LAHORE: The Punjab government has enforced a complete closure of public spaces across four divisions, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan, and Faisalabad, to combat the escalating smog crisis. Public parks, zoos, museums, historical sites, playlands, and sports venues will remain closed until November 17, according to a notification issued by the Directorate General of Environment. Violators of the directive may face …

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Secretariat has banned video recording inside Parliament House following complaints from lawmakers about journalists recording interviews without consent and sharing them on social media platforms. Ad powered by advergic.com The decision was communicated by the Director General of Media in a letter addressed to the Parliamentary Reporters Association. It cited observations during the 10th session of …

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shibli Faraz has condemned the current government’s actions, stating that the country is faced with unprecedented challenges even worse than under martial law. Addressing the media after his appearance in the Anti-Terrorism Court, Faraz expressed his concerns about the political and economic situation, emphasizing that PTI would not be complicit in the controversial legislation being passed …

ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Friday proved the nomination of all Sindh High Court (SHC) judges to serve on a constitutional bench tasked with addressing the significant backlog of constitutional cases. The decision, aimed at expediting case resolution, allows all SHC judges to hear constitutional matters until November 24, 2024. The JCP is set to revisit the …

ISLAMABAD: Noted former parliamentarians including Akhtar Mengal, Fahmida Mirza, Mohsin Dawar and Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar along with a former Sindh High Court Bar Association president on Friday filed pleas against the 26th Amendment in the Supreme Court, urging the court to rule that “a vote cast under duress and coercion is no vote at all.” Balochistan National Party—Mengal (BNP-M) President Akhtar …

LAHORE: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Lahore on Friday granted bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in four May 9 riots related case. ATC Judge Arshad Javed presided over the hearing of the bail pleas filed by former premier and PTI founder Imran Khan. The court, however, disposed of the plea by PTI founder’s lawyer Salman Safdar seeking more time …

QUETTA: The grand tribal Jirga, also participated by key figures, including the Balochistan Governor, Chief Minister, the Corps Commander Quetta, and the IG FC Balochistan (South), pledged support for the families of innocent civilians martyred during the incidents of terrorism. The grand Jirga held in Turbat saw the participation of key figures, including the Governor of Balochistan, Chief Minister, Corps Commander …

The second Hijra Festival, celebrated today at Frere Hall in Karachi, brought together members of the transgender community under the theme, “Identity, Existence, and Empowerment of Transgender Individuals.” This year’s festival highlighted the essential role of one of society’s most marginalized communities, offering a platform for transgender individuals to gather, celebrate, and share their stories of resilience and progress. In …

ISLAMABAD: Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong has said that Pakistan and China share unbreakable iron brother bond and the leaders of both countries are committed to fostering the relationship to new heights. During a meeting with federal minister for planning, development & special initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday, Chinese ambassador expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s comprehensive engagement and stated” during …

The federal government has declared November 9 (Saturday) a public holiday to observe Iqbal Day, marking the birth anniversary of national poet and philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal. A notification was also issued by the federal government in this connection. “As notified vide Cabinet Division’s circular No. 10-02/2023-Min-II dated 20th December, 2023, listing Public and Optional Holidays for the year 2024, …

Highlighting about Rs60 billion worth of cost of inefficiency being charged to consumers in three months, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Wednesday notified Rs1.28 per unit negative fuel cost adjustment (FCA) against consumption in September and asked the ex-Wapda distribution companies (Discos) to refund it in consumer bills for November. This will have a gross financial impact …

Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, on Wednesday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Gen Munir is currently on an official visit to Saudi Arabia. The two engaged in a comprehensive discussion on a range of issues of mutual interest, including regional peace, defence and …

Senate Committee on Interior meeting chaired by Senator Faisal Salim, a proposed amendment aimed at increasing punishments for rape offenses was introduced. Senator Mohsin Aziz presented the bill, emphasizing the need for harsher penalties in such cases. “The punishment for rape is currently too lenient; severe consequences must be enforced,” said Senator Aziz, advocating for life imprisonment for convicted rapists. …

