ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s election commission on Friday suspended the memberships of 159 lawmakers across the national and provincial legislatures for failing to disclose their assets and liabilities by a mid-January deadline, a move that shows persistent challenges in enforcing financial transparency among the country’s political class.
Politics
Security forces thwart hostage bid, kill 12 militants in Balochistan
ISLAMABAD: The security forces have killed 12 militants in a series of clashes in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan after the attackers targeted a police station and two banks in an attempt to seize hostages and loot cash, the military said on Friday.
Jailed PTI leader seeks dialogue with government but draws line against ex-ally plan
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.
Pakistan seeks calm in Iran crisis, saying conflict would endanger an already volatile region
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday pushed for cooler heads and talks to ease the tensions running high between the United States and Iran, arguing that any resort to threats or military steps would deepen the turmoil in a region already on edge.
Security forces kill 13 militants in counterterrorism raids in northwestern Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Security forces killed 13 militants in two operations in the restive northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this week, the military said on Thursday, as the country presses ahead with a nationwide campaign to root out insurgents amid a surge in attacks.
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, Saudi Arabia and Turkey consider a shared defence platform
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey have drawn up a draft defence agreement after nearly a year of negotiations, a senior Pakistani official said, confirming reports of talks among the three Muslim-majority nations amid lingering regional tensions.
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.
Pakistan condemns India security adviser’s ‘revenge’ rhetoric
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday sharply rebuked comments by India’s national security adviser, Ajit Doval, who had urged his country to “avenge” its history of subjugation by building a stronger nation, dismissing the rhetoric as the product of “camouflaged hate-mongers” driven by “imagined historical vendettas.”
PM Sharif confirms Pakistan sees global demand for JF-17 after show of strength against India
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that several countries were in talks with Pakistan to buy its fighter jets, a development he linked to heightened global interest following the country’s military success against India in a brief conflict last year.