Author: Our Correspondent

Pakistan relaxes barter trade rules with Afghanistan, Iran, and Russia, allowing simultaneous imports and exports and extending transaction deadlines to 120 days. By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has relaxed the rules governing its barter trade with Afghanistan, Iran, and Russia, in an effort to boost cross-border commerce and address operational challenges that have hampered the mechanism since its launch last year. The Ministry of Commerce announced the revised framework on Tuesday, introducing amendments designed to make the state-to-state and business-to-business trading system more practical and accessible for private enterprises. Under the updated rules, companies can now conduct imports and exports…

By our correspondent PANJGOR In a significant counter-terrorism operation, security forces in Balochistan have killed a senior militant identified as Jamil, also known by his alias ‘Tank’, described as a “highly wanted” leader of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The operation represents a key milestone in the government’s ongoing campaign to dismantle terrorist networks in the restive province and restore stability to the region. Jamil, a resident of Panjgor district, was believed to be a central figure behind multiple attacks across Balochistan. Security officials linked him directly to the 2022 assault on the Panjgor district headquarters, a brazen attack…

Anti-graft bureau recovers gold, foreign currency, and property documents in a case allegedly involving a network of senior officials By our correspondent KOHISTAN: Vote counting was continuing late into Thursday night across six districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following a day of local government by-elections held to fill 12 vacant council seats. The process unfolded under a tight security cordon but without any major incident, reflecting a relatively smooth exercise in a province often marked by tense political undercurrents. Polling began at eight in the morning and continued until four in the afternoon as voters from across rural and urban areas…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has successfully launched its first hyperspectral satellite, marking a major milestone in the country’s ambitious space program. The HS-1 satellite was sent into orbit from a launch site in China, with the event broadcast live at the headquarters of the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) in Islamabad. A Suparco spokesperson described the mission as a key achievement under Pakistan’s National Space Policy 2047. They said HS-1 will open new avenues for infrastructure mapping, urban planning, and is expected to bring a “revolution” in agricultural planning and environmental monitoring. The advanced satellite is…

By our correspondent PESHAWAR: Opposition leader Muzammil Aslam of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has strongly criticised the federal and Punjab governments for their handling of the 2025 floods, accusing them of abandoning millions of affected citizens while highlighting stark differences in relief efforts across the country. Aslam contrasted the approach of the PTI-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), which he said had already moved to compensate farmers for destroyed harvests, with the inaction of other administrations, particularly in Punjab, where millions of residents have been left to cope with widespread devastation on their own. His remarks came amid growing concerns…

Information Minister Tarar alleges terrorists in Afghanistan attempted incursions, prompting targeted Pakistani strikes that killed dozens By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, stated on Tuesday that the country’s security forces effectively foiled several attempted terrorist incursions from Afghanistan during a recent 48-hour ceasefire. In an official statement, Tarar claimed that “foreign” terrorists, specifically from the Gul Bahadur group, attempted to launch attacks from Afghan territory into Pakistan’s border regions of North and South Waziristan. He asserted that Pakistan’s subsequent retaliatory strikes targeted the group’s bases. “Security forces have conducted precise operations against these foreign terrorists,” Tarar said, claiming…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: In a move that bolsters the opposition’s ranks, former Senator Mushtaq Ahmed has accepted an invitation to join a major opposition alliance, the Movement for the Protection of Pakistan’s Constitution. The decision was confirmed following a meeting at the former senator’s residence. He is expected to formally announce his joining of the alliance in the coming days. A delegation led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas met with the former senator to extend the invitation. In a statement, the delegation also congratulated Ahmed on his participation in the recent “Global Resilience Flotilla”. The former…

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…