Pakistan News World

A soldier of Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom while four terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, the military said on Saturday. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement said that security forces conducted the IBO in general area Jani Khel of Bannu during which intense fire exchange took place between the troops and terrorists. “Own troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location. Resultantly, 4 terrorists got killed. Weapon and ammunition was also recovered from the killed terrorists,” the statement added. The slain terrorists remained actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces and killing of innocent citizens, according to the military’s media wing. “However, during intense exchange of fire, Sepoy Muhammad Wasim (age 25 years, resident of Khairpur) having fought gallantly, embraced shahadat.” The ISPR said sanitisation of the area is being carried out to eliminate any other...

President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have felicitated the nation and international community on beginning of the New Year and prayed for development, progress and prosperity of Pakistan as well as peace in the world. In their separate new year's messages, they stressed the need to work together to make Pakistan the cradle of peace, prosperity and development. The President in his message said the nation faced various challenges last year but overcame difficult situations due to the hard work, sacrifice, determination and resilience. He said in the new year, as a nation we must set our priorities correctly to overcome the challenges facing the nation. The President said we need national solidarity, unity, discipline, persistent hard work, passion and dedication to make Pakistan a prosperous, developed, democratic and stable country. The Prime Minister in his message hoped that the new year would prove to be the year of ending hunger, war, terrorism, crime,...

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Saturday said that the provincial government has not banned pillion riding in Karachi ahead of New Year's Eve. The announcement came a day after as a response to reports that the Karachi district administration imposed a ban on pillion riding. "Public message by the Government of Sindh: There is no ban on pillion riding on bikes in Karachi," Memon wrote on Twitter. "People may celebrate New year but it’s a humble request no areal firing, no blockages of roads and no one wheeling. Your security is our utmost priority," added the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader. A day earlier, it was reported that Karachi and Islamabad’s district administrations banned pillion riding. Karachi Commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Memon also imposed a complete ban on carrying and display of arms, aerial firing, firecrackers and pillion riding of motorcycles or scooters on New Year's Eve and the next day across the local limits...

Foreign Minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed optimism that a jiyala – a term politically associated with PPP stalwarts – will become mayor of Karachi in the next month’s local body elections due to the performance of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and hard work of party workers Without taking names, Bilawal spoke about Ehsanullah Ehsan — former spokesperson of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — and stated that the culprits of the Army Public School (APS) attack fled abroad during Khan’s tenure. “Terrorists involved in the APS attack got released from the prison and are now giving lectures in Turkiye,” he said while addressing workers of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Karachi. In February 2020, Ehsan claimed in an audio message circulating on social media that he was no longer in the state's custody and has managed to "escape". A few days later, the development was confirmed by then-interior minister Ijaz Shah, who adm...

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Saturday arrested five terrorists from Lahore belonging to banned outfits. As per details, the suspects arrested in the CTD operation include a banned outfit commander. The arrested terrorist had already planned to carry out an attack in sensitive districts. Apart from suicide jackets, explosives, guns, ammunition and literature pertaining to terror activities were recovered from the five suspects. Earlier, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) claimed to arrest a suspected terrorist during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Islamabad. The Counter-Terrorism Department and other institutions conducted a joint raid on a tip-off in Islamabad and arrested a suspected terrorist. The raiding team found a large quantity of arms and ammunition in the custody of the arrested suspect. The spokesperson said in a statement that the IBO was conducted under the supervision of the senior superintendent police (SSP) Counter-Terrorism Department....

To ensure security and prevent any untoward situations on New Year’s Eve, the Sindh government announced a ban on pillion riding and impose Section 144 in the provincial capital for two days. In a notification, Commissioner announced the ban, saying the decision was taken on the recommendation of Karachi law enforcers. A large number of citizens, mostly youth, flocked around Seaview on two-wheelers and cars, causing traffic jams and inconvenience to the residents. Meanwhile, public displays of weapons, aerial firing, crackers, and pillion riding will not be allowed as the world rings in 2023 tonight. Officials also beefed up security arrangements amid a recent wave of terrorism. In a similar decision later, the capital administration imposed Section 144 in Islamabad city on Dec 31. Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon has issued a notification in this regard, stating that action will be taken under Section 144 over violating the pillion-riding ban. via Original Sou...

