Pakistan News World

PTI Chairman Imran Khan Tuesday denied contacting real estate tycoon Malik Riaz for a patch-up with the ex-president and PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. The PTI chairman's response comes after an audio of a conversation between Riaz and Zardari was leaked, where the businessman could be heard giving the PPP co-chairman a message reportedly from the PTI chairman. The audio's date and time have not been confirmed as of yet, but Riaz could be heard saying that Khan has requested him to mediate between the two political leaders. But while speaking to digital journalists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's capital today, Khan — who became the first prime minister to be voted out through a no-confidence motion in April — refuted claims of him wanting to patch up with Zardari. In response to a question, the ex-premier said whilst in power, there was "a lot of pressure" on his government to accept Isreal as a sovereign state — amid the Abraham Accords. "We were sent a m...

Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday inaugurated the long-awaited Rescue 1122 service in the province, a collaboration between the provincial government and the World Bank, and handed over 50 ambulances to authorities. The service would be a "complete package of rescue, relief and rehabilitation" and would be connected to fire brigades and trauma centres across the province, he said while addressing the inauguration ceremony at the Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) Sports Complex. The ceremony was also attended by World Bank Country Director Najy Benhassine, provincial ministers Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Saeed Ghani, Bari Pitafi, Shehla Raza, Advisers Murtaza Wahab and Haji Rasool Bux, Special Assistants Waqar Mehdi and Qasim Siraj Soomro and Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority Salman Shah. Shah said that the government aimed to procure 230 ambulances, of which 50 are being put to service in Karachi from today. He added that the ambulance service woul...

Rana Sanaullah warned of "strict action" against the PTI in case they initiate their long march again as committed by former prime minister Imran Khan. Addressing a press conference, the interior minister termed the incidents that took place on May 25 an "attack on the Centre". “The lawmakers deviated from their oath, law and Constitution in order to fulfil the criminal agenda of their political leader Imran Khan,” he said, terming May 25’s “Azadi March” an “anti-state conspiracy” instead of a political activity in which resources of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s government were used. Sanaullah claimed that contrary to the claims of PTI leaders regarding the number of people present, there were only a few thousand people at D-Chowk. “We have video proof from the Swabi jalsa where armed people attended the public gathering,” he added. “This is was a ‘fitna and fasad march’ and PTI supporters came intending to spread chaos,” the interior minister said, adding that a reco...

 Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that Pakistan and Turkey enjoy close collaboration on bilateral, regional and multilateral forums. In an interview with Turkish news agency Anadolu, he said both Pakistan and Turkey have a similarity of views on regional and international issues. Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan and Turkey support each other on all issues of core national interest including Jammu and Kashmir and Northern Cyprus. The Prime Minister said this year both countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. He said in these seven and a half decades, the two sides have always stood by each other in the face of all changes. Shehbaz Sharif said we are now focusing on economic cooperation. He vowed to boost Pak-Turkey bilateral ties in trade. via Original Source

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on Tuesday approved an increase of Rs3.99 per unit in the power tariff on account of fuel cost adjustment (FCA) for the month of April 2022. According to the facts, this move will impose an additional cost of Rs51 billion on electricity consumers, but K-electric and lifeline users will be exempt from the price hike. The proposal to raise the price of power tarrif by Rs 4.5 per unit was the subject of a hearing before NEPRA. When requesting for the April fuel price adjustment, the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) said that 12.55 billion units of energy were generated last month. According to sources Pakistan's electricity shortages have worsened, with power outages reaching 7000 MW. According to official figures, the country's electricity generation capacity is 21,200 MW, while demand is 28,200 MW. According to reports, all of the main cities are without power. via Original Source

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a proposed freeze on handgun ownership in Canada that would effectively ban their importation and sale, following recent mass shootings in the United States. The bill must still be passed by Parliament, with the ruling Liberals holding only a minority of seats. “We're introducing legislation to implement a national freeze on handgun ownership,” Trudeau told a news conference on Monday, joined by dozens of families and friends of victims of gun violence. “What this means is that it will no longer be possible to buy, sell, transfer or import handguns anywhere in Canada,” he said. “In other words, we're capping the market for handguns.” Days after Canada's worst mass shooting left 23 dead in rural Nova Scotia in April 2020, the government banned 1,500 types of military-grade or assault-style firearms. But Trudeau acknowledged on Monday that gun violence continues to rise. The government statistical agency reported last week t...

