Author: Sajjad Ali

The International Monetary Fund’s Executive Board is slated to consider Pakistan’s first review on January 11 next year, unlocking $700 million under the standby arrangement (SBA), as reported by Bloomberg citing the lender’s spokesperson on Friday. Last month, Pakistan and the IMF reached a staff-level agreement under the $3 billion SBA, awaiting the board’s approval for the release of the second tranche. The News had earlier reported that the first review for approval was not on the agenda for the IMF’s Executive Board meeting scheduled from December 1 to 15. The delay was attributed to the IMF team’s efforts in…

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to introduce new contenders in provincial capital in upcoming general elections.  Party insiders said that a total of 12 new contenders are poised to enter the electoral arena, competing in 18 constituencies spanning the National and Provincial Assemblies of Peshawar. Key party figures, including Taimur Saleem, Sher Ali Arbab, Kamran Bangash, and former Deputy Speaker Mehmood Jan, have been entrusted with the task of formulating this electoral strategy, according to sources within the party. The political landscape has witnessed the departure of several former members of the National Assembly, such as Arbab Noor Alam,…

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has dismissed Akbar S. Babar’s appeal for a re-conduct of the intra-party elections of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The decision was made during a session chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, where 14 petitioners presented their case against the PTI intra-party election. Akbar S. Babar’s lawyer, Ali Hassan, argued that the Election Commission is established just two days before the elections, leading to the absence of a voter list and hurriedly conducted elections. When questioned about Article-5 of the PTI constitution, Babar explained that it implies conducting the election in a closed…

ISLAMABAD: Efforts are underway to repatriate illegal foreign nationals, including Afghans, back to their homeland in a dignified and secure manner. Yesterday, 2,473 illegal Afghan nationals were successfully returned, bringing the total repatriation count to 416,925. With only four days remaining, the citizens of Balochistan are rallying in support of the government’s decision, anticipating positive economic and law-and-order improvements. The people of Balochistan are expressing their endorsement of the government’s move, hopeful that the departure of these unauthorized foreign residents will positively impact the region, which has been grappling with poverty and other challenges. Residents from various districts, including Pashin…

KABUL: In the midst of challenges faced by the Afghan education system, Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai is making headlines with his call to lift the ‘Ban on Girls’ Education’ in Afghanistan. Known for his fervent advocacy of girls’ education, Stanikzai has called again for reopening schools for female students beyond grade 6 as the ban growing distance between Taliban and public. In his impassioned plea, he underlines the pivotal role education plays in society, asserting that a lack of knowledge renders a society “dark.” This call for change comes as a beacon of hope for the future…

Pakistan popular TikToker Hareem Shah’s X Account, formerly known as her Twitter handle, faced suspension. The Social media platform X suspended her account, leaving followers curious about the undisclosed reasons behind the action. Hareem Shah, known for her engaging TikTok content, recently hinted at her interest in politics through a post where she sought assistance from her followers in identifying a political party. Shortly after this, her X account was suspended without any prior explanation or notice. In her usual posts, Hareem Shah often announced giveaways and presents for her fans. The news of her account suspension has left fans…

The Pakistan Peoples Party in Balochistan received a significant boost as former Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo officially joined the party. The announcement was made during a meeting with PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari at the Bilawal House in Lahore on Thursday. Accompanying Bizenjo were former provincial minister Sikander Imrani and Syed Nizamuddin, both of whom also formally joined the PPP. Additionally, Syed Hameed, Naseer Ahmed Bizenjo, Mir Abdul Wahab Bizenjo, and others expressed their allegiance to the party. Having served as Balochistan’s chief minister from 2021 to 2023, Abdul Quddus Bizenjo was previously the president of the Balochistan…

Rhode Island’s beloved TV judge, Frank Caprio has announced that he has been diagnosed with cancer  at the age of 87. The retired Chief Judge of the Providence Municipal Court began feeling unwell around his birthday in November and sought medical attention, leading to the grim diagnosis. Despite facing a particularly challenging form of cancer, Caprio remains optimistic. In his message, he expressed gratitude for the exceptional medical care he is receiving in Rhode Island and at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. Caprio also emphasized the importance of prayer in his journey towards recovery, believing it to be…

Russia’s upper house of parliament announced presidential election will be held on March 17, 2024. The Federation Council unanimously approved the decision 162 votes in the house. Valentina Matviyenko, head of the Federation Council, announced, “With this decision, we are effectively launching the start of the election campaign.” Notably, residents of annexed parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson regions in Ukraine will participate in the vote for the first time. While President Vladimir Putin has not officially declared his candidacy for a new six-year term, Matviyenko emphasized the shared responsibility and destiny of the fatherland in choosing a head…

ISLAMABAD: Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) Chief Manzoor Pashteen has handed over to police on seven day physical remand. A lower court judge in Islamabad Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the case on Thursday against Manzoor Pashteen who was arrested on Tuesday in Chaman, Balochistan. Later he was shifted to Islamabad the following night. He was produced before the lower court today where the Police sought a 10-day physical remand. The court, however, granted a seven-day physical remand, adjourning the case until December 14. Pashteen, was present in Chaman to participate in a demonstration against a government policy requiring Afghan nationals…