Blaze News - Pakistan

India is witnessing a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases, with active infections nearing 3,000 nationwide, as Kerala emerges as the worst-hit state followed by Maharashtra and Delhi amid a sharp uptick in cases within just four days, NDTV reported. According to official data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the country recorded 2,710 active cases as of May 30, up from 1,010 on May 26 — a nearly threefold increase. Kerala has reported the highest number of cases at 1,147, followed by Maharashtra with 424, and Delhi with 294. Gujarat has also recorded 223 cases. Other states reporting a notable number of infections include Tamil Nadu and Karnataka with 148 cases each, and West Bengal with 116. Rajasthan has recorded 51 cases, while Uttar Pradesh has reported 42. Smaller case numbers have been reported in Puducherry (25), Haryana (20), Andhra Pradesh (16), and Madhya Pradesh (10). Read more: CDC updates COVID vaccine guidance, keeps option open for healthy children Go...

The federal government on Saturday ordered all state institutions to refer to militant groups operating in its restive Balochistan province as “Fitna al Hindustan”, accusing India of sponsoring a proxy war through these insurgents. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior on Saturday, the move stems from “the involvement of some organizations and groups in terrorist activities in Balochistan, which are detrimental to Islamic faith, the sovereignty of Pakistan, and its customary traditions.” The notification further stated that the new designation is intended to reflect “the true nature and ideology” of these groups and their “nefarious designs” allegedly sponsored by India. Read more: Pakistan labels TTP as 'Fitna al-Khawarij' to expose its true ideology “All government entities are directed to start the above practice immediately,” the notification said, underscoring a concerted effort to reframe the narrative around insurgent violence in the province. Th...

The US Supreme Court on Friday let President Donald Trump's administration revoke the temporary legal status of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan, Cuban, Haitian and Nicaraguan migrants living in the United States, bolstering the Republican president's drive to step up deportations. The court put on hold Boston-based US District Judge Indira Talwani's order halting the administration's move to end the immigration "parole" granted to 532,000 of these migrants by Trump's predecessor Joe Biden, potentially exposing many of them to rapid removal, while the case plays out in lower courts. Immigration parole is a form of temporary permission under American law to be in the country for "urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit," allowing recipients to live and work in the United States. Biden, a Democrat, used parole as part of his administration's approach to deter illegal immigration at the US-Mexican border. Trump called for en...

At least 11 people have lost their lives and nearly 50 others sustained injuries in rain-related incidents across Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), officials said on Friday, as the latest spell of pre-monsoon rains continues to wreak havoc across parts of the country, Radio Pakistan reported. According to the K-P Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), eight people were killed and 21 others injured in various districts of the province following heavy downpours and strong winds. In Punjab, PDMA reported three fatalities and 25 injuries due to rain-triggered incidents. The report added that two individuals were struck by lightning in Mianwali and Attock, while a third died after a building collapsed in Multan. The violent weather has thrown daily life into disarray since last week, grounding flights, damaging infrastructure, and prompting rain emergencies in several urban centres. Power outages were reported across multiple cities as high winds toppled trees and snapped t...

At least 117 people have died and several others are still missing after heavy flooding destroyed thousands of homes in Nigeria's Niger state, an emergency official said on Friday. The death toll is a sharp rise from Thursday's figure of 21 people, Ibrahim Hussaini, head of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, said, adding that some 3,000 houses were submerged in two communities in the north-central state. Nigeria is prone to flooding during the rainy season, which began in April. In 2022, Nigeria experienced its worst wave of floods in more than a decade which killed more than 600 people, displaced around 1.4 million and destroyed 440,000 hectares of farmland. The flooding incident in Niger state occurred on Wednesday night and continued into Thursday morning, Hussaini said, with a number of people still in the water. The disaster struck late on Wednesday when unrelenting rainfall overwhelmed infrastructure in Mokwa, a crucial trading hub that connects food producers i...