Pakistan doesn't want handouts, but investments from its Chinese friends, says Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He was addressing a meeting of Chinese investor companies on Monday. The premier said that the friendship between Pakistan and China's unwavering friendship has weathered storms and strengthened over time. via Original Source

On the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will leave for Turkey on a three-day official visit on Tuesday (tomorrow). The premier will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including key members of the cabinet, on his first visit to Ankara after assuming office last month. During the visit, the prime minister will have bilateral interaction with the Turkish leadership, with a particular focus on advancing economic, trade and investment ties. It is pertinent to note that the last interaction between the leaders of the two countries came when the Turkish president called the Pakistani premier to congratulate him on his election as the prime minister. In the phone call, Erdoğan "wished that the election results would be beneficial for the friendly and brotherly people of Pakistan," according to the Presidency's Directorate of Communications. Erdoğan had said they closely follow developments in Pakistan, and Turkey i...

Pakistan has made a big jump in the International Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) by moving up six places, as per the latest report released by the World Economic Forum.The 2021 edition of the TTDI includes 117 countries. The index ranks the countries based on the set of factors and policies that help the travel and tourism industry in each country grow in a way that is stable and sustainable. The managing director of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, Aftab ur Rehman Rana, said Pakistan has been ranked 83rd, which is up from 89th place in the index’s previous edition of 2019. He stated that a six-point increase in Pakistan's ranking on the global travel and tourism index is significant progress. via Original Source

Abdul Mueed Baloch, dubbed Baloch Bolt, bagged a Silver Medal in the 400m category of the second Imam Reza International Athletics Tournament here on Sunday. Mueed clocked 46.73 seconds — setting a national record — to claim the second position in the tournament. Athletes from Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Oman, Qatar, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, and other nations competed in the tournament. After winning the medal, Mueed took to Twitter and wrote "Alhumdulillah" on his sprint video. Alhamdullilah https://t.co/JWfMGmLlZB — Abdul Mueed Baloch(Baloch Bolt). (@Balochbolt) May 29, 2022 Mueed will now compete in the 200m contest tomorrow at 10:30am local time. It should be mentioned here that Mueed has won several national and international championships. In the SAF Junior in 2018, he won silver in 100m while he claimed bronze in the 400m category. via Original Source

Saudi Arabia announced Sunday it had named a senior diplomat as its first climate envoy, as officials vow to ramp up oil production while pursuing ambitious goals for emission cuts. The appointment of Adel al-Jubeir, the minister of state for foreign affairs, to the envoy role was announced as part of a series of royal orders decreed by King Salman. The announcement did not include details about the envoy's mandate. Jubeir, who previously served as foreign minister and ambassador to Washington, will continue in his role at the foreign ministry. Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, has been cashing in on the spike in energy prices resulting from Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. In early May, the kingdom announced that economic growth in the first quarter had risen 9.6% compared to the same period in 2021, which the statistics authority said represented "the highest growth rate in (the) last 10 years". It has resisted US entreaties to raise oil output in...

