Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Saturday said Pakistan is working on proactive diplomacy and its relations with other countries are getting better. He was addressing a news conference flanked by Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti, Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, IT Minister Dr Umar Saif, Law Minister Ahmed Irfan Aslam, and SAPM on Overseas Pakistanis, Jawad Sohrab Malik …

At least six people were killed and more than 30 were injured on Sunday as a bus carrying pilgrims near the Khanqan Dogran Sheikhupura motorway met with an accident. A spokesperson of the district administration of Sheikhupura said that the accident occurred due to high speed, overloading and negligence of the driver. He added that the driver fled the scene …

In a recent study on marriage trends in Pakistan, it has come to light that approximately two-thirds of all marriages in the country are between cousins. The study, conducted by BMC Women’s Health, a platform dedicated to women’s health issues, has highlighted that Pakistan may have one of the highest rates of cousin marriages in the world. Meanwhile, the organisation …

Afghan Taliban criticised the closure of its main border crossing with Pakistan this week after clashes between security forces, saying the halt in trade would see heavy losses for businesses. The busy Torkham border crossing closed on Wednesday after Pakistani and Afghan Taliban forces started firing at each other, according to local officials. “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan deems the …

US Senator Chris Van Hollen Sunday said the US President Joe Biden-led administration has no intentions of interfering in the internal politics of Pakistan and denied all allegations of political engineering. “I have been in contact with the Biden administration for a long time and can confidently say that there was no attempt made to engineer anything related to Pakistani …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s caretaker Minister for Finance Shamshad Akhtar said the South Asian country has taken effective measures to jump-start the national economy amid multiple challenges. The caretaker government has adopted a holistic approach to developing a roadmap to augment macroeconomic management in reviving economy, the minister said at a press conference on Friday. Fiscal stability and fiscal coordination with monetary …

TOBA TEK SINGH: An area manager of a bank has fled to the US after allegedly misappropriating Rs600 million from more than 500 account holders across eight branches in Faisalabad city. According to Federal Investigation Agency officials, Raja Ammar Kiani had formed a gang consisting of staffers from these eight branches, and they were operating a parallel banking system by …

PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari emphasised on Saturday that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was obligated to conduct the delimitation of constituencies following the census results, stressing the importance of the electoral watchdog adhering to the Constitution in holding polls. The statement from the key PPP figure comes a day after party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called for timely …

Former prime minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan on Saturday petitioned the Supreme Court to declare “null and void” the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act 2023 and Official Secrets (Amendment) Act 2023, contending that since both lack the presidential assent, they remain bills and have not become law. In late July, both houses of Parliament passed the bill to amend the …

Former prime minister Imran Khan challenged in the Supreme Court (SC) on Saturday amendments made to the Official Secrets Act and Pakistan Army Act. Advocate Shohaib Shaheen filed a petition against recent amendments to Army Act 1952 under Article 184 of the Constitution of Pakistan on behalf of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairperson. The petition contends that the new clauses …

In a press conference following the Apex Committee meeting of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the caretaker government announced its decision to increase gas prices across the board. Caretaker Minister for Energy Muhammad Ali revealed that this is necessary to prevent significant losses amounting to Rs. 350 billion in the gas sector, emphasizing the crucial link between fiscal stability …

Saudi Arabia has voiced concerns about the safety of its potential investments in Pakistan, especially those in the gold and copper mines of Reko Diq. This has spurred Pakistan into urgent action, looking to secure much-needed investment fund. Last month, a Saudi team visited Pakistan to discuss funding big projects in the country. However, they want a few things cleared …

Caretaker Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar, during a press conference in Islamabad on Friday, announced to roll over deposits from other countries upon their maturity. The statement came after a meeting of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), where Akhtar stressed the need to revitalize Pakistan’s economy and lift import restrictions across the board, given Pakistan’s import-intensive nature. Regarding foreign exchange …

