With Pakistan’s Independence Day drawing near, a notable thoroughfare in New York City, the most populous city in the United States, has received the co-naming designation of “Allama Iqbal Avenue.” Ambassador Masood Khan extended his congratulations to President Ali Rashid of the American-Pakistani Advocacy Group (APAG) for his leadership role in securing the co-naming of the avenue as “Allama Iqbal …

In a significant move, the Punjab caretaker government on Tuesday announced a series of salary increases for government officials across various grades, addressing the long-standing demands of public servants. The decision comes after persistent protests and advocacy by government employees for a raise in their salaries, signaling a positive development in the ongoing dialogue between the authorities and the workforce …

Following the unanimous green light given to the 7th digital census by the Council of Common Interests (CCI), and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s announcement about conducting upcoming elections on the basis of the new census. High-profile figures within the incumbent government have subtly hinted at the potential for a delay in the electoral schedule. The groundwork for conjecture was laid …

Vice Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Shah Mehmood Qureshi, voiced his apprehensions on Tuesday, stating that the party was not being consulted regarding the formation of the caretaker government. He suggested that these actions might be indicative of attempts to postpone the impending election. Qureshi’s remarks were made outside the Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court, where he engaged with the media. He …

The government plans to collect an additional Rs721 billion from electricity consumers during the current financial year. The International Monetary Fund has been informed of the plan to increase the tariff and reduce the circular debt According to sources in the Finance Ministry, electricity price will be hiked by Rs1.25 per unit until September, and Rs39 billion in revenue is expected …

The anti-corruption authorities have decided to take action against former Chakwal naib tehsildar Najaf Hameed Khan, the brother of former ISI DG retired Gen Faiz Hameed. During his posting in Chakwal, Najaf has been accused of misappropriation in the land transfer fees. The anti-corruption department has started an investigation against him. There is evidence of irregularities worth hundreds of millions …

Former prime minister Imran Khan’s lawyer approached on Monday the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking A-Class jail facilities in Attock Jail. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman’s lawyer, Naeem Haider Panjotha, filed the application on Imran’s behalf. The petition urged the IHC to declare Imran’s detention in Attock Jail “illegal”. It also requested that Imran be shifted to Adiala Jail in …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said the newly-launched Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) would propel growth in Pakistan’s industrial and agricultural sectors. Addressing an award distributing ceremony among Chinese companies that rendered valuable services in CPEC projects in Pakistan, PM Shehbaz lauded the foreign investment. Terming SIFC as a ‘great initiative’, the prime minister said that SIFC includes representation …

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir said on Monday that the surge in terrorism incidents in recent months is a “futile effort” by terrorists to re-start talks, emphasising there is “no other choice for these terrorists other than to submit to Pakistan’s writ before they are decimated if they persist on their wrong path”. The Inter-Services Public …

A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Monday rejected the bail plea of Somia Asim the wife of a civil judge in a case pertaining to the alleged torture of an underage domestic worker in the capital and ordered police to arrest her. The suspect was subsequently taken into custody by Islamabad police from the court’s premises. Somia was booked …

As the current government’s tenure approaches its end, both houses of Parliament the National Assembly (NA) and the Senate have gone into overdrive, even working on weekends, to pass as many laws as possible before the NA is dissolved. The flurry of legislative activity has made it difficult for even the most ardent followers of the country’s power corridors to …

Former prime minister Imran Khan’s lawyer, Naeem Haider Panjotha, claimed on Monday that the PTI chief who is currently incarcerated in Attock Jail in a graft case was being kept in “distressing conditions” and provided “C-Class jail facilities”. On Aug 5, an Islamabad trial court had declared Imran guilty of “corrupt practices” in a case pertaining to concealing details of …

Railways and Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique on Monday termed a lack of resources as the “real cause” of yesterday’s Hazara Express tragedy, which claimed the lives of at least 30 people. Ten bogies of Havelian-bound Hazara Express had derailed near Sarhari Railway Station in Sindh’s Sanghar district on Sunday, with Pakistan Railways (PR) officials stating the breakage of the …