According to unofficial results, the independent candidates are leading in the local government (LG) elections held in 32 districts of Balochistan on Sunday. As per unofficial results of 1,426 wards out of total 5,345 wards, independents candidates have secured 1,058 seats. Jamiat Ulema-e -Islam (JUI) was second with 122 seats and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) was third by securing 77 seats. Balochistan National Party has bagged 77 seats and National Party (NP) has secured 26 seats. Earlier, polling for the local body elections started at 8 am and continued till 5 pm without any break and the election schedule in the remaining two districts of Quetta and Lasbela will be announced later as the provincial government has increased the number of constituencies while constituencies are being demarcated there. According to the ECP, there are 5,226 polling stations in 32 districts out of which 2,054 polling stations were declared as highly sensitive and 1,974 as sensitive. There are 16,...

Reacting to the leaked audio of a conversation purportedly between real estate tycoon Malik Riaz and PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said that the audiotape has exposed Khan’s hypocrisy and double standards. Taking to his Twitter handle, PM Shehbaz said, “The audiotape that surfaced recently exposes Imran Khan’s hypocrisy & double standards.” A day earlier, real estate tycoon Malik Riaz’s telephonic conversation with PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari was leaked, according to media reports. In it, Malik Riaz could be heard giving the ex-president a message from PTI Chairman Imran Khan. The audio's date and time have not been confirmed as of yet, but Riaz could be heard saying that Khan has requested him to mediate between the two political leaders. The audio tape that surfaced recently exposes Imran Khan’s hypocrisy & double standards. Contrary to his claims, he sought NRO to save himself & his govt. The fake story of forei...

Fusako Shige­nobu, the 76-year-old female founder of the once-feared Japanese Red Army, wal­ked free from prison on Saturday after completing a 20-year sentence for a 1974 embassy siege. Shigenobu was one of the world’s most notorious wom­en during the 1970s and 1980s, when her radical leftist group carried out armed attacks worldwide in support of the Palestinian cause. She left the prison in Tokyo in a black car with her daughter as several supporters held a banner saying: “We love Fusako”. “I apologise for the inconvenience my arrest has cau­sed to so many people,” Shig­e­nobu told reporters after the release. “It’s half a century ago... but we caused dam­age to innocent people who were strangers to us by prioritising our battle, such as by hostage-taking,” she said. The former soy-sauce company worker is believed to have masterminded the 1972 machine gun and grenade attack on Tel Aviv’s Lod Airport, which left 26 people dead and injured about 80. She was arrested in Japan in ...

Countries should take quick steps to contain the spread of monkeypox and share data about their vaccine stockpiles, a senior World Health Organisation official said on Friday. "We think that if we put in place the right measures now we probably can contain this easily," Sylvie Briand, WHO director for Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness, told the UN agency's annual assembly. Monkeypox is a usually mild viral infection that is endemic in parts of the west and central Africa. It spreads chiefly through close contact and until the recent outbreak, was rarely seen in other parts of the world, which is why the recent emergence of cases in Europe, the United States and other areas has raised alarms. So far, there are about 300 confirmed or suspected cases in around 20 countries where the virus was not previously circulating. read more "For us, we think that the key priority currently is trying to contain this transmission in non-endemic countries," Briand tol...

Vinicius Junior scored the only goal of the game as Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in Saturday's Champions League final in Paris to become kings of Europe for a record-extending 14th time after a night marred by problems outside the ground that led to the kick-off being delayed by over half-an-hour. Brazilian winger Vinicius turned in Fede Valverde's low cross in the 59th minute at the Stade de France and Liverpool could not find an equaliser as Jurgen Klopp's side lost to the Spanish giants in a Champions League final for the second time in five seasons. Liverpool will wonder what might have been had the outstanding Thibaut Courtois not pushed Sadio Mane's shot onto the inside of a post when they were on top in the first half, as they fell short of a trophy treble. Winners of the English League Cup and FA Cup this season, they just missed out to Manchester City for the Premier League title and were denied a victory here which would have put them level with AC Mila...

