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RAWALPINDI: In an effort to reform the police system and change the long-standing ‘thana culture’, the Punjab government has proposed renaming police stations across the province as “public safety centres”, replacing the 150-year-old colonial-era term “thana”. Following final approval from the provincial cabinet, the process of renaming police stations will be initiated. Government sources said the PML-N government is seriously considering the proposal. Sources told The Express Tribune that the word “thana” has become a symbol of fear, discouraging citizens from approaching police stations. The name change is aimed at…

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President Asif Ali Zardari has given assent to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Amendment Bill 2025, which revises the framework for compensation on acquired property. Under the amendment, compensation will not be restricted to cash payments and may also be provided in the form of land or other prescribed arrangements. In cases of delayed payment, an additional 8 per cent per annum will be payable. The legislation also introduces provisions relating to persons with disabilities, minors and individuals under legal constraints, along with clauses aimed at safeguarding the rights of…

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A new local government system will be introduced in Islamabad following the federal cabinet’s endorsement of decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases (CCLC), including actions under the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. Addressing the first federal cabinet meeting of the year on Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated cabinet members on the new year and stated that the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines marked significant progress in the government’s commitment to privatise state-owned enterprises. The prime minister highlighted that the privatisation of state-owned enterprises…

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An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has handed down double life sentences to YouTuber Adil Raja, former army official Syed Akbar Hussain, and journalists Wajahat Saeed Khan, Sabir Shakir, Moeed Pirzada, Shaheen Sehbai, and Haider Mehdi. The sentences were announced by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra in cases regarding “digital terrorism” against state institutions during May 9, 2023. The prosecution, represented by Raja Naveed Hussain Kiani, presented 24 witnesses before the court. On request of the prosecution, the trial was concluded in the absence of the accused, who were represented…

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Religious scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza, who was recently imprisoned in Adiala Jail before being granted bail in a high-profile blasphemy case, has shared details about the conduct and daily routine of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan behind bars. Speaking to a private television channel, Mirza said Khan does not enjoy “palace-like” facilities in jail but does have access to news from the outside world. He said the former prime minister is provided with two newspapers and an LED television in his room, allowing him to stay updated. Mirza…

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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar departed for Beijing to co-chair, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the seventh Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue. The event is to be held on January 4. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stated that Dar is the first foreign dignitary to visit China in 2026, at Yi’s invitation. The post goes on to read that “the dialogue will review the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation, identify new areas of partnership, and further advance…

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