Pakistan

LODHRAN - On the special instructions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a provincial cabinet committee, led by Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, visited the central flood rehabilitation camp set up at the Multan Sports Ground to review ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts for flood-affected families.

• Two policemen martyred in Noshki • Security man loses life in landmine blast QUETTA: At least 11 militants were killed in separate operations in Chagai and Sibi districts over the past 24 hours, whereas two police constables were martyred in Noshki, and a security official lost his life to a landmine in Kachhi, officials said on Wednesday. Officials said security forces launched an intelligence-based operation in the mountainous area of Dalbandin in Chagai after reports of militants hiding there. Troops cordoned off the location and came under heavy fire. A fierce gun battle ensued and lasted about an hour, leaving six suspects dead. “The Fitna al-Hindustan terrorists were hiding in the area and were detected through aerial reconnaissance,” officials said, adding that arms and ammunition were recovered from the hideout. They said the operation had reduced threats to security forces and civilians in the vicinity. In a separate action, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) conducted an operation in Sibi afte...

ISLAMABAD: A key government minister on Wednesday offered to shift PTI founder Imran Khan to his Banigala residence if the party submits a written application to this effect. Subsequently, the PTI has responded that the offer can be considered if the government demonstrates its “seriousness” on the issue. In an appearance on Asma Shirazi’s talk-show on Hum News, Federal Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry suggested that Mr Khan could be shifted to Banigala, where PTI leaders and his family members can meet him on a daily basis. Later, talking to Dawn, Mr Chaudhry said that there were 8,000 prisoners in Adiala jail and they were also suffering beca­use of the PTI founder and his political activities. “We are ready to shift him if they submit an appl­i­cation. There [at Bani­gala] PTI leaders can meet him and play Ludo and other games day and night,” the minister added. He said that Mr Khan cannot be released, but he can be shifted to his Banigala residence by declaring it a sub-jail. “The PTI s...

• Emission standards critically outdated, committee told • Official says Pak-EPA lacks financial, technical resources to do its job • Senate panel urges Centre to strengthen initiatives for climate-vulnerable Gilgit-Baltistan • Calls for sharing of early-warning data for disaster prevention in northern areas ISLAMABAD / GILGIT: Critical inadequacies in Pakistan’s environmental oversight were highlighted on Wednesday, after a parliamentary committee heard that emission standards remain frozen at Euro-II levels, a benchmark long-abandoned by most nations. Following the revelation, the National Assembly’s Standing Comm­ittee on Climate Change and Environ­mental Coordination voiced serious concerns and directed the Ministry of Climate Change to present a mechanism for air-quality monitoring, along with a comprehensive action plan. During the sitting, the committee received a joint briefing from the ministry and the Islamabad Capital Terri­tory administration and was informed that country’s vehicle emission limits...

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) said on Wednesday that it had booked PTI MNA Shandana Gulzar under the country’s cybercrime laws for spreading misinformation about Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s trip to Egypt to attend the signing of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. PM Shehbaz visited Egypt last week to participate in the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit and attend the signing ceremony of a peace agreement aimed at ending the Gaza conflict. Among his many engagements with world leaders, the premier had also met with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia, where all three leaders expressed satisfaction over the recent ceasefire in the besieged Palestinian enclave. Fact-checking platform iVerify Pakistan noted that posts from multiple users on social media platform X, particularly PTI supporters, since October 13, had shared a low quality and blurry image of the meeting with the Armenian premier , claiming it showed PM Shehbaz and Israeli PM Benjamin N...

At least 72 riverine dacoits surrendered to the authorities, as part of the provincial government’s newly implemented ‘Sindh Surrender Policy’, a press release issued by the Sindh Home Ministry said on Wednesday. The policy, approved earlier this month, will allow dacoits to surrender arms in return for assurances of protection for their families, rehabilitation and livelihood support. For decades, dozens of dacoit gangs armed with sophisticated weaponry have operated with impunity in northern Sindh as well as southern Punjab. Kidnappings for ransom, extortion rackets that cripple local businesses, brutal killings and looting people on highways have become a daily reality. According to a press release from the home department, “Around 72 dacoits surrendered under the Sindh Surrender Policy, and laid down more than 200 small-scale and heavy ammunition.” The weapons include: 62 G3 rifles, 97 submachine guns, 48 double-barreled guns, two RPG 7s, an anti-tank recoilless rifle and a 12.7mm anti-aircraft gun. The d...

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Saudi Arabia yesterday reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace and stability in the region.

ISLAMABAD - Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, during his official visit to Romania called on Lieutenant General Leonard-Gabriel Baraboi, Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff.

ISLAMABAD - The top election regulatory body yesterday once again gave the Punjab province a four-week deadline to complete new delimitations for the upcoming local government polls in the province.

ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Senator Dr.

ISLAMABAD - After complaints by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi regarding bul-letproof vehicles provided by the federal government, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Wednesday that the vehicles in question would be sent to Balochistan instead.

ISLAMABAD - Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail of Supreme Court has said that the apex court and high courts cannot be barred from hearing cases even if their powers are curtailed.

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the PML-N-led govern-ment is strong and there is no imminent threat to it and issues with PPP have been sorted out.

ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain said that Pakistan has the potential to become a reliable supplier of quality agricultural products, particularly in halal meat, fruits, vegetables, rice, and animal feed.

Peshawar - Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, has strongly condemned Punjab government’s move to restrict transportation of wheat and flour, calling it a blatant violation of the Constitution and an attack on the rights of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

ISLAMABAD - Outgoing Foreign Office spokesperson and Ambassador-designate to the United Arab Emirates Shafqat Ali Khan on Wednesday paid a farewell call on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar here.

Peshawar - Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday reaffirmed his commitment to promoting the province’s honey industry and addressing the challenges faced by beekeepers and traders.

Rawalpindi - As many as 45 Chinese electric buses have arrived in the garrison city of Rawalpindi to operate on 10 routes starting this week.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday held a meeting with lawmakers and political leaders from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and discussed the “overall political landscape” in the country with them, said a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). “PM Shehbaz discussed the current overall political landscape with KP lawmakers and leaders, as well as reviewed progress on ongoing development projects in the province,” said the statement. “The meeting focused on federal efforts to boost socio-economic development in KP and enhance coordination between the Centre and provincial stakeholders,” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported. The premier stressed the “need for sustained political engagement to ensure stability and growth in the province,” the report said. During the meeting, PM Shehbaz “emphasised that KP remains a key priority in the national agenda”. The prime minister also “directed relevant authorities to expedite key infrastructure and welfare projects”. The PTI-led KP ...

Three teams are chasing the last vacant spot in the ICC Women’s World Cup semi-final after South Africa, Australia and England booked their place during the knockout stage and finished top three in the league’s standings. India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand are chasing the coveted spot with four points each; Bangladesh and Pakistan are out of contention and at the bottom of the standings with two points each, with the latter crashing out of contention after a crushing defeat by South Africa on Tuesday. How India can qualify (currently in fourth position; +0.526 NRR) India have two remaining matches against New Zealand on Thursday and Bangladesh on Sunday. If they win both, they progress to the semi-finals. Even if they win against New Zealand but not Bangladesh — which gives them six points and a total of three victories, they can still qualify for the semis. If India lose to New Zealand but defeat Bangladesh, they will be relying on England defeating the White Ferns on Sunday in order to make the semis. Losing ...