Christian community an integral part of Pakistan’s national fabric, says PM Shehbaz in Christmas message
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that Pakistan’s Christian community, which is celebrating Christmas today, is an integral part of the country’s national fabric. “Pakistan’s Christian community forms an integral part of our national fabric. Their enduring contributions to education, healthcare, and social welfare, and their sacrifices alongside the nation in the fight against terrorism, are deeply valued and a source of collective pride,” the premier said in his Christmas message on the social media platform X. He extended his “warmest greetings” to the Christian community across the world, and “especially to our Christian brothers and sisters in Pakistan”. “May this festive season fill hearts with joy, strengthen bonds of harmony, and bring peace, hope, and prosperity to all,” the premier said. Separately, a statement carried by state-run APP quoted him as saying that Christmas “conveys a universal message of love, peace, tolerance, and goodwill for all humanity”. He highlighted the role of the Christian community in Pakistan, saying that they were “an active, positive and peaceful segment of society and had rendered commendable services in education, healthcare and other sectors, contributing to social harmony and national development”. The premier said ensuring equal rights, freedoms, economic well-being, and equal opportunities for all citizens without discrimination remained among the top priorities of the government and urged people of all faiths to work together for a strong, secure, and prosperous Pakistan. ‘Christmas a time of hope, peace, compassion’ According to state broadcaster PTV News, President Asif Ali Zardari also extended greetings and wishes to Christians in Pakistan and across the world on Christmas. In his message, he said, “Christmas is a time of hope, peace and compassion. The message of love and service to humanity that this season brings reminds us of the deep bonds that unite all people.” He also recalled Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah‘s address to the first Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947, saying that he had articulated a vision of Pakistan rooted in freedom and equality for all. The president message cited an excerpt from the Quaid’s speech, stating: “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. “You may belong to any religion, caste or creed — that has nothing to do with the business of the State.” President Zardari said that “these words remain a powerful commitment to religious freedom and mutual respect among citizens”. He highlighted that Christian citizens of Pakistan had made important contributions to society in politics, national defence, education, literature, arts, music, healthcare, social welfare and public service. “Their efforts strengthen our shared progress and enrich our national life.” The president further stated that Pakistan’s Constitution guaranteed equal rights and freedom of religion for every citizen. “We remain committed to fostering harmony, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among all communities. Our diversity is a source of strength and should inspire greater unity, understanding and cooperation,” he said. The president concluded his message, saying, “May the spirit of Christmas inspire us all to uphold compassion and justice and to work together for the welfare of our nation.”
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Bangladesh leader considered top PM candidate returns after nearly 17 years in exile ahead of polls
Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Dhaka on Thursday after nearly 17 years in exile, a homecoming the party hopes will energise supporters with Rahman poised to be the top contender for prime minister in the February 12 elections. Hundreds of thousands of supporters lined the route from the capital’s airport to the reception venue, waving party flags and carrying placards, banners, and flowers, while chanting slogans welcoming Rahman, as senior BNP leaders received him at the Dhaka airport under tight security. Rahman, 60, the son of ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia, has lived in London since 2008 and led the BNP as acting chairman since 2018. Dressed in a light grey, finely checkered blazer over a crisp white shirt, Rahman waved to the crowd...
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Quaid-i-Azam’s vision, ideals in focus as nation celebrates his 149th birth anniversary
Pakistan’s civil and military leadership highlighted Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of a sovereign, democratic and inclusive nation as the country celebrated his 149th birth anniversary on Thursday. According to state-broadcaster Radio Pakistan, the day began with a 31-gun salute in federal capital Islamabad and 21-gun salutes in provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered at mosques after Fajr prayer for the Quaid, as well as for peace, prosperity and development of the country, the Radio Pakistan report said. A change of guards ceremony was also held at Mazar-i-Quaid in Karachi. In his message on the Quaid’s birth anniverdary, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said: “This day offers an opportunity for collective reflection and renewal of our commitment to the Quaid’s guid...
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Ex-SAPM Mirza Shahzad Akbar attacked in UK
LONDON: Former special assistant to the prime minister (SAPM) Mirza Shahzad Akbar has confirmed to Dawn that he was attacked in the United Kingdom, where he has been living in self-imposed exile since April 2022, on Wednesday. “I have been attacked and been in hospital and with the police. Bruised and fractured,” the ex-SAPM said in text messages after Dawn reached out to him, seeking confirmation of a post about the incident on PTI’s X account. The PTI’s post at 9:50pm PKT on Wednesday said Akbar was attacked at his house in Cambridge in the morning. “The attacker punched him repeatedly in the face, as a result of which his nose and jaw have been fractured. “Local police have collected all details, and an investigation is under way,” the post added. More to follow
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Khaleda Zia’s heir set to end exile, return to Bangladesh after 17 years
DHAKA: The heir to Bangladesh’s longtime ruling family and a leader of its most powerful political party, Tarique Rahman is set to return home after 17 years in exile and ahead of key elections. Rahman, 60, an aspiring prime minister who has lived in London since he fled Bangladesh in 2008 over what he called a politically motivated persecution, is due to arrive in Dhaka on Thursday. Acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), he is expected to take the reins from his ailing mother, 80-year-old former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Despite years of ill health and imprisonment, Zia vowed in November to campaign in the February 12, 2026 elections. But she was hospitalised soon after that pledge, and she has been in intensive care ever since. The elections will be the first s...
