Blaze News - Pakistan

The Federal Board of Revenue has extended the deadline for taxpayers to submit their income tax returns for the financial year 2024-2025 by October 15. The decision to extend the deadline was made in response to requests from various business associations, tax bar associations, and the general public. In a circular issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday, it was announced that the last date for filing income tax returns had been extended under Section 214(A) of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. The FBR clarified that the extension would allow taxpayers additional time to comply with their filing obligations, aiming to ease the burden on those who were struggling to meet the original deadline. Federal Board of Revenue has extended the deadline for filing of Income Tax Returns for Tax Year 2025 till October 15, 2025. 1/2 — FBR (@FBRSpokesperson) September 30, 2025 A day earlier, FBR had announced that the deadline for filing income tax returns would not be extended beyond S...

Britain plans to tighten the rules over how migrants can settle permanently by making applicants prove their value to society, including being able to speak a "high standard" of English, interior minister Shabana Mahmood said on Monday. The plan is the latest government effort to dent the rising popularity of the populist Reform UK party, which has led the debate on tackling immigration and forced Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour Party to toughen its policies. Most migrants can currently apply for "indefinite leave to remain" after five years of living in Britain, a status that gives them the right to live permanently in the country. Read More: Starmer warns UK Labour in 'fight of our lives' In her first speech to the Labour Party conference as interior minister, Mahmood said the government is considering making changes so people will only qualify for this status if they pay social security contributions, have a clean criminal record, do not claim be...

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab criticised the federal government for announcing Rs20 billion for Karachi, terming it a "lollipop" compared to the city's actual need of Rs200 billion, saying those sitting in Islamabad cannot solve Karachi's problems. He made the remarks while speaking to the media after inaugurating Imam Mehdi Park and Sports Ground in New Rizvia Society. This city requires consistent work at the local level," he said, adding that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) will spend Rs28 billion on development this year, while another Rs10 billion has been allocated for town-level projects. The mayor said the 5.5-acre site, once a garbage dump, has been transformed into a modern recreational facility featuring a walking track, football and cricket grounds, floodlights, and other amenities. "Where there was garbage, today there is greenery. Green spaces are an ongoing charity, and this park is a gift for citizens," he added. Wahab said larg...

The National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution condemning the 'inappropriate behaviour' of PTI founder Imran Khan towards senior journalist Aijaz Ahmed during a meeting at Adiala Jail. The resolution, moved by Khawaja Izharul Hassan, said the PTI founder used offensive language against the journalistic norms. It called for strict legal action and urged the Ministry of Interior to ensure the safety of Aijaz Ahmed. The resolution further said that press clubs, journalist bodies, and related forums must not face intimidation or obstruction. It demanded immediate action against those running malicious social media campaigns targeting journalists and urged that the perpetrators be punished under the law. Toshakhana 2.0 case hearing The Toshakhana 2.0 case against PTI founder and his wife Bushra Bibi witnessed its longest hearing at Adiala Jail, lasting for nearly seven-and-a-half hours. During the session, the prosecution’s witness, NAB Investigation Officer Mohsin Haroon, re...

Dengue cases are on the rise across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa with health officials confirming 95 new infections in the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of cases reported this month to 1,273. According to a health department report, Charsadda, Mansehra, Haripur, Peshawar, Kohat, Swabi, and Mardan have been declared high-risk districts for dengue. In the past 24 hours, 23 new patients were admitted to hospitals across the province. Charsadda has recorded the highest number of cases in September, with 256 patients. Mansehra reported 214, Haripur 148, Peshawar 122, Kohat 99, Swabi 49, and Mardan reported 46 cases. From January to September this year, a total of 2,283 dengue cases have been confirmed in K-P, out of which 1,141 patients have recovered. No deaths have been reported so far. Officials said that cooler districts are no longer reporting new cases, but infections continue in high-risk areas due to favourable conditions for the virus. The report also noted that data from major...

A man drove his vehicle through the front doors of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and shot at least 10 people, killing one of them, local police said on Sunday. The shooter got out of his vehicle firing an assault-style weapon, Grand Blanc Chief of Police William Renye said. He added that hundreds of people were in the church, which was set on fire when the vehicle smashed into it. Smoke billowed from the building as firefighters sprayed the blaze with water while fire trucks and emergency vehicles were parked nearby, footage on social media showed. Authorities believe they will find additional victims in the ruins, the chief said. Police did not immediately release the name of the suspect, who died at the scene in an exchange of gunfire with two officers who rushed to the church, the chief said. Renye described him as a 40-year-old man from Burton, Michigan. Further details were not immediately available. “My heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community," Michig...

