Daily News Pakistan

The United States has approved military aid to Taiwan under a programme usually used to help sovereign states in a move likely to anger China, which claims the self-ruled democratic island as its own territory. According to international media reports, the Department of State informed Congress on Tuesday of the $80m package, which is modest in comparison with recent military sales to Taiwan but marks the first time Washington has provided assistance to Taipei under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme, which generally involves grants or loans to sovereign countries. The announcement is likely to heighten tensions with Beijing, which has not ruled out the use of force to take control of Taiwan. The US and China have had formal diplomatic relations for 50 years, but Washington remains Taiwan’s biggest backer. Legislation also requires that it supply the island with the weapons necessary for its defence, but these have usually been done on a trade basis rather than as d...

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Thursday ‘barred’ Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Zain Qureshi, son of former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, from flying to Dubai. Zain Qureshi reached Lahore International Airport to fly to Dubai via a flight from an international airline, but he was not allowed to board the flight by the FIA Immigration officials. Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s son was stopped by FIA as his name was placed on the Exit Control List (ECL). Zain Qureshi is the son of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi who is currently facing a case of cipher leak under the Official Secrets Act. Earlier, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) swung into action to stop over 200 suspected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers from leaving the country. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) tightened the noose around the PTI leaders and workers who were allegedly involved in May 9 riots.

Bangladesh have won the toss and opted to bat first against Sri Lanka in their first match of the Asia Cup 2023 on Thursday at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka have an injury-riddled squad with several key players like all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, pacers Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara missing the Asian event. Meanwhile, Bangladesh suffered a massive blow as wicketkeeper-batter Liton Das was ruled out of the tournament. "Dry wicket, hope to put runs on the board. We have to be at our best because Sri Lanka are very good especially at home. We just have to think about today's match, have to be better than them in 100 overs. Three spinners and three seamers," Shakib Al Hasan said after the toss. Sri Lanka's skipper Dasun Shanaka also talked after the toss and said: "It is a good toss to lose with rain around the corner. Our main players are injured but we have all areas covered. I expect turn ...

The US dollar continued to hit new heights against a weakening Pakistani rupee, and reached the 305 level during trading as the gap with the inter-bank rate widened further. The Pakistani rupee has found itself on a rollercoaster ride yet again against the mighty US dollar. The dollar crossed an unprecedented milestone, soaring past the Rs305 mark in the inter-bank exchange, as the rupee weakened by another 80 paisas against the greenback. With each passing day, the rupee’s value seems to be taking a free fall, leaving economists and citizens alike in a state of astonishment. As the dollar continues to flex its muscles, the consequences are far-reaching. The US dollar continues its steady flight upwards as the Pakistani rupee faces record-breaking battering in the currency exchange market. The American currency shattered records further as it opened the new trading session on Wednesday morning with a surge of 70 paisas in the interbank market. It traded at a record value of Rs...

At least 63 people have been killed and more than 40 treated for injuries following a fire at a multistorey building in downtown Johannesburg, South Africa, local media and an emergency worker said. According to international media report, Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said the blaze on Thursday morning had gutted a building located in the city’s central business district, and the death toll was continuing to rise with 63 bodies recovered from the site so far. “Latest update 63 bodies recovered and 43 injured,” Mulaudzi said in a post on social media. “Still continuing with search and recovery operation,” Mulaudzi said. At least one child was among the dead, and those injured in the blaze are receiving treatment at “various health care facilities”, he said earlier. Mulaudzi said the building was effectively an “informal settlement” where homeless people had moved into looking for accommodation without any formal lease agreements. He said ...

The Supreme Court (SC) dismissed on Thursday the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) plea seeking a review of the apex court's order calling for elections in Punjab to be held on May 14. In its April 4 order, the Supreme Court had not only declared as “unconstitutional” the ECP’s decision to move Punjab polls date to October 8 from April 10, and also set May 14 as the new date for polls in the province, in a blow to the then coalition government that was seen dragging its feet on provincial elections. The verdict was unanimously announced by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan. During today's hearing, CJP Bandial observed that, "The court will intervene whenever there will be a constitutional violation." In April this year, a three-member bench of the top court headed by CJP Bandial and comprising Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar declared the ...

