ISLAMABAD: Pakistan resumed talks with Afghan Taliban representatives in Istanbul today in a third round of engagement aimed at ending cross-border terrorism and consolidating a fragile ceasefire that was initially agreed upon after border clashes last month. Since the skirmishes between October 11 and 15, Pakistan and Afghan Taliban representatives have held two rounds of talks — first in Doha …
PESHAWAR: A key commander of the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) militant group was killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Karak in a late-evening police operation, sources told Dawn. Sources said that acting on an intelligence tip-off, police raided a hideout in Ambari village in Karak district. An exchange of fire ensued, resulting in the death of Nisar Hakim, a key IS-K commander. Four …
ISLAMABAD: The opposition reached out to the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman late on Wednesday, seeking his support against the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment. A parliamentary delegation of opposition parties led by Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai, who has also been nominated as the opposition leader in the National Assembly, visited the JUI-F chief’s …
ISLAMABAD: Clarity on a consensus over the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment is expected within two to three days, after which the legislation is likely to be tabled in parliament next week, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Wednesday. Separately, the National Assembly was also assured that the 18th Amendment would not be rolled back through the new legislation. Speaking to …
By Areej Riaz The devastating floods of 2022, and now the ongoing 2025 floods, are not isolated events. They are a recurring reality of our changing climate — one that Pakistan cannot afford to keep confronting with only emergency relief and reconstruction. Each disaster displaces millions, wipes out livelihoods, destroys infrastructure, and sets back development by years. But what if …
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the House Ishaq Dar assured the Senate on Tuesday that the proposed 27th constitutional amendment was a government’s initiative and it would be introduced only after thorough consultation with coalition partners. The House met with Senator Manzoor Ahmad in the chair, as Chairman Senate Yusuf Raza Gilani is currently acting as President, while …
ISLAMABAD: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Wednesday demanded that local governments (LGs) be given autonomy in the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment. After the PPP revealed key features of the proposed amendment for which the government sought its support, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said yesterday that the legislation for the tweaks will soon be tabled in Parliament. MQM-P leader …
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Wednesday issued a notification announcing that the deadline for taxpayers filing returns using manual forms rather than its web portal has been extended until November 30. According to the notification, the tax body stated that it is discontinuing the use of manual forms to file returns in favour of digitising all of …
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday termed population and climate change as “existential issues” that Pakistan must address to realise its potential. Pakistan is home to a vast population of over 251 million, according to the World Bank. The Bank states the annual population growth rate for 2024 at 1.5 per cent, with the government’s 2023 census showing that …
DOHA: President Asif Ali Zardari met with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in Doha on Wednesday and offered to expand bilateral cooperation in the areas of defence and defence production between Pakistan and Qatar, a statement issued by the Presidency said. According to the statement, the Qatari emir “responded positively” to the offer and said he would instruct …