The Trump administration has vowed to take its battle over tariffs to the US Supreme Court, following a series of legal defeats that have dealt a blow to the former president’s economic agenda. On Thursday, lawyers representing the White House filed an emergency appeal asking the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to halt a ruling that overturned a number of import taxes introduced under President Donald Trump. Should the court decline, officials said they will seek immediate intervention from the Supreme Court. The legal manoeuvres come amid mounting judicial scrutiny of Trump’s use of sweeping tariff powers. A second court has now found the former president exceeded his authority in imposing duties on a wide range of foreign goods—a decision hailed as a victory for small businesses and state governments that brought the challenges. In a strongly worded filing, the administration accused the courts of overstepping their bounds: “The political branches, not courts, make foreign p...

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is set to resume direct flights between Dubai and Skardu from Friday (today) offering travellers convenient access to one of Pakistan’s most picturesque and remote northern destinations, APP reported. The seasonal flight service was formally announced during a ceremony held at PIA’s Dubai office, attended by airline's Regional Manager Sarmad Aizas, and Pakistan’s Consul General in Dubai, Hussain Muhammad. The event, which included a cake-cutting ceremony, was also attended by members of a foreign tourist group booked on the inaugural flight. Speaking on the occasion, the consul general said, “This flight not only facilitates Pakistani expatriates but also opens the doors for more than 200 nationalities living in the UAE to discover the untouched beauty of Skardu and Gilgit-Baltistan.” Skardu, located around 570 kilometres north of Islamabad, is known for its dramatic mountain landscapes, including some of the world’s highest peaks such as K2, a...

Dr. Squatch has unveiled a new product that blends humour, self-care awareness, and pop culture flair — a limited-edition bar of soap made with actual bathwater from actress Sydney Sweeney, answering a wave of tongue-in-cheek fan requests that followed her viral ad campaign with the brand last year.         View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Dr. Squatch (@drsquatch) The soap, called Sydney’s Bathwater Bliss,         View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Sydney Sweeney (@sydney_sweeney) comes in response to fan demand following Sweeney’s appearance in a viral ad campaign for Dr. Squatch, where she portrayed the Body Wash Genie and playfully referred to viewers as “dirty little boys.”         View this post on Instagram             ...

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday reaffirmed his wish to see a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict and said there were no double standards in French policy towards the Middle East. Macron is leaning towards recognising a Palestinian state, diplomats and experts say, a move that could infuriate Israel and deepen Western splits. The French president was speaking in Indonesia. "Only a political solution will make it possible to restore peace and build for the long term," Macron said. "Together with Saudi Arabia, we will soon be organising a conference on Gaza in New York to give fresh impetus to the recognition of a Palestinian state and the recognition of the State of Israel and its right to live in peace and security in this region." 16 more killed in Israeli strikes Earlier on Wednesday, Gaza rescuers said 16 people were killed in Israeli strikes across the besieged Palestinian territory, where Israel has intensified its operations this...

Authorities in Sharjah have dismantled an illegal water bottling operation after discovering a residential property being used to bottle and sell ordinary tank water as Zamzam water, Khaleej Times reported on Wednesday. The Sharjah City Municipality conducted the raid in coordination with its Control and Inspection Department and the Health Control and Safety Department following routine inspections that raised red flags. Officials observed vehicles loading bottled water from a house, prompting immediate action. During the raid, one individual was caught on the premises, where cartons and plastic bottles falsely labelled as Zamzam water were being filled under unsanitary conditions. The counterfeit water was being sold at inflated prices and promoted via social media platforms. Authorities immediately launched legal and administrative procedures against the suspect.         View this post on Instagram                   ...

Morgan Wallen’s latest track, What I Want, featuring Tate McRae, has made a huge splash by debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The pop ballad, which sees Wallen and McRae harmonizing about an on-again, off-again relationship, helped propel Wallen’s new album, I’m The Problem, to the top of the Billboard 200 as well. The album’s success marks a major milestone for the country artist, whose release garnered 31.2 million streams in its opening week and claimed the largest debut of 2025 with 493,000 units earned, surpassing The Weeknd’s January album launch. What I Want marks Wallen’s fourth Hot 100 No. 1 hit, while it is McRae’s first time at the top, following her successful track “Greedy” that peaked at No. 3 earlier this year. The song is part of Wallen’s two-hour-long album, which also features other chart-toppers like Just in Case and I’m The Problem. The overwhelming success of the album comes on the back of record-breaking numbers for streaming, where it leads the year with...

