ISLAMABAD: Speakers from various labour unions, advocacy groups, and policy think-tank expressed concern over the continued marginalisation of Pakistan’s 76 million-strong labour force inBudget 2025-26, calling for urgent reforms and a unified national strategy to secure their rights. The speakers, gathered at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) seminar criticised the budget for ignoring labour rights. Editor Publications at SDPI …

LAHORE: Incarcerated PTI leaders have said that Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s calling the current dispensation a “hybrid model” speaks volumes about the “sham democracy” in Pakistan. “Khawaja Asif’s statement about the hybrid regime is a slur on democracy,” said a joint letter written by former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former Punjab ministers Dr Yasmin Rashid and Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, …

ISLAMABAD: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) and All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA) on Monday strongly condemned the federal government’s proposal to abolish the25pc tax rebatefor teachers and researchers, calling it “a deliberate and destructive blow to Pakistan’s higher education and research system”. Addressing a joint press conference at the National Press Club, FAPUASA President …

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan joined China and Russia in circulating a draft resolution at the UN Security Council demanding an immediate ceasefire, the protection of civilians and a return to diplomacy following US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The strikes, which targeted Iran’s Fordow — where uranium is enriched to 60 per cent — and two other facilities have been described …

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday vehemently denounced the US strikes on Iran’s key nuclear facilities and urged the government to immediately convene an all-parties conference (APC) to thoroughly discuss the rapidly deteriorating regional situation and formulate a consensus-based, clear-cut policy on belligerent Israel which is pushing the entire region to the brink of a devastating war. PTI Central …

ISLAMABAD: An emergency meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) will be held today (Monday) to discuss the regional situation after the US airstrike on three nuclear facilities in Iran. The NSC, chaired by the prime minister and comprising the top brass of both civil and military leadership, is the highest forum for security deliberations. Sources in the Prime Minister’s …

ISLAMABAD: Former foreign minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday said India has the option to either share water fairly or “we will deliver water to us from all six (Indus river system) rivers”. Delhi unilaterally suspended its participation in the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which governs the usage of the Indus river system, on April 23, shortly …

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on Sunday that Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with neighboring Iran in the face of Israels unprovoked and unjustified aggression. Talking to a private news channel, he said that Pakistan condemned the attacks carried out by Israel and is gravely concerned about the potential for further escalation in the region. The threat of …

QUETTA: Unknown armed men torched several government offices, attacked a Levies post and blocked the Quetta-Karachi Highway in Khadkocha and Kirdgab areas of Mastung district. Officials said that during the last 24 hours, armed men had attacked a Levies post and taken personnel hostage after a heavy exchange of fire in the Kirdgab area. They also took away official weapons …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday condemned the United States for launching strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling the move a violation of international law and warning it could further destabilise the region. The US attacks come on the 10th day of the Israel-Iran war sparked by Israel’s wave of strikes in Iran on June 13th, escalating fears of broader regional escalation. …