 Pakistan staved off a fifth consecutive defeat at home with a hard-fought draw in the first Test in Karachi Friday despite career-best bowling figures from New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi. Sodhi grabbed 6-86 and threatened to give New Zealand victory in the first two sessions on the fifth and final day, but Pakistan fought on before declaring their second innings on 311-8. That gave New Zealand a tough target of 138 to win in 15 overs, and the chase ended in fading light on 61-1, with Tom Latham unbeaten on 35 and Devon Conway 18. Michael Bracewell was the only wicket to fall for three. Sodhi was the star as he improved on his previous best of 4-60 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo four years ago. The 30-year-old, playing his first Test in four years, turned the match in New Zealand's favour with three wickets in the second session to leave Pakistan on 249-7 at tea with 35 overs left in the match. But Saud Shakeel, who ended with 55 not out, and Mohammad Wasim (43) defied fo...

 The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Friday directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold local government elections in the capital on December 31. IHC's Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir accepted the petitions of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) seeking to nullify ECP's decision to postpone the local government elections. The election commission had deferred the polls after the federal government increased the number of union councils (UCs) in the capital without taking ECP into confidence. Before reserving the verdict, the court had expressed displeasure over the federal government's attitude and voiced its reservations over the "waste of money" if the polls were not held on time.   via Original Source

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences to his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, over the passing of his mother. On Friday, Indian PM Narendra Modi confirmed the passing of his mother at the age of 100. Taking to Twitter, Modi tweeted: “A glorious century rests at the feet of God.” He recalled that when had met her in June on her 100th birthday, she had advised him to “work with intelligence” and “live life with purity”. Extending his condolences, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that there was “no greater loss than losing one’s mother”. “My condolences to Prime Minister [Narendra Modi] on the passing away of his mother,” he added. The Indian premier lit his mother's funeral pyre in her hometown called Gandhinagar in western Gujarat state. Modi visited his mother on important occasions and festivals, seeking her blessings. On her 99th birthday, the Indian prime minister said that his mother's "life, sacrifices had shaped his mind, personality and self...

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Ghulam Ali on Friday signed a bill to raise the salaries and allowances of ministers despite reservation on it. As per details, the governor has signed the bill and the legislation bill is now part of the constitution. It states that official helicopter is now available for private booking on rent. After signing the new amendment all the helicopter flights after November 2008 are all legal now and no one can raise objection on this matter now. The ministers, special assistant and government officers can use the official KP helicopter. Earlier, governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has sent back legislation on the use of official helicopter for review to the government. Talking to media, Governor Haji Ghulam Ali urged the government for new legislation over the matter. “According to the bill, the official helicopter can be given to ministers, advisers and special assistants for use,” governor said. “I have told them to review the bill over the use of the g...

Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant sustained injuries after his car crashed into a road divider and caught fire in the northern state of Uttarakhand. The star batsman was recovering in hospital Friday, police and doctors said. He was returning from his hometown Roorkee, a few hours north of the capital, before dawn when his Mercedes SUV crashed into the median. Police said the car immediately caught fire and he had to break the windscreen to escape the blaze. Pant was alone in the car when it collided with a divider on the road and caught fire, multiple reports in Indian media said. Pant had multiple injuries and was first rushed to a nearby hospital before being shifted to a more advanced facility. The exact extent of his injuries remains unknown but media reports said he had sustained head, limb and back injuries in the crash. “His condition is stable. His detailed medical bulletin will be released once he’s examined,” Ashish Yagnik, a doctor at the Max Hospital in Dehradun, told r...

