Daily News Pakistan

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has suggested encouraging India to voluntarily disengage from Russia instead of slapping sanctions on New Delhi for buying oil and weapons from Moscow. “Where we can, it is far preferable to get countries to voluntarily not engage in these practices, and that’s where our diplomacy is focused,” Mr Blinken said at one of his several congressional hearings in Washington this week. Democratic senators urged Secretary Blinken at these hearings to put more pressure on India for continuing to do business with Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine. “They go buy oil from Russia. They buy the S-400 [anti-missile system]. They abstain at the United Nations [on votes criticising Russia],” said Senator Bob Menendez, who heads the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. “But they are a member of the Quad,” he said, referring to a US-led alliance of like-minded nations for containing China’s influence in the Indian-Pacific region. “So, at some point messa...

Saudi Arabia has agreed to provide Islamabad a "sizeable package" of around $8 billion to help revive the country’s ailing economy amid the maiden trip of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The package includes doubling of the oil financing facility, additional money either through deposits or Sukuks and rolling over of the existing $4.2 billion facilities. "However, technical details are being worked out and will take a couple of weeks to get all documents ready and signed. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his official entourage have left Saudi Arabia but Minister for Finance Miftah Ismail is still staying there to finalise the modalities of the increased financial package. Sharing the salient features of the financial package, the official said that Pakistan had proposed doubling of the oil facility from $1.2 billion to $2.4 billion and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia agreed to it. It was also agreed that the existing deposits of $3 billion would be rolled over for an extend...

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday announced the schedule for the second phase of local government (LG) elections in Sindh. According to an ECP notification, the election will be held on July 24 to fill the seats of chairman and vice-chairman of the union councils, union committees, and general members in each union council, union committee and ward in the municipal committees or town committees and district councils of Karachi and Hyderabad/Thatta divisions. Read more:  Pakistan to approach Saudi Arabia for action against Masjid-e-Nabawi slogan chanters The ECP called upon the electors of respective local councils and wards of the said divisions to elect their representatives. As per schedule, the public notices will be issued by the returning officers (ROs) on June 3 in their offices. The nomination papers will be submitted to the ROs concerned from June 8 to June 11. The publication of the names of nominated candidates will be on June 13 while the scrutin...

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates had a telephone conversation on Friday. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) matters related to Pakistan s commitment for comprehensive Polio eradication and COVID-19 were discussed in the telephonic conversation. Read more:  Pakistani pilgrims arrested for sloganeering at Masjid-i-Nabwi: Saudi embassy Bill Gates conveyed appreciation for Pakistan Army for supporting national polio drive, ensuring proper reach and coverage, the ISPR said. COAS said it was a national cause and credit goes to all involved in the process. Bill Gates also appreciated Pakistan’s success against COVID-19 despite resource constraints. COAS attributed the success to a true national response, executed through the mechanism of NCOC which allowed optimisation of resources. The Army Chief appreciated untiring efforts of Bill Gates and his foundation towards the noble cause of Pol...

Mykhailo Vovchynskyi had only just moved into his Kyiv apartment when the building was hit in what Russia called a "high precision" missile attack targeting a factory across the street -- a claim he found loaded with menace. Not only did the powerful blast on Thursday evening heavily damage the structure, injuring at least 10 people, it killed a female journalist in her home as UN chief Antonio Guterres was visiting the Ukrainian capital. Read more:  Turkey, Saudi Arabia striving to increase all kinds of relations: Erdogan "If this was indeed a high precision attack, that is pretty cynical. It s inhuman behaviour," 22-year-old Vovchynskyi said Friday after he and his girlfriend hauled out bags of belongings they had brought in some two weeks earlier. As he spoke, heavy equipment was piling up rubble and crews were shovelling shattered glass and inspecting the building, which had nearly three storeys of its facade shorn off. The powerful blast left mounds of s...

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif along with his delegation on Saturday left for Makkah Mukarramah from Jeddah to perform Umrah. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who is on a three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia called on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on late Friday night. Read more:  LHC directs NA speaker to administer oath to Punjab CM-elect Hamza Shahbaz Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif Finance Minister Muftah Ismail and Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb were also present in the meeting. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed on Friday Pakistani Prime Minister Sherif Shehbaz at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah. Upon Pakistan PM arrival to the Palace, an official reception ceremony was held for him. Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman and Pakistan s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sherif reviewed during their meeting the brotherly and historical relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. During the meeting, they reviewe...