Pakistan’s Foreign Office has affirmed the nation’s commitment to strengthening ties with the United States following Donald Trump’s recent election victory. The President and Prime Minister extended their congratulations, with the Foreign Office spokesperson highlighting the decades-old relationship between Pakistan and the U.S. and expressing optimism for further improvement, stating that the change in U.S. leadership would not impact bilateral …

The Lahore High Court has issued a ban on the operation of smoke-emitting commercial generators in designated ‘green lockdown’ areas to address air pollution. Justice Shahid Karim, presiding over petitions filed by citizens, including Haroon Farooq, to curb smog, ordered the installation of pollution control devices in commercial generators within the next seven days. The court’s written order of the …

ISLAMABAD: Mushaal Hussein Mullick, wife of Kashmiri leader Mohammad Yasin Malik has penned an impassioned appeal to Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, urging him to raise her husband’s case in parliament. Malik’s wife calls on Rahul Gandhi to initiate a parliamentary debate about Malik’s right to fair treatment and adequate healthcare, warning that disregarding these rights could undermine public faith …

With an evenly split quota for government and private schemes, the new Haj policy, approved by the federal cabinet on Tuesday, allows 179,210 Pakistani nationals to go on pilgrimage next year but puts a restriction on taking children aged below 12 with them. Under Haj Policy 2025, a new portfolio of Nazim (administrator) has been introduced to facilitate the pilgrims. …

Pakistan Army has announced the promotion of several senior officers to Lieutenant General, assigning them to key strategic roles crucial for the military’s operational efficiency. The newly promoted officers are Lt. Gen. Tabbasum Habib, Lt. Gen. Amir Najam, Lt. Gen. Arshad Naseem, Lt. Gen. Hassan Khattak, and Lt. Gen. Azhar Waqas. Each will now serve in influential command and administrative …

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a federal cabinet meeting today at the Prime Minister’s House, during which a significant increase in compensation for Hajj-related casualties and injuries was approved. The cabinet decided that the families of pilgrims who pass away during Hajj 2025 will now receive compensation of Rs. 2 million, up from the previous amount of Rs. 1 …

GWADAR: The students and staff of the China-Pakistan Government Girls Middle School Faqeer Colony conducted an educational visit to Gwadar Port and its associated facilities. According to the report, the study visit included the Gwadar Free Zone, Gwadar Business Centre, Desalination Plant, greenhouse, and Gwadar Port Terminal. Trip coordinator Naseem Baloch told Gwadar Pro that this educational experience was designed …

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Tuesday received the Foreign Minister of Iran Seyed Abbas Araghchi and his delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two Ministers noted the longstanding ties between Pakistan and Iran and emphasized the need to strengthen these relations through increased trade, energy cooperation and enhanced border management. They expressed commitment …

The Punjab Environment Department has declared a ‘red alert’ for Lahore due to a significant increase in smog expected over the next few days. The Met Office has forecast a noticeable rise in smog levels from November 6 to 8, prompting urgent health warnings for residents. Lahore’s air quality index (AQI) stood at an alarming 293 around 1pm, with pollutant …

In its maiden session on Tuesday, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) — reconstituted under the 26th Amendment — appointed Justice Aminuddin Khan as head of the seven-judge constitutional bench by a majority vote of seven to five, with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi among the dissenting members. The seven-judge constitutional bench includes representatives from all four provinces: Justice Aminuddin …

The Faisalabad Electric Power Supply Company (FESCO) has discontinued the option of installment payments for electricity bills, aiming to enhance revenue stability. The decision comes as FESCO reported that allowing installment payments led to collection shortfalls. Previously, customers who faced challenges in paying their bills in full could make payments in two or three parts at FESCO offices, offering some …

Australia claimed a narrow victory over Pakistan in the first ODI of the series, winning by two wickets with 99 balls remaining in a tense, low-scoring encounter at Melbourne. Chasing a target of 204, Australia looked comfortable until Haris Rauf’s rapid triple-strike turned the game on its head. Score: Australia won by 2 wickets (with 99 balls remaining) Rauf’s spell rattled …

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced on Monday a significant reduction in the interest rate by 2.5 per cent, bringing it down from 17.5 per cent to 15 per cent. According to details, this was the fourth consecutive decrease, totalling a seven per cent reduction over this period. The decision was made during a meeting of the Monetary Policy …