A terrorist attack on a check post in Dera Ismail Khan was thwarted by security forces on Friday night. According to District Police Officer Shoaib Khan, unidentified assailants attacked a security check post by firing more than 17 rockets. In the ensuing exchange of fire, at least thr security personnel were injured. All injured have been shifted to the hospital. Earlier, as many as three soldiers embraced martyrdom in an exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists in Kurram district of Khyber Pakthunkhwa (KP) on Thursday. “The terrorists were involved to attack armed forces in the region,” the military stated, adding that the forces are committed to eliminate the menace of terrorism and that the sacrifices of brave soldiers only further strengthen their determination. via Original Source

Pele, the magical Brazilian football star who rose from barefoot poverty to become one of the greatest and best-known athletes in modern history, died at the age of 82, his daughter said on Instagram on Thursday. He had been in and out of hospital in recent months after a tumor was found on his colon. Pele, whose given name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, scored a world record 1,281 goals, and is the only player ever to win the World Cup three times. With sublime skills and a winning smile, he helped make football the world's most popular sport and he charmed popes, presidents and Hollywood stars in a seven-decade career as player and ambassador for the sport. Born on October 23, 1940, in the small Minas Gerais town of Tres Corações, or "Three Hearts", Edson Arantes do Nascimento learned the game from his father, a semi-professional player whose promising career was derailed by a knee injury. Several aspects of his youth are obscured by myth, including the origin ...

 Three soldiers were martyred and two terrorists gunned down Thursday after an intense exchange of fire in a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which is hit by a fresh wave of terrorism. In its statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) mentioned that the troops fought bravely and effectively engaged the terrorists' location in Kurram district's Arawali area. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists who remained actively involved in terror-related activities against security forces, the military's media wing mentioned. "Sanitisation of the area is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area," the ISPR wrote. The military, in its statement, said that the Pakistan Army is "determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism" and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve. For the past few weeks, Pakistan has witnessed a fresh wave of terrorism with the most recent spate of...

The Pakistan Tehrkeek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced Thursday it would start a country-wide protest movement starting tomorrow (Friday) as the party seeks to force the coalition government into early elections. The PTI has been repeatedly calling for snap elections since ex-prime minister Imran Khan's ouster in April as it refuses to go back to the National Assembly and keeps on stressing that "early polls" are the only solution to the country's ongoing crisis. But the government has ruled out staging early polls and has told the PTI that given the current situation — floods, census, and new delimitation — the elections cannot be held before October. "From tomorrow, country-wide protests will start against rising inflation, deteriorating economy, and shortage of gas," PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry told journalists in Lahore after the party's high-level meeting with Khan in the chair. via Original Source

Undetterd Kane Williamson smashed a sensational double century to put New Zealand on top as the touring side declared their first innings on 612/9 on the stoke of Tea on Day 4 of the opening Test against Pakistan. Undeterred Kane Williamson stood solid with an unbeaten 137 along with Ish Sodhi as New Zealand amassed the first-inning lead of 81 runs over Pakistan before Lunch on the fourth day of the opening Test, at National Bank Cricket Arena on Thursday. Starting the day on 440/6, New Zealand gathered 79 runs in the first session to reach 519/6 at the interval with Williamson and Sodhi remaining unmoved. Williamson, who brought up a century yesterday, continued to frustrate Pakistan bowlers with his solid defence as he added 32 runs to his overnight score of 105. Sodhi, on the other hand, built a solid shield too and denied Pakistan any breakthrough that they were looking for, as the leg spinner scored an unbeaten 41 from 122 balls. While New Zealand are looking to stretch the...

