Pakistan News Urdu Fast

Arab leaders said on Sunday they would seek a U.N. Security Council resolution against the U.S. decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and promised to support Palestinians in their bid for statehood. Arab leaders, long divided by regional rivalries, also ended their annual summit in Tunisia calling for cooperation with non-Arab Iran based on non-interference in each others’ affairs. Arab leaders who have been grappling with a bitter Gulf Arab dispute, splits over Iran’s regional influence, the war in Yemen and unrest in Algeria and Sudan sought common ground after Washington recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan. But the abrupt departure from the summit shortly after it began by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, who is locked in a row with Saudi Arabia and other Arab states, suggested rivalries were not easily buried. No reason was given for his departure. RELATED COVERAGE “We, the leaders of the Arab countries gathered in Tunisia ....

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday said the government's move to reportedly change the name of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) was a "conspiracy" to end the social safety net programme. Speaking to media here, the PPP chairman Bilawal said women were protesting in Thatta and Sehwan after not being paid money under the BISP. "They are anti-people and anti-poor individuals," he said, without naming anyone. Bilawal said it was a "long-term conspiracy" under which the name of the programme would first be changed, followed by decreasing allocation for it, and eventually the programme would be ended. He said, "They understand that money is being wasted through the BISP, but I consider it the best programme in the country." The PPP chairman maintained the BISP was not just empowering women, it was strengthening the economy as well. Criticising the government, he said Indus River System Authority (I...

On the eve of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) victory in PP-218 by-poll, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Sunday said that ‘Multanis’ once again rejected corruption. Talking to journalists along with PTI’s victorious candidate Malik Wasif Mazhar Raan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that they defeated the nexus of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim Leaque-Nawaz (PML-N) in Multan. He said that Malik Wasif Mazhar Raan took lead of over 7,000 votes from his contenders in the by-elections which proved that no one’s mandate was snatched in election 2018. The foreign minister said that PPP and PML-N shook hands to defeat PTI in Multan but the masses foiled their pan by rejecting corruption in the by-elections. The foreign minister congratulated the masses and Prime Minister Imran Khan over the victory in Multan and said that PTI’s popularity graph was on the rise. He said that PM Imran would bring the corrupts to their logical end in the country. According to unoffici...

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar's father, Sardar Fateh Muhammad Khan Buzdar, passed away on Monday. Fateh, a three-time former MPA from Dera Ghazi Khan, was also the chief of the Buzdar tribe, a feudal lord and an agriculturalist. He was born in Barthi, Dera Ghazi Khan and obtained a MA degree (Political Science) in 1964 from Karachi University. Fateh also served as member of the Majlis-e-Shoora from 1983-84 and as a member of district Council DG Khan. Fateh also served as Chairman Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Auqaf during 2003-07. He was elected MPA in 1985, 2002 and 2008. Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudry Pervaiz Elahi, Governor Punjab Chaudhry Sarwar and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah telephoned Buzdar to extend condolences over his father's demise. Elahi said, "Muhammad Buzdar's political services will always be remembered. My family and I are standing with the Punjab chief minister at this time of sorrow." Leader of the Opposition...

Former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that taking oath as member of the Punjab Assembly would mean that he had accepted validity of the last general elections. The former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz said in a news conference he will soon decide about his political future. "I stood with a party for 35 years and then moved away from its leadership. The people of my constituency have showed their confidence but the current situation is a bit complex." Nisar contested the general elections from two NA and two provincial seats, losing all except PA-10 constituency. He has, however, not taken his oath — his rival has challenged the action in the high court. He said that every government takes loan but the incumbent one has broken all records. "The economy is being managed by loans," Nisar said. The former interior minister said that the government has no stance over India, adding that Nawaz and Imran share same opinion on India and Modi. "W...

