Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the summary recommending the cancellation of the Pakistan Day parade and all associated ceremonies, according to details issued by the President’s House. The decision has been taken in the context of the Gulf oil crisis and government austerity measures, with the president acting on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In his remarks regarding the approval, President Zardari emphasized that careful and responsible utilization of national resources is the duty of every citizen. The move reflects the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline amid challenging economic circumstances, with funds that…

By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: Iranian Consul General Akbar Eissa Zadeh has clarified that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for Pakistani vessels, providing assurance to shipping and trade circles amid heightened regional tensions. Talking with media, the senior Iranian diplomat outlined the conditions under which Pakistani ships can navigate the strategically crucial waterway. “Ships bringing crude oil or gas can transit through the Strait of Hormuz after contacting the government of Iran,” Eissa Zadeh stated, offering a clear channel for Pakistani energy imports to continue uninterrupted. He confirmed that vessels from Pakistan and several other countries have been granted permission…

By our correspondent GWADAR: Thousands of Pakistani citizens have streamed back into the country from Iran over the past weeks, fleeing the escalating conflict that has gripped the Middle East. The mass movement of people has been channeled through the key border crossings in Gwadar and Chagai districts of Balochistan province. Authorities have been working to process the steady influx of returnees seeking safety on home soil. Providing a detailed breakdown of the returns, the Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sarfraz Bugti, confirmed the figures in a post on the social media platform X. He stated that between 28 February and…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan announced a major crackdown on money laundering and the hawala–hundi network, signaling a new phase in the government’s efforts to tighten control over illicit financial flows. The decision followed a high-level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, where officials agreed on decisive measures against illegal money transfers. Authorities said they would intensify action against individuals and businesses involved in sending funds abroad through informal channels. Officials emphasized that there would be no leniency for major operators, reflecting growing concern over unregulated transfers that undermine the formal economy and complicate…

By our correspondent WASHINGTON: The confirmed number of American soldiers wounded in the conflict with Iran has officially been disclosed, with new figures indicating that 200 US military personnel sustained injuries. According to the US Senate, the casualties occurred during engagements with Iranian forces, with ten of the wounded soldiers suffering serious injuries in the operations. International media reports confirm that these American troops were injured across seven different countries as part of the broader regional escalation. The casualties have mounted since February 28, when the United States and Israel initiated hostilities, triggering Iranian retaliatory strikes on American military bases…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided that federal government employees will receive their salaries before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, all federal departments have received instructions to ensure timely payment. Work has already begun across departments to disburse salaries ahead of Eid. #Eid #Salary #Federal #Employees #PM #ShehbazSharif #PakistanGovt #TimelyPayment #EidRelief #Islamabad #News #PublicService #PakistanUpdates

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan may face an LNG shortage after April 14, officials told a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum chaired by Senator Manzoor Ahmed. The briefing warned that liquefied natural gas supplies in the country could run out if additional cargoes are not secured. Officials said two LNG cargoes per month had already been deferred for the current year, while LNG supply from Qatar has been completely suspended since March 2. They added that eight cargoes were expected in March but only two arrived, while six cargoes scheduled for April remain uncertain. The meeting was…

By our correspondent LAHORE: Liaqat Baloch, deputy chief of Pakistan’s Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, said the United States and Israel had made a “great war blunder” by imposing conflict on Iran. In a statement, he warned that the escalating confrontation in the region could have serious consequences for global peace and stability. Baloch called on the United Nations Security Council to play an active role in ending wars being imposed on different parts of the world. He stressed that international institutions must take responsibility for preventing further escalation and restoring dialogue among the involved parties. He also said that China could play…

By our correspondent BAGHDAD: The United States Department of Defense has released the identities of the six US Air Force personnel killed in a KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft crash in western Iraq on Thursday. The incident marks the latest loss of life in ongoing operations against Iran, bringing the total number of American military fatalities in the conflict to 13. Among the deceased was 33-year-old Major John Alex, a captain and two technical staff members. Major Alex had served for eight years and was responsible for training over 30 aircrew members and overseeing their flight proficiency. The KC-135 aircraft involved…

By our correspondent BAJUR: The Afghan Taliban carried out an attack on civilians in Bajur district, killing four people and severely injuring a five-year-old child, according to Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ata Tarar. The attack occurred at 3:30pm, when Taliban forces fired mortars and artillery across the border targeting residential areas. Ata Tarar said the civilians were deliberately targeted in the Salarzai and Tabista Litei areas of Bajur. The deceased were identified as Sajid, Ayaz, Riaz, and Muaz Bhai, while local residents strongly condemned the assault and expressed grief and anger over the incident. The federal minister…