Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has taken a significant step toward its first human spaceflight mission after the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) successfully completed the secondary phase of astronaut candidate selection, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced on Saturday. The milestone marks a major development in Pakistan’s Human Spaceflight Program. Following an initial screening in Pakistan, two candidates were shortlisted after undergoing comprehensive medical, psychological, and aptitude assessments at the Astronauts Centre of China (ACC), in accordance with international standards for human spaceflight. The two shortlisted candidates will now enter a six-month period of advanced astronaut…

By our correspondent KARACHI: A women’s convention organized by the Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) drew a large turnout in Karachi’s Central district on Saturday, including a significant number of university students. Addressing the gathering, party chairman Afaq Ahmed reiterated his party’s opposition to the division of Karachi and the Mohajir community, describing recent calls for a separate province as the agenda of what he termed the “Punjab establishment,” backed by those in power through Form 47. Ahmed said his party’s position was clear: it would not allow the Mohajir people or their land to be divided. He described Karachi and…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan inaugurated the International Medical Education Conference 2026 at its Karachi headquarters, drawing senior medical leaders from Pakistan and abroad. Held under the theme “Enhancing Competence, Compassion, and Resilience through Innovation and Collaboration,” the conference focused on technical excellence alongside human values, ethics, empathy, and resilience as core elements of modern medical education. The opening session began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthem. In his welcome address, Professor Dr Khalid Masood Gondal underlined the need to train physicians who are not only clinically competent…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the site of the suicide bombing at Tarlai Imambargah in Islamabad on Friday. He was accompanied by Minister of State Talal Chaudhry, the Federal Secretary for Interior, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, and IG Islamabad Police. The delegation offered Maghrib and Isha prayers at the site and prayed for the highest ranks of those killed in the blast. They also inspected the area and reviewed the situation. Naqvi met with the management of the imambargah and directed the Chairman of the Capital Development Authority to fully restore the building as soon as possible.…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The medical report of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has been shared with his family, following directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Friday. In a post on X, Attaullah Tarar said the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) executive director sent the report to the superintendent of Adiala Jail, “which has been handed over to the family.” He noted that the Leader of the Opposition had written to the prime minister, and PTI leaders also approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan regarding Khan’s medical check-up. The announcement comes…

By our correspondent LAHORE: Sona Center organized a ‘Kissan Convention’ at a local hotel to highlight its support for farmers across Pakistan. In just one year, around 244 stores have been opened nationwide. The initiative, which aligns with global trends in sustainable agriculture, seeks to ensure that international farming standards are adopted in Pakistan with the support of government and stakeholders. Punjab’s Secretary of Agriculture, Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, attended the event as chief guest. He commended Sona Centers for their pivotal role in serving farmers and contributing to the development of Pakistan’s agriculture sector through timely delivery of quality inputs…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The religious-political group Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) has announced three days of mourning following the deadly suicide bombing at the Khadijat-ul-Kubra mosque and imambargah in Islamabad. Speaking after the attack, MWM leader Allama Sadiq Jafri said protests and rallies would be held across Sindh to condemn terrorism. He said prayers were being offered for the elevation of the ranks of those killed and for the swift recovery of the injured. An MWM protest was also held at Numaish Chowrangi against the Islamabad attack, with senior figures including Allama Sadiq Jafri and Allama Mubashir Hasan joining a large…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Dr Niaz Ahmad, the vice-chancellor of Quaid-i-Azam University, as the new chair of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. The federal education ministry has issued a notification confirming the appointment, which has been made for a two-year term under the amended HEC Act. Dr Ahmad was selected following a formal search process led by a nine-member committee headed by the federal education minister, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui of MQM-Pakistan. After conducting interviews, the committee submitted a summary to the prime minister recommending three candidates: former NED University vice-chancellor Dr…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Power regulator has approved an increase in electricity prices under the fuel cost adjustment mechanism, adding further pressure to households already struggling with high living costs. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has raised the price of electricity by 28 paisas per unit for December’s fuel price adjustment, according to an official notification. The increase will be charged to consumers in February’s electricity bills and will apply across the country, including customers of K-Electric. Nepra said the higher tariff would not apply to lifeline consumers or to electric vehicle charging stations. Fuel price adjustments are…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said investigators have established that the terrorist involved in a deadly attack in Islamabad had travelled to and from Afghanistan, as authorities probe what he described as emerging links between India and Taliban elements. In a statement, Asif said the attacker who targeted worshippers in a mosque was an enemy of both religion and the state. He said security guards challenged the suspect at the mosque entrance, after which the attacker opened fire before carrying out the bombing. According to the minister, the suicide bomber detonated himself near the back rows…