Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, said Pakistan-China economic cooperation is entering a new phase under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2.0, with greater emphasis on industrial growth, agriculture, information technology, mining and human resource development. Speaking at a reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy to mark the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, Dar said Pakistan’s all-weather strategic partnership with China remains a key pillar of the country’s foreign policy and development agenda. He congratulated the Communist Party of China on the occasion and praised the country’s remarkable economic transformation. Dar…
Author: Web Desk
Indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran ended in Doha without any major breakthrough, although both sides described the discussions as constructive. The Doha talks between US and Iran mainly focused on implementing parts of an interim agreement announced two weeks ago rather than resolving the wider issues dividing the two countries. Sources familiar with the talks said negotiators spent two days discussing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the release of frozen Iranian funds. Both issues are considered key parts of the temporary agreement reached earlier. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the next round of talks will…
Pakistan has stepped up preparations for the OIC Ministerial Conference on Women, scheduled to take place on July 12 and 13, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar reviewing final arrangements. Dar chaired the sixth meeting of the high-level committee overseeing the conference, where officials assessed progress on the programme, agenda, protocol, security, logistics, media strategy and coordination among government departments. The conference will bring together representatives from all 57 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to strengthen collaboration on women’s empowerment, inclusion and sustainable development. During the meeting, Ishaq Dar appreciated the…
Punjab deports illegal foreign nationals as authorities continue a province-wide operation against people residing in Pakistan without legal status. Punjab Police said on Wednesday that 35,719 foreign nationals have been deported from different parts of the province, including Lahore. Another 72 people are currently being held at designated holding centres while officials complete the deportation process. According to official figures, those deported include more than 14,000 men, 7,138 women and 14,529 children. Police said the deportees included 11,047 holders of Proof of Residence (PoR) cards, 11,135 Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders and 13,537 foreign nationals who were living in the…
14 children killed in Lahore after the roof of a private tuition centre collapsed in the city’s Kahna area on Wednesday, leaving several others injured. Punjab Health Minister confirmed that 14 children died in the incident. Rescue officials said around 20 to 25 people, including a female teacher and mostly young children, were inside the academy when the roof gave way. Rescue teams reached the scene shortly after receiving the emergency call at around 4:45pm. They launched a search operation and pulled children from beneath the rubble. Authorities had initially feared the death toll could rise. Residents said the building…
Pakistan rejected India’s statement on its military strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan on Wednesday, calling New Delhi’s allegations “baseless and preposterous.” Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan’s actions were legitimate, targeted and proportionate. In a statement posted on X, he said India’s criticism had no basis and accused New Delhi of interfering in the affairs of neighbouring countries. Andrabi also accused India of violating international law by suppressing the right to self-determination of Kashmiris in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He further alleged that India had supported terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory against Pakistan, calling it…
Pakistan downs Afghan drones after security forces intercepted and neutralised four unmanned aerial platforms launched from across the border into Balochistan, according to the military’s media wing. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Pakistan’s air defence network detected the drones immediately after they entered the country’s airspace. Security forces then used advanced countermeasures to destroy all four drones before they could cause any damage. The military said the swift response successfully prevented what it described as a hostile cross-border attempt. According to the ISPR, the Afghan Taliban administration is supporting terrorist groups operating from…
A Hyderabad school among top 10 global finalists has brought international recognition to Pakistan after being shortlisted for the prestigious World’s Best School Prizes 2026. The Government Girls Lower Secondary School Tando Mir Ghulam Hussain in Hyderabad, Sindh, has secured a place among the top 10 finalists in the Community Collaboration category. Organised by T4 Education, the World’s Best School Prizes honour schools that demonstrate outstanding achievements in improving education, supporting student welfare and creating a positive impact in their communities. The awards are regarded as one of the most prestigious recognitions in global education. Thousands of schools from around…
The KP government announces bounty on terrorists as part of efforts to improve security and eliminate militant networks operating in the province. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Home Department has released a fresh list of 15 highly wanted militants active in Dir and nearby areas and announced substantial cash rewards for information leading to their arrest. According to an official statement, rewards ranging from Rs4 million to Rs12 million have been set for the wanted suspects to encourage public cooperation and help bring them to justice. The list assigns rewards based on the severity of the suspects’ alleged crimes. Officials said the…
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has introduced new safeguards to protect citizens’ money and bank accounts. Under the SBP new instructions for banks, financial institutions cannot block, freeze or restrict customer accounts without a valid legal reason, proper verification and approval from the relevant authority. The central bank issued the directives in compliance with orders from the Islamabad High Court, which had already barred banks from blocking accounts without legal authority. During hearings in the case, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir directed the State Bank to establish a clear internal mechanism to ensure that customers are not subjected to unnecessary…