The power plants are still not provided by the required amount of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Furnace Oil still causing a national shortfall of electricity. Amid sizzling hot weather, Power outages have severely hit Pakistan during the holy month of Ramadan as Pakistanis have been suffering more than 12 hours of power load-shedding. Read more:  ECP: Facts of case against Senator Gillani not presented properly All urban centers, such as Karachi, Hyderabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Sialkot have been severely hit with more than half a day consumed by load-shedding and rural areas with more than 12 hours. Power shortfall has crossed 8500 megawatts due to technical problems and shortage of fuel in the power-plants all across the country. According to details, the hydropower generation is also facing downfall due to low level of water in the dams around the country which have added to the electricity shortfall. Meanwhile, the unannounced load-shedding of electricit...

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced the saved verdict on the petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders. According to details, PTI had filed the disqualification case against Senator Yousuf Raza Gillani and Member of Parliament Assembly (MPA) Ali Haider Gillani in which the ECP has rejected the PTI’s petitions. Read more:  Federal Shariat Court declares interest-based banking system against Sharia The Chief Election Commissioner announced the verdict and stated that the facts about this case were not presented properly whereas there is no direct evidence against the PPP Senator Yousuf Raza Gillani. Therefore Pakistan Peoples Party leader Yousuf Raza Gillani will remain Senator, the Election Commission declared. On the other hand, ECP has ordered to conduct action against MPA Ali Haider Gillani and PTI Member of National Assembly (MNA) Faheem Khan on the grounds of corrupt practices. Whereas the Election Comm...

Russian forces bombarded Ukraine s capital late Thursday during a visit by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who decried the "absurdity" of war in the 21st century, as US President Joe Biden asked for $33 billion more to support Kyiv. At least three people were wounded in the strikes in the western part of the city, which were the first in the capital in nearly two weeks, and came after Guterres toured Bucha and other suburbs where Moscow is alleged to have committed war crimes. Read more:  Russia steps up assault on east Ukraine, Putin threatens countries that intervene Ukrainian prosecutors said they were investigating 10 Russian soldiers for suspected atrocities in Bucha, where dozens of bodies in civilian clothes were found after Moscow s retreat, and had identified more than 8,000 alleged war crimes cases. Those cases involve "killing civilians, bombing of civilian infrastructure, torture" and "sexual crimes" reported during Russia s occupa...

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday received a felicitation call from his Kuwaiti counterpart Dr Sheikh Ahmed Nasir Al-Muhammad Al-Sabah. During the talks, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Pakistan and Kuwait are enjoying fraternal relations and Islamabad is committed to further strengthening bilateral relations with Kuwait. Read more:  Iran FM felicitates Bilawal He was talking to his Kuwaiti Counterpart Dr Sheikh Ahmed Nasir Al-Muhammad Al-Sabah on telephone on Thursday. He said a large number of Pakistanis are residing in Kuwait for employment and are playing a vital role in the development of both the countries. They also discussed bilateral relations between the two countries. The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister congratulated Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on assuming the office of Foreign Minister.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has congratulated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on his election. In his letter, Boris Johnson noted that the United Kingdom and Pakistan enjoyed deep ties supported by strong people-to-people links. He also recalled their meeting in 2016 during his visit to Pakistan and the discussions held on a number of shared interests including girls education, health, economic and trade relations. The British Prime Minister looked forward to continue working together including in addressing global challenges. He conveyed best wishes to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the people of Pakistan, and hoped to meet the Prime Minister in person soon.

Muslims across Pakistan and elsewhere in the world observed Shab-e-Qadr or Lailat-ul-Qadr with the religious reverence on night between Thursday and Friday. The night is considered to be equal to praying for 1000 months. This is one of the holiest and most blessed nights, which is likely to occur on one of the odd nights in the last 10 days of Ramazan and most likely to be the 27th of the holy month. Read more:  PM Shehbaz Sharif touches down in Saudi Arabia on three-day visit The night has special significance for the Muslims as angels come down on the earth as per order of Allah Almighty and stay there till dawn of the day. Muslims traditionally observe the occasion through nightlong special prayers, Quran Khwani, religious discussions at mosques and in their houses on this holy night. The faithful offered prayers at their homes to seek Allah’s Forgiveness throughout the night till Sehri. People distributed sweats among the neighbours and poor. The faithful arranged Milad,...

