ISLAMABAD: As the nation observed Youm-i-Takbeer on Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Acting President Yusuf Raza Gilani hailed the nation’s “unwavering determination” to make Pakistan a nuclear power under the “bold leadership” of then-premier Nawaz Sharif. Youm-i-Takbeer is observed on May 28 to commemorate the historic day in 1998 when Pakistan joined the ranks of nuclear powers after atomic …

ISLAMABAD: Acting President Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday signed two ordinances on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which were promulgated following the approval by the federal cabinet. Mr Gilani, who assumed the role of acting president after Asif Ali Zar­dari went to Dubai on a private visit, signed the Elec­tions Act (Ame­nd­m­ent) Ordinance 2024 and NAB (Amend­ment) Ordi­nance 2024 into …

ISLAMABAD: Amid inte­nse pressure from the journalist fraternity and civil society organisations, the PML-N seemed to soften its stance on the proposed defamation law — recently pas­sed by the Punjab Assembly and pending gubernatorial assent. At a press conference on Monday, federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar backed demands for consultations with stakeholders before the finalisation of the legislation. When asked about the …

ISLAMABAD: Fina­nce Minister Muha­mmad Aurangzeb on Monday underscored the long-term mutual relations between Pakistan and the United States. The minister informed US Ambassador Donald Blome, who called on him, about the successful completion of the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) and that the government was engaged with the International Monetary Fund to build upon the reforms under the SBA. He highlighted the government’s priority …

ISLAMABAD: One of the complainants before the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) that led to the unceremonious exit of Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi as the Supreme Court judge requested Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa on Monday to initiate prompt inquiry into the pending complaints against superior court judges. “The people as well as lawyers of this country consider it …

ISLAMABAD: As Youm-i-Takbeer is being observed across the country on Tuesday (today), Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has lashed out at the government for exploiting the country’s nuclear programme for political gain. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday declared May 28 — known as Youm-i-Takbeer — a national holiday to mark the day Pakistan became a nuclear power 26 years ago. A PTI spokesperson slammed …

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday declared a public holiday throughout the country on May 28 on account of Youm-i-Takbeer, the day when Pakistan’s defence became impregnable after nuclear tests in the hills of Chagai, Balochistan in 1998. The announcement was made in a notification, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, issued by the cabinet secretariat. Youm-i-Takbeer is observed on …

BEIJING: Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Monday that China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) should strive to reject external disruption and stay committed to harmonious coexistence and mutual support. Li made the remarks when attending the eighth business summit among China, Japan and the ROK together with ROK President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. …

BEIJING: The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday refused to accept the Group of Seven’s (G7) unilateral accusation of implementing “non-market” policies and practices. Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to a query on the G7 hyping up the so-called Chinese overcapacity. Mao said the success of China’s economy over the past 40 …

ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and members of the federal cabinet, including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, on Monday held a joint press conference in Islamabad, where the former said he had found a solution to the province’s power issues and was willing to cooperate with the centre. Gandapur’s KP administration and Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) have …