Turkey’s Tayyip Erdogan suffered a severe setback as his ruling AK Party lost control of the capital Ankara for the first time in a local election and he appeared to concede defeat in the country’s largest city, Istanbul. Erdogan, who has dominated Turkish politics since coming to power 16 years ago and ruled his country with an ever tighter grip, campaigned relentlessly for two months ahead of Sunday’s vote, which he described as a “matter of survival” for Turkey. But the president’s daily rallies and overwhelmingly supportive media coverage failed to win over the country’s capital or secure a definitive result in Istanbul, as Turkey’s economic downturn weighed heavily on voters. Turkish broadcasters said opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) candidate Mansur Yavas had won a clear victory in Ankara, but the vote count in Istanbul was so tight that both parties declared the narrowest of victories. “The people have voted in favor of democracy, they have chosen democracy,” opp...

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Shehbaz Sharif, on Monday slammed the federal government over its decision to increase the prices of petroleum products by up to 6.45% the month of April. Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif took to Twitter and called for the government to take back the decision as per which petrol and diesel prices were increased by Rs6 per litre. "The government should take back the bewildering increase in petrol and diesel prices. The 'tsunami of inflation' has made life extremely difficult for the Pakistani nation," he said. Shehbaz further questioned, "Why do Imran Khan's hands not tremble when signing orders for increase in prices?" حکومت پٹرول اور ڈیزل کی قیمتوں میں ہوشربا اضافہ واپس لے۔ مہنگائی کے سونامی نے پاکستانی عوام کا جینا مشکل کر دیا ہے۔ قیمتوں میں اضافے کے آرڈر پر دستخط کرتے ہوئے عمران خان کے ہاتھ کیوں نہیں کانپتے! — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 1, 2019 Pakistan Peoples Part...

Matriculation Examination of Science and General Group, as per Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BESK), have kicked off in Sindh including Karachi from today (Monday). Section 144 has been imposed across all examination centres across the province. Total 3,67,606 students of both Science and General group will head to their designated examination centres to appear in the exams. 365 examination centres have been formed for the purpose including 202 private and 163 government schools. Furthermore, 1,63,371 candidates of Science Group of ninth grade (SSC-I) will appear in the exams. Directives have been issued to close all shops of photostat near the centres to avoid any possibility of producing cheating material for the appearing students.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry slammed senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Syed Khursheed Shah on Sunday and said he should "stop selling the names of Benazir and Bhutto". Chaudhry took to Twitter and said, “Khursheed Shah should remember his wrongdoings and stop selling the names of Benazir and Bhutto. Shah has the biggest part in the destruction of national institutions." “He [Shah] was the chairman of the committee which stacked political appointments in the past. Shah is the biggest ‘insect’ in the termites which ate away at the roots of our national institutions,” the minister added. خورشیدشاہ اپنے کرتوتوں کو سامنے رکھتے ہوئے بے نظیراور بھٹو کو بیچنا بند کریں، اداروں کی تباھی میں سب سے بڑا حصہ خورشید شاہ کا ہے۔ یہ اس کمیٹی کے سربراہ تھےجنہوں نے اداروں میں میرٹ کے برعکس اور سیاسی بھرتیوں کا انبار لگا دیا جو دیمک اداروں کو لگی اس کا سب سے بڑا کیڑا خورشیدشاہ ہیں — Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 31, 2019 Earlier in the day, Shah had criticis...

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif will undergo more medical tests at Sharif Medical City (SMC) hospital today. His further tests would be conducted to evaluate his health condition and devise a future strategy of his treatment. Earlier, on March 30, physicians prescribed monitoring his heartbeat by fixing a Holter at his chest the next week besides carrying out echo test. They also mulled over the possibility of implanting a pacemaker. The decision about both the tests was taken as Nawaz Sharif’s ECG showed abnormalities, according to reports. A team of medical experts also detected disturbed blood flow through left artery of his heart. Besides, the doctors also decided to test his eyesight in view of finding higher blood glucose levels. Dr Adnan Khan, former premier’s personal physician, had earlier said many of Sharif’s test reports had been received, adding that the remaining would be received in a day or two after which a team of medical experts would suggest a future cour...