The State Bank of Pakistan has issued a clarification amid recent social media concerns over the two-hour cooling period for digital fund transfers. The bank said that while all transfers are processed in real time, funds received in branchless banking accounts can only be accessed after a two-hour window as a precaution against fraudulent transactions. In an official notification, the central bank stated that all digital fund transfers are processed on a real-time basis and beneficiaries receive the funds in their accounts instantly. However, the two-hour cooling period is specifically applicable to the use or cash-out of funds received in branchless banking wallets or accounts. #SBP clarifies that all digital fund transfers are made on real time basis & beneficiaries receive funds almost instantly. The 2-hours cooling period is applicable only on usage/cash-out of funds received in branchless banking wallets/accounts. pic.twitter.com/lfOBFZtL1C — SBP (@StateBank_Pak) Septembe...

Columnist Shama Junejo has claimed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif included her in Pakistan’s United Nations delegation as an adviser, while urging the premier to take notice of Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s remarks questioning her presence at the world body. The controversy erupted on September 25 when Asif addressed a UN Security Council session on artificial intelligence. Photos from the event circulated on social media showed Junejo seated behind him, sparking criticism as old posts allegedly supportive of Israel resurfaced. Clarifying the matter, Asif told reporters that he had spoken at the session on behalf of the prime minister and Junejo’s presence was a matter for the Foreign Office. Also Read: Foreign Office distances itself from Shama Junejo row “This woman or whoever sat behind me was and is at the discretion of the Foreign Office,” he said, while stressing his long-standing commitment to the Palestinian cause. Junejo, however on Sunday, defended her role in the deleg...

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur categorically stated that his government would neither permit nor support any military operations in the province, stressing that the conflict should be addressed through negotiations. Speaking at a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally in Peshawar on Saturday, Gandapur said the provincial administration stood firmly against forced evictions in the name of counter-terrorism drives. “We will not permit any operation, nor will we support it,” he told supporters. The chief minister reminded federal authorities of the heavy toll past campaigns had taken on the region. “In the war on terror, thousands of our people have been martyred. We do not want war, we want peace. Neither Imran Khan nor the K-P government will allow any kind of operation,” he said. شکریہ خیبر پختونخوا شکریہ پاکستان عمران خان زندہ باد پاکستان پائندہ باد#خان_کی_کال_پر_عوامی_ریفرنڈم #ستمبر27_خان_کی_کال#انقلاب_کی_للکار_پشاور_سے pic.twitter.com/nYLSy3Zpp9 — Ali Amin Khan Ga...

The International Monetary Fund has asked Pakistan to submit detailed proposals aimed at curbing electricity theft, reducing line losses, and cutting capacity charges, as talks between the two sides continue under the second economic review of the ongoing bailout programme. The discussions are part of efforts to secure the release of a $1 billion tranche under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and an additional $220 million under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). Sources told Express Tribune that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also demanded clarity from the federal government regarding the shortfall in provincial surplus targets, which stood at Rs921 billion against a target of Rs1,200 billion for the fiscal year. Punjab posted a surplus of Rs348 billion, Sindh Rs283 billion, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Rs176 billion, and Balochistan Rs114 billion. The K-P government is expected to brief the IMF separately between September 29 and October 1. Read More: Pakistan t...

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has clarified that the recent defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is not linked to the ongoing regional tensions — particularly Israel’s actions in Qatar — but is the result of years of sustained bilateral dialogue and cooperation. In an exclusive interview with British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan, Asif confirmed that the pact was not a reaction to recent regional developments. "This agreement is not a reaction to what happened in Qatar," he asserted. "It had been under negotiation for quite some time. While its finalisation may have been sped up, it was already in the offering," he added. Asif went on to elaborate on the long-standing relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, emphasising the continuation of a defence partnership that dates back over five decades. "We’ve had a military presence in Saudi Arabia for many years, sometimes reaching 4,000 to 5,000 troops. The relationship was a bit transactiona...

