Category: Featured

South Asia Journalist Federetion ( SAJF)

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PRESS STATEMENT 03 December 2025 SAJF Stands in Solidarity with FMETU and SLWJA; Condemns Sri Lankan Government’s Misuse of Emergency Powers to Suppress Media Freedom The South Asia Journalists Federation (SAJF) expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation over the alarming trend of weaponising state institutions and emergency regulations by the Government of Sri Lanka to intimidate and silence journalists. SAJF extends full solidarity to the Federation of Media Employees’ Trade Unions (FMETU) and the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA) in their principled stand against these repressive actions. FMETU…

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SECP board raises concerns over proposals for director perks, foreign travel approvals

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ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan’s (SECP) policy board unanimously dropped all agenda items while expressing displeasure over what members described as an “ill-timed” set of financial proposals. The policy board held an extraordinary meeting on Thursday at the SECP head office. According to sources, the agenda included upgrading vehicles of SECP directors from 1,300cc to 1,500cc engine capacity, removing the requirement of the federal cabinet’s approval for foreign tours of SECP officials and introducing significant amendments to the HR manual, including easing the performance evaluation procedures by…

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Saudi Arabia extends $3bn deposit with Pakistan amid economic strain

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KARACHI: Saudi Arabia has extended the maturity of its $3 billion deposit placed with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for another year, continuing a financial lifeline that has helped bolster the country’s foreign exchange reserves amid ongoing liquidity challenges. The extension, made through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), maintains a facility that has been in place since 2021 and rolled over repeatedly in support of Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability. The deposit, originally due to mature on December 8, 2025, will now remain parked with SBP until December 2026. Officials…

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LHC seeks clarity in alleged custodial death case

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LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday heard a petition regarding the alleged custodial death of a man named Adeel in Kasur and the subsequent refusal of authorities to release his body to the family. The court disposed of the plea after directing the heirs to approach the appropriate legal forum to secure the body’s release. Justice Farooq Haider presided over the case filed by petitioner Sagheer. Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar appeared in person in compliance with earlier court orders. At the outset of the…

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Kyrgyzstan backs Pakistan’s security concerns

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, underscoring the importance of regional peace and stability, agreed that the Afghan Taliban regime must honour its commitments to the international community, and address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns, by taking concrete and verifiable actions against terrorist entities. The bilateral and regional ties were discussed during the delegation level talks held at the Prime Minister House. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov Nurgozhoevich led their respective sides at a delegation level meeting. Both leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful and…

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NFC panel to work out terms for K-P share

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ISLAMABAD: Sindh on Thursday linked consensus on any new resource distribution formula with deliberations only at the National Finance Commission platform and sought to limit discussions to revenue sharing instead of bringing expenses in the fold amid the Centre’s desire to transfer some of its fiscal obligations. The maiden meeting of the NFC kick started on a positive note and all five players gave commitments to achieve consensus with an open mind. However, there were also differences of opinion on what should be discussed in the NFC, according to the…

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No breakthrough on Ukraine peace deal

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MOSCOW: Russia and Ukraine said Wednesday they were ready for more talks with the United States to end almost four years of war, after US envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner left the Kremlin with no breakthrough on a peace deal. Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s talks with the US officials ended in the early hours of Wednesday, with neither side announcing concrete progress. The Kremlin said that no “compromise” had been found on the crucial question of territories. The morning after the meeting, the Kremlin said it…

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Satellite surge threatens space telescopes

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PARIS: Light from the half a million satellites that humanity is planning to launch into Earth’s orbit in the coming years could contaminate almost all the images taken by space telescopes, NASA astronomers warned Wednesday. Scientists have already been sounding the alarm about how light pollution from increasingly massive satellites threaten the future of dark skies seen from the ground. Now, a study published in the journal Nature is the first to estimate how the immense number of satellites planned for the future could stray into the view of nearby…

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UNGA adopts resolution on peaceful settlement of Palestine

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The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine, with an overwhelming 151 member states voting in favour, 11 against, and 11 abstaining, according to a tweet by the UN Media Liaison. The resolution, which reaffirms the need for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions, calls for renewed commitment to diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the decades-long conflict. The recorded vote underscores broad international support for a peaceful and negotiated solution, even as…

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