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.
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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.
Pakistan weighs corporate tax cuts but FBR flags Rs1.6tr revenue risk
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government is grappling with high corporate taxes that are deterring foreign investment, according to a top official, even as tax authorities insist any rate cuts must be paired with stricter compliance to avoid a massive revenue shortfall.
Three IHC judges clear out offices as amendment fuels resignation talk
ISLAMABAD: Three judges of the Islamabad High Court have quietly removed their personal belongings from the court building in recent days, fueling speculation about their possible resignations in the wake of a sweeping constitutional amendment that has reshaped the country’s judiciary.
Lahore bar seeks return of appeals on military trials to Supreme Court
ISLAMABAD: The Lahore High Court Bar Association on Thursday petitioned Pakistan’s newly established Federal Constitutional Court to return a series of pending appeals challenging the military trials of civilians to the Supreme Court, arguing that the transfer of jurisdiction under a recent constitutional amendment was unlawful and undermined the judiciary’s independence.
Pakistan condemns attack in Tajikistan that killed three Chinese workers
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday strongly condemned a deadly attack in Tajikistan that killed three Chinese workers, attributing the assault to threats originating from Afghanistan and calling for urgent action against terrorist groups operating there.
FIA denies ‘random detentions’ as uproar grows over passenger offloadings
LAHORE: Immigration authorities on Thursday pushed back against mounting complaints of passengers being unfairly barred from international flights, insisting that such actions target only those with invalid documents or suspected links to human smuggling rings.
Pakistani official flags major UAE visa slowdown, no ban says embassy
ISLAMABAD: A top Pakistani official said on Thursday the United Arab Emirates had largely halted issuing visas to Pakistani citizens, raising alarms about potential strains in the longstanding economic and cultural ties between the two nations, even as Emirati diplomats insisted no outright ban was in place and touted recent reforms to ease the process.