Author: Saifullah

Lahore Airport grapples with disruptions in both domestic and international flight schedules owing to thick fog. Notably, flight DV-850 to Almaty stands canceled due to adverse weather conditions. Several Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights are experiencing delays. PIA flight PK263 to Abu Dhabi faces a two-and-a-half-hour delay, PK291 to Muscat is delayed by five hours, PK283 to Dubai is delayed by 3.5 hours, and PK342 to Najaf, as well as PIA flights to Karachi, are also subject to delays. Moreover, PK247 to Dammam faces a five-hour delay, and PK235 to Dubai experiences a similar delay. The situation extends to arrivals,…

Former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, presently incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, was transferred to the hospital on Saturday due to a chest infection. Jail authorities cite the necessity for a comprehensive medical examination for the president of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Read More: Karachi Grapples with Severe Gas Shortage Parvez Elahi has been undergoing daily medical monitoring at the jail’s hospital, with a recent clear thallium scan at the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology (RIC) last week. Notably, he faces multiple charges, including money laundering and alleged illicit involvement in the Punjab Assembly.

Residents across various neighborhoods in Karachi are grappling with a surge in gas scarcity, particularly during the recent cold spell. Complaints from consumers highlight that heightened gas consumption in Baluchistan has exacerbated the shortage, rendering gas unavailable in some areas even before 11:00 pm and, in certain instances, during the afternoon. Areas notably affected include Sadar, Defence, Shah Faisal, Landhi, Allahwala Town, Gulshan, Manzoor Colony, Qayyumabad, and Scheme 33. Media reports attribute the prolonged gas supply to fertilizer factories as a contributing factor to the scarcity. The situation tends to ameliorate at the start of the week when gas supply…

RAWALPINDI: In an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a suicide bomber and three other terrorists were killed during a gunfight with security forces. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that the killed terrorists, actively involved in various terrorist activities against security forces, were planning a high-profile attack. The proactive response by security forces averted the planned attack. The operation also led to the recovery of arms, ammunition, and explosives. A sanitization operation is underway to eliminate any remaining terrorists in the area, reaffirming the commitment of Pakistan’s security forces to eradicate terrorism.

Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced a renewed initiative to implement artificial rain in Lahore, where hazardous smog affects over 11 million residents. The announcement was made during a meeting with a UAE delegation led by Ahmed Al Kamal, head of the Cloud Seeding Team. Naqvi expressed gratitude for UAE’s cooperation, highlighting the success of the first artificial rainfall experiment in lowering air quality levels below 200 for several days. The cloud seeding team is integral to Pakistan’s environmental efforts against smog, with an upcoming experiment scheduled for January, contingent upon favorable weather. The collaborative efforts aim to…

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar expressed criticism towards the courts and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, accusing them of adopting a double standard on various issues, including missing persons and protests. These remarks were made during his address to students at Beaconhouse National University (BNU) in Lahore. Kakar also addressed a question regarding the alleged double standards of courts in the Kasim’s Aba and Noor Mukadam cases. Additionally, he emphasized the significant role of the youth in national development, underlining that tax revenues are dedicated to the well-being and welfare of the people.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed officers in grades 17 and above to fill out a form for the receipt of specially branded Lenovo laptop bags. In a recent communication from the FBR’s Information Technology Wing to key officials, including chief commissioners, chief collectors, director generals, collectors, and directors, emphasis was placed on the distribution of these distinctive laptop bags to eligible officers who had previously obtained Lenovo T15 laptops. The FBR’s IT wing had previously distributed Lenovo T15 laptops to officers in grade 17 and above, specifically from the Pakistan Customs Service and Inland Revenue Service. Although…

The session court in Islamabad granted post-arrest bail to Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) chief Manzoor Pashteen in connection with the Tarnol police station case. The federal capital police, having completed the judicial remand, presented Pashteen before Senior Civil Judge Shabbir Bhatti’s court. Following arguments, the court approved post-arrest bail, requiring a surety bond of Rs 5000.  Notably, a trial court in Islamabad had previously rejected the police’s plea for further remand, directing the PTM leader into judicial custody on December 31. In a related incident last month, the Anti-Terrorism Court in Islamabad granted Pashteen to the police on a…

Pakistan is expected to receive 500,000 doses of Pfizer’s new COVID-19 vaccine (2023-24 formula) in January 2024 to vaccinate high-risk groups, including pilgrims for the Hajj pilgrimage. Before administering the vaccine, fresh Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) is required from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap), as the new Pfizer vaccine is currently only authorized for emergency use by the US FDA. The vaccine is deemed effective against circulating variants, including Omicron. With rising cases globally, including the JN.1 sub-variant of Omicron, authorities anticipate the need for the new vaccine to prevent its spread among pilgrims. Despite low COVID-19 positivity…

In a continuation of a longstanding agreement, Pakistan and India exchanged lists of prisoners and nuclear installations on January 1st. The Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, signed in 1988, mandates the exchange of nuclear facility details every January 1st. Both nations also shared lists of prisoners in accordance with the Consular Access Agreement of 2008. Pakistan handed over a list of 231 Indian prisoners, while India shared details of 418 Pakistani prisoners. The exchange included a plea for the release and repatriation of those who have completed sentences, along with requests for consular access to…