Eating nutrient-rich foods, such as lean protein and legumes, can support your overall health and help you manage your weight. If losing weight is your goal, these 16 foods may help support a healthy weight loss journey. Eggs Eggs are incredibly nutrient-dense and high in protein and fat, which help you feel full. In a 2020 study that included 50 people with overweight or obesity, researchers found that eating eggs and buttered toast for breakfast — instead of cereal, milk, and orange juice — increased the participants’ feelings of fullness for the next 4 hours. Similarly, another study involving 48 adults found that those who ate a breakfast containing protein from eggs, as well as high fiber foods, reported greater satiety (fullness) than those who ate low fiber cereal and milk. Leafy greens Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and collard greens pack fiber and nutrients that can help keep you satisfied and hydrated. What’s more, leafy greens contain thylakoids, plant compou...

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former prime minister has challenged the notification of the Law Ministry for hearing of cipher case against him in Attock Jail. The secretary law, secretary of interior, chief commissioner, IG Islamabad, DG FIA, and Superintendents of Adiala and Attock jails have been made respondents in the plea moved to IHC. The PTI chairman in his plea moved to Islamabad High Court through his lawyer Sher Afzal Marwat has pleaded the court to strike down the notification of shifting the cipher case to Attock Jail by declaring it ‘illegal’. Earlier in the day, a special court extended the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman’s judicial remand till September 13 in the cipher case. Read:  Cipher   case:   Special   court   extends   Imran's   judicial   remand   till   Sep  1 Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain, who heard the case at the Attock District Jail under Official Secrets Act 2023, issued...

Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat against Nepal in the first match of Asia Cup 2023 on Wednesday. Team Green boasts some of the top-ranked ODI players, with skipper Babar Azam leading the way in the ODI Batter rankings, and the first game of the event against underdog Nepal is expected to be a one-side match. Pakistan will be eyeing to clinch the Asia Cup title ahead of the World Cup campaign. On the eve of the Asia Cup, Pakistan captain Babar Azam said he is excited to play in front of the passionate Multan crowd. He felicitated Nepal for qualifying for Asia Cup and hoped that participation would give a boost to sport in the country. Meanwhile, Babar XI is entering Asia Cup with a positive attitude as they topped the ODI teams rankings after securing a whitewash over Afghanistan. After today’s opener, Men in Green will travel to Sri Lanka tomorrow to face off against India in the second Group-A match. The Island nation will host the third and final match of the group bet...

India’s moon rover has confirmed the presence of sulphur and detected several other elements on the lunar south pole, says the country’s space agency. Last week, India became the first country to land a craft near the largely unexplored south pole, and just the fourth nation to land on the moon. “The Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument onboard Chandrayaan-3 Rover has made the first-ever in-situ measurements on the elemental composition of the lunar surface near the south pole,” the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in a statement dated Monday. “These in-situ measurements confirm the presence of sulphur in the region unambiguously, something that was not feasible by the instruments onboard the orbiters,” it said. The spectrographic analysis also confirmed the presence of aluminium, calcium, iron, chromium and titanium on the lunar surface, ISRO added, with additional measurements showing the presence of manganese, silicon and oxygen. India has been...

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday asked Pakistan to share the plan in writing to provide relief in electricity bills as the protests continue countrywide. According to media report, the development comes after the caretaker government decided to seek the lender's nod before announcing any relief to the consumers. A meeting of the federal cabinet was held on Tuesday with interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar in the chair to mull options but ended without announcing any measures. The Power Division shared its proposals with the authorities but due to strict IMF loan conditions, it was concluded that the lender should be taken on board first. Islamabad had signed a $3 billion loan agreement with the Fund in July and agreed to stringent financial discipline during the programme. Under the bailout package, the previous government of the Pakistan Democratic Movement okayed a massive increase in electricity rates which are now being reflected in the bills. As ...

PTI Chairman Imran Khan has been re-arrested moments after his sentence in the Toshakhana criminal case was suspended. Imran Khan was arrested in the cipher case and sent on judicial remand till August 30. The decision was announced by Official Secrets Act court judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain. The special court has sent the written verdict to the Attock Jail superintendent. It ordered to present Imran Khan in the court on August 30. The judge remarked that the suspect is on judicial remand in a case under the Official Secrets Act. The suspect should be kept in jail and presented in court on August 30. Moments ago, the Islamabad High Court had suspended the sentence of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana criminal case. A division bench of IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri accepted Imran Khan’s appeal and pronounced the decision. The court has ordered to release Imran Khan from jail. The PTI chief has been asked to submit bail bonds of Rs100,0...