The Judicial Commission’s subcommittee has proposed that reserved judgments must be announced within 90 days, as part of new rules being discussed to evaluate the performance of high court judges. The subcommittee meeting, chaired by Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, reviewed procedures and rules aimed at assessing the efficiency and conduct of high court judges, according to sources. One of the key proposals discussed was linking judges’ performance to the timely disposal of cases, including a requirement to decide matters on the cause list daily. They further stated that all members of the subcommittee were directed to submit their recommendations in writing for further consideration. Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi had formed two committees, led by Justice Mandokhail, to prepare draft rules for the annual judicial performance evaluation of high court judges, as well as criteria for the selection of judges for the constitutional benches. The 26th Constitutional Amendment mand...

Thousands of residents in Islamabad have rushed to obtain driving licences after police announced strict penalties for those caught driving without one, prompting authorities to extend the compliance deadline. To manage the influx, Islamabad Traffic Police announced that driving licence services would now operate round the clock. Eleven facilitation centres have been set up across the city to ease pressure on traffic offices, while mobile vans are also being deployed to process licences in different areas. Active centres include Faizabad Traffic Office, F-6 Facilitation Centre, Sawan Garden, Gulberg Green, Sector H-11, Bani Gala, Sector G-11 DC Office, and Sector G-14. Additional desks have been established at Khanna Police Station, Diplomatic Enclave, and Islamabad Chamber of Commerce. Read More: Unlicensed drivers to face jail, seizure of vehicle In response to the surge, Islamabad IGP Ali Nasir Rizvi extended the deadline until October 7, 2025. “On citizens’ strong appeals and f...

The unofficial results of by-elections for 28 local government seats across 14 districts of Sindh, including three in Karachi, showed the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) emerging as the front-runner. The Election Commission of Pakistan has released unofficial results for all 28 seats. According to preliminary figures, candidates from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured victory in 21 seats, while independent candidates and Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) won three and two seats, respectively. Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) also secured one seat each. Polling began at 8 am and ended at 4 pm. Voters' turnout remained relatively low across several constituencies. Overall polling process reportedly remained peaceful, however, some sporadic incidents of unrest were reported in Karachi. The by-polls were held for six chairmen, seven vice chairmen, 13 general members and two district council members. About 243,187 voters (133,038 men and 110,154 women) were ...

The Council of Islamic Ideology retracted its earlier statement declaring withholding tax on financial transactions as “un-Islamic,” clarifying that no final decision had been made on the matter. The 342nd meeting of the CII on Wednesday described the withholding tax on fund transfers and cash withdrawals as excessive and inconsistent with Islamic principles in its initial communiqué. However, the council later issued a clarification on the matter. The follow-up statement, titled “Clarification,” said that reports suggesting the council had reached a definitive conclusion were misleading. It explained that only a preliminary discussion took place among some members, during which opinions varied. “The members have recommended consulting experts in the next meeting for a more detailed discussion,” the statement added. “No final decision has been made by the council on the issue under consideration.” The CII also voiced strong opposition to the proposed amendments in the Diyat (b...

One of the quietest revolutions in Pakistan's justice sector is not happening in a grand courtroom, but on the ground, through a policy designed to place lawyers within reach of those who could never dream of hiring one. The Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan has expanded its free legal aid programme to every tier of the judiciary, increasing financial assistance for litigants to Rs50,000. On paper, it may appear to be a technical measure, a modest sum tucked into the machinery of judicial reforms. In reality, it is a declaration that justice in Pakistan must no longer be the privilege of the wealthy but the right of all citizens. Since 2012, over 7,000 litigants have benefited from Rs115 million disbursed through District Legal Empowerment Committees across the country. Behind these numbers are stories of prisoners forgotten in overcrowded jails, widows unable to contest inheritance disputes and families crippled by legal expenses. For them, Rs50,000 is not just financial aid;...

