Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent LAHORE: Inspector General of Punjab Police, Dr. Usman Anwar, has directed that all vehicles with dark-tinted windows be immediately brought into compliance with the law. A police spokesperson said the order also targets vehicles and motorcycles without registration plates, with strict action to be taken against any violations. The directive applies equally to civilians and police officers, ensuring that traffic laws are enforced without exception. The spokesperson added that responsibility for enforcement will lie with local station officers, in-charges, district officials, and unit or formation heads. Any officer or official found violating the rules will face departmental…

By our correspondent ISLAMABD: Pakistan joined a global chorus of solidarity on Friday as the country observed Palestine Solidarity Day, with rallies, marches, and demonstrations organized to highlight what campaigners described as the ongoing brutality faced by civilians in Gaza. Across major cities, activists, community leaders, and members of the public took to the streets to call for an end to the violence and to show support for the Palestinian people. In statements released on the occasion, both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to supporting Palestinians “until the very end.” President Zardari…

By our correspondent KARACHI: As part of its mission to provide comprehensive healthcare to the public, the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) has announced plans to formally launch a full-fledged dialysis and lithotripsy center in a recently acquired building on Shahra-e-Faisal, Karachi. In 2024, SIUT acquired a multi-storey hotel building in one of the city’s most central locations to address the pressing issue of space. Its existing facilities were struggling to cope with the ever-increasing flow of patients, making the acquisition of a larger, strategically located property a critical step for the institute. Soon after taking possession, the…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi carried out an unannounced inspection at Islamabad Airport, during which he ordered action against a visa agent involved in irregularities. According to airport sources, the minister reviewed the operations of the FIA Immigration at the departure lounge, closely examining the immigration process and procedures. Minister Naqvi directed all agencies operating at the airport to ensure smooth facilitation for passengers, emphasizing that the use of fraudulent documents or other illegal means to travel abroad damages the country’s reputation. He warned that such practices could not be allowed to continue under any circumstances. “Travel…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, along with countries around the world, marked a Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people. On the occasion, President Arif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif issued separate messages reaffirming Pakistan’s support for Palestine. President Zardari stated that Pakistan would continue its political, diplomatic, humanitarian, and moral support for Palestinians. He noted that Pakistan played a constructive role in the Gaza peace agreement, hoping it would help alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, expressing solidarity with Palestinians, emphasised that Israel’s complete withdrawal from Palestinian territories is essential and that…

By our correspondent KARACHI: A woman from Karachi has alleged that she was sold for 600,000 rupees in Jacobabad, prompting her to seek immediate protection from the police. According to the woman, her father sold her to a man in Goth Kando Jatoi with the intent of forcing her into marriage. She told authorities that she is already married and a mother of one. Fearing for her life, she rushed to the Saddar police station to request protection. Police confirmed that the woman is being safeguarded and will be presented in court under the relevant legal procedures.

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Senator Sherry Rehman has expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in gender-based violence in Pakistan, revealing that 32,617 cases were reported in 2024 alone. She highlighted that, on average, daily reports included 67 kidnappings, 19 rapes, six cases of domestic abuse, and two honor killings. Rehman said that in Punjab, of 4,641 rape cases, only 0.4 per cent resulted in convictions, while in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa just two of 134 honor killings led to punishment. Sindh saw no convictions in 134 honor killings, 243 rape cases, or 375 instances of domestic violence. In Balochistan, 21 rape…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, on Thursday acknowledged both the strengths and shortcomings highlighted in the latest report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), signaling the government’s intention to act on the findings before the fund’s next mission arrives. Speaking to reporters, Aurangzeb described the issues raised by the IMF as “actionable” and reassured that the administration was preparing a detailed plan to address them comprehensively. He stressed that the government remained fully committed to meeting the IMF’s recommendations, noting that a formal agreement with the fund was expected to materialize in the near term. Aurangzeb added…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Dr Luo Dapeng, the World Health Organization’s representative in Pakistan, visited Sindh this week to observe the province’s ambitious measles–rubella vaccination campaign, which aims to protect nearly eight million children. During his visit, Dr Luo met frontline health teams and witnessed firsthand the logistical efforts and outreach strategies designed to reach children not only in bustling urban centers but also in remote villages, where access to healthcare remains limited. The campaign forms a crucial part of Pakistan’s broader efforts to tackle vaccine-preventable diseases, which continue to pose a serious threat to young children across the country.…

By our correspondent WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump ignited a fresh political debate on Friday after dismissing a leaked audio clip published by Bloomberg that appeared to show developer Steve Witkoff advising Russian contacts on how to gain access to the former president. When questioned by journalists about the recording, Trump brushed aside concerns, describing the exchange as “completely normal.” He added that Witkoff “has to sell all this to Ukraine” and “has to make Ukraine acceptable to Russia,” insisting that such negotiations were simply part of a deal-maker’s role. The remarks drew immediate attention from political analysts, who noted…