The name of Justice (retired) Maqbool Baqar is on top of the candidates' list that the government is considering for the position of the next National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman, it emerged on Saturday. According to sources, Justice Baqar's name was acknowledged during the meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, while all parties of the coalition government have also agreed that he was the most suitable candidate for the position. In addition, opposition leader Raja Riaz has expressed no objection to Justice Baqar's proposed appointment as the NAB chairman. If there are no impediments, coalition parties have stated that Justice Baqar will be appointed as the next NAB chairman, sources added. Justice Baqar had been promoted from the Sindh High Court to the Supreme Court and retired as a judge of the SC on Monday, April 4, 2022. According to government sources, the judicial record of Justice Maqbool is immaculate. PTI...

Polling is underway for local Bodies Elections in thirty two districts of Balochistan under strict security arrangements. According to details, polling will continue till 5:00 in Sunday evening without any break. As per Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), over 3.5 million voters are eligible to cast their votes in the local bodies elections while 5,226 polling stations including 1,974 highly sensitive stations have been established for the Balochistan LB polls. Tight security measures have been taken to avoid any kind of untoward incident during the elections across the province. via Original Source

At least 40 persons sustained injuries due to roof and wall collapse incidents in different area of Sargodha as rain and windstorm hit the city on Friday night. The roof and wall collapse incidents were reported in Chak 79 Shumali, Chak 47, Chak 91, Factory Area, Block No 17, Block No 24, Sarwar Colony, Eidgah, Jameel Park, Ghani Park, Jat Colony and other areas. Rescue operations area underway to provide relief to the people in different areas of Sargodha. Rescue sources said that a large number women and children are among the injured. via Original Source

Youm-e-Takbeer is being observed today (Saturday) with national zeal and fervour to commemorate historic nuclear tests at Chagai on May 28, 1998. Pakistan joined the prestigious club of nuclear powers by conducting nuclear tests on May 28, 1998. The government has announced the 10-day celebrations in this regard whereas this year, the theme of the day would be “Na Jhuky Thay Na Jhuken Gay (We never bowed nor will bend our heads down)”. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also released a national song in connection with the “Youm-e-Takbeer”. It was aimed at highlighting the importance of “Youm-e-Takbeer”. Detonation of nuclear devices on May 28, 1998 was culmination of a daring journey took on by Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to make the nation’s defense invincible against the arch rival India. The program was started though with limited resources but insurmountable will and passion to ensure that the country becomes a sovereign and strong state unable to be bul...

Following the decision to increase the prices of petroleum products by Rs30, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that the government will initiate a Rs28 billion package to provide relief to the masses. Addressing the nation, the prime minister said taking up the challenge of coming into power was not easy as the country's situation was gloomy, and the nation was plagued with hatred during the previous government's tenure. "I would like to thank my leader Nawaz Sharif and the leaders of our allied parties for trusting me with this office," he said. Criticising the former, PTI-led government and ex-prime minister Imran Khan, PM Shehbaz said that "it was the demand of the people of Pakistan to rid them of the previous incompetent and corrupt government." PM Shehbaz said a diplomatic cable was used for political means and the nation was fed with lies despite the National Security Committee (NSC) and the ambassador to the United States both rubbis...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will be visiting Turkey next week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Friday, embarking on his first visit to Ankara after assuming office last month. "The prime minister would be visiting Turkey next week, and we would be sharing with you more details containing elements, specific elements and engagements envisaged during this visit," FO spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said in response to a question during his weekly press briefing. Former prime minister Imran Khan went to Turkey on a two-day visit in January 2019, where he met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara and other senior government officials. PM Shehbaz has held two foreign trips this month to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), respectively, after assuming office on April 12, as he sought to strengthen bilateral ties with the oil-rich states. Following the prime minister's visit, Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed al-Jadaan told Reuters this week t...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is addressing nation   via Original Source

The Senate on Friday passed the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2022, making certain amendments in some sections of the previous Elections Act, 2017. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Javed Murtaza Abbasi presented the bill before the house to amend the Elections Act, 2017, which was unanimously passed by the Senate. The house was informed that Sections 94 and 103 of Elections Act 2017 were amended vide Act No.LV of 2021 for using I-voting and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) from the next General Elections. Read more:  Hike in fuel prices challenged in LHC Defining the reason, the house was informed that “The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) faces technical difficulties to embark upon conducting elections as per amended provisions ibid.” “Since Article 218(3) of the Constitution obligates the ECP to conduct free, fair and transparent elections, the instant bill proposes to restore the amendments of Act No. LV of 2021 to their original contents for conducting more pilot pr...

