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Pakistan

politics10 h ago

FCC bars PHC from hearing cases related to PTI workers' detention under MPO

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Thursday restrained the Peshawar High Court (PHC) from hearing cases related to the detention of PTI workers and activists under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO) following the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The directive was issued by a two-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan and including Justice Aamer Farooq. The two judges took up a set of petitions challenging interim bails of the detainees, granted by the PHC against surety bonds of Rs100,000 each. The case before PHC is fixed for hearing on Nov 12. Then PHC had issued the interim orders in the absence of any report by the provincial government explaining reasons and circumstances that led to the detention of PTI activists. More to follow

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Islamabad

health lifestyle13 h ago

Islamabad residents face influenza vaccine shortage as winter approaches

Families in Islamabad have been unable to obtain influenza vaccines ahead of the winter season. Health authorities note that annual flu vaccination is recommended to reduce infection risk and complications.

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Pakistan

politics17 h ago

Fresh polio case from KP’s Khyber district takes nationwide tally for 2026 to 9

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reported its ninth polio case of the year, with the latest infection confirmed in Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) said on Thursday. The affected child is a seven-month-old boy from Mastak union council in Bara tehsil, the NEOC said in a statement. “This is the third case from the district this year and the seventh from KP. The poliovirus detected in all three cases from Khyber district has genetic linkages to Afghanistan — which is facing an intense outbreak with 50 cases reported this year — indicating cross-border circulation of the virus,” it said. The centre stressed the need for consistent vaccination, particularly during the ongoing polio campaign, which is being conducted simultaneously in Pakistan and Afghanistan as part of cross-border eradication efforts. “The case is a stark reminder that poliovirus knows no borders and no child anywhere will be safe from polio until every child is safe, and poliovirus transmission has stopped completely,” the statement said. It added that while overall wild poliovirus transmission had declined this year, the Peshawar block — co

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Islamabad

politics17 h ago

Pakistan, UK agree to deepen cooperation in security, trade and migration

Pakistan and the United Kingdom on Thursday agreed to deepen cooperation in multiple areas, according to the Foreign Office (FO). According to the FO, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar received the visiting UK minister of state for security, Dan Jarvis, in Islamabad, where both sides reviewed existing bilateral ties and agreed to “further deepen cooperation in security, law enforcement, migration, trade and investment”. Dar and Jarvis also exchanged views on regional and global developments and discussed further meetings under the R4 + E4 framework, the statement added, referring to a meeting of the two regional groups in Istanbul last month. “Dar underscored the importance of continued Pakistan-UK cooperation on bilateral matters and on regional developments of mutual interest,” the FO said. A day prior, Pakistan and the UK expressed concern at terrorism emanating from Afghanistan during their annual bilateral counter-terrorism dialogue in Islamabad, the FO stated. “The two sides discussed in detail the evolving regional and global security environment and exchanged views on the threats posed by terrorist entities,

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Pakistan

politics19 h ago

ECP fixes Feb 7 as polling date for first phase of Punjab local govt elections

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday decided to hold the first phase of local government elections in Punjab on Feb 7, 2027, accepting the provincial government’s request to schedule polling after Jan 20 in view of fog and weather conditions. ECP had initially proposed holding the elections on December 14. Thursday’s decision was taken by a four-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and comprising members Nisar Ahmed Durrani, Shah Muhammad Jatoi and Babar Hassan Bharwana during a hearing on the conduct of local government elections in Punjab, a statement issued by the ECP said. Chief secretary Punjab and Minister for Local Government and Community Development Zeeshan Rafique, along with the department’s secretary, appeared before the commission. At the outset, the chief secretary apprised the commission that an earlier committee constituted by the Punjab government had held a meeting with the ECP, during which it was discussed and mutually decided that the elections would be conducted during the period from December to January. He submitted that the provincial government was fully prepared to conduct elections in the pro

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Islamabad

geopolitics1 d ago

Pakistan and UK express concern over Afghan terrorist threats

Pakistan and the United Kingdom expressed concerns about terrorist groups operating in and from Afghanistan. The countries held their annual counter-terrorism dialogue in Islamabad.

