BEIJING: Ahead of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s reported visit to China next week, the US has ramped up efforts hyping up “concerns” that Beijing is “helping Moscow build up its defense industrial base” in a desperate attempt to find excuses for itself when future support for Ukraine is going down the drain, experts said on Thursday. They noted …
BEIJING: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and also expressed China’s support for Palestine over the upcoming UN Security Council (UNSC) vote on its full UN membership, which is likely to be blocked by Israeli ally the US. Although the Palestinian Authority is unlikely to be granted full UN membership, which would …
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) on Thursday filed a petition in the Supreme Court (SC) to probe the allegations made by six IHC judges against interference in judicial affairs by the country’s intelligence apparatus. On March 25, six IHC judges — out of a total strength of eight — wrote a startling letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) members, regarding …
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday called for moving on from the “polarisation” plaguing domestic politics as his record seventh parliamentary address was marred by sloganeering from the opposition benches. Zardari was elected to office on March 9, becoming the only Pakistani president to assume the role twice. Thursday’s address to the joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate was …
ISLAMABAD: Leaders from the two main parties in the ruling coalition have slammed the Faizabad dharna commission’s report, saying that it only places responsibility on politicians, while the PTI termed it a charge sheet against the sitting prime minister. Reacting to the report, a PTI spokesperson called for action against the then-Punjab government, especially Shehbaz Sharif, who the party said was guilty …
ISLAMABAD: The military has reportedly formed an inquiry committee to investigate allegations of misuse of authority against former spymaster retired Lt Gen Faiz Hamid. Media reports aired on Wednesday said the committee had been formed by the military as a gesture of self-accountability and will be headed by a serving major general. They said the committee was formed in the light …
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan took a potshot at the civil administration on Wednesday over the recent Bahawalnagar face-off between the police and army personnel, accusing the former of surrendering to the latter as the IGP Punjab and the “viceroy” — an apparent reference to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi — had tendered an apology over the torture of police officials. Talking …
ISLAMABAD: Anticipating a bumper wheat crop, the federal cabinet on Wednesday decided to write a letter to all provinces to enhance their wheat procurement targets and set a good price for the commodity to facilitate farmers and ensure the availability of the staple in the market. During a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Ministry of National Food …
WASHINGTON: In a meeting with the IMF chief and some members of its board of governors, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to carry out “aggressive reforms” to stabilise its economy. These discussions were part of a meeting of Middle East and North Africa (MENAP) ministers and governors with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva held on Tuesday. Mr …
KARACHI: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday expanded his cabinet with eight more ministers, taking the number of cabinet members to 21. Governor Kamran Khan Tessori administered oath to newly inducted ministers Jam Ikramullah Khan Dharejo, Muhammad Ali Malkani, Makhdoom Mehboob Zaman, Dost Muhammad Rahimoon, Shahid Abdul Salam Thahim, Riaz Hussain Shah Shirazi, Shahina Sher Ali and Mir …