In a fresh blow to the beleaguered former premier, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday decided to remove Imran Khan as the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after he was sentenced in the Toshakhana criminal case. The ECP’s Political Finance Wing swiftly initiated the process of preparing the necessary paperwork to formalise Imran Khan’s removal from the PTI …

A terrorist wanted for terror attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was Monday arrested at the Karachi Airport after the Immigration Cell of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) foiled his plan to flee abroad, the agency told Media. According to the FIA Immigration Cell spokesperson, the accused, named Ehsan-ul-Haq, was trying to escape abroad. The sources said he was a terrorist “associated …

Arslan ‘Ash’ Siddique, Pakistan’s Tekken prodigy, has secured his place in gaming history as a four-time EVO champion by clinching the title in Las Vegas on Sunday. The 27-year-old wowed spectators and competitors alike with his unparalleled skills and strategic prowess, delivering a flawless 3-0 triumph over Japan’s AO in the grand final. Arslan’s journey to victory showcased his extraordinary …

As part of its commitment to offering comprehensive services to the general public, the Balochistan government has launched an e-service center in the provincial capital of Quetta. These centers are not only operational in Quetta but are also being established in Gwadar, Khuzdar, and Loralai, with plans for further expansion to cover other districts of the province in the near …

Road accidents are becoming more frequent across Pakistan due to a growing number of cars and bikes, especially in densely populated areas. In the last 24 hours, the Emergency Services Department (ESD) responded to 1,097 accidents across Punjab involving 1,164 people. Out of these, 573 people sustained minor injuries, 591 suffered from critical injuries, and nine lost their lives. Those …

As Pakistan gears up for general elections this year, the country’s religious minorities appear dejected over their parliamentary representation. The current electoral system, which allows minority candidates to be elected by Muslim voters, has faced criticism for its ineffectiveness in providing meaningful democratic representation to non-Muslim communities. In this regard, some very important questions come up in my mind which …

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has raised objections to PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s transfer from Attock Jail to Adiala Jail, citing jurisdictional issues and a missing signature on the power of attorney. The registrar’s office of the high court flagged the lack of jurisdiction as a significant objection to Imran Khan’s transfer request. Additionally, another concern was raised about the …

In a significant development, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb announced on Monday the withdrawal of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Amendment Bill, 2023. Speaking at a press conference, the minister emphasised her commitment to media freedom and her dedication to ushering in a new era of transparency and accountability in the country’s media landscape. With a …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday renewed his invitation to Turkiye for joining the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), citing the latter as a “natural partner”. The premier made the remarks while addressing the launch of the fourth Milgem class corvette at the Karachi Shipyard, where Turkiye Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz was also present. In November last year, the premier had …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan struggles to get immediate relief in the Toshakhana case as the Supreme Court Wednesday asked the ex-premier to wait for the Islamabad High Court’s verdict, as he sought a stay on the trial in the matter. The PTI chief made the request until a decision by the SC and the high court was issued. …

In an unexpected move, domestic airline fares have surged to unprecedented heights, creating distress among passengers as the cost of air travel doubles. With airlines attributing the substantial fare hike to the ever-increasing cost of aviation fuel, travelers are left grappling with the burden of soaring one-way ticket prices. Among the hardest-hit routes are flights from Karachi to Islamabad and …

The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Wednesday rejected the plea seeking the formation of a full court bench against military trials of civilians. The development came as a six-judge larger bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and consisting Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and …

The Orange Line train has crossed the milestone of 100 million rides since it began operating in 2020. Li Chen, CEO of the Orange Line Train System, said that work is in full swing to convert train stations to solar power. He also said that Pakistani engineers have proved their skills by successfully running the Orange Line project. Deputy GM …

