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By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: The Karachi Arts Council wrapped up its World Culture Festival with a colourful closing ceremony attended by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Labour Minister Saeed Ghani, Karachi’s CCPO Javed Alam Odho and the UAE Consul General Bakhit Atiq. Artists from Bangladesh, South Africa, Italy, Algeria and Japan were also present. Addressing the ceremony, Shah thanked international performers for coming to Pakistan and praised the Arts Council for organizing what he called a “beautiful festival”. He said representatives from more than 140 countries had taken part, adding that culture remained “a defining part of who we…

The Foreign Office spokesman underscored that Pakistan’s institutions remained steadfast in protecting the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, projecting a unified front amid mounting external scrutiny By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Pakistan strongly rejected and condemned a provocative and unfounded statement made by India’s foreign minister, framing it as both baseless and irresponsible. Speaking on behalf of the Foreign Office, spokesperson Tahir Hussain Inderabi underscored that Pakistan was a responsible state, with all its institutions—including the armed forces—serving as pillars of national security. The Foreign Office spokesman emphasized that these institutions remained fully committed to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and…

A chilling revelation has emerged from one of the world’s leading human rights organizations, exposing Pakistan as the latest target of some of the most sophisticated and intrusive forms of spyware known to exist. Amnesty International’s investigation into the so-called “Intellexa Leaks” has shed light on the deployment of a software tool named Predator, developed by Intellexa, an affiliate of the Israeli NSO Group. The disclosure is remarkable not only for the technical sophistication of the software but also for the geopolitical incongruity it presents: Pakistan and Israel maintain no formal diplomatic ties, and yet, according to Amnesty, citizens of…

S.M. Inam The inaugural session of Pakistan’s Eleventh National Finance Commission (NFC) has opened a new chapter in the complex dialogue between the federation and its provinces over the country’s fiscal architecture. Presided over by Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the meeting set in motion a series of working groups tasked with examining critical financial issues, signaling a more structured and consultative approach to resource allocation. These groups, to include representatives from all relevant stakeholders, are expected to produce detailed reports and recommendations for the NFC, covering the vertical distribution of national financial resources, the parallel allocation among provinces, population…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s economy in 2025 displayed remarkable signs of recovery, stability, and cautious optimism. After years of turbulence marked by high inflation, currency instability, and persistent fiscal deficits, the country began to regain its footing, signaling a potential turning point in its economic trajectory. While challenges remain, the fiscal year 2025 has demonstrated that a combination of prudent policy-making, structural reforms, and international engagement can yield tangible results. One of the most striking achievements of the year was the sharp reduction in inflation. From a peak of 38 percent…

By Atiq Raja When we talk about development, the first image that comes to mind is often wide, smooth roads. Expansive highways, freshly paved streets, and streams of fast-moving traffic have long been symbols of progress. Yet, real urban development is never one-sided. Cities are not built for cars alone—they are built for people. And for people to move safely and confidently, footpaths and zebra crossings are just as critical as the roads themselves. Without them, the promise of progress is incomplete, leaving pedestrians vulnerable and the city unsafe. Across many developing cities, there is a curious paradox. Roads are…

By ISPR DERA BUGTI: Security forces in Balochistan killed five terrorists in an intelligence-led operation in the Dera Bugti district on Saturday, the military confirmed. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the individuals were linked to a faction identified as “Fitna-e-Khawarij Hindustan”, a group accused of orchestrating attacks with external support and threatening regional stability. The operation, described by officials as “meticulously planned and executed”, targeted terrorist hideouts across the district. Troops reportedly acted with precision, neutralizing the threat while recovering a significant cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosive material. The ISPR highlighted that the raid demonstrated the security…

By Riaz Narejo DADU: A delegation from Aga Khan University met Deputy Commissioner Syed Murtaza Shah on Saturday to discuss the rising climate change and heat-wave challenges confronting the district. The team included Operations Head Zaheer Chand and researcher Dr Kanthesh Kumar. According to DC Shah, the meeting focused on disaster management, early-warning systems, and the timely dissemination of alerts ahead of potential emergencies. Officials briefed the delegation on the environmental challenges faced by the district following the 2022 super floods, as well as the existing disaster-response mechanisms. The AKU delegation expressed concern over the growing impacts of climate change,…

Press Release KARACHI: The appointment of Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal General Asim Munir as Chief of Defence Forces would further strengthen the country’s defence, said Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor on Saturday. Congratulating Field Marshal Asim Munir on his new role, he said that under his leadership, national defence, unity, and cohesion would be further enhanced. He added that the institutional role in safeguarding the country and promoting development would also be reinforced. “Our brave armed forces are our pride, and they have made national security impregnable,” he said. Altaf Shakoor stressed that the time had…