A man was detained on Monday after a car crashed into pedestrians during Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade in Liverpool, UK. The vehicle reportedly collided with fans as it emerged from a parked ambulance.  The incident took place on Water Street, shortly after 6 pm, with emergency services quickly responding to the scene, according to The Guardian. Emergency services, including ambulances and a fire engine, arrived at the scene within moments, assisting the injured. Several people were reported to have been knocked unconscious or left injured, with some taken away on stretchers. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper have been updated on the situation, with Starmer offering his condolences to the victims and praising the swift actions of the police and emergency responders. Authorities have confirmed that investigations are ongoing into the incident, which occurred during one of the busiest parts of Liverpool’s victory parade...

French President Emmanuel Macron denied Monday having a domestic dispute with his wife Brigitte after a video appeared to show her shoving his face away when they touched down for a visit to Vietnam, blaming disinformation campaigns for trying to put a false meaning on the footage. The Elysee had been hoping that the visit to Vietnam would showcase France’s reach into the Indo-Pacific, but it has been shadowed by the incident which occurred as the doors of the presidential plane swung open after landing in Hanoi Sunday. This is the third time this month that Macron has been the subject of viral video footage at a time when France says it is being targeted by repeated disinformation attacks as Russia steps up attacks on Ukraine. It was falsely claimed that Macron took cocaine on a trip to Kyiv alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and images also emerged purporting to show Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dominate the French leader in ...

Karachi's worsening water crisis has reached a critical point, with water supply disrupted in several areas for over 25 days, forcing residents to rely on costly water tankers and prompting protests in parts of the city, Express News reported on Sunday. According to local authorities, water shortages have severely affected neighborhoods including Korangi, Landhi, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Jamshed Road, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, Dastgir, various blocks of FB Area, and Baldia Town. The situation was exacerbated by a power failure at the Gharo pumping station on Saturday morning, which cut off the supply of approximately 30 million gallons of water to Karachi, said a spokesperson for the Water Corporation. Read more: Tankers cash in on Karachi’s thirst The spokesman warned that the water supply to areas such as Bin Qasim, Port Qasim Town, Shah Faisal Town, PNC Mehran, and PAF Base Faisal would also be impacted. Additionally, power outages at the NEPA and NEK pumping stations further disrupted wa...

The timing of meals — not just their content — could play a significant role in maintaining a healthy body weight, according to a new five-year study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal). Researchers found that middle-aged adults who ate breakfast early and extended their overnight fasting period tended to have lower Body Mass Indexes (BMIs). The findings, published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, are part of a growing field known as chrononutrition, which explores how eating schedules align with the body’s natural circadian rhythms. The study tracked over 7,000 adults aged 40 to 65, all part of the GCAT | Genomes for Life project in Spain. Participants first provided information on diet, lifestyle, and meal timing in 2018. After five years, more than 3,000 returned for a follow-up with updated health data. The results indicated that those who started their day with an early breakfast and had a longer overnight fast gen...

Russia and Ukraine each exchanged 307 service personnel on Saturday, marking the second day of what is expected to be the largest prisoner swap since the war began over three years ago. US President Donald Trump suggested the exchange — which is expected to see 1,000 prisoners released on each side over a three-day period — could signal a new chapter in the stalled efforts to negotiate a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv. Saturday’s exchange was confirmed by Russia’s defence ministry and separately by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who announced the news in a post on the social media platform Telegram. “Tomorrow we expect more,” Zelenskiy wrote. “Our goal is to return each and every one of us from Russian captivity.” Images released by Zelenskiy’s office showed freed Ukrainian service members arriving in buses at a rendezvous point inside Ukraine. They embraced one another, draped themselves in blue and yellow Ukrainian flags, and appeared visibly emotional. At least one...

Gaza’s civil defense agency reported Saturday that an Israeli airstrike in the southern city of Khan Younis killed nine children belonging to a pair of married doctors. Agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal stated that civil defense "crews transported the bodies of nine child martyrs, some of them charred, from the home of Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar and his wife, Dr. Alaa al-Najjar. All were their children," he said, adding that the father and another son were also seriously injured in the Friday strike. Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, a pediatric specialist at Al-Tahrir Hospital within the Nasser Medical Complex, had been treating victims of ongoing Israeli attacks when she received the bodies of her nine children, all killed in the airstrike. The eldest was 12 years old. Nasser Hospital confirmed that one of her children and her husband were injured but survived. British surgeon Graeme Groom, working at the hospital, told the BBC he had operated on the surviving 11-year-old boy. The hospital, locate...

