Author: Sajjad Ali

Sajjad Ali is ‘Online Web Editor of Khyber News. He is a journalist by profession and working in field for the last ten years. Previously he worked for national media organizations including ‘The Nation’ Daily Pakistan Today, Khyber News. He also worked in media development sector. He can be reached at sajjad.sovereign@gmail.com

ISLAMABAD:  National Security Committee is meeting today discuss the issue of strikes by Iran in Balochistan and Pakistan’s response. The meeting will be chaired by caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar who cut short his participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos to rush back to Pakistan. Senior military leaders will also be part of the meeting as well as members of the cabinet. The meeting will take place after a cabinet meets under the PM. Iran on Wednesday violated its airspace and attacked a border village on Tuesday evening, killing two children and injuring three women.

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WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden remarked on Thursday that the recent air strikes between Pakistan and Iran demonstrated Tehran’s lack of popularity in an increasingly tense region. Biden, addressing reporters at the White House, stated, “As you can see, Iran is not particularly well-liked in the region,” and noted that the United States is actively working to understand the evolving situation. The latest exchange of air strikes occurred when Pakistan targeted terrorist hideouts in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province, in response to Iran violating Pakistani airspace two days prior. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the operation, codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar,’ resulted…

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ISLAMABAD: In the initial half of fiscal year 2024 (1HFY24), Pakistan has successfully secured $5.968 billion in external financing, aligning with the annual budget projection of $17.62 billion. The Economic Affairs Division’s latest monthly update revealed a substantial influx in December, totaling $1.621 billion, comprised of $1.609 billion in loans and $12.16 million in grants from various sources. Breaking down the financing, the government obtained a $517.8 million loan for non-project aid in December. This includes $172.83 million for program/budgetary support assistance to restructure Pakistan’s economy, $249.38 million by DPC, and the remaining $95.18 million for the SFD oil facility.…

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China on Thursday extended an offer to mediate between Pakistan and Iran in the aftermath of a gunfight targeting suspected militants along the Pakistan-Iran border. The clash, which included an attack resulting in the reported death of at least nine civilians, prompted China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, to address the situation during a regular press conference. Mao Ning stated, “The Chinese side sincerely hopes that the two sides can exercise calm and restraint to avoid an escalation of tension. We are also willing to play a constructive role in de-escalating the situation if both sides so wish.” Both Pakistan…

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister, Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, has made the decision to curtail his visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The decision was announced by the foreign ministry spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, during a press conference, Thursday citing the ongoing situation in Iran as a key factor behind the Prime Minister’s early return. The abrupt decision follows Pakistan’s announcement of military strikes in Iran, adding urgency to the Prime Minister’s return to address the evolving situation. The nature and extent of the ongoing developments in Iran have not been fully disclosed at this time. Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq…

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Days after a missile attack by Iran in Balochistan’s Panjgur, Pakistani forces have conducted targeted strikes against terrorist camps within Iranian territory, as announced by the Foreign Office on Thursday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) statement indicated that Pakistan executed a series of highly coordinated and precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in the Sistan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran. Referred to as ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar,’ the operation resulted in the elimination of several terrorists. The statement emphasized that this action reflects Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to safeguard its national security against all threats. It commended the Pakistan Armed Forces for the…

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LAHORE: In response to severe air pollution concerns, Punjab province, one of the regions heavily impacted by the issue, has announced the integration of 26,000 electric vehicles into urban traffic. This initiative, known as the “Green Wheels Programme,” aims to benefit students, low-income citizens, women, and individuals with disabilities. Caretaker Punjab Minister for Transport, Ibrahim Hasan Murad, disclosed that the plan includes providing 10,000 electric motorcycles to university students. Additionally, interest-free E-bikes will be allocated to women, three-wheeler bikes to individuals with disabilities, and interest-free E-rickshaws for those in need. The program’s primary goal is to address the root cause…

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Hours before Iraq filed a complaint against Iran at the United Nations Security Council, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein strongly condemned Iran’s attack on Irbil. He characterized the escalation as an attempt by Tehran to export its domestic problems. The remarks were made at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Hussein stated that Iraq had taken political and diplomatic steps to address the Iranian offensive in Irbil, which resulted in the death of four civilians. He rejected Iran’s claims about the presence of the Israeli Mossad in Iraq. Hussein linked the offensive in Iraqi Kurdistan to the growing tensions…

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LAKKI MARWAT: Lakki Marwat police repulsed a terrorist attack on two police check posts on Wednesday. Armed with rocket launchers and sophisticated weaponry, terrorists targeted the police stations in Ghazni and Shehbaz Khel. Swift action by the police officials compelled the attackers to retreat, and no casualties were reported in the ensuing confrontation. Subsequent to the incident, the police initiated a clearance operation in the area. It is pertinent to mention here that parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have experienced an increase in terrorist activities in recent times. In a similar incident in October, terrorists carried out an attack in the…

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Muslims around the world are eagerly awaiting the month of Ramadan, considered to be the most most blessed of the calendar. While the date of the beginning of the lunar month is known to be around march, a possible exact date has been announced for Saudi Arabia. Media reports in Saudi Arabia are quoting an astronomy expert to say that the first roza could fall on March 11. The prediction was made by Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the board of the Emirates Astronomy Society. Jarwan has further added that summer in Saudi Arabia will begin on December 22 and…

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