ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s main opposition alliance has decided to respond positively to any government offers for dialogue, a move that could open a narrow path toward easing the country’s long-running political standoff even as leaders issued sharp warnings about the health of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan.
Trending
FM Dar heads to Saudi Arabia for emergency OIC meeting on Israeli moves in West Bank
ISLAMABAD: The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will travel Thursday to Saudi Arabia for a three-day visit, where he will take part in an emergency ministerial gathering of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation focused on Israel’s recent steps to expand control over the occupied West Bank.
Jailed PTI leaders urge chief justice to scrutinise Imran Khan’s medical care
LAHORE: Five senior leaders of the opposition PTI, writing from inside a Lahore prison, have appealed directly to Pakistan’s chief justice to take another look at the medical treatment of the party’s founder, Imran Khan, and to “see that justice is done.”
PM Sharif calls for across-the-board direct tax cuts in next budget to boost investment
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for across-the-board cuts in direct taxes in the upcoming federal budget, saying the country must prioritise growth, production, exports and investment over repeated tax increases to support businesses and restore its standing.
No more second trips to visa centers: Britain rolls out e-visas for all Pakistani visitors
ISLAMABAD: Pakistanis, including those traveling for tourism, will now be able to enter the United Kingdom with electronic visas rather than physical stickers affixed to their passports, the British High Commission sad on Wednesday.
Press freedom groups urge PM Sharif to stem decline in media rights
ISLAMABAD: The Committee to Protect Journalists and 17 other press freedom and human rights organizations urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday to take immediate steps to “uphold the country’s constitutional and international obligations” to protect journalists as the media environment in Pakistan continues to deteriorate.
Despite safety measures, 17 die in Lahore’s first Basant in nearly two decades
LAHORE: The Punjab government informed the Lahore High Court on Wednesday that 17 people were killed in Lahore during the Basant kite-flying festival, which was revived this year after nearly two decades of restrictions.
Four policemen slain as militants target special squad in northwest Pakistan
PESHAWAR: Unidentified gunmen ambushed a returning police patrol in Pakistan’s Bajaur district on Wednesday evening, killing four officers and seriously wounding two others, authorities said.
Tensions flare within PTI as Imran Khan’s sisters publicly rebuke party leaders over secrecy in his treatment and legal delays
ISLAMABAD: The sisters of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan delivered a blistering public attack on Wednesday on the leadership of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party and the Islamabad High Court, accusing senior figures of silence, poor coordination and failing to secure timely medical attention or court hearings for the ailing politician.
IMF mission kicks off Pakistan bailout review in Karachi with $1.2 billion at stake
KARACHI: An International Monetary Fund staff mission led by Iva Petrova began technical-level discussions with the State Bank of Pakistan in Karachi on Wednesday, opening the third review of the country’s $7 billion Extended Fund Facility and the second review of its $1.1 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility.