Author: Sajjad Ali

DAMASCUS: The death toll from the drone attack on a Syrian military academy in the Homs province on Thursday jumped to 112 people, with 12 more succumbing to injuries on Friday. Among the victims, 21 were civilians, and authorities are attributing the attack to “terrorist organizations.” The targeted Syrian military academy was hosting a graduation ceremony for officers when weaponized drones were used in the assault, according to Syria’s defense ministry. Initially, the country’s Health Minister reported a lower death toll of 80, including women and children, and around 240 individuals suffered injuries of varying degrees. In response to the…

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Friday indicated to give its decision next week on  the plea challenging former prime minister Imran Khan’s  jail trial. Moreover, the IHC will also announce its reserved decision on appointment of the trial court judge in cypher case. During the hearing of the petition for an early decision by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Advocate Sher Afzal Marwat represented Chairman PTI in court. Marwat informed the court that the Imran Khan’s jail trial in the cypher case has commenced, but a decision on their appeal is still pending. The cypher case is scheduled for…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) reiterated that its recent operation against illegal immigrants is not aimed at any specific nationality. This clarification comes in the wake of the caretaker government’s ultimatum, directing all undocumented immigrants, including Afghan nationals, to leave Pakistan by October 31, under the threat of imprisonment and deportation. The decision to launch this operation was made during a high-level apex committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, which included the army chief. The committee discussed implementing stricter border controls, requiring passports and visas for cross-border movement, and limiting the acceptance of electronic Afghan identity cards…

ISLAMABAD: In a significant development, the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) has ordered deduction of 100 days’ salary of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for failing to provide requested information to appellants, despite clear orders from the Commission. The decision comes after two separate appeals filed by citizens Mr. Tariq Raheem and Farooq e Azam. The appellants had sought information related to an inquiry conducted against them, including copies of witness statements, cross-examination records, and other relevant documents. The Commission, in an order dated 21-02-2023, directed the public body to furnish the required information to the…

After hosting Afghan refugees for 45 years, Pakistan has decided to repatriate 1.1 million illegal Afghan refugees, issuing a one-month deadline for them to voluntarily return to Afghanistan. The government cites security concerns and the involvement of Afghan nationals in terror attacks as reasons for the decision. According to caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, there have been 24 reported suicide attacks in Pakistan this year, with 14 carried out by Afghan nationals, including the deadly Peshawar Police Lines suicide bombing. Despite a decline in violence since the departure of US-led NATO troops and the Taliban’s takeover, concerns persist. A report…

India has started construction of two contentious hydro projects, Kiru and Kwar, on the Chenab River, sparking concerns over potential violations of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) 1960, as reported by The News. A legal dispute is already underway between Pakistan and India regarding the flawed designs of the 330MW Kishanganga and 850MW Ratle hydropower projects on Pakistan’s rivers. The two nations are entangled in a legal battle in the court of arbitration and with a neutral expert over these projects. Pakistan has recently raised objections to the designs of the Kiru hydropower project, capable of generating 624MW, and the…

KARACHI: Pakistan has banned the export of 212 items under the to Afghan Transit Trade agreement on Thursday The Ministry of Commerce has issued an SRO (Statutory Regulatory Order) in this regard under which 17 kinds of cloth, tea leaves, car tyres, cosmetics and toilet items have been bared to carry to Afghanistan. Under the SRO, nuts, dried and fresh fruits and home appliances like refrigerators, airconditioners, juicers, etc., have also been banned. A day earlier, Pakistan announced a 10 per cent processing fee on items imported under the Afghan transit trade agreement to curb the illegal entry of goods…

QUETTA: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti has strongly denounced the yesterday’s firing incident at Bab-e-Dosti near the Pakistan-Afghanistan Chaman border, labeling it unacceptable. Bugti, along with federal ministers from Energy and Information, during a press conference expressed concern over the incident where a senior Pakistani citizen and a child lost their lives, and two others sustained injuries due to firing from across the border. Bugti urged the Afghan government to take serious action against the culprits, emphasizing the negative impact such incidents have on Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. He also called for the extradition of the perpetrators to Pakistani authorities. The minister…

NEW DELHI: The Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 kicks off today with a highly anticipated match between defending champions England and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India. Running until Sunday, November 12th, the tournament boasts a daily dose of group-stage matches across ten venues. The top four teams will secure spots in the semifinals, set for Mumbai on November 14th and Kolkata on November 16th, with reserve days for these crucial encounters. India, the host, engages in a showdown with five-time champions Australia in Chennai on October 8th. Notably, the intense clash between arch-rivals India and…

ISLAMABAD:  To reaffirm its purpose of improving the lives and livelihoods of Pakistani people, a team from Jazz on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to Alkhidmat Foundation’s Aghosh Orphanage in Sheikhupura. The visit reaffirmed Jazz’s unwavering support for the Aghosh Homes project, widely regarded as Pakistan’s premier orphanage initiative. During their visit, the Jazz team spent quality time with the children, engaging in activities that brought smiles to young faces. The day was filled with joy as the team celebrated the birthdays of October-born kids, cutting cake and distributing gift bags. Earlier, the Jazz team also visited Alkhidmat Foundation’s head…