LAHORE: An incarcerated leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the opposition party founded by the jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, called on Friday for renewed talks with the government to ease the country’s deepening political and economic woes, even as he distanced himself from an ex-fellow party member’s push for a national dialogue committee.
People
Pakistan says US visa freeze is temporary as Washington reviews immigration rules
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan voiced optimism on Thursday that the United States would swiftly lift its suspension of immigrant visa processing for applicants from the country, describing the move as an internal American policy review amid broader efforts to ensure immigrants are financially self-sufficient.
Pakistan included in US immigrant visa freeze over public charge risks
ISLAMABAD: The United States is suspending immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Pakistan, starting Jan. 21, as the Trump administration intensifies its enforcement of rules aimed at barring immigrants deemed likely to rely on public welfare programs, the State Department announced on Wednesday.
Multan Sultans franchise put up for auction following PCB takeover
LAHORE: Pakistan’s cricket board on Wednesday invited bids for the ownerless Multan Sultans franchise in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), opening the door for new investors just weeks after expanding the popular Twenty20 tournament with two additional teams.
Environmentalists challenge Islamabad’s claim that tree removals are only about allergies
ISLAMABAD: Environmental advocates and opposition lawmakers are challenging the Pakistani government’s assertion that a sweeping tree-removal campaign in the capital is aimed solely at curbing pollen allergies, pointing instead to evidence that the cuts are tied to major infrastructure projects that have stripped away acres of urban greenery.
Forensic report links KP chief minister Afridi, PTI leaders to May 9 violence in Peshawar
LAHORE: A forensic report from a top laboratory in Punjab has confirmed the presence of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s chief minister and several top leaders of opposition Tahreek-e-Insaf party at the scene of violent protests in Peshawar on May 9, 2023, escalating a long-simmering political showdown over accusations of orchestrated arson and vandalism against state property.
Environment minister defends cutting of 29,000 trees in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD: Facing mounting criticism over the removal of thousands of mature trees across the capital, minister for climate change and environmental coordination on Friday defended the action as a necessary step to combat a public health threat, saying that nearly 29,000 invasive paper mulberry trees had been felled in compliance with a Supreme Court order.
Hyderabad and Sialkot make PSL debut in over Rs3.6 billion auction
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Super League expanded to eight teams on Thursday with the addition of franchises in Hyderabad and Sialkot, as two investor groups submitted record bids totaling more than Rs3.6 billion in a closely watched auction that shows the growing commercial appeal of the country’s premier cricket competition.
Sindh police, Rangers plan massive operation against riverine bandits
SUKKUR: The provincial Sindh government announced on Wednesday a sweeping offensive against the heavily armed criminal gangs that have long terrorized the marshy riverine areas along the Indus River, vowing to deploy all available resources in a bid to dismantle the networks responsible for kidnappings, extortion and violent assaults.
Bangladesh in talks with ICC over moving T20 World Cup games from India
LAHORE: The Bangladesh Cricket Board said on Wednesday that it was engaged in discussions with the International Cricket Council to find a “practical” resolution to its request to relocate the country’s group-stage matches in the upcoming T20 World Cup out of India, citing heightened security concerns amid strained diplomatic relations between the two nations.