Web Desk: A severe cold wave continues to affect the plains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, prompting the provincial government to revise school timings across the region. According to a notification issued by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Department, school timings have been changed with effect from January 16, following the end of winter vacations. The notification stated that all primary schools in the province’s plain areas will operate from 9:00am to 1:30pm due to the prevailing cold weather. It further said that middle, high, and higher secondary schools will observe classes from 9:00am to 2:20pm. The decision has been taken to ensure…
Author: Web Desk2
LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to launch a unique “Agriculture Lab on Wheels” initiative to provide on-the-spot services to farmers across the province. According to the Agriculture Department, mobile laboratories will be set up in 15 districts of Punjab, enabling farmers to get immediate testing and reports of soil and water samples at their fields. The initiative aims to help farmers accurately assess soil fertility and water quality, which are critical for improving crop yields. The mobile labs will be monitored through a central control room to ensure transparency, efficiency and quality of services. To further strengthen agricultural extension…
BEIJING: China on Tuesday announced that it would take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests after the United States imposed additional tariffs on countries doing business with Iran. The statement came after US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on nations engaged in trade with Iran, saying the move would take effect immediately. President Trump said the decision was taken in response to a crackdown on anti-government protests in Iran. China is currently Iran’s largest trading partner, making the announcement particularly significant. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington said in a statement that…
KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Monday said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will not be allowed to stage a strike in Sindh on February 8, accusing the party of attempting to recreate a May 9–like situation in Karachi. Criticising the recent Karachi visit of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister’s aide Suhail Afridi, Sharjeel Memon said that PTI deliberately tried to create unrest in the city and violated the law. He said the Sindh government had no intention of harassing Suhail Afridi, but PTI appeared to be in a “mischievous mode”. Despite a security threat alert, permission was granted…
ISLAMABAD: Director General ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has stressed that unity and consensus on the national narrative regarding national security is the need of the hour. He expressed these views during a meeting with members of the National Paigham-e-Aman Committee (NPAC), a body formed to help shape and promote a unified national narrative. During the meeting, NPAC members reaffirmed their unwavering solidarity with the Pakistan Armed Forces. The discussion focused on internal security challenges, particularly in the context of Fitna al-Khawarij, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA). The participants also reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance on Kashmir and…
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court has declared the increase in excise duty under the Balochistan Finance Act 2020 as constitutional, dismissing a petition filed against the Balochistan government. A two-member bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Rozi Khan Barrech heard the case. A 15-page written verdict, authored by Justice Aamer Farooq, was issued on Monday. The court rejected the petition filed by Attock Cement, accepting the principle of “dual aspect”, under which a law may have both federal and provincial dimensions. In its written judgment, the court stated that a single law can have both federal and provincial aspects,…
DUBAI: Renowned Pakistani singer Atif Aslam has once again captured the attention of fans after sharing heartwarming family pictures and videos from his recent trip to Dubai. The singer posted a series of candid family moments on Instagram, offering a glimpse into his private life during the vacation. In the caption, Atif Aslam wrote, “Behind the scenes. The last picture says it all.” The images feature the iconic Burj Al Arab in the background, adding a luxurious and visually appealing touch to the family photographs. In one picture, Atif Aslam can be seen drying his daughter’s hair with a blow…
DAMBULLA: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha created history in T20 International cricket despite Pakistan’s defeat against Sri Lanka in the third T20I played in Dambulla. Although the match ended in disappointment for Pakistan, Salman Ali Agha’s explosive and fearless batting won praise from cricket fans and experts alike. The right-handed batter smashed an astonishing 45 runs off just 12 balls, hitting five boundaries and three sixes. His innings came at a remarkable strike rate of 375.0, the highest ever recorded by a captain in T20 Internationals, with a minimum requirement of 10 balls faced against full-member teams. With this feat,…
WASHINGTON: The United States has cancelled more than 100,000 visas, including those of around 8,000 international students, as part of strict enforcement measures introduced under president Donald Trump’s administration, according to the US State Department. The State Department said that during the first year of Trump’s presidency, over 100,000 visas were revoked. These included visas issued for business and tourism to individuals who continued to stay in the United States even after their permitted duration had expired. Officials confirmed that among those affected were nearly 8,000 students and around 2,500 individuals who had entered the country for employment purposes. Most…
NEW DELHI: India has suffered another setback in its space programme after a rocket carrying an Earth observation satellite veered off course shortly after launch, marking the second failure of a key mission within eight months. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), operated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), lifted off at 10:18am local time from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Sriharikota island. The rocket was carrying the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite along with 15 additional payloads, including scientific instruments and experiments developed by Indian and international startups and academic institutions. ISRO’s mission control said the rocket performed…
