A teleconference hosted by PM Sharif and attended by Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari, and Maulana Fazlur Rehman closed ranks over the substance and direction of the measures needed to resolve the current judicial crisis. By Naveed Naqvi.
Politics
Cabinet meeting called to decide on Punjab polls funding
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The coalition government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an urgent cabinet meeting on Sunday to discuss whether to release funds to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for the Punjab polls scheduled for May 14, or to disregard the Supreme Court’s directives.
President Alvi returns bill aiming to limit chief justice’s powers
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi on Saturday returned a bill to the Parliament, which seeks to diminish the authority of the chief justice, arguing that the proposed legislation exceeds the legislative body’s jurisdiction and may be contested as ‘colorable legislation’.
IMF bailout program review on track, says Finance Minister Dar
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The long-awaited ninth review of the $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout program is proceeding smoothly, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on said on Saturday, a day after cancelling his scheduled trip to Washington for the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank.
Judicial note sparks tension: Coalition government pushes for CJP’s resignation
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The coalition government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Umar Ata Bandial, to step down amid a growing standoff with the judiciary after a judicial note from Justice Athar Minallah was made public on Friday.
Pakistan’s planned anti-terrorism operation may affect upcoming Punjab elections
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top security body on Friday agreed to launch a comprehensive operation to eradicate terrorism from the country with renewed vigor and determination.
Mohmand Dam project receives $240mn funding from Saudi Arabia
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) signed a $240 million loan agreement with Pakistan on Friday to support the multipurpose Mohmand Dam Project.
Military arrests founder of banned Baloch group in intelligence operation
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: A “high-value target” with suspected links to hostile intelligence agencies operating against Pakistan has been captured, the media wing of the military, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday.
PM Sharif calls for NSC meeting amid election stalemate
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: As a stalemate continues with the opposition and the top court regarding the upcoming May elections, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) on Friday, ostensibly to seek the military’s support in postponing the polls due to security concerns.
Political turmoil escalates as Parliament rejects Supreme Court’s order on Punjab elections
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The rift between Pakistan’s judiciary and government has deepened as the parliament rejected the Supreme Court’s decision on Punjab elections case and demanded a full court to decide the dispute.