Page 29 - Pakistan

Pakistani YouTuber faces blasphemy charges over a perfume: Here's why

Pakistani YouTuber Rajab Butt faces blasphemy charges after launching a perfume named '295,' referencing the country's blasphemy law

4 suspected 'facilitators' of Jaffar Express attack arrested in Pak: Report

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Balochistan police has arrested four suspects who allegedly facilitated the terrorist group involved in hijacking the Jaffar Express and taking over 400 passengers hostage in Pakistan's Bolan district on March 11, according to a media report. Terrorists belonging to the banned separatist outfit Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) hijacked the Jaffar Express carrying 440 passengers. Twenty-six hostages, including 18 security personnel, lost their lives in the attack. The Army eliminated all 33 terrorists the next day and rescued 354 hostages. Since then, multiple attacks have taken place across Balochistan. Sources in CTD, while confirming the arrests, said that a joint team comprising senior officials from various law enforcement agencies is investigating the attack on the Jaffar Express, reported the Dawn newspaper. These four suspects have been taken into custody for interrogation, the sources said, adding that efforts to identify the attackers

Religious minority victimisation soars in Pakistan in 2025: HRFP Report

Report highlighted communal unrest, including protests in Khaliq Nagar, Lahore, on March 20 over sewage flooding and the desecration of a Christian cemetery in Narowal in February for land-grabbing

Pakistan, China in talks to increase security for Chinese nationals

The push came after a bombing at the Karachi airport last October killed two Chinese engineers who were returning there to work at a power plant

'J&K was, is, and will always be part of India': India slams Pakistan at UN | MEA India

Parvathaneni Harish delivered India’s statement at the UN Security Council open debate on Advancing Adaptability in UN Peace Operations.

Who pays Members of Parliament more: India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh?

With significant parliamentary changes occurring, how do these neighbouring countries compare in their compensations to their lawmakers

Pak continues to arrest Baloch leaders as police cracks down on protestors

After their arrests, BYC issued a strongly worded statement where it said that it will not be silenced by Pakistan's crackdown

US bill seeks sanctions on Pak Army chief, demands Imran Khan's release

The bill mandates that within 180 days, the US government identify individuals involved in political persecution in Pakistan and impose penalties

Pak can build itself despite internal, external conspiracies, says Zardari

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said on Sunday that his country will continue to build itself despite internal and external conspiracies. Addressing the Pakistan Day military parade at Aiwan-e-Sadr (President's House), Zardari congratulated the nation and said that the objective of Pakistan was to set up a welfare state where the rule of law should be supreme. Pakistan was achieved after many sacrifices and we would not hesitate from any sacrifice to keep it safe, he said. He said that Pakistan, being a strong and determined nation, has the ability to face challenges and we will continue to build Pakistan despite internal and external conspiracies. He alleged that India had always tried to cast an evil eye on Pakistan while militants through the fitna-e-Khawarj (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) also posed a threat to the country. We want to tell them that the Pakistani nation and its armed forces stand shoulder to shoulder and would foil their nefarious designs, he said. He also s

Pakistan, IMF agree to cut average applied tariffs by 43% over five years

Pakistan and the IMF have made further adjustments to the economic liberalisation plan and agreed to cut weighted average applied tariffs to around 6 per cent a reduction of 43 per cent over five years in the protection level available to local industries, according to a media report. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had long been raising concerns over the protection available to local industries, but Pakistani authorities were reluctant to open these areas. The country has the third-highest trade-weighted average tariffs in South Asia at 10.6 per cent. After the implementation of the full liberalisation plan, it will have the lowest weighted average tariffs in the region. A weighted average applied tariff is the average of effectively applied tariff rates, weighted by the value of imported goods to which they are applied. The final adjustments were made during a virtual meeting held on Thursday, The Express Tribune newspaper reported quoting government sources. It has been

Pak sends envoy to Afghanistan to discuss trade, terrorism and refugees

Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq Khan on Friday met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul with both sides agreeing to enhance high-level engagements and dialogue to further consolidate bilateral relations. Khan is undertaking an official visit to Afghanistan from March 21-23 at the direction of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, a Foreign Office spokesperson said in a press release here. The visit comes days after Pakistan formally lodged a strong protest with Afghanistan over the use of its soil in the recent train hijacking in the restive Balochistan by Balochistan Liberation Army militants in which 21 civilians and four soldiers were killed. It also comes three days after the Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan reopened after 27 days of closure following successful negotiations between jirga members from both sides. Met Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul, today. ...