Beijing closed some public spaces and stepped up checks at others on Thursday, as most of the Chinese capital's 22 million residents turned up for more mass COVID-19 testing aimed at averting a Shanghai-like lockdown. Most people in the commercial hub were one month into stressful home isolation, struggling to meet basic needs. But there was hope on the horizon as the number of new cases declined further and officials said their focus was shifting towards boosting vaccinations among the elderly. Fears were growing, however, that China would be trapped in a whack-a-mole game in coming months, lifting lockdowns in some places, while imposing others elsewhere, causing severe economic damage and exasperating its population. As Beijing rolled out three rounds of mass testing this week across most of the city, it locked down a number of residential compounds, offices and a university. Some schools, entertainment venues and tourist sites were also shut. Andrew Ward, 36, a Canadian l...

NATO member Turkey said it was still talking to Russia about procuring a second batch of one of its most advanced missile defence systems despite the war in Ukraine. The comments on state television late Tuesday by the head of Turkey s military procurement agency underscore Ankara s efforts to maintain good relations with Moscow during the conflict. The agency and its chief, Ismail Demir, were sanctioned by Washington in the closing weeks of US president Donald Trump s administration for its purchase of Russia s S-400 missile defence system in 2017. Turkey took delivery of the first batch of the surface-to-air missiles in 2019. But Demir told state television that the 2017 contract always envisioned Turkey receiving two batteries of the Russian weapon. "This was always a single project. We are not talking about creating a second project," said Demir. "We are continuing to implement the same decision we made from the beginning." Turkey s leading role in tryin...

Continuing her attack against Imran Khan, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said that the courts of the country had to be opened at 12am in the night because the former prime minister had launched a “suicide attack” on the Constitution. Addressing party workers in Lahore, Maryam told the PTI chairman that her father, PML-N supremo, Nawaz Sharif would end his politics. “His (Imran Khan) name should be [changed to] king of liars as he has never spoken the truth,” said Maryam. She added that the former prime minister was "crying" ever since he lost power. “When the time came to play the last ball he ran away from the ground. When the time came for the last over he did not leave the pavilion,” Maryam told her party workers. The PML-N leader said that the former prime minister with an “innocent face” questions why the courts were opened at 12 in the night. “The courts were opened at 12 because you launched a suicide attack on the Constitution,” said the PML-N leader. She al...

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday received a felicitation call from his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. They underscored the importance of fraternal ties between the two countries. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari thanked Iran s support over the Kashmir issue. "FM B (Bilawal) BhuttoZardari received felicitation call from Iranian FM Amirabdolahian. Underscored imp (importance) of fraternal ties. Thanked for Iran s support on Kashmir & solidarity with Palestine. Iranian FM invited B (Bilawal) Bhutto Zardari to visit Iran who also reciprocated the invitation," Foreign Office Spokesperson said in tweet.

Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti directed Punjab Governor Omar Sarfaraz Cheema to administer the oath to CM-elect Hamza Shahbaz himself or appoint a representative for the constitutional duty by tomorrow. The directive comes as the LHC announced the verdict on chief minister-elect Hamza Shehbaz's petition seeking a direction to the Senate chairman to administer the oath to him. Hamza was elected as Punjab's chief minister on April 16. However, he hasn't sworn in yet as his oath-taking was deferred twice despite the LHC's directives for not delaying the matter any further. The LHC reserved the verdict on Hamza's plea on Tuesday, which is the second time PML-N has reached out to the high court for the resolution of the matter. During the hearing, Punjab Advocate-General Ahmad Owais maintained that the Punjab Governor Omer Sarfaraz Cheema had sent a six-page letter to President Arif Alvi and expressed serious concern over the election o...

Concerns that the Ukraine war could escalate into a wider conflict grew on Tuesday as Kyiv accused Moscow of trying to create unrest in a Russian-backed separatist region of Moldova. The United Nations and United States warned of rising tensions in the Transnistria region of Moldova, as UN chief Antonio Guterres met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and pleaded for peace. Read more:  US sends artillery to Ukraine against Russian forces Russian forces have been in Transnistria for decades after the predominantly Russian-speaking region seceded from the former Soviet republic. Blasts this week targeting the state security ministry, a radio tower and military unit came after a Russian commander claimed Russian speakers in Moldova were being oppressed. The claim triggered alarm that Moldova could be Russia s next target as Moscow used the same "false flag" argument after launching its bloody invasion of Ukraine on February 24. "Russia wants to destabili...

