Pakistan ranks 101 out of 119 countries in the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) released by the World Economic Forum (WEF). In Southeast Asia, it stands slightly higher than Nepal (105) and Bangladesh (109) but significantly lower than India (39) and Sri Lanka (76). The TTDI is a component of WEF’s broader initiative aimed at fostering a more sustainable, …

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has sent the Anti-smuggling Act 1977 to the Parliament for review with recommendation of amendment in the law, reported on Saturday. The apex court in its verdict said that the anti-smuggling law has scores of lacunae. “The anti-smuggling law only allows accused the right to appeal,” the decision read. “Denying the right to appeal to …

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday stressed upon making sincere efforts to become a member of G20, reported. Addressing a convocation ceremony of HBS Medical and Dental College, the deputy PM said that “Things are turning around and Pakistan is not more in isolation among the comity of nations as claimed by certain critics,” he added. …

Joe Biden’s support for Israel during its eight-month war in Gaza has spurred at least eight U.S. administration officials to quit, with some accusing the U.S. president of turning a blind eye to Israeli atrocities in the Palestinian enclave. The Biden administration denies this, pointing to its criticism of civilian casualties in Gaza and its efforts to boost humanitarian aid …

Pakistani actor and model Feroze Khan has begun celebrations for his second wedding. Recently, a short video featuring Feroze Khan with his new bride, Dua, went viral on Instagram, capturing the attention of fans and followers. In the video, shared by user Yasin Lakhani, he is seen wearing a stylish black outfit, while his bride, Dua, dazzles in a golden …

India voted on Saturday in the final phase of a long-drawn general election, held in record summer heat in many parts, as both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his challengers said they would win the polls centred mostly on inequality and religion. The seven-phase vote, in which nearly a billion people were eligible to cast their ballots, began on April …

In a concerning development, the wife of the Vietnamese ambassador has been reported missing in Islamabad. The ambassador himself contacted the police helpline 15 to report his wife’s disappearance. Confirming the call from Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Tien Phong, a police spokesperson acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. According to the ambassador, his wife went for a routine walk at 11am, …

The leaders of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on Friday invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint meeting of Congress, a show of support amid partisan divides over Israel’s campaign in Gaza. The letter inviting Netanyahu was signed by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell …

Amid rising inflation, electricity consumers in Pakistan are facing another financial blow as the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved a significant increase in electricity prices. The hike ranges from Rs1.90 to Rs3.28 per unit, adding to the financial burden of households and businesses alike. NEPRA has forwarded its decision to the government, citing the need for a …

Due to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) pressure, the government is in a quandary to provide full relief to the people, taking a U-turn late in the night after taking credit for a decrease of Rs15.40 on petrol and Rs7.90 on diesel prices. The IMF’s strict conditions reportedly came in the way of a huge relief reaching the people from …

BEIJING: The Chinese foreign ministry on Friday said China looks forward to the visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, taking it as an “opportunity to promote greater joint development”. Spokesperson Mao Ning at her regular briefing said the official visit would boost the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic partnership and build a closer community of destiny in the new era. Prime …

GAZA: The Israeli army has withdrawn from the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip after nearly three weeks of military operation there, Palestine TV reported on Friday. The civil defense agency in Gaza said that rescuers found a large number of bodies in the area from which the Israeli army has withdrawn, and the search and rescue work …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Friday announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, a new milestone in bilateral relations. The announcement came as Xi held talks with Hamad, who is in China for a state visit. Hamad also attended the opening ceremony of the 10th ministerial …

A 13-member full-court bench of the Supreme Court has been formed to hear the Sunni Ittehad Council’s (SIC) reserved seats case on June 3. Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa would head the bench. Justice Musarrat Hilali will not be present to hear the case due to illness. On May 6, Supreme Court (SC) suspended the Election Commission of …

The Board of Revenue Punjab has sent a summary to the government recommending an increase in stamp duties by 2 to 10 times. As per details, the Punjab government is likely to collect Rs4.21 billion annually through increase in stamp duties, according to sources. The revenue department has proposed to increase the rate of Rs100 affidavit to Rs300, while, the …

Farmers in Pakistan have been protesting over the last few months after the government slashed its procurement quota for wheat. Sindh province, with its early crop yields, has been central to the protests, but two months after the completion of this year’s wheat harvest there, the stand-off continues. “The government had fixed the wheat purchasing rate and was supposed to …

In a bid to improve user experience, WhatsApp has introduced a new ‘Favorite Chats’ filter for its Android beta testers. The feature, available in version 2.24.12.7, allows users to easily access their most important conversations and groups. Initially available for the calls tab, the feature has now been extended to the chats tab, enabling users to quickly find their favourite …

Malaika Arora and Arjun Kapoor, a couple admired for their enduring and loving relationship, have decided to part ways after five years of dating. Multiple sources confirmed the news to Pinkvilla, stating that the couple chose to end their courtship respectfully after their relationship was heading nowhere. A source close to the couple shared that Malaika and Arjun had a …

