Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and United States yesterday pledged to continue engagement and cooperation amid improving bilateral relations.

LAHORE - The Civil Services Academy (CSA), Lahore, inaugurated a specialized training program for officers of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) under the theme “Transforming Governance: Enhancing Public Sector Performance and Integrity.

ISLAMABAD - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar yesterday chaired a high-level meeting to review land allocation proposals for the facility, reaffirming the government’s commitment to regional development, national defence industry expansion, and inclusive decision-making.

Islamabad - President Asif Ali Zardari visited the Prime Minister’s House on Monday to offer his condolences to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over the death of his cousin, Mian Shahid Shafi.

ISLAMABAD: After facing public criticism over a tender worth over Rs47 million for the repair and maintenance of a federal minister’s official residence, city managers clarified on Monday that there was a typographical error. The CDA on Saturday had floated the tender worth Rs 47.3 million for “repair and maintenance of house No 36 at Minister Enclave, Islamabad,” and called for bids from registered firms. There was uproar on social media on Sunday, as people criticised the civic agency for its plan to spend such a huge amount on the official residence of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. However, the CDA on Monday came up with a statement saying the tender was originally meant for eight houses in the Minister Enclave, not one. The CDA also issued a corrigendum with an amendment to the tender on Monday edition of newspapers, removing the name of house No 36 and replacing it with eight houses. When contacted, a CDA spokesperson stated: “It was a routine matter which was meant for maintenance of 8 houses at the c...

LAHORE - Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Dr Usman Anwar on Monday visited the grave of Shaheed DIG Capt (retd) Syed Ahmed Mobeen on the Police Martyrs’ Day.

ISLAMABAD: A four-member team of Pakistani students delivered an outstanding performance, winning four bronze medals at the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) held from July 27 to August 3 in Bolivia. According to a press release issued by the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE), Mohammad Aneeq, Ghulam Junaid, Mohammad Saram and Ahmed Imran Malik secured bronze medals for the nation. “Among 86 participating countries, Pakistan proudly ranked 32nd, outperforming many technologically advanced and developed nations, including Germany, Austria, Turkey, France, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Saudi Arabia,” said the press release. Last year, the Pakistani team had secured two bronze medals and the overall ranking was 46th. “This brilliant performance of the Pakistan team is a testament to the transparent and merit-based selection process carried out by FBISE, and it reflects the immense potential and talent of Pakistan’s youth. It marks a signific...

LAHORE - Punjab Minister for Information and Culture, Azma Zahid Bokhari, launched a scathing critique of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday, asserting that the party has ceased to function as a democratic political force and has instead transformed into a “fascist outfit” intent on destabilising state institutions.

A Brazilian judge on Monday placed former president Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest for breaking a social media ban, escalating a dramatic standoff between the court and the politician, who is accused of plotting a coup. Bolsonaro is on trial at the Supreme Court for allegedly plotting to cling onto power after losing 2022 elections to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. President Donald Trump has sought to punish Brazil, a longtime US ally, for what he sees as a politically motivated “witch hunt” targeting Bolsonaro by imposing eye-watering tariffs on Latin America’s biggest economy. The 70-year-old Bolsonaro is banned from social media for the duration of the proceedings, and third parties are barred from sharing his public remarks. But on Sunday, his allies defied the order by sharing footage online of a call between the former army captain and his eldest son Flavio at a solidarity rally in Rio de Janeiro. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes reacted furiously, declaring that the judiciary would no...

LAHORE: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Punjab and the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday warned that a spell of heavy torrential rains will begin on Aug 5 (today), persisting till August 7, warning of urban flooding in some cities. Officials warn that urban flooding is feared in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Islamabad over the next 72 hours. According to the PDMA fact sheet, heavy rains have already claimed 163 lives so far this season, besides leaving 579 people injured and 215 homes damaged across Punjab. The PDMA also predicted moderate to high-level flooding in the Chenab and Jhelum rivers from August 5, with thunderstorms expected in upper catchment areas. PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia placed all emergency centres on high alert, stating, “Our field teams are monitoring the situation 24/7, especially in vulnerable areas like Murree where landslides remain a serious threat.” Meanwhile, the current rains and floods have filled the Tarbela Dam up to 91 perc...

MANSEHRA: Body of a man, who had gone missing nearly three decades ago in the remote mountainous Spat Valley of Kolai-Palas (Kohistan) district has been recovered after the glacier that buried him melted rapidly due to unusually hot weather. “The body of a man, who was swept away by a glacier over 28 years ago, has been found by locals after the massive glacier melted in recent days,” district police officer Amjad Hussain told reporters on Monday. According to locals, the deceased, identified as Naseerudden, was buried under the glacier along with his horse while returning from Allai area of Battagram. They said the man was associated with cattle trade. His body was found intact and still recognisable, and his national identity card was also recovered from his clothing. “A group of visitors spotted the body and informed nearby villagers, who buried it at a local site and later informed the bereaved family,” DPO Hussain said. He said Naseerudden had left behind a daughter and a son, who were still alive and cu...

PESHAWAR: Elders from Bajaur and Mohmand tribal districts on Monday assured authorities of full cooperation to eliminate terrorism from the region, declaring it the “enemy of all.” They, however, opposed any military offensive and forced displacement in the region for the sake of peace. The elders gathered in a “consultative jirga” on the law and order situation in the province here with Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur in the chair. This is the second such gathering, held in line with the declaration of the July 24 multi-party conference. CM chairs jirga on law and order The first jirga, also presided over by the chief minister, was held on August 2 with elders from Orakzai and Khyber districts, Darra Adamkhel tehsil of Kohat district and subdivision Hassankhel of Peshawar district, at the Chief Minister’s House here. The participants opposed any military operation and forced displacement in the region. They wondered if authorities would promise in writing that the military operation would eradicate ter...

Vehari - Police Martyrs Day was observed with solemn respect across Vehari district to honour the sacrifices of Punjab Police’s brave martyrs.

Vehari - On the directives of the Punjab Government, a crackdown against profiteers is underway across the district.

Vehari - Member Provincial Assembly Mian Muhammad Saqib Khurshid said that the passion and patriotism shown by the people on Independence Day and Maarka-e-Haq proves that we are a vibrant, united nation determined to ensure the progress and stability of our homeland.

DERA GHAZI KHAN - “Police Martyrs’ Day reminds us that the peace and freedom we enjoy today have been secured through the ultimate sacrifices of our brave heroes.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced on Monday it has updated its immigration policy to restrict visa eligibility for transgender women seeking to compete in women’s sports. Under the policy update, USCIS will consider “the fact that a male athlete has been competing against women” as a negative factor when evaluating visa petitions in […]

ISLAMABAD: The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) has launched a nationwide BISP dynamic survey to increase its impact to 10 million families, ARY News reported. A simple, transparent, and easily accessible registration process has been designed for all eligible households. Under the BISP dynamic survey, families can get quarterly financial help ranging from PKR 10,500 […]

Pakistan’s armed forces reaffirmed their unwavering solidarity with the resilient and courageous people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on the eve of Youm-e-Istehsal, observed annually in Pakistan against India’s revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019. “On the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, […]

Actor Sydney Sweeney was reportedly heckled at the ‘Americana’ premiere on Monday over her American Eagle ad. Click here to read more Lifestyle stories According to a report by TMZ, a woman called the actor names as soon as she arrived at the event in Los Angeles. As she stepped out of her vehicle and […]