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Wasif Mazhar Raan on Sunday won by-election in Punjab Assembly constituency PP-218 Multan, according to unofficial and unconfirmed results. The PTI candidate bagged 46,988 votes, according to unofficial results from all 138 polling stations. He was followed by Pakistan Peoples Party's Arshad Raan, who secured 39,486 votes. The PP-218 seat fell vacant after the sudden death of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Malik Mazhar Abbas Raan. PTI’s Malik Wasif Mazhar Raan, Pakistan Peoples Party’s Malik Muhammad Arshad Raan were contesting for the seat along with independent candidates, Malik Shahid Abbas Raan, Muhammad Tufail, Muhammad Ramzan and Muhammad Israrul Haq Cheema. A total of 138 polling stations including 25 for male, 24 female and 89 combined were set up in the constituency. Among these, 38 polling stations were declared sensitive, where strict security arrangements were made. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan ther...

The federal government on Sunday increased the prices of petroleum, oil and lubricants, with petrol going up by Rs6 per litre. The new price of petrol will now be Rs98.89 per litre, it emerged Sunday. The price of high speed diesel was also increased by Rs6 per litre, taking it to Rs117.43 per litre. Similarly, the prices of light diesel oil and kerosene oil went up by Rs3 per litre each, taking them to Rs80.54 and Rs89.31 per litre, respectively. The new prices will take effect from midnight on April 1. Earlier, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) had recommended Rs11.92 per litre increase in the price of petrol, according to sources. Similarly, the Ogra had suggested Rs11.17 and Rs6.65 per litre hike in price of high speed diesel and kerosene oil respectively. It had also recommended Rs6.50 increase in the price of light diesel oil, the sources said.

The three back-to-back International Squash Tournaments will commence at Mushaf Squash Complex in Islamabad from tomorrow. According to detail, International Squash Tournament for Women will be played from first to fifth of the next month, while Huawei International for Men will be staged from 6th to 10th of the next month. A total of seventeen men players from Egypt, Iran, Hong Kong, Scotland, Kuwait, Spain, Czeh Republic and Ireland will participate in the event. Seven women players from Egypt, South Korea, Iran and Switzerland will also participate in the Women event. The event is providing ample of opportunities to Pakistani players for the revival of International squash in the country.

Using an airborne telescope on a jetliner, astronomers captured a cosmic light show sparked by the forming stars almost 17,000 light years away. Learning how massive stars form in our Milky Way Galaxy helps scientists understand how these stars form in distant galaxies that are too far away to see in detail. The infrared camera for the SOFIA Telescope with sensitive detectors and powerful magnification allowed the researchers to have discovered the enormous stars right after their birth, according to a news release of the United States space agency NASA on Friday. "This is the best resolution currently available using these wavelengths of infrared light," said Wanggi Lim, Universities Space Research Association scientist at the SOFIA Science Center. "Not only does this reveal areas that we could not see before, but it's critical to understanding the physical properties and relative age of the stars and their parental clouds," said Lim. The giant celestial...

Scientists say their findings are essential to getting a better and more precise understanding of the processes taking place in the Sun's atmosphere, some of which can affect Earth. Researchers from Aberystwyth University in Wales, Queen's University Belfast, and other universities across Europe have discovered that the Sun's magnetic field is roughly ten times more powerful than previously believed. The scientists' findings, published in the Astrophysical Journal, were made possible thanks to Dr. David Kuridze and his team's close observation of a particularly powerful solar flare on the Sun's surface over a ten day period in September 2017 using data from Sweden's 1-m Solar Telescope in Roque de Los Muchachos Observers in the Canary Islands. Using the telescope's high-resolution imaging spectropolarimetry, and applying a combination of "certain favourable conditions" and a bit of luck by happening to focus on just the right volatile area...