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UK woman jailed after heroin worth £8.5m found
LONDON: A woman has been sentenced to 21 years and six months in prison after National Crime Agency (NCA) officers found 85 kilograms of heroin worth an estimated £8.5 million in her home in Bradford. Sidrah Nosheen, 34, was part of an organised crime group that smuggled heroin from Pakistan into the United Kingdom and supplied it across the country, the NCA said in a statement. Officers arrested Nosheen at her property on Woodside Road, Wyke, in June 2024. During the operation, they discovered that her back bedroom had been converted into what investigators described as a heroin processing plant. The NCA said heroin concealed inside items of clothing including leather jackets had been delivered to Nosheen’s address. She would remove the drugs and package them into one-kilo deal bags. D...
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De-escalation urged as US-Venezuela tensions simmer
• Current trajectory serves no one’s interest, Pakistan tells Security Council• China, Russia slam US ‘bullying’ and ‘cowboy-like’ conduct• Caracas warns of self-defence against ‘oil grab’• Islamabad seeks diplomatic approach to resolve Iran nuclear issue UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has called on all sides to exercise maximum restraint and de-escalate tensions, as the United States continued to interdict vessels off the coast of Venezuela, a situation that drew sharp condemnation from China and Russia at the UN Security Council. Pakistan’s deputy permanent representative to the UN Ambassador Usman Jadoon addressed the council during a meeting requested by Venezuela. He emphasised that the “current trajectory serves no one’s interest”. “In a world marred by polarisation with conflicts affec...
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Fauji Fertiliser Company joins winning consortium after PIA auction
ISLAMABAD: Fauji Fertiliser Company (FFC) on Wednesday decided to join a consortium led by the Arif Habib Corporation Limited, which emerged as the winning bidder for the acquisition of a 75 per cent stake in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Tuesday. Confirming the development, Arif Habib told Dawn that FFC had joined his consortium and that discussions were under way to finalise the terms and conditions of the partnership. FFC was one of the four bidders for the acquisition of a 75pc stake in PIA, but it withdrew from the bidding process ahead of the submission and opening of bids. Under the conditions, a bidder that withdraws has the right to join the winning consortium, subject to meeting the criteria set by the Privatisation Commission. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Priva...
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Bars back high court in spat over suspension of Punjab property law
• Term legislation ‘unconstitutional and unlawful’• SCBA, LHCBA accuse provincial govt of ‘appeasing’ land mafia• Court refers matter to LHC CJ for full bench ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: The controversy surrounding the recently enacted Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Act, 2025 intensified on Wednesday as various lawyers’ associations — irrespective of their political affiliation — endorsed the Lahore High Court’s intervention to suspend its implementation. Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) Vice Chairman Chaudhry Tahir Nasrullah Warraich strongly condemned the statement made by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, in which she reportedly sought to justify the law empowering deputy commissioner-led committees to decide property disputes. The Punjab chief minister had argued that the law was e...
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Govt moves to phase out state-led power purchases
• CCoE approves pilot wheeling auction under Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Model• 800MW to be auctioned for five years; volumes may rise after trial phase• Indicative wheeling charge put at Rs12.55 per unit; industry objects to cost impact• 18-member steering committee formed for integrated energy planning ISLAMABAD: The government has approved a pilot electricity auction that will allow power to be bought and sold through competition, while also endorsing steps towards integrated energy planning across the country to end fragmented decision-making. In this regard, the Cabinet Committee on Energy on Wednesday approved framework guidelines for a “wheeling” auction of 800-megawatt of electricity under the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Model (CTBCM). Wheeling refers t...
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PM orders reforms at ports to boost trade, connectivity
• Seeks steps to reduce dwell time, transparent auction of abandoned cargo • Distributes laptops at AJK varsity, urges students to stand for ‘facts & responsibility’ ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed measures to enhance the capacity of seaports to accelerate trade, connectivity, and economic activity through a reduction in port fees and an end to unnecessary delays. Chairing a meeting of the ports working group, the premier stated that various departments associated with ports should enhance coordination to facilitate the business community so that cargo dwell time could be reduced among other measures. A statement by the PM’s Office said that he was presented with recommendations regarding facilities and reforms at ports for the business community. The PM s...
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Fake visa notices target Pakistani applicants in US; missions warn against unauthorised applications
WASHINGTON: The Pakistani Consulate in Los Angeles issued a stern warning against a message circulating online and on messaging platforms that claims to be an “important notice” regarding Pakistan visas. Officials have confirmed that the message is false and is part of a pattern of phishing scams designed to collect sensitive personal and financial information from unsuspecting applicants. Upon accessing the consulate’s website, the following notice was prominently displayed. A screenshot of a notice from the Pakistani Consulate in Los Angeles warning about unauthorised visa applications. — Screengrab A statement issued by the Pakistan Embassy in Washington stated: “The Consulate General disassociates itself from all such unauthorised individuals, agents, or entities and shall not be re...
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PTI rejects govt’s offer for negotiations; cites directions from Imran
The PTI has said that it will not engage in negotiations with the federal government. Party Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said the stance was taken following the instructions of party founder Imran Khan. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated his offer for talks with the opposition but also emphasised that dialogue between the two sides could only proceed on “legitimate matters”. Later that day, Akram appeared on ARY News programme ‘The 11th Hour’, where he was asked if the PTI wants to negotiate with the government. He categorically said that the party was “not interested” in talks. “I met Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and he said that Imran instructed the party not to engage with the government in any way,“ Akram explained. “He also ordered that if anyon...
