Senior PPP leader Raza Rabbani denounced the National Assembly’s passage of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) bill on Friday, warning it would curtail freedom of expression, despite his party’s support for the legislation a day earlier. The National Assembly rushed the controversial amendments to the country’s cybercrime laws yesterday amid protests, with PTI lawmakers and journalists walking out of …

ISLAMABAD: PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Thursday said that party founder Imran Khan directed to call off talks with the government due to a delay over the formation of judicial commissions. The PTI and the government had been engaged in talks to bring down political temperatures. After two rounds of meetings, the third round was held seven days …

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday thanked the World Bank for placing faith in Pakistan after pledging to provide $20 billion under the 10-year country partnership framework (CPF) last week. According to a World Bank statement, the new framework for the country aimed to “support inclusive and sustainable development through a strong focus on building human capital”, in addition …

RAWALPINDI: Former premier Imran Khan said on Thursday that neither he nor his spouse Bushra Bibi benefited financially from the Al-Qadir Trust case, and that business tycoon Malik Riaz could testify that he was the only prime minister who “never sought anything from him for personal or financial gain.” Last week, Imran and Bushra were convicted in the £190m Al-Qadir …

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday passed a controversial amendment bill to the country’s cybercrime laws amid a walkout by PTI lawmakers and journalists from the proceedings. The latest draft of changes to the cybercrime laws, seen by Dawn.com and titled “The Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025”, was tabled in the National Assembly a day ago by Law …

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday called on the international community to devise a “concrete plan” for the reconstruction of Gaza while demanding accountability for Israeli crimes that cost thousands of Palestinian lives. Israel and Hamas agreed to a long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza which began on Sunday followed by a hostage and prisoner exchange, pausing the conflict after 15 months. …

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday issued notices to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) related to the acquittal pleas of ex-premier Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi in the new Toshakhana case. In the case, the FIA accused the couple of retaining an expensive Bulgari jewellery set gifted by a foreign leader — including a necklace, earrings, …

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday continued to delve into the raging controversy whether a constitutional committee — set up under Article 191A of the Constitution — could undo the effect of a judicial order by withdrawing the jurisdiction of a regular bench that had already taken cognisance of the case. The two-judge bench, comprising Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah …

WASHINGTON: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral relations with the United States, expressing a desire for enhanced cooperation across all sectors. During a meeting with US Congressmen Thomas Richard Suozzi and Jack Bergman in Washington, Naqvi discussed matters of mutual interest, including the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan-US relations. The Congressmen represent the Democratic and …

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasised Pakistan’s commitment to sustainable development during a high-level discussion at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on global debt challenges faced by developing economies. Aurangzeb highlighted efforts to reduce government expenditures and debt servicing, noting the debt-to-GDP ratio had dropped from 78% to 67%. “Pakistan aims to address rising population, poverty, and environmental issues while …