ISLAMABAD, Aug 26(ABC): Ministry of Interior has approved the deployment of Pakistan Army in all four provinces to assist the civilian governments keeping in view the emergency situation due to heavy rains and floods. The summary for deployment of the army under Article 245 of the Constitution was sent to the Federal Cabinet for final approval, said a press release …

RAWALPINDI, Aug 26 (ABC): Chief of Army Staff ( COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday reached Karachi where he was briefed about flood situation in Sindh and Balochistan and response measures to help the flood victims. The COAS would also visit army troops busy in rescue and relief efforts in Sindh and Balochistan, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) …

KARACHI, Aug 26(ABC): The flood damages in the country are estimated to be more than Rs900 billion. The country witnessed ‘more rain than ever recorded’ this season as the delay in wheat sowing, cotton and rice crops have been severely damaged. According to the research of JS Brokerage, the floods that have occurred across the country this season have caused …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (ABC): Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman on Friday said the abnormal monsoon torrential rains caused the heaviest floods in the country’s history that submerged many parts of the southern region.  She was addressing the meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Climate Change held under the chair of MNA Nuzhat Pathan. Sherry said …

DI KHAN, Aug 26(ABC): Former prime minister Imran Khan visited the flood-affected areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Friday and directed “to improve scale & speed of the assistance to the people including preventive measures against the spread of disease especially in children.” The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman was accompanied by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, Ali Amin Gandapur and others. He visited the …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 26(ABC): Federal Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique on Friday said Friday that Qatar has promised 100,000 more jobs for Pakistanis as he disclosed the details of his two-day visit to the middle-eastern ally alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He said the Pakistani leadership held talks with the rulers of Qatar to encourage investment into the …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 26(ABC): An Islamabad court on Friday sought police records in a sedition case filed against PTI leader Shahbaz Gill, warning that if the documents were not produced, it would “become a problem” for the police officers. Additional District and Sessions Judge Tahir Abbas Supra heard Gill’s post-arrest bail plea, while Faisal Chaudhry and Hafeezullah represented the PTI leader. …

QUETTA, Aug 26(ABC): Relentless rains continued to pound Quetta on Friday, leaving Balochistan’s capital cut off from the rest of the country and hampering all sorts of communications in the city. Severe overnight rains hampered rescue efforts, and caused internet and mobile phone service outages, aside from disrupting the city’s air and land routes. A key railway bridge which connects …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (ABC): Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail Friday said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would release the tranche (worth US$1.17 bln) to Pakistan after its board meeting on Monday. Addressing a press conference here, the minister said Pakistan had already fulfilled all the requirements of the IMF and it is very likely that the board would …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (ABC): The torrential monsoon rains across the country on Friday inflicted further lives and property losses as the total death count in various incidents reached 937 and 1343 individuals got injured since the onset of the rainy season. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a 24-hour situation report released on routine basis that accounted  overall life, …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said considering the urgency of the challenge, the government had decided to reach out to friendly countries and donors as flash floods and the torrential rains had badly hit around 33 million people. The prime minister, who convened a meeting of select Islamabad-based ambassadors, high commissioners and other senior members …

SUKKUR, Aug 26 (ABC): The federal government will provide a grant of Rs 15 billion to the Sindh government to overcome the heavy losses of lives and infrastructure in the wake of the massive destruction caused by flash floods. Talking to reporters flanked by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and federal ministers including Bilawal Bhutto and Syed Khurshid Shah …

PESHAWAR, Aug 26 (ABC): Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Friday issued warning high level of flood in Khwazakhela, nullahs and in river Swat with 227899 cusecs of water that led to a dangerous situation living near the nullahs and river sites. The warning in this connection was also issued by Flood Forecasting Division of flood level recorded at 227899 …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 (ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday ordered immediate distribution of cash assistance among the flood affectees and also directed the ministries of Economic Affairs and Finance to come up with a comprehensive strategy to deliver the aid announced by the international institutions and organizations during the donors conference. He was chairing a meeting on the rescue and …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25(ABC): The Asia Pacific Group (AGP) of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has upgraded Pakistan’s technical compliance ratings in a sign that the country is inching closer to an exit from the gray list of sanctions. Earlier this year, FATF — the international body to check terror financing and money laundering — had acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to …

 ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 (ABC): Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail Thursday said that the government was keenly working on all inclusive and sustainable development programs through structural reforms to achieve economic growth and social prosperity in the country. The minister held a meeting with delegation of Asian Development Bank (ADB) headed by its Country Director, Yong Ye. Minister …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25(ABC): Following the Qatari leadership’s announcement to invest $3 billion, Saudi Arabia has also assured the Pakistani leadership of an investment of $1 billion. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, had a telephone conversation in which they discussed the promotion of bilateral brotherly relations. During the telephone conversation, Saudi FM assured that his …

GUJRAT, Aug 25(ABC): The police on Thursday registered a case against Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on the charges of terrorism and interference in the government matters. The case was filed by a citizen in the Industrial Area Police Station of Gujrat. According to the first information report (FIR), the interior minister threatened the government officials to kill their children and …

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25(ABC): The coalition government is likely to jack up the prices of petroleum products by a massive Rs20 per litre from September 1, in an attempt to revive the stalled $6 billion IMF bailout package, revealed sources privy to the matter on Thursday. As per the letter of intent (LoI) the government sent to the IMF, it had …

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 …