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Punjab Assembly passes kite flying regulation bill
LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Thursday passed the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Bill, 2025, with a majority vote, introducing a comprehensive legal framework to regulate kite flying across the province to protect human life and property. The bill, which cleared the assembly’s Standing Committee on Home Affairs on December 15, proposed a near-total ban on kite-flying, except on specific days and designated locations across the province, with strict penalties to curb fatal accidents and property damage. The bill will now be sent to the governor for his signature to make it an act of the provincial assembly. Under the new regulations, the use of metallic wire, nylon string, and chemically or glass-coated kite strings has been completely banned. It prescribes strict punishments for flyi...
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Couple shot dead over ‘honour’ in Karachi’s Machar Colony
KARACHI: A couple who married with mutual consent was allegedly gunned down by the woman’s father in Machar Colony on Wednesday, in what the police described as a so-called ‘honour killing’ The Docks police, in a statement, said that the victim, Ateeq Gul, was gunned down while his wife, Zainab, was shot and injured by her father inside a home near Ayesha Masjid in Machar Colony. The body and the injured woman were shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi, and further investigation is underway, the statement added However, the woman passed away during treatment, said Police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed. South-DIG Syed Asad Raza told Dawn that the couple had married of their own free will and had a four-month-old daughter. They had been living in a rented house in Machar Colony for the last five m...
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Police constable martyred in crossfire at Wana’s Rustam Bazaar
PESHAWAR: A police constable was killed on Wednesday during a crossfire between two rival groups at the busy Rustam Bazaar in Wana, officials said. The incident occurred when an exchange of fire erupted between the two sides during a confrontation, claiming the life of Constable Islamuddin Wazir, who was deployed on law-and-order duty in the local market. “He sustained critical injuries and succumbed on the spot,“ said police. “Constable Islamuddin Wazir was performing his official duties to maintain peace and public safety when he was hit by bullets during the crossfire,” said police officials. Following the incident, panic spread in the marketplace, prompting police to immediately cordon off the area and bring the situation under control. City Police Station Wana SHO Razaullah Wazir c...
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Russia plans a nuclear power plant on the moon within a decade
Russia plans to put a nuclear power plant on the moon in the next decade to supply its lunar space programme and a joint Russian-Chinese research station, as major powers rush to explore the earth’s only natural satellite. Ever since Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to go into space in 1961, Russia has prided itself as a leading power in space exploration, but in recent decades it has fallen behind the United States and, increasingly, China. Russia’s ambitions suffered a massive blow in August 2023 when its unmanned Luna-25 mission smashed into the surface of the moon while attempting to land, and Elon Musk has revolutionised the launch of space vehicles - once a Russian speciality. Is that a nuclear reactor on the moon? Russia’s state space corporation, Roscosmos, s...
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UN expert decries Bushra Bibi’s detention; urges communication with lawyers, family
A United Nations (UN) expert on Wednesday warned that Bushra Bibi, the wife of former prime minister Imran Khan, is being “detained in circumstances that could pose a serious risk to her physical and mental integrity”. Bushra is serving a seven-year sentence in the £190 million corruption case. She was recently sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment in the Toshakhana 2 case, which revolved around the purchase of an expensive jewelry set gifted to Imran by the Saudi crown prince during his May 2021 visit. “The state has an obligation to protect Mrs. Khan’s health and ensure conditions of detention compatible with human dignity,” Alice Jills Edwards, the UN Special Rapporteur, said in a statement issued on Wednesday. Earlier in May, the Adiala prison administration submitted a detailed repo...
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PCB receives 12 bids for two new PSL franchises
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced that it has received an “exceptional and encouraging” response to its tender for the sale of two new franchises of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), with 12 parties submitting bids within the stipulated deadline. According to the PCB, the bidders hail from five countries — the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan — underscoring the league’s growing global footprint and commercial appeal. The board said the outcome of the initial phase of the bidding process will be announced on December 27. In the next stage, bidders who meet the technical requirements will be invited to take part in an open competition bidding process for the acquisition of the two new teams. This phase is scheduled to be held on ...
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4 children injured in quadcopter attack in KP’s Kurram
At least four children were injured in the Gondalabad area of Kurram district on Wednesday after a quadcopter attack, said official sources. For months, militants in the region have used quadcopters to drop explosives on security forces and the current year has seen an increase in such attacks. In today’s attack, a quadcopter released its explosive payload over a residential area. As a result, three boys and a girl sustained injuries, confirmed official sources. The injured minors were shifted to a nearby medical facility for medical treatment. Security sources condemned the attack, calling it “an act of violence against innocent civilians and children”. “Such incidents reflect a deliberate targeting of non-combatants and have nothing to do with religion or humanitarian values,” they ad...
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Military top brass says no malicious interest, political or otherwise, will be tolerated
The military’s top brass on Wednesday vowed that no malicious interest, political or otherwise, aimed at undermining national unity would be tolerated, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. These remarks were made at the 273rd Corps Commanders’ Conference, which was convened at General Headquarters (GHQ) and chaired by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. “The forum categorically rejected the nexus between terrorism, crime, and vested political interests,” the ISPR’s statement read. “It resolved that no malicious interest, political or otherwise, aimed at undermining national unity, security and stability would be tolerated, nor would anyone be allowed to create divisions between the Armed Forces and the people of Pakist...
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UAE President Al Nahyan to make first official visit to Pakistan on Dec 26: FO
The President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will arrive in Pakistan for an official visit on December 26 (Friday), according to a statement from the Foreign Office (FO) issued on Wednesday. This will be the second time the Emirati president will visit Pakistan this year, having met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Rahim Yar Khan in January. However, Friday’s trip, according to the FO, will be his first official visit as president. According to the statement, President Al-Nahyan will review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations with PM Shehbaz and the pair will “exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest”. “The visit will provide an important opportunity to further strengthen the longstanding brotherly relations be...