The Muzaffargarh police last night arrested three men after booking four for allegedly raping a minor, blackmailing her and forcing her to abort the resulting pregnancy, it emerged on Friday. A first information report (FIR) was filed by the girl’s mother late Wednesday night at the city’s Rangpur police station. It invoked sections 376 (punishment for rape) and 292 (sale, …

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday demanded elections “as soon as possible” and within the constitutional limit of 90 days. The ECP has ruled out elections this year, while the 90-day limit for holding polls following the dissolution of the National Assembly (NA), as mandated under Article 224 of the Constitution, ends on November 9. It reasons its decision to …

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and TikTok signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote digital safety in government schools across Pakistan through a multifaceted approach. The programme includes comprehensive training programmes and guidelines for teachers, parents, and students that will be covered through, workshops, seminars, webinars, awareness videos etc. to shed light on the legitimate use of social media, …

The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl has blamed the former ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz for the soaring inflation, saying it had no role in it as the latter was in the driving seat. Maulana Amjad Khan told The Express Tribune that the main ministries and the prime minister were of the PML-N, and the JUI-F had only a limited share which was why …

Commenting on the recent clashes along the Pak-Afghan border, the Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson said on Friday that the weapons left in Afghanistan during the US withdrawal require global attention as they had “fallen in the hands of Afghan terrorists”. In a weekly media briefing, spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that Pakistan’s security agencies were determined to eradicate terrorism from …

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday rejected objections raised by the Shehbaz-led government over the larger bench formed against the formation of a judicial inquiry commission probing into the audio leaks allegedly involving current and former members of the superior judiciary and their family members. Justice Ijazul Hassan, in a reserved verdict, asserted that the government’s objections to the …

A huge number of people, including former MNA and politicians have been found to be involved in electricity theft in Lahore. Lahore Electricity Supply Company (LESCO), in a major operation against power thieves, caught 330 individuals, including former MNA Mehr Saeed Zafar Padhiar and two ex-district council chairmen. In the last 24 hours, the LESCO team recovered Rs 47.4 million …

In a historic milestone, the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) has achieved certification by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) Certification Program, affiliated with the esteemed American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). This landmark accomplishment places Pakistan at the forefront of cancer care, becoming the first nation in South Asia and the sixth globally, outside the …

Russia has expressed its intention to engage in more constructive energy discussions with Pakistan. The Russian Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov emphasised the need to accelerate the establishment of a working group for planning and executing a comprehensive strategy for Pakistan’s gas industry development. Russia’s intentions were communicated by the minister in a working meeting with Pakistan’s outgoing envoy Shafqat Ali …

ISLAMABAD: Japan’s nuclear wastewater dumping poses a serious threat to the marine environment and, in turn, affects the moral values of responsible environmental stewardship shared by humanity, a Pakistani marine expert said. Japan’s action will have longstanding repercussions and the entire humankind will have to pay its price in the future, as polluting the ocean with nuclear waste raises concerns …

KARACHI: Pakistani Air Force cadets marched at the mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah during a ceremony to mark the Defense Day in Karachi, Pakistan. Pakistan celebrates the Defense Day annually on Sept. 6 to commemorate the sacrifices made by Pakistani soldiers in defending its borders against India in 1965.

The Torkham border remained closed for the second day on Thursday after clashes between the security forces of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The border crossing – the main gateway for trade and travel between the two countries – is closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Tensions remain reportedly high in the area with reports suggesting both sides have placed heavy …

The Sindh Bar Council (SBC) has moved the Supreme Court against the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act, 2023 and the Official Secrets (Amendment) Act, 2023. The bar council has also challenged the trial of May 9 rioters in military courts. President Dr Arif Alvi sparked controversy on August 20 by claiming that he had not signed the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, …

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) indicted on Thursday the federal capital’s district commissioner in a case pertaining to the arrests of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders under Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO). Justice Babar Sattar took up the contempt plea pertaining to the arrests of PTI leaders Shehryar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar, who were released in August after being detained …

