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Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan says PTI has always been at the forefront in the struggle for ensuring independence of judiciary and rule of law in the country. In a tweet on Saturday, Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan said PML-N respects institutions and law on the basis of requirement. The Special Assistant said the PML-N workers' assault on the Supreme Court building is the blackest and most disgraceful incident of the history. پاکستان تحریک انصاف ملک میں عدلیہ کی آزادی اور قانون کی حکمرانی قائم کرنے کی جدوجہد کا ہمیشہ سے ہر اول دستہ رہی اور رہے گی، جبکہ مسلم لیگ ن اداروں اور قانون کا احترام اپنی منشا اور سہولت کے مطابق کرتی ہے۔ — Firdous Ashiq Awan (@Dr_FirdousPTI) June 1, 2019 She said the PML-N leadership's campaign titled "Mujhe Kion Nikala" aimed at maligning the judiciary is still fresh in the minds of people. She said PML-N is trying to befool people. ن لیگی متوالوں کا سپریم کورٹ پر حملہ تاریخ کا سیاہ ترین اور شرم ناک...

Prime Minister Imran Khan had a bilateral meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman on the sidelines of the 14th Islamic Summit in Makkah al-Makarrmah. The two leaders took stock of the current state of bilateral political, economic and trade relations. They agreed to expedite decisions taken during the visit of Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman to Pakistan in February this year, in particular early implementation of decisions taken during the first meeting of the Supreme Coordination Council. Prime Minister Imran Khan also thanked the Saudi government for extending oil facility to Pakistan on deferred payments. Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Saudi Crown Prince agreed to regularly exchange views on all issues of mutual interest.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud says the Palestinian cause represents a core issue for Saudi Arabia. In his speech, during the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit in Mecca, Saudi King said the kingdom would refuse measures that touch the historical and legal position of East Jerusalem.

Prime Minister Imran Khan says resolution of Kashmir issue according to the UN resolution is inevitable. Addressing the 14th OIC Summit in Makkahtul Mukarrammah early this morning, Prime Minister Imran Khan said Kashmiri people are making political struggle for freedom and they must be given their right to self-determination. He  further said labeling the political struggle of Muslims as terrorism is not justified. The Prime Minister said the atrocities and barbarism against Muslims must end. He said Al Quds should be the capital of Palestine. Imran Khan said terrorism will have to be separated from Islam as Islam has no relations with this menace. He said no one connected the attacks of Tamil Tigers with religion. About blasphemy, the Prime Minister said the Western World must understand the sentiments of Muslims. Prime Minister Imran Khan said the west must also be informed about the pain the Muslims feel over blasphemy of the Holy Prophet.

North Korea executed its special envoy to the United States following the collapse of the second summit between leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump, a South Korean newspaper reported Friday. The Chosun Ilbo said Kim Hyok Chol, who laid the groundwork for the Hanoi meeting and accompanied Kim on his private train, was executed by firing squad for “betraying the supreme leader” after he was “won over to the US” during pre-summit negotiations. “Kim Hyok Chol was executed in March at Mirim Airport along with four senior foreign ministry officials following an investigation,” the newspaper quoted an unidentified source as saying. The other officials were not named. Asked about the account, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington was trying to verify it. “We've seen the reporting to which you're referring. We're doing our best to check it out,” he told reporters on a visit to Berlin. “I don't have anything else to add to that today.” Kim Hyok Chol w...

At least four Afghans were killed and four US troops lightly wounded when a car bomber attacked a US military convoy in Kabul on Friday, officials said. The blast, which was claimed by the Taliban, occurred around 8:40am (0410 GMT) when an explosives-laden vehicle drove into the convoy that was travelling in eastern Kabul, according to interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi. “Unfortunately in the attack, four of our countrymen were martyred and three others wounded — they were passers-by,” Rahimi said. A spokesman for Resolute Support, the US-led NATO mission in Afghanistan, said four US service members had suffered minor injuries. When US forces move about in Kabul, they typically travel in tall, heavily reinforced tactical vehicles that can provide good protection against bombs. Known as MRAPs, for Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected, the vehicles are sturdy but present a very visible target. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the insurgent group was behind the attack, ...

Millions of people in Iran and elsewhere are marking the International Quds Day to condemn a Middle East plan touted by US President Donald Trump as the "deal of the century". Iranians took to the streets in massive numbers on Friday after Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei called this year's rallies more important than ever. People in Tehran and other cities flocked to main streets to support Palestinians who are facing the dangerous prospect of a sellout of their rights through the US plan. Demonstrators carried banners with slogans such as “Al-Quds is the eternal capital of Palestine” and “Death to America” as well as "No to the deal of the century". President Hassan Rouhani, who attended the rallies in Tehran, said the "deal of the century" would be the "bankruptcy of the century" for its sponsors and "definitely will not come to a fruition". He said Quds Day is "the day the confrontation ...