Hike in the prices of petroleum products has been challenged in Lahore High Court. Along with OGRA, federal government and other concerned authorities have been made party in the petition. In the plea submitted by advocate Azhar Siddique, it has been prayed that the prices of the petroleum products has been increased without the approval of cabinet. The petitioner further said that the action taken by government is illegal while he prayed to the court to nullify the increase in the prices of petroleum products. On the other hand, government is planning to increase the fuel prices in the same ratio in next 15 days in a bid to achieve the IMF program. via Original Source

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday expressed concern over the passage of a bill in the National Assembly to abolish the former government election reforms giving expats the right to vote through I-Voting and the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the country. The National Assembly on Thursday approved a bill to bar overseas Pakistanis from voting and stop the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the country. Qureshi strongly criticised the move and termed it a "regressive and condemnable act" of the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sherif of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). PTI vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted: "PTI gave over nine million Overseas Pakistanis the right to vote. Today, this band of thieves and thugs removed this, disenfranchising a staggering number of Pakistanis and barring the use of electronic voting machines." via Original Source

At least two persons were killed and one more was wounded when the motorcycle they were riding on was hit by a truck in Shujabad on Thursday night. According to details, the accident occurred at the National Highway in Shujabad where a recklessly driven truck hit a motorcycle, killing a man and his wife on the spot while their daughter was injured. Rescue teams reached the spot after being informed and shifted the dead and injured to Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital, Shujabad. via Original Source

Russia on Thursday made an all-out effort to capture the rest of the industrial region of Lugansk in eastern Ukraine, officials said, as President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of seeking to commit "genocide" across the eastern Donbas. As the fighting intensified, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba aired Kyiv s increasing frustration with the West, accusing allies of dragging their feet on arms deliveries and telling his German counterpart that Ukraine needs heavy weapons "as soon as possible." Russian forces are now closing in on several urban centres, including the strategically located Severodonetsk and Lysychansk. Lugansk is part of the Donbas, the industrial basin comprising that region and Donetsk. "The situation remains difficult, because the Russian army has thrown all its forces at taking the Lugansk region," regional governor Sergiy Gaiday said in a video on Telegram. "Extremely fierce fighting is taking place on the outskirts of Sever...

The government on Thursday jacked up the price of petrol by Rs 30 per litre with immediate effect.Federal Finance Minister Miftah Ismail told a press conference that the IMF program could not move forward without raising the prices of petroleum products. Following Rs 30 per liter increase in price of Petrol the new price will be Rs 179.86. The price of high-speed diesel (HSD) was also increased by Rs 30 per liter and will now cost Rs 174.15 per liter. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken this difficult decision in the larger interest of national economy. He said that it is a hard decision for the government to impose such kind of burden on general public. He said the government is providing 56 rupees per liter subsidy on petroleum products as the previous government had fixed these prices which caused to increase inflation in the country. Miftah Ismail said that IMF Program cannot be approved for Pakistan without increase in petroleum prices. Earlier today, the Inter...

