Islamabad Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir has retired after a 12-year tenure that was marked by significant legal precedents. Judge Bashir, who was appointed to the trial court on March 13, 2012, leaves behind a legacy of judgements in high-profile cases. During his tenure, Judge Bashir made headlines for convicting two former prime ministers, Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan, cementing …

The Peshawar High Court has rejected the applications of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) seeking reserved seats and against their division among other political parties. Earlier, a five-member bench, headed by Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, had reserved its verdict after arguments from both sides were completed. The court’s unanimous verdict was read out by bench head Justice Ibrahim. The court stated …

Punjab government on Wednesday decided to ink a cross-border one-on-one agreement with India to fight against smog in a bid to improve the air quality index. Punjab Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb directed to scrutinize factories contributing to air pollution. The minister chaired a meeting to digitize the brick kiln industrial system for a better air quality index. Addressing the meeting, …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced the election schedule for by-elections on National Assembly and provincial assembly seats across the country. According to the announcement, by-elections on vacant seats of the National and provincial assemblies will be held across the country on April 21. These included six seats of the National Assembly, 12 seats of the Punjab Assembly, …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China will carry shared values and march toward shared development, prosperity and progress together, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said. Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Sharif on his election as prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on March 3. In his response, Sharif thanked Xi for his warm congratulations and continued support for Pakistan. “I …

ISLAMABAD: The holy month of Ramadan kicked off in Peshawar, Pakistan on Tuesday, with Muslims preparing for a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting intended to remind them of the less fortunate and reinforce the need to be thankful. Ramadan starts from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next, during which believers eat and drink nothing after the pre-dawn meal …

Punjab Home Ministry has imposed a two-week ban on incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from holding meetings inside Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, According to a notification issued by Home Department, all kinds of visits, meetings and interviews have been restricted in Adiala Jail due to security alert. The authorities have been directed to install barbed wires outside the jail …

Nine people were killed and two others injured when a three-storey building collapsed on top of another in Multan following a gas cylinder explosion, officials said. District Emergency Officer Dr Kaleemullah told Internews that the bodies and injured were rescued from the rubble following a five-hour operation in which 70 rescue personnel participated. He added that five individuals of a …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has started preparing for the upcoming by-elections scheduled to be held on 24 seats in the National and provincial assemblies. In anticipation of the electoral event, the ECP has taken several measures to ensure a smooth and transparent voting process. One of the key preparations made by the election commission is the arrangement of …

After PPP-P President Asif Ali Zardari assumed office as the 14th president of Pakistan, his youngest daughter, Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, is set to assume the title of first lady. This development marks the second instance in the nation’s 76-year history where a daughter or a sister of a head of state will be conferred with the title. Previously, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali …

The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices on Monday to the provincial government and other concerned parties in response to a petition against the annual Aurat March held last week. The petition was filed by a group of women lawyers who claim that movements detrimental to society and Islamic Shariah were being promoted in the Aurat March. They alleged that …

Preparations for the special Pakistan Day parade are in full swing as experts leave no stone unturned to ensure a beautiful celebration of the National Day. The enthusiasm is clear as the armed forces gear up for the special parade scheduled for March 23. The parade ground is receiving special attention, with thorough cleaning underway to ensure a pristine march. …

Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan has been sworn in as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The oath was administered by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa at a ceremony held at the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Also present were distinguished members of the legal fraternity, including Supreme Court judges, the attorney general for Pakistan, senior lawyers, law officers, …

A number of leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have been booked in multiple cases for protesting and taking out rallies in Lahore and Islamabad. In the capital city, a case was filed by Kohsar police against PTI leaders and workers for organizing a rally. The case lists PTI leadership along with 1,000 unnamed individuals, accusing them of interfering with …

Today marks the retirement of 52 members of the Senate as they complete their term, including 11 from the PML-N, further reducing the party’s representation in the Senate to five members. The seat held by PML-N’s Rana Maqbool was already vacant due to his demise. Prominent figures retiring from the PML-N include Ishaq Dar, Hafiz Abdul Kareem, and Asif Kirmani, …

The wife of Awami National Party (ANP) chief, Asfandyar Wali Khan, has passed away. The deceased will be laid to rest in Charsadda. The deceased was also the mother of provincial president of the ANP, Aimal Wali Khan. Her funeral prayers have been scheduled for today at 5:30pm in Wali Bagh, Charsadda. Expressing sorrow over the demise, President Asif Zardari …

ISLAMABAD: Asif Ali Zardari took oath as the 14th president of Pakistan during a ceremony held at the President’s House on Sunday, according to a statement from the President’s Office. Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa administered the oath of office to the newly-elected president at the ceremony attended by the outgoing President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, …

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers are carrying out protest rallies and demonstrations against alleged election rigging in the February 8 polls. The development comes as the party had called for “peaceful protests” in cities across the country against manipulation in election results and “stealing of mandate” today. Cities where PTI workers have taken to the streets include Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, …

At least two people were killed while one suffered injuries in a blast near the Board Bazaar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Peshawar early Sunday morning, officials said. Rescue 1122 Spokesperson Bilal Faizi confirmed the death toll and injuries. He said the bodies and wounded were moved to the Khyber Teaching Hospital and the blast site had been cordoned off. Speaking to the …

Asif Ali Zardari took oath as 14th President of Pakistan in a ceremony held at the President’s House in Islamabad on Sunday. All preparations for the swearing-in ceremony of the 14th President of the country have been completed wherein Pakistan People’s Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari is all set to assume the presidency for the record second time. Chief Justice …

