ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Friday called for further expansion of its nationwide protests against amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 which were recently passed into law. The new provisions introduce harsher penalties for what the government considers “fake news”, the expansion of state oversight of digital platforms, and the creation of new …
ISLAMABAD: Prime minister’s aide on political affairs Rana Sanaullah said on Friday that the government was ready to accept PTI’s demands given that “they could convince us,” as the two sides continue to be at loggerheads regarding the talks. After more than a year of heightened tensions between the government and the PTI, the two sides commenced negotiations in the …
RAWALPINDI: Two Pakistan army personnel, including a major, were martyred in a gun battle with terrorists in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday. The clash occurred during an intelligence-based operation conducted by security forces on the night of January 29-30. According to the military’s media wing, during the operation, Pakistani troops …
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that the government was ready to form a parliamentary committee to continue talks with the PTI as against the party’s demand to constitute a judicial commission to probe the protests of May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024. After more than a year of heightened tensions between the government and the PTI, …
ISLAMABAD: Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi wondered on Wednesday whether crimes committed during violent nationwide riots on May 9, 2023, were more serious than terrorist incidents as the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench heard a case on military trials of civilians arrested over the incident. The case pertains to the military trials — and recent sentencing — of civilians for their role …
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday expressed Pakistan’s desire to improve economic ties with the United States, a day after a delegation of investors led by Gentry Beach, US President Donald Trump’s close aide, met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pakistan and the US have delicate and complex ties, shaped by shared security concerns and divergent strategic priorities. In a …
ISLAMABAD: The Constitutional Bench (CB) of the apex court, on Wednesday, returned sealed envelopes submitted by the government counsel, which outlined the procedures followed during the military trial of civilians involved in the May 9, 2023, attacks on military installations. Though the judges took a cursory look, they returned the envelopes when Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail suggested that it would …
ISLAMABAD: After negotiations between the government and PTI hit a roadblock, the former has decided not to form judicial commissions for the May 9 and Nov 26 violent protests, instead proposing alternative options, including the formation of a parliamentary committee to investigate the incidents. Although the government’s negotiation team did not submit its replies to National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz …
ISLAMABAD: A close aide to US President Donald Trump, who is currently leading a delegation of investors to Pakistan to explore business opportunities, said on Wednesday the US administration has nothing but respect for the incumbent leadership of Pakistan, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Gentry Beach, who also met PM Shehbaz, made these remarks at a press conference as …
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari assented to the much-debated changes to the country’s cybercrime laws on Wednesday despite calls by journalists and media bodies to not sign off on the law. The development comes a day after the Senate passed amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016, triggering protests across the country by media workers. Journalists have …