Author: News Desk

News Desk PRETORIA: South Africa has declared an Israeli diplomat persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within 72 hours. The South African Foreign Ministry identified Ariel Sedman, the chargé d’affaires at Israel’s embassy, as the official concerned. The ministry said Sedman had breached diplomatic norms and conducted a social media campaign deemed insulting to the South African president. Authorities have called on Israel to ensure adherence to diplomatic protocols in the future. The decision marks a rare diplomatic rebuke and underscores rising tensions between Pretoria and Tel Aviv, with officials stressing the importance of mutual respect…

News Desk KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has formally replied to the provincial government’s request for an inquiry into the Gul Plaza tragedy. Citing the Pakistan Commission of Inquiry Act 2017, the court noted that the government has the authority to conduct its own investigation, while the Supreme Court has already set standards for judicial inquiries. The High Court clarified that a judicial commission composed of former judges or legal experts does not require consultation with the Chief Justice. The response follows a formal letter sent by the Sindh government recommending that a serving High Court judge oversee the inquiry…

News Desk JAMMU, IIOJK: Indian forces launched extensive cordon and search operations across multiple districts of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), according to reports from the Kashmir Media Service.The operations involved coordinated efforts by the Indian Army, paramilitary forces, police, and the Special Operations Group, and were carried out in Kishtwar, Doda, Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, and Samba districts. Local residents described the operations as unrelenting, with armed personnel conducting house-to-house searches, setting up checkpoints, and restricting movement in entire villages.Eyewitnesses reported that families were often confined to their homes while their properties were searched, leaving communities in…

News Desk BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized that China and Europe are not competitors but partners, highlighting the importance of cooperation over rivalry. The remarks came during a meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, who is visiting China. “Cooperation between China and Europe far outweighs competition, and our shared interests exceed any differences,” Xi said, according to international media reports. He expressed hope that Finland would play a constructive role in fostering the healthy and stable development of China–Europe relations. Xi called for deeper collaboration between China and Finland in areas such as energy transition, circular economy,…

News Desk ISLAMABAD: The District and Sessions Courts in Islamabad have directed the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to appear either in person or via video link at the next hearing of six cases, including those related to 9 May incidents. Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka conducted the hearing and extended the interim bail for both the PTI founder and his wife, Bushra Bibi, until 6 February. The founder could not be presented in court via video link, preventing arguments on the bail applications from being heard. As a result, the court postponed further proceedings until 6 February. The…

News Desk MUMBAI: Indian cricket board (BCCI) vice president Rajeev Shukla has expressed strong disapproval of Pakistan’s involvement after Bangladesh sought to move its matches out of India for the T20 World Cup. According to Indian media, Shukla said India had assured Bangladesh of full security and had encouraged the team to play in India, but the Bangladesh Cricket Board cited government concerns and requested their matches be relocated to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Shukla alleged that Pakistan intervened without cause, influencing Bangladesh’s decision. He expressed regret that India wanted Bangladesh to participate and had made all arrangements to ensure their…

News Desk ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) said on Monday that it would not allow attacks on Iran to be launched from its territory. The statement from the foreign ministry came after US President Donald Trump said last week that a US “armada” was heading to the Gulf and that Washington was closely monitoring Iran following recent protests. The ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to ensuring that its airspace, land and waters are not used for any hostile military action against Iran. It also said the country would not provide logistical support for attacks. The statement added that…

News Desk BEIJING: China’s President Xi Jinping described China and India as “good neighbors, friends and partners” while congratulating President Droupadi Murmu on India’s Republic Day, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Monday. Xi said that over the past year, relations between the two countries had continued to improve and develop. He added that their ties were “of great significance for maintaining and promoting world peace and prosperity,” according to Xinhua. “Being good neighbors, friends and partners is the right choice for both China and India,” Xi said. He referred to the countries as the “dragon and the elephant…

News Desk KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has temporarily suspended the order to seal a petrol station allegedly set up on Karachi University land. A three-week stay was granted following a petition challenging the Deputy Commissioner East’s directive. During the hearing before a constitutional bench, the petitioner’s lawyer, Asim Iqbal, argued that the allegations of encroachment on Karachi University land were incorrect, noting that the land had been purchased in 2012. He added that the Deputy Commissioner had not given the petitioner an opportunity to respond before ordering the seal. The court requested a detailed report from the Deputy Commissioner…

News Desk LONDON: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said his cabinet had authorized Pakistan’s participation in the Gaza Peace Board, describing it as a significant step towards promoting peace in the region. Speaking to the media in London, the prime minister expressed hope that a lasting resolution could soon be achieved in Gaza. He emphasized that Palestinians deserved to have their rights recognized with respect and dignity. He said Pakistan would continue to advocate for their welfare on international platforms and play an active role in supporting dialogue between parties. Shehbaz Sharif described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as deeply…