ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 (ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday announced lifting of ban on departmental sports in the country. The ban was imposed by the previous government asking all public departments, corporations and autonomous bodies to stop their funding to sports teams in 30 different disciplines. The decision had led thousands jobless from the positions of departmental sports. PM …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25(ABC): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has termed floods situation in the country a national emergency. In a statement on Thursday, she said a national spirit is required to cope with the devastation caused by the calamity in Balochistan and Sindh provinces. The Information Minister asked the countrymen including overseas Pakistanis to give donations for the …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25(ABC): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahbaz Gill on Thursday filed plea for bail in Islamabad district and sessions court in sedition case. Gill’s counsel Chaudhry and the legal team filed bail plea in the district and sessions court on behalf of the PTI leader in which it has been stated that the case against him was made out …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25(ABC): Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman on Thursday referring to the havoc wreaked by the ongoing unprecedented monsoon rains, said Pakistan was going through a climate-induced humanitarian disaster at the moment. The media should play an effective role in highlighting the plight of flood victims, rescue and relief efforts, and damages to life and property …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 (ABC): An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) of Islamabad on Thursday granted pre-arrest bail to PTI Chairman Imran Khan till September 1 in a case pertaining to his threatening statement against Additional Sessions Judge Zeba Chauhdry and Islamabad Police high-ups in a party rally. ATC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas court accepted the interim bail of former prime minister against …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24(ABC): Former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with 40 other “thieves”, had gone to Qatar for “begging”. “No one will give them money as everyone knows that they [incumbent rulers] are thieves. We have to free Pakistan from these thieves,” he said while addressing a rally …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24(ABC): The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside objections to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan’s overseas Pakistanis voting rights plea and ordered the Registrar’s Office to fix the case for early hearing before an appropriate bench. A two-member SC bench comprising Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi heard the case. While hearing former …

  UNITED NATIONS, Aug 24 (ABC): The United Nations is boosting support to Pakistani authorities dealing with the devastating floods in the most affected provinces of Balochistan and Sindh, a UN spokesman said Wednesday. Responding to a question at the regular noon briefing at UN Headquarters in New York, Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that the UN team, led by Resident …

DOHA, Aug 24 (ABC): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated that Pakistan attached high importance to its long-standing fraternal ties with Qatar, rooted deep in common history and shared aspirations for socio-economic development. The prime minister reaffirmed government of Pakistan’s commitment to deepen and diversify multifaceted engagement with Qatar in order to transform the two countries’ close political …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24(ABC): Rejecting Islamabad police’s plea for an extension in the physical remand of PTI leader Shahbaz Gill, who is party chair Imran Khan’s chief of staff, a district and sessions court Wednesday sent him to prison on judicial remand. Judicial magistrate Aman Malik heard the plea seeking a seven-day remand extension in a sedition case. Apart from that, …

ISLAMABAD,Aug 24(ABC): Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Wednesday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan had used unethical language and was targeting national institutions which was unacceptable and dangerous for the country. “There were several cases registered against Imran Khan but three cases are important in which he will never get any leniency”, he said while talking to a …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (ABC): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday dismissed the appeal filed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan and senior party leader Asad Umer wherein they had challenged the hefty fines imposed on them by the Commission for violating election code of conduct. A four-member bench heard the appeals and announced its decision after no one on behalf …

DOHA, Aug 24(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani wherein both the leaders discussed bilateral ties and ways to further strengthen the mutual cooperation. During the meeting held at Diwan-e-Amiri, both the countries agreed to promote bilateral cooperation in multiple areas. The prime minister was accompanied by his …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (ABC): Pakistan on Wednesday strongly condemned the highly “provocative and sacrilegious” remarks made against the Holy Prophet (PBUH), by Raja Singh, a BJP official and a member of the state legislative assembly of the Indian state of Telangana. This is the second time in the last three months that a senior BJP leader has made disrespectful comments …

DOHA, Aug 24(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called on the father of Qatari Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and mother Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, wherein he appreciated their role and services in elevating the bilateral relationship. The prime minister, who is on a two-day visit here, underscored the importance Pakistan attached to its longstanding and cordial …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24(ABC): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Wednesday released the details for depositing donations in the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Account 2022. In a statement, she said that State Bank of Pakistan had issued a circular for collection of donations through all commercial banks. Local and overseas Pakistanis could deposit donations in this account, said the …

Aug 23(ABC): Adidas has introduced the new solar-powered headphones with no hassle of charging. Day or night, the new solar-powered got your back with 80 hours of battery life in darkness and infinite battery life due to its advanced solar panels. They have a thin layer of panels, which powers the headphones and keeps them charged all time under the …

Aug 23(ABC): A virtual Reality headset dubbed as Sony PlayStation VR2 will be hitting the shelves in the first quarter of 2023, the company announced Tuesday. The much-awaited headset has been in the limelight for quite a long time. You can expect it to buy soon as Sony announced that the next generation headset will be coming in early 2023, …

Aug 23(ABC): Apple Inc plans to start manufacturing iPhone 14 in India as the United States tech giant seeks alternatives to China after the Xi administration’s clashes with Washington and lockdowns across the country disrupted production, reported. The company has been working with suppliers to ramp up production in India and shorten the lag in manufacturing new iPhones from the …

DOHA, Aug 23(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday sought investment from Qatar in Pakistan’s energy and aviation sectors as the country looks to revive its teetering economy. According to Prime Minister’s Office, the premier held a meeting with the Qatar Investment Authority in Doha. It should be noted that he is visiting Qatar in hopes of attracting trade and …

DOHA, Aug 23(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced a major relief package for the inflation-burdened nation under which fixed taxes have been abolished for retailers and more than 1.7 million people will now be exempt from fuel charges adjustment on electricity bills. Addressing the nation from Qatar — where he arrived today on a two-day trip — the …