According to details, fire broke out in a factory located at the Qalandri Chowk in Rukanpura area of Kasur on late Tuesday night. The blaze spread and engulfed the entire factory very quickly. Fire brigade vehicles and rescue teams reached the spot after being informed and brought the fire under control after a hectic effort. Read more:  Oil factory catches fire in Multan The rescue sources said that no one died or wounded in the blaze. However, valuables worth millions of rupees were reduced to ashes by the fire. Sources further said that the cause of fire is still not known.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) central leader Chaudhry Fawad Hussain has said that only three to five thousand people attended Maryam Nawaz s public meeting in Lahore on Tuesday. Reacting to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice-president Maryam Nawaz s public meeting on Twitter, Fawad Chaudhry said that only three to five thousand people were present in the PML-N rally while Maryam Nawaz was pretending that if she was addressing a public meeting at the Minar-e-Pakistan. Read more:  Sheikh Rashid warns 'chaotic' May could result in resignations Fawad Chaudhry questioned that for how long the imported and illegal government would last? Targeting the PMN-L supremo Nawaz Sharif, the PTI leader said that an absconder from the court and a person who fled the country will only be called a fugitive.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday spoke on the telephone with Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) Bill Gates and reiterated his government’s commitment to eradicate all forms of polio from the country. The telephonic interaction came after Pakistan recently reported a polio case in a child in North Waziristan, after a hiatus of 15 months. Read more:  Four, including three Chinese nationals, killed in Karachi University blast While noting that only one case of polio was recorded in 2022, the prime minister stressed that his government remained committed to eradicating all forms of polio from the country. He expressed grave concern on the first case of poliovirus in 2022, after 15 months, which was recently confirmed in a child in North Waziristan. He noted that a special emergency response plan for South Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province was already under implementation to scale up and improve the quality of the polio eradication programme and in...

The letter addressed to President Dr Arif Alvi by the Governor of Punjab dated April 23, 2022, explaining constitutional reasons for not administering oath of the purportedly elected Chief Minister of Punjab, has been sent to the Prime Minister s Secretariat on Monday. It is pertinent to mention here that Governor Punjab Omar Sarfraz Cheema in his letter to President Arif Alvi has explained the constitutional reasons for not taking oath from Hamza Shehbaz. Read more:  PM calls for unity to overcome challenges confronted by Muslim community According to President House, earlier, the Lahore High Court order dated April 22, 2022 in the Writ Petition No. 24320/2022 had also been sent to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat on April 22, 2022 for necessary process as per the Constitution and law.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that Muslim Ummah needs to work together to overcome common challenges, including poverty and unemployment. Addressing an Iftar Dinner organized in honour of the Muslim countries ambassadors in Islamabad on Monday night, he emphasised on resolving all issues with unity. Read more:  Names of PM Shehbaz, Nawaz removed from no-fly list: sources Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said Muslim countries are enriched with natural resources and they should help one another. Talking about the Palestinian issue, the Prime Minister said that Israel is targeting the innocent people in Palestine, which needs ample response from Muslim Ummah. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said India has been committing massive human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He said that Kashmir issue should be resolved in lines with the United Nations Security Council’s resolutions. Expressing Pakistan s concerns over the humanitarian crisis in ...

Russia on Monday warned the Ukraine conflict risked escalating into a third world war and accused Kyiv of playing at peace talks a day after visiting US officials said Ukrainian forces could beat back Moscow s invasion. The conflict has triggered an outburst of support from Western nations that has seen weapons pour into Ukraine to help them wage war against Russian troops. Read more:  Lankan students mob PM’s home over economic crisis Speaking to Russian news agencies, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticised Kyiv s approach to floundering peace talks, saying the risk of a World War III "is serious". "It is real, you can t underestimate it." While he said talks with Kyiv would continue, Lavrov accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of "pretending" to negotiate, adding: "You ll find a thousand contradictions." For months, Zelensky has been asking Ukraine s western allies for heavy weapons -- including artillery and fighte...