Saudi King Salman said he “absolutely rejects” any steps that would undermine Syrian sovereignty over the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, after US President Donald Trump recognized the area as Israeli territory. Speaking at an Arab League event in Tunisia on Sunday, Salman also reiterated his support for a ‘two-state solution’ for Israel and Palestine, with East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state. His remarks came as a strong rebuff to US President Donald Trump, who signed a declaration last week officially recognizing the Golan Heights as part of Israel. The strategic area was captured from Syria during the Six-Day War in 1967, and has since remained under Israeli control. In 1981, the UN Security Council unanimously voted to declare the Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights illegal and demanded that Tel Aviv “rescind” it. Trump's move, not surprisingly, was praised by the Israeli government and drew fierce criticism from Syria, which blasted the annexatio...

Pakistan won the toss and opted to field first against Australia in the final one-day international (ODI) between the two teams at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. The green shirts are looking to avoid a whitewash in the series, which Australia leads 4-0. Australia brought in fast bowler Jason Behrendorff in place of Nathan Coulter-Nile. Mohammad Abbas was the only change made by Pakistan from its last game as the fast bowler replaced youngster Mohammad Hasnain. On Friday, Australia pulled off a sensational last-over, six-run win despite a debut hundred by Pakistan's Abid Ali and second career century by Mohammad Rizwan in the fourth ODI.

Musicians and fans gathered in New York City on Friday for a night of British band nostalgia mixed with calls for more inclusion of women as Janet Jackson, Stevie Nicks and The Cure were inducted into the 34th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class. Nicks, who made history on Friday as the first woman inducted twice into the prestigious group, kicked off the night with a performance of some of her biggest hits, such as “Stand Back” and “Edge of Seventeen.” She was inducted in 1998 as a member of rock band Fleetwood Mac. “She’s so wise and serene. She sees all the romance and drama in the world and she celebrates it,” said singer Harry Styles, who introduced Nicks on stage for her induction. However, one of the standout moments of the evening was when Jackson, 52, took the stage and called on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame committee to induct more female artists during the annual ceremony. She also acknowledged her musical family for their impact on popular culture. “Never in a million ...

Dance music played out for the hundreds of fans who flocked to the town of Braintree in eastern England on Friday for the funeral of Keith Flint, former frontman of the Prodigy. Face painting and free tattoos were on offer to those who had come to pay their respects to the “Firestarter” star. Flint, a figurehead of the 1990s rave movement, was found dead at his home earlier this month aged 49. An inquest which opened this month confirmed he had died as the result of hanging. It has been adjourned until July 23 for a full hearing. Renowned for his facial piercings, heavy makeup and eccentric devil-horned hair cut, Flint played a major role in establishing the credibility of dance and electronic music. The funeral procession followed a 2-1/2-mile path to St Mary’s Church and while the church service itself was reserved for friends and family, Flint’s bandmates had invited fans to line the route to “raise the roof for Keef!” Steve Hales was among those who heeded the call. With d...

Slovakia voted on Saturday in an election dominated by calls for change, with an anti-corruption activist likely to be chosen as its first female president a year after a journalist’s murder sparked mass anti-government protests. An environmental lawyer with no experience in political office, Zuzana Caputova is on course to win the run-off against ruling party’s candidate and EU energy comm­­issioner Maros Sefcovic. Two recent opinion polls gave at least 60 percent of the vote to Caputova, who campaigned on a slogan of “Stand up to evil” in this central European country of 5.4 million. She was one of tens of thousands of protesters who rallied after investigative journalist Jan Kuciak was gunned down alongside his fiancee. He had been preparing to publish a story on alleged ties between Slovak politicians and the Italian mafia. The killing forced then prime minister Robert Fico to resign but he remains leader of the populist-left Smer-SD party and is a close ally of the current ...

Turks began voting on Sunday in local elections that President Tayyip Erdogan has described as a matter of survival for the country. Erdogan, who has dominated Turkish politics for more than 16 years thanks in part to strong economic growth, has become Turkey’s most popular, yet also most divisive, leader in modern history. However, he could be dealt an electoral blow with polls indicating his ruling AK Party (AKP) may lose control of the capital Ankara, and even Istanbul, the country’s largest city. With the economy contracting following a currency crisis last year in which the lira lost more than 30 per cent of its value, some voters appeared ready to punish Erdogan, who has ruled with an increasingly uncompromising stance. “I was actually not going to vote today, but when I saw how much they (AKP) were flailing, I thought this might be time to land them a blow. Everyone is unhappy. Everyone is struggling,” said 47-year-old Hakan after voting in Ankara. Voting started at 7am (...

