Pakistan

RAWALPINDI - Security Forces killed six terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in Bannu district on the night of April 23 and 24.

ISLAMABAD - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Friday held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.

ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday accepted a miscellaneous petition for early scheduling of PTI founder and Bushra Bibi’s acquittal pleas in Toshakhana II.

DG KHAN - Officers must ensure their own presence in offices to set an example for subordinates.

Vehari - District Police Officer (DPO) Vehari Muhammad Afzal continued to hold daily open courts at the District Police Office to ensure public access to police and prompt justice on merit.

Vehari - Deputy Commissioner Imrana Tauqeer visited Chak No.

The Senate of Pakistan passed a unanimous resolution rejecting India's allegations linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), labelling them as baseless and politically motivated. The resolution, presented during the Senate session, strongly condemned all forms of terrorism and emphasised that targeting innocent civilians goes against Pakistan's core values. It also denounced India's orchestrated propaganda campaign and unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, terming it a violation that could be interpreted as an act of war. The resolution warned that Pakistan is fully capable of defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any aggression. It reaffirmed the country’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination and demanded accountability from India for its acts of terrorism and targeted assassinations abroad, including on Pakistani soil. The resolution was in response to India's unilateral and frivolous ...

The Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting has been summoned on May 2 (Friday) to discuss the canals project, a day after the federal government put the contentious project on the back burner following weeks of protests in Sindh. According to a notification issued on Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has convened the 52nd meeting of the CII at Prime Minister's Office. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and Federal Minister Amir Muqam would attend the session. The chief ministers of all four provinces have been invited to participate in the meeting. Law Minister Azad Nazeer Tarar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Science and Health Minister Mustafa Kamal would also participate in the session. Special invitations have been extended to the minister for petroleum, minister for water resources, and the minister for power division. The chief secretaries of all provinces have also received special invitations to attend. A day earlier, PM Shehbaz addres...

The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defence has categorically rejected India’s allegations against Pakistan in connection with the recent tragic incident in Pahalgam, terming them baseless, provocative, and unjustified. The committee unanimously condemned the loss of innocent lives and categorically rejected India's allegations implicating Pakistan in the incident, labeling them as baseless and provocative. ​ The committee emphasized Pakistan's commitment to regional peace and its own experiences as a victim of terrorism. It warned that any unwarranted actions by India would be met with a proportionate and effective response. Concerns were also raised over India's unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari border, and the recall of diplomats, actions perceived as escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.​ The committee, which met under the chairmanship of MNA Fathullah Khan at Parliament House, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and ...

Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. In his message on the occasion of International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan firmly believes that multilateralism, inclusive dialogue and respect for the UN Charter are the cornerstone of global peace and stability. He said Pakistan has consistently upheld the central role of the United Nations as the most inclusive and representative platform for advancing multilateralism. Ishaq Dar said Pakistan remains constructively engaged across all three pillars of the UN's work - peace and security, development and human rights. He said as an elected member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2025-2026, Pakistan believes that the complex and inter-linked global challenges of our time, many of which stem from violations of the UN Charter, can be effectively addressed through renewed commitment to the multilateral ...

The United States has once again condemned the terrorist attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), but remained silent on whether it has played any mediatory role in easing tensions between Pakistan and India. An attack on tourists in IIOJK this week sparked a new crisis between nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours India and Pakistan, with New Delhi blaming Islamabad for the killings — with the Islamabad strongly denying the allegations. During a press briefing at the State Department, spokesperson Tammy Bruce said: "The United States stands with India [and] strongly condemns all acts of terrorism. We are not now taking a position on the status of Kashmir or Jammu either," says US State Department. "We pray for the lives of those lost and for the recovery of the injured and call for the perpetrators of this heinous act to be brought to justice," the State Department spokesperson said. To answer a question about President Trump's first term when he offered to make peace between Pakistan an...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday confirmed that no new canals will be constructed unless a consensus is reached in the Council of Common Interests (CCI). "The next CCI meeting, scheduled for Friday, May 2, will officially endorse the agreement reached between the PPP and PML-N on the matter," he said, addressing a joint presser with Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Islamabad after a key meeting. Bilawal was joined by senior PPP leaders, including Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. The meeting came against a backdrop of political turmoil and street protests. Earlier, sources said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) accepted all of the PPP's demands on the canals project during high-stakes talks between PM Shehbaz and the PPP leadership. The breakthrough came as both sides held critical talks amid escalating political tensions and widespread unrest in Sindh over the federal government’s "controversial" plan to divert six new canals from the Indus River. The prime...

The federal government has officially invited expressions of interest (EOIs) from potential investors for the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), marking a major development in its bid to offload a controlling stake in the national flag carrier. According to the Privatisation Commission, the decision has been made to sell between 51% and 100% of PIA shares, along with management control, to the prospective buyer. Interested parties have until June 3, 2025 to submit their EOIs. As part of the process, the government has announced a number of incentives for investors. These include relief from 18% general sales tax (GST) on the purchase or lease of new aircraft. Additionally, protection and coverage will be provided in certain tax and legal cases, the commission stated. The move also involves the transfer of specific liabilities listed on PIA’s balance sheet, aimed at making the offer more attractive to potential buyers. This privatisation effort is a central component of the government’s br...

