Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has finalized a comprehensive roadmap for the revival of its long-struggling national steel producer, Pakistan Steel Mills, officials announced on Thursday. Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar Khan said the plan aims to restore the mill as a viable and productive asset, reflecting the government’s broader vision of revitalizing key industrial sectors. Speaking to Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia in Islamabad, Akhtar Khan highlighted that detailed discussions had been held on strengthening Pakistan-Russia cooperation, with a particular focus on the modernization and operational revival of the steel complex. He said the government was actively exploring partnerships…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar convened a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Thursday to discuss strategies aimed at boosting Pakistan’s economic growth and expanding trade and investment opportunities. Officials and business representatives gathered to explore ways to strengthen the country’s economic framework and promote the interests of domestic industries and exporters. During the session, Dar emphasized the importance of collaboration with chambers of commerce and industry associations to identify new avenues for trade and enhance the competitiveness of Pakistani businesses in international markets. Ishaq Dar underlined that supporting exporters and fostering a favorable…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested a government employee accused of spreading extremist propaganda linked to “Fitna‑e‑Hindustan.” Officials said the suspect, Zafar Iqbal, had been employed as a junior staff member at Radio Pakistan. Following an internal inquiry, he was dismissed from his post. The NCCIA said Iqbal had obtained a stay order from the National Identity Registration Centre (NIRC) and posted 13 provocative messages on Facebook supporting a banned militant group. Action against the suspect was taken under Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). A court approved a three-day physical remand…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, held a telephonic conversation with his Canadian counterpart, Maninder Sidhu, to review and advance bilateral trade and investment cooperation. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to expanding partnerships for mutual economic benefit. The Canadian side welcomed Pakistan’s decision to facilitate the resumption of Canadian canola shipments, calling it an important step towards strengthening agricultural trade flows. The ministers also discussed the need for trade diversification and agreed to explore cooperation beyond traditional sectors. Pakistan highlighted its emerging focus on the minerals and mining sector as a new priority for investment…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, was once known for its lush greenery. In recent years, however, the widespread felling of trees for infrastructure projects has triggered public anger and even legal action. Built in the 1960s, Islamabad was designed as a green city. Its planners envisaged wide avenues, parks and tree-lined residential sectors. Many residents now fear that vision is being steadily eroded. Concrete is increasingly replacing green spaces across the city. Muhammad Naveed took the authorities to court this year over what he described as “large-scale tree cutting” linked to infrastructure development. He accused officials of felling…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Farman Ali Bosan, brother of Dr Altaf Bosan, National Technical Advisor for the anti-polio program, was killed in the recent Tarlai suicide bombing during Friday prayers. A retired government officer of the Sindh Education Department, Farman Ali Bosan was attending prayers when the blast occurred. His son and several cousins were injured. Funeral prayers will be held in Islamabad, where he will be laid to rest. Upon learning of his brother’s death, Dr Altaf Bosan travelled immediately from Karachi to Islamabad, suspending official activities. In a statement, he condemned the attack, calling it a reminder of…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The government has decided to strengthen its intelligence network and raise a special force to guard Balochistan and its borders with Iran and Afghanistan, a provincial official said. The move, reported by The News citing Arab News, comes days after Canadian miner Barrick Mining Corporation said it would immediately review all aspects of the multibillion-dollar Reko Diq copper-gold project in Balochistan. Barrick’s decision followed coordinated attacks by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) last Saturday, which killed 36 civilians and 22 security personnel across several districts. “In light of these terrorist events, the provincial government, in tandem…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Defence minister Khawaja Asif has said that those who kill worshippers inside a mosque are enemies of both religion and the state, condemning the deadly attack in the strongest terms. In a statement posted on X, Asif said investigations had established that the terrorist involved in the attack had travelled to and from Afghanistan. He claimed there were emerging links pointing to coordination between India and the Taliban, though he did not provide further details. The defence minister said security guards had challenged the attacker, who then opened fire before carrying out a suicide bombing. He…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to deepening engagement with Iran across key priority sectors, as he met the Iranian ambassador in Islamabad amid a renewed emphasis on regional cooperation and security. Dar made the remarks during a meeting with Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Raza Amiri Moghaddam, who called on him to review the state of bilateral relations and ongoing institutional engagement between the two neighboring countries. Officials said the discussion focused on strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, reflecting Islamabad’s stated policy of enhancing ties with regional partners through…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Sohail University and the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening ties between academia and the business community, in a move intended to promote research, innovation and skills development in Sindh. The agreement was signed at a ceremony held in the presence of the governor of Sindh, Kamran Tessori, who welcomed the initiative and described it as a step towards bridging the long-standing gap between education and industry. He said closer collaboration between universities and the private sector was essential to equip young people with skills…