Author: Sajjad Ali

WASHINGTON: The United States has expressed its concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression and said that it believes journalists play crucial in ensuring fair and transparent elections. Vedant Patel, the principal deputy spokesperson for the State Department, addressed reporters in Washington on Thursday, asserting that the future leadership of Pakistan is a matter for the Pakistani people to decide. Responding to a question, Patel stated, “Our focus remains on the democratic process. We strongly believe that a free and independent media is crucial for healthy democracies, enabling an informed electorate to make decisions and hold the government accountable. Journalists,…

PESHAWAR: In response to a recent cold wave in Peshawar, the Primary and Secondary schools administration has decided to ease uniform regulations. A notification from the Department of Primary and Secondary Education allows students to wear any sweater or coat to school. The decision aims to address the impact of the cold weather on academic activities, and this relaxation in uniform rules will remain in effect until the weather conditions improve. It’s worth noting that the Caretaker government has also chosen to extend winter vacations for schools in Punjab. In cities like Lahore, the vacation period has been extended until…

PESHAWAR: A police officer was reportedly murdered by unidentified individuals on Charsadda Road. According to the details, the brother of the deceased policeman has lodged a murder complaint in Counter Terrorist Department (CTD) police station. Constable Kamran reportedly left the house to put the children in the school van and was later found dead on Charsada Road. The brother of the deceased has filed a formal complaint, denying any enmity involving Kamran. In the FIR, the complainant stated that the unidentified individuals carried out the attack with the intention of spreading terror.

ISLAMABAD:  The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) introduced a WhatsApp Channel on Thursday to provide citizens with current and accurate information. NADRA stated that this innovative initiative reflects a forward-thinking approach to delivering precise information to citizens. “The real-time messaging capabilities empower NADRA to promptly convey updates and guidance to citizens,” added the authority. The launch of the NADRA WhatsApp channel aims to curb the spread of misinformation and establish trust between the government authority and the public. “The substantial increase in subscribers to the WhatsApp channel indicates a positive response from citizens,” noted the authority. According to NADRA,…

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted light rain and snowfall in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Thursday. However, Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan are expected to experience cold and dry weather. According to the PMD, daytime weather in certain KP districts will be cloudy and cold, with light rain and snowfall anticipated in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohat, and Malakand during the night. The PMD also mentioned the likelihood of heavy fog in Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, Peshawar, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and surrounding areas during both morning and night hours. The PMD’s forecast indicates that…

MULTAN: Police on Thursday conducted a raid at the residence of senior politician Javed Hashmi and apprehended his son-in-law and servants. Hashmi took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), disclosed that the police raided his home in the Makhdoom Rashid area while the Tehreek-e-Insaf workers’ convention was underway, leading to the arrest of the PTI candidate and household staff. https://twitter.com/JavedHashmiJH/status/1750257104282091824 According to Hashmi, the police forcibly entered the house by breaking doors, subjected women to torture, and breached the sanctity of his home [chaddar aur chaar deewari] without a warrant. They took his son-in-law and grandson into custody. It…

ISLAMABAD:  The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday reinstated the authority of Islamabad’s deputy commissioner to issue Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) and temporarily upheld the order by IHC Justice Babar Sattar. The orders were issued by Chief Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Tariq Mahmoud Jahangiri in response to an appeal filed by the Islamabad chief commissioner, who is the Home Secretary. In an intra-court appeal, the Home Secretary challenged the decision, and the court issued notices to the parties involved in the appeal against a single bench decision. The Appellate Court also imposed a restraining order on the Chief…

With the upcoming general elections on the horizon, political fervor has taken center stage across Pakistan, particularly in the pivotal province of Punjab. The battle for supremacy in this crucial province is expected to significantly influence national politics. In the midst of the political hustle, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has crafted a robust campaign strategy, setting the stage for a fierce competition against its primary rival, the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP). The inclusion of independent candidates adds an element of unpredictability to the electoral landscape. Lahore, the capital of Punjab, has become a focal point of intense political battles.…

PESHAWAR: Unlike previous elections, the upcoming general elections in Pakistan will introduce a wave of new political faces aspiring to enter legislative bodies, alongside seasoned veterans returning to the polls after securing multiple terms. However, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, attention will be drawn to six former chief ministers of the province. Veteran politician Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao is poised to compete in Charsadda’s NA-24, while Awami National Party leader Haider Hoti is in the race for NA-22. Mehtab Abbasi, a former leader estranged from the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, is contesting from election from Abbottabad NA-16. Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Pervez…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidates are encountering the challenge of new symbols for the upcoming general election as the Election Commission of Pakistan denies them the ‘bat’ symbol. The party is currently working to inform voters about their assigned symbols, especially since several candidates associated with PTI are contesting against the party’s official candidates. Initially attempting to share a database of symbols, PTI has adopted a more innovative approach, featuring a message from Imran Khan. An auto-response system on Imran Khan’s Facebook page allows users to message their constituency number and receive relevant information promptly. “Just send a message to…