Pakistan | Pakistan

Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu will arrive in Pakistan tomorrow on a two-day official visit to further cement bilateral ties, the Foreign Office said on Sunday. Pakistan and Kazakhstan maintain friendly diplomatic relations, with bilateral trade worth $239 million, according to its envoy Yerzhan Kistafin. Nurtleu will undertake an official visit to Pakistan from September 8 to 9, the FO said in a statement, adding that the trip will serve as a precursor to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit scheduled in November 2025. During his stay, the visiting dignitary will “hold a tête-à-tête” with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar, followed by delegation-level talks. Nurtleu is also expected to call on President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Shehbaz Sharif, according to the FO. “The discussions will provide an opportunity to review preparations for the upcoming presidential visit and to deliberate comprehensively on the entire spectrum of Pak-Kazakh bilateral cooperation, ...

The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has announced that a lunar eclipse will be visible in Pakistan on the night of September 7, starting at 8:30 PM and reaching its peak at 11:57 PM.

A total lunar eclipse will be visible over Pakistan on the night of September 7 (Sunday), according to the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco). According to Suparco, a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe to observe with the naked eye, binoculars or telescopes. In a press release on Saturday, the space agency said that the eclipse will be visible in Asia, Africa and parts of Europe, with clear visibility expected in most regions of Pakistan if the weather permits. “The event will start at 8:30pm and reach its maximum at 11:57pm,” the press release read, stating that the eclipse will conclude at 1:55am. “This is a great chance for people, especially students and astronomy enthusiasts, to connect with science and explore the wonders of our universe,” a Suparco spokesperson was quoted as saying. Sunday’s eclipse is also known as a “blood moon”, du...

Pakistan will host South Africa for a series of test, one-day international (ODI) and Twenty-20 international (T20I) matches from October to November, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Saturday. In a press release, the PCB said that Pakistan’s new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship will begin with this visit by the Proteas, with the first test starting on October 12 in Lahore. “The first Test will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from October 12-16, which will also be the first five-day match at the stadium since its complete renovation earlier this year to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025,” the PCB stated. “The second Test match is scheduled to take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20-24.” According to the press release, this will be the visitors’ first tour to Pakistan since 2021, where they lost a test series 2-0. “At the conclusion of the red-ball matches, both sides will feature in three T20Is from October 28 to November 1, with the first T20I taking place at ...

The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) Pakistan has signed landmark agreements of cooperation with thirteen leading Chinese institutes to enhance technical and vocational education opportunities for Pakistani youth.

Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif on Saturday said that the spirit of martyrdom has rendered Pakistan invincible and continues to strengthen the nation’s resolve against all challenges.

Eid Milad-un-Nabi (Peace Be Upon Him) is being observed across Pakistan today (Saturday) with deep religious reverence, devotion, and solemnity to commemorate the sacred birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The United States, through its Army Central Command (US ARCENT), has extended humanitarian assistance to support flood-affected communities in Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD: National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), in collaboration with UNFPA and Legal Aid Society, convened a consultation on Friday to address the pressing issue of child marriage in Pakistan. Opening the session, Ume Laila Azhar, who is NCSW chairperson, stressed the urgent need to standardise the minimum age of marriage across Pakistan, highlighting persistent gaps in the implementation despite Sindh pioneering law. Key insights were shared by government representatives, law enforcement, civil society and community stakeholders emphasising on more female station house officer (SHOs) and specialised training for handling child marriage cases. Reforms in nikah registration through digitisation and mandatory CNIC verification were also emphasised by participants. Among other demands was on strengthening Sindh Child Protection Authority’s role with resources and awareness. Participants also emphasised on government ownership to ensure sustainability and real improvements. Shaheena Sher Ali, who i...

• FO rejects Taliban minister’s criticism, defends border operations • Says no pause in expulsion of Afghans after deadly earthquake • Spox avoids addressing Trump’s remarks, says SCO promotes multilateralism, peace ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday emphasised the seriousness of the threat posed to regional peace and stability by Afghanistan-based terrorist groups, calling it a common challenge that required collaborative efforts. “Groups like Fitna Al-Khwarij represent a common threat to the peace and stability of our region, necessitating collective action to counter their malign influence,” Foreign Office spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan said at a weekly media briefing. The government uses the term to refer to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorist group. The spokesman was responding to questions about reported Pakistani strikes across the border and comments by Taliban acting Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob, who accused Pakistan of blaming Afghanistan for its own security shortcomings. Pakistan has lo...

Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan on Friday said that Pakistan will decide what to do with the refugees it is hosting, such as those from Afghanistan. Last month, Pakistan started deporting up to 1 million documented Afghan refugees ahead of its deadline for them to leave, following the interior ministry’s July 31 announcement that Proof of Registration (PoR) cardholders — the last category of Afghans legally residing in Pakistan without visas — became unlawful residents after their cards expired on June 30. Addressing a press briefing today, Khan said, “Those Afghans waiting to travel to Germany should be deported as soon as possible,” referring to 2,400 Afghan refugees who were promised refuge by Berlin, before its approach to migrants hardened under a new gov­­­ernment. Germany has since announced it is considering an appeal to take in 200 refugees. “Germany should take in these refugees as soon as possible,” the spokesperson added. “Pakistani law will apply to those Afghans livi...

Pakistan and Bangladesh have agreed to constitute a joint working group for the promotion of Interfaith Harmony between the two countries.

SHARJAH: Fakhar Zaman cracked a robust 77 and spinner Abrar Ahmed registered career-best figures as Pakistan reached the T20I tri-series final with a 31-run win over United Arab Emirates on Thursday. Fakhar hit an aggressive 44-ball 77 not out for his 12th T20I half century while Mohammad Nawaz smashed an undefeated 27-ball 37 to revive Pakistan from 80-5 Pakistan to 171-5 in their 20 overs. Abrar then grabbed 4-9 in four economical overs to restrict UAE to 140-7 with opener Alishan Sharafu fighting a lone hand, scoring a steady 51-ball 68. Sharafu hit four sixes and as many fours. “Fakhar and Nawaz played outstandingly well,” Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said after the match. “Fakhar is a match-winner — he doesn’t always get the respect he deserves but he showed his (class) today.” The win, Pakistan’s third in four games, not only took Pakistan to Sunday’s final but also ensured Afghanistan who face the hosts in the last group on Friday, would advance. UAE’s power-hitters Mohammad Waseem fell for 19 and ...

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan officially handed over 105 tons of critical humanitarian assistance to Afghan authorities on Thursday in response to the devastating earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on August 31, claiming more than 1,400 lives.

At the Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs, Florida, a chant starts softly, then grows into a thunderous roar that shakes the plexiglass: “Pakistan Zindabad!” For the players on the ice, looking at a sea of green flags and ecstatic faces, the moment is surreal. They have just done the unthinkable. They have won gold. This is not the beginning of a feel-good sports movie. This is the true story of the Pakistan men’s ice hockey team, a group of diaspora athletes who, just one year after forming and without a single ice rink in their homeland, conquered the LATAM Cup Division III last month, winning all five fixtures. Their journey was a testament to love, identity, and the audacious belief that some dreams are worth chasing, no matter how impossible they seem. It all began with a man and a question: “Why not us?” Adnan Khan, known to everyone as Donny, is the founder of Pakistan ice hockey. He was born in Karachi, but his love for the game began as a teenager after he moved to the US. “Ice hockey was something tha...

Pakistan secured their spot in the T20 tri-series final by a second 31-run win over the United Arab Emirates in Sharjah on Thursday. The UAE were set a target of 172 but could only manage 140 runs. Fakhar Zaman contributed 77 runs from 44 balls. Skipper Salman Ali Agha earlier won the toss and opted to bat first. The team had won the previous match against the UAE at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium by 31 runs on Saturday. The tri-series of Twenty20 international matches is to tune up for the Asia Cup and features Pakistan, the UAE and Afghanistan. The final is scheduled for September 7. Afghanistan and the UAE will play their second match against each other tomorrow to determine who enters the final. Pakistan had beaten Afghanistan in the tri-series opener last week but were second best against the side a day ago.

On the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan has dispatched humanitarian aid to Afghanistan for victims of the devastating earthquake that struck the country on August 31, claiming more than 1,400 lives.

Pakistan and Qatar reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace and stability during a meeting between Pakistan’s top military official, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and Qatari military leadership on his visit to Qatar, the military’s media wing said on Thursday. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Mirza, — who is in Qatar for the second round of the Higher Military Cooperation Committee (HMCC) — called on the Deputy Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, where both sides “reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace and stability at the regional and global level,” a press release issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. “The civil and military leadership of Qatar acknowledged Pakistan’s pivotal and responsible role in ensuring regional stability,” it added. Also present at the meeting was the Chief of Staff Qatar Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Jassim Mohammad Ahmed Al-Mannal. The CJCSC was presented with a guard of honour at the Qatar Armed Forces ...

In a major development, the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) and Destinations, a pioneering digital tourism platform, have joined forces to unlock new opportunities for young people in Pakistan’s tourism and creator economies.

In a bid to curb rising incidents of human trafficking, Pakistan has decided to establish additional Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration Wing link offices in six countries.