President Dr. Arif Alvi has granted special remission in sentences of the prisoners on the auspicious occasion of Eid ul Fitr 2019. The special remission has been granted subject to the nature of the crime. It does not apply to those convicted for murder, espionage, anti-state activities, sectarianism, adultery, robbery, dacoity, kidnapping, culpable homicide and terrorists acts and also those undergoing sentences under the Foreigners Act, 1946.

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman Syed Shabbar Zaidi has termed the country’s tax system highly dangerous for the economy. He wrote a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan drawing his attention to the faltering system of taxation. Painting a grim picture of the current tax collection system, Zaidi said it is not sustainable for the coming generations because of the low level of tax collection which is even less than 10 per cent of tax-to-GDP ratio. He said tax revenue is being generated through indirect taxes, adding a large number of people didn’t want to be part of the system. Zaidi lamented less than 2 million people file tax returns, which accounts for just one per cent of the total population. 90 per cent of a total of 3.1 million traders are out of the tax net, he added. Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Imran Khan in a video message appealed to the nation to pay taxes. The prime minister said, “I am here to discuss a very critical matter with the people of Pakistan...

The vice president of PML-N Maryam Nawaz vowed on Friday that Nawaz Sharif could be put in jail but his ideology can’t be kept behind the bars. In her message on micro-blogging website Twitter, She said that the ideology of Nawaz Sharif is rule of law and constitution and rule of people and their votes. “Such ideology can’t be defeated and it would get success at any cost,” she said.

Prime Minister Imran Khan held a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Makkah. They discussed matters of mutual interest as well as issues of regional and international significance. Both the leaders also deliberated in length on issues relating to Muslim Ummah and agreed to increase comprehensive cooperation in all fields. Prime Minister Imran Khan also had a meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Makkah. They discussed bilateral Pak-Afghan relations and regional situation.

Pakistan’s scored 105 runs against West Indies in its World Cup opener at the Trent bridge on Friday,that has been chased by opponents easily in lost of only two wickets. The Sarfraz men played only 21.4 overs of the innings as Jason Holder picked three wickets, Andre Russel took two and Sheldon Cottrell bagged one wicket. Mohammad Hafeez with 16 and Wahab Riaz (18) were the only other batsmen who reached double figures.  The score has been all time second lowest score in the World Cup while the lowest is 74 against England in the famous 1992 World Cup. This is also Pakistan’s lowest total against West Indies in the World Cup. Previous was 160 back in 2015. Pakistan lost its top order in a brief span in their opening match at the Trent Bridge, Nottingham. All-rounder Andre Russell exposed Pakistan´s fragile batting with two wickets in the space of 12 balls to give West Indies an early advantage. Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman were the highest run getter from the Pakistan side as...

The National Assembly’s session on Friday was adjourned after members of the opposition staged a protest against Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan’s diatribe against MNAs Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir. Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri announced the adjournment as parliamentarians from both sides came face-to-face on the assembly floor after Khan’s scathing criticism which included certain unparliamentary terms of the two Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) leaders. The state minister, while responding to a question, accused the two MNAs of harbouring anti-Pakistan sentiments and questioned their loyalty to the country. Khan accused Dawar and Wazir of being “touts” of Afghanistan’s intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security, and called for their expulsion as members of Pakistan’s Parliament. His provocative comments drew a sharp response from the opposition benches as Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders, including Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, stood up...

Following the launch of Pakistan's first official moonsighting website, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday announced the availability of a mobile application which displays the various phases of, and other real-time information about, the moon. The app, named 'The Ruet', is available on the Google Play store for download. Please download https://t.co/1PGTvVLynC on your phone to see Moon #PakMoonsighting .pk — Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) May 30, 2019   According to the description provided on Google Play for the app, "The Ruet is a utility and information application related to moon and sighting of moon in Pakistan by Ministry of Science and Technology." The main features of the app listed on the store are: Current phase and age of the moon. Islamic Hijri Calendar. Setting location manually to any coordinates in Pakistan. New moon details by Islamic months. Moon phases calendar. Moon, Sun and all major plane...

Britain may not have made a final decision on allowing China’s Huawei a restricted role in building parts of its 5G network, US President Donald Trump’s national security adviser John Bolton said on Thursday. The Trump administration, which has sanctioned Huawei and tried to block it buying US goods, has told allies not to use its 5G technology and equipment because of fears it would allow China to spy on sensitive communications and data. Britain’s National Security Council, chaired by Prime Minister Theresa May, met to discuss Huawei last month and a decision was made to block Huawei from all core parts of the 5G network but to give it restricted access to non-core parts. A final decision by the British cabinet of senior ministers was due to have happened in recent weeks but May’s pledge to step down as prime minister has stalled the process, sources said. She is expected to be out of office by the end of July. When asked if the United States would like the next British leader ...