The Red Zone of the federal capital has been sealed by placing containers after Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) wrote a letter to the Interior Ministry for security ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf s (PTI) protest in front of Election Commission offices across the country, IG Islamabad met the officials of the Election Commission at the Central Secretariat of the Election Commission in which they discussed the security arrangements. Read more:  Nawaz Sharif gets passport, free to travel The ECP directed IG Islamabad to make foolproof security arrangements in view of the protest. IG Islamabad said that PTI rallies would not be allowed in the red zone. According to police sources, the entrance to the red zone will be through Margalla Road because of PTI s protest. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on April 24 (Sunday) gave a call to its workers to stage a protest outside Election Commission offices across the country on April 26 (Tuesday) against biased attitude of the chi...

In a reply to Russian President Vladimir Putin's letter, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his wish to strengthe bilateral ties with Russia, according to media reports. Prime Minister Shehbaz has written a letter to Putin as a response to his letter, thanking the Russian president for his congratulatory message, sources privy to the matter said. In his letter, PM said that Pakistan would like to support Russia on the Afghanistan issue. The Russian president had written a letter last week congratulating Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the prime minister. He also expressed the desire to deepen cooperation between the two countries. Foreign Office officials said resetting ties with Russia was a decision taken by the state a long time back, keeping in view the changing regional and international alignments.

The Sessions Court conducted hearing on the petition filed by Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi against the Inspector General (IG) of Punjab and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shahbaz Sharif. According to the details, the Sessions Court have ordered the police department to submit their reply by April 29 on the application regarding the registration of the case. Read more:  Punjab CM-elect Hamza Shahbaz's oath-taking deferred once again The police representative, on the court orders, replied that they have not received the copy of the petition. The lawyer of the petitioner replied to the police official’s stance and stated that they have attached the complete copy of application to the police. The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi had filed a petition against the violence that took place in the Punjab Assembly. Earlier, Speaker of Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi had approached the sessions court over the matter of police not f...

Russian forces attempted to storm the Ukrainian-held Azovstal steel plant in the besieged southeastern city of Mariupol on Sunday (Apr 24), Ukrainian officials said, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin s comments last week that the complex did not need to be taken. Ukraine s armed forces command wrote on Facebook that Russian forces were firing and performing "offensive operations" in the Azovstal area, as well as conducting air strikes on civilian infrastructure. Serhiy Volyna, commander of Ukraine s 36th Marine brigade forces in Mariupol, said in an interview with an opposition lawmaker that was shown on YouTube on Sunday that Russia was hitting the complex with air and artillery bombardments. "We are taking casualties, the situation is critical ... we have very many wounded men, (some) are dying, it s a difficult (situation) with guns, ammunition, food, medicines ... the situation is rapidly worsening," Volyna said, speaking from his location at the pla...

After meeting victims of Indian ceasefire violations and seeing them suffer, US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar said that raising the Kashmir issue in Congress has become more necessary than before. Talking to a reporter at a hotel about her bold stance on Kashmir and Palestine, Omar said: “Having met the Kashmiri people in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), who nurse bullet wounds due to ceasefire violations by India, was an incredible experience and this firsthand experience has put me under an obligation to stand for human rights and human dignity." The US congresswoman said she had always taken up questions regarding Kashmir and Palestine in Congress, however, she never had the opportunity to visit the place in person. "It was incredibly awful to meet the people firsthand and ask them how they want to be in partnership with me as a lawmaker and advocate of human rights," she added. She said after meeting the people in person and seeing them suffer, it became crucial to rais...

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Miftah Ismail said Sunday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had agreed to send its mission to Pakistan in middle of May 2022 for continuation of Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme. Addressing a press conference in Washington, the federal minister said that he and his team had very good discussion with the fund, the World Bank and IFC. He said, when the IMF mission arrives in Pakistan, the government would try to have expedited staff level agreement with it. Read more:  PSX loses 290.54 points to close at 45,652.62 points When agreement is reached, we would look forward receive another tranche under the EFF, he said adding that the fund had also been requested, which it agreed, to extend this program for another year. However, he added these details would be sorted out when the fund mission reaches Pakistan. He said, the IMF had also been requested to enhance the funding available to Pakistan from $6 billion to more. He s...

Russian forces attempted to storm the Ukrainian-held Azovstal steel plant in the besieged southeastern city of Mariupol on Sunday (Apr 24), Ukrainian officials said, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin s comments last week that the complex did not need to be taken. Ukraine s armed forces command wrote on Facebook that Russian forces were firing and performing "offensive operations" in the Azovstal area, as well as conducting air strikes on civilian infrastructure. Read more:  Russia vows to win 'full control' of east, south Ukraine Serhiy Volyna, commander of Ukraine s 36th Marine brigade forces in Mariupol, said in an interview with an opposition lawmaker that was shown on YouTube on Sunday that Russia was hitting the complex with air and artillery bombardments. "We are taking casualties, the situation is critical ... we have very many wounded men, (some) are dying, it s a difficult (situation) with guns, ammunition, food, medicines ... the situation ...

