Author: Sajjad Ali

Custodian of Islam’s holiest sites, King Salman bin Abdulaziz has been admitted to a hospital in Jeddah for routine medical examinations, as reported by state television on Wednesday. King Salman, aged 88 and at the helm of the world’s leading oil exporter since 2015, is undergoing these routine check-ups at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in the Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah. The Royal Court disclosed that the examinations are anticipated to span “a few hours,” according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Despite his advancing age, King Salman has remained actively engaged in state affairs, recently showcased…

Actress Aiman Khan delightedly shared with her fans her recent achievement of being granted a Golden Visa from the UAE. Known for her stellar performances in acclaimed dramas like “Ghar Titli Ka Par,” “Meri Beti,” and “Ishq Tamasha,” Aiman has been gradually shifting her focus towards her personal life, particularly enjoying moments with her husband, fellow actor Muneeb Butt. In a gracious Instagram post, Aiman expressed her gratitude to the Dubai authorities for their warm reception and exceptional hospitality while receiving the Golden Visa. The accompanying photo captured her elegantly attired in black alongside UAE officials, marking the significant occasion.…

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) accepted requests for the formation of a larger bench to address appeals concerning the cancellation of trials of civilians in military courts. Presiding over a six-member bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin, heard the case against military courts. The other judges includes Justices Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Shahid Waheed, Musrrat Hilali, and Irfan Saadat Khan. During arguments presented by the lawyer representing former CJP Jawad S. Khawaja, it was noted that two SC judges, Justice Afridi and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, had suggested the formation of a larger bench to adjudicate these appeals. Justice…

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) invalidated the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) order for a vote recount in NA-79 Gujranwala. Justice Shahid Karim on Wednesday heard a petition filed by PTI backed MNA Ahsanullah Virk challenging the ECP’s decision for vote recounting in NA-79. The bench upheld the petition, overturning the ECP’s recount order for the constituency. During the proceedings, the ECP’s legal representative requested time to consult with the commission. However, the bench emphasized that despite any potential ambiguity, the decision was already before them, leading to the cancellation of the recount order. Expressing concern, the bench remarked…

WASHINGTON: The US Senate decisively passed a bill to compel ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese owner, to divest its US operations within approximately nine months or face a ban, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden for his signature, which he intends to do on Wednesday. Driven by concerns over potential Chinese access to Americans’ data or surveillance via the app, the measure, previously approved by the US House of Representatives on Saturday, received bipartisan support. Senator Marco Rubio, highlighting the dangers of allowing Chinese control over such a popular American app, expressed his approval, emphasizing the necessity of the new law.…

WASHINGTON: Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department, cautioned Pakistan about the possibility of sanctions following trade agreements with Iran during President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit. “We advise anyone considering business deals with Iran to be aware of the potential risk of sanctions,” Patel said during a news briefing in Washington, However, the State Department spokesperson added that the Government of Pakistan can assert its foreign policy and agreements with other nations. In an earlier statement, the spokesperson highlighted the United States’ significant role as Pakistan’s largest export market and one of its major investors. Nonetheless, he advised caution…

LAKKI MARWAT: A wedding celebration turned into a scene of sorrow in Lakki Marwat, where six individuals lost their lives and several others sustained injuries due to celebratory gunfire. The incident occurred at a wedding function in village Akri Khanzada Khail, Lakki Marwat, as confirmed by local authorities. Upon receiving the report, police swiftly arrived at the scene, initiating an investigation and promptly transferring the deceased and injured to the hospital for post-mortem examinations. In a distressing parallel incident, a six-day-old infant girl lost her life to celebratory gunfire during an event commemorating her birth in Sindh’s Sujawal district. Authorities reported…

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court will hear appeals challenging the annulment of trials of civilians in military courts today. H eaded by Justice Aminuddin, a six-member bench will commence proceedings at 11:30 am. Justices Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Shahid Waheed, Musarat Hilali, and Irfan Saadat Khan comprise the bench. During the previous session, the Supreme Court requested the Attorney General to furnish details regarding individuals convicted to three years by military courts. Notably, the court had directed the release of 20 individuals sentenced to one year before Eid. The Attorney General complied by submitting the relevant information concerning those…

A significant rockfall near Shaikh Bela has caused a major disruption to the main highway in the Neelum Valley, leaving both tourists and local residents stranded and facing increasing travel difficulties. Kel Shaikh Bela, a popular tourist spot in the valley, has been prone to landslides for some time, and this latest incident has heightened concerns about its safety. The blockage has cut off crucial ground connections to the upper regions’ district headquarters, exacerbating the sense of isolation for those living in the area and for travelers passing through. Despite the seriousness of the situation, authorities have yet to take…

Iranian President Dr. Ibrahim Raisi concluded his visit to Pakistan and returned to Iran on Wednesday, bidding farewell to his hosts at Karachi Airport, where he was seen off by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Governor Kamran Tesori. During his stay, President Raisi engaged in a series of high-level meetings with Pakistan’s leadership, including the Prime Minister, President, Army Chief, Chairman Senate, Speaker National Assembly, as well as the Chief Ministers and Governors of Punjab and Sindh. Both countries pledged to boost their trade volume to $10 billion, a significant agreement reached during the visit. Following the signing…