IMF proposes tax target of over Rs 15 trillion in Pakistan's next Budget

The International Monetary Fund has (IMF) proposed a tax target of over Rs 15 trillion for Pakistan in the next budget, according to a media report on Saturday. The development comes days after the IMF urged Pakistan's Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to refrain from granting tax exemptions to international investment projects, including the Chaghi-Gwadar railway track project worth USD 2 billion. ARY News reported citing sources that the IMF delegation maintained that tax exemptions for international investments would hinder the country's revenue generation. The IMF and Pakistan are holding virtual talks, with 85 per cent of the discussions completed successfully. The talks are focused on finalising the details of the next budget, which is expected to be presented in the National Assembly soon. The new budget is expected to increase the tax-to-GDP ratio to 13 per cent and collect Rs 2,745 billion in non-tax revenue. The government is also expecting the economy to gro

Balochistan leader Mahrang Baloch arrested while protesting in Pak's Quetta

Mahrang Baloch, who had been with the protestors during the sit-in protest, had shared messages on Friday night bringing attention towards the atrocities being faced by Baloch people

Imran Khan's party PTI denied permission to hold rally at Minar-i-Pakistan

According to Dawn, the request had been rejected "in view of serious security issues, threats, and the general law and order situation in the country"

Elon Musk-owned Starlink gets NOC to launch services in Pakistan

Interestingly, Elon Musk-owned X (formerly Twitter) is banned in Pakistan

Pak Army captain, 10 terrorists killed in operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

A Pakistani Army captain and at least 10 terrorists associated with a banned outfit were killed during a gunfight in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Dera Ismail Khan district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said. The intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted on Thursday following reports of the presence of terrorists in the area, a statement from the military's media wing said. It said that during the intense fire exchange, Captain Hasnain Akhtar fought gallantly and made the ultimate sacrifice, leading his troops from the front. Hasnain was a brave officer and renowned for his courage and bold and daring actions during previous operations, it said. The ISPR said weapons and ammunition were seized from the killed terrorists who were involved in numerous attacks against law enforcement agencies as well as target killing of innocent civilians. It further said, A sanitisation operation is being conducted in the area and the security forces are determined to wipe out the .

India ranks below Pakistan on global happiness index; Finland on top

Pakistan's healthy life expectancy (at birth) was 56.9 years, while that of India was 58.1 in 2021

Cash-strapped Pakistan plans to legalise crypto to spur foreign investment

Newly-established Pakistan Crypto Council will be establishing a regulatory framework aimed at integrating blockchain technology into its economy

Taliban rejects Pak proposal to halt construction of 2 posts near border

Afghanistan's Taliban regime has rejected Pakistan's proposal regarding suspending the construction of two posts near the border as a result of which the Torkham border crossing will remain closed. The movement of people via the Torkham border crossing has been suspended since February 21 after Pakistani and Afghan security forces developed differences over construction activities on both sides of the border. The Afghan Jirga (tribal council) members on Monday requested time until the same evening to consult their concerned authorities in Kabul about halting construction of check posts on disputed land. Afghan sources said the Taliban has rejected the Pakistani delegation's proposal to halt the construction of two posts near the border. Although the Pakistani delegation was hopeful that their recommendations would be accepted, Afghan officials dismissed the proposal as unreasonable. Afghan sources stated that the conditions presented by the Pakistan government were against the Isl

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif to visit Saudi Arabia to boost bilateral ties

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Saudi Arabia from March 19-22 to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance economic cooperation, the Foreign Office said on Tuesday. A FO statement said Sharif's delegation will include Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, key federal ministers and senior officials. During the visit, the prime minister will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the statement said. The two leaders will discuss ways to boost trade, enhance partnerships in key sectors, and facilitate greater economic collaboration. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties, enhance economic cooperation, and promote investment between the two countries, the statement said. It said matters of mutual interest and concern, including global and regional developments, particularly the Gaza situation, evolving Middle East dynamics, and issues related to the Muslim Ummah, will figure high on the agenda. The prime minister's visit underscores the deep-rooted ...