Pakistan High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood has been named as the new foreign secretary. Speaking to media in Multan, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi announced that Mahmood will replace Tehmina Janjua, who is retiring on April 16 after serving in the position for two years. “Sohail Mahmood has been appointed foreign secretary after consultation with the prime minister,” Qureshi said. Praising Janjua's work, Qureshi said, that she handled difficult situations in an excellent manner. Janjua is the first woman to become Pakistan’s foreign secretary. With a vast diplomatic experience under his belt, Mahmood is currently Pakistan's High Commissioner to India. He previously served as Pakistan’s ambassador to Turkey. Before that, he served as the ambassador to Thailand and permanent representative to the UNESCP Bangkok for four years till 2013. Mahmood has also served as political coordinator for Pakistan’s delegation to the UN Security Council before assuming off...

A MiG-27 aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed on Sunday near Jodhpur in Rajasthan, local media reported. The MiG-27 UPG fighter jet was on a routine mission, official sources said. It crashed in Godana near Sheoganj in Sirohi, about 180km from Jodhpur. The MiG-27 is a Soviet-era ground-attack aircraft that India bought in the early 1980s. Only last month, a MiG-21 ‘Bison’ reportedly crashed in Bikaner's Shoba Sar ki Dhani area in Rajasthan after it reportedly hit a bird. The pilot had managed to eject out of the jet. The crashes come after tensions soared between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the February 14 suicide bombing in Pulwama, occupied Kashmir. India piled the blame for Pulwama bombing on Pakistan without presenting any proof. The allegations were strongly refuted by Pakistan. In response, India said it carried out on February 26 air strikes on what it called a militant training camp at Balakot inside Pakistan. The Indian government was quick to take...

Polling is under way on the vacant Punjab Assembly seat Multan seat PP-218. The PP-218 seat fell vacant after the sudden death of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Malik Mazhar Abbas Raan. PTI’s Malik Wasif Mazhar Raan, Pakistan Peoples Party’s Malik Muhammad Arshad are contesting for the seat along with independent candidates, Malik Shahid Abbas Raan, Muhammad Tufail, Muhammad Ramzan and Muhammad Israrul Haq Cheema. A total of 138 polling stations including 25 for male, 24 female and 89 combined have been set up in the constituency. Among these, 38 polling stations have been declared sensitive where tight security arrangements have been made. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan there are 203,188 registered voters in the constituency including 111,918 male and 91,270 female voters. Polling will continue till 5pm.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa will brief parliamentarians on the recent tensions between India and Pakistan next week. The briefing will be held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on April 4, and will be attended by the members of standing committees of the National Assembly and Senate on defence. A number of leaders from the opposition parties, including former ministers, will be among the attendees. Chairman of the NA committee Amjad Ali Khan will lead the delegation, said a notification issued by the National Assembly Secretariat. Other members of the committee include Tahir Sadiq, Chaudhry Farrukh Altaf, Syed Faizul Hassan, Barjees Tahir, Ijaz Ahmad Shah, Riazul Haq, Mohammad Khan Daha, Aurangzeb Khichi, Alam Dad Laleka, Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Ghous Bux Mahar, Khursheed Ahmed Junejo, Aftab Shaban Mirani, Amer Ali Magsi, Jamil Ahmed Khan, Syed Aminul Haque, Salahuddin Ayubi, Rubina Irfan and Ramesh Kumar Vankwani.