Meta Platforms on Tuesday said it is introducing a translation feature for its WhatsApp messaging service, aiming to ease cross‑language chats among its more than 3 billion users. The translations will initially be available in six languages on Android devices and 19 languages on iPhones, with more languages to follow. "Message translations were designed to protect the privacy of your chats. That's why translations occur on your device where WhatsApp cannot see them," Meta said in a blog. Users can long-press on a message and tap "Translate" to see any message in another language. The feature works for personal and group chats, as well as channel updates. Android users can also enable automatic translation for an entire chat thread so future messages are translated by default. from Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/pYKPj6f

Taiwan's fire department said on Tuesday that 30 people were missing and two people had died in the eastern county of Hualien, where a barrier lake in the mountains burst its banks in a typhoon. Taiwan has since Monday been lashed by the outer rim of Super Typhoon Ragasa, which is now on its way to the southern Chinese coast. The barrier lake, formed by landslides triggered by earlier heavy rain in the sparsely populated east of Taiwan, burst its banks mid-afternoon on Tuesday, sending a wall of water into Guangfu township. The fire department put the number of missing in Hualien following the flood at 30, with two deaths reported in Guangfu. Read More: Hong Kong closes ahead of Super Typhoon Ragasa Ragasa lashed the northern Philippines and Taiwan on Monday with heavy rains and strong winds, forcing thousands to evacuate. "In some places, water temporarily rose as high as the second floor of a house and was about (as high as) one floor in the town centre, where the water has ...

A prison riot caused by gang fighting in southern Ecuador on Monday left 14 people dead and another 14 wounded, according to a local police chief. Prisoners in the port town of Machala, south of Guayaquil, faced off with authorities, killing a guard and kidnapping officers, police chief William Calle told TV network Ecuavisa. “From the inside they were shooting, throwing bombs, grenades,” Calle said. Some prisoners escaped, and 13 have been recaptured so far, he added. After about 40 minutes, authorities were able to retake control of the prison, according to Calle. Ecuador has been plagued by prison riots in recent years, with hundreds of inmates killed. The government of President Daniel Noboa, who has vowed to crack down on crime, attributes the clashes to gangs vying for territory and control. from Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/HxJOwM3

The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has confirmed a new case of polio in Hyderabad district of Sindh, bringing the total number of polio cases reported across Pakistan to 27 in 2025. According to the NEOC, Sindh has reported seven cases so far this year, highlighting ongoing challenges in eradicating the crippling virus from the province. “Polio is an incurable disease that can cause lifelong disability,” the NEOC said in a statement, urging parents to ensure their children receive polio drops during every vaccination campaign. The next nationwide polio vaccination drive will be held from October 13 to 19, during which over 400,000 polio workers will go door-to-door to administer oral polio vaccine drops to children under the age of five. The NEOC emphasised that the support of parents, communities, teachers, religious leaders, and the media is crucial to the success of the polio eradication campaign. Despite significant progress in recent years, Pakistan remains one of the...

The Sindh government has declared a public holiday on September 24 in 14 districts of the province to facilitate voters during upcoming by-elections, according to a notification issued on Monday. The Sindh education department has also issued instructions to the district education officers and the Directorate of Private Schools in this regard. The letter, sent to the departments concerned, said polling stations would be set up in schools located in the relevant constituencies. Authorities also directed the district education officials and the private schools directorate to extend full cooperation in the arrangements. The districts where the holiday will be observed include Ghotki, Sukkur, Khairpur, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Matiari, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Dadu, Badin, Thatta, Karachi East, Karachi West and Keamari. Authorities said the decision was aimed at enabling citizens to cast their votes without difficulty. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken notice ...

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan and China will finalise the strategy to implement the action plan for the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) during the 14th meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC). Speaking before his departure on Sunday to attend the JCC meeting scheduled to be held in Beijing on September 26, the minister said the JCC session would give “practical shape” to the roadmap for CPEC Phase-II. “During Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit, the 2025–29 Action Plan was finalised. Now, we will evolve a strategy for its implementation,” he told reporters. Calling China “Pakistan’s most reliable friend” that had stood by the country in every difficult time, Iqbal said both countries would “work step by step for mutual prosperity” in the coming years. He noted that Pakistan’s economic indicators were showing marked improvement and the country was “entering a new era of...

Scientists in the US and China have developed the world’s first medical imaging camera built from perovskite crystals – a material better known for its role in solar panels. The new detector, designed at Northwestern University and Soochow University, captures individual gamma rays with unprecedented precision. Researchers say it could make nuclear medicine scans such as SPECT both cheaper and more accurate. Traditional scanners rely on cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) or sodium iodide detectors, which are either costly or produce fuzzier images. Perovskite technology, by contrast, is easier to manufacture, potentially lowering costs for hospitals while improving image quality. The advance, published in Nature Communications, could shorten scan times, reduce radiation exposure for patients, and make high-quality imaging accessible to more clinics worldwide. A Northwestern spinout, Actinia Inc., is already working to commercialise the technology. “This is the first clear proof that perovski...

