Pakistan

Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday distanced himself from the massive hike in the salaries of senior parliamentarians including himself, saying he was not consulted before the raise was approved. The government recently approved a fivefold increase in the salaries of the Senate chairman and National Assembly speaker, taking it to Rs1.3 million a month. A May 29 notification revealed that the Senate chairman and NA speaker’s salaries have been raised from Rs205,000 to Rs1.3m, besides 50pc of the revised salary (Rs650,000) as the sumptuary allowance. The hike will take effect from January 2025. “I have full respect for the defence minister. I have nothing to do with my salary increase,” Gilani told reporters at the Senate building when asked about the hike amid an economic crisis and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s criticism of the move. The PPP stalwart said the decision regarding the raise will be made by the government. When asked if he would refuse the salary hike, he replied, “I didn’t say about ...

The fifth round of the Pakistan–European Union Dialogue on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament was held here on Friday.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Friday appointed Raja Khaleeq uz Zaman Ansari as spokesperson for the Sindh province.

Tremors were felt in Chaman and surrounding areas on Friday evening, triggering panic as residents rushed out of their homes in fear.

Former Prime Minister and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned Israel’s recent attack on Iran, calling it a deeply regrettable and unjust act.

Pakistan has condemned the shooting incident in the Austrian city of Graz earlier this week, where a gunman shot dead 10 people at his former high school before killing himself. A former student killed ten people and himself at a secondary school in Graz on Tuesday in the worst school shooting in Austria’s modern history, sending shockwaves through the country which declared three days of national mourning. In a statement, the Foreign Office said it was “deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at the secondary school in Graz that resulted in several casualties with many injured.” The foreign office extended “deepest condolences to the families and loved ones and wish a swift and full recovery for the injured.” “Pakistan stands with the people and government of Austria in this hour,” the statement added. Introvert, online shooting games Austrian police described the shooter as an introvert who had largely withdrawn from the outside world before he carefully planned the attack, Reuters reported. Police found dis...

The government on Friday advised the Pakistani Zaireen to reconsider their plans to travel to Iran and Iraq, keeping in view the situation, emerged after Israel’s attack on Iran.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday condemned Israel, accusing it of targeting Muslim nations and vowed to raise the issue at international forums.

A US appeals court on Thursday allowed President Donald Trump to maintain his deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles amid protests over stepped-up immigration enforcement, temporarily pausing a lower court ruling that blocked the mobilisation. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision does not mean that the court will ultimately agree with Trump, but it does leave the command of the Guard with the president for now. Earlier on Thursday, San Francisco-based US District Judge Charles Breyer found that Trump’s deployment of the Guard was unlawful. Breyer’s 36-page ruling had ordered the National Guard to return to the control of California Governor Gavin Newsom, who had brought the case. It was a short-lived victory for Newsom, as Breyer’s order was paused about two and a half hours later. Asked for a comment, Newsom’s press office referred to the governor’s statement after the initial ruling and noted that the appeals court put a temporary pause on the ruling but did not reverse it. “I’m confide...

Israel’s recent strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites — including the uranium enrichment facility at Natanz — have marked a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries and the Middle East. This is not the first time Israel has taken pre-emptive action against Iranian nuclear infrastructure. For years, the two states have been engaged in a complex and often covert conflict involving cyber operations, proxy engagements, and targeted killings. Disputes over Iran’s nuclear activities — which Tehran maintains are for peaceful purposes — have long shaped the relationship. Israel has consistently called for international pressure on Iran, while the latter has rejected allegations of seeking to develop nuclear weapons. A satellite image shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran in this handout image dated January 24, 2025. — Reuters From deadly bombings in Buenos Aires in the early 1990s, to the cyberattack on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility using the Stuxnet virus, assassinations of key Irani...

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar says Pakistan has activated a round the clock crisis management unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the safety and security of its nationals and Zaireens in Iran.

The country experienced extremely hot and dry weather on Friday with the perceived or ‘Feels Like’ temperature crossing 50 degrees Celsius in four cities. Cities in Punjab recorded reported high temperature exceeding 40°C amid no let-up in the extreme heatwave that has engulfed the country since last week. The heatwave could subside as the Met Office has forecast gusty winds and rain in the northern and central parts of the country from Friday (today) to Monday. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the highest current temperature was recorded in Sibbi at 47°C with extremely hot and dry weather and humidity levels of seven per cent. Karachi recorded a temperature of 39°C at 2pm with a humidity level of 48pc. However, the perceived temperature was recorded at 50.4°C. The Met Office heat index warns of danger with probable risk of heatstroke, cramps, and exhaustion at temperatures from 41-54°C. The temperature in Bahawalpur was recorded as 46°C, but the perceived temperature reached 55.8°C — the ...

PTI leader and Punjab organizer Aliya Hamza launched a blistering attack on the government and judiciary, alleging that the 26th Constitutional Amendment has effectively paralyzed the judicial system, sending judges “on leave.

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Syed Shibli Faraz, opened budget debate on Friday with a stark focus on current economic challenges, calling for urgent measures by the government in several vital areas.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to strengthening Pak-UAE economic and trade relations.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed all relevant authorities to provide every possible assistance for the safe return and protection of Pakistani pilgrims currently in Iran.

President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday strongly condemned the blatant Israeli aggression against Iran, calling it a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday reviewed preparations for the upcoming 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) to be held in Abu Dhabi, a statement from the Foreign Office said. The 12th session of Pak-UAE JMC is being held following a hiatus of 13 years after it was scheduled in October 2024. The 11th session was held in Islamabad from 6-7 November 2013. “Dar chaired a high-level meeting that discussed advancing key bilateral initiatives, formalising collaboration in existing sectors, exploring new avenues for cooperation, and attracting mutually beneficial UAE investments in priority areas,” the FO statement said. “The deputy prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to strengthening Pak-UAE economic and trade relations.” The meeting was attended by federal secretaries of economic affairs, commerce, maritime affairs, interior, inter-provincial coordination, national heritage, and health, along with senior officials from relevant ministrie...

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday directed the Environment Department to expedite the issuance of fitness stickers for heavy vehicles, rickshaws, and motorcycles.

India and China have agreed to expedite the resumption of direct air services and step up communication, the two countries’ foreign ministries said on Friday, as Beijing and New Delhi continue to mend bilateral ties. The ministries’ statements came after a meeting on Thursday of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, who is visiting India. The two countries reached an agreement in October regarding patrolling along their Himalayan border, thawing a standoff that began in 2020 and had strained bilateral ties, impacting areas from trade to technology to air travel. Sun said in the meeting that the two sides should properly handle disputes and differences, and jointly play a constructive role in maintaining international and regional peace and stability, according to the Chinese ministry’s statement. The two sides agreed to continue to stabilise and rebuild ties, the Indian ministry’s statement said. In January, the neighbours agreed to work on resolving trade and ec...