed independents are caught in a downward spiral as their grip on victory slips away in the recounting of ballots following the recent general elections as losers emerge victorious nonstop across several constituencies of national and provincial assemblies, it emerged on Saturday. Even though PTI-backed independent candidates achieved a historic feat by securing the highest number of seats …

A video has been leaked wherein the Afghan Taliban along with terrorists planning an attack on security forces along the Pak-Afghan border. The video presents evidence of the use of Afghan territory by terrorists and continuous terrorist attacks on Pakistan soil. It can be seen in the video that a leader of Afghan Tehreek Taliban Afghanistan (TTA) in the Dangar …

Once again, the Western false and fake propaganda is getting momentum about so-called human rights violations in Xizang region. The global schemers of conflicts and conspiracies intentionally disseminated this issue during the Chinese 2 Sessions and tried to sabotage the soft image and contributions of China in the global peace, stability and revival of the global economy too. Nevertheless, it …

BEIJING: Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended the opening ceremony of the China Development Forum 2024 on Sunday in Beijing, and delivered a keynote speech. The China Development Forum 2024 is scheduled for March 24 and March 25. The theme of this year’s forum is “The Continuous Development of China.” This theme reflects the attention and expectations of all sectors for …

BEIJING: China’s crude oil output posted steady growth in the first two months of this year, official data showed. The output totaled 35.11 million tonnes in the January-February period, rising 2.9 percent year on year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). China’s crude oil imports saw rapid growth during the period, NBS data showed.

CAIRO: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had concluded his visit to Israel, the last leg of his sixth Middle East tour since the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Predictably, his efforts fell short of securing a ceasefire. Despite Washington’s rhetoric about seeking a ceasefire, its steadfast backing of Israel’s relentless airstrikes on Gaza not only underscores its complicity but …

ISLAMABAD: As the sleek silhouette of the JF-17 Thunder jet fighter streaked through the sky, its powerful engines roared in harmony with the beating hearts of hundreds of spectators gathering to witness the grandeur of the parade ceremony, held to commemorate the 84th Pakistan Day here on Saturday. Amidst the backdrop of fluttering flags and patriotic fervor, the jet’s aerobatic …

MOSCOW: The fire at a concert hall in Moscow’s suburbs has been largely extinguished, with some areas still smoldering, Governor of Moscow Oblast Andrey Vorobyev said on Saturday. Firefighters continue to douse the structure of the Crocus City Hall, where the roof over the auditorium has collapsed. Rescue teams managed to enter the auditorium, which was the fire’s epicenter and …

BEIJING: The Philippines should immediately stop its infringement and provocation, and refrain from undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Saturday. The spokesperson made the remarks in response to the Philippines’ resupply to Ren’ai Jiao of China’s Nansha Qundao. According to the spokesperson, in disregard of China’s strong opposition, the Philippines …

One may reckon that it takes a bad pilot to repeat the same mistake in flying combat merely two years apart. However, unlike spotting a bad pilot which requires more than a layman’s understanding of the Air Force, spotting a bad hero is a much easier task. In Fighter’s case, Hrithik Roshan happens to be both. The patriot’s cinema has …

The government unveiled the compulsory tax registration scheme for retailers and wholesalers doing business in six cities of Pakistan on Friday. This move also marks the first test case of the ruling party’s political will to expand the narrow tax base. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued the statutory regulatory order to implement the new scheme from April 1, …

Pakistan has formally launched its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a two year term from 2025 to 2026 with the promise of contributing meaningfully to the council’s mandate for international peace and security. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to UN Ambassador Munir Akram formally announced Pakistan’s candidacy at a well-attended reception at the UN …

Earth Hour Day embodies global solidarity against climate change, urging environmental action, policy reforms, and sustainable habits. It serves as a beacon of unity for conservation, fostering enduring solutions and positive ecological impacts through collective endeavors. As the world rallies for environmental preservation, Earth Hour Day emerges as a pivotal event, cultivating awareness and mobilizing action against climate change. Set …

Renowned diplomat and former Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Shahryar M. Khan, has passed away at the age of 89 in Lahore. His family has confirmed his demise, marking the end of a remarkable journey that saw him play pivotal roles in both cricket and diplomacy. Born on March 29, 1934, in Lucknow, India, Shahryar Khan received his …

President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday conferred the Nishan-i-Pakistan award on Saudi Arabian Minister for Defence Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, during a special investiture ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, federal ministers, the military’s top brass and members of the diplomatic corps. The award was conferred on Prince Khalid …

An American hunter has made headlines after successfully hunting the highest-rated Markhor in the Astore district of Gilgit-Baltistan. The hunt, which took place in the Doyan Community Controlled Hunting Area, was sanctioned to Brian Douglas Williams through a hunting permit obtained at a staggering cost of $181,000. The horn size of the trophy is said to be 40 inches. This …