Page 4 - Pakistan Government

Pakistani scholar Mufti Shah Mir shot dead by gunmen in Balochistan

Mufti Shah Mir, a prominent Pakistani scholar, was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Balochistan province, according to a media report. Mir was targeted in the Turbat town of Kech on Friday when he was leaving a mosque after night prayers, the Dawn newspaper said. Armed men riding motorcycles opened fire on Mufti Shah Mir, leaving him seriously injured, the paper quoted police as saying. He was immediately shifted to Turbat hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The deceased received multiple bullet injuries that caused his death. Mufti Shah Mir was close to the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F). He previously survived two attempts on his life. The attack came days after two leaders of JUI-F were shot dead in Khuzdar.

Pak water authority asks farmers to brace for up to 35% water shortage

Pakistan's leading water regulator has warned that up to 35 per cent less water would be available for crops this season due to water shortage in the country's two main reservoirs. The warning comes as the staple food crop of wheat approaches its prime when it needs more water to bring more produce. The Indus River System Authority (Irsa) on Friday warned Punjab and Sindh the two major bread baskets to brace for up to 35 per cent water shortages in the last leg of the current crop season, with the Tarbela and Mangla dams rapidly approaching their dead levels. According to the Dawn newspaper, in a letter to irrigation secretaries, Isra told the four provinces that both reservoirs were close to their dead levels. There is the likelihood that provinces of Punjab and Sindh may face a shortfall of 30-35pc while operating the reservoirs on run-of-the-river mode at or around dead levels, wrote Irsa's Director of Regulation Khalid Idrees Rana. According to Irsa's latest data, Tarbela Da

Pakistan sets March 31 as deadline for Afghan Citizen Card holders to leave

The Pakistan government has set March 31 as the deadline for Afghan Citizen Card (ACCs) holders to leave Pakistan voluntarily as part of a plan to repatriate all illegal foreigners, according to an official document. The document, purportedly leaked to the media on Friday night, indicated that the ACC holders staying in Islamabad and Rawalpindi would be moved out and sent back to Afghanistan as part of a multiphase relocation plan for Afghan migrants, including those awaiting resettlement in third countries. The decision comes amidst deteriorating ties between Islamabad and Kabul over the issue of terrorism and it may impact over 800,000 documented Afghan refugees holding Afghan Citizen Cards and are included in the category of documented refugees, contrary to hundreds and thousands of undocumented ones. It stated that the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Programme (IFRP) has been implemented since November 1, 2023 and in continuation to the government's decision to repatriate all ..

Pak's ex-PM Imran Khan seeks global help for democracy, regional stability

Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan has appealed to the international community, particularly the United States, to reaffirm its commitment to democracy, human rights, and regional stability. Dawn reported that in an article published in Time magazine in his name, the incarcerated politician congratulated US President Donald Trump on his political comeback. He also expressed the hope that the US would work with Pakistan to foster economic partnerships, promote stability, and prevent conditions that lead to conflict and extremism. It remains unclear if the article was indeed penned by Khan, and how it was delivered to the magazine. Khan reflected on the political turmoil' in Pakistan and his ongoing fight for democracy. He expressed deep concern over the alleged erosion of democracy in the country, describing the current period as one of the most challenging in the nation's history. He underscored that his imprisonment and the charges brought against him were politic

India slams Pakistan at UN, calls it 'failed state' that spreads 'lies'

India has slammed Pakistan after it raked the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in the UN Human Rights Council, saying the "failed state that survives on international handouts dutifully spreads falsehoods handed down by its military-terrorist complex. India exercised its Right of Reply at the high-level segment of the 58th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday to lodge a strong retort to Pakistan after it raised, as it habitually does, the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at the multilateral global organisation. India is exercising its Right of Reply in response to the baseless and malicious references made by Pakistan. It is regrettable, yet unsurprising, to see Pakistan's so-called leaders and delegates continuing to dutifully spread falsehoods handed down by its military-terrorist complex, Counsellor at India's Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva Kshitij Tyagi said. Delivering India's powerful response, Tyagi said it is unfortunate that this Council's time .

