The UK Department for Transport confirmed on Tuesday, that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will remain on its air safety list, thwarting hopes of an imminent return to British skies following a ban imposed in July 2020 over a fake pilot license scandal. Despite recent optimism after a British Air Safety Committee meeting and PIA’s resumption of flights to Europe in January, the department emphasized a “rigorous procedure” for lifting restrictions, with the UK Civil Aviation Authority still engaging Pakistani officials.
Politics
IHC reinstates Imran Khan’s jail meeting schedule
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday restored a twice-weekly meeting schedule for jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, but barred attendees from speaking to the media afterwards.
Drought alert issued for three provinces as temperatures soar, rainfall plummets
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a drought alert on Monday for Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab provinces, where rainfall from Sept. 1, 2024, to March 21, 2025, was 40 percent below normal.
Pakistan calls for sustained dialogue with Afghanistan to tackle militancy, boost trade
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday called for a sustained dialogue with Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government to address surging militancy, border disputes, and economic collaboration, following a high-stakes visit by Islamabad’s special envoy to Kabul aimed at mending strained bilateral relations.
NAB seeks UAE help to extradite property magnate Malik Riaz in land scam case
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s anti-graft watchdog has launched extradition proceedings against property tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain and his son Ali Malik from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), invoking international anti-money laundering laws and the Vienna Convention, Dawn newspaper reported on Wednesday.
Two soldiers, five militants killed in Balochistan clash
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistani soldiers and five militants, including two suicide bombers, were killed in a clash in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan, the military said on Tuesday.
Govt talks with PTI stall after opposition skips meeting
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The government talks with the opposition Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf party of former prime minister Imran Khan collapsed on Tuesday after the party boycotted a scheduled meeting over the government’s failure to establish a judicial commission to investigate recent violence.
Journalists rebel against new law regulating social media
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of journalists across Pakistan took to the streets on Tuesday to protest a proposed law that would regulate social media content, which they say is an attempt to curb press freedom and stifle dissent.
Senate passes contentious cybercrime law
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Tuesday approved a contentious cybercrime bill that has sparked widespread outrage among journalists and opposition parties, who fear the legislation will be used to stifle free speech and target government critics.
Imran Khan challenges £190 million graft conviction
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have appealed against their conviction in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case, arguing that the trial court’s verdict was a result of “political victimisation” and accusing the prosecution of failing to provide evidence.