Pakistan electronic media watchdog has stopped TV channels from giving air space to 11 people, including journalists, accused of criticising the military and the Shehbaz Sharif-led previous government and declared ‘proclaimed offenders’ or absconders by courts. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) issued a directive on Saturday, citing a decision from the Sindh High Court that such people cannot …

BNP-M President Sardar Akhtar Mengal has written a letter to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and expressed disappointment that the country’s problems are being solved through consultations with the establishment instead of politicians. In his open letter he shared on his official Twitter account on Sunday, Mengal – whose party is a part of the PDM coalition that ruled the country …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani President Arif Alvi on Saturday approved the appointment of Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar as the caretaker prime minister, said a statement from the President House Media Wing. The president has given the approval in terms of Article 224(1A) of the Constitution of Pakistan, according to the statement. Earlier, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, after detailed consultations with the leader …

The Balochistan Assembly stood dissolved on Saturday after Governor Malik Abdul Wali Khan Kakar signed off on Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo’s summary for the dissolution of the provincial legislature. A notification issued by the governor said: “As advised by Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, the Chief Minister of Balochistan and in exercise of the powers conferred upon me under …

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed on Saturday the Attock Jail administration to provide former Prime Minister Imran Khan with “appropriate medical facilities”, The court also directed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman be provided with a prayer mat and a copy of the English version of the Holy Quran. He should also be allowed to meet his family and …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Leader of the Opposition Raja Riaz in the dissolved National Assembly on Saturday agreed to nominate Anwaarul Haq Kakar as the caretaker prime minister. Later, President Dr Arif Alvi approved the nomination of Anwaarul Haq Kakar as the caretaker PM. The president approves the nomination under Article 224(1)(a) of the Constitution The senator is set …

The town of Herndon, Virginia in the United States (US) has made a decision to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day on 14 August 2023. It is an important gesture highlighting the contributions made by Pakistani-American residents of the town. On Friday, City Council Member, Naila Alam, shared this news with Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, Masood Khan. Herndon’s Mayor, Sheila A. …

Pakistan’s largest water reservoir at Tarbela reached its maximum storage level on Friday morning, as confirmed by official sources. The dam’s generation capacity has also attained its rated potential of 4,888 megawatts. Rising temperatures coupled with intermittent rainfall in the catchment regions of the Indus River have led to this milestone. The reservoir’s water level surged to 1,550 feet above …

The Islamabad High Court has summoned complete record of the case, and issued a written order on the hearing of PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s appeal against his sentence in the Toshakhana criminal case. According to the written order of the Islamabad High Court, it has issued notices to the parties on Imran Khan’s appeal against his sentence as well as …

A man was arrested after he was found guilty of sharing allegedly objectionable pictures of his former wife online. A Rawalpindi court sentenced the suspect Hameedullah to four-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs2 million. The additional district and sessions judge also ordered the suspect to pay Rs200,000 as compensation. The suspect Hameedullah was on bail, and the Federal Investigation Agency …

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Saturday issued an advisory alert to all federal and provincial departments concerned to ensure disaster preparedness measures after the met office issued a rain-thunderstorm forecast. As per the Met department, thundershowers are expected to sweep through various regions of the country, potentially leading to flooding, landslides, and other hazards. The weather prediction indicates that …

In view of the fears of terrorism, the Counter-Terrorism Department of Punjab has taken action and arrested 21 suspected terrorists allegedly belonging to banned organizations. The arrested terrorists also include nine important commanders of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and four belonging to the Islamic State. Officials said explosive material, had grenades and cash were also recovered from those arrested. They …

Once a fixture in the media spotlight, a master of predictions, and a source of political amusement, Sheikh Rashid has transformed from a flamboyant political figure to a shadowy recluse. Sheikh Rashid known for his eccentric style, audacious claims, and uncanny predictions – has always been as dramatic as his political career. Famous for his bold statements and frequent appearances, …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif opened up on Saturday about his relationship with the establishment saying he has never denied his ties, asserting that the connections have consistently remained in good stead. Speaking to journalists in Islamabad, the premier responding to queries about his rapport with the establishment said “When was my relationship with the establishment not good?” He further addressed …

Anwar Ul Haq Kakar’s name has been picked for the coveted slot of the next Interim Prime Minister of Pakistan, opposition leader Raja Riaz announced on Saturday. Riaz, in a brief interaction with media, announced that the government and opposition decided to pick Anwar Ul Haq Kakar for interim premier. Anwar ul Haq Kakar has been a Member of the …

Former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) IG police and serving officer on special duty (OSD) Salahuddin Mehsud’s brother, Nasrullah Mehsud, was kidnapped and killed on Friday in Tank, According to details, the victim was making his way to his residence from Tank Bazaar in his vehicle after Friday prayers when assailants, waiting for him near the customs pump, opened fire on him. Syed …

In yet another disturbing incident underscoring the harrowing reality of gender-based violence, a 17-year-old girl was reportedly subjected to a horrifying gang rape by three individuals in the Mughalpura area of Lahore. The accused, identified as Sunny, Awais Dogar, and Irfan, allegedly deceived the girl and her mother with a sham job offer, subsequently leading them to their residence. Once …

The doctors and patients had to face a great deal of inconvenience when the electricity supply to the operating theatres of the Sir Ganga Ram hospital remained suspended for a day due to alleged mismanagement. The incident occurred when the doctors were conducting operations and they had to use torch and other ways to complete the procedures. A video clip …

The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday struck down the Supreme Court (Review of Judgments and Orders) Act 2023, which expands the scope of a review petition, terming it unconstitutional. A three-member SC bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan had reserved its verdict in the case on June 19 with …