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Pakistan

politics1 d ago

Economic Coordination Committee clears Rs380bn grants

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet on Wednesday approved supplementary grants worth about Rs380 billion, including Rs275bn for five major water projects facing financial constraints, and around Rs84bn for the country’s armed forces. A meeting of the ECC, presided over by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, also allowed the continuation of gas supply to two Punjab-based fertiliser plants — Fatima and Agritech — until Dec 31, subject to availability. An official statement said the ECC approved three summaries submitted by the Defence Division. The first summary pertained to supplementary grants of Rs54bn under three different heads of the Defence Services project. These included over Rs31bn for the Special Security Divisions of North and South (SSD-N and SSD-S), Rs11.88bn for various Pakistan Navy projects and Rs10bn for internal security duties and allowances. The second summary approved Rs1.094bn for the induction of a luxury executive jet (Lineage L-1000 aircraft) into the army fleet, while the third allocated Rs29.139bn for Project Istaqlal. “The approvals are aimed at meeting essential operational requirements and supporting national secur

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Islamabad

politics1 d ago

NAB summons Fazl’s son in Pakistan Post case

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned former federal minister for communication Asad Mahmood, who is the son of JUI-F president Maulana Fazlur Rehman, for alleged irregularities in 4,252 appointments at Pakistan Post during his 2022-23 term. The development came after Maulana Fazl’s new tirade against the government and state institutions on issues concerning main opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and terrorism. According to a NAB notice, the bureau is investigating alleged irregularities in appointments made at Pakistan Post during Mr Mahmood’s tenure as federal minister between 2022 and 2023. The ex-minister is accused of making as many as 4,252 appointments against fewer approved vacancies, with discrepancies in the number of sanctioned posts in Pakistan Post. The anti-graft watchdog has directed Mr Mahmood to appear before its investigation team on Nov 10 at 11am. Bureau to probe excessive appointments allegedly in violation of cabinet committee’s direction Mr Mahmood had served as federal minister during the last PML-N-led Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government in 2022-23. The PDM had formed the government after toppling the Imran Kh

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Islamabad

politics1 d ago

Number of blue passports brought down to 49,000 from 74,000, DG says

ISLAMABAD: The number of official, or blue, passports has been brought down to 49,000 from 74,000 in keeping with international obligations and administrative requirements, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, the director general of Immigration and Passports, disclosed on Wednesday. He shared this information with Syedaal Khan Nasar, the deputy chairman of Senate, during a meeting. The existing mechanism for issuance of passports, institutional performance, security features and facilities being provided to the public came under discussion during the meeting. The meeting also discussed the proposed introduction of passport issuance facilities through the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) in the near future, further strengthening passport security and measures to improve the country’s ranking. Senate deputy chairman lauds promotion of using technology to facilitate public Mr Nasar appreciated the government’s initiatives aimed at improving the passport issuance system, promoting the use of modern technology and enhancing public facilitation. He termed the performance of the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports and its efforts towards institutional reforms commend

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Islamabad

politics1 d ago

UN panel hails Pakistan’s marriage-age law, flags bonded labour

• Experts seek details on child brides, rehabilitation of flood victims and reconstruction efforts• Pakistani delegation says 600,000 destroyed homes rebuilt ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on Wednesday concluded its review of Pakistan’s second periodic report under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, welcoming the country’s 2025 legal amendment raising the minimum age of marriage to 18. However, committee members raised questions about bonded labour and reconstruction efforts following the 2022 and 2025 floods, among other topics. Committee expert and member of the task force for Pakistan, Michael Windfuhr, welcomed the 2025 amendment to the Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929, which raised the minimum age of marriage to 18 for both males and females. However, he noted that the committee remained concerned about the high number of child brides and asked about the impact of measures taken to prevent child marriage. Lazhari Bouzid, another committee expert and member of the task force for Pakistan, said bonded labour continued to be prevalent in agriculture and was also found in the informal sector, partic

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Islamabad

politics1 d ago

Riyadh rolls over $3bn as prospects of $10bn US facility wane

• Aurangzeb says proposed US facility is not essential, would provide additional support if secured• Further Eurobond, Panda bond and rupee-linked dollar-settled issuances planned• Govt targets $4bn reduction in external debt ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has secured a $3 billion rollover from Saudi Arabia, as prospects of a proposed $10bn US backstop facility appear to have waned, it emerged on Wednesday. Speaking to journalists at Parliament House, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb confirmed that Riyadh had extended the $3bn financing it provided in April this year to bridge a gap arising from $3.5bn in repayments to the United Arab Emirates. “It has been extended and for a reasonable period. You don’t need to worry as to for how long given the kind of strategic relationship we have,” he said when asked about the facility, which matured on Oct 31 under its three-month term. He said he had a very good meeting with his Saudi counterpart, Mohammed Al-Jadaan, during the recent World Bank-IMF meetings in Bangkok. Saudi Arabia had already extended its $5bn facility until 2028. Asked whether Pakistan had also sought additional support, the minister categorically denied it, saying this was not