Pakistan’s cricket captain, Babar Azam, has lamented the team’s dismal performance against England in the recently concluded four-match T20 series, acknowledging they should have played well ahead of the World Cup in the US. Speaking in the post-match presentation ceremony in London, Babar expressed his thoughts on the importance of playing modern cricket, and the road ahead for Pakistan. He …

An explosion in a gas cylinder shop in Hyderabad’s Preetabad area has claimed the lives of seven people and left at least 52 others injured, six of whom are in critical condition. The blast occurred in a densely populated area, with locals and rescue workers rushing to the scene to assist the victims. The seven victims included five children. Six …

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been granted conditional permission to hold a rally in Rawat on GT Road by the deputy commissioner’s office. This decision comes as part of the ongoing contempt of court case related to the PTI’s previous inability to hold a rally in Islamabad due to a lack of permission. The Islamabad High Court, led by Chief …

Pakistan and Kuwait are set to sign a $25 million loan agreement for the Mohmand Dam on June 3. This was decided at the Fifth Joint Ministerial Commission Meeting held in Kuwait on Thursday, co-chaired by Pakistan’s Minister of Privatization and Investment Abdul Aleem Khan and Kuwait’s Minister of Commerce Omar Saud Al Omar. The high-level event saw participation from …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has constituted a three-member committee for the delimitation of constituencies in Islamabad. A notification has been issued in this regard. The district election commissioner in Islamabad will appoint the convener of the delimitation committee from June 1 to 19, the initial publication will be held on June 20, the objections issued on the schedule …

XINJANG: “The relationship between Pakistan and China has always been strong, but with this satellite project, we are taking it to new heights, literally touching space.” This collaboration not only strengthens our bond but also brings tangible benefits to the people of Pakistan, particularly those in remote and hard-to-reach areas. Minister Ahsan Iqbal shared these views with Vice President, CASC …

BEIJING: At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan will pay an official visit to China from June 4 to 8, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced on Friday. This will be the first visit to China by Shehbaz since the establishment of the new Pakistani government this year, …

GAZA: The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 36,224, according to a statement by health authorities in the Palestinian enclave on Thursday. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 53 Palestinians and wounded 357 others, bringing the total number of injuries to 81,777 since the outbreak of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that China’s cooperation to launch Pakistani satellite “Paksat MM1” will boost connectivity and economic growth in Pakistan, the prime minister’s office said in a statement. Felicitating “the entire nation on the momentous occasion of the launch of” the satellite, the prime minister said that the achievement marks a significant advancement in …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called on China and Arab states to deepen cooperation and step up the building of a China-Arab community with a shared future. Xi made the remarks in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 10th ministerial conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF). CHINA-ARAB RELATIONS SCALING NEW HEIGHTS China-Arab relations …

Pakistan and Azerbaijan have agreed to enhance their multifaceted cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, connectivity, energy and defence. The understanding this effect came at delegation level talks between the two countries in Islamabad today. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar led the Pakistani side while the Azeri side by its Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. Later addressing …

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, where technology constantly shapes our lives, safeguarding our devices from malicious software remains paramount. The recent discovery of nearly 100 malicious apps on the Google Play Store, with a collective 5.5 million installs, underscores the persistent threat posed by cybercriminals. According to BleepingComputer, this alarming revelation by cybersecurity firm Zscaler highlights the urgent need …

Bollywood actress Rashmika Mandana, who recently wowed audiences alongside Ranbir Kapoor in the blockbuster movie ‘Animal,’ has opened up about a surprising aspect of her public appearances. During the pre-release event of Anand Deverakonda’s new film ‘Gam Gam Ganesha,’ Rashmika spoke in Telugu instead of English, sparking curiosity among her fans. A video clip of the event was shared on …

Football, the world’s beloved sport, continues its meteoric rise in Pakistan. The passion for football, fueled by global icons like Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, and Neymar, is now gripping the hearts of Pakistani fans. This burgeoning enthusiasm was evident when approximately 23,000 spectators filled Islamabad’s Jinnah Stadium for a World Cup qualifier match between Pakistan and Jordan, marking a historic moment …

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 …

Afghanistan has plunged into a severe human rights crisis since the Taliban seized power in 2021, pushing the nation into what many describe as a return to the Stone Age. The humanitarian situation is dire, with the population suffering immense hardship amid a backdrop of political instability, economic collapse, and natural disasters, according to the United Nations Office for Human …

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 …

ISLAMABAD: Executive Director, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri on Wednesday said Pakistan and China can collaborate for exploring the untapped potential of “Green Minerals” under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as it is the future fuel of the world. He was addressing the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and the PCI jointly organised high-level policy …

BEIJING: A mainland spokesperson on Wednesday said that if “Taiwan independence” elements do not stop their provocations, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will continue its actions to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity unwaveringly. Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks during a press conference, noting that the PLA military drills …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Beijing on Wednesday. Xi noted that, 68 years ago, Egypt was the first Arab and African state to establish diplomatic relations with China. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership, he said, adding that over the past decade, …