Sri Lanka’s beleaguered prime minister came under increased pressure to step down on Satu­rday, as a cabinet minister and other senior party members backed street protests calling for resignations over a worsening economic crisis. Media minister Nalaka Godahewa announced his support for the thousands outside President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s office who are demanding he and other members of his powerful family quit power. Sri Lanka is suffering its most painful economic downturn since independence in 1948, with months of lengthy blackouts and acute shortages of food, fuel and other essentials. The crisis has sparked countrywide protests, with angry demonstrators camped outside Rajapaksa’s office for more than three weeks. Under pressure, the president dropped two of his brothers — Chamal and Basil — and nephew Namal from the cabinet this month, but protesters rejected the changes as cosmetic. Godahewa, previously a staunch Rajapaksa loyalist, said the president should sack his elder ...

The newly elected government has removed the names of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister-elect Hamza Shahbaz, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz from the Exit Control List (ECL) under a new policy. On April 22, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah had announced the newly elected government had brought about changes in the rules for having an individual's name on the ECL, and through it, several thousands of people will have their names removed from the list. Sources in the government say that the names of former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Ahsan Iqbal have also been removed from the ECL. As per the sources, the process of removing names from the ECL under the new policy will continue for the next few days. Earlier, the new federal cabinet, in its maiden session on Wednesday, had granted approval to remove Finance Minister Miftah Ismail’s name from the no-fly list. Addressing a press conference, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah ...

The oath-taking of the newly elected chief minister of Punjab, PML-N's Hamza Shahbaz has been postponed for the second time despite all preparations. Everything was done and dusted and Hamza was expected to be sworn in as Punjab CM with Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjarani administering the oath to him in a ceremony at Governor House, Lahore on Saturday night. However, the ceremony had to be deferred once again as the Senate chairman couldn't reach Lahore. Emergency measures had been taken for the ceremony as per the orders of Lahore High Court. Sources within the Governor House said that all the preparations for the oath-taking had been made after receiving verbal instructions from the President' Office but no written order had been received. After the cancellation of the ceremony, the PML-N has decided to approach the court again. Meanwhile, PML-N Deputy General Secretary Ataullah Tarar said that Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema would be remembered in history as a vio...

Information Minister Maiyam Aurangzeb and the media's Joint Action Committee (JAC) on Saturday decided to enact legislation for curbing fake news. The meeting between the newly appointed information minister and the JAC agreed to add a provision in the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) law to tackle fake news, which they said had not only harmed the national interest but also had an adverse impact on national cohesion and unity. Aurangzeb assured the JAC members that the present government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, would not compromise in any way on the right to freedom of expression. "PM Shehbaz Sharif is striving to promote the constitutional and fundamental right of freedom of expression," she added. Lashing out at the previous Imran Khan-led regime for media restrictions, she said only democratic leaders valued and believed in the right of freedom of expression. “Free and independent media provides a shield to t...

Government has taken the decision to pay the salaries of public sector employees before Eid-ul-Fitr. The authorities have issued the notification for disbursement of salaries. As per the notification, the salaries of public sector employees will be paid before Eid holidays. The decision was taken for the employees to enjoy Eid Festivities.

Russia said Friday it would fight to take control over all east and south of Ukraine but Kyiv pledged to save the country, as the UN documented dozens of civilians killed in one town. Ukraine s government, emboldened by an influx of Western weaponry, said its beleaguered forces were still holding out inside a sprawling steelworks in the razed port city of Mariupol. Read more:  Russia claims Mariupol 'liberated,' US rushes new aid for Ukraine The Kremlin has claimed the "liberation" of Mariupol, which is pivotal to its war plans nearly two months after President Vladimir Putin ordered the shock invasion of Russia s Western-leaning neighbour. "Since the start of the second phase of the special operation... one of the tasks of the Russian army is to establish full control over the Donbas and southern Ukraine," Major General Rustam Minnekaev said. "This will provide a land corridor to Crimea," he added, referring to the peninsula Russia annexed ...