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former SAPM, Dr Shahbaz Gill, on Thursday moved Sindh High Court (SHC) against his arrest warrant in the sedition case. The PTI leader pleaded with the court for an immediate hearing of the plea, which was turned down by the SHC bench. The court said it only hears new cases on an immediate basis. The court directed Shahbaz Gill to file the plea as per rules and regulations via the roster branch. It may be noted that on December 22, a district and sessions court in Islamabad issued a bailable arrest warrant against PTI leader Shahbaz Gill in the sedition case. The court issued a bailable arrest warrant upon PTI leader’s absence and rejected his petition for exemption from personal appearance in the case. The former SAPM was directed to appear before the before court on the next hearing and submit surety bond worth Rs 200,000. Moreover, the court adjourned Gill’s indictment in the sedition case till January 6. via Original Source

National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf on Thursday informed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) delegation led by Asad Qaiser that for verification of the resignation the party’s lawmakers will be called individually. The delegation met the speaker in his chamber to discuss their resignation verification issue amid talk of the party's return to the assembly. The delegation included former speaker Asad Qaiser, Qasim Suri, Amir Dogar, Dr Shabbir Hussain, Ataullah, Fahim Khan and Tahir Iqbal. “Doors are not closed in politics there should be contact between politicians,” the speaker told the delegation. He added that decision on the resignations will be made as per the Constitution and rules of the assembly. The speaker added that he had invited PTI lawmakers to confirm the resignations. He added that when he accepted a few resignations one of the PTI lawmakers from Karachi appealed to a high court to stop the resignation. PTI's Chief Whip Amir Dogar had contacted the ...

Former federal minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ex-leader Faisal Vawda Wednesday submitted his resignation to Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani in pursuance of the Supreme Court's ruling in his disqualification case.Vawda was elected as a senator on the PTI ticket in 2018. On December 9, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) restored the former federal minister as a senator after SC revoked his lifetime disqualification. After the SC decision, the ECP withdrew its earlier notification of declaring Vawda's seat from Sindh as vacant. Pakistan People's Party's (PPP) Nisar Ahmad Khuhro was elected a member of the Senate in March this year in the same seat. However, the ECP has retracted its March 15, 2022, notification of Khuhro’s victory. Vawda was disqualified by the ECP in February this year in a dual nationality case. The former PTI leader was elected member of the upper house of the Parliament in March 2021 on a PTI ticket. However, in line with the S...

 National Electric and Power Regulatory Authority awarded Karot Hydropower Project and Three Gorges Wind Farm as “Outstanding Performers”. NEPRA organized the “HSE Recognition and Awards Distribution Ceremony 2022” on Friday December 23, 2022 at the NEPRA Tower, Islamabad. This activity was part of its vision “Power with Safety”. Based on the NEPRAs Assessment criteria, Three Gorges Wind Farm (TGW) and Karot Power Company Limited (KPCL) were evaluated as “Outstanding Performers”. The outstanding performance refers to the HSE Management System of TGW and KPCL as being adequate, well balanced, and properly maintained to ensure effective readiness and preparedness to manage potential risks to consumers, employees, and contractors. NEPRA - Pakistan’s Power Sector Regulator evaluated HSE Performance of its licensees for the year 2022 by reviewing their operational Health, Safety and Environment Management System. The performance evaluation was based on sample documents, records an...

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday dismissed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) appeal challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) decision of postponing the local body elections in the federal capital, terming it ineffective. A two-member bench headed by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani presided over the hearing. During the hearing, the court inquired if the ECP is not interested in holding the LB elections. To this, the commission's officials told the court that the election has been postponed due to an increase in the number of union councils. Irked by the remark, Justice Kayani stated that neither the previous government nor this government wants to hold local elections. The IHC justice added that the election is not being held despite giving an undertaking in the Supreme Court. “This falls under the category of contempt of court. This is not the job of the ECP to look at the government, you have to conduct elections freely,” remarked Justice Kayan...