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27 cops martyred in 134 terrorist attacks in 2025, says Bannu DIG
BANNU: Bannu Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sajjad Khan said on Wednesday that 27 cops were martyred in 134 terrorist attacks targeting personnel in the district in 2025. He made the remarks while addressing a press briefing at his office, where he gave a detailed breakdown of the overall law and order situation in the district and operations carried out against terrorist elements. According to the DIG, Bannu police conducted comprehensive, well-organised and result-oriented operations against militants. He said the data showed that during 2025, a total of 134 terrorist attacks targeted police stations, police posts, checkpoints, police mobiles and police parties. In these attacks, 27 police personnel were martyred, while 79 sustained injuries. In retaliatory action by police, 53 terror...
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PIA to be run by new owners from April subject to approvals, says PM’s adviser
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is expected to be run by a new owner from April next year, subject to approvals, and receive fresh capital under a deal to privatise the flag carrier, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation Muhammad Ali said on Wednesday. A consortium headed by the Arif Habib Corporation emerged as the top bidder in a live-televised auction for a 75 per cent stake in PIA on Tuesday, marking a breakthrough for the government’s long-delayed privatisation of the carrier. The Arif Habib consortium offered Rs135 billion, surpassing a government reserve price of Rs100bn, in a sharp turnaround from last year’s failed sale attempt. Muhammad Ali, the privatisation adviser to the prime minister, told Reuters in an online interview that the state expects a new owner to...
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Daytime movement of heavy vehicles banned in Karachi for 2 months
The daytime movement of heavy traffic vehicles has been banned in Karachi for two months, it emerged on Wednesday. The development comes as the city has recently witnessed a steep increase in traffic accidents, with many resulting from collisions with heavy vehicles such as dumper trucks and water tankers. A notification issued on Tuesday by Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, a copy of which is available with Dawn, said that the deputy inspector general of the Karachi Traffic Police had requested the imposition of a ban on the movement of heavy vehicles during the daytime “in order to resolve traffic congestion issues due to the influx of heavy vehicular traffic and to prevent road traffic accidents”. The notification added that in the interest of protecting human lives and ensurin...
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India space agency launches its heaviest satellite
India’s space agency launched its heaviest ever payload on Wednesday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling the deployment “a significant stride” for the space sector. The LVM3-M6 rocket launched the US-built AST SpaceMobile communications satellite into low-Earth orbit. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said it was the “heaviest payload to be launched from Indian soil”. The launch is a boost for India’s ambitious low-cost space programme, with plans for an uncrewed orbital mission and human spaceflight in the coming years. The satellite, weighing 6,100 kilogrammes (13,448 pounds), was launched on a modified version of a rocket that India plans to use for its future space missions. India is vying for a larger slice of the booming commercial satellite business as phone, i...
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Finance minister says Pakistan’s economy shifting toward export-led growth
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Wednesday that Pakistan had reached a critical turning point, with macroeconomic stability, sustained reforms, and policy continuity restoring confidence and steering the economy toward export-led, long-term growth. In an interview with USA Today, the minister said this was opening new horizons for domestic and global investors, and positioning the country for sustainable, long-term economic growth. He said this transition was enabled by macroeconomic stabilisation, easing inflation and improved external balances, with the government driving export-led, productivity-based growth through structural reforms, sustaining reform momentum despite challenges, and actively encouraging global investment in emerging opportunities across agriculture, min...
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Asif says govt satisfied with PIA sale, sees it having great ‘symbolic value’
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday said that the government was satisfied with the sale of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), adding that it had great “symbolic value”. He expressed these views on Geo News programme ‘Geo Pakistan’ when asked whether the government was satisfied with the process. “Yes, the government is satisfied. This is the first biggest transaction of our privatisation process. This transaction has a great symbolic value,“ he said, recalling that previously First Women Bank had also been privatised but that transaction was not as big. A consortium led by the Arif Habib group won the auction for a controlling stake in Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Ltd (PIACL) on Tuesday with a bid of Rs135 billion after a competitive, televised process, ma...
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Gold tops $4,500, silver and platinum hit records in metal markets frenzy
Gold surged past the $4,500-an-ounce mark for the first time on Wednesday, while silver and platinum also scaled record highs, as investors piled into precious metals on safe-haven demand and expectations that US interest rates will fall further next year. Spot gold rose 0.1 per cent to $4,492.51 per ounce by 3:59am GMT (8:59am PKT), after touching a record high of $4,525.19 earlier in the session. US gold futures for February delivery climbed 0.3pc to a record high of $4,520.60. Silver gained 1.2pc to $72.27 an ounce, after hitting an all-time peak of $72.70 earlier, while platinum jumped 3.3pc to $2,351.05 after rising to a historic high of $2,377.50. Palladium climbed almost 2pc to $1,897.11, its highest level in three years. “Precious metals have become more of a speculative narrati...
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Train services suspended after blast on tracks near Dera Murad Jamali
DEAR MURAD JAMALI: A bomb planted on a railway track near Dera Murad Jamali exploded on Tuesday, damaging a section of the track, while another explosive device was defused by police. Police said unknown miscreants had planted an improvised explosive device (IED) on the main railway track near the Notal area of Nasirabad district. The device detonated before the Quetta-bound Jaffar Express, coming from Peshawar, reached the site. The explosion damaged a portion of the track, forcing the suspension of train services. “About four feet of the railway track was blown up in the powerful blast,” a senior police officer told Dawn, adding that another IED, weighing around 10 kilogrammes, was found planted at a similar distance from the first blast and was defused by the concerned authorities. R...