The Pakistan Peoples Party has recorded strong protest over reports that the federal government is considering removing the name of former prime minister, the late Benazir Bhutto, from the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). Prime Minister Imran Khan, during a meeting with members of the Grand Democratic Alliance in Ghotki on Saturday, was quoted as suggesting that the name of BISP, the country’s largest social safety net programme of its kind, would be amended. Slamming PM Imran’s suggestion, PPP veteran Khursheed Shah said Shaheed Benazir Bhutto made sacrifices not just for the party but for the entire country. “Imran Khan wants to remove the former premier’s name from BISP, which is shameful,” Shah told media in Sukkur on Sunday. “There is fear that what if these ‘Naya Pakistan’ people [also] remove Quaid-e-Azam’s image from the currency [notes],” the PPP leader remarked. BISP was launched in 2008 by then-prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani on the advice of former preside...

Afghanistan’s vice president, Abdul Rashid Dostum, escaped unhurt from an attack that killed one of his bodyguards on Saturday, dodging death for the second time since returning from exile last year. Attackers ambushed Dostum’s convoy on the way from Mazar-i-Sharif, a city in Balkh province, to Jawzjan province in northern Afghanistan, said Bashir Ahmad Tayenj, spokesman for Dostum’s Junbish Party. Two other bodyguards were wounded. Dostum was aware of a planned attack but decided to travel anyway, the spokesman added. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the assassination attempt, which comes eight months after Dostum avoided injury in a suicide bombing at Kabul airport. In a tweet, the militant group’s spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said four guards were killed and six wounded in the attack. Last summer’s bombing, which was claimed by Islamic State, took place as Dostum returned home from more than a year in exile in Turkey over allegations of torturing and abusing a politica...

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer´s reign as permanent Manchester United manager began on a victorious note with a 2-1 victory over Watford on Saturday to move into fourth spot in the Premier League. Goals by Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial -- Abdoulaye Doucoure getting a late goal for the visitors -- took them above Arsenal and level on points with third-placed Tottenham, who play at Liverpool on Sunday, boosting Solskjaer hopes of achieving his first goal of securing Champions League football for next season. It was not vintage United as Watford had more shots on target and more corners than their hosts, but it was much needed after successive defeats against Arsenal in the Premier League and Wolves in the FA Cup. But it was a good reminder, if one was needed for the new permanent manager, that there is plenty of hard work ahead if Solskjaer wants to make United contenders for the title again. His record over the 19 games in interim charge, and how he has lifted the mood around the club...

Australia will look to end the five-match ODI series with a clean sweep whereas Pakistan will aim to salvage some pride when the two sides face off in the fifth and final fixture at Dubai today. After a thrashing in the first three matches, Pakistan showed some improvement in the fourth ODI on Friday but became the first team in ODI history to lose while chasing a target below 280 despite two centuries. Needing 278 to win, Pakistan were brought close to their target by debutant Abid Ali's 112 and Mohammad Rizwan's 104, but in the end the twin hundreds were in vain as they failed to score a required 17 off Marcus Stoinis' last over. Glenn Maxwell missed a second career hundred by just two runs, Usman Khawaja scored 62 and Alex Carey 55 as Australia posted 277-7 in their 50 overs. Abid Ali, only drafted into the side two hours before the start after Imam-ul-Haq went down with fever, became the 15th batsman to score a hundred on ODI debut. Salim Elahi (102 not out v Sri ...

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan was injured in a road accident near Karachi's Toll Plaza in the early hours of Sunday. Senior MQM-P leader Faisal Sabzwari confirmed to the media that Hasan and his bodyguards sustained injuries in the accident. “Hasan sustained head injuries while his bodyguard was critically injured,” Sabzwari said, adding that they have been shifted to a private hospital at Stadium Road for medical attention. The condition of the MQM-P leader was said to be out of danger. Hasan was returning from Ghotki after meeting Prime Minister Imran Khan, who had been in town to address a rally, when his car met with a mishap. “Three of Hasan’s guards were injured in the accident, with two of them in critical condition,” MQM-P leader Amir Khan said. He added, “Hasan’s bodyguard was travelling in the car behind him and was also hit. More damage occurred with the second car being hit.” Moreover, MPA Sanjay Perwani who was travelli...