As anticipation builds for the speculated Apple September event, the burning question remains: what will the price tag of the Apple Watch Series 9 look like? Awaiting its moment in the spotlight, the next-generation Apple Watch is poised to share the stage with the company’s latest tech unveiling. But the big reveal we’re all eager for is the Apple Watch 9 price. The exact figure remains a mystery until we have a comprehensive view of the distinctions between the Apple Watch Series 9 and its predecessor, the Apple Watch Series 8. However, in the absence of surprises, it’s likely that the starting price for the Apple Watch 9 will continue the tradition at $399 – the established benchmark for this premier smartwatch over the years. Speculations are rife that the Apple Watch 9’s price won’t veer from the $399 mark set by the Apple Watch Series 8. This base price secures the 41mm model complete with GPS functionality. For those opting for the 45mm size, the cost escalates to $429. Fo...

The accountability court of Lahore has extended the physical remand of former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi till September 2. The court was hearing a case of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) regarding alleged corruption in development schemes. It has sought the investigation report from the NAB on the next hearing. Elahi had also challenged his arrest by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Lahore High Court. The Punjab IGP, NAB, FIA and others have been made parties in the petition. The petition maintains that the NAB illegally issued an arrest warrant and executed it. The bureau also illegally upgraded the inquiry to an investigation. It did not even give a call-up notice nor did it give time to submit a statement. The petition requests the Lahore High Court to declare the arrest by the NAB null and void. The court should issue an order to stop Parvez Elahi’s arrest in any undisclosed case. During the proceedings in a NAB case of alleged cor...

Iraq has executed three people convicted in a 2016 bombing case involving the ISIL (ISIS) armed group that killed hundreds of people. According to international media reports, the office of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said on Monday that the hangings were carried out on Sunday night and Monday morning, but did not name those executed or provide details about when they were sentenced. The attack took place early on July 3, 2016, in Baghdad’s Karrada shopping area when it was filled with people in advance of the Eid al-Fitr festival at the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The car bomb killed a limited number of people, officials said at the time, but it caused flames that spread and trapped people inside shopping centres that lacked emergency exits. By the time the fire was put out, 323 people had died, making it one of the deadliest attacks to ever hit Iraq and one of the world’s deadliest attacks since the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. Poli...

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday slammed the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial for "favouring" Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended the sentence awarded to him in the Toshakhana case. The IHC verdict today comes as a major legal victory for Khan who was sentenced to three years in jail and fined Rs100,000 in the Toshakhana case by Additional Districts and Sessions Judge Dilawar Humayun — after finding him guilty of corrupt practices related to the state gift repository — in a move that barred him from contesting elections due later this year. In his message on X, formerly Twitter, the former premier also wrote that the IHC had been influenced by the apex court's leniency toward the PTI chief. "The "favourite's" sentence has been suspended, not terminated. "Chief Justice's message of "Good to see yo...

West Indies legend, Sir Viv Richards, has offered his prediction regarding the upcoming 2023 World Cup, set to take place in India between October 5 and November 19. According to Richards, the leading wicket-taker during the tournament will be none other than Pakistan's talented left-arm seamer, Shaheen Afridi. Richard, sharing his thoughts on a video featured on the official Instagram account of the International Cricket Council (ICC), highlighted the significant progress that Afridi has made. “The leading wicket-taker in the World Cup will be Shaheen Afridi because I have seen him in Pakistan. I spent some time in the PSL and I have seen his massive growth. [He is a] highly determined individual. He is my man.,” Richards said. Last week, New Zealand pacer, Tim Southee at the Ceat Cricket Rating Award event, mentioned the prowess of Shaheen Afridi and Trent Boult, acknowledging their ability to trouble batsmen consistently throughout their careers. “Shaheen and Trent Boult ...