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has revealed that at least 1,006 people have lost their lives during recent rains and floods while 3.02 million individuals have been rescued in flood-hit regions across Pakistan since June 26. The authority on Sunday released fresh figures, revealing that torrential rains and flash floods had prompted 5,768 rescue operations nationwide. During these operations, 273,524 relief items were distributed, while 662,098 people received medical treatment at 741 camps established under the coordinated efforts of the NDMA, Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), the Pakistan Army, and other rescue services. The NDMA figures show Punjab accounted for the highest number of fatalities, with 304 deaths — including 110 children, 143 men, and 51 women. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) reported 504 deaths, that included 90 children, 338 men, and 76 women. Sindh reported 80 deaths, including 35 children, while Balochistan confirmed 30 fatalities. Gi...

NASA has tapped Blue Origin, the space company founded by Jeff Bezos, for another major lunar mission under its Artemis programme, awarding it a potential $190 million contract to deliver a rover to the Moon’s South Pole by late 2027. The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) will hunt for water ice and other volatile resources beneath the lunar surface, data which could help shape future missions to both the Moon and Mars. “This delivery is one of many ways we’re leveraging US industry to support a long-term American presence on the lunar surface,” said acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. He noted the mission will probe permanently shadowed regions, offering crucial insights into potential astronaut landing zones and strategies for long-duration stays. This is Blue Origin’s second delivery award under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. Its first mission, using the Blue Moon MK1 lander, is expected later this year. For the VIPER mission, the...

The Balochistan government has directed citizens to promptly report any missing family members or those suspected of joining non-state groups, warning that failure to do so will invite strict legal action under anti-terrorism laws. According to an official notification by the Home Department, parents, siblings, guardians, and relatives bear the legal and moral responsibility to inform the nearest police station or relevant authorities if a family member disappears or is suspected of joining non-state or terrorist groups. The Home Department issued the notification through advertisements in local newspapers, making it clear that any delay or failure to report such disappearances will be treated as a punishable offence under Section 202 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), read with Section 11-E(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997. It warned that if a missing person is later found to be affiliated with terrorist organisations or involved in terrorism-related activities — including prov...

US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened Venezuela with “incalculable” consequences if it refuses to take back migrants it has “forced into the United States,” as tensions soar with Caracas. “We want Venezuela to immediately accept all of the prisoners, and people from mental institutions… forced into the United States of America,” Trump said, adding in all-caps “or the price you pay will be incalculable!” President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States had attacked a vessel he said was carrying drugs in the US Southern Command's area of responsibility, the latest US strike in the region Read More: Venezuela accuses US of 'aggression' The latest strike - at least the third against alleged drug vessels - comes amid a large US military buildup in the southern Caribbean. Five F-35 aircraft were seen landing in Puerto Rico on Saturday after the Trump administration ordered 10 of the stealth fighters to join the buildup. In a post on Truth Social on Friday, ...

President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday visited the Kashgar Free Trade Zone — the only facility of its kind in southern Xinjiang and a major trade and logistics hub. During the visit, Zardari urged a private Chinese airline to expand its operations in Pakistan to boost connectivity and deepen cultural ties. The president, who is on a ten-day state visit to China since Sept 12, was received by Yao Ning, CPC Party Secretary of Kashgar. He was briefed on the zone’s rapid growth since its establishment in 2015. Spread over 3.56 square kilometres, the zone combines bonded warehousing, logistics, processing, customs clearance and air freight services. It maintains trade links with 118 countries, exporting electric vehicles, batteries, solar cells, high-tech goods and auto parts. Read More: Pakistan, China to boost cooperation from Xinjiang to northern areas Officials informed Zardari that the zone is connected by road, rail and air to both Asia and Europe, and has its own international ai...

