Kabul’s ‘frivolous’ varsity attack claim rejected

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information rejected on Monday Afghan media reports alleging that the Pakistan Army carried out missile or air strikes in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, calling the claims “false” and “frivolous”. In a statement posted on X, the ministry’s fact-checking account shared a picture from Afghan news outlet TOLOnews claiming that Pakistan “conducted missile/jet…

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FCC restores govt powers to block passports

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Monday put on hold a landmark ruling of the Lahore High Court (LHC) that had struck down key provisions of the Passport Rules 2021, effectively restoring the federal government’s powers to inactivate passports and impose long-term travel bans on deportees and suspected human traffickers. The interim relief means…

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SBP hikes policy rate to 11.5%

KARACHI: Pakistan’s trajectory of steadily lowering interest rates has been disrupted by spillover effects of Israel-US war on Iran, as the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday raised key policy rate by 100 basis points to 11.50%, citing inflationary risks triggered by the geopolitical escalation and the resulting closure of the Strait of Hormuz,…

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Iran signals cautious openness to dialogue

Araghchi says US push reflects ‘unmet war aims’ Washington reviews Iranian phased de-escalation proposal Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a meeting at the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library in Saint Petersburg. PHOTO: REUTERS MOSCOW/WASHINGTON: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday assured Tehran that Moscow would do “everything” to…

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Starmer’s Mandelson woes deepen

LONDON: Britain’s parliament will vote on Tuesday on a possible inquiry into Prime Minister Keir Starmer, looking at whether he misled the House of Commons over the appointment of former U.S. ambassador Peter Mandelson. Any such inquiry could have serious implications for Starmer’s future. He has so far resisted pressure to quit over his decision…

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Zardari greets South Africa on National Day

. ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday extended felicitations to President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa and the people of South Africa on the occasion of their National Day, annually observed on April 27. In a message on behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan, the president, who is currently on a five-day visit…

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India declares Shopian seminary unlawful entity

ISLAMABAD: In a move further tightening its crackdown on religious and educational institutions in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the Indian government has declared a famous seminary Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, located in the Imam Sahib area of Shopian district, as an “unlawful entity” under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA),…

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Study proposes tax, reforms on cement sector

ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan’s (CCP) new cement sector study has advocated tax, logistics, energy and mineral reforms to boost competition, cut structural distortions and unlock long-term growth in one of Pakistan’s key industrial sectors. The report titled “Competition Assessment Study of the Cement Sector in Pakistan,” addresses competition-related challenges in the cement sector….

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Power cuts bite hard as city swelters

Karachiites pushed to the brink, with some areas go up to 20 hours without electricity KARACHI: A severe spell of load-shedding has engulfed the city, plunging large parts of Karachi into prolonged darkness amid the sweltering April heat that is typical of the season. As temperatures soar, the power outages have pushed citizens to the…

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Pakistan, Sri Lanka kick off joint counter-terrorism exercise ‘Shake Hands-II’ at Tarbela

ISPR says exercise aimed at enhancing professional capabilities through joint training Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Monday kicked off a joint counter-terrorism exercise at Tarbela aimed at enhancing professional capabilities and strengthening longstanding military-to-military relations, the military’s media wing said in a statement According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Shake Hands-II is a…

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