Author: Our Correspondent

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…

By our correspondent HANGU: Three police officers were killed on Wednesday in a violent exchange of fire with militants in Hangu, marking the latest escalation of unrest in Pakistan’s north-western district. According to District Police Officer Khanzeb, the incident unfolded when armed militants opened fire on the Qazi Talab police checkpoint along Shahu Road. Officers at the post returned fire, prompting the attackers to retreat into surrounding areas as darkness fell. A police spokesperson confirmed the deaths, describing the officers as having been “martyred” in the line of duty. Following the assault, local security forces launched an extensive search operation…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claimed that the PTI founder was receiving food and facilities in prison that were far beyond what ordinary inmates – and even political prisoners in previous years – had ever been given. In a statement shared on social media, Asif said the former prime minister’s meals were brought in from outside and were of a quality “not available even in five-star hotels”. He added that the PTI founder had access to a television and could watch whatever channels he liked, while exercise machines had also been placed at his disposal. Recalling his…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori met with European Union Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis on Tuesday to discuss avenues for economic cooperation and Pakistan’s preferential access to EU markets under the GSP+ scheme. During the meeting, Tessori described the EU as Pakistan’s largest export market and stressed the need to further expand bilateral trade. “GSP+ is extremely important for Pakistan’s exports and for maintaining access to European markets,” he said, highlighting the scheme’s strategic value. The governor underlined Pakistan’s potential as a market of 240 million people, offering competitive labor and a strategic location, making it an attractive…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser sharply criticized the government’s handling of the economy, describing current policies as a “complete failure” and alleging that corruption had reached unprecedented levels under the present administration. Speaking at a public event in Swabi on Tuesday, Qaiser cited estimates from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggesting that Pakistan had lost around Rs5,300 billion to corrupt practices over the past three years. Qaiser urged the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to conduct an independent and thorough investigation into what he described as widespread financial misconduct, warning…

By Riaz Narejo DADU: Chief Administrator of Sindh Auqaf, Mukhtiar Ali Abro, visited the shrine of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, where he offered a chadar and recited Fatiha before inspecting the site’s facilities. During his visit, Abro toured various sections of the shrine, reviewing sanitation arrangements and the installed CCTV cameras. He directed that all non-functional or damaged cameras be replaced immediately and that the shrine’s cleanliness system be further enhanced. Speaking at the site, Abro said he was visiting under the special instructions of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Provincial Minister for Zakat and Auqaf, Syed…

By our correspondent KARACHI: An external audit of polio eradication activities in Sindh has raised serious concerns over inadequate preparation, weak micro-planning, and gaps in frontline worker training across key districts and union councils. The findings, presented during a review meeting attended by health officials and partners of the Polio Global Eradication Initiative, reveal that insufficient time is being allocated to campaign preparation, resulting in outdated or incomplete microplans. These lapses, auditors warned, leave some areas and households with children unreached. The report highlights mismatches in workloads caused by incorrect household estimates and inappropriate distribution of vaccination teams. High turnover…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The Consulate-General of Japan in Karachi, in partnership with the Pakistan-Japan Cultural Association (PJCA) and the Pakistan-Japan Business Forum (PJBF), hosted the much-anticipated “Japan Festival (Japan Fest) 2025”, offering Karachi residents an immersive experience of Japanese culture and heritage. The event, held over the weekend, drew a diverse crowd eager to explore the traditions, arts, and creativity of Japan. Consul General Hattori Masaru welcomed attendees with a message emphasizing the power of cultural exchange in deepening understanding and friendship between Japan and Pakistan. The Japan CG described the festival as more than a celebration, calling it…