Human rights activist and lawyer Imaan Mazari and lawyer Naeem Panjotha were among 150-200 lawyers booked on Friday under 7ATA and other sections, following a scuffle during a protest outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The case was registered at Secretariat Police Station based on a complaint filed by IHC Bar President Syed Wajid Gilani. According to the FIR, 150-200 lawyers have been named in the case. The FIR maintained that the accused raised slogans against the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court and the Pakistan Army. “I was grabbed and repeatedly hit on the shoulders and beaten severely,” Gilani was quoted as saying in the FIR. Wajid Gilani asserted that all individuals, involved in the incident, were in lawyers’ uniforms. Furthermore, the FIR stated that Intizar Panjotha and Naeem Panjotha were armed with knives and daggers during the incident. from Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/O7if8JD

In an intelligence-based operation, the Peshawar Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) killed three terrorists, including the masterminds of the Chamkani suicide attack near Ali Masjid in Khyber district. According to a CTD spokesperson, the slain militants were identified as Mohammad Naeem alias Abdul Nasir and Mohammad Karim, both residents of Karak, who played key roles in the Chamkani bombing. The third militant, Noor Nabi, was an Afghan national from Nangarhar province. Acting on a tip-off, a CTD SWAT team raided a suspected hideout. As the team approached, the militants ambushed the security personnel, triggering a gun battle that lasted nearly half an hour. CTD officials said the personnel responded with full force and neutralised the attackers. Following the firefight, security forces recovered the bodies of the three militants. However, a top commander of the banned Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), Fazal Noor, managed to escape under the cover of darkness along with severa...

The UN Security Council is slated to vote Thursday on the latest call for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian access to Gaza, a move supported by a majority seeking to act despite repeated US vetoes. The 10 non-permanent members initiated discussions on the current draft resolution in late August, in response to the UN's official declaration of famine after nearly two years of Israel's war on the Palestinian territory. An earlier draft primarily demanded lifting barriers to aid, but diplomatic sources told AFP that France, the United Kingdom and Russia were skeptical of the value of a purely humanitarian resolution from a body tasked with maintaining world peace, which the US still could have blocked. Read More: Gaza City reels as Israel unleashes ground offensive The draft that is up for a vote Thursday, which was reviewed by AFP, calls for opening access to aid but also "demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties"...

At least five people were killed and three others injured in an explosion on Thursday near a taxi stand in the refugee camp area of Chaman, close to the Pak-Afghan border. The blast occurred at a busy location near the border crossing, an area frequented by both travelers and locals. Eyewitnesses described the explosion as intense, saying it reverberated across the city and surrounding areas, spreading panic and fear among residents. Emergency responders, including the Levies Force, Frontier Corps (FC), and other security personnel, quickly reached the site and cordoned off the area. Ambulances from nearby government hospitals were dispatched to transport the deceased and injured to medical facilities. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti directed law enforcement agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation and submit a detailed report at the earliest. According to the Balochistan Home Department, the blast site has been sealed off, with specialised forensic teams currently co...

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday reinstated Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman as chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), suspending an earlier verdict that had ordered his immediate removal. A division bench of the IHC set aside the single bench ruling by Justice Babar Sattar, which had declared Rehman’s appointment legally flawed and directed his dismissal. The single bench decision, issued just a day earlier, had held that the appointment process did not comply with legal requirements and could not be upheld. Read More: Court voids hiring, sacks PTA chairman Justice Sattar’s detailed verdict spans 99 pages and had proposed that a senior PTA member serve as acting chairman until a permanent, legally valid appointment is made. Rehman had challenged the IHC decision following the single bench ruling. The original petition was filed by digital rights activist Usama Khilji through Advocate Asad Ladha, contesting Rehman’s appointment under the Ordinance of ...

Pakistan and the International Atomic Energy Agency have formalised a new cooperation agreement—the Country Programme Framework (CPF) 2026‑31—aimed at advancing nuclear science and technology for socio‑economic development. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) Chairman Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar and IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation Hua Liu were the signatories of the agreement signed on Wednesday. The CPF will guide technical cooperation between Pakistan and the IAEA, focusing on several priority sectors. These include food and agriculture; human health and nutrition; climate change and water resource management; nuclear power; and radiation and nuclear safety. Also Read: PM Shehbaz holds talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Dr Anwar said the agreement reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology. With assistance from the IAEA, he said, Pakistan will continue to employ modern tech...

Pakistan and Palestine have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in the health sector, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The agreement was signed by Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and the Palestinian Ambassador at a ceremony attended by senior health officials, including Health Secretary Hamid Yaqoob, Additional Health Secretary and the Director General Health. Kamal announced that a Pakistan-Palestine Health Working Group will be established within the next 30 days to oversee the implementation of the agreement and guide practical collaboration. He said the focus of cooperation would include advanced medical fields such as interventional cardiology, organ transplant, orthopaedic surgery, endoscopic ultrasound, and burn and plastic surgery. Joint efforts will also be pursued in infectious diseases, ophthalmology and pharmaceuticals, along with opportunities for collaborative research. “The purpose of this agreement is to foster closer c...

