Pakistan showcases commitment to minority rights, interfaith dialogue in Washington

LAHORE: Pakistani delegation highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to minority inclusion and interfaith harmony during its participation in major international gatherings held in Washington, DC. The delegation, led by Senator Khalil Tahir Sandhu and Shahid Rehmat, Executive Director of the Youth Development Foundation, represented Pakistan at the IRF Summit 2026, the Global Faith Forum 2026, and the National Prayer Breakfast. During the engagements, the Pakistani representatives held meetings with international policymakers, faith leaders, and human rights experts to discuss the promotion of freedom of religion or belief, strengthening social cohesion, and addressing…

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SC fixes 13 petitions involving Imran, Bushra Bibi for Monday hearing

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Saturday fixed 13 different petitions concerning Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, for hearing on February 9. According to the supplementary cause list issued, a two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan will take up the petitions at 9am on Monday. Among the petitions fixed for hearing are the Punjab government’s appeal against the grant of bail to the PTI founder and its appeal against the bail of Bushra Bibi. Read: ATC rejects Imran Khan’s plea for…

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Zardari warns of ‘pre-9/11’ conditions in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday warned that Afghanistan under the Taliban has descended into conditions “similar to or worse than pre-9/11”, accusing neighbouring countries, including India, of enabling terrorist groups in the wake of recent attacks in Islamabad and Balochistan. The president thanked the world leaders and international organisations for expressing solidarity with Pakistan after Friday’s bombing at an imambargah in the federal capital that killed dozens of people, as well as the coordinated assaults in several cities and towns of Balochistan. In a statement issued by the…

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Security for Chinese enhanced: Naqvi

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong reaffirmed the enduring Pakistan China strategic partnership during a high-level meeting at the Ministry of Interior on Thursday. Minister Naqvi welcomed Ambassador Zaidong upon his arrival and received strong condemnation from China over the recent terrorist attacks targeting civilians and security forces in Balochistan. The ambassador expressed deep sympathy for the affected families, underscoring that China “stands in complete solidarity” with Pakistan during this difficult time. Ambassador Zaidong reiterated China’s firm stance against terrorism in all its forms and assured…

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Civil-military leadership reaffirms Kashmir stance

MUZAFFARABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering political, diplomatic and moral support for the Kashmir cause, declaring that the Kashmiri people’s struggle for the right to self-determination would continue until its logical conclusion in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions. Addressing a special session of the AJK Legislative Assembly on Kashmir Solidarity Day, the prime minister also announced a special development package for the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). He paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, saying history bore witness that…

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Pakistan, Uzbekistan sign joint declaration to expand strategic partnership

Pakistan and Uzbekistan signed a joint declaration following the state visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, reaffirming their commitment to expand strategic cooperation across trade, connectivity, security, education and culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday. The declaration said the talks and agreements signed during the visit would “further strengthen the strategic partnership between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan”. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the trajectory of bilateral ties and agreed to deepen cooperation in political, economic and regional spheres, with the leaders…

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Pakistan, Uzbekistan set $2b trade target

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Uzbekistan on Thursday agreed to enhance the bilateral trade to $2 billion within the next five years. To this respect a protocol for enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries was signed in Islamabad by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The two countries also signed a number of accords aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in diverse fields including defence, agriculture, trade, industry, culture, education, disaster management, pharmaceuticals and others. Under the protocol, the two sides shall constitute a joint working…

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31 martyred, 169 injured in Islamabad imambargah blast; govt says bomber ‘travelled to Afghanistan’

ISLAMABAD: At least 31 worshippers were killed and dozens more injured when a massive bomb tore through an imambargah in the Tarlai area of Islamabad on Friday, police and administration officials confirmed, adding that the bomber had “travelled to Afghanistan”. The explosion went off just as worshippers were offering Friday prayers at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra on the outskirts of Islamabad. The blast was so powerful that it was heard within a radius of hundreds of metrers, whipping up fear and panic among residents. Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon confirmed…

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Senate deliberates on PTI founder’s health, agriculture, medical college fees, national security

ISLAMABAD: The Senate session on Friday addressed several national issues, including the health of PTI founder Imran Khan, rising tuition fees in private medical colleges, agricultural reforms, and the political situation in Balochistan. Lawmakers also discussed national security, including terrorism and border management. PTI founder’s health and February 8th protest Senator Azam Swati raised concerns over the deteriorating health of PTI founder Imran Khan and acknowledged governance shortcomings in the country. “The justice system in the country has collapsed,” Swati said, urging policymakers to adopt a stance of compassion and…

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Reinstated civil servants entitled to full back pay, rules SC

ISLAMABAD: In a ruling with far-reaching implications for public service law, the Supreme Court has held that a civil servant who is reinstated after a wrongful dismissal is, as a general rule, entitled to receive full back pay and benefits for the period he remained out of service. The verdict, authored by Justice Shahid Waheed, came while adjudicating the question of whether police officials, upon annulment of a dismissal order, automatically acquire the right to back pay. The five-judge bench, led by Justice Waheed, issued the 13-page judgment reaffirming that…

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