Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent HANGU: Three police officers were killed on Wednesday in a violent exchange of fire with militants in Hangu, marking the latest escalation of unrest in Pakistan’s north-western district. According to District Police Officer Khanzeb, the incident unfolded when armed militants opened fire on the Qazi Talab police checkpoint along Shahu Road. Officers at the post returned fire, prompting the attackers to retreat into surrounding areas as darkness fell. A police spokesperson confirmed the deaths, describing the officers as having been “martyred” in the line of duty. Following the assault, local security forces launched an extensive search operation…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claimed that the PTI founder was receiving food and facilities in prison that were far beyond what ordinary inmates – and even political prisoners in previous years – had ever been given. In a statement shared on social media, Asif said the former prime minister’s meals were brought in from outside and were of a quality “not available even in five-star hotels”. He added that the PTI founder had access to a television and could watch whatever channels he liked, while exercise machines had also been placed at his disposal. Recalling his…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori met with European Union Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis on Tuesday to discuss avenues for economic cooperation and Pakistan’s preferential access to EU markets under the GSP+ scheme. During the meeting, Tessori described the EU as Pakistan’s largest export market and stressed the need to further expand bilateral trade. “GSP+ is extremely important for Pakistan’s exports and for maintaining access to European markets,” he said, highlighting the scheme’s strategic value. The governor underlined Pakistan’s potential as a market of 240 million people, offering competitive labor and a strategic location, making it an attractive…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser sharply criticized the government’s handling of the economy, describing current policies as a “complete failure” and alleging that corruption had reached unprecedented levels under the present administration. Speaking at a public event in Swabi on Tuesday, Qaiser cited estimates from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggesting that Pakistan had lost around Rs5,300 billion to corrupt practices over the past three years. Qaiser urged the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to conduct an independent and thorough investigation into what he described as widespread financial misconduct, warning…

By Riaz Narejo DADU: Chief Administrator of Sindh Auqaf, Mukhtiar Ali Abro, visited the shrine of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, where he offered a chadar and recited Fatiha before inspecting the site’s facilities. During his visit, Abro toured various sections of the shrine, reviewing sanitation arrangements and the installed CCTV cameras. He directed that all non-functional or damaged cameras be replaced immediately and that the shrine’s cleanliness system be further enhanced. Speaking at the site, Abro said he was visiting under the special instructions of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Provincial Minister for Zakat and Auqaf, Syed…

By our correspondent KARACHI: An external audit of polio eradication activities in Sindh has raised serious concerns over inadequate preparation, weak micro-planning, and gaps in frontline worker training across key districts and union councils. The findings, presented during a review meeting attended by health officials and partners of the Polio Global Eradication Initiative, reveal that insufficient time is being allocated to campaign preparation, resulting in outdated or incomplete microplans. These lapses, auditors warned, leave some areas and households with children unreached. The report highlights mismatches in workloads caused by incorrect household estimates and inappropriate distribution of vaccination teams. High turnover…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The Consulate-General of Japan in Karachi, in partnership with the Pakistan-Japan Cultural Association (PJCA) and the Pakistan-Japan Business Forum (PJBF), hosted the much-anticipated “Japan Festival (Japan Fest) 2025”, offering Karachi residents an immersive experience of Japanese culture and heritage. The event, held over the weekend, drew a diverse crowd eager to explore the traditions, arts, and creativity of Japan. Consul General Hattori Masaru welcomed attendees with a message emphasizing the power of cultural exchange in deepening understanding and friendship between Japan and Pakistan. The Japan CG described the festival as more than a celebration, calling it…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarrar presented the draft of the 27th constitutional amendment in the National Assembly on Tuesday, highlighting its approval by the Senate with a two‑thirds majority. Speaking during the session chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Tarrar said the amendment seeks to establish a constitutional court, a key point of the National Democratic Charter, and stressed that constitutional changes should ideally be made by consensus. “The opposition should have been part of the joint committee,” he added. Tarrar explained that globally, constitutional matters are heard by specialised benches, and judicial appointments in many…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, condemned the recent terrorist attack in Islamabad, describing it as a stark warning to the state. Speaking to reporters in the aftermath of the blast near the district court, Asif said that while terrorism had long been concentrated in the country’s border regions, the latest incident indicated that militants could now reach any part of Pakistan. “The attack in Islamabad should be understood as a message to the state,” he said, emphasizing the seriousness of the threat. He recalled the sacrifices made by both the Pakistani people and the armed…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Dr Shamshad Akhtar, chairperson of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) Board, said Pakistan’s strategic location positions it well to serve as a hub for the region’s capital markets. Speaking virtually at the joint International Capital Market Conference and Expo 2025, organized by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the Capital Market Infrastructure, Dr Akhtar highlighted the benefits of regional integration. “History shows that regional harmonization brings advantages,” she said, noting that connectivity and coordination across South Asia would promote sustainable and inclusive investment growth. Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Jameel Ahmad,…