Pakistan News

Pakistan rejects Trump’s invitation to normalize relations with Israel, says report

Pakistani women in tent-pegging

Al Jazeera’s Hala Al Shami explains how Pakistani women are making strides in tent-pegging.

DPM Dar arrives in New York to attend high-level UNSC debate

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in New York to attend a high-level United Nations Security Council (UNSC) debate, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Tuesday. In a post on the social media platfo…

China, Pakistan reach 'new broad consensus' on boosting ties

China and Pakistan have reached a new broad consensus on deepening their strategic partnership, according to a joint statement issued by the countries at the end of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Beijing. The s…

Diplomacy, new war technology vital to deter India, say experts

ISLAMABAD: Academicians, diplomats, military and war experts at a gathering emphasised importance of diplomacy and adoption of new war technologies to deter security threats posed by increasingly belligerent and aggressi…

Punjab govt defers roads renaming plan ‘to avert backlash’

LAHORE: The Punjab government has deferred its decision to restore original historical names of roads and streets in Lahore apparently on the pressure of some “extremist elements.” The Lahore Heritage Areas Revival (LAHR…

Concern over risk of Congo fever during Eidul Azha

KARACHI: With Eidul Azha just round the corner, health experts have raised concerns over the increasing risk for zoonotic disease transmission and environmental pollution during the festive occasion. They urged citizens…

US carries out 'self-defence' strikes in Iran despite ceasefire

US forces attacked missile sites in southern Iran and boats trying to lay mines on Monday, US Central Command said, imperiling a fragile ceasefire and casting new doubt on a deal to end the Middle East war. The strikes c…

LHC rules FIA cannot stop travel on vague suspicions

• Observes right to travel abroad protected under Constitution • Justice Kamran notes immigration powers must be exercised fairly and transparently LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has declared unlawful the off-loadin…

SC rules against khula sans wife’s explicit consent

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has ruled that family courts should not convert a wife’s suit for dissolution of marriage on grounds of cruelty into a decree of khula without her explicit and informed consent, particularly…

The parables of absurdity

AN entire genre of absurdist literature exists, wrapped in poetry and nursery rhymes, which has regaled the world for centuries. Occasionally, the humour and satire they spawn assume the form of an inscrutable poker-face…

Araghchi to miss UN debate after US denies visa

WASHINGTON: Ahead of a high-level debate that has acquired even greater significance amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East , a key player is likely to be absent from the table when the UN Security Council discusse…

Quetta bombing leaves ill-fated neighbourhood ‘uninhabitable’

• Massive explosion damaged many homes near Chaman railway crossing, making them ‘unsafe’ to live in • Administration forms body to assess damage and formulate compensation measures QUETTA: After a powerful bomb explosio…

Balochistan tragedy

A PALL has descended on Eid festivities. The Sunday suicide bombing in Quetta has left many grieving their loved ones at a time when others will be celebrating the bonds of faith and family. According to the official cou…

NA panel takes govt to task over budget preparation, reforms

• Naveed Qamar criticises continued reliance on indirect taxes, petroleum levy • UNDP consultants warn Pakistan remains on a ‘fragile stabilisation path’ • Inflation projected to exceed 12pc despite gradual economic reco…

SHC acquits ex-NBP chief in Rs54bn loan scam case

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday acquitted former National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) president Syed Ahmed Iqbal Ashraf in the Rs54 billion Hascol loan scam case, observing that nearly all other accused persons…

Prince Aga Khan assures KP CM Sohail Afridi of investment in the province

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday met visiting Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V at the Lower Chitral Airport, where the latter assured him of investment in the province. Prince Rahim arrived in…

China's Xi hails 'unbreakable' ties, praises Pakistan's role in Iran peace efforts as he meets PM Shehbaz

China’s President Xi Jinping hailed Beijing’s “unbreakable” friendship with Pakistan on Monday as he met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing, seeking to deepen the “all-weather” partnership between the two countries…

Margalla Hills fire brought under control, cooling process underway: district admin

ISLAMABAD: A fire that erupted in the capital’s Margalla Hills near the F-5 sector on Monday was “completely” brought under control, and the cooling process was underway, the district administration said. According to a…

Trump demands widespread sign-up to Abraham Accords as part of Iran peace deal

US President Donald Trump on Monday seemingly predicated an emerging Iran peace deal on Muslim-majority nations across the Middle East and beyond normalising relations with Israel. This brand new demand came on the heels…