The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Wednesday removed the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) political party of former president and chief of Army staff Pervez Musharraf from the list of political parties. The Election Commission has issued a notification in this regard. It is pertinent to note that former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf passed away in February this year …

Fly Jinnah, Pakistan’s low-cost carrier, celebrates its first anniversary, honoring a year of extraordinary service and remarkable accomplishments. Over the course of the past 12 months, Fly Jinnah has firmly established itself as a preferred airline for travelers, operating a network of domestic flights and connecting major cities across Pakistan, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Quetta. Since its inaugural …

ISLAMABAD: Responding to the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) concerns in connection with the level-playing field for all political parties, caretaker Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi on Tuesday clarified that equal opportunities would be provided to all political parties and every party had full right to participate in the elections. A day earlier, PPP senior leader Syed Khurshid …

A special court formed under the Official Secrets Act on Tuesday commenced the trial of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The duo was indicted in the cipher case on October 23 despite filing a petition under CrPC 265-D to stop the indictment after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) booked them for violating the secret …

The Supreme Court has barred all accountability courts from pronouncing final verdicts in all cases. The apex court issued the directions that the final verdicts should not be pronounced on trials in any case till the next hearing. It also rejected lawyer Farooq H Naek’s request for suspending the order nullifying the NAB law amendments. After the detailed decision of …

An elite Kenyan police unit went on trial Tuesday on charges of wrongful death in the killing of an outspoken Pakistani journalist in Nairobi a year ago. The case was jointly filed by the journalist’s widow and two Kenyan journalists’ unions. Arshad Sharif was killed Oct. 23, 2022, when the car he was in with another Pakistani man sped up …

More than 10,000 Afghans living in Pakistan rushed to the borders on Tuesday, just hours before a deadline for 1.7 million people to leave Pakistan voluntarily or face arrest and deportation. The Pakistan government has said it would begin arresting undocumented Afghans and taking them to new holding centers from Wednesday, from where they will be processed and forcibly returned …

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday directed the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) to immediately de-seal Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed’s Lal Haveli residence in Rawalpindi. The Rawalpindi bench of Lahore High Court (LHC), chaired by Justice Mirza Waqas Rauf, heard the former interior minister’s appeal, urging the court to issue an order for de-sealing Lal Haveli’s …

Examining legislation by keeping interests of the legislators in mind is an insult to parliament and democracy. Judiciary can review legislation when it conflicts with fundamental rights. This has been written by the Supreme Court’s Justice Mansoor Ali Shah in his 27-page dissenting note against the court’s majority verdict in the NAB amendments case. On September 15, the Supreme Court …

Pakistan has failed to combat rising impunity for crimes against journalists despite legislation for their safety, according to Freedom Network’s Annual Impunity 2023 report released on Sunday. The report titled “One step forward, two steps back Pakistan legislates on the safety of journalists, but still fails to protect them” was launched ahead of the International Day to End Impunity for …

President Dr Arif Alvi has expressed his confidence in the incumbent caretaker government as well as the military leadership to lead the country towards economic progress, The News reported on Sunday. The president said that the interim government and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, with the help of joint ventures, were trying to bring foreign investment …

ISLAMABAD: The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) in Pakistan has opened a renminbi (RMB) clearing bank, facilitating both Pakistani and Chinese businesses and financial institutions to settle cross-border transactions and meet the financing needs of the two countries. The grand opening ceremony, held in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Friday, was attended by officials, experts and businessmen from …

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has said the recently signed accords between Pakistan and China would open up new opportunities of employment and economic development for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. The prime minister stated this during his meeting with GB Chief Minister Gulbar Khan at the PM House on Friday. They discussed a memorandum of understanding signed with China …

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday declined bail to detained former prime minister Imran Khan in a case in which he has been indicted on charges of leaking state secrets, observing that he apparently committed the offence, which might carry the death penalty or up to 14 years of imprisonment. The court also rejected another petition filed by the …

ISLAMABAD: A student of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) was allegedly abducted and six others were injured during a clash between two groups inside the premises of the university on Thursday night. As per sources, the students belonging to two different ethnic groups carrying sticks attacked another group of students who were taking a Quran class inside the university’s mosque. A renowned …

In a significant development, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Friday green-lighted a hefty sum of Rs8 billion for the purchase and repatriation of two Airbus A320 aircraft, which have been grounded in Jakarta since September 2021. The ECC meeting chaired by Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar approved bridge financing through the Civil Aviation Authority’s resources for Pakistan …

As the general elections draw closer in the country, former ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) decided to make contact with other political parties from next week. According to a statement, the decision was made during a meeting of a sub-committee of the PTI core committee held on Saturday. The development came two days after the PTI top brass met Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam …

Punjab caretaker Information Minister Amir Mir on Friday revealed that approximately 33,000 people were identified through mapping as illegal residents lacking proper legal documentation and were now slated for deportation. The provincial minister’s statement coincides with the government’s approaching October 31 deadline for illegal residents to depart from Pakistan. Earlier this month, the government gave an ultimatum to all undocumented …

In a small town some two hours away from Lahore, Yasmin Bibi proudly welcomed us to her shop in Renala Khurd right outside her home. The business owner was accompanied by her husband, Asif, who she says has supported her throughout her career. This is not how it has always been. With few options available, she started her retail business …

Preston University Islamabad organized full-day activities to show solidarity with the Kashmiri People. Multiple activities were carried out and different departments participated in these activities. Professor Dr. Aurangzeb (Management Sciences Department) briefed the audience about the historical background of the Kashmir issue and also discussed human rights violations. Professor Dr. Mumtaz Fatima Jafari (Dept. Psychology) focused on the rights of …

