Pakistan

Treasury defends land law as pro-poor, Opposition accuses govt of backing land grabbers

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Absence of official records, basic services, rehabilitation policies deepens crisis

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After a rain-bearing system passed through the region without delivering significant precipitation, dry and chilly conditions have once again settled over Punjab.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that he was reiterating his offer for talks with the opposition but also emphasised that dialogue between the two sides could only proceed on “legitimate matters”. The proposition by the premier was made during a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad, where he referred to news reports of the opposition PTI and its “companions talking about dialogue“. He recalled that he had previously invited the opposition for talks on multiple occasions, including in the assembly. “If they are ready for this, the government of Pakistan is definitely ready,” he said, adding that harmony among all political parties was necessary for the progress and prosperity of the country. However, he continued, there should be no “blackmailing” under the guise of talks and dialogue could only move forward “in light of legitimate matters”. The need for dialogue between the government and the opposition has been stressed as Pakistan continues to face political and economic crises. On December 21,...

The Punjab government has taken a significant step toward inclusivity by proposing to formally recognize visually impaired individuals as special persons under provincial law.

Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Tuesday warned of “indirect and ambiguous approaches” employed by actors hostile to Pakistan, including the use of proxies, during a visit to Islamabad’s National Defence University (NDU). According to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the CDF was briefed by civil and military participants of the ongoing national security and war course about their academic perspectives on challenges to national security. “The field marshal highlighted that hostile elements increasingly employ indirect and ambiguous approaches, including the use of proxies to exploit internal fault lines, rather than overt confrontation,” the statement read. “He stressed that future leaders must be trained and remain alert to recognise, anticipate and counter such multi-layered cognitive challenges.” Participants attend an address by Chief of Defence forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir at the National Defence Universi...

The Punjab School Education Department has ordered a complete shutdown of private schools during the winter holidays, prohibiting all academic and co-curricular activities.

ISLAMABAD: Proceedings in the controversial social media posts case against lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chatha took a tense turn on Tuesday as lawyers for the prosecution and defence nearly engaged in a physical altercation after a heated exchange during today’s hearing. A detailed cross-examination of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency’s (NCCIA) witnesses exposed procedural gaps and triggered heated exchanges inside the courtroom. The court began recording the statements of prosecution witnesses afresh last Tuesday in compliance with directives issued by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) the day prior, while hearing a petition filed by Mazari challenging the trial court’s November 19 order. The hearing was conducted by Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka at the District and Sessions Court in Islamabad, with the couple appearing along with their legal teams. During cross-examination, NCCIA Naib Qasid Afzal admitted that he did not have copies of his contract...

Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned India’s high commissioner in Dhaka to protest what it described as violent incidents targeting its diplomatic facilities in India, including vandalism at visa centres and protests outside its mission in New Delhi. Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to convey Dhaka’s grave concern over what it called “regrettable incidents” outside the Bangladesh High Commission and the ambassador’s residence in New Delhi on December 20, as well as vandalism at the Bangladesh Visa Centre in Siliguri on December 22 by “extremist elements.” The ministry condemned what it described as premeditated acts of violence and intimidation against diplomatic establishments. It said such acts not only “endanger the safety of diplomatic personnel but also undermine the principles of mutual respect and values of peace and tolerance.” Calling for a proper investigation, the ministry said: “Bangladesh expects the Government of India to immediately take ...

Protesters in Albania’s capital of Tirana hurled petrol bombs at the government building housing Prime Minister Edi Rama’s office on Monday, demanding the government’s resignation after prosecutors indicted the deputy prime minister for alleged corruption. Political tensions in Albania have escalated in recent weeks after accusations were made against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku. Along with several officials and private companies, she has been accused of using state funds to favour some companies in major infrastructure projects. View this post on Instagram She referred to the accusations in parliament last month as “mudslinging, insinuations, half-truths and lies,” and stated that she would fully cooperate with the judiciary. The Special Prosecution Office, tasked with combating corruption and organised crime, has requested that parliament lift Balluku’s immunity this week and allow her arrest. It is not clear when the parliament, where Rama’s ruling party holds a majority, is expected to vote. As ...

The Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Tuesday took disciplinary action against seven officers on charges of corruption, misuse of authority and negligence.

Information and Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Tuesday said that the auction of 600 MHz spectrum would be completed early next year, stating that it would pave the way for providing better internet services in the country. She made the remarks while addressing a press conference alongside Finance Minister Muhammad Aurganzeb in Islamabad. At the outset of the press conference, Aurangzeb said the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) had approved the recommendations of the Spectrum Advisory Committee. In her remarks, Khawaja said that the recommendations would now be taken to the federal cabinet. “After that, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will issue an information memorandum based on which consultations and negotiations will be held with stakeholders and the telecom sector,” she said. “We are trying to ensure that the auction is completed by the end of January or early February,” she added. Explaining the significance of the development, she said that the internet quality in Pakist...

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) – the private sector arm of the World Bank Group – has announced its first local currency investment in Pakistan, which it said was aimed at strengthening the agriculture sector. According to a press release issued by the IFC on Tuesday, its first Pakistani rupee-denominated investment via an unfunded partial credit guarantee of up to Rs33.6 billion would support long-term financing from Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan Limited to Engro Fertilisers Limited. “The engagement marks IFC’s first local currency investment in Pakistan, thus expanding access to long-term financing solutions in both local and foreign currency, critical for economic growth, particularly in important sectors such as agriculture and micro, small, and medium enterprises,” the press release said. It added that the financing would enable Engro Fertilisers to strengthen the agri-value chain in Pakistan by mobilising local capital. “The investment — aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s agriculture sect...

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday expressed concern over the suspension of the Punjab Immovable Property Ordinance by the Lahore High Court (LHC), warning that the interim order would benefit land grabbers and harm ordinary citizens across the province.

Aleema Khan has filed an appeal in the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi Bench against her indictment in cases related to the November 26 protest.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly witnessed a year marked by persistent delays, quorum shortages and prolonged debates in 2025, with sessions rarely starting on time, according to official records.

US President Donald Trump, who has now on several occasions in the past praised Chief of Defence Force and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, has now called him a “highly respected general”. The US president’s latest remarks came as he addressed a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida. During the press conference, Trump announced a new class of heavily armed warships that will be named after himself — an honour usually reserved for leaders who have left office. Asked about the progress of talks between Russia and Ukraine, Trump said that his administration had so far “stopped eight wars” — a claim that he has repeated in the past. “We stopped a potential nuclear war between Pakistan and India,” Trump said. “The head of Pakistan and a highly respected general — he is a field marshal — and also the prime minister of Pakistan said that President Trump saved 10 million lives, maybe more, by getting that war [sic].” “You know, eight planes were shot down, the war was starti...

Muslims across Pakistan are preparing to observe the holy night of Shab-e-Meraj 2026 following the sighting of the Rajab moon on Sunday.