The Punjab Emergency Services Department (ESD) reported over 1,100 road traffic collisions across the province in the last 24 hours. According to the report, five people died, and 1,142 sustained injuries in 1,132 road accidents. Of these, 604 people sustained critical injuries and were put in urgent care at various hospitals. The remaining 570 victims suffered minor injuries and were …

The Pakistan Army successfully rescued a Russian mountaineer who had gone missing on Gasherbrum IV, the 17th highest mountain on Earth, located in the Karakoram range of the Baltoro Muztagh region. The operation took place on Wednesday, following the mountaineer’s disappearance with another climber a day earlier. Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Shigar, Wali Ullah Falahi, confirmed that an Army helicopter …

The main point of transit for travellers and goods between Pakistan and landlocked Afghanistan, Torkham border crossing, was closed on Wednesday as security forces from both countries exchanged fire, security sources said. Local residents reported the sound of gunfire by the Torkham crossing and said people around the busy border area near the Khyber Pass had fled once the firing …

Upon receiving the call, police immediately arrived at the location, taking the wounded guards to a nearby hospital for medical attention. According to reports, a third person was also rescued from the site, but his identity and involvement in the incident remain unclear at this time. Increasing Number of Crimes in Islamabad A shocking 1,151 cases of theft were reported …

The interim government Wednesday unveiled new measures to curb power theft to help lower the power sector’s spiraling circular debt. Caretaker Energy Minister Mohammad Ali alongside interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said in a media briefing today that authorities are launching a crackdown on electricity theft. In this reference, he said work has started on the Electricity Theft Act through …

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar Wednesday directed to present a comprehensive strategy to boost the country’s IT exports. Chairing a meeting on information technology and telecom sectors in Islamabad, he said every facility will be provided for the promotion of the IT sector and all targets for the promotion of investment in the IT sector will be achieved from the …

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Wednesday approved a two-day physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in a case pertaining to an attack on Judicial Complex Islamabad. He was taken into custody by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police after the ATC announced the reserved verdict. A day earlier, the former Punjab chief minister was taken …

The Pakistan Embassy in Washington on Wednesday responded to “rumours” of visa refusals to US citizens of Pakistani origin because of their links to the PTI, terming the claims “misinformation and disinformation”. The issue was raised after recent media reports claimed the Pakistan Embassy had denied visas to American citizens of Pakistani origin on the basis of their association with …

The government announced plans on Wednesday to launch a crackdown on electricity theft, which federal ministers said lead to combined losses of hundreds of billions of rupees and higher bills for the common citizen. Power Minister Muhammad Ali and Information Minister Murtaza Solangi made the announcement and outlined the measures they would be taking during a press conference in Islamabad. …

The Supreme Court (SC) disposed of on Tuesday a petition filed six years ago to place now deceased military dictator Pervez Musharraf on the Exit Control List (ECL). A three-member bench headed by Justice Mazahar Akbar Naqvi heard the plea. “Isn’t this plea redundant now,” inquired Justice Naqvi. “If it had been fixed for hearing six years ago, it would …

A Pakistani citizen, hailing from Shangla, was arrested in India for illegal entry and living with his in-laws after a “secret” marriage, it emerged on Tuesday. According to Indian media, Faiz Muhammad was taken into custody from Hyderabad, India, for allegedly entering the country illegally. Faiz, a resident of Shangla, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, reportedly met Indian citizen Neha Fatima while living in …

The Supreme Court (SC) reserved the verdict on Tuesday on former prime minister Imran Khan’s petition challenging amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial said a “short and sweet order” would be issued soon after the counsels completed arguments. During the hearing, the CJP observed that amendments to Section 23 of …

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has suspended the detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Parvez Elahi under 3-MPO (Maintenance of Public Order) and ordered the Islamabad police to release him. Elahi, the former Punjab chief minister, was rearrested under 3-MPO by the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police shortly after being released by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on the Lahore …