US President Donald Trump has once again urged Apple to manufacture its iPhones in the US instead of India, threatening to impose a tariff of at least 25% if the company fails to comply. In a post on the Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else. If that is not the case, a tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the US.” https://ift.tt/BLed20N The statement wiped approximately $70 billion (£52 billion) off Apple’s market value, as shares fell 2.6%, pushing the company’s valuation just below $3 trillion. This is not the first time Trump has expressed concerns about Apple’s expanding manufacturing footprint outside the US. Earlier this month, he made it clear he did not want iPhones to be produced in India. “I said to Tim … ‘we’ve treated you really well, we’ve put up with all the plant...

The future of a nation relies heavily on the health and well-being of its children, who must be protected from childhood diseases through rigorous vaccination drives. Unfortunately, in Sindh, where routine immunization remains a challenge, diseases like measles continue to nip the buds of the country. According to the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) of the Sindh Health Department, over 5,000 children have been brought with symptoms of measles across hospitals in Sindh, where 31 children have died between January and April 2025. Furthermore, across seven districts of Karachi, 2,242 children were brought to different hospitals with symptoms of measles, the presence of which was confirmed through a laboratory test in 948 children. While speaking of the recent epidemic, Dr Raj Kumar, Project Director of the EPI at the Ministry of Health, confirmed that the outbreak was concentrated in District East, where out of 407 suspected cases, 247 children were confirmed to have measles. ...

K-Electric (KE) has requested a reduction of Rs5.02 per unit in the electricity tariff for March, officials said during a hearing at the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on Thursday. If approved, the reduction would provide consumers with relief worth Rs6.79 billion, KE representatives told NEPRA. The regulator completed the hearing on the fuel adjustment request and will issue a detailed decision after reviewing the data. The announcement comes as Karachi faces severe load shedding amid rising temperatures, sparking public frustration and criticism of KE during the NEPRA hearing. Consumers accused NEPRA of failing to enforce its consumer service rules and called for greater penalties against KE for extensive power outages. NEPRA member Rafiq Sheikh reprimanded KE officials over worsening load shedding, describing their distribution system as "very poor" and questioning the company’s explanations. KE said its staff face attacks while disconnecting power ov...

The federal government has decided to increase fines in the upcoming budget in order to curb tax evasion among shopkeepers and businesses, Express News reported. During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance on Wednesday, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials briefed members that fines for shopkeepers who use to evade taxes, will be raised from Rs0.5 million to Rs5 million while also proposing a reward scheme for those who report fake receipts used to avoid taxes. According to the FBR, the upcoming budget will impose heavier penalties on retailers involved in tax evasion as the government aims to expand the number of retailers registered at points of sale, targeting seven million retailers. The FBR also proposed a reward scheme to incentivise reporting of fake receipts used to avoid tax payments, with informants eligible for cash prizes up to Rs10,000. Read more: IMF official visits amid budget talks Officials said monitoring will be strengthened by deploying cameras ...

Eidul Adha is expected to be observed in Pakistan on June 7, as astronomical calculations indicate no chance of sighting the Zilhajj moon on May 27. Renowned astronomer Dr Faheem Hashmi stated that the moon will be only 11 hours old at sunset on May 27, making it too young to be visible from anywhere in Pakistan. However, he predicted that the crescent is likely to be seen on May 28, which would mark the first day of Zilhajj and set June 7 as the likely date for Eidul Adha. “The moon will be over 35 hours old on May 28, significantly increasing the chances of sighting,” Dr Hashmi added. Meanwhile, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Eidul Adha is expected on June 6, according to the Emirates Astronomy Society. Its chairman, Ibrahim Al Jarwan, said the crescent will appear at 7:02 am UAE time on May 27 and will remain visible for approximately 38 minutes after sunset, supporting a likely sighting on the same evening. According to Gulf News, if the moon is sighted on May 27 in the UAE, Ma...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the Pakistan Navy for its readiness and professionalism, stating that the naval forces were fully prepared to launch an operation akin to the historic Operation Dwarka. However, the Indian Navy avoided confrontation after witnessing the befitting response from Pakistan’s ground and air forces. PM Shehbaz arrived in Karachi on Monday for a day-long visit and visited the Pakistan Navy Dockyard, where he met with naval officers and personnel. "The Indian military, after facing setbacks on land and in the air, was not ready to take on our naval forces. Otherwise, the Pakistan Navy would have revived the memories of Operation Dwarka," the PM told officers and sailors. "During the Indian misadventure, the world saw that our Navy was fully prepared. Naval weapons had been deployed, and the Pakistan Navy was once again ready—just like in 1965—for Dwarka," he added. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addresses the officers and sail...