Pakistani security forces kill 6 terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pakistan security forces on Friday killed at least six terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in the country's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military's media wing said. According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was conducted on the reported presence of terrorists. The statement said that troops effectively engaged the militants and six of them were killed in the operation. The ISPR said that a sanitisation operation was conducted to eliminate any other militant found in the area as the security forces are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country. The country witnessed a sharp increase in terror attacks in January 2025, surging by 42 per cent compared to the previous month, according to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, a think-tank. The data revealed that at least 74 militant attacks were recorded nationwide, resulting in 91 fatalities, includin

We have lost our credibility, need urgent economic reforms: Pak FM

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Thursday that Pakistan had lost its credibility as the country struggled to achieve economic stability. He was speaking at a Senate climate change committee meeting, where he discussed the country's climate financing challenges and its negotiations with international lenders, The Express Tribune newspaper reported. We have lost our credibility as a country, Aurangzeb stated, adding that urgent economic reforms were necessary to restore the trust. He revealed that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) had committed USD 500 million, while Pakistan expects to secure USD 1 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) next week. The government is also working on issuing green panda bonds to attract further investment, he said. The green panda bonds are issued in Chinese yuan by a foreign entity and the proceeds from these are used for green projects or assets. Aurangzeb also announced a major shift in tax policy, stating that the Finance ..

Pakistan sees economy on long-term recovery path under new IMF programme

The comments came from Pak PM Sharif in his meeting with Kristalina Georgieva on the sidelines of the World Government Summit (WGS) 2025 in Dubai

IMF mission to inspect regulatory, judicial system in country: Pak govt

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is scrutinising the judicial and regulatory system of Pakistan as part of the ongoing USD 7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to address governance and corruption vulnerabilities, the government has said. The Ministry of Finance said on Sunday that an IMF technical mission is in town for a week-long examination of six key governance-related sectors and institutions. Dawn News reported that Pakistan committed to strengthening institutional capacities with the IMF in October to fight corruption, support inclusive growth, and provide a level playing field for businesses and investments. As a result, the ministry said a structural benchmark had been set to publish a report on the Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment (GCDA) by July 2025, which will analyse critical governance and corruption vulnerabilities and identify priority structural reforms moving forward. Sources said the mission would also engage with leading members of the ...

Leaders of Imran Khan's PTI arrested as party marks 'Black Day' across Pak

The PTI has planned its main rally in Swabi, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where the party is in power. It has also asked its workers and supporters to protest across the country

Pakistan requests China to reschedule $3.4 billion debt for two years

Pakistan has requested China to reschedule USD 3.4 billion debt for two years to bridge a foreign funding gap identified by the International Monetary Fund, according to a media report on Saturday. This is the second time in the past five months that Islamabad has requested Beijing to reschedule loans provided by its Exim bank. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar made the formal request during this week's visit to Beijing, The Express Tribune newspaper reported, quoting government sources. Pakistan requested the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of China to consider rearrangement of its loans due from October 2024 to September 2027, said the government officials. A two-year extension was sought to repay the official and guaranteed debt obtained from the Exim Bank. Pakistan would keep making interest payments. Sources said that Pakistan was required to identify financing sources to fill the external financing gap of USD 5 billion for the three-year programme period. They added the Chinese ...

Four SC judges in Pakistan urge Chief Justice to delay new appointments

Four Supreme Court judges of Pakistan wrote a letter to Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, urging a delay in the appointment of new judges until a decision on the controversial 26th Constitution Amendment. The controversial amendment was passed last year to give the government more say in the appointment of the Chief Justice and judges of higher courts. However, the appointment following the tweaks led to the allegation of packing' of the high courts and the Supreme Court. The amendment was challenged in the apex court but no decision on its fate has been made so far. The judges who signed the letter include Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Ayesha Malik, and Justice Athar Minallah. According to The Express Tribune, it was addressed to the chairman of the Judicial Commission, a body of senior judges under the chief justice, stressing the importance of forming a full court to address the issue of judicial appointments and the ongoing constitutional amendment case.

Pakistan faces big external financing risks despite economic growth: Fitch

Pakistan needs to repay over $22 billion in external debt in the fiscal year 2025, including nearly $13 billion in bilateral deposits, Fitch said

Pakistan to send registered Afghan refugees back to their country

The Pakistan government has devised a plan to move registered Afghan refugees out of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and gradually repatriate them back to their country. Authorities have also been directed to implement the plan without making any public announcement, Dawn newspaper reported quoting sources. It reported that the plan was finalised in a series of meetings presided by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week. One of the meetings was also attended by Chief of Army Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir, a source in the prime minister's office confirmed. Under phase I of the relocation plan, Afghan nationals having the Afghan Citizens Card (ACC) will be immediately moved out of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. They will then be sent back to Afghanistan alongside illegal and undocumented refugees. ACC is an identification document issued to registered Afghan nationals by Nadra. According to the UN's International Organisation for Migration (IOM), ACC gives temporary legal status to Afghans durin