NEW DELHI, Aug 23(ABC): The Indian Air Force said on Tuesday the government had sacked three officers for “accidentally” firing a missile into Pakistan in March, an incident that the two nuclear-armed rivals handled calmly as there were no casualties. The BrahMos missile — a nuclear-capable, land-attack cruise missile jointly developed by Russia and India — was fired on March …

KARACHI, Aug 23(ABC): Pakistan is likely to receive a $1.17 billion loan tranche from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) within six days after the Executive Board’s approval, State Bank of Pakistan Acting Governor Murtaza Syed told. The executive board of the Washington-based lender is scheduled to meet on August 29 (Monday); accordingly, analysts expect the Fund to give its final …

LONDON, Aug 23(ABC): The European Union has approved a grant of €350,000 (nearly Rs76 million) to provide crucial humanitarian assistance to families affected by severe flooding, which has wreaked havoc across many parts of Pakistan. In a statement, the EU said the aid will focus on addressing the urgent needs of those most affected in some of the hardest-hit districts …

  ISLAMABAD, Aug 23(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reached Doha for a two day official visit to Qatar on the invitation of Amir of state of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. This is the Prime Minister’s first visit to Qatar after assuming the office. The Prime Minister is accompanied by a high level delegation including key members …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 23(ABC): A larger bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued on Tuesday a show-cause notice to PTI Chairman Imran Khan after taking up contempt of court proceedings against him for threatening Additional Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry during a public rally. The bench comprised Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb. The court …

KARACHI, Aug 23(ABC): The Pakistani rupee continued to lose ground against the US dollar during Tuesday’s intraday trade in the interbank market as the country faces a currency shortage. The local unit was trading at 217.70 after losing 1.05 against the greenback following a currency crunch, which according to analysts is taking place due to the new rules imposed by …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 23(ABC): A district and sessions judge granted on Tuesday the Islamabad police a two-day remand of YouTuber and anchorperson Jameel Farooqui — who was arrested from Karachi a day earlier. Farooqui, according to the Islamabad police, was arrested for levelling false allegations against the law enforcement agency (LEA) pertaining to the alleged torture of senior PTI leader Shahbaz …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 23(ABC): The federal government Monday promulgated an ordinance to slap an additional Rs36 billion tax on cigarettes, Rs2 billion on tobacco processing, and reduced levies on transport vehicles — to fetch an additional Rs38 billion in taxes. The prices of cigarettes of tier-1 brands may go up by Rs20 to Rs30 per packet, while for tier-2 brands the …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 23(ABC): Islamabad Police raided incarcerated PTI leader Shahbaz Gill’s room in Parliament Lodges late Monday and it recovered weapons, satellite phone, and foreign currency,  reported. According to details available with the media house, the raid was carried out under the supervision of a senior superintendent of police (SSP) and Gill accompanied them there with police officials in handcuffs. A …

WASHINGTON, Aug 23(ABC): The United States declined on Monday to comment on terrorism-related charges against PTI Chairman Imran Khan, saying it does not side with a political party. In a press conference, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that the country was “of course” aware of the reports about the charges. But he said this is a matter of …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22(ABC): In order to help ease Pakistan’s funding crunch and consequent risk of default, Qatar is expected to give Islamabad funds worth $2 billion in bilateral support, Bloomberg reported Monday. Ahead of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) board meeting scheduled to be held on August 29, Pakistan has secured financing worth $4 billion from friendly countries — which …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (ABC):Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif  Monday directed for expediting the pace of rescue and relief activities in the flood-affected areas and the immediate shifting of the people trapped in flood-hit areas. He reviewed the flood situation in Balochistan province triggered by recent rainfall. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Abdul Qaddus Bizenjo, Minister for …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22(ABC): The Islamabad High Court on Monday granted PTI chief Imran Khan protective bail till Thursday (August 25) in a terrorism case registered against him for “threatening” a female judge and senior police officers at a public rally. The ex-prime minister was booked on Sunday under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (punishment for acts of terrorism) regarding …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22(ABC): Islamabad High Court on Monday decided to constitute a larger bench to hear the contempt of court proceedings against Imran Khan for hurling threats at a female additional sessions judge of the federal capital. In his public rallies in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the former prime minister warned the Additional Sessions Judge Zeba – who granted PTI leader …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (ABC): A judicial magistrate of Islamabad on Monday granted the police a two-day physical remand of PTI leader Shahbaz Gill while rejecting the request of his lawyers for judicial remand in the sedition case. The court also granted permission to Gill for meeting his family and legal team. Shahbaz Gill was produced before the court of Judicial …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (ABC): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Monday that film and drama could play an important role in improving Pakistan’s global image. Talking to a delegation of Pakistan Film Producers Association led by its Chairman Sheikh Amjad Rashid which met her here, she said improving the story, quality and  technology of films was part …

RAWALPINDI, Aug 22 (ABC): The Pakistan Army troops were continuously assisting civil administration in flood-hit areas of Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab. The Army troops were busy in rescue and relief activities, shifting people to safer places, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release said here on Monday. Army medical doctors and paramedic teams were treating flood victims whereas the …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday while taking strict notice of public complaints about inflated electricity bills, directed the authorities concerned to submit an urgent report and recommendations on the matter. The prime minister, chairing an urgent meeting to discuss the complaints on the inflated electricity bills, resolved not to sit idle until the public complaints were …

QUETTA, Aug 22(ABC): The provincial government on Monday announced to close schools in Balochistan as incessant rains continue to cause destruction, killing nine more people across the province. The total rain death toll in Balochistan has now climbed to 225 after the recent deaths. A notification issued by the Balochistan education department stated that all government and private educational institutes …