Pakistan

Move aims to eliminate rote learning, improve educational system

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked 16 Indian YouTube news channels, 31 YouTube video links, and 32 websites for disseminating false information and anti-Pakistan propaganda.

With two judges dissenting, the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench (CB) on Wednesday gave its go-ahead for civilians involved in the May 9, 2023 riots to be tried in military courts. The case pertains to the military trials and the subsequent sentencing of civilians for their role in attacks on army installations during the riots that followed ex-premier Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023. The 5-2 ruling came as the CB accepted a set of 38 intra-court appeals (ICAs) moved by the federal and provincial gover­nments as well as Shuhada Forum Balochistan, among others, against the widely-praised October 2023 ruling that declared that trying the accused civilians in military courts violated the Constitution. Highlights: SC restores three provisions of Army Act struck down earlier Bench orders legislation within 45 days to ensure civilians’ right to appeal Minority ruling declares military court sentences as ‘without jurisdiction’, against Constitution Lawyers, PTI slam ruling, voice concern over fair trial The b...

Reacting strongly to last night’s unprovoked attacks by India, President Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party and Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Wednesday stated that targeting civilian areas was a blatant assault on Pakistan’s sovereignty, which would be safeguarded at all costs.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced the restoration of air traffic across major routes, while a few routes are to remain closed for another 24 hours, as per a revised notice to airmen (NOTAM) issued by the CAA. The authority had earlier announced a complete closure of Pakistan’s airspace in the aftermath of a military confrontation between India and Pakistan on Tuesday night. The airspace was initially closed for 48 hours, and all flights were cancelled, with passengers advised to return home. The military confrontation between Pakistan and India began a little after 1am on Wednesday when India launched late-night airstrikes at six sites in Pakistan’s Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The attack resulted in 26 civilian casualties and over 40 injuries. In retaliation, Islamabad took down five Indian jets. According to military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, several Indian check posts were destroyed in response. Subsequently, the CAA announced that Pakistan’s airspace was closed for al...

Pakistan People’s Party Chairman and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has strongly denied India’s accusations linking Pakistan to the recent Pahalgam attack, asserting Islamabad’s innocence and condemning India’s cross-border strikes.

President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday said that the extremist Indian regime had endangered the peace and stability of the entire South Asian region, and its hostile actions would have dangerous consequences for the region.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Wednesday that the HBL Pakistan Super League 2025 will continue as per schedule, amid escalating regional tensions. The statement comes hours after the Pakistani military brought down five Indian jets in retaliation for late-night strikes launched by the neighbouring country at six sites in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. “HBL Pakistan Super League X will continue as planned with Islamabad United set to take on Quetta Gladiators later today at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium,” the PCB said in a press release issued on Wednesday morning. The statement added that the toss for today will take place at 7:30pm, with the first ball to be bowled at 8pm. The tenth edition of the HBL PSL started on April 17. This year’s event marks a decade of the country’s very own franchise T20 tournament, which has over the years attracted sizeable crowds stadiums as well as a dedicated online viewership. Tonight’s match sees the return of HBL PSL to Rawalpindi for four matches on May...

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday witnessed yet another bloodbath this year — tumbling by over 3,500 points — as investors’ fears of a military action by India against Pakistan came true last night. The Pakistani military brought down five Indian jets in retaliation for late-night strikes launched by its neighbouring country at six sites in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The benchmark KSE-100 index decreased by 6,560.82 points (5.78pc) to stand at 107,007.68 from the last close of 113,568.50 when the market opened at 9:30am. Due to the massive dip, the market was immediately suspended briefly. This marked the second-largest intra-day plunge (points-wise), ranking next to the nearly 8,700-point loss that followed the United States’ tariff announcement last month. However, the market started recovering slightly, reaching 112,457.37 points at around 10:34am, before closing at 110,009.02 points — 3,559.48 points (3.13pc) below yesterday’s close. “The market opened under pressure today following I...

In a high-level diplomatic meeting held in London on Wednesday, Pakistan’s Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb met with the UK Minister of State for South Asia, Hamish Falconer, to raise alarm over India’s recent cross-border attacks that killed 26 civilians and injured 46 others, including women and children, in Pakistan and.

Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi has said that the federal government is extending full support to startups across the country, especially in KP, to empower youth and drive economic growth.

Pakistani forces were conducting yet another strong counter-operation against Indian troops at Indian posts along the LoC following recent ceasefire violations, security sources confirmed.

Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb met with UK Minister of State for South Asia, Hamish Falconer, on Wednesday to discuss the recent escalation following Indian airstrikes on civilian areas in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan's constitutional bench on Wednesday upheld the legality of trying civilians in military courts.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, has strongly condemned the cowardly and unprovoked attack carried out by India under the cover of darkness.

Analysts and diplomats on Wednesday raised concerns over “increased risks of escalation” after India launched late-night airstrikes at six sites in Pakistan’s Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The attack resulted in 26 civilian casualties and over 40 injuries. In retaliation, Islamabad took down five Indian jets. According to military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, several Indian checkposts were destroyed in response. Separately, the government said Pakistan did not target any civilians in India in its retaliatory actions. Amid the ongoing developments, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called a meeting of the country’s apex security body and is expected to address the nation afterwards. Here is what journalists and analysts are saying about the recent updates and what they are predicting for the future. Maleeha Lodhi, diplomat “This is a very serious crisis brought on by Indian aggression. Pakistan has responded to the Indian attack by downing five Indian aircraft and destroying Indian posts along t...

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from H.

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has paid a heartfelt tribute to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) after it reportedly downed five Indian fighter jets, calling it a moment of national pride and historic valor.

The National Security Committee (NSC) has strongly condemned India’s recent airstrikes inside Pakistan’s territory, denouncing them as “illegal acts” and “blatant violations” of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which it said amounted to acts of war under international law.

Pakistan on Wednesday reinforced contingency plans to ensure operational resilience and secure communication lines across financial institutions following Indian attacks and the subsequent stock market dip. The Pakistani military brought down five Indian jets in retaliation for late-night strikes launched by its neighbouring country at six sites in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The plans were fine tuned at an emergency meeting presided over by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb through video link from London currently on a two day visit to promote investment opportunities in the country. The emergency meeting was convened to assess the current financial landscape in light of escalating regional tensions following the recent belligerent Indian aggression. The finance minister said: “Pakistan’s financial system remains stable and secure, and all relevant authorities are working in close coordination to uphold national economic integrity in the face of emerging challenges.” The participants of the meeting ...