ISLAMABAD: Defence minister on Sunday sought to quell mounting speculation over the delayed appointment of the country’s new chief of defence forces, saying that the formal notification would be issued “in due course of time” once Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif returns from a medical trip abroad.
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Minister Naqvi says no passenger with proper documents should be stopped from flying
ISLAMABAD: The interior minister said on Saturday that no traveller with valid documents should be prevented from leaving the country, amid widespread complaints of passengers being arbitrarily removed from flights despite possessing proper paperwork.
Pakistan spinners rout Sri Lanka to clinch tri-series T20 final
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s spinners orchestrated a stunning Sri Lankan collapse as the hosts claimed a six-wicket victory in the T20 tri-series final on Saturday, chasing down 115 with eight balls to spare.
Finland to shut embassies in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Myanmar as part of diplomatic overhaul
ISLAMABAD: Finland announced that it would close its embassies in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Myanmar next year, citing operational and strategic reasons tied to shifting political landscapes and limited economic ties with those nations.
PIA escapes Airbus A320 software recall as carriers worldwide rush repairs
KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines emerged unscathed from a sweeping Airbus SE recall of 6,000 A320-family jets over a software glitch, even as carriers worldwide scrambled overnight to implement fixes that temporarily grounded aircraft in Asia and Europe and loomed over US travel during the post-Thanksgiving surge.
Egypt urges focused role for Gaza peace force, seeks bigger Pakistani role in rebuilding
ISLAMABAD: Egypt’s foreign minister on Saturday outlined a narrowly defined mandate for a proposed international force to stabilise Gaza, emphasising its role in monitoring a ceasefire and securing borders, while calling for an expanded Pakistani contribution to the territory’s reconstruction amid ongoing devastation from the conflict.
Pakistan ready to join Gaza stabilisation force but rules out role in disarming Hamas
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is prepared to deploy troops as part of an international stabilisation force in Gaza under a United States-brokered peace plan, but it will not participate in any effort to disarm the Palestinian group Hamas, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Saturday.
Military says Afghan Taliban aiding terrorist infiltration across border
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.
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.