Renowned Pakistani mountaineer Ali Raza Sadpara passed away in the wee hours of Friday at the age of 55. Ali Raza Sadpara had suffered critical injuries after falling from a mountain during a routine climbing practice near his village in Skardu. He met an accident while pre-expedition preparation of his K-2 summer expedition and got severe injuries. He was under treatment at the RHQ Hospital Skardu, in Gilgit−Baltistan where he breathed his last on Friday. During a career that started in 1986, Ali Raza Sadpara has summited 17 8,000m peaks, including each one in Pakistan except K2. He has climbed many signature Pakistani 8,000’ers multiple times, including Broad Peak (8,047m) and Gasherbrum I (8068m) four times, and Gasherbrum II (8,035m) five times, most recently last summer. via Original Source

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday has given deadline of 6 days to the government to dissolve the assemblies and announce fresh elections. Former Prime Minister while addressing to the protestors of long march in Islamabad, warned the government that if announcement of elections will not be made, he will return to Islamabad. After Imran Khan s announcement, protesters of the sit-in also dispersed at the Numaish Churangi in Karachi. Earlier, Imran Khan asked his party workers and supporters to reach D-Chowk, Dunya News reported. The PTI chief Imran Khan while leading his party’s Haqeeqi Azadi March against the "Imported Government" reached Islamabad in the wee hours of Thursday where he delivered a short speech. Imran Khan said that we are waging a "Jihad against this Imported Government" and asked the PTI workers that we will not move from here till the date for fresh election is not announced. On the other hand, Interior Ministry...

Pakistan Army contingent reached Islamabad s Red Zone to take control of sensitive buildings after they were summoned by to Interior Ministry for the security of the area. All security arrangements in the Islamabad s Red Zone have been handed over to the Army. Pakistan Army personnel have been stationed at the President House, PM House and PM Office, the Supreme Court and other sensitive government buildings in the area. Earlier, Interior Ministry had summoned the Pakistan Army for the security of the Red Zone in Islamabad after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and supporters reached Islamabad to attend the Haqeeqi Azadi March on the call of their party chief Imran Khan, Dunya News reported. According to a notification issued in this regard, Pakistan Army has been summoned under Article 245 of the Constitution. via Original Source

Eleven newborn babies died in a hospital fire in the western Senegalese city of Tivaouane, the president of the country said late Wednesday. Just before midnight in Senegal, Macky Sall announced on Twitter that 11 infants had died in the blaze. "I have just learned with pain and dismay about the deaths of 11 newborn babies in the fire at the neonatal department of the public hospital," he tweeted. "To their mothers and their families, I express my deepest sympathy," Sall added. The tragedy occurred at Mame Abdou Aziz Sy Dabakh Hospital in the transport hub of Tivaouane, and was caused by "a short circuit", according to Senegalese politician Diop Sy. "The fire spread very quickly," he said. The city s mayor Demba Diop said "three babies were saved". According to local media, the Mame Abdou Aziz Sy Dabakh Hospital was newly inaugurated. Health minister Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr, who was in Geneva attending a meeting with the World Hea...

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders and workers staged a sit-in protest on the call of PTI chief Imran Khan against the ‘Imported Government’ in the lawns of Quetta Metropolitan Corporation on Wednesday. The PTI sit-in protest entered the second day on Thursday. The provincial leadership of the PTI including Syed Zahoor Agha and Khadam Hussain Wardak are leading the sit-in protest in which party workers from across the province are present. The participants of the sit-in are of the view that our sit-in will continue till the overthrow of the ‘Imported Government’ and the announcement of date for the new elections. via Original Source

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday said that the government will not tolerate terrorism in guise of politics after police seized huge cache of weapons from residence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader in provincial capital of Punjab ahead of their long march. In his statement, the federal minister said that PTI General Secretary’s house is a depot of ammunition and the discovery of arms from the homes of PTI officials is proof of a bloody march. The nation has seen that from where did the bullet came which killed an innocent police personnel. He urged former Prime Minister Imran Khan to follow the constitution and law. While in a press conference, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Musadiq Malik and Khurram Dastagir said that government will not be doing any compromise with PTI. There will be no reconciliation with the group. In their press conference they said that gathering of the people cannot be used to overthrow constitutional government. As per co...

