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Pakistan and Indonesia attempted to chart a more purposeful course in their diplomatic journey this week, as Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived in Islamabad to a reception that blended ceremony with political symbolism. The visit, coming at a moment when both countries are trying to stabilize their internal economic trajectories while seeking dependable partnerships abroad, offered a reminder of how history continues to shape foreign policy in South and Southeast Asia. Yet it also revealed something more contemporary: a shared desire to adapt old friendships to the demands of a profoundly changed world. The signing ceremony at the Prime Minister’s…

By Fariha Aqib KARACHI: The Filipino community in Pakistan marked Christmas with a display of warmth, color and shared identity, gathering at a farmhouse on the outskirts of Islamabad for a celebration that blended cultural pride with a message of unity. Families, young people and long-time community members came together under a canopy of traditional Filipino decorations, where music, dance and festive rituals created an atmosphere that felt both deeply personal and proudly communal. The event, organized by community groups who have worked for years to preserve their cultural traditions abroad, was attended by the Philippine ambassador, Emmanuel R. Fernandez,…

News Desk JEDDAH: Pakistan’s creative delegation — proudly represented by Atiqa Odho and Shahzad Nawaz — reaffirmed its commitment to advancing cinematic storytelling, cultural diplomacy and creative collaboration on the world stage during a powerful panel discussion at the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF ’25) earlier today. Moderated by celebrated Saudi-born Pakistani presenter Omair Shaikh, the panel brought together key voices shaping Pakistan’s cultural narrative internationally: Atiqa Odho, actor, producer and women’s empowerment advocate; Shahzad Nawaz, filmmaker, creative visionary and cultural strategist; and Noshien Ahmed Waseem, cultural leader and strategic connector for Pakistan at RSIFF. The conversation explored Pakistan’s…

Pakistan has once again confronted the delicate, and often perilous, realities of transboundary water management, as reports indicate that India deliberately released a sudden surge of water into the Chenab River. Local authorities recorded the river’s flow spiking to 58,300 cubic feet per second, immediately raising alarms over the safety of downstream communities and the stability of agricultural systems that depend on predictable water levels. Officials allege that this abrupt release was intended to damage Pakistan’s wheat crop, while speculation grows that upstream reservoirs could later be manipulated to reduce flows dramatically, compounding disruption across an already strained irrigation network.…

News Desk LONDON: British courts delivered a further setback to former military officer and YouTuber Adil Raja, ordering him to issue a public apology to retired Brigadier Rashid Nasir and comply with substantial financial penalties. Under the ruling, Raja must ensure that the apology remains prominently visible for 28 days on his X, Facebook, YouTube, and personal website pages. In addition, he is required to pay £310,000 in damages and court costs by 22 December, with further legal costs to be determined and added to his obligations. The latest order follows Raja’s unsuccessful defamation case against Brigadier Nasir, which concluded…

By our correspondent KALAT: Deputy Commissioner Munir Ahmed Durrani met a delegation of local officials, political representatives and community figures in Kalat to discuss the area’s pressing problems and explore ways to promote sports for young people. Those who attended included Assistant Commissioner Khaliqabad Dr Ali Gul Imrani, PPHI district manager Mujeeb Baloch, Deputy Director of Agriculture Shakeel Zehri, Balochistan National Party district president Mir Qadir Bakhsh Mengal, municipal councillor Ahmed Nawaz Baloch, councillor Shikari Amir Bakhsh, DFA Kalat general secretary Musaddiq Sadiq, Tennis Ball Cricket Association president Abdul Waheed Mengal, Balochistan Awami Party leader Mir Dhani Bakhsh Lehri, Comrade…

By Imtiaz Hussain SUKKUR: Commissioner Sukkur Division Abid Saleem Qureshi visited Civil Hospital Sukkur and held a meeting with Medical Superintendent Dr Ahmed Mujtaba Memon to discuss hospital affairs. Additional Deputy Commissioner-II Sukkur Bushra Mansoor and other relevant officials were also present. According to officials, this marked Commissioner Qureshi’s second consecutive meeting with Dr Mujtaba, who was recently appointed as the hospital’s Medical Superintendent. The commissioner obtained updates on improvements in hospital operations and patient treatment facilities. During the meeting, Commissioner Qureshi said the Sindh government was taking healthcare facilities very seriously. He cited special directives from the Chief Secretary…

By Aslam Shah KARACHI: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Karachi has launched a sweeping investigation into alleged tampering of land records involving more than 1,000 acres across Gulshan-e-Iqbal and seven adjoining dehs. In an unusual move, NAB set up a temporary investigation office on the first floor of the COD Filter Plant, where Water Corporation officials confirmed a room had been allocated for the inquiry. The investigation is being led by Deputy Director Mirza Aleem Baig, who assumed charge this week. According to NAB sources, officials from the Sindh Board of Revenue—including several former senior members, multiple secretaries of land…