Author: Our Correspondent

Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban extended a fragile ceasefire, offering a fleeting chance for diplomacy amid escalating border tensions and fragile regional mistrust. By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime agreed to extend their temporary ceasefire, signaling a cautious effort to prevent further escalation along the volatile border as diplomatic talks in Doha continued. The truce, initially declared for 48 hours at the Taliban’s request, had expired at 6pm on Friday, but both sides decided to maintain restraint until the completion of peace discussions in Qatar. According to reports from a British news agency, the ceasefire extension…

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: MQM-P Deputy Parliamentary Leader in the Sindh Assembly, Taha Ahmed Khan, urged Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to take immediate action against Karachi’s deteriorating air quality, which has reached hazardous levels and poses serious health risks to millions. In a letter, Khan cited data from Air Gradient’s Karachi Map and Linked Things AI, showing PM2.5 levels frequently exceeding 150 µg/m³—six times above the WHO safe limit of 25 µg/m³—and in some areas surpassing 200 µg/m³. He highlighted the risks of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, particularly for low-income communities with limited healthcare access. Khan called for…

Experts and policymakers gathered at Karachi’s ICCBS for the COMSTECH–PCMD course, promoting regional collaboration and scientific preparedness for future pandemics By our correspondent KARACHI: Leading scientists, health experts, and policymakers gathered at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, for the inaugural session of the COMSTECH–PCMD International Course on Pandemic Preparedness, aimed at strengthening capacities among OIC countries. The event featured prominent speakers, including Professor Nazli Hussain, Vice-Chancellor of Dow University of Health Sciences; Professor Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of COMSTECH, OIC; Jamshid Memon, Special Secretary of the Sindh Health Department; Professor Tariq, Vice Dean…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the government had engaged in negotiations with protesters until the very last moment, questioning whether their demonstrations were genuinely in support of Palestine or driven by other motives. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad alongside federal ministers following a cabinet meeting, Naqvi stressed that no action would be taken against any madrasa or religious scholars, except for officials of the armed group involved in violent acts. “No religious organization or scholar will be harassed,” he insisted, seeking to reassure the public and the wider religious community. Naqvi announced that a…