The Israeli military said on Sunday it had begun "extensive ground operations" in northern and southern Gaza, stepping up its campaign in the enclave, where Palestinian health officials said Israeli strikes killed at least 130 people overnight. Israel made its announcement after sources on both sides said there had been no progress in a new round of indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Qatar. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the talks included discussions on a truce and hostage deal as well as a proposal to end the war in return for the exile of Hamas militants and the demilitarisation of the enclave - terms Hamas has previously rejected. The statement was in line with previous declarations from Israel, but the timing, as negotiators meet, offered some prospect of flexibility in Israel's position. A senior Israeli official said there had been no progress in the talks so far. The Israeli military suggested in...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to lead a high-level delegation tasked with presenting 'Pakistan’s case for peace' on recent Indian aggression to the international community. Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto, who also served as foreign minister in the previous government, has accepted the Prime Minister’s offer to lead the delegation. In a post on social media platform X, Bilawal Bhutto wrote, “I was contacted earlier today by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who requested that I lead a delegation to present Pakistan’s case for peace on the international stage. I am honoured to accept this responsibility and remain committed to serving Pakistan in these challenging times.” According to Express News, the committee will engage with global leaders and institutions to raise awareness about India’s actions and Pakistan’s concerns regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. The delegation, led by Bilawal Bhutto, will include Kh...

A tense courtroom encounter unfolded Saturday between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, and former party MNA Kanwal Shauzab, following the circulation of a video in which Shauzab appeared to criticize Aleema. In the video, Shauzab allegedly criticized Aleema for disrespecting party officials and interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, claiming she was working to destroy the party and intended to confront her directly over the issue. During a hearing at the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi, both women briefly exchanged words. Shauzab approached Aleema, saying, "Aleema Apa, I want to talk to you." Aleema responded, “Just leave it, it’s fine. Many people speak against us. We are now used to such accusations." Shauzab attempted to clarify, saying, “A specific portion of an old video was selectively edited and used against me,” but Aleema walked away, seemingly ignoring her attempt at reconciliation. Meanwhile, the ATC rejecte...

In a nation long regarded as a global standard-bearer for free speech, the first hundred days of Donald Trump’s second presidency have marked an ominous turning point for the American press. A new report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), “Alarm Bells: Trump’s First 100 Days Ramp Up Fear for the Press, Democracy”, lays bare a landscape increasingly hostile to independent journalism, in which reporters are being sidelined, public broadcasters undermined, and regulatory agencies turned into tools of intimidation. For newsrooms across the country, the report paints a very grim picture. Media outlets and practitioners now face both overt pressure and subtler constraints—pressures that risk tipping into full-fledged self-censorship. Major networks including CBS, NBC, NPR and PBS have been subjected to federal scrutiny. Journalists covering issues central to the Trump White House agenda—immigration and national security—face intense scrutiny and the possibility of retribution for...

As Pakistan and India trade accusations over nuclear weapons mismanagement, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed to BBC Urdu on Thursday that “no radiation leakage or incident has been detected at any nuclear site in Pakistan.” The issue came up after unverified reports emerged in Indian media, alleging that Indian airstrikes targeted Pakistan’s Kerana Hills, where a stockpile of nuclear missiles is reportedly located. Amid the media speculation, the IAEA confirmed to the British broadcaster that “based on available data, no radiation leakage or incident has been detected at any nuclear site in Pakistan.” The Indian Air Force also denied striking any nuclear facility. Read more: Pakistan slams Indian defence minister’s remarks on nuclear arsenal Earlier, Indian Air Marshal AK Bharti was asked at a press briefing whether reports of a strike on the Kirana Hills nuclear site were accurate. “Thank you for informing us that there is a nuclear facility there—we didn’t ...

