ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday expressed the desire to work with Iran “based on the spirit of mutual trust and cooperation” as the two neighbouring countries agreed to “de-escalate the situation” and strengthen coordination on counter-terrorism. The development came during a telephonic conversation between Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson said …

ISLAMABAD: With general elections just a few weeks away, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued guidelines for law enforcement agencies tasked with ensuring security cover for the Feb 8 polls. In a comprehensive code of conduct for security personnel, the electoral watchdog emphasised the need to remain “neutral and impartial”, particularly during the voting process, and “not act …

ISLAMABAD: The caretaker government on Friday approached the Supreme Court challenging the Islamabad High Court’s November 21 verdict to declare former prime minister Imran Khan’s jail trial in the cipher case illegal. The petition, filed by the ministries of law and interior, contended that the IHC order was “not in consonance with the law” and “travelled beyond the jurisdiction”. It must be …

RAWALPINDI: Azam Khan, the principal secretary to former prime minister Imran Khan, took an oath on the Holy Quran on Thursday, testifying that the diplomatic cipher provided by the foreign ministry to the ex-PM had not been returned to the ministry by the time he left his position. Last August, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) booked Imran Khan and former …

ISLAMABAD: The National Security Committee (NSC) is set to convene an emergency meeting later today amid tensions between Pakistan and Iran. On Tuesday, Iran had laun­ched attacks in Pakistan targeting what it described as bases for the militant group Jaish al-Adl in the border town of Panjgur in Balochistan, Iranian state media reported, prompting strong condemnation from Islamabad and downgrading of diplomatic ties. The …

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Thursday constituted a seven-member committee mandated with ensuring the smooth conduct of the upcoming February 8 general elections as well as overseeing their security arrangements. According to a notification issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), interim Minister for Communications, Railways, and Maritime Affairs Shahid Ashraf Tarar has been named as the …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Dubai on Thursday inked two agreements worth over $3 billion on cooperation in railways, economic zones and infrastructure projects. According to an official press release, the inter-governmental framework agreements were signed to strengthen relations in the marine and logistics sectors, including the establishment of a dedicated freight corridor and economic zone near Karachi. “The rail-based dedicated freight …

BEIJING: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi wrapped up his visit to Africa after meeting a slew of leaders of Egypt, Tunisia, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire from January 13 to 18. Continuing the fine tradition of the Chinese foreign minister’s first overseas trip to the African continent every year for 34 years, Wang hailed the firm mutual trust and deep friendship …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday morning struck terrorist hideouts in Iran’s Siestan-o-Baluchistan province, less than 48 hours after Iran violated its airspace. According to a statement by the Foreign Office (FO), a number of terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’. Meanwhile, Iranian media claimed seven “non-Iranian nationals” were killed in the strike targeting a village near city of …

TEHRAN: Officials in Islamabad said two children were killed and three others injured in the attack in Balochistan. Iran’s foreign minister said the operation targeted the militant group Jaish al-Adli, which he described as an “Iranian terrorist group” in Pakistan. As a result the Pakistan’s government recalled its ambassador to Iran and has blocked Tehran’s envoy from returning. The Balochistan …