RAWALPINDI, Sep 20(ABC): Ambassador of European Union (EU) Dr Riina Kionka Tuesday called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at General Headquarters (GHQ) and expressed her grief over the devastation caused by catastrophic floods in Pakistan and offered sincere condolence to the families of the victims. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security situation …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 20(ABC): An anti-terrorism court transferred the terror case registered against PTI Chairman Imran Khan to a sessions court on Tuesday following the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) order to remove the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) section from the case. Khan was charged with a terror case after he threatened an additional session judge and police officials of the capital city while …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 20(ABC): Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Aamir Farooq Tuesday remarked that the proceedings of the hearing on PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s appeal against the sentence in Avenfield Apartments reference “cannot move further on the basis of assumptions”. “National Accountability Bureau (NAB) should prove through evidence that these properties were acquired by [former prime minister] Nawaz Sharif in 1990s,” he said …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 20(ABC):  In yet another scathing flak, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday said PTI Chairman Imran Khan, who had accused the US of co-conspiring to overthrow his government, was now “lobbying with the Americans to get himself a political bailout”, reported. “Today, he is trying to convince the US to broker a normalisation deal between him (Khan) …

DWA TOI, Sep 20(ABC):  A Pakistan Army soldier embraced martyrdom during an exchange of fire with the terrorists on September 19, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Tuesday. According to the military’s media wing, terrorists from inside Afghanistan across the international border opened fire on the Pakistani troops in the general area of Dwa Toi, North Waziristan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 20(ABC): The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Tuesday served a call-up notice to former finance minister Shaukat Tarin, summoning him for an investigation into his call with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Minister Taimoor Saleem Jhagra to write a letter to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). FIA has asked the PTI leader to appear before it tomorrow (September 21) at 10:00am. “If …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 20(ABC): Russia is ready to provide Pakistan with gasoline on a delayed payment basis, reported on Tuesday. This major development comes after last week’s meetings of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Samarkand, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Matters regarding oil, gas and wheat supplies to Pakistan from Moscow were discussed during the …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 20(ABC): The government has sought across-the-board medical assistance as the cataclysmic floods have wreaked havoc and crumbled the country’s health system, leaving people vulnerable to deadly diseases. The death toll from the deluge has touched 1,559, including 551 children and 318 women, which does not include the deaths from the diseases contracted from the floods, the National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) …

NEW YORK, Sep 20(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is currently in New York to attend the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), starting today (Tuesday), the first in-person session since 2019 after which all meetings were made virtual due to the pandemic. Taking to Twitter, PM Shehbaz Sharif informed about his arrival in New York a few …

KARACHI, Sep 20(ABC):  At least nine people died on Monday of infectious and water-borne diseases that have attacked tens of thousands of people in flood-hit Pakistan, government data showed, taking the toll from such causes to 318. The death toll from the deluge itself has touched 1,559, including 551 children and 318 women, which does not include the disease deaths, the country’s …

NEW YORK, Sep 20(ABC): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, in a meeting with US Special Representative on Afghanistan Thomas West, stressed the significance of continuing international engagement with the interim Afghan government for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan and beyond. West called on Bilawal — who is currently in New York to attend the 77th session of the United Nation’s General Assembly …

CHAKWAL, Sep 19(ABC): Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan said on Monday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wouldn’t achieve anything from his US visit. Addressing a rally in Chakwal on Monday, he said that the floods have wreaked havoc in Sindh and Balochistan and flood water devastated the crops, while farmers couldn’t sow crops due to …

The United States has announced an additional $2 million for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) flood response efforts in Pakistan. “We are pleased to announce two million dollars in humanitarian assistance to support UNHCR’s flood response, providing lifesaving items to flood-affected Pakistanis and Afghan refugees in three provinces and helping to rebuild communities,” US Ambassador Donald Blome …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 19(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will tonight depart for the United States from London where he is scheduled to attend the dinner being hosted by President Joe Biden on September 21. The Prime Minister will represent Pakistan in the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly. He will arrive in New York after attending the funeral of …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 19(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former chief minister Punjab Hamza Shehbaz filed an application in a special central court on Monday seeking direction to unfreeze their company accounts. The plea was filed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders’ counsel earlier today, following which the special central court judge adjourned proceedings for 1:30pm with direction to the lawyer for …

LAHORE, Sep 19(ABC): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Monday lashed out at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, saying that with the diplomacy success of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he [Imran] feels desperate. Stating that PM Shehbaz has achieved success in diplomacy and respect from the world, the PML-N vice-president took to Twitter to take a …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 19(ABC): If elections are not announced in October then it would be difficult for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) to form the next government, said former prime minister Imran Khan. He said this during a meeting with the PTI members from South Punjab. Imran Khan said that the party has to make sure at any cost that the government announces …

LONDON, Sep 19(ABC): Queen Elizabeth’s coffin was lowered into a vault at Windsor Castle, her final resting place, on Monday after a day of inimitable pageantry that drew world leaders to her funeral and huge crowds to the streets to say farewell to a revered monarch. Hundreds of thousands of well-wishers lined the route her hearse took from London, throwing …

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Sep 19(ABC): Apple Inc’s iPhone 14 models contain a Qualcomm Inc chip that can talk to satellites, but have additional custom-designed Apple components used in the phone’s biggest new feature, according to an analysis of the phone by iFixit and an Apple statement. Apple released its iPhone 14 lineup on Friday. One of the major new features is the ability …