The US dollar’s relentless surge against the Pakistani rupee shows no signs of abating, reaching record highs in both the interbank and open markets on the second day of the business week. According to details, the dollar’s value climbed by an additional 75 paisas in the interbank market, settling at an alarming 302.75 rupees. In the open market, the dollar remains at a historic level of Rs316. Within a mere two weeks, the US dollar has appreciated by a staggering 13 rupees in the interbank market and 20 rupees in the open market. On Monday, the rupee concluded the day at an all-time low against the US dollar, closing at 302.

Human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, who was granted bail in a sedition case earlier today, was rearrested on Monday shortly after she was released from Adiala jail in Rawalpindi. Islamabad police took the human rights activist into custody. She was arrested in a case registered in Barakahu police station in the federal capital. The Mazari’s counsel in a statement said the police did not inform them about the case in which Mazari had been arrested. The development comes after an Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday granted bail to Mazari and Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) leader Ali Wazir in a sedition case related to the controversial speech against the state institutions.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) today (Monday) has reserved a verdict on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan's plea seeking suspension of sentence by the trial court's Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Humayun Dilawar in the Toshakhana case. A two-member bench, comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, conducted the hearing, with Election Commission of Pakistan's lawyer, Amjad Parvez, who wasn't able to appear before the court due to ill health at the last hearing on Friday, presented his arguments in the case. Last week , the court had adjourned the hearing till Monday (today) on the request of his assistant counsel and ordered the ECP counsel to present arguments today. It had also directed the electoral authority to make alternative arrangements due to the unavailability of the lawyer. PTI lawyer, Latif Khosa, completed his arguments in the last hearing. Earlier this month, a trial court had sentence Kh...

Hundreds of homes have been destroyed, while at several places roads and embankments have been washed away as the release of more water by India into River Sutlej has led the river to burst its banks. The river flooding has caused devastation especially in Bahawalnagar, Hasilpur, Vehari and Luddan, Arifwala and Chishtian where roads are completely submerged, leaving hundreds of villages and towns cut off from their surroundings. Pakistan Army, on the other hand, is assisting the local administrations in relief and rescue operations. Sutlej River attains very high water level: Over 0.25m people evacuated, shifted to safe places The situation is still grim at Arifwala where water from River Sutlej has inundated over 28 kilometres of area around the river. The situation is more precarious in Tibbi Lal Beg area where water level continues to rise. Dozens of villages have been flooded, resulting in the washing away of homes, crops, and roads. At several places, embankments have also ...

The head of Libya's Government of National Unity Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has suspended the Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush and referred her to investigation, a statement said early on Monday. According to international media reports, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said on Sunday he met with the Libyan Foreign Minister for the first time in history. In a statement issued by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Cohen described last week’s meeting held in Rome with Najla Elmangoush as "historic". The top Israeli diplomat said the meeting with the Libyan foreign minister “is the first step in the relationship between Israel and Libya.” "The size and strategic location of Libya give ties with it enormous importance and enormous potential for the State of Israel," Cohen added. The meeting aimed to examine "possibilities for cooperation and relations between the countries and the preservation of the heritage of Libyan Jewry," Cohen said. The preservation ...

The meeting on the issue of increased electricity bills will be held in Islamabad today with Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar in the chair. Provincial Chief Ministers will also participate in the meeting. Earlier, chairing a meeting, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar directed to present solid measures to him for reduction in increased electricity bills. He said such steps would be taken which would not put additional burden on national exchequer and would also facilitate the consumers. He directed relevant ministries and departments to provide details of the institutions and officers who are getting free of cost electricity. The Prime Minister also directed to present short, medium and long term reform plans in the electricity sector, as soon as possible. He asked the power distribution companies to give a road map for stopping electricity theft.

Afghanistan cricket team reached Pakistan to participate in Asia Cup 2023. According to details, the Afghanistan cricket team reached Lahore from Colombo, where the Afghan team was commuted to the hotel under strict security. It is pertinent to note that the presidential protocol is being provided to the teams arriving in Pakistan for the Asia Cup. Afghanistan cricket team will start practice at Gaddafi Stadium from tomorrow (Tuesday). The Afghan team will play its first match against Bangladesh on September 03 in the Asia Cup.