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Islamabad

politics1 d ago

Exports to Europe dip despite GSP+

ISLAMABAD: Despite having Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+) status, Pakistan’s exports to major western and eastern European markets fell in the first quarter of 2026-27 compared with the previous year. Overall exports to Europe dipped modestly, with a slight increase in proceeds from southern and northern European countries during the July-September quarter, raising serious concerns for policymakers. The ongoing Middle East conflict has accelerated the decline in exports to these markets, along with the European Union’s preferential market access offered to India, one of Pakistan’s key competitors in textiles. Data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan showed that exports to European countries contracted 1.84pc to $2.350 billion in 1QFY27 from $2.394bn a year ago. Trade analysts warn that the Middle East conflict could further dampen export demand, as rising energy costs are likely to squeeze consumer spending in Europe, which is already under strain from the economic fallout of the Ukraine war. Exports to northern Europe increased by 21.07pc to $236.321m in 1QFY27 from $195.191m a year ago. Exports to southern Europe grew 5.26pc to $879.896m in 1QFY27 from $835.862m

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Islamabad

politics1 d ago

Foreign ministry told to tighten accounting rules

ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on Wednesday criticised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for having no control over funds management and lax accounting procedures, instructing its new secretary Asim Iftikhar Ahmad to streamline and tighten accounting procedures and make rules and share them with the committee. The directive came after the Public Accounts Committee, while discussing audit objections of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2024-25, observed that its staff posted in foreign missions was embezzling and mismanaging public funds without accountability. One case in particular caused massive losses to the public exchequer, when an ex-accountant posted in the Pakistan embassy in Vienna, Austria, fraudulently drew 442,256 euros and $134,292 over a period of two years. Officials from the office of Auditor General of Pakistan suspected that the former accountant was not alone in tampering and transferring the public money into his personal and wife’s bank accounts and that senior officials in the Pakistani Mission were also involved in the scam. PAC told staff posted in foreign missions ‘embezzling funds’ The PAC expressed strong dissatisfaction with Federal Investiga

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Islamabad

climate energy1 d ago

Swat basin faces over 5°C warming by century’s end

ISLAMABAD: A glacier risk assessment of the Swat watershed has warned that the basin is expected to warm by more than 5°C by the end of the century, particularly between October and June. Winter rainfall is expected to change little, but summer rainfall could more than double under some climate scenarios, according to the assessment carried out by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The changes are likely to increase the risk of severe floods and erosion, cause a short-term rise in water availability due to glacier melt and runoff, and lead to long-term declines as glaciers continue to recede, according to the assessment made available on Wednesday. The Swat basin, which has more than 10,000 glaciers, faces an increased risk of infrastructure failure and resulting floods. The assessment also warned of agricultural losses, erosion in valley areas, and a short-term water surplus followed by a long-term deficit. The GCF has conducted glacier risk assessments for four representative watersheds: Kura (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia), Naryn (Kyrgyz Republic, with downstream links to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan), Pyanj (Tajikistan

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Pakistan

politics1 d ago

'United opposition' gathers at Fazl's Islamabad residence, vows stronger alliance

Opposition leaders on Wednesday gathered at the residence of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Islamabad and agreed to strengthen their alliance and parliamentary coordination. After a meeting during which they discussed several matters, including the emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, JUI-F and TTAP decided to form committees to resolve mutual differences and take forward consultations on a multi-party conference (MPC). National Assembly (NA) and Senate opposition leaders, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, respectively, attended the meeting. MNA Asad Qaiser, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, NA Chief Whip Amir Dogar and Senator Noorul Haq Qadri were present from PTI. Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) — headed by Achakzai — termed it a meeting of a “united opposition”. An earlier statement by JUI-F said the gathering was to discuss “the situation of emergency and governor’s rule” in KP, as well as plans for an MPC. In its statement, TTAP said the meeting was also “discussing unity and solidarity among opposition parties, the supremacy of the Constitution

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Islamabad

politics1 d ago

Pakistan, Britain hold counter-terror dialogue

Islamabad, London pledge deeper security cooperation

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Pakistan

politics1 d ago

Opposition leaders meet in Islamabad to discuss KP emergency

Opposition leaders convened at JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman's residence in Islamabad. They discussed the imposition of emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

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Islamabad

governance1 d ago

Islamabad's One Constitution Avenue to become five-star hotel

The federal government announced One Constitution Avenue in Islamabad will be converted into a five-star hotel. An investigation found the building was constructed with irregularities.

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Islamabad

crime2 d ago

Islamabad court grants bail to lawyer Mazari and husband in altercation case

An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad granted bail to lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in a case related to an alleged road blockade and police altercation outside the National Press Club. ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain announced the decision after hearing their bail applications.

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Islamabad

crime2 d ago

TikToker granted bail after wedding stampede caused deaths

The Islamabad High Court granted protective bail to TikToker Muhammad Ansar Jatt after a stampede at his mehndi event. The incident in Sialkot claimed two lives and occurred as hundreds gathered for the ceremony.

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