An Islamabad district and sessions court on Thursday rejected the post-arrest bail plea filed by Somia Asim, the wife of a civil judge, in a case pertaining to the alleged torture of an underage domestic worker in the capital. The suspect was booked in the case after she was accused of severely torturing a teenage maid, who was moved to …

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has appointed former Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Amir Hayat as CEO for one year, a spokesperson of the national carrier said. This week, the outgoing government said it planned to privatise loss-making PIA, which has accumulated hundreds of billions of rupees in losses and arrears. The move would be in line with an International Monetary Fund …

Over the last few years, Pakistan’s parliamentarians, individuals who have sworn to protect and uphold the Constitution, have betrayed both the letter and spirit of constitutional democracy in the country. This betrayal has come on the back of years of rhetoric about the rule of law, democracy, and constitutional norms. And the culminating act of betrayal has unfolded over the …

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Raja Riaz met with the outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday to discuss the selection of a caretaker PM, Aaj news reported. He claimed the meeting took place in a “positive environment” and that he was “certain they would agree on a candidate in the coming days.” While talking to reporters …

An accountability court in Islamabad on Thursday quashed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s pre-arrest bail pleas in illegal transfer of 190 million pounds in the Al-Qadir Trust case. Judge Muhammad Bashir heard the case while the PTI chairman and his wife Bushra Bibi’s legal Khawaja Haris appeared before the court. During the hearing, Khawaja Haris filed a petition seeking …

Bushra Bibi, the wife of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, has arrived at Attock Jail to see her husband. Naeem Haider Panjotha, an attorney representing Imran Khan, said that the Islamabad High Court has given them permission to speak with the imprisoned former prime minister. According to reports, the Elite Force and police are on high alert outside the …

In a significant development, President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday formally signed the summary for the dissolution of the National Assembly. The move follows a proposal by the Prime Minister, signaling a crucial step in the country’s political landscape. The President’s approval marks the transition into a new phase of political activity, triggering preparations for upcoming elections. Earlier, PM Shehbaz …

A division bench of the Islamabad High Court Wednesday denied requests to suspend the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s prison term. The two-member bench consisted of Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri. Imran’s attorneys requested a suspension of the jail term in their appeal. The court, however, refused to immediately end the sentence and gave notice …

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir said on Wednesday that the Pakistan Army possessed all the resources to “thwart [the] nefarious designs of its adversaries”. A press release issued by the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) quoted the COAS as saying: “Pakistan Army was alive to the existing and emerging challenges and possessed the wherewithal to thwart nefarious designs …

In his farewell speech at the National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif termed his 16-month-long tenure as the country’s chief executive the “most difficult test of my life”. “I never had to go through such a difficult test before in my 38-year-long [political] career as the country was mired in a severe economic crisis, oil prices remained …

The Senate on Wednesday passed a resolution urging the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to take measures for holding general elections across the country within the stipulated time given under Article 224 of the Constitution (time of election and by-election). Presented by JI Senator Mushtaq Ahmad, the resolution also asked all the state institutions to assist, in every possible manner, …

In response to the tragic Hazara Express accident, six railway officials have been suspended, and financial compensation worth Rs1.5 million each has been announced for the families of the victims in accordance with railways standard operating procedures (SOPs). Speaking in the National Assembly, Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique revealed details about the unfortunate incident, placing the blame …

The Punjab Cabinet has approved measures to simplify car ownership transfers to facilitate the people. After consulting with the Motor Dealers Association, the revisions aim to streamline the car transfer process. The Excise Department spokeswoman stated that this change will speed up the vehicle transfer process and reduce the administrative burden. The representative explained that after the transaction, only the …

On the occasion of Independence Day in Karachi, a Malir Court ordered against buying, selling and using of vuvuzelas in port city Vuvuzela is a small plastic musical instrument resembling a trumpet and blowing into it create loud sound. Judicial Magistrate Malir Syed Anwar Ali Shah issued instructions to Station House Officer (SHO) Sharif Goth and Sachal and ordered Karachi …

The Islamabad High Court issued notices to the parties concerned, did not suspend Imran Khan’s sentence in the Toshakhana criminal case and adjourned the hearing. The court was hearing the PTI chairman’s appeal against his sentence in the Toshakhana criminal case awarded by the trial court. He told Justice Farooq that being the chief justice he was the father of …

In the decisive moments for the appointment of the caretaker prime minister, it has been learnt that former ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani’s name has assumed significance. The former foreign secretary could be the chosen one, as the name for the caretaker prime minister is likely to be finalized. According to sources, former US ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani is among the …

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday issued notices to the federal government on a petition challenging recent amendments made to the Official Secrets Act. The outgoing government quietly got the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023 passed by the National Assembly on August 1 in a bid to grant blanket powers to intelligence agencies, which will be able to raid …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to send the summary for dissolution of the National Assembly to President Dr Arif Alvi today after which the NA will stand dissolved at midnight. “After completion of our term, we will, Wednesday, write to the president of Pakistan that the assembly should be dissolved and then a caretaker government will come,” he had …

Former prime minister Imran Khan who is currently incarcerated in Attock Jail filed a plea in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday, challenging his conviction in the Toshakhana case by a trial court. The petition will be taken up tomorrow (Wednesday) by a two-member bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri. On August 5, …

Human Rights Minister Riaz Pirzada has said that he does not see the Afghan interim government’s involvement in recent terror incidents across Pakistan, adding that there are misunderstandings between the two countries. The minister’s remarks come as a stark contradiction to recent statements issued by the government and the army who have repeatedly raised concerns over the use of Afghan …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Mon-day filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking transfer from Attock jail to a better class in Adiala jail, Rawalpindi. The former prime minister also sought permission for regular visits by his legal team, family members, physician Faisal Sultan and political aides to the jail. The plea said the …