Amid growing economic crisis, Pakistani rupee continued to lose ground against the United States dollar on Wednesday, for the seventeenth consecutive day, shedding 35 paisas to Rs226.50 in the interbank market during trading. The traded value of the rupee on Tuesday settled at Rs226.15, declining by 0.15% against the US dollar. Earlier on Monday, the rupee began the business week depreciating by 18 paisas to Rs225.82. However, on Friday, the rupee was trading at Rs225.64 against the US dollar, down roughly 0.09% from the previous session. The federal finance minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday said that the depreciation in the value of the Pakistani rupee has also caused the interest rate to go up. In the open currency market on Wednesday, the price of a single US dollar has increased to Rs235.50. via Original Source

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday assured investors at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) that the country will not default but did admit that the economy was in a “tight position”. In his address, the finance czar said he always believed that Pakistan has a prosperous future and “resilience” in its economy. However, he lamented that it was unfortunate that the country has been brought to a point where it should not be. “It’s been three months since I took charge and we listen every day that there is going to be a default. How will there be a default? There is no chance that Pakistan will default,” the finance minister assured the investors. Dar assured that Pakistan would survive and is managing itself but conceded that the economy was in a “tight position”. He added that the country does not have the $24 billion reserves that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) left in 2016 but that was not his fault. “The fault is in the system and we must ensure Pakistan goes forwa...

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday issued a detailed verdict on the postponement of local body elections in Islamabad. As per details, the detailed verdict stated that it’s the jurisdiction of the federal government to decide the number of Union Councils and ECP is bound for the delimitation accordingly. The local government laws have been sent to the President after amendment by the parliament. The mayor will be directly elected now on the election day, the detailed verdict stated. Earlier, Islamabad high court (IHC) declared the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to increase Islamabad Union councils (UCs) null and void. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) to hear the arguments from all the parties in this case again. It is pertinent to mention here that the federal government had increased the number of union councils (UCs) in Islamabad 10 days before the scheduled polling day for local government...

Renowned religious scholar and preacher Maulana Tariq Jameel has suffered a heart attack in Canada, his son Yousaf Jamil said Tuesday. In a statement on the microblogging platform Twitter, the son said that following the attack, his father was shifted to a hospital. "He is feeling better now Alhamdulillah," Yousaf said, asking the followers to pray for his father's health. "May Allah grant my father complete health." It is pertinent to note here that Maulana Tariq's official account also retweeted Yousaf's tweet. In 2019, the prominent religious scholar also suffered a cardiac arrest and underwent a successful angioplasty in Lahore. Tariq underwent an angioplasty at a private hospital in Lahore. A stent was inserted in his heart to clear the blockage of arteries. The religious scholar had also contracted the deadly coronavirus in December 2020, but he had fully recovered from the disease. via Original Source

 Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said Tuesday that deposed prime minister Imran Khan should return to parliament — whose party quit the National Assembly in April. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Inaf's (PTI) parliamentarians resigned en masse after Imran was voted out through a vote of no-confidence, and since then, have not returned to the lower house of parliament despite the Supreme Court asking it to do so. "The people, who elected and sent them to parliament, are observing their actions," Shujaat said while talking to senior journalists at an event in the federal capital, saying that if the PTI lawmakers keep enjoying the perks despite not being in parliament, it will be in no one's interest. Imran's ouster has triggered persistent political turmoil in the country and most recently, a severe crisis hit Punjab after the governor, Baligh-ur-Rehman, removed the chief minister, Parvez Elahi, from the office, as the CM — a strong a...

The National Electric and Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has decided to decrease tariff by Rs7.43 per unit for November under monthly fuel cost adjustment (FCA). Under the chairmanship of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) Chairman Taseef H. Farooqui, a hearing was held where they approved the tariff reduction following an application by Karachi’s sole electricity distribution company, K-Electric. Nepra members from Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan were also a part of the hearing. The authority chairman remarked that the consumers will suffer if the federal government and K-Electric will not supply power to them. While the reduction will not be applicable to KE’s lifeline customers, the overall ease in power tariff will render a relief of Rs10.61 billion to consumers. via Original Source

Election Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday once again delayed local government (LG) polls in Islamabad. The polls were scheduled to be held on December 31. The electoral body announced a short order on its reserved verdict. The federal government last week notified an increase in the number of Union Councils (UCs) in Islamabad. The notification had been issued a day after the ministry sent a summary to the federal government which the sources said was approved through circulation. Following this, the ECP summoned an emergency meeting to deliberate on the situation and at first decided not to delay LG elections in the federal capital. But on December 24, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) nullified the ECP’s order. “The election commission should revisit its decision and hear the government and other parties on December 27. For correcting the voter lists, the affected parties should also be heard on December 28,” IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq said. However, the commission went for ...