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Federal cabinet okays extension of off-grid power levy
ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the extension of the Off-Grid Power Plants Levy Act 2025 to include the sale of gas to captive power plants by third parties, as several key policy and legislative measures — in addition to the major decision on the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) — were given the go-ahead. A special meeting of the cabinet, presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, also approved amendments to the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Ordinance 2002, aimed at aligning public tendering and procurement procedures with contemporary requirements. The cabinet to approved the repeal of the National University for Security Sciences Islamabad Bill 2025 and constituted a committee to ensure effective consultation on private m...
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Harassment outside office can still fall under ‘workplace’: LHC
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ruled that the statutory definition of a “workplace” under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, is expansive and covers situations linked to official activity even if the harassment occurs outside office premises. Justice Raheel Kamran issued the ruling while dismissing a petition filed by a government official seeking to overturn his removal from service for workplace harassment, a penalty imposed by the Punjab Ombudsperson and later upheld after the rejection of his representation by the governor. The petitioner, Umer Shehzad, a district manager, was accused by his female subordinate, an ad hoc teacher, of persistent harassment. According to the complaint, Shehzad allegedly used his supervisory position to c...
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Israeli minister’s remarks about ‘resettling Gaza’ sow confusion
JERUSALEM: Israel’s defence minister denied any intention to resettle the Gaza Strip after earlier remarks sowed confusion on Tuesday by suggesting the Jewish state would one day like to do so, comments at odds with US President Donald Trump’s plan for the Palestinian enclave. Defence Minister Israel Katz, speaking at a settlement in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, said the military would never leave all of Gaza and planned to station a type of unit — Nahal — that has historically played a role in establishing Israeli communities, including settlements. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said that Katz’s announcement was “a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement” and “completely goes against” Trump’s peace plan. After Israeli media reported the comment as a plan to resettle Gaza, where...
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Jirga seeks reopening of Chaman border
QUETTA: A Pashtun tribal jirga urged the government to reopen the Pak-Afghan border crossing in Chaman to facilitate thousands of travellers, including traders, who are stranded in Afghanistan following the closure of the international border in the wake of the October clashes. Amanullah Khan and Malik Abdul Khaliq Lala Ghabizai, the tribal elders, addressing a press conference on Tuesday, said that trade had been suspended for the past two months, bringing all business activities in the border region to a standstill. “Pakistanis stranded in Afghanistan are not allowed by the authorities concerned to return to Pakistan,” Malik Ghabizai said, adding that such a situation was causing humanitarian concerns. He demanded that those stranded on the other side of the border be allowed to...
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Interim bail of Imran, Bushra extended till Jan 27
• Court directs ex-PM to appear at next hearing in person or via video link• Lawyer again barred from meeting PTI founder to sign power of attorney ISLAMABAD: A local court on Tuesday extended the interim bail of PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the May 9 cases and five other matters, while directing the former prime minister to appear at the next hearing either in person or through video link. Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka heard the pre-arrest bail applications. Advocate Shamsa Kayani appeared on behalf of the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi. However, arguments on the bail pleas could not be advanced due to the unavailability of the ex-PM. Consequently, the court extended the interim bail and adjourned the hearing till Jan 27, directing that...
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Govt sets two-month timeline for spectrum auction
• IT minister says process to improve 3G and 4G services, pave way for 5G launch• Claims 245m Pakistanis ‘making do’ with 274MHz, compared to 600MHz available in Bangladesh• ECC approves over $7m bailout package for PIA-IL to discharge $4m tax liability ISLAMABAD: The government on Tuesday approved the process for the auction of 600 megahertz (MHz) spectrum within two months, followed by the rollout of 5G internet in five to six months, on the recommendation of a US-based consultancy firm. The decision was made at a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, which also approved a Rs20bn (more than $7m) bailout package for Pakistan International Airlines Investment Limited (PIA-IL) to discharge $4m tax liability against Roosevelt Hotel, New York, and other domes...
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Libya’s top military chief killed in plane crash in Turkiye
The Libyan army‘s chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, died in a plane crash on Tuesday after leaving Turkiye’s capital Ankara, the prime minister of Libya’s internationally recognised government said, adding that four others were on the jet as well. “This followed a tragic and painful incident while they were returning from an official trip from the Turkish city of Ankara. This grave loss is a great loss for the nation, for the military institution, and for all the people,” Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah said in a statement. He said the commander of Libya’s ground forces, the director of its military manufacturing authority, an adviser to the chief of staff, and a photographer from the chief of staff’s office were also on the aircraft. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Y...
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Riwzan Ali suffers first MMA defeat as Ismail Khan erupts
In a night of stark contrasts that laid bare the brutal beauty of mixed martial arts, Pakistan’s fighting corps experienced both a poignant end and a violent new beginning at Brave CF 103 on Tuesday. The nation witnessed its undefeated king, Rizwan ’The Haider’ Ali, dethroned, only to see another warrior, Ismail ‘The Volcano’ Khan, announce his arrival as a genuine global force with a breathtaking finish. The main event carried the hopes of a nation on the shoulders of its brightest star, Rizwan. Entering the Bukhara arena with an unblemished 11-0 record and seven first-round finishes, the PAKMMA superstar faced a daunting task: defeating the local hero, Nozim ‘The Bukhara Warrior’ Kalandarov, in his own fortress. Trouble appeared before the fight even began, with the 28-year-old Rizwan...