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar says the province has huge potential to benefit from solar energy and new technology will be used for this purpose. He was chairing a high level meeting in Lahore today (Saturday). The meeting discussed various plans to set up modern solar power plants in Punjab. A Canadian company has expressed its interest in the proposed plans. The Chief Minister said electricity will be provided through modern solar power plants in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Cholistan and Thal where there is no transmission line.

Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated Jinnah Express train in Lahore on Saturday evening. The non-stop luxurious train will ply between Lahore and Karachi, covering the distance in fifteen hours.  Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the Prime Minister said development of railways will lower pressure on roads and promote tourism besides providing affordable, comfortable and speedy traveling facility to the common people. Imran Khan said he is going to China next month and will seek Chinese cooperation in upgradation of Main Line-I from Karachi to Peshawar and railway technology.  Imran Khan regretted that operationalization of the railway track in Pakistan has decreased by 2000 kilometers since the British era in the sub-continent. Referring to the basic facility of health, the Prime Minister said the government has started Insaf Health Card scheme from the poor of the poor, which will be extended to other people.  He said every salaried person should have health i...

Moscow's sovereign gold stockpile jumped up to over 2,100 metric tonnes last year, with the country's status as a major gold producer allowing for reserves to be built up using domestically sourced bullion. Russia's hunger for gold continues to grow, with freshly released Central Bank data showing reserves climbing by 31.1 tonnes, or 1.5 per cent of total reserves, in the month of February alone. Taking account of another 6.22 tonnes of the precious metal purchased in January, reserves now stand at some 2,149.25 metric tonnes, according to the Central Bank. According to Bloomberg, Russia's gold rush'n approach to the precious metal is an indication that the country continues to make "rapid progress in its effort to diversify away from American assets." According to the business resource, the impact of more countries taking a similar approach to the dollar could be problematic, with the US' European partners, including France, Poland and Hungary, ...

A Palestinian was martyred by Israeli fire on the Gaza border today ahead of border protests. Protesters at the site said he had been taking part in an overnight rally ahead of the main demonstration scheduled for this afternoon.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday said that Prime Minister Imran Khan was "not at all serious" about ending corruption and only seeks to launch "fake cases" against his political opponents. Bilawal's remarks followed shortly after the prime minister, during a rally in Ghotki, had vowed that the government would not let PML-N and PPP leaders off the accountability hook "until they give back the country's [looted] wealth". The premier had also discussed corruption in Sindh, where the PPP has a majority government. While speaking to media, the PPP chairman remarked that he had read the news that NAB has evidence against a sitting minister and his brother, but expressed the view that the minister would not be arrested because the corruption watchdog only practices "selective accountability". "We all know that NAB [National Accountability Ordinance] is a black law, designed for political engineering," said Bilawal....

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qurashi on Saturday has criticized Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and urged peoples of Sindh to support Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) for bringing change in the Provence. Addressing to a ceremony in Ghotki FM Shah Mehmood said, “The party which was a sign of center in now seems nowhere even in its own province.” “PPP has now reduced to interior Sindh only,” criticized Shah Mehmood. “Those who believe that it’s our last gathering in Ghotki should mark my words that PTI is now an identity of center and the people of Sindh know that who is behind the destruction of the Sindh,” he added. “When I joined PTI, I started my politics from Ghotki,” he further added. “Various opponents believed that my politics is finished, but I was affirmed to bring the change under Imran’s vision,” he asserted. “Due to our commitment people like Safdar Abbasi and Zulfiqar Mirza are now part of our journey,” he added. “Tabdeeli entered in Punjab after crushing JUI-F an...

A 14-member delegation from Saudi Arabia's interior ministry will arrive in Islamabad on Monday to review the arrangements made to assist Haj pilgrims under the 'Road to Makkah' project. Under the 'Road to Makkah' project that has been initiated by Saudi Arabia to facilitate Muslim pilgrims all immigration requirements are fulfilled at the airport of origin. The project also includes other Muslim countries, like Indonesia and Malaysia. Under the project, 90 per cent of Pakistani pilgrims will go through customs and immigration processes at the airports in Pakistan before leaving for Haj, instead of having to wait for 10-12 hours after arriving in Saudi Arabia, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs said. The Saudi delegation will be briefed at the Islamabad International Airport by officials from Customs, Civil Aviation Authority, the Anti-Narcotics Force and the interior and foreign ministries. The delegation will also review the arrangements mad...