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is observing the 15th death anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto today. The party will hold a public rally in Larkana today. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari issued a video message on the occasion and invited the people to the public rally marking the event when the country's first female prime minister was martyred in a terror attack. Bilawal said that he has reached Larkana where they will pay tribute to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. “We draw inspiration from her heroic struggle against dictatorship and extremism,” he said in a video message. “Shaheed Benazir Bhutto taught us to serve the people, to strive for a Pakistan for all, not just a privileged few." Former president Asif Ali Zardari said the announcement of the institutions being apolitical is also a realization of the dream of Benazir Bhutto, as it will give stability to democracy and establish credibility for the country. He said that he can never neglec...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the need to utilize digital media as a tool to portray the positive image of Pakistan. Addressing the National Amateur Short Film Festival 2022 in Islamabad, he said our youth should take a leading role for this purpose. Congratulating the winners of the festival, the Prime Minister said Pakistan has a wonderful soft, tolerant image which needs to be reflected all over the world through modern tools and technology. He said the coalition government will take every possible measure to facilitate our youth for its endeavour to showcase Pakistan's diverse and beautiful image to the world. The Prime Minister said merit based talent should be encouraged to promote Pakistan's culture and its industry. The Prime directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to increase the number of scholarships from fifteen to fifty under National Amateur Short Film Festival so more students can get opportunity of the foreign trainings. He sa...

Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam on Monday created history for the most runs in a calendar year by a Pakistani batter across formats. Black Caps gave a tough time to Pakistani squad in the first Test; however Pakistani flamboyant batter Babar Azam slammed a half-ton before the lunch. Skipper aggregated 2442 runs, outclassing Mohammad Yousuf’s record of 2435 runs in 2006. He also smashed other records with 735 runs in T20Is and 679 in ODI cricket this year. The star player also equalled Sri Lankan cricket great Sangakkara’s record of most 50-plus scores, 25, in a calendar year. The 26-year-old has scored seven centuries and 18 half-tons in international cricket this year. Lately, Babar moved past Steven Smith and only behind Marnus Labuschagne in the rankings for Test batters. Earlier today, Babar Azam won the toss and opted to bat against New Zealand in the first Test in Karachi. Shaheens come up with three changes from the last Test and seasoned player Sarfaraz Ahmed is...

A meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) is likely to meet during the ongoing week to discuss matters related to national security. According to media reports, the meeting is likely to meet this week to discuss the remedy for the new wave of terrorism in the country. The high-level meeting will be briefed on the recent terror wave in Pakistan. Pakistan has recently witnessed a rise in terror incidents in Mardan, Bannu and other parts of KP. Dozens of terrorists, who stormed an office of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Bannu city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) sought safe exit to Afghanistan via airway. The Pakistan Army troops swung into action and killed 25 terrorists. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that security forces killed all 25 militants who had seized the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) police station in Bannu. via Original Source

The Islamabad High Court on Monday directed Cabinet Division to provide details of gifts received by top politicians since 1947. Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb heard the petition seeking details of the gifts received by the heads of state since the establishment of Pakistan, more than a week after the Lahore High Court directed the government to submit the details by January 16. During today’s hearing, the petitioner maintained that his client had asked for the details of the gifts received by the head of the states since 1947 but Cabinet Division refused to provide the information. The petition maintained that Pakistan Information Commission issued an order in June this year but it had not been implemented, to which Justice Aurangzeb inquired why the rest of the public servants were not included in it. The deputy AG apprised the court that the records before 1990 would not be available and that such information should be on the website. The court later issued a notice to the C...