French Ambassador to Pakistan Marc Barety called on Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi in Islamabad on Friday. According to spokesperson for Pakistan Navy, matters of mutual interest were discussed in the meeting. The Naval Chief highlighted Pakistan Navy's role in maritime security of the region. He apprised the dignitary on Pakistan Navy's steps of regional maritime security patrol in the Indian Ocean. The French ambassador appreciated Pakistan Navy's rolae in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Pakistan got off to a disappointing start of their Cricket World Cup 2019 campaign, losing all 10 of their wickets before the end of the 22nd over and putting just 105 runs on the scoreboard at high-scoring Trent Bridge, Nottingham on Friday. The green shirts lost their fourth wicket at start of the 14th over, when Babar Azam was caught out after scoring 22 runs. Wickets then fell in succession, with captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Hafeez all going back to the pavilion. Wahab Riaz's 11-ball 18 runs could not do much to salvage his side's score and he was bowled out on the fourth ball of the 22nd over. At the end of 10 overs, Pakistan put 45 runs on the scoreboard for the loss of three wickets. Andre Russell took the wickets of Haris Sohail and Fakhar Zaman while Sheldon Cottrell picked up the wicket of opener Imamul Haq.

The ruling party once again failed in its attempt to pass two bills from the upper house of the parliament as opposition ruckus marred the Senate Session. A session of the Senate was held here in Islamabad which presided by Chairman Senate. As the session started, the opposition passed the ruling party proposed two bills before the house for approval. The bills contained to highlight a law for the Federal Employees Housing Society and the second was to approve the proposed amendments in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) act 2019. However, the opposition’s member of the Senate Sherry Rehman and Javed Abbasi raised objection on the proposed bill and said that the bills needed a detailed review and cannot be passed hastily. To which, the members of the ruling party Azam Swati and Shibli Faraz said that the proposed bills are for the welfare of the masses so it should be accepted. At which, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Farooq H.Naek told the ruling party’s members that these bills...

Minister of State for States and Frontier Regions Shehryar Afridi has said present government has expedited implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) on terrorism. Speaking in the National Assembly during question hour on Friday, he said that expert teams have been constituted to achieve progress on the NAP. He said when PTI came to power it cleared one hundred and eighty-one thousand CNICs of Pashtuns. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said Pakistan has been hosting millions of Afghan refugees over the last four decades. He said Afghanistan is our fraternal country but it owes answer to us as to why a son of Pakistani land SP Tahir Dawar was martyred on their land.  Ali Muhammad Khan regretted the language used by certain elements in North Waziristan against Pakistan and its state institution. He said those behind this have no right to sit in this House and their membership should be cancelled. The Parliamentary Secretary of Overseas Pakist...

World No Tobacco Day is being observed on Friday (May 31). The day aims to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form. The focus of World No Tobacco Day 2019 is on "tobacco and lung health." The campaign will increase awareness on: the negative impact that tobacco has on people’s lung health, from cancer to chronic respiratory disease, the fundamental role lungs play for the health and well-being of all people. The campaign also serves as a call to action, advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption and engaging stakeholders across multiple sectors in the fight for tobacco control. Lung cancer Tobacco smoking is the primary cause for lung cancer, responsible for over two thirds of lung cancer deaths globally. Second-hand smoke exposure at home or in the work place also increases risk of lung cancer. Quitting smoking can reduce the risk of lung can...

Jumatul Wida and Youm al-Quds is being observed countrywide on Friday (today) amid foolproof security measures. The authorities have made special security arrangements to ensure safety of people offering prayers at mosques and Imam bargahs. Last Friday of Ramazan is also observed as Youm al-Quds (Al-Quds Day) in Pakistan to express support and solidarity with oppressed Muslims of Israeli occupied Palestine territories. Rallies and processions will also be organized across the country to observe the Al-Quds Day. Jumatul Wida has a special significance for Muslim since it is a prelude to the departure of holy month of Ramazan and considered the harbinger of the end of the showering of divine blessings that characterizes the holy month. Prayer leaders in their sermons will highlight the importance of unity and sectarian harmony among the people of all religious schools of thought. Special prayers will also be offered for the progress and prosperity of the country on the occasio...