A speedy passenger bus, coming from an opposite direction on Jhang Road, rammed into an auto on Saturday in Bhakkar and killed six girls all students and the auto driver. The auto was carrying ninth-grade students who were en route to their village after appearing in an examination. The collision was so intense that five of the students and the auto driver died on the spot. Another student succumbed to her injuries when she was being shifted to a nearby hospital. The ill-fated auto was completely destroyed as a result of the accident and it had to be cut to pull the bodies out of the wreckage. A number of local people also helped in the rescue operation while some, protested after the incident. The angry mob tried to set the bus on fire but the police officials reached the spot on time and stopped their attempt. The protesters also blocked Jhang Road and chanted slogans against the incident and the transport mafia.

A former General of Indian Army, Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain has commended the Pakistan Army’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations for adopting outstanding strategy in the domain of hybrid warfare. Speaking at a seminar organized by International Institute of Strategic Studies in London, he acknowledged that ISPR outclassed the Indian army in information war.  He said I give full marks to Pakistan for the manner in which it has played out the information strategy. The ISPR did an outstanding work for Pakistan. The Ex-Indian General, who also served as the General Officer Commanding of Indian Army's 15 Corps in Occupied Kashmir, said that ISPR brilliantly performed its work for Pakistan by ensuring detailed alienation of Kashmiris against Indian armed forces. He accused Bharatiya Janata Party's-led government for carrying out attack in Pulwama in occupied Kashmir, saying that he was aware of the fact that the Pulwama-like incident is inevitable due to the Indian ...

The first meeting of China-Pakistan Forestry Working Group was held in Beijing to identify priority areas for cooperation in forestry sector between the two countries. The meeting was attended by officials of China’s National Forestry and Grassland Bureau International Cooperation Department and Pakistan’s Climate Change Department. Officials from either side discussed prospects for cooperation in wetland restoration, desertification control, wildlife protection and other pertinent fields and issues. The meeting was part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries, signed in November last year, which called for identifying priority areas for cooperation in forestry. Pakistan and China continue to enjoy strengthened bilateral relations from economic platform to cultural bond. A day earlier, Chinese cities Urumqi, Puyang and Xi’an were named as sister cities to Karachi, Gwadar, and Multan, respectively, at a forum held in Beijing to fortify the ties of all-weather al...

An accountability court on Saturday extended physical remand of Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani until April 12 in assets beyond means case. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had sought 15 days’ physical remand of Durrani for further questioning in the case. Siraj Durrani told the court that the NAB officers repeatedly asking him same questions, which he had already replied. “They are not questioning me about any new matter,” he said. The People’s Party workers present outside the court premises welcomed the party leader when NAB officials brought Durrani in an armored vehicle to produce before the court. The NAB prosecutor said in the court that the evidence about purchase of vehicles and property has been found. He claimed that the investigation has found evidence of money laundering against Agha Siraj Durrani. He said no more questioning will be required from Agha Siraj after the accused on bail will record their statements. The NAB will inform the high court ...

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday warned Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz quaid Nawaz Sharif that they can join hands or do as they please but the government "will only let them go if they return the nation's money". Addressing a rally at the palace of Grand Democratic Alliance's (GDA) Ali Gohar Khan Mahar in Khangarh, the premier said, "Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad visited Pakistan on my invitation. The Malaysian premier strengthened institutions and brought happiness in the lives of his people." "Nations aren't poor but corruption makes them poor and indebted," he continued. "Pakistan was progressing in Asia and today each and every child in the country owes debt. We also need to take loans to pay back loans," the premier lamented. Stating that in the past the nation was plunged in debt, PM Imran said, "Sindh should have been Pakistan's happiest p...