Page 19 - Pakistan

Pakistani TikTok influencer Sana Yousaf, 17, shot dead at home in Islamabad

The police later announced they had arrested a suspect and recovered the murder weapon, as well as Yousaf's iPhone, reported Express Tribune

Asian Development Bank approves $800 million package for Pakistan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved USD 800 million for Pakistan to strengthen fiscal sustainability and improve public financial management, an official said on Tuesday. Khurram Schehzad, advisor to the finance minister confirmed the development in a brief statement on social media, saying that the package includes a USD 300 million policy-based loan (PBL) and a USD 500 million programme-based guarantee (PBG). He said, ADB approves USD 800 million financing package for Pakistan under the Resource Mobilisation Reform Programme. Separately, the Philippines-based lender also confirmed the development in a statement, saying that subprogramme 2 of the Improved Resource Mobilisation and Utilisation Reform Programme includes a policy-based loan of USD 300 million, and ADB's first-ever policy-based guarantee of up to USD 500 million, which is expected to mobilise financing of up to USD 1 billion from commercial banks. Pakistan has made significant progress in improving macroeconomic

Over 200 inmates escape Karachi prison after quake panic, 78 recaptured

Over 200 inmates escaped from the District Prison Malir in Pakistan's Karachi in Sindh province when they were brought out from their cells for counting following a low-intensity earthquake, according

Rajasthan govt employee arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan

A Rajasthan government employee who was earlier detained on suspicion of espionage for Pakistan has now been arrested, the police said on Tuesday. Shakur Khan, an Assistant Administrative Officer (AAO) posted at the Jaisalmer employment office had allegedly been passing sensitive, strategic information to Pakistan, they said. The government employee had been under surveillance for suspicious activities over an extended period. During monitoring, agencies discovered that he was in regular contact with individuals linked to the Pakistan High Commission, particularly Ahsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish and Sohail Qamar, Inspector General (CID-Security) Vishnu Kant Gupta said. "Khan was taken into custody for questioning a few days ago and was interrogated extensively at the central interrogation facility in Jaipur by multiple intelligence agencies," Gupta said in a statement. He further shared that Khan had obtained Pakistani visas on several occasions and travelled to Pakistan, allegedly wi

If IMF funds help Pak support terror, it's unfortunate: Shashi Tharoor

Tharoor expressed his displeasure at the International Monetary Fund for enabling Pakistan thus as they divert those funds to arm themselves to attack India

India to get remaining S-400 missile systems by 2026, says Russia

Russia is committed to delivering the remaining units of the S-400 air defence system to India by 2025-2026, the country's Deputy Chief of Mission in India, Roman Babushkin, said on Monday, highlighting that the system performed "very efficiently" during the recent India-Pakistan tensions. Babushkin also hinted at expanding bilateral cooperation with India in air defence and anti-drone systems. "We heard that the S-400 performed very efficiently during the recent clashes between India and Pakistan. We have a long history of collaboration. The air defence systems, according to what we are experiencing, the situation in Europe and here, this is one of the promising topics of our partnership in defence preparation in general," Babushkin told PTI Videos. Babushkin confirmed that the contract for the remaining two S-400 units is on track, with deliveries expected to be completed by 2025-26, in line with publicly announced timelines. India signed a USD 5.43 billion deal with Russia in 20

Pakistan still withholding $83 million in airline funds, says IATA

Despite a sharp decline from last year, Pakistan continues to withhold airline revenues as IATA urges governments to honour repatriation agreements and support global connectivity

Pak passes law to curb child marriages, sets minimum marriage age to 18

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday signed into law a bill fixing the minimum age for marriage at 18 years to curb child marriages despite opposition from right-wing clerics. The Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, seeking to protect the rights of children and eventually eradicate marriages of children under the age of 18, was sent to the president's approval on May 27 after sailing through both houses of Parliament. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman shared on X a presidential notification related to the approval of the legislation. The Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025 is assented to, as passed by the Parliament, the notification read. Pakistan has reached a milestone in the enactment of important legislation against child marriages, she said. Zardari accented to the bill despite strong opposition from religious groups and even the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), a constitutional body tasked to off

2 police officers, 4 Taliban militants killed in shootout in PoK: Officials

At last two police officers and four Taliban militants were killed in an overnight shootout in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), officials said on Thursday. The clash followed after the security forces, on a tip-off about the presence of militants, launched an operation in the Hussain Kot forest area in the Rawalakot district of the region. The Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Rawalakot, Riaz Mughal, told the media that the police launched a raid after a tip-off regarding the presence of terrorists in the area. He said that the terrorists were hiding in a cave and were surrounded, but when the police attempted to apprehend them, one of the terrorists hurled a grenade at the officers, prompting retaliatory fire. In the exchange, all four terrorists were neutralised, he said, adding that three were identified as Zarnosh Naseem, his brother Gibran Naseem and Ulfat, while the fourth was unidentified yet. Mughal confirmed that two police officers, Gulzar and Tariq Bashir, were killed

Clerics in Pakistan urge President to reject bill against child marriage

Clerics in Pakistan have urged President Asif Ali Zardari not to sign a bill banning child marriage, calling it un-Islamic and a 'western conspiracy'

Ramesh criticises PM over delay in all party meeting on Pahalgam attack

He accused the Prime Minister of ignoring urgent national issues and instead focusing on marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency

Spl Parl session being considered to mark 50th Emergency anniversary: Cong

The Congress on Thursday claimed that a special session of Parliament is being considered next month to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, and said this will be yet another classic exercise in "diversion and distraction" from real and more urgent issues by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said that from the night of April 22nd itself, the Indian National Congress has been calling for an all-party meeting on the Pahalgam terror attack and its fallout to be chaired by the PM himself. That has yet to take place, he said. "On May 10th, both the LoP in the Lok Sabha and the LoP in the Rajya Sabha wrote to the PM requesting for a special session of Parliament to be convened and to demonstrate the nation's collective resolve through a resolution. The PM has NOT accepted that suggestion as well," Ramesh said in a post on X. "Now it appears that a special session of Parliament is being considered for June 25-26 to mark

Credible inputs suggest Gogoi's 'proximity' with Pakistan govt: Himanta

Claiming that there are credible inputs suggesting Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi's "proximity" with the Pakistani establishment, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said his admission of visiting that country "is just the beginning" of something "far more serious". Debunking claims that he had alleged links with the Pakistani establishment, Gogoi told a press conference in New Delhi that he had gone to Pakistan only once, 12 years ago. "Finally, Congress MP Shri Gaurav Gogoi has admitted that he visited Pakistan. But let us be very clear -- this is just the beginning, not the end. What lies ahead is far more serious. There exists every reasonable ground, supported by credible inputs and documented information, to suggest that Shri Gogoi has maintained proximity with the Pakistani establishment," Sarma posted on X. He said the Assam government is committed to transparency and accountability and will make everything public on September 10, once the Special Investigation Team .

BSF maintains high alert along IB as Operation Sindoor continues, says IG

Asserting that Operation Sindoor is on as Pakistan cannot be trusted, Inspector General of BSF, Jammu Frontier, Shashank Anand on Tuesday said the border force has not let its guard down along the International Border. The IG expressed apprehension of infiltration attempts along the borderline and said the Border Security Force (BSF) remains on high alert. "We cannot let our guard down. We are maintaining the highest possible vigil along the border," Anand told a press conference on Operation Sindoor here. He was replying to a question about the possibility of infiltration of terrorists along the IB under the cover of Pakistani shelling and the security measures taken post Operation Sindoor. He said a high degree of operational preparedness has been maintained along the border. "There were inputs that the enemy may plan to conduct some kind of mischief, cross-border firing, or stage infiltration. We are ready and vigilant," he said. The IG said Pakistan cannot be trusted. "We be

Have roti in peace or face bullets: PM Modi's warning to Pakistan

PM Modi, speaking in Bhuj, said Pakistan must choose peace over terrorism and highlighted India's resolve against cross-border terrorism

Pakistan allocates 2,000 MW to bitcoin mining and AI data centres

The Pakistan government, in a major move to transform the country into a global leader in digital innovation, has allocated 2,000 megawatts of electricity to power Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence (AI) data centres. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in a statement on Sunday said this strategic allocation marked a pivotal moment in Pakistan's digital transformation journey, unlocking economic potential by turning excess energy into innovation, investment, and international revenue. "Pakistan is uniquely positioned geographically and economically to become a global hub for data centres. As a digital bridge between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Pakistan offers the most strategic location in the world for data flow and digital infrastructure," the statement read. Since its inception, the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) has evoked tremendous interest from global Bitcoin miners and data infrastructure companies. Several international firms have already visited Pakistan fo

India under PM gave clear message, terrorism won't be tolerated: Dhankhar

India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a very strong reply to the horrific Pahalgam attack and has sent a clear message across the world that terrorism will not be tolerated at any cost, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said here on Monday. Twenty-six people were gunned by terrorists in Pahalgam in Kashmir on April 22, following which India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, resulting in massive damage to terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. "The stand of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was that those who have wiped off the vermillion of our sisters have no right to live on this earth and the entire country remained united with the feeling of patriotism against the terror attack in Pahalgam," Dhankhar said addressing the three-day-long Krishi Udyog Samagam here. "The world has acknowledged India's valour, especially the way it has replied to the terror attack through precise bombings at Bahawalpur, Muridke, .

Pakistan, Turkiye vow to boost strategic ties as Sharif meets Erdogan

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during which the two leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and reiterated their resolve to elevate the strategic partnership, according to media reports on Monday. Sharif arrived in Turkiye on Sunday on a two-day visit as part of his four-nation tour to friendly countries, which also include Iran, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan. According to state broadcaster PTV News, Sharif and Erdogan held a delegation-level meeting on Sunday. In his meeting with President Erdogan, the PM advocated joint ventures and enhanced bilateral investment, highlighting key sectors, including renewable energy, information technology, defence production, infrastructure development, and agriculture as potential areas of mutual interest. The two leaders also carried out a comprehensive review of the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and reiterated their resolve to elevate the strategic partnership. Both s

Pakistan modernising nuclear arsenal to counter India's edge: US intel

A US intelligence report warns of Pakistan's growing nuclear capabilities, China's support, and security flashpoints with India, Iran, and Afghanistan

Four terrorists affiliated with TTP militant group killed in northwest Pak

Four terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday, according to sources. The operation was conducted on the reported presence of Taliban affiliates in the Koi Bara area of the Dera Ismail Khan district, they said. Four security personnel, including a major-ranked officer, were injured during the exchange of fire, in which four terrorists were killed, they added. Those injured were immediately shifted to the hospital for treatment. Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist incidents, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, following the collapse of the ceasefire agreement between the government and the TTP in November 2022.