The Punjab government has approved a major Punjab afforestation project aimed at expanding forest cover across southern districts, including Dera Ghazi Khan and surrounding areas, as part of its environmental protection strategy. Officials said the Punjab afforestation project will focus on developing unused forest land in the DG Khan Forest Circle. The initiative includes plantation work worth Rs2.5 billion on around 7,249 acres of vacant land across the province. The government said the plan is designed to reduce environmental pollution, tackle rising temperatures, and address the growing impact of climate change. Authorities also hope the project will help protect riverine…
Author: Web Desk
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to stop fighting, adding that talks with Iran were progressing quickly despite recent tensions linked to Israel’s military actions in Lebanon. Trump said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and also held discussions through representatives connected to Hezbollah. According to Trump, both sides agreed to halt attacks, with Israel cancelling a planned military operation in Beirut and Hezbollah agreeing to stop firing. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Israeli troops heading toward Beirut had been turned back following his conversation with Netanyahu. He…
ISLAMABAD: China has stepped up its diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan and promote lasting peace in the region. As part of these efforts, China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, visited Islamabad and held detailed talks with Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq. The meeting focused on reducing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, addressing cross-border terrorism, and preparing for the second phase of the Urumqi Process, a China-hosted diplomatic initiative aimed at improving cooperation among regional stakeholders. Both officials described the first round of trilateral consultations held in Urumqi in April as constructive and productive.…
Pakistan is heading toward a crucial fiscal moment as the Pakistan Federal Budget 2026-27 analysis comes under intense public and expert scrutiny ahead of its presentation on June 5. The upcoming budget is expected to affect not just government accounts but also the daily lives of millions of citizens, influencing jobs, business activity, investment, purchasing power, and inflation trends. The government claims it is working to keep the burden on the public as low as possible. However, ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund and proposed tax reforms are raising concerns about how much relief will actually be possible. Reports…
Islamabad authorities have issued a new notification introducing revised operating hours for markets and commercial areas across the city, effective from June 1, 2026. Under the updated schedule, retail shops and shopping malls will close by 8 p.m. Restaurants, food outlets, bakeries, and grocery stores will be allowed to remain open until 10 p.m. Officials said the new operating hours for markets aim to regulate business activity while ensuring essential services remain accessible to the public. Key services such as hospitals, medical stores, petrol pumps, and CNG stations will stay open without any restrictions. Milk shops, dairy outlets, gyms, sports…
The situation between United States and Iran escalated again after strikes on Iranian military sites by US forces over the weekend, followed by a reported retaliation from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. US Central Command said the strikes were carried out in response to what it called “aggressive Iranian actions,” including the downing of a US MQ-1 drone operating over international waters. According to CENTCOM, US fighter aircraft targeted Iranian air defence systems, a ground control station, and drones seen as threats to naval movement in the region. In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it struck a US-operated…
Pakistan has rejected recent assurances from the Afghan Taliban regarding action against the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, saying the response is inadequate and fails to address ground realities. In Afghanistan, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada reportedly issued an informal warning to TTP militants, urging them to stop attacks inside Pakistan or risk losing Taliban support and allegiance. Despite this message, Pakistani officials have made it clear that they remain unconvinced. Pakistan rejects Taliban assurances and maintains that no meaningful or verifiable action has been taken to stop cross-border militancy. A senior official said there has been no visible or concrete change in…
PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa internal differences have intensified, leading the party to establish a six-member committee aimed at improving coordination and resolving disputes within its ranks. According to an official notification, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser will head the committee. The body also includes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, Provincial General Secretary Ali Asghar Khan, Provincial Ministers Meena Khan and Akbar Ayub, and PTI Peshawar Region President Atif Khan. The notification was issued with the approval of the party’s provincial secretary general. The committee will serve as a coordination platform between PTI lawmakers, the parliamentary party and the…
The Chitral Grand Jirga brought together local elders, religious scholars, senior military officials and civil administration representatives to discuss key issues related to peace, security and development in the region. During the meeting, participants held detailed discussions on the overall law and order situation and other matters of public importance. The gathering focused on strengthening cooperation among community leaders, government institutions and security authorities to maintain stability in the area. The Peshawar Corps Commander praised the positive role played by local elders, religious leaders and young people in promoting peace and social harmony in Chitral. He acknowledged their continued efforts…
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has praised Pakistan’s role in Iran peace talks, saying Islamabad is helping support diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, he said a “true friendship” is developing between the United States and Pakistan. He credited Pakistan for playing what he called an “outstanding” role in efforts to restart dialogue aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East. Hegseth specifically praised Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir for their involvement in supporting discussions between the United States United States and Iran. He…
