ISLAMABAD: In a forceful rebuke, Pakistan’s top military leaders on Friday lambasted critics of the newly launched Operation Azm-i-Istehkam, accusing them of peddling self-serving agendas and malicious propaganda aimed at undermining counterterrorism efforts. “Forum noted with concern the unwarranted criticism by some quarters and deliberate misrepresentation of the vision, only for furthering their vested interests,” the armed forces’ public affairs wing, …

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Interior has deferred a decision on the Punjab government’s request for the suspension of six social media platforms for around a week, during Muharram. A statement issued by the interior ministry on Friday said no decision had yet been taken on the provincial governments’ requests for internet shutdown, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would make …

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Capital Territory police on Friday night said the district administration had cancelled the permit for the rally of a “political party” on July 6 and warned of legal action if anyone attempted to take the law into their hands. The PTI is scheduled to hold a power show on Saturday in the Tarnol area of the federal capital. Lashing …

RAWALPINDI: PTI founder Imran Khan on Friday said that his party would participate in the government’s All Parties Conference (APC) to discuss Operation Azm-i-Istehkam. The reinvigorated and re-energised national counter-terrorism campaign was announced by the Central Apex Committee on the National Action Plan last month. The government vowed to unleash the full force of the country’s military, diplomatic, legislative, and socio-economic …

The Punjab government on Friday requested the deployment of the Pakistan Army and Rangers to assist the provincial police in establishing “peace and order” during the month of Muharram. A statement issued by the Punjab Home Department’s spokesperson said the provincial government had sought the services of 150 contingents of the military and Rangers following the requirements of different districts. …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) heads of governments’ meeting in October, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch announced at her weekly media briefing on Thursday. “Pakistan holds the rotating Chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG), which is the SCO’s second-highest decision-making forum. In this capacity, Pakistan will be hosting the SCO Heads …

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday sought replies from the superintendent of Adiala Jail, Punjab home secretary and secretary of defence on a petition filed by former prime minister Imran Khan against meddling of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in the jail administration. IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard the petition and, after a preliminary hearing, issued notices to the three government …

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has called a public hearing on July 8 on the question of passing on more than Rs700 billion additional burden to electricity consumers during the current fiscal year by jacking up the average national tariff by around Rs5.72 per unit. The increase would significantly impact the sale rate for poor protected consumers …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday clarified it would not become part of any “bloc” politics as regional security club leaders met in Astana to challenge the global order led by the United States. As the Russian and Chinese leaders called for a “more fairer and transparent” world order at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, foreign office dismissed the perception that …

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday suspended the decision of the Lahore High Court (LHC) and the notification by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) concerning the establishment of election tribunals in Punjab. Additionally, the court dismissed PTI leader Niazullah Niazi’s objection to the inclusion of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa in the larger bench in the election tribunal …