ISLAMABAD: Ruling coalition candidate Asif Ali Zardari won the presidential election of Pakistan with an overwhelming lead on Saturday, the Election Commission of Pakistan announced. Zardari won the election by taking 411 votes from all the electoral colleges, including parliament and four provincial assemblies, the commission said. Zardari got 255 votes in the joint session of the two houses of …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Circle in Lahore has summoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shandana Gulzar for questioning on March 14, following accusations of slandering state institutions and government officials on social media platforms. The summons come in response to allegations against Gulzar for making derogatory remarks against state and government figures, as well as inciting people to …

Pakistan has said the plight of women under foreign occupation, such as Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine, is characterized by a myriad of challenges, ranging from systemic oppression to grave human rights violations. At an event organized by Group of Friends in New York on Gender Parity to mark the International Women’s Day, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to …

ISLAMABAD: With wheat being a staple food crop of Pakistan, dominating all crops in terms of acreage, production and consumption, cooperation between Pakistan and China in enhancing the yield and quality of the major supply has ensured Pakistan’s food security and helped in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, experts have said. Pakistan produces 50 percent …

Senate Deputy Chairman Mirza Muhammad Afridi has given a ruling to immediately issue production orders for PTI’s Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, ensuring his presence for the upcoming presidential election tomorrow. Afridi on Friday directed the Senate secretary to issue Chaudhry’s production orders. Senator Chaudhry’s participation in the election process is deemed essential, and the ruling underscores the Senate’s commitment to uphold …

A farewell Guard of Honor was presented to the outgoing President Dr. Arif Alvi at President House in Islamabad. Dr Arif Alvi is the country’s fourth democratically elected president to complete a five-year term. The three presidents before Dr Alvi who completed their full terms were Chaudhary Fazal Elahi (fifth president, from 1973 to 1978), Asif Ali Zardari (11th, from 2008 …

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir undertook a significant visit to Awaran district in Balochistan, where he received comprehensive briefings on the prevailing security situation and the Pakistan Army’s endeavours towards socio-economic development and agricultural advancement in the region. During his visit, General Munir engaged with local elders, farmers, and the families of martyrs, offering reassurance of the …

The third session of the Punjab Assembly, held to administer the oath to members appointed to the reserved seats, began with a noisy protest by the opposition Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC). Among those who took the oath were 21 women on reserved seats and three members from minority communities. Tariq Masih, Wasim Anjum, and Basrooji took oaths on minority seats. …

The government has announced the Nisab-i-Zakat for the Zakat Year 1444-45 A.H, the minimum amount in bank accounts on which zakat will be deducted on the eve of first Ramazan, The Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety (PASS) notified the new Nisab at Rs. 135,179. According to the notification, the Zakat would be deduced from Saving Bank Accounts, Profit …

ISLAMABAD, March 8 (China Urdu): A seminar held by the UNDP Strengthening Electoral and Legislative Processes (SELP)project and British High Commission to celebrate International Women’s Day 2024 in Islamabad called for equal opportunities for females in the digital world in a safe environment. The event held in connection with International Women’s Day on March 8 with the theme of “Cultivating …

The Peshawar High Court extended its stay order to March 13, barring the MNAs appointed to the Lower House of parliament on reserved seats from taking the oath of office. On Thursday morning, the court resumed proceedings on an application of the Sunni Ittehad Council regarding the election commission’s denial of reserved seats to the party, signalling the start of …

The Foreign Office has stated that Pakistan wants to establish relations with all its neighbours, including India, on the basis of equality, respect, and dignity. Commenting on the likely foreign policy, spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said during her weekly media briefing that Pakistan would welcome the mediation of any friendly country to resolve the India-Pakistan dispute or the Kashmir issue. …

President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday approved the appointment of Supreme Court (SC) judge as well as the Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court. The president appointed Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan as the Supreme Court judge who was serving as Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court. The president approved the appointment under Article 175 A of the Constitution. The president …

Chief of Army Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir paid a visit to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House to extend his felicitations on assuming office and convey his best wishes. During the meeting, discussions revolved around critical professional and security issues concerning the Pakistan Army. The exchange underscored the importance of close coordination and collaboration between the …

The Supreme Court of Pakistan Wednesday announced the verdict on the presidential reference about judicial murder of former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. The CJP Qazi Faez Isa said: “The Constitution and the law do not provide such a mechanism that the Bhutto case judgment should now be annulled.” “Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto case revision petition was dismissed and the decision …

Talking to the affectees during his maiden visit to Gwadar after assuming PM House’s charge, he said the federal government will utilize all available resources to help the people of Gwadar and other areas of Balochistan, hit by heavy rains and floods. PM Shehbaz Sharif announced Rs2 mln compensation for the heirs of the five people who lost their lives …

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has submitted a resolution to the National Assembly Secretariat, calling for the release of the party’s Founder Imran Khan and several other political leaders and journalists. The resolution was submitted to the assembly secretary by party leaders Omar Ayub, Asad Qaiser and other PTI leaders. The resolution specifically highlights the demand for the immediate release of …

Senate general elections likely to be held on April 3 on 48 general elections seats as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has prepared the schedule for the Senate elections. Sources familiar with the situation claimed that polling will be held on April 3 in the national and four provincial assemblies. 12 senators each from Sindh and Punjab while two …

The Supreme Court has released a detailed verdict in the high treason case against the late former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf, declaring the Lahore High Court’s decision null and void. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah authored the judgment, asserting that the Lahore High Court’s ruling not only contravened the constitution and laws, but also defied orders from the apex court. …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken a significant step by sending a letter to the Senate Secretariat, urging the declaration of Sadiq Sanjrani’s Senate seat as vacant. This move comes following Sanjrani’s recent election as a member of the Balochistan Assembly. The ECP letter states that the Senate chairman had become a member of the provincial assembly, after …