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Thousands stranded after Karakoram Highway blocked by rockslide: official
GILGIT: The Karakoram Highway (KKH) in Gilgit-Baltistan’s (GB) Chanas area was blocked by a large rockfall on Tuesday, leaving thousands stranded, according to a local official. Nagar district Deputy Commissioner Asghar Khan told Dawn that the rockfall occurred in the early hours of Tuesday. He advised travellers and tourists to avoid the area until confirmation about the status of the KKH was received. “The [rock] slide occurred around Fajr time in the boundary area between the Nagar and Gilgit districts,” Khan said. “We immediately informed the FWO (Frontier Works Organisation), and they arrived with machinery.” Khan added that the boulders blocking the road were very large and would require blasting to clear. Nobody was hurt in the rock slide, but access to the Hunza and Nagar distri...
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FIR against Dhurandhar film crew not legally possible, court told
KARACHI: Police informed a sessions court on Tuesday that a criminal case against the director, producer and actors of the Bollywood film Dhurandhar for defaming the PPP was legally not possible. In response to an application filed by PPP worker Mohammad Amir seeking a First Information Report (FIR) against the director, the producer, and other crew members of Dhurandhar, SHO Darakhshan stated that, during the course of an inquiry, police found that all the proposed accused are Indian nationals and have no residential, business, or legal presence in Pakistan. “The impugned film was produced, filmed and released in India, and all alleged acts took place outside the territorial jurisdiction of Pakistan. No material or evidence has surfaced to suggest screening, circulation, or availabilit...
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PTI sit-in at Rawalpindi’s Factory Naka concludes as Aleema, party workers leave without meeting Imran
PTI founder Imran Khan‘s sister Aleema Khan and PTI workers ended their sit-in at Rawalpindi’s Factory Naka on Tuesday, hours after they were again barred from moving towards Adiala Jail in a bid to meet the incarcerated ex-premier. Over the past several weeks, the PTI founder has been denied meetings in prison with his family, party members and lawyers, prompting them to stage sit-ins near or outside the prison complex every Tuesday and Thursday — the court-mandated days for visiting Imran. At times, police also used water cannons and baton charges to disperse them. The PTI founder’s sisters left Factory Naka and headed towards Gorakhpur — further along Adiala Road — on foot. At around 9pm, the Saddar police station house officer had arrived at the protest site and began negotiations w...
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New Epstein releases turn up more emails about Trump
WASHINGTON: Thousands of new documents linked to the case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were made available on Tuesday by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), amid mounting criticism over the pace of the publication and heavy redactions. The latest release includes around 11,000 files containing 30,000 pages of documents, with many redactions, including an email from a prosecutor indicating President Trump had travelled aboard his private jet “many more times than previously has been reported”. The tranche of materials released on Friday included photographs of former Democratic president Bill Clinton and other famous names. According to BBC News, these include the likes of pop stars Diana Ross, Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson, actor Kevin Spacey, British politician Peter Man...
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PPP Senator Palwasha Khan files privilege motion against Aleem Khan, calls his conduct ‘highly unbecoming’
Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Palwasha Khan on Tuesday submitted a privilege motion in a Senate committee against Communications Minister Aleem Khan for reacting in a manner “highly unbecoming” to hold public office. A heated exchange was witnessed between Minister for Communications Aleem Khan and Senator Palwasha Khan last week during a meeting of the Senate Committee on Communications over a question related to the construction of a road project. Palwasha blamed Aleem for personal attacks as he reacted angrily to parliamentary scrutiny. “We will treat you the way we are treated,” Aleem had responded, saying that he cannot stand the allegations levelled against him. During a press conference in Islamabad today, the senator, along with other party members, condemned the behaviour of t...
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Security forces kill 8 terrorists after attack on police vehicle martyrs 5 cops in KP’s Karak
LAKKI MARWAT: Eight terrorists were killed in a search operation launched after five cops were martyred when their police mobile came under attack in Gurguri area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Karak on Tuesday. The district police spokesman, Shaukat Khan, confirmed the incident and the casualties, saying that all of the martyred personnel were constables. The martyred policemen were identified as constables Shahid Iqbal, Samiullah, Arif, Safdar and Muhammad Abrar, who was also the mobile’s driver, Khan added. He said that on the instructions of the Kohat Regional Police Office and the Karak district police officer, a joint operation between the Karak Police and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) was launched in the area. “Eight terrorists were killed as they were pursued through tricky and mo...
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Asif calls comparison of Islamabad’s action against Taliban with India’s unprovoked attacks ‘wrong and inappropriate’
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday rejected the comparison between Islamabad‘s actions against the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and New Delhi’s unprovoked action against the country in May as “wrong and inappropriate”. The defence minister‘s remarks come a day after Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman questioned Pakistan’s objection to Indian attacks when the country also allegedly conducted cross-border strikes against terrorist targets in Afghanistan. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry had refuted allegations by the Afghan Taliban that Pakistan had conducted strikes in Afghanistan. In a post on X, Asif also said that India, to date, has “not been able to provide evidence” of P...
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CDF Field Marshal Munir talks about security challenges, highlights ‘indirect, ambiguous approaches’ used by hostile actors
Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Tuesday warned of “indirect and ambiguous approaches” employed by actors hostile to Pakistan, including the use of proxies, during a visit to Islamabad’s National Defence University (NDU). According to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the CDF was briefed by civil and military participants of the ongoing national security and war course about their academic perspectives on challenges to national security. “The field marshal highlighted that hostile elements increasingly employ indirect and ambiguous approaches, including the use of proxies to exploit internal fault lines, rather than overt confrontation,” the statement read. “He stressed that future leaders must be trained and rema...
