Vote counting in Gilgit-Baltistan elections has started after polling concluded in 24 constituencies of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. The voting process began at 8am and continued without interruption until 5pm across all polling stations. Election officials confirmed that the polling remained peaceful throughout the day. Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz visited several polling stations to review arrangements and monitor the voting process. Speaking to the media, he said the overall election process was completed in a calm and orderly environment, with a notably high turnout of women voters. He also said that law and order remained under control during the…
Author: Web Desk
The AJK court opinion on refugee representation delivered by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Supreme Court has upheld the constitutional protection of 12 reserved refugee seats in the legislative structure of Azad Kashmir. The court ruled that these seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly cannot be altered, reduced, or abolished through any administrative decision. It said any change would require a formal constitutional amendment under the established legal process. The decision came after a presidential reference filed under Article 46-A of the interim Constitution. The court noted that the refugee seats are protected under constitutional provisions and…
During the period of heightened tensions known as Operation Parakram, the Pakistan Air Force carried out a major air defence operation on June 7, 2002, after detecting a violation of Pakistani airspace near Lahore. According to official accounts, an Indian Air Force Searcher Mk II reconnaissance drone—reportedly manufactured in Israel—entered Pakistani territory on a night surveillance mission. The drone was designed for low-altitude and low-speed flight, making it difficult to detect on radar. Despite these challenges, PAF air defence systems successfully tracked the target. After confirmation of the intrusion, command authorities ordered an immediate interception. An F-16 Fighting Falcon from…
Polling in Gilgit-Baltistan is gaining strong momentum as voters continue to turn out in large numbers across the region’s assembly constituencies. Voting started early on Sunday in 24 constituencies, with many citizens lining up before 8 a.m. The enthusiasm reflects the first major election in the region after six years. Polling will continue without interruption until 5 p.m. The contest remains close between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), while other political parties also remain active in the race. Both parties held large rallies during the campaign, with senior leaders addressing supporters to secure voter…
UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan raised the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly and firmly rejected India’s assertion that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country. The remarks came during a diplomatic exchange at the United Nations after India’s Permanent Representative, Parvathaneni Harish, described Kashmir as an integral part of India. Exercising Pakistan’s right of reply, Gul Qaiser Sarwani said Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognised dispute that is still on the agenda of the UN Security Council. He told the 193-member General Assembly that no attempt could change the historical, legal or international status of the…
Polling began across Gilgit-Baltistan on Sunday for the Gilgit-Baltistan Elections 2026, with voters casting ballots to elect representatives for 24 seats in the regional assembly. According to the Election Commission, voting started at 8am and will continue until 5pm without a break. A total of 958,480 registered voters are eligible to take part in the election. More than 400 candidates are contesting the polls. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has fielded 23 candidates, followed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with 22 candidates. Nineteen independent candidates backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are also in the race. Authorities completed all electoral…
PESHAWAR: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle carried out a raid at a NADRA center in Charsadda, leading to the arrest of several officials over allegations of issuing national identity cards to foreign nationals and Afghan citizens. The operation was conducted on the instructions of FIA Anti-Corruption Circle Peshawar Deputy Director Rana Shahid Habib and supervised by Assistant Director Abdul Qayyum. Officials said one NADRA employee was taken into custody for allegedly facilitating the issuance of identity cards to non-citizens. Those arrested include NADRA Assistant Director Waqar Ahmed, along with Ataullah Jan, Ahmed Raza, and Sajjad Ali. Sources said…
Ayesha Baloch has won a gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 after a strong performance in the wrestling final held in Sri Lanka, where she defeated her Indian opponent. In the final bout, Ayesha Baloch showed clear technical dominance. She controlled the match from the start and used effective wrestling techniques to keep her opponent under pressure throughout the contest. Her opponent struggled to match her pace and skill, allowing Ayesha to secure a decisive victory and claim the top podium position. After her win, Ayesha Baloch performed a prostration of gratitude, a moment that quickly gained attention on…
BISHKEK: Pakistan and Russia have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation on illegal immigration during a meeting held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Kyrgyzstan. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with interior ministers from Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan to discuss regional security, migration issues, and broader law enforcement cooperation. During his meeting with Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, both sides agreed on steps to improve coordination in tackling illegal immigration. They also agreed to enhance cooperation for the repatriation of citizens residing unlawfully in either country. The two countries further decided to expand…
WASHINGTON: The United States carried out strikes on Iranian coastal radar sites on Saturday after shooting down drones launched toward the Strait of Hormuz, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the two sides. The U.S. military said it intercepted four Iranian drones it believed were targeting maritime traffic in the region. Shortly after, U.S. Central Command confirmed strikes on Iranian surveillance sites in Goruk and Qeshm Island, both located near the strategic waterway. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it had responded by targeting U.S. bases in the region with missiles. It also said it fired on several tankers attempting…