The National Assembly (NA) approved on Monday the bills to amend the Army, Air Force and Navy Acts following the approval of the bill to increase the SC judges’ seats amid opposition protests. According to details, the NA session presided over by speaker Sardar Ayaz saw a surge in tensions, resulting in a physical altercation the members of the Pakistan …

Pakistan Navy conducted a successful flight test of an indigenously developed ship-launched ballistic missile. The weapon system with 350 KM range is capable of engaging land and sea targets with high precision. The system is equipped with a state-of-the art navigation system and manoeuvrability features. The flight test was witnessed by the Chief of the Naval Staff, senior officers from …

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman warned on Tuesday the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz against approving any legislation “undermining” the democratic principles. Speaking to media, Rehman said: We have differing opinions with other opposition groups, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), but there remain avenues for collaboration.” He criticized the government’s …

Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi on Saturday launched initiatives for comprehensive jail reforms for effective prison system to ensure a fair legal framework. A pivotal consultative meeting was held at Lahore presided over by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr Justice Yahya Afridi with participation from the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, Ms Aalia Neelum, Administrative Judge …

Despite lofty claims of bringing more people into the tax net through various schemes and measures, the government badly failed in its endeavor as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) demanded to bring a mini-budget. The global lender in a virtual meeting with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) authorities pointed out the shortfall in the tax collection targets promised by …

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has written a letter and submitted nominations from parliamentary parties to the Supreme Judicial Council on the issue of formation of a Judicial Commission for the appointment of judges to the superior judiciary. The nominations were made following consultations with Senate Chairman and parliamentary leaders. Sadiq’s nominations include members from both the National Assembly …

Private schools in Lahore have initiated a carpool program aimed at reducing air pollution and alleviating traffic congestion during school hours in a response to the worsening smog crisis in the Punjab capital. On the directions of the Environment Department, schools have started to inform parents about the initiative. Under this program, instead of individual students arriving at school in …

The Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice on Friday approved a bill to raise the number of Supreme Court judges from 17 to 25 despite oppositions from the PTI and JUI-F. Chaired by Farooq H. Naek, the committee debated the bill presented by Senator Abdul Qadir who argued that rising population and crime rates have significantly increased the case …

A three-member delegation from the US Embassy visited Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. According to reports, the US Embassy delegation was granted consular access to three detained individuals. The delegation met American citizens detained under the Foreign Act. The meeting, held in the office of the Additional Superintendent, lasted for one hour. The delegation was given access to American citizens Abid …

Legendary cricketer Zaheer Abbas, the pride of Pakistan cricket, has joined the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Governing Board. According to a PCB spokesperson, the “Asian Bradman” was nominated to the board by the State Bank. Zaheer Abbas replaces the current member, Meraj Mahmood, and no additional members were added to the board, which comprises 12 members, including the PCB chairman. …

The threat of smog looms in the country as the worst air quality persisted in Peshawar. According to details, due to the fewer rainfalls, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s provincial capital had been blanketed with smog. The medical experts had also sounded the alarm, saying, “The environmental pollution can lead to asthma.” The air quality index (AQI) reached 123 in Peshawar, which …

WhatsApp is set to elevate user experience with the introduction of a new automatic text formatting tool, according to reports from WEBetaInfo. This innovative feature aims to enhance how users interact with links and group messages within chats. Previously, WhatsApp rolled out a feature that allows users to verify the authenticity of links shared in chats by searching for additional …

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Friday that Qatar was ready to invest $3billion in Pakistan. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Tarar declared Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar as “greatly successful.” “The premier’s meetings with the Saudi leadership had turned out to be quite beneficial,” he said. “Pakistan’s economy is on the verge …

Pakistan Navy Ship Zulfiquar while deployed on a regional maritime security patrol rescued an Iranian fishing dhow with 23 fishermen onboard, a statement from the Pakistan Navy said on Thursday. According to a statement from the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) Pakistan Navy, PNS Zulfiquar responded to the distress call from Fishing Dhow AL Muhammadi, which was stranded in the …