QUETTA: Eleven labourers lost their lives, and more than five others sustained injuries in a devastating blast near a coal mining site in Harnai, Balochistan. According to Deputy Commissioner (DC) Harnai, Hazrat Ali, the explosion occurred when a pickup truck carrying labourers from the coal mines to a nearby bazaar was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). The attack resulted in the deaths of 11 workers, while the injured were immediately transported to a hospital for medical treatment. Following the explosion, law enforcement agencies swiftly arrived at the scene, sealing off the area and initiating an investigation. Officials confirmed…
Author: Saifullah
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ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Friday approved three key bills introducing strict penalties for individuals involved in human trafficking, forced begging overseas, and the exploitation of underage girls for prostitution abroad. The legislative session, chaired by Senator Sherry Rehman, saw Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar present the bills, which were passed unanimously without any opposition. The three bills approved by the Senate include: The Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Bill 2025 The Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Bill 2025 Amendments to the Immigration Ordinance 1979 Under these new laws, individuals found guilty of human trafficking and related offenses could…
ISLAMABAD: Following the induction of seven judges into the Supreme Court on Friday, the seniority list has been officially updated, with Justice Mansoor Ali Shah now ranking as the most senior judge after Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi. The updated hierarchy of the apex court, following these recent appointments, is as follows: Justice Mansoor Ali Shah Justice Muneeb Akhtar Justice Aminuddin Justice Jamal Mandokhail Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar Justice Ayesha Malik Justice Athar Minallah Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi Justice Shahid Waheed Justice Musarrat Hilali Justice Irfan Saadat Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan Justice Shehzad Malik Justice Aqeel Abbasi Justice…
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has officially confirmed that the Central Superior Services (CSS) 2025 examination will proceed as planned, beginning tomorrow (Saturday, February 15, 2025). This decision follows a ruling by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which dismissed a petition seeking to delay the exams. A group of students had approached the court, arguing that the CSS 2025 exams should be postponed until the results of the CSS 2024 examination were announced. They raised concerns about fairness and transparency, suggesting that conducting a new round of exams without releasing the previous year’s results could create uncertainty for…
In an informal media interaction outside the Supreme Court, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan expressed disagreement over the seniority arrangement following the latest appointments to the Islamabad High Court (IHC). He specifically opposed Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi’s stance on Justice Sarfaraz Dogar’s seniority, emphasizing that seniority lists should be based on judges who have already taken the judicial oath. According to AGP Awan, judicial transfers are not temporary, and he maintained that his position on the matter was clearly recorded in the Judicial Commission meeting. Justice Aamer Farooq Backs CJP Afridi’s View Following the…
In response to widespread protests and public criticism, the Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government has reinstated the 33% passing criteria for grades five and eight under the Board of Elementary Examination GB (BEEGB). The decision, finalized in a meeting chaired by the Minister of Education on February 8, aims to address concerns over the previously stricter grading system. The revised policy ensures that students scoring 33% in all subjects will be considered as having passed. Additionally, students failing in one optional subject will still be promoted, while those failing in one compulsory subject but securing more than 15 marks will also pass.…
In honor of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan, the newly constructed F-8/F-9 interchange in Islamabad has been named after him. The interchange, built at the junction of Jinnah Avenue and Agha Shahi Avenue, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at a ceremony held at the PM House. During the visit, Pakistan and Türkiye signed 24 agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, defense, energy, and other sectors. The agreements mark a significant step forward in strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while welcoming President Erdogan, highlighted the deep-rooted historical and…
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has unveiled an ambitious initiative to provide free three-marla residential plots to homeless citizens across the province. The program, which aims to uplift underprivileged communities by granting them a place to call home, marks a significant step toward housing security in Punjab. In the initial phase of the project, 1,892 plots have been allocated across 33 schemes in 22 districts. The initiative is structured to ensure fair and widespread distribution, benefiting deserving families across multiple regions. A total of 68 plots will be distributed across five schemes in four districts of the Rawalpindi Division, while…
GILGIT: Gilgit police have arrested three policemen for allegedly robbing a group of tourists from Karachi, taking their cash and valuables. According to an FIR application submitted at Cantt Police Station, the victims had traveled to Gilgit to visit relatives. The incident took place at 3:30 AM on Tuesday when they boarded a car from Jutial bus stand. As they reached Kalma Chowk in Kashrote, two uniformed policemen armed with AK-47 rifles stopped their vehicle. The tourists alleged that the policemen, who were on duty at the time, initially searched their car and let the driver go. However, they were…
ISLAMABAD: As part of governance reforms under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, the Pakistani government has begun eliminating unnecessary ministries and positions. One key step in this process is the merger of the Anti-Narcotics Division with the Ministry of Interior. According to an official notification, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) will now operate under the Ministry of Interior, which has been renamed the “Ministry of Interior and Anti-Narcotics Division.” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General to discuss nuclear technology advancements. The agenda covered its applications in cancer diagnosis, treatment, agriculture, food…