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Arif Habib consortium emerges victorious in PIA auction with Rs135bn bid
ISLAMABAD: A successful bid of Rs135bn by Arif Habib won the auction for Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Ltd (PIAC) after the process moved to an open auction round, marking the country’s first major privatisation in nearly two decades. Initially, pre-qualified bids were submitted by Lucky Cement, private airline Airblue and investment firm Arif Habib in the morning. Airblue exited the race after the first round, with a bid lower than the reference price of Rs100bn. In the first round, Lucky Cement put up a bid of Rs101.5bn, Airblue Rs26.5bn, and the Arif Habib consortium bid Rs115bn. The session resumed with the base price set at Rs125bn, following a 30-minute break opted by Lucky Cement. In the second round, Lucky Cement revised its bid to Rs134bn, while in response, Arif ...
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Two prospective PIA buyers bid above reference price of Rs100bn; second round of auction underway
ISLAMABAD: A second round of auction for the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines is currently underway after the conclusion of the first round, which saw two prospective buyers — Arif Habib and Lucky Cement — bidding higher than the reference price of Rs100 billion. The second round began with Rs115bn as the base price. The round concluded with Lucky Cement revising its bid to Rs120.25bn, while in response, Arif Habib revised its bid to Rs121bn. Following this, the consortiums opted for a 30-minute. The bids submitted in the morning came from pre-qualified bidders, Lucky Cement, private airline Airblue and investment firm Arif Habib. In the first round, Lucky Cement put up a bid of Rs101.5bn, Airblue Rs26.5bn, and the Arif Habib consortium bid Rs115bn. Following the announc...
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Social media posts case against Imaan, Hadi: prosecution, defence nearly come to blows after heated courtroom exchange
ISLAMABAD: Proceedings in the controversial social media posts case against lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chatha took a tense turn on Tuesday as lawyers for the prosecution and defence nearly engaged in a physical altercation after a heated exchange during today’s hearing. A detailed cross-examination of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency’s (NCCIA) witnesses exposed procedural gaps and triggered heated exchanges inside the courtroom. The court began recording the statements of prosecution witnesses afresh last Tuesday in compliance with directives issued by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) the day prior, while hearing a petition filed by Mazari challenging the trial court’s November 19 order. The hearing was conducted by Additional District and Sessions Judge M...
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Two prospective PIA buyers bid above reference price of Rs100bn; second round of auction begins
ISLAMABAD: A second round of auction for the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines is currently underway after the conclusion of the first round, which saw two prospective buyers — Arif Habib and Lucky Cement — bidding higher than the reference price of Rs100 billion. The second round began with Rs115bn as the base price. The bids submitted in the morning came from pre-qualified bidders, Lucky Cement, private airline Airblue and investment firm Arif Habib. In the first round, Lucky Cement put up a bid of Rs101.5bn, Airblue Rs26.5bn, and the Arif Habib consortium bid Rs115bn. Following the announcement of the reference price — approved by the Privatisation Commission Board and the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation — a 30-minute break has been taken so that the two top bidders...
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Ceremony to announce successful bidder for national carrier PIA commences
ISLAMABAD: The ceremony to open three bids for the privatisation of loss-making national airline Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) has commenced. The sealed bids are now being opened. Submitted on Tuesday morning, they came from pre-qualified bidders Lucky Cement, private airline Airblue and investment firm Arif Habib. At the outset of the ceremony, the Adviser to the prime minister on privatisation, Muhammad Ali, addressed the audience. Representatives of the bidding groups walked in one by one to deposit sealed offers into a transparent box, briefly fumbling as they pushed envelopes through the slot in a public ceremony in Islamabad that was broadcast on state television. The reference price for PIACL’s bidding will now be approved by the Privatisation Commis...
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Bidding opens for privatisation of national carrier PIA
ISLAMABAD: The ceremony to open three bids for the privatisation of loss-making national airline Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) has commenced. The sealed bids, submitted on Tuesday morning, came from pre-qualified bidders Lucky Cement, private airline Airblue and investment firm Arif Habib. Representatives of the bidding groups walked in one by one to deposit sealed offers into a transparent box, briefly fumbling as they pushed envelopes through the slot in a public ceremony in Islamabad that was broadcast on state television. The reference price for PIACL’s bidding will now be approved by the Privatisation Commission Board and the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation after bids have been received. The bids will be opened in a ceremony starting at 4:30pm in th...
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Aleema, PTI workers stage sit-in at Rawalpindi’s Factory Naka after being stopped from reaching Adiala Jail to meet Imran
PTI founder Imran Khan‘s sister Aleema Khan and PTI workers staged a sit-in at Rawalpindi’s Factory Naka on Tuesday as they were barred from moving towards Adiala Jail in a bid to meet the incarcerated ex-premier. Over the past several weeks, the PTI founder has been denied meetings in prison with his family, party members and lawyers, prompting them to stage sit-ins near or outside the prison complex every Tuesday and Thursday — the court-mandated days for visiting Imran. At times, police also used water cannons and baton charges to disperse them. As they again gathered near the prison complex today, Aleema said that Imran was being kept in “solitary confinement”, stressing that the “government had become so fearful of Imran’s message that they had resorted to breaking the law” — in a ...
