Chief minister calls for international-standard airport to boost tourism and improve year-round connectivity GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Azar asked the federal government to construct a modern Boeing-compatible airport in Gilgit to “dramatically improve” connectivity, tourism and economic development in the mountainous region. In a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif the chief minister…
Muhammad Ibrahim and Ismail Khan battle poverty, injuries, and lack of support to nurture mixed martial arts PESHAWAR: Muhammad Ibrahim, a resident of Kurram tribal district, spends his mornings navigating Peshawar’s crowded streets as a taxi driver. By evening, he transforms into a coach at a small mixed martial arts (MMA) club on the outskirts…
Actor Ayeza Khan has sparked a debate on social media after sharing a humorous Instagram Story about ChatGPT, highlighting how the previous generation completed their education without artificial intelligence (AI). The actor shared a post on her Instagram Story that read: “Dear 90s kids, whenever you feel stupid, just remember we completed our degrees without…
KARACHI: Mike Hesson will complete his contract with the Pakistan team and has no intention of joining the England Test squad. Recently, British media published a list of potential replacement coaches for the dismissed Test coach Brendon McCullum, which included Hesson’s name. However, sources close to the Pakistani white-ball coach have confirmed that he is not interested in accepting…
Streaming talks renew hopes, but industry veterans warn international audiences demand much more than familiar family Pakistan’s ambitions to secure a stronger place on global streaming platforms have reignited debate over the future of the country’s entertainment industry, with government officials, filmmakers and directors broadly welcoming the prospect of international exposure while sharply disagreeing on…
Beijing aims to boost domestic demand, target 60 trillion yuan in retail sales by 2030 China has unveiled its first-ever five-year plan dedicated exclusively to boosting domestic consumption, marking a strategic shift as the world’s second-largest economy looks to strengthen internal demand and reduce reliance on external factors for growth. The plan, covering the 2026-30…
ISLAMABAD: Zaman Sohail of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Punjab’s Fareeha Siddiq emerged as the champions in the men’s and women’s categories of the National Chess Championship, held at the Pakistan Sports Complex. Organised by the Chess Federation of Pakistan, the tournament featured more than 250 players from across the country competing in multiple…
I am reviewing my writings from the past eighteen years these days to compile them for a forthcoming book on Pakistan's fight against terror and wars in Afghanistan. It pains me to note we haven't progressed at all from where and how we were when these lines were first written and appeared in the press….
Strong H1 growth driven by innovation, high-tech sectors and resilient domestic demand despite global slowdown A worker checks automatic spool winders at a smart factory in Xin’an Town, Deqing County, Zhejiang province, China, on June 15, 2026. Photo: Xinhua China’s economy expanded by 4.7% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, demonstrating resilience amid global…
White House says Trump will attend World Cup final, calling it the most watched and secure in US history Reuters July 17, 2026 Less than a minute read US President Donald Trump reacts at the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, U.S., July 15, 2026.PHOTO:REUTERS US…