The US Embassy in Islamabad on Sunday advised its mission personnel to avoid "non-essential and unofficial" travel in the federal capital throughout the holiday season days after a suicide bombing hit the city. In a statement, the embassy said that the directions have been issued in light of Islamabad being placed on high alert due to security concerns. "As Islamabad has been placed on a Red Alert citing security concerns while banning all public gatherings, the embassy is urging all Mission personnel to refrain from non-essential, unofficial travel in Islamabad throughout the holiday season," the statement stated. The embassy also advised its staff to exercise vigilance at events, places of worship and avoid locations with large crowds, review their security plans, be aware of their surroundings, carry identification, follow requests from law enforcement, and monitor local media for updates. In an earlier advisory, the embassy reminded US citizens that planne...

Parliament is dysfunctional, assemblies are on the verge of being dissolved, economy is in tatters, terrorism is resurfacing and political turmoil is increasing with each passing day; yet the bigger issue for the parties is how to force elections and how to avoid it. As the PTI is threatening to dissolve the Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa assemblies and gearing up to appear before National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf for the verification of resignations of over 100 of its lawmakers pending since April, the ruling PML-N led alliance at the Centre is vowing to block all such measures and is adamant that elections would only be held once the constitutional period is completed. Since the PTI doubled down its efforts to abandon the assemblies only to come back after winning the general elections, the ruling alliance is busy blocking the same by presenting a no-confidence motion against Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, provincial assembly’s speaker and deputy speaker as ...

Pakistan captain Babar Azam opted to bat first after winning the toss against New Zealand in the first Test of two-match series here at National Bank Cricket Ground. Pakistan's former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has returned to the playing XI after almost four years. The Champions Trophy 2017 winning captain last featured in a Test against South Africa in January 2019. Left-arm pacer Mir Hamza also made his comeback in the playing XI after he last played his only Test against Australia in 2018. Playing XIs Pakistan: Babar Azam (C), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafiq, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Agha Salman, Abrar Ahmed, Wasim Jr, Mir Hamza, Nauman Ali New Zealand: Tom Latham, David Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel via Original Source

One soldier was martyred while two others got injured in a heavy exchange of fire with terrorists during an operation in Zhob, Balochistan, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Sunday. According to the military's media wing, the operation which has been initiated in Zhob for the last 96 hours aims "to deny the terrorists' use of a few suspected routes to move across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border to sneak into the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa along the interprovincial boundary and target citizens and security forces." As a result of continuous surveillance and sanitisation of the area, a group of terrorists was intercepted in the early hours of Sunday, said the ISPR, adding that "during the establishment of blocking positions to deny them escape routes, terrorists opened fire onto the security forces." In the ensuing heavy exchange of fire, one of the terrorists was killed while Sepoy Haq Nawaz embraced martyrdom and two other so...

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi on Sunday rejected the resignation tendered by PTI lawmaker Hasnain Hasnain Dreshak as provincial minister for livestock and dairy development after verbal spat with him. The chief minister, in a statement, said Mr Dreshak would continue to perform his responsibilities as a cabinet member. He also praised the PTI lawmaker as a competent minister of his cabinet, saying he was running his ministry in a better way. “Sardar Hasnain Bahadar Dreshak is like Moonis Elahi for me,” he said. The development comes as the PTI has announced that Mr Elahi, who was reinstated by the Lahore High Court on Friday by suspending Governor Balighur Rehman’s notification, would obtain vote of confidence from the assembly. To this, the PTI and PML-Q are required to show the required numbers in the assembly to win the trust vote. Last week, Mr Dreshak resigned from the post after a heated exchange with the chief minister at the a cabinet meeting. The PTI le...

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the second Test of the upcoming historic home series against New Zealand has been shifted from Multan to Karachi. According to the PCB, the decision was taken citing the deteriorating weather condition in Multan and both cricket boards have mutually agreed to shift the venue. Besides the change in venue, the second Test and upcoming ODI series between the two teams have also been advanced by a day. “It has also been agreed between the two boards that the second Test and the three ODIs will now be brought forward by a day, meaning the second Test will commence on 2 January with the three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League fixtures to be played on 9, 11 and 13 January,” said PCB in a statement. Notably, flight operations in Multan are already disturbed due to dense smog which can also pose a dent to the playing overs in the city. It is pertinent to mention that the English team also experienced a flight delay on their way back ...