Pakistan's economic growth stalls despite interest rate cuts: Report

Pakistan failed to kick-start economic growth in the first seven months of the current fiscal year despite a massive 10 per cent reduction in the interest rate by the central bank during this period, according to a media report. The State Bank of Bank in the latest cut on January 27 further reduced the interest rate by 1 per cent to set it at 12 per cent, a whopping 10 per cent down from 22 per cent in June last year. It was expected the decision would help to increase money supply and growth. The Dawn newspaper reported that despite a steep fall in the interest rate, the monetary expansion remained negative during the first seven months of the current fiscal year, noting that the frequent declines in interest rates resulted in a massive outflow of liquidity from banks to the private sector and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs). Still, it has failed to stimulate economic growth, it said. Bank advances to the private sector and NBFIs increased sharply in the second quarter of

Pak Army Chief pledges to defeat frenemies posing as 'proxy terrorists'

Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir has vowed to hunt down the frenemies acting as terrorist proxies targeting the country. Munir's comments came as he visited Quetta on Saturday following the killing of 18 soldiers during clashes with terrorists in Balochistan's Kalat district. Twenty-three terrorists were also killed in clashes. During the visit, Munir was given a comprehensive brief on the prevailing security situation in Balochistan, the Army said in a statement. Munir said, "Those who are acting as terrorist proxies of their foreign masters who have mastered the art of manifesting double standards of hunting with the hound and running with the hare are well known to us." No matter what these so-called frenemies' may do, you will surely be defeated by the resilience of our proud nation and its Armed Forces Inshallah. For the defence of our motherland and its people, we will definitely retaliate and hunt you down', whenever required and wherever you may be, he said. Pakista

Pak army chief visits Balochistan after 18 security personnel killed

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir visited Balochistan on Saturday amid clashes in the restive province in which 18 security personnel and 23 terrorists have been killed in the last 24 hours, according to a media report. The army chief was given a comprehensive brief on the prevailing security situation in the province which was also attended by senior security and intelligence officials, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported. The army chief along with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and Governor Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail offered prayers at the funeral of the slain soldiers and also visited the injured soldiers in the Combined Military Hospital Quetta, according to the Pakistan military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). No matter what these so-called frenemies' may do, you will surely be defeated by the resilience of our proud nation and its armed forces, Gen Munir said. The COAS also appreciated the efforts of the valiant officer

Pak court awards death sentence, 80-yr-imprisonment to four over blasphemy

A Pakistani court has awarded a death sentence and 80-year imprisonment to four persons for uploading blasphemous content on Facebook, an official said on Saturday. Additional Sessions Judge Mohammad Tariq Ayub on Friday convicted four suspects -- Wajid Ali, Ahfaq Ali Saqib, Rana Usman and Suleman Sajid -- for insulting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his companions, and his wives. The court official said the convicts uploaded blasphemous content on Facebook from four different IDs. "The judge after hearing arguments of both prosecution and defence and witnesses accounts awarded the death penalty and 80 years imprisonment to each of them on different counts," the official said. They were also slapped with a fine of PKR 5.2 million. Pakistan's Federal Investigation (FIA) Cybercrime registered a case under Section 11 of the PECA (Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act) and 295A, 295B, 295C, 298A, 109 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of Shiraz Farooqi, a citizen. According t

Pakistan's Peshawar HC suspends deportation of 100 Afghan musicians

A high court in Peshawar has stopped the forcible deportation of over 100 Afghan musicians seeking political asylum in Pakistan and directed the federal government to decide their cases in two months. A two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) disposed of the case after hearing arguments on Friday and instructed security agencies not to take any action against them during the two months. The bench headed by Justice Waqar Ahmad gave the judgement during the hearing of the petition filed by Hashmatullah who argued they belonged to Afghanistan but migrated to Pakistan after the establishment of the Taliban government as their lives were under threat. The petitioner argued they had already lost their livelihoods and in Pakistan, they faced further harassment and threats of forced deportation, which they asserted is a violation of human rights. They argued that under international laws, the Pakistani government cannot forcibly deport them. The petitioner's lawyer Mumtaz Ahmad

4 civilians injured in IED blast targeting paramilitary forces in Pakistan

Militants targeted a truck carrying paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) personnel with an improvised explosive device in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, injuring four civilians, police said on Saturday. The attack happened in the Chaman city of the province on Friday. Police officials said the militants used an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting the truck but no FC personnel were injured. The IED was planted on a motorcycle on the roadside and when the truck passed from there, it was triggered remotely, one police official said. Rabia Tariq, public relations officer for the Balochistan inspector general of police's office, also confirmed the incident. A statement from Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind condemned the blast as a cowardly act, adding that the government was committed to protecting the people and would thwart the plans of all elements against peace. The last three days have seen a sharp spike in attacks from the banned separatist group the