The Ministry of Law and Justice has issued a warning to individuals trolling the Islamabad High Court (IHC) chief justice on social media. The Ministry of Law in a tweet stated that political parties should refrain from attacking national institutions. It stated that the social media assault by political parties on the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court is utterly reprehensible. Recently, the Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamir Farooq,faced criticism particularly from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). In their tweet, the PTI had mentioned that each decision by the chief justice contradicts the previous ones, benefiting the government. Following the criticism aimed at the IHC chief justice, legal experts had strongly condemned it, terming it an unwarranted attempt to undermine and pressure the judiciary. Earlier, The FIA Cybercrime Circle lodged a case against several prominent figures from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, accusing them of initiating a purportedly bas...

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Roger Binny has confirmed that he will visit Pakistan for an official dinner to be hosted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in Lahore to commemorate their hosting of the Asia Cup 2023, which begins on August 30. According to media report, "Vice President Rajiv Shukla and I will arrive in Pakistan on September 4," said Binny. It is likely Binny and Shukla will also attend a match at the Gaddafi Stadium on September 3 or 5 as part of their two-day visit. The report added that an official invitation was extended by Zaka Ashraf, the current PCB managing committee chairman, to the top brass of the BCCI on August 15 and that all top board members from the participating teams, including the BCCI, have confirmed their attendance. Binny said: "I have no hesitation in going to Pakistan. My visits to Pakistan were always memorable, Pakistanis are very hospitable," adding that he hoped his visit to Pakistan woul...

Just weeks after adding support for HD photos, Meta’s messaging app WhatsApp now allows users to send videos in HD resolution. The company has rolled out HD video support to both iOS and Android users. Similar to the HD photos feature, the HD videos feature gives customers the choice to share high-def videos across WhatsApp. Previously, HD videos would have been compressed to 480p, now, users can opt to send their video in HD, but only up to 720p. The process here is the same as for sharing HD photos. After selecting the video or videos you want to share, you’ll tap the new HD button on the top of the screen. A dialogue box will appear where you can confirm if you want to share in Standard Quality or HD Quality and will show the associated file sizes. You then press send to share the video as usual. Images and videos shared on WhatsApp are protected with the company’s end-to-end encryption.

Are you having trouble with insomnia? While everyone doesn’t need the same amount of sleep, most adults need between seven to nine hours of shut eye per night. As you get older, you may get tired earlier and wake up earlier, but you still need the same amount of sleep. According to interanational media reports, “Sleep is essential for your physical and mental well-being,” says Michael Pham, DO, an internal medicine physician at Scripps Coastal Medical Center Carlsbad. “Adequate sleep helps restore your energy, boost your mood, lower your blood pressure and produce hormones that help build muscle, repair cells and tissue, fight infection and control appetite.” Remember that if you sleep better, you’ll feel better. Untreated insomnia can lead to significant health issues, including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and issues with memory. 1. Limit caffeine Caffeine is a stimulant and can stay in your system for up to eight hours. Limit yourself to one caffeinate...

For the first time, the South African women’s cricket team reached Karachi on the tour of Pakistan. According to sources, the South African women’s cricket team reached Karachi by flight EK600 via Dubai. In this regard, police sources say that the President’s protocol is being given for the security of the team. Strict security arrangements were made from Karachi Airport Terminal One to the team’s accommodation. The 3 T20 matches between South Africa and Pakistan women’s cricket teams will start at 7:30 PM on September 1, 3, and 5 at the National Stadium. Both teams will also play ODI matches on September 8, 11 and 14. South African women cricketers will leave for home on September 15.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Sunday assured of resolution of all issues of Balochistan province and said that Pakistan’s progress and development was linked with the development of the province. The prime minister was talking to a delegation of the elders of the province that called on him to felicitate him on assuming the office. The delegation also extended good wishes, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. Governor Balochistan Abdul Wali Kakar and Caretaker Chief Minister Ali Mardan Domki were also present during the meeting. The prime minister said that the government was taking steps, on priority basis, to enhance foreign investment, industrial and agriculture development and provision of employment opportunities in the province. He also assured of providing equal job opportunities to the youth of Balochistan. For the country’s progress, the caretaker government would strive to increase the role of Balochistan province through provision of infrastru...

