ISLAMABAD: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states on Wednesday expressed their opposition to protectionist measures, unilateral sanctions and trade restrictions that undermine the multilateral trading system and hinder global sustainable development. In a joint communique issued during the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the SCO, the heads of the delegations said …

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday called for deepening and expanding cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) during the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the SCO held here. The SCO is an important platform for safeguarding regional peace and stability and promoting the development and prosperity of all countries, Li …

ISLAMABAD: China and Pakistan agreed to solidly enhance connectivity between the Gwadar Port and other parts of Pakistan, said a joint statement issued here Tuesday during Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s official visit to Pakistan. Recognizing the significance of the Gwadar Port as a key hub for cross-regional connectivity, the two sides reaffirmed their readiness to speed up the development of …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his inaugural address at the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of Government meeting, proposed the introduction of a common currency among member states. The prime minister emphasized the need for enhanced regional cooperation to ensure peace, stability, and socio-economic development in the region. Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the potential for the SCO to evolve into …

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in his address at the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, emphasized the need for peace, stability, and regional cooperation to drive economic development and prosperity. He highlighted that cross-border infiltration disrupts trade and hampers public relations between nations, stressing the importance of mutual respect and sovereign equality among SCO members. Jaishankar underscored the …

In the 2nd Test between Pakistan and England in Multan, Pakistan posted 358/9 by the second session on Day 2 after electing to bat. (123.3 ov) 366/10 Aamer Jamal, who was dealing with a hip injury, fought hard before being bowled by Brydon Carse for 37 runs, adding crucial runs alongside Noman Ali. Noman Ali remains unbeaten on 29, while …

Pakistan off-spinner Sajid Khan on Wednesday expressed his joy over taking the wicket of England veteran batter Joe Root. Expressing his thoughts following his impactful bowling performance against the visitors, Khan said: “We had changed our plan following tea as England were playing attacking cricket.” “We needed to bag quick wickets against England. It would be helpful for us to …

The university has issued the list of 38 candidates competing for the office of Oxford University chancellor. Imran Khan’s name has not been included in the list of candidates racing up for chancellorship of UK’s prestigious university The office of chancellor is symbolic and ceremonial. Lord Patten is retiring at the end of Trinity Term 2024 after 21 years as …

The dengue threat continues to loom in Punjab as 172 cases reported across the provinces during the last 24 hours. According to details that surfaced on Wednesday, Rawalpindi had reported 157 dengue cases. Lahore had recorded eight cases, whereas Jehlum had reported two cases. Gujranwala, Attock, Chakwal, Sargodha, and Okara had recorded one case each. Meanwhile, 3,771 cases had been …

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here Tuesday that China will work with Pakistan to maintain close high-level exchanges and firmly support each other on issues concerning core interests. Li made the remarks during his talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. China and Pakistan are good neighbors, good friends, good partners and good brothers with a long tradition of …

ISLAMABAD: China is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Pakistan’s legislative bodies, learn from each other regarding law-based governance, legislative supervision and improvement of people’s livelihood, and promote bilateral friendship, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here Tuesday. Li made the remarks when meeting with Pakistan’s Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. Li said …

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Pakistan Army Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, Chief of Naval Staff Naveed Ashraf and Chief of Air Staff Zaheer Ahmad Babar here on Monday. Noting that since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Pakistan have always respected and …

ISLAMABAD: It is hoped that Pakistan will continue to provide a good business environment for Chinese companies and try its best to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions, and projects in Pakistan, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here Monday. Li made the remarks during his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, noting that China firmly supports Pakistan’s counterterrorism …

ISLAMABAD:  Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here on Monday that China is willing to work with Pakistan to accelerate the building of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. In his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Li said that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners, always understanding, trusting, and supporting each …

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Premier Li Qiang landed here on Monday to attend the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). During his stay, Li will also pay an official visit to the country. In a statement released upon his arrival, Li noted that Pakistan is China’s all-weather strategic cooperative partner, …

The Sindh High Court has dismissed a petition filed by lawyers challenging proposed constitutional amendments, stating that the court cannot intervene in a matter that has yet to be finalized. During the hearing, Chief Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui remarked that the amendments have not even been passed yet, so the judiciary has no grounds to interfere. He emphasized that elected …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani academics and experts are of the view that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has been promoting multilateral cooperation and addressing shared challenges amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Babar Amin, the country’s first national coordinator for the SCO, on Friday highlighted Pakistan’s strategic role in promoting connectivity and regional security cooperation under the framework of the SCO during a …

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said on Sunday that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari wants to take all the political parties on board over the constitutional amendment. “The judiciary has harmed the country’s democracy through its biased decision. He recalled the charter of democracy, saying, “The former prime ministers, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, had reached the …

LAHORE: Following an audit report submitted to the Punjab Assembly, major financial irregularities in the construction of Greater Iqbal Park has come to light, on Sunday. The audit report highlights serious variants in the project’s management, revealing that over Rs 21.98 million was spent on unnecessary items. The report also points out that Rs 107 million were distributed to employees …

ISLAMABAD: Former speaker and PTI leader Asad Qaiser said that his party was not intending any harm to the SCO Conference in Islamabad. “We have concerns over the health of the PTI’s founder, no doctor being sent to attend him, we want the party leaders’ contact with the chairman,” Asad Qaiser said. It is to be mentioned here that the …