Pakistan’s Petroleum Division has issued a new framework banning new gas connections to domestic consumers. In this regard, the division has directed the gas utilities to reject around three million pending applications, submitted by the domestic consumers, officials said on Wednesday. The framework, approved by the federal cabinet and sent to Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGP), shifts provision of new connections to imported gas, which will cost consumers about 70% more than locally produced gas. According to the new policy, SSGC and SNGP will be able to provide imported gas connections to 50% of applicants within a time period of maximum one year, on payment of an urgent fee. Consumers who pay the fee will be connected to the imported gas supply within three months. Households whose connections have remained inactive for a year will also be shifted to imported gas. Officials said the framework consists of nine conditions governing imported gas conne...

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Tuesday strongly condemned the Israeli military aggression against Qatar on September 9. The OIC said, Israel violated the international law and the UN Charter, and constituted a dangerous escalation, threatening human rights in the region. “This unjustifiable and unprovoked attack constitutes a dangerous escalation, threatening the human rights, and an attack on the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of the State of Qatar, under the pretext of countering terrorism,” the statement added. The OIC expressed solidarity with Qatar and supported “all steps it may take to protect its security and sovereignty in accordance with the UN Charter.” Pakistan's ambassador Bilal Ahmad, whose country was among those that led the call for the urgent debate, warned that "this unjustifiable and unprovoked attack constitutes a dangerous escalation". Speaking on behalf of the OIC during an urgent debate at the UN Human Rights Cou...

Pakistan Post on Tuesday issued a special series of three commemorative postage stamps to mark Suparco Day, celebrating the country’s recent achievements in space exploration. The stamps highlight the successful launches of iCube-Qamar, PAKSAT-MM1, and EO-1, representing a transformative era in Pakistan’s national space programme. iCube-Qamar, launched on May 3, 2024 aboard China’s Chang’e-6 mission, was Pakistan’s first lunar cube satellite. It successfully validated lunar orbit operations and captured images of both the moon and the sun. Read More: Dust that spies, maps that talk, and dogs that code PAKSAT-MM1, launched on May 30, 2024, is a geostationary communication satellite designed to enhance broadcasting, telecommunications, and internet services—supporting Pakistan’s socio-economic development goals. EO-1, launched on January 17, 2025, is Pakistan’s first indigenous electro-optical Earth observation satellite. It provides high-resolution imagery for agriculture, urban plannin...

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has replaced the head of its harassment committee on Monday with the approval of Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar. According to sources, Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas has been appointed as the new head of the women’s harassment committee. Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz has been removed from the position. A notification has been issued with the chief justice’s approval. Sources said details about the decision to remove Justice Rafat from the role will be released separately. Justice Rafat, during her tenure as committee head, had set up a panel to hear complaints against judges. That committee included Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Justice Rafat herself as a member. She had earlier issued the notification as the “competent authority,” but has now been removed from the post, court officials said. Earlier, advocate Imaan Mazari filed a complaint with the Harassment Committee IHC CJ Dogar, following a verbal altercation...

Two new polio cases have been confirmed in the districts of Lakki Marwat and North Waziristan in southern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) confirmed on Monday. The latest cases bring the total number of polio infections in Pakistan this year to 26. The NEOC said high-quality vaccination campaigns were under way in southern K-P to contain the virus. “Polio campaigns help protect children from this incurable disease,” it said, adding that fresh drives had begun in southern K-P, Bajaur and Upper Dir. The NEOC said more than 1.685 million children under the age of five would be targeted in this week’s campaign. “Parents are urged to ensure their children receive polio drops in every campaign,” it said. from Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/A2gZ6Q3

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain, wind and thunderstorms in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Punjab, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) from September 15 to 19, as moist currents from the Arabian Sea and a westerly wave are expected to influence the weather system, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported on Sunday. In K-P, rain with intermittent gaps is likely in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Kohat, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Hangu, Karak and Waziristan between September 16 and 19. In Azad Kashmir, scattered showers are expected in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from the night of September 15 to September 19, with chances of isolated heavy downpours on September 16 and 18. G-B is also likely to experience similar weather from September 16 to 19, particularly ...