In a recent law enforcement operation near the coastal city of Tobruk in northeastern Libya, a total of 385 Pakistani migrants, who were being held in human traffickers’ warehouses, have been rescued. This significant development on Tuesday, revealing that the rescue took place in the Al Khueir area, south of Tobruk, with the migrants being released early on Monday. Among …

A six-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday reserved its verdict on a fresh petition seeking the formation of a full court to hear pleas challenging the military trials of civilians. The bench comprised Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and …

A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Tuesday granted pre-arrest bail to a woman the wife of a civil judge in a case pertaining to the alleged torture of an underage domestic help in the capital. Somia Asim, the suspect, was booked after she was accused of severely torturing a teenage maid, who was moved to the Lahore General …

In a recent development, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has introduced a new travel requirement for passengers traveling abroad. As per the directive, all airlines’ administrations have been instructed to mandatorily check the polio vaccination cards of passengers before departure. The directive applies to all airports and airlines, and passengers are advised to ensure their polio vaccination cards are up-to-date …

The Rawalpindi bench of Lahore High Court (LHC) granted bail to six suspects, including former PTI minister Shehryar Afridi, who were charged with allegedly attacking military installations on May 9. The LHC division bench comprising Justice Safdar Saleem Shahid and Jus­ti­­ce Anwaarul Haq Pannun granted bail to Mr Afridi and five others including the petitioner Nadia Hus­sain, Haider Mehmood Khan, …

Two policemen escorting a polio vaccination team were martyred on Tuesday when armed men opened fire on them in Quetta’s Nawa Killi area, police said. The attack comes on the first day of a week-long campaign to administer the polio vaccination to approximately 2.6 million children under five years of age in Balochistan. Zarghoonabad Station House Officer (SHO) Asif Marwat …

Leaving both the owner and authorities baffled, seven valuable horses reared in a Gujrat camp have tragically lost their lives, while the condition of fifteen others remains critical. According to the police, initial investigations suggest that the cause of the horses’ untimely demise appears to be “their consumption of something poisonous”. However, the actual cause of their death can only …

Amidst mounting economic pressures, the masses find themselves grappling with yet another burden as the government on Tuesday decided to jack up petrol prices by a staggering Rs19.95 per litre and diesel price by Rs19.90 per litre for the next fortnight. The decision was announced by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar during a live broadcast, citing the necessity of adhering to …

ISLAMABAD: The Bank of China (BOC) opened its branch in Pakistan’s federal capital Islamabad on Monday to further expand its business network in the South Asian country. Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar said that the opening of the branch is another milestone in the deepening financial and economic cooperation between Pakistan and China, and …

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday lauded the role of China’s banking sector and its institutions for supporting Pakistan in difficult times. Addressing the opening ceremony of the second branch of Bank of China in Islamabad, Dar said institutions such as this are “great financial partners of Pakistan.” The finance minister reiterated that Pakistan has largely come out of the …

The late Benazir Bhutto has been an icon ever since she took oath as the first female prime minister of Pakistan. However, she’s been cemented in history ever since her Madame Tussauds wax statue was modelled in 1989, originally kept in London but shifted and unveiled in Dubai on Sunday. Apart from her political achievements, she was known for two …

Politicians and rulers, whether of the more democratic dispensation or otherwise, have a habit of going out of favour with the status quo. When that happens, every attempt is made to malign their character and delegitimise their narrative in the eyes of the public, whether by highlighting their misdeeds or by completely wiping them from the mainstream narrative. The act …

President Arif Alvi conferred Pakistan’s second-highest civil award, Hilal-i-Pakistan (Crescent of Pakistan), on Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng during an investiture ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadar in Islamabad on Monday. The award was given to the Chinese dignitary to honour his role in the promotion of bilateral ties between Pakistan and China. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif …

At least 55 people were killed and over 200 others sustained injuries on Sunday after a blast ripped through a political rally in Pakistan’s Bajaur district, an official of the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province told Xinhua. The official from the governor’s office in the provincial capital Peshawar said that local authorities had confirmed that 55 people lost their lives, fearing …