ISLAMABAD: The United Nations’ top human rights official warned on Friday that Pakistan’s latest constitutional amendments, adopted in haste and without wide consultation, seriously erode the independence of the judiciary and threaten accountability for the military, raising profound concerns about the rule of law in a nation already grappling with political turbulence.
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Govt, PTI deny reports of Imran Khan’s ill health amid rising public anxiety
ISLAMABAD: As unconfirmed reports of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s deteriorating health circulated widely on social media and in foreign outlets, both government officials and members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party on Thursday rejected the speculation, insisting that Mr. Khan, held in isolation at Adiala jail, remained in good condition.
Rights campaigner Mazari, spouse decry ‘disappearance’ of court-appointed counsel
ISLAMABAD: A prominent rights activist and her lawyer husband, facing charges of inciting linguistic divisions and portraying the armed forces as engaged in terrorism through social media posts, protested in court on Thursday over the abrupt replacement of their state-appointed defence counsel, raising questions about the fairness of their trial and the whereabouts of the previous lawyer.
FIA denies ‘random detentions’ as uproar grows over passenger offloadings
LAHORE: Immigration authorities on Thursday pushed back against mounting complaints of passengers being unfairly barred from international flights, insisting that such actions target only those with invalid documents or suspected links to human smuggling rings.
Pakistani official flags major UAE visa slowdown, no ban says embassy
ISLAMABAD: A top Pakistani official said on Thursday the United Arab Emirates had largely halted issuing visas to Pakistani citizens, raising alarms about potential strains in the longstanding economic and cultural ties between the two nations, even as Emirati diplomats insisted no outright ban was in place and touted recent reforms to ease the process.
Gen. Mirza retires as Pakistan dissolves Joint Chiefs, awaits new defence chief
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s most far-reaching reorganisation of its higher defence apparatus in nearly half a century took effect at midnight Thursday with the formal abolition of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, a position that had provided the navy and air force with institutional representation at the pinnacle of military decision-making since 1976.
PTI calls for family visit, official statement on jailed Imran Khan’s health amid viral rumours
ISLAMABAD: The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party called on the government on Thursday to dispel persistent rumours about the health of its imprisoned founder, Imran Khan, and to allow his family to meet with him, as unverified claims about the former prime minister’s condition spread across social media and drew attention from some foreign outlets.
Omar Ayub Khan declared proclaimed offender by anti-terror court
ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court on Wednesday declared opposition leader and former finance minister Omar Ayub Khan a proclaimed offender after he repeatedly failed to appear in connection with charges linked to a violent protest last year, escalating legal pressure on allies of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Officials deny rumours of Imran Khan’s transfer from prison, citing his good health
RAWALPINDI: Officials at Adiala jail on Wednesday dismissed circulating rumours that Imran Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party and former prime minister, had been moved out of the facility, insisting that he remained inside the prison and was in good health.
Bahrain awards highest honour to PM Sharif as states eye $1bn trade goal
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was awarded Bahrain’s highest civilian honor on Wednesday during a state visit aimed at bolstering economic ties between the two nations, as leaders from both sides pledged to elevate bilateral trade to $1 billion within three years amid discussions on defence cooperation and regional stability.