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States was getting very close to securing a nuclear deal with Iran, and Tehran had "sort of" agreed to the terms. "We're in very serious negotiations with Iran for long-term peace," Trump said on a tour of the Gulf, according to a shared pool report by AFP. "We're getting close to maybe doing a deal without having to do this... there (are) two steps to doing this, there is a very, very nice step and there is the violent step, but I don't want to do it the second way," he said. However, an Iranian source familiar with the negotiations said there were still gaps to bridge in the talks with the US Oil prices fell by about $2 on Thursday on expectations of a US-Iran nuclear deal that could result in sanctions easing. Talks between Iranian and US negotiators to resolve disputes over Tehran's nuclear programme ended in Oman on Sunday with further negotiations expected, officials said, as Teh...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded the Pakistan Air Force’s operational performance, confirming the downing of a sixth Indian aircraft—a Mirage 2000—near Pampore, east of Srinagar, on the night of May 6–7. He said the incident stood as “a testament to the PAF’s combat excellence and the unflinching resolve of our Armed Forces to protect the motherland at all costs.” The premier said this during a visit to the Pakistan Air Force’s operational base in Kamra on Thursday, where he praised the Air Force’s “combat excellence” and reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to defend its sovereignty against any aggression, the military’s media wing said in a statement. وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف نے کہا ہے کہ ہمارے شاہینوں نے چند گھنٹوں میں دشمن کا غرور اور گھمنڈ پاش پاش کر دیا، پاکستان کے بھرپور جواب نے طاقت کا توازن تبدیل کر دیا، دشمن کو یہ پیغام دے دیا کہ اب دوبارہ کبھی میلی آنکھ سے ہماری طرف دیکھا تو اس کو پائوں تلے روند دینگے، جعفر ایکسپریس… pic.twitter.com/kJCFaIWaxr — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) May ...

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, expressing hope that it would contain further escalation and help restore calm between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The remarks came during the opening session of the GCC-USA summit in Riyadh, held in the presence of US President Donald Trump. The crown prince praised the ceasefire and emphasised Saudi Arabia’s commitment to regional peace. “We welcome the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India and hope that it will contain escalation and restore calm between the two countries,” he said. Read more: PM Shehbaz visits frontline Pasrur Garrison, lauds armed forces' response to India The ceasefire follows last week’s military confrontation between India and Pakistan, which included missile strikes, drone attacks, and cross-border fire. Tensions spiked after a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Ka...

The National Assembly on Tuesday approved a bill mandating a 25% quota for free university education for deserving students across the country, Express News reported. The lower house of Parliament passed two key pieces of legislation, with the highlight being a new law requiring universities to allocate 25% of their seats for free education to financially deserving students. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Agha Rafiullah called for the inclusion of a 25% quota for free education within the Institute for Science and Technology Bill specifically for deserving and high-achieving students. The amendment was approved by the assembly. Read more: Punjab University issues revised schedule for postponed exams However, an amendment proposed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) MNA Aliya Kamran, opposing the bill on the grounds that education falls under provincial jurisdictionm, was rejected. In addition to the free education quota bill, the House approved the Institute for Science and Technology Bill...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday declared that May 10 will be observed annually as 'Youm-e-Marka-e-Haq' to commemorate the “magnificent success” of 'Operation Bunyanum Marsoos' and to express national solidarity, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported. In a national address, the PM said the day would be marked each year across the country with fervour and passion, paying tribute to the exceptional bravery and professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces. “The professional capabilities of our brave forces kept our head high with pride,” he remarked. He announced that Friday, will be observed as a special day of tribute and gratitude. On this day, the nation will honour the Armed Forces’ success on the defence front and bow before Allah in thanks. Special prayers will be offered nationwide in continuation of Youm-e-Tashakur, seeking progress for the country and the well-being of its people, he added. Premier Sharif also unveiled a comprehensive support and compe...