A case has been registered against Dr Mahrang Baloch, a Baloch rights activist, at Karachi’s Quaidabad Police Station. The case was filed by a local businessman, Asad Ali, who accused Baloch of incitement and involvement in facilitating terrorist activities. The case involves provisions of incitement, including terrorism. According to the first information report (FIR), Mahrang Baloch is alleged to have …

Air pollution in Lahore has surged to alarming levels, making it the most polluted city in Pakistan and the second-most polluted globally. According to international air monitors, the city’s air quality is currently 19 times more hazardous than the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has recorded dangerously high levels across various parts of the city. …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has identified corruption, bureaucratic red tape, and a weak business environment as the primary challenges hindering Pakistan’s development. In response, the government has assured the IMF of taking firm steps to address these issues, including greater transparency and accountability in the public sector. The government has also assured the IMF of curbing corruption and abuse …

Eleven people were killed, and six others injured in a firing incident in the Kanj Alizai area of Kurram district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to the deputy commissioner. The injured victims were immediately transferred to various hospitals for treatment, sources said. Police claimed that investigations are underway to determine the circumstances behind the shooting that is said to have taken …

ASHGABAT: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin wherein they emphasised further strengthening of bilateral relationship. The informal interaction was held on the sidelines of two-day international forum on “Interrelation of Times and Civilizations- Basis for Peace and Development” here in the Turkmen capital to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of Magtymguly Faragi, a great …

DUKKI: At least 20 miners were killed and seven others wounded when unidentified armed men attacked coalmines in Dukki area of Balochistan in the wee hours of Friday. According to police, unidentified men attacked the mines of Dukki District Chairman Haji Khair Ullah Nasir with hand grenades and rocket launchers and opened fire on the miners, killing 20 and injuring …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has unveiled the strict conditions associated with its new $7 billion bailout package for Pakistan, detailing several measures aimed at increasing tax revenues and adjusting tariffs. The government has committed to timely adjustments in electricity and gas prices as part of the agreement, with plans to raise the tax target to over Rs15 trillion for …

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa is set to retire, and in his honour, a full court reference will be held on October 25. The reference will take place at 10:30am, according to an official circular issued by the Registrar’s Office of the Supreme Court. The full court reference is a customary practice to pay tribute to the outgoing …

Pakistan Airport Authority is facing loss of millions due to non-functional airports. According to sources, the inactivity of eight airports across Pakistan including, Bannu, Dalbadin, Parachinar, Khuzdar, Rawlakot, Saidu Sharif, Sehwan Sharif and Sibi, has led to significant financial losses for the Pakistan Airport Authority, with the cost running into millions of rupees. Despite the suspension of flight operations, staff …

Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, who will land in Pakistan next week for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, is likely to address the joint session of parliament. The Chinese premier will arrive in Pakistan on October 14 for the SCO summit set to take place on October 15-16. According to Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Prime Minister Shehbaz …

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the federal government is terminating contracts with five Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in the first phase. Chairing the federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad today, he said this has been done after the mutual consent of the owners of the IPPs. The Prime Minister informed the Cabinet that only the outstanding amounts owed …

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has said protection of life and property has been his government’s foremost responsibility and priority. A grand Jirga being held in Peshawar hosted by KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur, attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Governor KP Faisal Karim Kundi and leaders of various political parties. “We all have gathered here for the sake of peace …

In a tragic incident near Pathankot, two police officers were martyred and four others, including a civilian, were injured when unknown suspects opened fire on a police van during a routine patrol. The attack left the community in shock as law enforcement rushed to secure the area. The police van which was patrolling the area, came under heavy fire, resulting …

Economists, architects, traders, and business leaders have appealed to the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court (SHC) and the Sindh government to take serious notice of the rundown road infrastructure, collapsed sewerage system, and rampant pollution outside almost all business centres and markets in Karachi. They expressed these concerns while speaking to The Express Tribune, noting that the economic …

RAWALPINDI: Saudi Arabian Minister of Investment Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al Falih and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir discussed initiatives to strengthen “evergrowing brotherly” bilateral cooperation in a variety of sectors, the military’s media wing said on Thursday. The development took place during a meeting between the minister accompanied by a delegation and army chief in Rawalpindi. …

RAWALPINDI: Marriage halls, restaurants, and cafes will remain closed for a period of five days in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, officials said on Thursday. The decision to shut them down from October 12 to 16 was made in light of security measures being implemented ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled for October 15-16. The …

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday ordered to de-seal the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in the federal capital, two days after the Capital Development Authority (CDA) sealed it. The court’s orders were issued by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq during the hearing of a plea filed by the KP government. Justice Farooq told the CDA lawyer that the authority …

ISLAMABAD : The Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) on Wednesday approved the establishment of an independent multiplayer market for power generation and purchase to gradually end the government’s role as a sole purchaser of electricity. Experts say that an independent operator can effectively connect buyers and sellers of electricity, resulting in more efficiency and market competitive prices. According to a …

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that the government wants to get constitutional amendments passed before October 25, but doing so before the said date is “neither a necessity nor obligatory”, The former foreign minister, while speaking to a private TV channel, said that the parliamentary legislative process gives their sitting government the right to amend …

RAWALPINDI: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) of Rawalpindi on Wednesday fixed indictment date of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and others in the General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case. Justice Amjad Ali Shah of the ATC conducted hearing in May 9-related cases. Both former and inactive names from the PTI including Shireen Mazari, Sadaqat Abbasi, Amjad Khan Niazi and Usman Dar …