Muhammad Masood, a 31-year-old licensed Pakistani doctor, living in the United States on a work visa, was sentenced to 18 years in jail for attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organisation, Daesh. "A Rochester man was sentenced today to 216 months in prison, equivalent to 18 years, followed by five years of supervised release for attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization," a press release issued by the US Department of Justice stated. The court documents showed that Masood was formerly employed as a research coordinator at a medical clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, under an H-1B visa. As per the official statement, Masood's activity from January 2020 to March 2020 showed his attempts to become a part of the militant outfit and provide material support in carrying out terrorist acts in the US. "Between January 2020 and March 2020, Masood used an encrypted messaging application to facilitate his travel overseas to...

A masked white man has shot dead three Black people in a shop in Florida, in the southern United States, in a racially-motivated attack. According to international media reports, the sheriff’s office in Jacksonville, the man, who was in his 20s but has not yet been named, was wearing body armour when he entered the Dollar General outlet armed with an assault-style rifle and a handgun. He shot dead three Black customers – two men and one woman. After a standoff with police, he shot himself. “This shooting was racially motivated and he hated Black people,” Jacksonville Sheriff T K Waters told a press conference on Saturday. Waters said authorities believed the attacker acted alone and that before the attack, he had authored “several manifestos” for media, his parents and law enforcement detailing his “disgusting ideology of hate”. He said the attacker was spotted at a local historically Black college, Edward Waters University, where he put on his vest and a mask before going to th...

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar called for an emergency meeting at the Prime Minister’s House tomorrow to discuss the issue of rising electricity bills. According to PM's post on microblogging platform X — formally known as Twitter — the meeting would include briefings from the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) and distribution companies. Consultations would also be held to provide maximum relief to consumers regarding electricity bills, according to PM Kakar. The inflated power bills triggered country-wide protests, including Karachi, Rawalpindi, Multan, Gujranwala, and Peshawar. In Karachi, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) held demonstrations at multiple places against the skyrocketing increase in power bills and what it said overcharging on part of the K-Electric (KE). Meanwhile, in Rawalpindi, protesters gathered at Committee Chowk and burned bills while demanding that the government abolish imposed taxes on electricity. In Peshawar, protesters called the increase...

Pakistan has welcomed the reported decision by Denmark government to propose a bill outlawing the burning of the Holy Quran and other divine books. In a statement on Saturday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said this is a step in the right direction. She hoped the step taken by Denmark would culminate in effective legislation to curb the desecration of the Holy Quran and other divine books. In his interaction with the Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, while appreciating the Danish Government's proposed legislation, expressed the hope that the bill, when passed, would create interfaith harmony and bring an end to an environment of hatred amongst people of different religious faiths. The spokesperson hoped that other countries will emulate and undertake similar steps to outlaw such hateful acts. The spokesperson said Pakistan has always maintained that desecration and burning of holy scriptures constitute a serio...

A fire erupted inside a stationary train compartment at a railway station in southern India killing at least nine people, officials said. According to internaitonal media reports, the blaze broke out early at 5 am local time on Saturday morning and burned for two hours before firefighters were able to put it out, authorities said. It started inside a train's private compartment which was detached and parked on the railway tracks in the Madurai station, located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, according to a statement by the Southern Railway. A gas cylinder smuggled in by some passengers caused the fire, the statement read, adding that police, fire and rescue officials helped pull out the bodies from the coach. There was no damage to other coaches. Southern Railway did not divulge the number of people inside the compartment at the time of the fire but said many managed to get out. Officials told reportrs, that 50 others were injured and taken to hospital. Accidents ...

Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first on Saturday in the final one-day international (ODI) match of the series against Afghanistan. Pakistan have already won the series 2-0 and will be looking to make a clean sweep in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where Afghanistan is hosting the series. If Pakistan win the match today, they will not only relish the clean sweep victory but will also overtake Australia and jump to the top spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI ranking. Ahead of the match today, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam remarked that the first 10 overs would be tough. "We will increase the pressure on the Afghan team by setting a huge target," he said, adding that four changes had been made to the playing eleven. He added that Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Wasim Jr are playing today in place of Usama Mir, Iftikhar Ahmed, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf. On the other hand, Afghanistan suffered a blow when all-rounder Azmatullah Umarzai ...