President Arif Alvi has urged the prime minister and chief justice of Pakistan to alleviate the grievances of PTI leader Murad Saeed, who has complained about receiving life threats and alleged human rights violations on part of the federal government. In separate letters, the president asked PM Shehbaz and CJP Umar Ata Bandial to look into the issues raised by Saeed. The letters mention a five-page letter, dated Dec 12, sent by former minister for communications Murad Saeed requesting the president to take notice of “brazen illegalities” and “gross human rights violations” by the federal government. President Alvi referred to the serious allegations levelled by the parliamentarian, which inter alia included: “fake, bogus, frivolous FIR was registered against him for the incident that occurred at Masjid-e-Nabvi, Madina Sharif, on May 1, 2022, despite the fact that he was in Pakistan.” Multiple FIRs were registered against him on the same charges all over Pakistan, it said, adding...

A Pakistan Army soldier was martyred and two others were injured on early Sunday during an exchange of fire with terrorists in Balochistan’s Zhob, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations on Sunday morning, the operation, launched on the basis of “credible information”, was continuing for the last 96 hours. The objective was to “deny terrorists the use of few suspected routes to move across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border to sneak into KP (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) along the interprovincial boundary and target citizens and security forces”, the ISPR added. As a result of the continuous surveillance and sanitation of the area, a group of terrorists was intercepted in the early hours of Sunday, the ISPR said, adding that “during the establishment of blocking positions to deny the terrorists escape routes, the militants opened fire on the security forces”. In the ensuing exchange of fire, a terrorist was kill...

President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in their separate messages in connection with birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam, have urged the nation to follow the guiding principles of the father of the nation to ensure progress and prosperity of the country. They expressed gratitude to Quaid-e-Azam for carving out a separate homeland for Muslims of the sub-continent where they are free to realize their dreams. The President in his message renewed Pakistan's pledge to continue its moral, diplomatic and political support to Kashmiris of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in realizing their dream of self-determination in line with the UN Security Council resolutions. The Prime Minister in his message said the best way to pay tribute to Quaid-e-Azam is to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state. He stressed the need to put an end to internal differences and work tirelessly for progress of the country. The 146th birth anniversary of the father of the nation, Qu...

 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that former chief of army staff General (retired) Qamar Javed Bajwa had "struck" a deal with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. Imran made the revelation in conversation with journalists on Saturday as he continued the tirade against the former army chief, whom he blames now for his government's ouster. The PTI chief recently admitted that granting an extension to Gen (retd) Bajwa was a "mistake" and had also accused the ex-army chief of "betraying" him. Also, in a conversation with journalists yesterday, he revealed that he was not in contact with the establishment “for now”. As the PTI presses the government on holding snap polls across the country, Imran predicted that he sees elections taking place in either March or April. He also added that PTI's members of the National Assembly would appear before Speaker Raja Pe...

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Azam Swati on Saturday filed a post-arrest bail plea in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the controversial tweets case filed against him. Trial court judge Azam Khan dismissed the PTI leader's bail plea on December 21, saying Swati committed the same offence twice. PTI leader and lawyer Babar Awan filed the bail plea in IHC on behalf of Azam Swati. In the application, Swati stated that he did not post derogatory remarks against any institutions. He added that the prosecution has no proof against him despite the investigation. The application read that the senator is 75 years old and a heart patient; jailing him would be a sentence without conviction as all evidence against him is documentary. On December 21, Islamabad Special Judge Central Azam Khan rejected Azam Swati's bail plea saying he committed the same crime twice. During the hearing, prosecutor Rizwan Abbasi explained to the court the process of verifying a Twitter account....