LAHORE, Sep 19 (ABC):A sessions court on Monday confirmed the interim bail of Special Assistant to Prime Minister Attaullah Tarar in Punjab Assembly ruckus case. The court directed the special assistant to submit surety bonds of Rs 50,000 for availing the relief. Additional District and Sessions Judge Yasin Mohal heard the bail applications of the special assistant and ten Pakistan …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 19 (ABC): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday ordered to remove the clauses of Anti Terrorism Act (ATA) from FIR against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan pertaining his remarks about woman judge and police high ups. A two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the case filed by former prime minister Imran Khan challenging …

LAHORE, Sep 19 (ABC):Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said on Monday that productivity of social financing was very critical so it should be linked with performance to achieve anticipated results. Addressing the “1st NSPP Public Policy Conference 2022” here at National School of Public Policy, he said that three factors- productivity of wealth, distribution of …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 19 (ABC): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday reserved its verdict in the Toshakhana reference against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan. A four-member ECP bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, heard the reference seeking disqualification of PTI Chairman Imran Khan from holding any public office for concealing the Toshakhana gifts he …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 19 (ABC):Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Talal Chaudhry Monday criticized that PTI chief Imran Khan during his tenure as Prime Minister had used state institutions including NAB to target his opponents for his personal vested interest. Talking to a private news channel, he said Imran Khan tried to pressurize his opponent political parties and created drama in the name …

BEIJING, Sept 19 (ABC): State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe met with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa in Xi’an on Monday. Wei Fenghe first expressed his condolences over the deaths due to the severe floods in Pakistan and said that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners. Under the leadership of the leaders of the …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 19 (ABC):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday urged the world for swift action by taking as a clarion call the deaths of children during the massive floods in Pakistan. Over 500 children lost their lives in the unprecedented floods and rains while around 16 million have been affected, according to official data. “Let these children not be an …

LONDON, Sep 19 (ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday joined world leaders and members of the royal family at the State funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held at the Westminster Abbey. PM Sharif especially flew in to attend the last rites and funeral of the Queen, who passed away on September 8 at the age of 96. Over 500 …

Sep 19(ABC): A case has been registered against Federal Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and PML-N central leader Javed Latif in Lahore under the Anti-Terrorism Act,  reported Monday. Punjab Home Minister Hashim Dogar shared on Twitter the FIR filed against the PML-N leaders. He said incitement of sectarian hatred and violence against any citizen, including [PTI Chairman] Imran Khan will not …

WASHINGTON, Sep 19(ABC): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, after missing a flight to New York from Dubai, touched down in Washington and headed to the UN Headquarters ahead of the 77th UN General Assembly Session. Bilawal was received by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN Munir Akram, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan, Consul-General in New York Ayesha Ali, and officials …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 19(ABC): Pakistan will “absolutely not” default on debt obligations despite catastrophic floods, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said, signalling there would be no major deviation from reforms designed to stabilise a struggling economy. Floods have affected 33 million Pakistanis, inflicted billions of dollars in damage, and killed over 1,500 people – creating concern that Pakistan will not meet debts. “The path …

LONDON, Sep 19(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with King Charles III today in London and condoled over the death of Queen Elizabeth II during the reception hosted by the king for the visiting dignitaries. The Pakistani premier is among hundreds of foreign royals and heads of state invited to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II for one of the …

Sep 19(ABC):After the cataclysmic floods, a widespread outbreak of infectious diseases has grappled the country very badly, especially in the flood-hit areas of Sindh where they have reached a dangerous level, reported. Unprecedented floods in the country have claimed more than 1,500 lives with an initial estimated loss of over $30 billion to the economy. However, the country has yet to …

WASHINGTON, Sep 19(ABC): Describing the $53 million US aid to flood-ravaged Pakistan as a “drop in the bucket”, a prominent American lawmaker has called for doing “much more” for the relief of an estimated 30 million displaced Pakistani people. “We need to stand together with Pakistan,” Senator Bob Menendez, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told members of …

LONDON, Sep 18(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says the entire nation is united for relief and rehabilitation of flood-affected people and the government is determined to complete the rehabilitation phase at the earliest. Talking to media persons in London on Sunday, he said the government has allocated seventy billion rupees to provide relief to the flood-affected people. The Prime Minister …

LAHORE, Sep 18(ABC): Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has reiterated his party’s demand for early elections and said that people the people are with us, we have to move towards elections soon, and the early elections are not need of the PTI but the need of the country. The Punjab government cabinet called on the …

PESHAWAR, Sep 18(ABC):  JUI-F Chief and head of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday once again criticised PTI Chairman Imran Khan and reminded him that only Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has the authority to appoint the next army chief. Speaking during a meeting of JUI-F’s provincial general council, Fazl — while referring to Khan’s ouster from …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 18(ABC): The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) on Sunday confirmed the rollover of an $3 billion deposit for Pakistan, which will be maturing on December 5 for a period of one year. Taking to its official Twitter account, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) made the announcement and said that under the programme, the deposit is placed with …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 18(ABC): Pakistan can import oil from Russia on deferred payment as both countries are in talks to discuss the possibility, a senior government functionary revealed on Sunday after the recent meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Samarkand. The official, who was part of the …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 18(ABC):  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will address the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 23. In his address at the UNGA, the premier’s focus will be on the challenge faced by Pakistan in the wake of the recent climate-induced catastrophic floods in the country, said Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar in …

LONDON, Sep 18(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif agreed to hold general elections on time, and not to accept any pressure. PM Shehbaz on Sunday called on Nawaz Sharif in London, and former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Salman Shehbaz were also present during the meeting while Shehbaz Sharif informed Nawaz Sharif …