A PML-N delegation attended a consultative meeting with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in Islamabad, on the invitation of ECP as part of commission's consultation process with different political parties. Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja chaired the meeting at the ECP headquarters in Islamabad, while the PML-N delegation comprised Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Sanaullah, Zahid Hamid, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ataullah Tarar and Asad Junejo. The delegation briefed the commission that the Council of Common Interest had unanimously approved final results of the recent census as all political parties had agreed on holding next general elections on the basis of fresh census. It declared ECP's schedule for delimitations as per law and the Constitution. The delegation proposed that the process of delimitation of constituencies and updating of electoral rolls should be started simultaneously to avoid any delay in the general elections. Talking about the code of conduct, i...

The first convoy of cargo trucks is on its way from China to Pakistan, as trade started between Pakistan and China under international road transport. Cross-border transportation of goods has for the first time started under the United Nations International Road Transport Convention in collaboration with National Logistics Corporation of Pakistan and CEVA Logistics, a well-known Chinese company. This important development took place on the occasion of the 10 anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project. A ceremony was held at Kashgar Yuanfang International Logistics Port Company for the official launch of the TIR service. The ceremony was attended by the representatives of NLC, Kashgar Customs, Municipal Committee officials, CEVA Logistics and Cross-Border E-Commerce Association. The speakers highlighted the importance of the TIR transport route from Kashgar to Islamabad and shed light on the future plans for transportation of goods under the TIR between the two co...

Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq on Friday observed that the trial court, which convicted former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in Toshakahna case, "did wrong". The judge's remarks came during the hearing of the PTI chief's appeal challenging the Toshakhana verdict, which sentenced him to three-year in prison and imposed a fine of Rs100,000 earlier this month. Two-member IHC bench comprising CJ Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri heard the plea seeking suspension of Khan's conviction by the trial court's Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Humayun Dilawar. During the hearing today, the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) legal counsel Amjad Parvez did not appear before the bench, citing ill health. His assistant advocate asked the bench for an adjournment saying: "For the last eight months, we never sought adjournment." He said that doctors had suggested Parvez b...

Pakistani javelin ace Arshad Nadeem made his mark on Friday by securing a spot in both the final of the World Athletics Championships (WAC) and the Paris Olympics 2024. Nadeem’s remarkable throw of 86.79 metres, achieved during his third attempt in the qualifying round of the WAC held in Budapest, Hungary, not only secured his spot in the WAC final but also guaranteed his participation in the upcoming Olympics in Paris next year. The javelin throw final is scheduled for August 27 (Sunday). During his initial two attempts, he achieved distances of 70.63 metres and 81.53 metres, respectively. The Paris Olympics stipulates a qualifying minimum distance of 85.50 metres for the javelin throw, a requirement that the Pakistani athlete comfortably met. In August last year, Nadeem achieved a record-breaking throw during the javelin final at the Commonwealth Games, securing Pakistan’s first track and field medal in 56 years. Nadeem’s monster 90.18-metre throw had brought Pakistan’s first ...

Former prime minister Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi on Friday urged the Supreme Court to take “serious notice” of the alleged threat to her husband’s life during his incarceration, citing a considerable decline in his health during a meeting with him in Attock jail. She made the request in an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court through her representative Advocate Syed Rifaqat Hussain Shah today, which recounted her meeting with her husband on August 22. It comes after similar concerns were raised by her in a letter to the Punjab government last week, in which she voiced fears that her husband could be “poisoned” in Attock jail. On Aug 5, an Islamabad trial court had convicted Imran in a case pertaining to concealing details of state gifts and sentenced him to three years in prison. Soon after the verdict, he was arrested by the Punjab police from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore and taken to the prison in Attock. In the affidavit submitted, it was highlighted that Bush...

Donald Trump’s mug shot was released on Thursday evening after he was booked at an Atlanta jail on more than a dozen felony charges as part of a wide-ranging criminal case stemming from the former US president’s attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat in Georgia. An unsmiling Trump — inmate no. P01135809, according to Fulton County Jail records — was captured glaring at the camera in the mug shot. The image represented yet another extraordinary moment for Trump, who did not have to submit to a photograph when making appearances in his three other criminal cases. Trump spent only about 20 minutes at the jail before heading back to his New Jersey golf club. Before boarding his private plane at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport, he repeated his claim that the prosecution — along with the others he faces — is politically motivated. “What has taken place here is a travesty of justice,” he told reporters. “I did nothing wrong, and everybody knows it.” Trump, 77, already has e...