BEIJING: China’s annual “two sessions” are being held in Beijing from March 4 to March 11. With a target of hitting 134.9 trillion yuan in 2024, China has set its 2025 GDP growth target at around 5%, announced at the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress when Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered the government work report on March …
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting with officials from the United States Embassy in Islamabad to discuss consular issues, as the Trump administration reviews its visa policies and pushes ahead with deportation of illegal immigrants. “Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar today chaired a meeting to discuss ongoing collaboration …
KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has indicated that the party might soon separate from the ruling coalition, stating that the time for a final decision is drawing near. He clarified that MQM-P is not issuing threats or ultimatums but is making a firm choice based on its political stance. Speaking at the party’s annual welfare event, …
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday said India had “no right” to blame the UN Security Council and its members for their resolutions on the Kashmir dispute when it was the one to originally approach the UN about the issue in 1948. FO Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan uttered the comments while responding to a journalist during his weekly press …
KABUL: Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Thursday called for the gradual repatriation of Afghan refugees, from not just Pakistan but the rest of the world. Earlier this month, the federal government “advised” Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, as well as all illegal foreigners, to leave the country by March 31 as part of its repatriation drive. The Foreign …
JEDDAH: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence and security cooperation and recognising the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing regional security challenges, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have long shared a multifaceted relationship rooted in mutual economic interests, strategic military cooperation, and shared Islamic heritage. Historically, these ties have encompassed economic …
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday established a dedicated anti-corruption hotline, providing a confidential platform to complainants to report incidents of graft, favouritism, or any form of corrupt practices, without fear of retaliation. The initiative was made in line with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi’s determination to foster an environment free of corruption and guided by the principles …
LONDON: The United Kingdom has declared Hassan Nawaz, son of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, a tax defaulter, imposing a £5.2 million fine on him. British authorities included Hassan Nawaz in their latest list of tax defaulters, officially published on a government website. According to the report, Hassan Nawaz failed to pay approximately £9.4 …
ISLAMABAD: Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) initiated contempt proceedings on Wednesday after discovering that a case under his jurisdiction — concerning ex-premier Imran Khan’s right to meet with his lawyer — had been transferred to a larger bench without his knowledge or consent. The IHC administration had yesterday constituted a three-member larger bench — headed …
PESHAWAR: The Torkham border crossing reopened on Wednesday after 27 days following much-awaited parleys between jirga members of Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to a jirga leader from the Pakistani side. The cross-border movement of people via the Torkham border crossing was abruptly suspended on February 21 after Pakistani and Afghan security forces developed differences over construction activities on both sides …