Govt ‘agrees to notify contentious legislation in a few days’

JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman calls on PM Shehbaz Sharif on December 20, 2024. — Facebook/@juipakofficial Govt to “register seminaries under Societies Registration Act”. Decides taking all clerics in confidence over legislation. Fazl hinted at “good news” on madrassa bill after meeting Shehbaz. In a major breakthrough a day after a key meeting between Prime Minister … Read more

Sindh govt moves to amend law to oversee affairs of educational boards

Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) building. — Facebook/@BIEK Official KARACHI: The provincial government on Saturday decided to amend the Sindh Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education Ordinance, 1972 for the 14th time.  The meeting of the reforms committee was attended by Sindh Minister of Education Syed Sardar Ali Shah, chief secretary, secretaries of boards and … Read more

Suspects who attacked polio team in Karachi released on bail

A female health worker administering polio drops to a child during 7-day Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme 2024 in provincial capital on September 9, 2024. — APP  KARACHI: A court on Saturday released six suspects who allegedly attacked a polio team in the port city’s Korangi district a day earlier. The suspects including four women, who … Read more

Zain Qureshi among three more suspects indicted in GHQ attack case

PTI MNA Zain Qureshi during a National Assembly session in this undated photo. — Facebook/@ZainQureshiOfficial/File ATC also indicts Raja Nasir Mehfooz, Raja Shehbaz Tiger. Total number of indictments reach 116 after today’s hearing.  ATC rejected acquittal pleas of PTI leaders a day earlier. RAWALPINDI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Saturday indicted three more suspects … Read more

Court grants bail to suspects involved in attacking polio team in Karachi

Police personnel injured and manhandled during the attack in Karachi’s Korangi, on December 20, 2024, are pictured in this collage. — Reporter Bail granted against surety bonds worth Rs10,000 each. Suspects refused to administer polio drops, say police.  Court also asks IO to submit challan within 14 days. KARACHI: A judicial magistrate on Saturday granted bail to … Read more

Pakistan calls US official’s allegations ‘unfounded, devoid of rationality’

Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch briefing the press in Islamabad. — Screengrab/Ministry of Foreign Affairs/File After the US deputy national security advisor claimed that Islamabad would use its nuclear missiles for hostile intent, Pakistan on Saturday termed allegations “unfounded, devoid of rationality and sense of history”. In a statement, the Foreign Office said: “Pakistan … Read more

Pakistan calls US official’s assumption of hostile intent ‘perplexing, illogical’

Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during an event in this undated image. — Instagram/@foreignofficepk FO says alleged threat perception raised by US official unfortunate. “Pakistan has never had any ill-intention towards the US,” says FO. “We have long history of cooperation; wish to build on strong legacy.” Pakistan on Saturday slammed a United States … Read more

Soldier martyred, four terrorists killed at Pak-Afghan border

Martyred soldier Sepoy Amir Sohail Afridi. — ISPR/File RAWALPINDI: A Pakistan Army soldier was martyred and four khwarij were killed after security forces engaged and thwarted terrorists’ bid to infiltrate the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that forces engaged the terrorists after … Read more

Minister Asif wants ‘engineers of May 9 riots’ brought to justice

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif is seen in this undated photo. — AFP/File Laws’ hands have so far reached collars of activists: Asif He says justice should have been served swiftly like in US, UK. Minister laments heroisation of those who insulted martyrs. Reacting to the military court’s verdict against culprits involved in May 9 riots, … Read more

Soldier martyred, 4 terrorists killed in Pak-Afghan border infiltration bid

Martyred soldier Sepoy Amir Sohail Afridi. — ISPR/File Forces engage khwarij in Khyber district’s Rajgal area. Thwart terrorists’ bid to infiltrate Pak-Afghan border. Martyred soldier identified as Sepoy Amir Sohail Afridi. RAWALPINDI: A Pakistan Army soldier embraced martyrdom and four terrorists were neutralised after security forces successfully thwarted a bid to infiltrate the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber district, … Read more