Pakistan on Thursday announced the suspension of trade, bilateral accords and airspaces with India, among other moves, as it retaliated to New Delhi’s slew of aggressive measures against the country in the wake of a deadly attack in India-held Kashmir. Among India’s actions was the unilateral decision to suspend the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, which was brokered by the World Bank and has endured through wars and decades of hostility. The decisions were made during a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) in Islamabad today, convened to formulate a response to India. Chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the meeting was attended by top government and military officials, including the defence minister, foreign minister, interior minister, national security adviser, and the chiefs of armed forces, among others. The committee highlighted that the Indus Waters Treaty is a binding international agreement brokered by the World Bank and contains no provision for unilateral suspension. Water is a Vital Nati...

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday ruled out a formal opposition alliance but kept the doors of cooperation open for collaboration on individual issues. "There is no concept of a formal alliance in the opposition… that’s typically a feature of the government," the religio-political leader said while addressing a press conference after his party’s Majlis-e-Shura meeting in Lahore. The JUI-F and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have been holding consultations in recent months to possibly forge an alliance against the government, in the wake of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan's call to his party to strengthen contacts with opposition parties. The rift between the two parties deepened after PTI leader Azam Swati said on April 12 that Imran Khan had tasked him with holding talks with the establishment. Commenting on this, JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza said, “It is unacceptable to expect us to form a political alliance while simultaneously maintaining undisclos...

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Wednesday that a session of the National Security Committee (NSC) has been summoned on Thursday to decide on an appropriate response to the steps taken by New Delhi following the attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam area. The attack in IIOJK killed at least 26 people and injured 17 others when gunmen attacked a popular tourist spot. India, earlier today, took several measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty and banning Pakistani nationals from entering its territory. "A session of the National Security Committee will be held under the chair of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif," said Asif in a statement, adding that decisions will be taken to give "an appropriate response to the Indian steps". 'False flag operation' In a separate statement today, the defence minister said that Pakistan condemns terrorism wherever it occurs in the world and India should investigate the Pahalgam incident as merely levelling allega...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has established a committee to improve the performance monitoring system of government departments. The goal is to enhance efficiency and accountability within the federal government. The committee will be made up of several key figures, including the Minister for Energy, the Minister for Climate Change, and the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The Finance Minister has been appointed as the head of the committee. These officials will work together to improve the government’s overall effectiveness. One of the primary tasks of the committee is to analyze FBR’s current framework and evaluate its outcomes. Furthermore, the committee will develop a standard assessment system and a feedback mechanism for all federal agencies. This will help to ensure better tracking and evaluation of their performance. The committee has been given a deadline of 30 days to complete its analysis and present a comprehensive report to the Prime Minister. This move emphasizes the government’s...

Pakistan on Wednesday expressed concern over the loss of lives in an attack in the Pahalgam area of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which claimed the lives of 26 people. Responding to media queries, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said Pakistan was saddened by the incident and expressed sympathy with the families of the deceased. “We are concerned at the loss of tourists’ lives in an attack in Anantnag district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” the spokesperson said. “We extend our condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery.” At least 26 people, including an Indian Navy officer, were killed and 17 were injured when gunmen opened fire at tourists in the IIOJK in the worst such attack in the region in nearly two decades. According to police, the attack took place on Tuesday in the popular destination of Pahalgam — a renowned site for tourists in summer some 90 kilometres away from Srinagar. The attack occurred in an of...

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns over political interference in civil service appointments in Pakistan. According to sources, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva highlighted systemic flaws in Pakistan’s governance structure during a meeting with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The IMF expressed reservations about widespread corruption risks, citing weak institutional accountability and fragmented decision-making processes, sources said. The Fund further said that political meddling in appointments undermines the credibility and efficiency of the civil service. In response, Finance Minister Aurangzeb assured the IMF chief of Pakistan’s commitment to implementing structural reforms under the ongoing reform program. Following extensive consultations, the IMF has issued a set of key recommendations focused on strengthening anti-corruption measures. Notably, the Fund has linked public procurement processes and departmental performance to enhanced structural accountability. Duri...

Today is budget day, the day when a government official, usually the finance minister, comes to the floor of the National Assembly and lays out, in complex economic terms, policies that will ultimately affect every single citizen. Read: Finance Minister Aurangzeb announces Budget 24-25 A budget is the government’s financial plan that outlines its proposed expenditures and the means of financing them for a single fiscal year (July 1-June 30). If you’re going to be watching the finance minister’s speech, which is usually delivered in Urdu, here are some of the important terms you should be looking out for. Maali khasaarah (مالی خسارہ) — Fiscal deficit You’re going to be hearing khasaarah a lot during the speech, which means deficit. An important term to look out for is maali khasaarah, which refers to the fiscal deficit. A fiscal deficit occurs when the total income of a government is less than its total expenditure. Budget khasaarah (بجٹ خسارہ) — Budget deficit The budget deficit differs from the fiscal defici...