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail on on Friday agreed with IMF recommendations to reduce fuel subsidies. Pakistan s new finance minister on Friday agreed with IMF recommendations to reduce fuel subsidies, pledging to pursue structural reforms to boost a crisis-wracked economy. Read more:  Elections will be held after govt completes its tenure: Marriyum Aurangzeb The International Monetary Fund in 2019 approved a $6 billion loan over three years for Pakistan but disbursement has been slowed down by concerns on the pace of reforms. Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, who took office this month after a previous government lost a no-confidence vote, said he had "good discussions" with the IMF on a visit during the Washington-based lender s annual spring meetings. "They ve talked about removing the subsidy on fuel. I agree with them," Ismail, himself a former International Monetary Fund economist, said at the Atlantic Council. "We can t affo...

The United States government on Friday said that a strong, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan is critical to US interests. Responding to queries about the current political situation in the Pakistan, the State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Jalina Porter said that we have continued to say all along that there is absolutely no truth to those rumors that US was involved in any conspiracy for regime change in Pakistan. Read more:  Govt decides to remove thousands of names from ECL: Rana Sanaullah She underscore that the United States values its longstanding cooperation with Pakistan and has always viewed a strong, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan as critical to US interests.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will reach Quetta on a day-long visit to Balochistan today (Saturday). Federal Minister of Communications Asad Mahmood will accompany the Prime minister on the visit. According to sources, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif would lay the foundation stone of Khuzdar-Kuchlak Road. Federal Minister for Communications Maulana Asad Mahmood will give a briefing to the Prime Minister. Read more:  In NSC meeting, security agencies reiterate 'no foreign conspiracy' against PTI govt Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qaddos Bizenjo will brief the Prime Minister on various issues of Balochistan.

A Pakistan Army major was martyred Thursday night when terrorists “raided a security forces post” near Awaran in Balochistan, said the military’s media wing. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), terrorists raided the security forces post in the general area Kahan, near Awaran. The ISPR said that after successfully repulsing the raid, the security forces pursued the escaping terrorists into the nearby mountains. “At one of the blocking positions established to cut off fleeing terrorists, a heavy exchange of fire took place between terrorists and security forces,” said the military’s media wing. The ISPR said that during the skirmish Major Shahid Basheer embraced martyrdom and another soldier was injured while causing heavy losses to the terrorists. “Security forces, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan,” said the ISPR.

Following Punjab Governor Omar Sarfaraz Cheema's refusal to administer the oath to CM-elect Hamza Shahbaz, the Lahore High Court on Friday directed President Arif Alvi to appoint a different representative to give oath to the PML-N leader. The directives were given by LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti in a short order after he had asked the governor to present the reasons for not giving the oath in writing by 2pm. Chief Minister elect Hamza Shahbaz had filed a petition before the LHC against the Punjab governor for not fulfilling his constitutional duty. Advocate General Punjab Ahmed Owais in his arguments said: "The speaker can administer the oath if the governor refuses but the PA speaker has not been made a party in the petition." The provincial law officer argued before LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti that the governor is of the view that the election of the chief minister was not held under the Constitution. At this, the CJ asked the AG to tell wh...

The clash between the Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and the Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari has increased over how the police came inside the Punjab Assembly. According to details, the Secretary of Punjab Assembly Muhammad Khan Bhatti, on the orders of the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly wrote a letter in this regard to the Chief Secretary and Inspector General (IG) of the police. Moreover, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi got upset from the Chief Secretary and IG Punjab on implementing the courts order. As per sources, the letter came forth on the media in which it was stated that on April 16, strict action will be taken against the police officials who entered the Assembly. Whereas on the before mentioned date, Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti was suspended according to the Deputy Speaker and inquiry is underway against him.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday claimed the "liberation" of the flattened city of Mariupol after nearly two months of fighting, demanding its trapped Ukrainian defenders be sealed into their underground last stand. The fate of the besieged port has become totemic as Russia battles to complete a land bridge covering territories already under its control, including Crimea -- which would deprive Ukraine of its industrial heartland and most of its coastline. Read more:  Ukraine calls for talks in teetering Mariupol as Moscow holds ICBM test President Joe Biden, however, said Putin was doomed to failure, announcing $800 million (740 million euros) in extra US military aid including howitzers and tactical drones. "Our unity at home with our allies and partners, and our unity with the Ukrainian people, is sending an unmistakable message to Putin -- he will never succeed in dominating and occupying all of Ukraine," he said. Ukraine appealed for an immedi...