Asian markets fluctuated Wednesday, with little sign of any relief from recent dour performances as investors remain fearful about the economic outlook owing to the impact of inflation, higher interest rates, China’s slowdown and the Ukraine war. A series of weak indicators around the world and downbeat forecasts from big firms have chilled trading floors in recent weeks as the surge in prices begins to drag on consumer confidence, with warnings now swirling of a possible global recession. The tech sector was again in the firing line after Snap, the parent of social media app Snapchat, provided a gloomy economic outlook, sending its shares diving more than 40 percent. Wall Street titans followed Snap down, with Facebook-parent Meta and Google-parent Alphabet tanking. Tokyo, Hong Kong and Jakarta were down while Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei and Manila rose. The mood was not helped by news that US new home sales tanked in April while the Richmond Fed manufacturing in...

Russian troops advanced in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday, pounding key cities and aiming "to destroy everything there," President Volodymyr Zelensky said, as Moscow signalled it was digging in for a long war against its neighbor. Three months to the day since Russia launched its invasion, Zelensky mourned the thousands of Ukrainian men and women who have perished and he renewed calls for heavy weapons from foreign partners saying arms for Kyiv were "the best investment in stability in the world." Read more:  From Missiles To Helicopters: US Says 20 Countries Offer New Arms For Ukraine Sergiy Gaidai, governor of the eastern region of Lugansk, said Russian forces were bombarding the industrial city of Severodonetsk with air strikes, rockets, artillery and mortars in an effort to solidify control over the province and move further into Ukraine. "The situation is very difficult and unfortunately it is only getting worse. It is getting worse with every day and ev...

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry has urged the people of Pakistan to "come out for Pakistan" as PTI chairman Imran Khan called on Pakistanis for a long march towards Islamabad. Taking to Twitter, former Minister Fawad said, "Today people of Pakistan will come out for rightful independence and it will be a day when sovereignty of people will be decided." Fawad urged the people to come out for their future generations. He also insisted to join their voices with Imran Khan’s call which is for the revolution and for the people. Earlier, the government sealed several cities of Punjab including provincial capital Lahore, Gujranwala, Bahawalnagar in an attempt to stop PTI long march, Dunya News reported on Tuesday. According to sources, the government has sealed all entry and exit points of provincial capital of Punjab by placing containers on the roads. The police have closed Ravi River Bridge with containers and and also closed GT Road with con...

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hammad Azhar on Wednesday filed a contempt of court petition in Lahore High Court (LHC) against Chief Minister of Punjab Hamza Shahbaz and Inspector General Police (IGP) Punjab. Hammad Azhar, in his petition, states that lawmakers are being harassed and arrested and government is violating fundamental rights of the people. The PTI leader has prayed the court to start contempt of court proceeding against CM and IG Punjab. via Original Source

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu have discussed areas of mutual cooperation including in the areas of trade and investment, development and education as well as collaboration at multilateral forums. They met on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release on Tuesday. Minister of State Hina Rabbani Khar was also present during the meeting. The foreign minister underscored that Pakistan attached high importance to its relations with Romania, both bilaterally and in the context of the European Union. The two ministers also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest via Original Source

With the clock ticking on PTI’s ‘Azadi March’, the police on Tuesday arrested PTI’s Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Punjab senior leader Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed and other party workers. The police continued to raid the houses of the PTI leaders and workers as the government has decided to stop PTI’s 'Azadi March' set to begin today (May 25). Despite the government ban, ex-prime minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan and other party leaders have vowed to reach Islamabad for the sit-in till the announcement of new elections. A day earlier, Punjab Police raided the houses of several PTI leaders, including former energy minister Hammad Azhar, Usman Dar, and Babar Awan, while a police constable was also shot dead during a raid in Lahore. On Tuesday, police arrested senior PTI leader Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed in a late-night raid under section 16 of the Maintenance of the Public Order (MPO). Earlier, police also raided former education minister Shafqat Mehmood's residence, however, he ...

