ISLAMABAD: The military said Afghan forces opened fire on Pakistani border posts last Friday to create diversions that allow terrorists to infiltrate the country, escalating tensions between the two neighbours amid a surge in cross-border violence and stalled diplomatic talks.
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By-elections marred by ‘gaps in transparency’; watchdog flags violations, weak turnout
ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz swept the by-elections held on Nov. 23, capturing all six vacant seats in the National Assembly and six of seven in the Punjab Assembly, amid what an independent election monitor described as “recurring violations” of campaigning rules and “gaps” in the transparency of results.
Sugar mills face probe for alleged cartel on cane prices, crushing schedule
ISLAMABAD: The antitrust regulator has issued show-cause notices to 10 sugar mills in Punjab province for allegedly colluding to delay the start of the crushing season and fix sugarcane procurement prices at Rs400 per maund, in a move that could disrupt sugar supplies and inflate retail costs.
Pakistan sees ‘cautious optimism on growth’ as reforms lift outlook despite sticky inflation
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan voiced cautious optimism over the economic outlook in its latest monthly update, citing strengthening industrial activity and structural reforms even as inflation remains stubborn in the 5-6% range due to pressures on food prices and agricultural production.
Govt likely to cut fuel prices by up to Rs6.30 a liter as global rates dip
ISLAMABAD: The government is poised to lower prices for all petroleum products by as much as Rs6.30 per liter starting Sunday, reflecting modest declines in international markets, according to industry officials.
UN rights chief warns Pakistan’s rushed constitutional changes undermine judicial independence
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.
Pakistan blames Afghan soil for deadly attacks, says ceasefire largely collapsed
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on that a fragile ceasefire with Afghanistan was faltering, accusing its neighbour of failing to curb terrorist attacks launched from its territory, as tensions between the two countries reached their lowest ebb since the Taliban seized power in Kabul four years ago.
Foreign Office calls attack on US soldiers ‘act of terrorism’
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Friday strongly condemned the shooting of two United States National Guard soldiers a few blocks from the White House, describing the attack as an act of terrorism that signals a troubling resurgence of the threat on a global scale.
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.