Pakistan

The federal government has approved civil awards for 71 Pakistani citizens in recognition of their exceptional bravery and dedicated service to the nation.

Rawalpindi - A division bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) here on Wednesday allowed former Punjab chief minister Pervez Elahi not to appear before an accountability court hearing a corruption reference against him.

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Sindh Police killed two militants linked to the outlawed group Fitna al-Khawarij during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) near Mochko on Hub River Road, officials confirmed on Thursday.

Heavy monsoon rainfall has wreaked havoc across Punjab and Balochistan, leaving at least 59 people dead in the past 24 hours and causing widespread flooding and destruction.

Following the lifting of the UK ban on Pakistani carriers, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has formally requested permission to resume direct flights to Britain, with initial operations aimed at Manchester, sources revealed on Thursday.

A contingent of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) featuring the advanced JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets arrived in the United Kingdom to take part in the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) 2025, a statement from the military’s media wing said on Thursday. RIAT, which will run from July 18 to 20, is one of the world’s largest military airshows, has been running for over 50 years and powers the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, according to its website. A PAF contingent comprising “state-of-the-art JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter aircraft and the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, has landed at the Royal Air Force Base Fairford, United Kingdom, to participate in the prestigious” RIAT 2025, a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. View this post on Instagram “PAF’s participation in RIAT, one of the world’s largest military airshows, underscores Pakistan Air Force’s commitment to showcasing its professional excellence, operational capability and the indigenous strength of its aviation...

A participant speaks at the webinar on investment opportunities at Pakistani ports on Wednesday.—Courtesy US consulate ISLAMABAD: Over 65 US companies joined a landmark webinar on Wednesday to explore commercial opportunities at Karachi Port and Port Qasim. The webinar hosted by the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration and the US Department of State, in collaboration with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, part of the ‘Gateways to Growth: South Asia Port Opportunities’ series, has opened new doors for American commercial services in the port sector of Pakistan. The webinar served as a strategic platform for American companies to engage directly with Pakistani port officials and private operators. “US investors have made substantial contributions to Pakistan’s development, and we are confident that the port sector will be another area where we can achieve great success together,” said US Consul General Scott Urbom in Karachi, emphasising the role of partnership in fostering long-term c...

PESHAWAR - Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi has strongly condemned the firing incident in Kulachi, Dera Ismail Khan, in which two police personnel were martyred by unidentified assailants.

QUETTA: Various political parties have called for the immediate release of all detained leaders and activists, including Dr Mahrang Baloch and other Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) activists, PTI founding chairman Imran Khan and Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) leader Ali Wazir. The seminar, hosted by the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) on Tuesday, was attended by leaders and workers from various political parties. Speaking at the event, participants voiced grave concern over the worsening law and order situation in Balochistan, alleged genocide of the Baloch people, the arrest of female leaders and activists, enforced disappearances, human rights violations and the controversial adoption of the Balochistan Mines and Mineral Act. BNP-M President Sardar Akhtar Mengal presided over the hours-long seminar. Political leaders slam human rights violations, call for end to military operations The speakers criticised the military operations, enforced disappearances and the discovery of mutilated bodies in th...

KARACHI: The Karachi University Teachers’ Society (Kuts) has expressed deep concerns and regret over what it called an unfortunate incident in the varsity’s Staff Town where a senior professor “faced verbal abuse and alleged physical assault by an armed personnel”. In a statement, Kuts expressed concern over the attack on Prof Afaq Ahmad Siddiqui of the faculty of pharmacy and called for an impartial investigation into the matter. “It is deeply troubling that a respected academic, who has dedicated his life to education and research, was subjected to such behaviour,” it said. The teachers’ body demanded an appropriate action against those responsible and urged the Rangers’ top leadership to take a serious notice of the incident and play its role in maintaining a peaceful and respectful environment on the campus. Kuts demands Rangers leadership to take notice of attack on Prof Afaq Siddiqui “The teachers of the University of Karachi have always respected state institutions and we expect this respect to be mutu...

A man sustained serious injuries after falling into an open manhole in Rasool Park, Shahdara, prompting swift action from the Punjab Housing, Urban Development & Public Health Department.

Three people, including a woman and a child, were killed after the roof of a dilapidated house collapsed in Lahore’s Akbari Mandi area on Wednesday.

ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain-wind/thundershowers across several parts of the country on Thursday, warning that heavy to very heavy rainfall may lead to flash floods, landslides, and urban flooding in vulnerable areas.

ISLAMABAD - The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved 15 percent increase in pensions provided by the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), effective from January 1, 2025, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development.

LAHORE/OKARA - At least 28 people were killed and 90 others injured in rain related accidents across the Punjab province during the last 24 hours, rescue officials said late Wednesday.

ISLAMABAD - A Major of Pakistan Army got martyred while three militants of India-sponsored proxy Fitna al Hindustan were killed in exchange of fire between the security forces and militants of Fitna al Hindustan during an intelligence-based operation conducted in Awaran District of Baloshistan on Wednesday, ISPR said.

ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Wednesday said the government was committed to protect the rights and dignity of journalists at all levels.

Aleema directed to appear in person to record statement in her defence.

KARACHI: President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, on Wednesday categorically denied rumours of any postponement or cancellation of the nationwide strike scheduled for July 19, affirming that the shutdown will proceed as planned. The KCCI has installed hoardings and billboards across major arteries of Karachi announcing the complete strike, with slogans demanding respect for taxpayers “instead of handcuffs”. Despite the formation of a high-level committee by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to hold consultations with traders on budgetary measures aimed at documenting the economy, the KCCI leadership remains resolute in its decision. The committee, comprised of multiple stakeholders, has been tasked with conducting a 30-day consultation process to formulate a consensus-based proposal for submission to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the federal cabinet. Mr Bilwani said the strike decision was reaffirmed following an unproductive meeting with the finance mini...

ISLAMABAD: The UN special representative for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, on Wednesday proposed a ‘prioritised’ regional dialogue with Pakistan, Iran and Central Asian states to halt the disorderly return of Afghans and uphold the principle of voluntary, dignified and safe repatriation. The call comes as more than 1.3 million Afghans have returned to the country this year, straining communities where 70 percent of people live in poverty, the UN envoy said in a press statement. “Afghanistan’s stability hinges on shared responsibility,” Ms Otunbayeva said in the statement circulated by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). “We cannot afford indifference; the cost of inaction will be measured in lives lost and conflicts reignited.” Women and children face the gravest risks, returning not only to dire economic hardships but to a context where their access to basic services and social protections remains severely constrained, Ms Otunbayeva said. “Do not turn away,” she appealed to donors, ...