RAWALPINDI: Former chief of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Faiz Hameed has been sentenced to 14 years rigorous imprisonment by a military court, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday. In a statement, the military’s media affairs wing said that the process of Field General Court Martial (FGCM) was initiated against Hameed on August 12, 2024 under provisions of the Pakistan Army …

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday arrived in Turkmenistan on a two-day official visit, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said. It added that the premier was undertaking the visit at the invitation of Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdymukhamedov, with whom he would hold a bilateral meeting today. PM Shehbaz and the delegation accompanying him were welcomed by …

ISLAMABAD: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Thursday that it had received $1.2 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after the global money lending agency approved the review of Pakistan’s loan programmes. In a statement on social media platform X, the central bank said that the Fund’s Executive Board had completed the second review of the Extended …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan told the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday that terrorism emanating from Afghan soil posed the “gravest threat” to the country’s national security and sovereignty. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad made the remarks while addressing a debate in New York on the situation in Afghanistan. In his statement, he highlighted Islamabad’s …

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said Pakis­tan could not achieve sustainable economic development without the complete elimination of terro­rism, extremism and se­­­­ctaria­n­ism from the country. Addressing the National Ulema Conference, the prime minister urged religious scholars to play a proactive role in discouraging sectarianism and promoting unity, harmony and brotherhood among all schools of thought. “Creating an atmosphere …

ISLAMABAD: The United States has approved the sale of advanced technology and support for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets, valued at $686 million, according to a letter the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) sent to Congress on December 8. The package includes Link–16 systems, cryptographic equipment, avionics updates, training, and comprehensive logistical support. The DSCA letter makes clear the rationale …

ISLAMABAD: The PPP accused the PML-N of “colluding” with the PTI during National Assembly proceedings on Wednesday, after the speaker ended the session early when PTI’s Iqbal Afridi pointed out a “lack of quorum” ahead of an agenda item regarding the renaming of Islamabad International Airport. The last item on the day’s agenda was a calling-attention notice from First Lady …

ISLAMABAD: As members from the ruling PML-N and its allies continued their tirade against the PTI on Wednesday, the opposition party announced that it would hold a “national conference” later this month, where a “national agenda” would be presented. The announcement was made by PTI leader Asad Qaiser after a meeting of his party’s parliamentary group at the Parliament House. …

RAWALPINID: The PTI said early on Wednesday that authorities used water cannons to disperse protesters, including the sisters of PTI founder Imran Khan, who were staging a sit-in outside Adiala jail after being denied a meeting with the ex-premier. In a post on X at 3:58am, the party said, “Pakistani authorities used water cannons to disperse Imran Khan’s sisters and …

ISLAMABAD: National Assem­bly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Tuesday said that opposition members would be invited to a national-level consultation to devise a joint strategy for water issues and food security. “Safeguarding Pakistan’s future depends on the protection of water resources and addressing food security challenges. National unity and collaborative efforts are essential to finding sustainable solutions to these pressing …