PESHAWAR: The mass deportation of undocumented Afghan refugees continues, as thousands of migrants are heading to the Torkham border to return home after authorities intensified their crackdown against illegal immigrants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Home Department reported that a total of 189,259 Afghan refugees have returned to their home countries as of November 7. These individuals were transported via the Torkham border crossing between September 17 and November 6 of the current year. Among the repatriated individuals were women and children, who were provided with free transportation services from the Landi Kotal holding camp to the Torkham border,…
Author: Sajjad Ali
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s security forces have conducted a successful intelligence-based operation near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Chitral district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The operation resulted in the elimination of two terrorists and the serious injury of four others, said Pak Army media affairs wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement on Wednesday. On the night of November 7/8, 2023, security forces carried out this crucial operation in the Ursoon area near the border with Afghanistan. The operation saw an intense exchange of fire between the security forces and the terrorists, ultimately leading to the elimination of two terrorists and…
Pakistan is gearing up to address its external financial gap with a strategic plan focusing on boosting foreign direct investment (FDI) this year. Key sectors, including energy, aviation, minerals, and agriculture, are expected to attract significant investments. The Ministry of Finance reports that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar have expressed interest in investing in Pakistan, with anticipated growth in FDI in these sectors starting from January next year. In a move to attract more investments, Pakistan plans to outsource the Islamabad International Airport this month and is actively pursuing the privatization of the national airline, PIA, with Arab companies…
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the new rankings for One Day International (ODI) cricket, resulting in a change in the positions of Pakistan cricket team’s captain Babar Azam and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. According to new rankings, Indian cricket sensation Shubman Gill has dethroned Babar Azam from the top position in the the batsmen’s list, while while Indian bowler Mohammad Siraj has taken the first position, replacing Shaheen Shah Afridi. According to the latest ICC ODI rankings, Shubman Gill holds the first position with 830 points, while Babar Azam is in the second position with 824 rating…
The repatriation of Afghan citizens to their homeland persists, with an additional 5,085 refugees crossing into Afghanistan through designated border crossings. The group comprises 1,475 men, 1,420 women, and 2,190 children, heading to various destinations, including Kabul, Kandahar, Mazar-e-Sharif, and other cities. Authorities report the repatriation of 829 families in 231 vehicles, bringing the total number of illegal Afghan repatriates to 203,639. The exodus of illegal foreigners from Pakistan continues following the government’s October 31 deadline and subsequent crackdown. The Torkham and Chaman borders witness a daily influx of thousands of Afghans returning to Afghanistan. Notably, on October 26, a…
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has officially declared a bank holiday on November 9, 2023, to commemorate Allama Iqbal Day. This decision has been taken in accordance with the earlier announcement made by the Government of Pakistan. In a circular released by the State Bank of Pakistan, it was stated, “The State Bank of Pakistan will be closed on Thursday, November 9, 2023, in observance of the public holiday marking Allama Iqbal Day, as per the Government’s directive.” As a result of this declaration, all commercial banks in Pakistan will also remain closed on November 9 (Thursday) and resume…
More than 30 people were killed in an Israeli bombing on a refugee camp in central Gaza late Saturday, the Palestinian health ministry said. “More than 30 (dead) arrived at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al-Balah in the massacre committed by the occupation in Al-Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip,” health ministry spokesperson Ashraf Al-Qudra said in a statement. Hamas said in a statement posted on Telegram that Israel had “directly” bombed citizens’ homes, adding that most of the dead were women and children. “An Israeli air strike targeted my neighbours’ house in Al-Maghazi camp, my house next door…
The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has introduced a comprehensive plan and strict regulations to combat cheating during the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2023 examination, scheduled for November 26. These measures are aimed at ensuring the integrity of this crucial medical entrance test. To achieve this, examination centers have been established in 11 districts, including Peshawar, DI Khan, Kohat, Mardan, Lower Dir, Swat, and Abbottabad, making it accessible to test-takers. The Peshawar Police is responsible for supervising the printing and handling of test materials, while Khyber Medical University will provide duty staff details. The police will closely monitor…
In a deeply distressing incident, the bodies of three premature infants were found in a refuse pit in Block ‘J’ of Karachi’s North Nazimabad area. Local authorities promptly responded to the scene, located near Farooq-e-Azam Mosque in North Nazimabad, and initiated efforts to collect CCTV footage from the surrounding area. Initial investigations indicate that this incident may be linked to miscarriages, as the bodies were found to be underdeveloped, according to the police. The discovered remains have been transferred to a hospital for DNA testing to further probe the circumstances surrounding this tragic discovery. Simultaneously, another disheartening incident unfolded as…
The US Embassy in Islamabad has reportedly denied a visa to the renowned singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, thus hindering his participation in an upcoming concert. The visa refusal appears to be linked to allegations of unpaid taxes on income earned in the US from 2015 to 2023. In accordance with the embassy’s requirements, the singer is required to furnish IRS documentation outlining his tax payments during the specified period and legal documents from Bollywood Event LLC. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan asserts that he has fulfilled his tax obligations through his US promoters and has contacted them to obtain the…