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa has summoned the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) meeting to discuss complaints filed against superior court judges including Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi on Friday (tomorrow) at 11.30am. This will be the first meeting of the SJC under CJP Isa and was convened after a gap of over 3 years. Headed by CJP …

Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti has reiterated that no compromise will be made on the decision to expel illegal immigrants, saying that a plan has been finalised in this regard as the November 1 deadline approaches. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the interior minister said centres have been set up in various cities across the country to keep the …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday ruled out the possibility of a delay in the polls and assured that a schedule will be issued after the process of delimitation of constituencies is completed. “After the publication of the delimitation of constituencies, the election schedule will be announced. There is no chance of a delay in the elections,” said …

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday restored PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif appeals against his conviction in the Avenfield Apartments and Al-Azizia references. The verdict, which was reserved earlier today, was announced by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb. The bench issued the verdict while hearing Nawaz’s pleas seeking protective bail in the …

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir on Thursday said the safety and security of every Pakistani was of paramount importance and could not be compromised “at any cost”. He passed these remarks while talking about the repatriation and deportation of illegal foreigners residing in Pakistan during the National Security Workshop, the military’s media affairs wing said. Earlier this …

The first cargo of relief supplies to aid the victims was sent out quickly by the renowned humanitarian organisation Alkhidmat Foundation in response to the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. The Alkhidmat Foundation’s commitment to helping individuals affected in the region has begun with the delivery of 13 truckloads of needed supplies, including food items, medicines, delivery kits, infant kits, …

An Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday issued perpetual arrest warrants for nine PTI leaders in a case relating to violence outside the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC). Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain issued arrest warrants for Hammad Azhar, Shibli Faraz, Murad Saeed, Omar Ayub Khan and Ali Amin Gandapur. Perpetual arrest warrants were also issued for Ali Nawaz Awan, Hassaan Khan …

Former senator and senior lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan on Wednesday filed a constitutional petition in the Supreme Court to “challenge the illegal and unlawful practice of enforced disappearances”. The move comes amid the PTI’s complaints as it faces a months-long crackdown following the May 9 riots that occurred due to party chairman Imran Khan’s arrest. Last month, anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan …

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Wednesday said Pakistan was committed to the implementation of projects recently concluded with China in diverse sectors. He said the recent agreements between the two countries would add a new chapter to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). In a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, he said China’s Belt and Road Initiative was …

PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday petitioned the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against his indictment in the cipher case, calling on it to declare the exercise “illegal and unlawful”. The cipher case pertains to a diplomatic document that the charge sheet claims was never returned by Imran. The PTI alleges that the document contained a threat from the United States …

ISLAMABAD: Hafiz Salman, a 24-year-old Pakistani MPhil student, was keenly performing digital image processing to analyze the size and shape of wheat grains at the recently established China-Pakistan Joint Wheat Molecular Breeding International Lab in Quaid-i-Azam University in capital city Islamabad. “We are collaborating with Chinese experts and scientists to produce the best varieties of wheat to enhance the yield …

The Punjab government on Tuesday suspended PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s sentence in the Al-Azizia reference, the Punjab caretaker information minister and the former prime minister’s lawyer confirmed. However, caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi later clarified the case had been forwarded to the court. Nawaz, who returned to the country over the weekend after almost four years in self-exile, was convicted …

A Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court on Tuesday extended PTI President Chaudhry Parvez judicial remand till November 21 in the Judicial Complex attack case. Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Elahi said the PML-N would face the repercussions of the 16 months of the previous government in the elections. He made the remarks when asked to comment on Nawaz’s return. He also …

A special court established under the Official Secrets Act on Monday indicted former prime minister Imran Khan and ex-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case. The cipher case pertains to a diplomatic document that reportedly went missing from Imran’s possession. The PTI alleges that the document contained a threat from the United States to oust Imran from office. …

A five-member Supreme Court (SC) bench on Monday declared the military trials of civilians arrested in the wake of violent protests in the country on May 9 to be null and void. The court announced its verdict in the case a few hours after it was reserved. Justice Ijazul Ahsan had headed the bench comprising Justices Munib Akhtar, Yayha Afridi, …

Javeria Siddique, wife of slain journalist Arshad Sharif, on Monday filed a lawsuit against Kenyan police, according to her lawyer. Arshad Sharif, an ardent supporter of former premier Imran Khan, was shot dead in Nairobi in October last year. Initial reports on his killing by the Kenyan media quoted local police as saying that Sharif was shot dead by police …

In an apparent reference to the return of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday said that there should be no further delay in polls following the events that took place over the weekend. Nawaz landed in Pakistan on October 21 after spending four years in self-exile. Upon arrival, the deposed prime minister first completed legal formalities …

At least 12 young girls have been killed due to prohibited drug overdose at dance parties at farmhouses in Karachi, according to police. The shocking discovery came to limelight after the body of a girl was found in the jurisdiction of the Sachal Police Station on September 27. Sindh Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) sealed the farmhouse of a government …

The apex court has ruled that the judiciary cannot grant relief that breaches a law, nor create a right in favour of a litigant which they do not possess under the law. The judgement, autho­red by Justice Athar Minallah while dismissing an appeal filed by medical students, also notes that while every citizen is unquestionably entitled to choose a profession …

Workers and supporters of various political parties and organisations staged a sit-in at Chaman on Saturday to protest the government’s recent decision mandating that any crossing at the Afghan border will require a valid passport and visa from Nov 1. The government’s apex committee decided last week that the current system under which indivi­duals can cross the border using the …