Author: Sajjad Ali

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government strongly opposes the federal government’s Gandhara Corridor Bill, calling it an attack on provincial autonomy. Zahid Chanzeb, Adviser to the Chief Minister on Tourism, Culture, and Archaeology, condemned the bill as an attack on provincial affairs and demanded its immediate withdrawal. He criticized MNA Ramesh Kumar for proposing legislation that should concern Sindh’s archaeological relics, such as Harappa and Mohenjodaro. Chanzeb highlighted that matters of tourism, culture, museums, and archaeology fall under provincial jurisdiction after the 18th constitutional amendment. He expressed disappointment over the establishment of the Gandhara Culture Authority during the previous caretaker setup,…

President Asif Ali Zardari and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had a phone conversation to discuss the shared interests between their countries. President Zardari extended an invitation to President Erdoğan for an official state visit to Pakistan. During their discussion, they talked about strengthening bilateral relations across various sectors. President Erdoğan emphasized the importance of maintaining exemplary ties and highlighted that future meetings of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council would bolster collaboration between Pakistan and Turkey. Additionally, President Erdoğan conveyed his wishes for Laylat al-Qadr and the upcoming Eid al-Fitr, along with offering condolences for the victims of recent terrorist…

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation on Saturday in the North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and killed two terrorists, said ISPR in a statement. During the operation, own troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location as a result of which two terrorists were neutralized, said ISPR adding weapons, ammunition & explosives were also recovered from them. Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area as the Security Forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism.

PTI leader Senator Ali Zafar dismissed talks of boycotting the imminent Senate chairman and deputy chairman elections. Despite some internal deliberations within the party, Zafar confirmed that the prevailing stance among PTI members does not favor such a move. Zafar underscored that PTI Founder Imran Khan has entrusted the decision regarding the Senate election to party members. “I firmly believe that abstaining from the system will only keep us on the sidelines,” Zafar stated. “Regardless of the election’s legality, our participation is essential to remain engaged within the system.” While acknowledging PTI’s slim prospects in the upcoming elections slated for…

A tragic fire in a residential building in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, has claimed the lives of five individuals. Reports indicate that 44 people sustained injuries in the incident, which occurred in a tower housing 75 flats. Authorities have attributed the fatalities to smoke inhalation. Presently, 17 individuals are receiving medical care at hospitals, while 27 have been discharged following initial treatment. Rescue personnel successfully evacuated 18 children and 156 others to safety. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have originated from a discarded item igniting within a dust bin.

RAWALPINDI: Eight terrorists were killed in an operation by security forces in Dera Ismail Khan. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Department of Pakistan Army, security forces conducted an Intelligence-Based Operation (IBO) on information about the presence of terrorists in Dera Ismail Khan, in which eight terrorists were killed. According to ISPR, the slain terrorists were involved in several operations, arms, ammunition and explosives have been recovered from their possession. ISPR stated that they are determined to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the country.

Pakistan has strongly criticized recent provocative remarks made by the Indian Defense Minister during a televised interview. During the interview on Friday, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh stated that India would pursue individuals who attempted to carry out terrorist activities in Pakistan, even crossing the border to eliminate them. Singh’s comments were in reaction to revelations by a British media outlet about India’s covert operations within Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of 20 individuals since 2020. Responding to the interview, Pakistan’s Foreign Office referenced evidence presented on January 25, 2024, exposing India’s alleged involvement in extrajudicial and cross-border assassinations on…

The Lahore High Court has issued a written order on the dismissal of a petition challenging the lifelong disqualification of politicians. The petition contested the extension of the disqualification period from lifetime to five years, but the court ruled that the amendment aligns with the Constitution and is not beyond its authority. The petitioner, Shabbir Ismail, had challenged the amendment under Clause 2 of Section 232 of the Elections Act 2017. However, the court affirmed the amendment’s validity, stating that it does not conflict with Article 62 of the Constitution. Justice Shahid Bilal Hasan, in a detailed ten-page decision, emphasized…

LAKKI MARWAT: Two policemen, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), were martyred in a terror attack by miscreants in Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to details, the incident occurred near Manjiwala Chowk in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat district on Friday night. As result, DSP Gul Muhammad Khan and another official, Naseem Gul, were martyred in an attack. One policeman sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment. Law enforcement agencies promptly responded to the scene, gathering evidence, and initiating efforts to apprehend the perpetrators behind the attack. According to details provided by a police spokesperson, DSP Gul Muhammad Khan was…

LAHORE: Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, has accused Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of supplying metal kite strings to Punjab. During a meeting of the apex committee of Punjab, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed concern over the influx of metal kite strings from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into Punjab, emphasizing that such activities pose a threat to public safety. She underscored that these criminal elements in South Punjab are equipped with modern weaponry, highlighting the need for vigilant law enforcement. Responding to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s remarks, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, the Information Advisor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, criticized the assertion, questioning the efficiency of Punjab’s…