Category: Pakistan

Pakistan on Friday reiterated its call for Afghan territory to cease being used for terrorism against neighbouring states, urging steps to prevent what it described as “external spoilers” from exploiting the situation, during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The UNSC unanimously adopted a draft resolution renewing the mandate of the Monitoring Team supporting the 1988 Afghanistan Sanctions Committee—responsible for overseeing the Taliban sanctions regime—for a further 12 months. All 15 Council members, including Pakistan, voted in favour of the resolution, extending the mandate until Feb. 17,…

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ISLAMABAD: Winds of change appear to be blowing through the political landscape, with recent developments suggesting that prolonged tension between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and major stakeholders may be giving way to cautious engagement, according to sources familiar with the development. With some recent confidence-building measures, the PML-N led coalition government may establish a contact with incarcerated PTI leader Imran Khan, through Mehmood Khan Achakzai, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, a key aide of PM disclosed to The Express Tribune on Wednesday. The move comes on…

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ISLAMABAD: Heated scenes unfolded in the Senate on Thursday after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senators staged a protest over Imran Khan’s health, placing his photographs on their desks, prompting objections from treasury members and ultimately forcing the chair to adjourn proceedings. The confrontation followed remarks by Opposition Leader and Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, who told the house that PTI founder Imran Khan had lost 85% of the vision in one eye due to alleged medical negligence while in custody. In response, the prime minister’s adviser on…

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ISLAMABAD: A growing chorus within the legal community has voiced serious concern over what it describes as the superior judiciary’s failure to ensure the availability of basic rights to former prime minister Imran Khan during his imprisonment. Senior lawyers say the findings contained in the report submitted by lawyer Salman Safdar regarding Imran Khan’s living conditions point to grave violations of the jail manual. For them, the issue has moved beyond routine prison administration and entered the domain of constitutional guarantees and judicial responsibility. Lawyer Faisal Siddiqui stressed judges must…

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ISLAMABAD: In a major development, the federal government on Thursday assured the Supreme Court that PTI founder Imran Khan would be provided access to specialist eye doctors for a fresh medical assessment and allowed telephonic contact with his sons, Qasim and Salman, amid growing concerns over his deteriorating eyesight in custody. The assurances were given during the hearing of a case concerning facilities available to the incarcerated former prime minister at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, conducted by a two-member SC bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi and comprising…

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday said the latest report of the UN Security Council’s 1267 Sanctions Committee has “extensively supported” its long-held position that terrorist groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), continue to operate from Afghan soil with operational space and support. Responding to questions during his weekly news briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the February 4 report corroborates Pakistan’s narrative about the resurgence of the TTP following the 2021 takeover by the interim Afghan government. “We have seen and studied the report. We believe that it extensively supports…

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HYDERABAD: At least 27 dacoits have been killed, 78 arrested and 152 surrendered so far in the Operation Nijat Mehran, while 17 kidnapped persons have been recovered and 87 weapons seized. Police gave these details to Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar on Wednesday during his tour to the embankment in the riverine area of Ronti and the Khambhra Camp in Punjab. Lanjar warned the bandits hiding in the riverine and forest areas of Sindh to surrender if they do not want to die at the hands of the police. Talking…

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LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has sought a report from the Crime Control Department (CCD) by February 25 regarding a petition challenging the alleged unlawful custody of a citizen, Nauman Qaiser. Hearing the petition, Justice Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh directed the officers who had appeared before the court to also ensure their presence in the next hearing, remarking that he wanted to see what action the CCD had taken regarding the matter. Petitioner’s counsel Muhammad Ramzan advocate argued that Qaiser was already facing trial in a murder case and had…

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LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced the construction of the province’s first sports city by next year and expansion of the Pink Games to the Tehsil level across Punjab. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Khelta Punjab Pink Games 2026 at Nishtar Park Sports Complex, she announced Rs20 million in prize money for the women athletes, directing the authorities to ensure special arrangements for them. “A woman can fight a war, fly an aircraft and serve as chief minister – and can give men tough competition,” she remarked,…

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to combating violent extremism, terrorism, and hate-driven ideologies, stressing that the country would continue its national struggle against all forms of extremism. In a message issued on the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism, the prime minister said extremist and violent ideologies undermine peace and stability in societies and weaken core human values, including tolerance, mutual respect, and humanity. Highlighting Pakistan’s experience, he said the country had made unprecedented sacrifices over several decades in the fight against terrorism and violent…

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