The government has sealed several cities of Punjab including provincial capital Lahore, Gujranwala, Bahawalnagar in an attempt to stop Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long marc. According to sources, the government has sealed all entry and exit points of provincial capital of Punjab by placing containers on the roads. The police have closed Ravi River Bridge with containers and and also closed GT Road with containers. Lahore-Islamabad Motorway has also been closed by placing containers. Heavy contingent of police have been deployed at Thokar Niaz Baig and Babu Sabu interchanges of Motorway. Authorities have also closed Sagian Bridge with containers. In Gujranwal, police have sealed all the entry and exit points of the city with containers in an attempt to stop PTI long march. Police have also conducted raids at PTI leaders and workers houses in the city and have arrested over 150 workers. In Bahawalpur too, police in a bid to stop PTI workers from reached Islamabad have suspended...

A police constable embraced martyrdom during a raid at a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worker residence in Model Town area of Lahore on Monday night. According to DIG Operations, police conducted a raid at 112-C Model Town, the residence of a PTI worker named Sajid, during which the police party came under fire from the roof of the house. DIG Operations also informed that police constable Kamal Ahmed was hit by a bullet during the raid and was taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. He said that police will take action against those who took law into their hands. He also informed that police are in search to arrest the culprit behind the incident. It a pertinent to mention here that Punjab police have launched a crackdown against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers ahead of PTI long march during which one MAN and dozens of PTI workers were taken into custody. via Original Source

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former minister Farrukh Habib on Monday said that PTI call for long march on May 25 has baffled the imported government. He said that police have launched a crackdown against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers in Punjab and Islamabad ahead of PTI long march during during which dozens of PTI workers have been arrested. Farrukh Habib has advised the police officers to refrain from obeying illegal orders of the government and added that PTI Real Independence March will reach Islamabad at any cost. He said that government s cheap tactics cannot stop Real Independence March and we will reach Islamabad on May 25. via Original Source

Sindh government has decided to impose Section 144 in Sindh in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in the province. According to sources, Sindh home department will issue a notification in this regard very soon. Sources further said that Section 144 will remain in force for 20 days. Sources further said that meetings, processions, and public gatherings will be banned across Sindh after the issuance of the notification by the home department. via Original Source

Asian stocks retreated Tuesday on concerns over the impact of China’s Covid restrictions on the world’s second-largest economy as investment banks slashed their forecasts. A strong rally on Wall Street, where the Dow closed 2.0 percent higher, did not carry over to Asia, and Beijing’s announcement of a fresh raft of measures to stimulate the economy did little to calm nerves. The package announced on Monday includes more than 140 billion yuan ($21 billion) in additional tax rebates, bringing the total amount of tax relief this year to 2.64 trillion yuan, Xinhua news agency reported following a meeting of the State Council chaired by Premier Li Keqiang. China’s economy has taken a hit from Beijing’s zero-Covid approach to the pandemic, which has resulted in lengthy lockdowns of major cities and mass testing of millions of people. Prolonged virus lockdowns have constricted supply chains, dampened demand and stalled manufacturing. Investment banks UBS Group and JPMorgan Chase cut t...

Some 20 countries offered new security assistance packages for Ukraine to battle invading Russian forces in a meeting of allies on Monday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced. In their second gathering, nearly four dozen countries and organizations forming the Ukraine Defense Contact Group met online to discuss helping Ukraine, and 20 nations pledged arms, ammunition and other supplies to support Kyiv. The group was briefed by Ukraine Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov on the current situation of the three-month-old war, in which the two sides are fighting along a long front line over territory Russia has seized in Ukraine s east and south. "Today, together with Minister Reznikov and his team, we ve gained a sharper and shared sense of Ukraine s priority requirements and the situation on the battlefield," Austin said. "Many countries are donating critically needed artillery ammunition, coastal defence systems and tanks and other armoured vehicles," h...