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Corruption charges spark protests against Albanian government
Protesters in Albania’s capital of Tirana hurled petrol bombs at the government building housing Prime Minister Edi Rama’s office on Monday, demanding the government’s resignation after prosecutors indicted the deputy prime minister for alleged corruption. Political tensions in Albania have escalated in recent weeks after accusations were made against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku. Along with several officials and private companies, she has been accused of using state funds to favour some companies in major infrastructure projects. View this post on Instagram She referred to the accusations in parliament last month as “mudslinging, insinuations, half-truths and lies,” and stated that she would fully cooperate with the judiciary. The Special Prosecution Office, tasked with combat...
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Bangladesh summons Indian envoy over protests targeting its diplomatic facilities, vandalism at visa centre
Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned India’s high commissioner in Dhaka to protest what it described as violent incidents targeting its diplomatic facilities in India, including vandalism at visa centres and protests outside its mission in New Delhi. Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to convey Dhaka’s grave concern over what it called “regrettable incidents” outside the Bangladesh High Commission and the ambassador’s residence in New Delhi on December 20, as well as vandalism at the Bangladesh visa centre in Siliguri on December 22 by “extremist elements.” The ministry condemned what it described as premeditated acts of violence and intimidation against diplomatic establishments. It said such acts not only “endanger the safety of d...
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IT minister says spectrum auction to be completed early next year, will pave way for better internet services
Information and Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Tuesday said that the auction of 600 MHz spectrum would be completed early next year, stating that it would pave the way for providing better internet services in the country. She made the remarks while addressing a press conference alongside Finance Minister Muhammad Aurganzeb in Islamabad. At the outset of the press conference, Aurangzeb said the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) had approved the recommendations of the Spectrum Advisory Committee. In her remarks, Khawaja said that the recommendations would now be taken to the federal cabinet. “After that, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will issue an information memorandum based on which consultations and negotiations will be held with stakeholders and the ...
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International Finance Corporation announces first local currency investment in Pakistan
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) – the private sector arm of the World Bank Group – has announced its first local currency investment in Pakistan, which it said was aimed at strengthening the agriculture sector. According to a press release issued by the IFC on Tuesday, its first Pakistani rupee-denominated investment via an unfunded partial credit guarantee of up to Rs33.6 billion would support long-term financing from Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan Limited to Engro Fertilisers Limited. “The engagement marks IFC’s first local currency investment in Pakistan, thus expanding access to long-term financing solutions in both local and foreign currency, critical for economic growth, particularly in important sectors such as agriculture and micro, small, and medium enterprises,” ...
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Punjab CM argues against LHC’s suspension of land protection law. says move will ‘benefit encroachment mafias’
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed strong concern on Tuesday on the suspension of the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Act, 2025 by the Lahore High Court (LHC), arguing that the move would “benefit encroachment and land-grabbing mafias”. Maryam‘s statement issued by the CM’s Office comes a day after LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum issued an interim order suspending the operation of the newly enacted Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Act, 2025, which empowers dispute resolution committees led by deputy commissioners to resolve property disputes. The ordinance was approved by the Punjab chief minister on Oct 31 and mandates the resolution of land disputes within 90 days. The law has been challenged in the LHC, about which Mary...
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Three bids received for privatisation of national carrier PIA
ISLAMABAD: Three bids have been received for the privatisation of loss-making national airline Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) — the country’s most high-profile transaction of a state-owned entity. The sealed bids, submitted on Tuesday morning, came from pre-qualified bidders Lucky Cement, private airline Airblue and investment firm Arif Habib. Representatives of the bidding groups walked in one by one to deposit sealed offers into a transparent box, briefly fumbling as they pushed envelopes through the slot in a public ceremony in Islamabad that was broadcast on state television. The reference price for PIACL’s bidding will now be approved by the Privatisation Commission Board and the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation after bids have been received. The bids...
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Five cops martyred as police vehicle comes under attack in KP’s Karak
LAKKI MARWAT: Five cops were martyred after a police mobile came under attack in Gurguri area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Karak on Tuesday. The district police spokesman, Shaukat Khan, confirmed the incident and the casualties, saying that all of the martyred personnel were constables. The martyred policemen were identified as constables Shahid Iqbal, Samiullah, Arif, Safdar and Muhammad Abrar, who was also the mobile’s driver, Khan added. He said that a large police contingent, including the district police officer, was present at the scene and a search operation was underway. While the exact nature of the incident is not yet clear, an image shared by the police spokesman showed what appeared to be the charred remains of the vehicle which came under attack. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif co...
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‘Call of Duty’ co-creator Vince Zampella killed in Los Angeles car crash
Vince Zampella, the acclaimed co-creator of video gaming juggernaut “Call of Duty,” has died in a car crash, gaming giant Electronic Arts confirmed on Monday. He was 55. The developer and executive died on Sunday while driving his Ferrari on a scenic road north of Los Angeles, according to local broadcaster NBC4. “For unknown reasons, the vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier, and became fully engulfed,” the California Highway Patrol said in a statement, without identifying the two victims in the crash. The CHP added that both the driver and a passenger who was ejected from the vehicle succumbed to their injuries. Witnesses posted video of the mangled cherry-red Ferarri, engulfed in flames, on the mountain road. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. His...
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Education, health fees among key concerns
China to legislate on preschool education
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International group praises green revival
A high-level international advisory body applauded China's efforts to improve the environment and suggested a 15-year strategy against pollution in a draft recommendation report on Monday.
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Beijing, Moscow drill for potential missile warfare
China and Russia kicked off their second joint computer-assisted anti-missile drill on Monday, a move experts said could deter potential missile threats amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
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More military technologies targeted for civilian sector to boost economy
China will strengthen innovation by developing high-tech industries with military technologies to boost military-civil integration, a move that aims to cultivate new growth drivers and boost the economy, said a recent State Council guideline.
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