Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - A delegation of the Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) of the National Assembly, led by President YPF, Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, MNA, called on the Speaker of the Balochistan Assembly, Capt (Retd) Abdul Khaliq Khan Achakzai, in Quetta.

Columbia University said on Wednesday it will pay $200 million to the US government after President Donald Trump threatened to pull federal funding over what he said was its unwillingness to protect Jewish students. In a sweeping deal that will restore the prestigious New York institution’s federal monies, Columbia has pledged to obey rules that bar it from taking race into consideration in admissions or hiring, among other concessions. “Columbia University has reached an agreement with the United States government to resolve multiple federal agency investigations into alleged violations of federal anti-discrimination laws,” a statement said, adding that the $200m would be paid over three years. The university will also pay $21m to settle investigations brought by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, it said. “Under today’s agreement, a vast majority of the federal grants which were terminated or paused in March 2025 will be reinstated and Columbia’s access to billions of dollars in current and fut...

KARACHI: While the passports of other Asian countries have emerged as the most powerful in the world, Pakistan’s travel document continues to be ranked among the ‘weakest’ in the world, with visa-free access available to only 32 destinations. According to the Henley Passport Index for 2025, Pakistan currently ranks 96th on the list — ahead of the war-torn nations of Somalia, Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. Although still quite low, the country’s ranking has improved slightly; in 2024, the Pakistani passport was tied with Yemen as the fourth-worst in the world for the fourth consecutive year. The Henley Passport Index compares the visa-free access of 199 different passports to 227 travel destinations, and ranks all the world’s passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa. Singapore, Japan and South Korea top the list; Afghanistan placed at the bottom If no visa is required, then that passport is given a score value of 1. The same applies if you can obtain a vis...

NDMA also warns of land sliding, increased water level in Indus, Chenab, Jhelum, Kabul rivers Floodwater submerges low-lying areas near rivers triggering mass evacuations in Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan 250 tourists stranded on Babusar Highway rescued, another 15 still missing.

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that improving tax system to increase national revenue and reduce tax burden on the common man is among the government’s top priorities.

QUETTA - An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Quetta on Wednesday extended the physical remand of tribal leader Sardar Sherbaz for 10 more days in connection with the killing of a cou-ple who were shot dead ahead of Eidul Adha for so-called honour.

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan yesterday reaffirmed commitment to multilateralism and peaceful dispute resolution during UN Security Council presidency.

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday undertook an extensive tour of flood-affected areas in Nankana Sahib and announced a wide range of relief and development initiatives during her two-and-a-half-hour visit to the city and its surrounding villages.

ISLAMABAD - Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Wednesday encouraged businessmen and investors to explore diverse investment opportunities in Pakistan with a view to leveraging the large consumer base, young population, growing digital economy, and advantageous geographic positioning towards mutually.

Islamabad - Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday termed poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy the root causes of terrorism and extremism.

ISLAMABAD - In a major diplomatic breakthrough on Wednesday, Pakistan and Bangladesh agreed in principle to grant visa-free entry to holders of diplomatic and official passports on Wednesday during a high-level meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Bangladesh’s Home Minister Lieutenant.

ISLAMABAD - Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI (M), has attended the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF-2025) at Istanbul, Turkiye, a globally renowned event that highlights cutting-edge innovations and advancements in the defence sector.

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Saudi Arabia yesterday agreed to advance investments and technical collaboration for mutual benefit of the two nations.

PESHAWAR - In a step toward lasting peace, the tribes of Lower Kurram and Sadda have formally announced a one-year ceasefire, termed “Aman Tegha,” during a grand tribal jirga held at the FC Fort in Sadda.

ISLAMABAD - The World Health Organization (WHO), with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has distributed over 800 motorbikes to the country’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to improve healthcare access in remote regions of Pakistan.

Net metering cuts spark backlash as govt shifts burden to solar users

New facility in Jamshoro to boost output to 8b tablets; CEO stresses need for long-term economic policy

Ghee, oil industry gives 48-hour deadline, citing harassment, and stalled refunds

Agree to reduce tariffs on different products up to 22%

LAHORE: The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) has published a public notice urging individuals to confirm e-challan verification on purchase of used vehicles across the province. People frequently buy and sell used cars across Pakistan, as this is an affordable and convenient practice. However, PSCA warns that neglecting traffic fines during the sale or purchase […]