Prime Minister Imran Khan will represent Pakistan at the 14th Summit of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) being held in Makkah on Friday (today). The conference titled ‘Makkah Summit: Together for the Future’ is being hosted by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The conference aims to unite Muslim countries on one platform to better tackle the difficulties and challenges they are facing. Earlier, on his arrival in Madina Munawwarah, Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Roza-e-Rasool (PBUH) and offered nawafil and prayed for the progress and prosperity of the country and Muslim Ummah. On the occasion, the doors of Roza-e-Rasool (Peace Be Upon Him) were specially opened for the premier. Prior to the Prime Minister’s visit, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mehmood Qureshi who had arrived earlier to Saudi Arabia and participated in the ministerial meetings of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) where he met various Foreign Ministers and members of the OIC. ...

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan says PML-N leader Maryam Safdar's inappropriate tone about Prime Minister Imran Khan shows her growing frustration. In a tweet, Doctor Firdous Ashiq Awan said Maryam Safdar is scared that success of Imran Khan will bring benefits to the country and losses to her party.  مریم صفدر کا وزیر اعظم پاکستان کے متعلق ناشائستہ لب و لہجہ ان کی بڑھتی ہوئی فرسٹریشن کا اظہار ہے۔انہیں خوف ہے کہ عمران خان کی کامیابی سے ملک منافع بخش اور سیاسی جماعت کی آڑ میں ان کی پرائیویٹ لمیٹڈ کمپنی خسارے میں ہو گی۔ — Firdous Ashiq Awan (@Dr_FirdousPTI) May 31, 2019

Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Asif Ghafoor has said that an effective and strict accountability process exist in armed forces which is evident from sentences awarded by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Major Gen Ghafoor said sentences awarded to three including two army men and a civilian were given in three separate cases. “Officers were given stern punishment on the crime they had committed”, the DG ISPR said. He further said that no one is above the law. Earlier on Thursday, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa had signed death warrants for a retired Brigadier and a doctor along with awarding 14 years imprisonment to a Lt. General (retd.). According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), “Two officers namely Brigadier Raja Rizwan (Retd) and a civilian officer Dr. Waseem Akram were awarded death sentences by COAS along with awarding 14 years worth of imprisonment to Lt. General Javed Iqbal (Retd).”...

Pakistan and China have agreed that arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament issues should be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy. As per details, the understanding was expressed during 6th Round of Pakistan-China Bilateral Consultations on Arms Control and Non-Proliferation in Islamabad. Both sides stressed the need for reinvigorating the multilateral arms control and disarmament forums to enable them to make meaningful progress towards the objective of global and regional peace and stability. The Pakistan side briefed the visiting Chinese delegation about its robust nuclear safety and security regime and its export control mechanisms, which were consistent with those adopted by members of the multilateral export control regimes. The Chinese side expressed appreciation for the steps taken by Pakistan in these areas. The Chinese side was also briefed about Pakistan’s credentials for NSG membership as a state with extensive civilian nuclear programme, experience, expe...

Someone please explain to me why Pakistani writers love to drag a story until they lose the purpose of said story? Why is the overdose of depression and tragedy so necessary? Cheekh, a drama started out with a pretty sound script wanting to make a difference and wanting to give women a voice – yet somewhere after episode 15, it lost track of its goals. At this point Cheekh might as well have been titled 'Aansoo'. Don’t get me wrong; there are some good scenes and lines, but they are few and far in between. A little recap Cheekh is the story of Mannat (Saba Qamar) getting justice for her friend Nayab's murder (played by Ushna Shah) that her [Mannat's] brother-in-law, Wajih commits. Mannat is married to Shayaan, Wajih’s older brother. The case is finally in court and hearings have begun. Wajih (Bilal Abbas Khan) goes to ultimate extremes and crosses many lines to hurt Mannat emotionally and physically, with no regard for his own brother or for the consequences. From...

England inflicted a heavy 104-run defeat over South Africa on Thursday in the opening match of the 2019 World Cup at Kennington Oval in London. Chasing a 308-run target, South Africa were dealt an early blow when opener Hashim Amla had to retire hurt after copping a Jofra Archer bouncer. Quinton de Kock (68) top scored for the visitors and Rassie van der Dussen chipped in with a 50 but no other batsmen did enough for the Africans to pose a serious threat to the hosts. Archer was the star of the the show as he picked up three wickets and bowled with hostile pace that troubled Faf du Plessis' men. Ben Stokes was named the man of the match for his two-for coupled with an 89-run knock in the first innings. Earlier, South Africa had restricted England to 311 for eight as the tournament hosts and favourites made a stuttering start in their quest to win the trophy for the first time. Ben Stokes top-scored with 89, while England captain Eoin Morgan (57), Jason Roy (54) and Joe Root...

Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan said bringing back 320 stranded Pakistanis from Malaysia through a special flight is a valuable gift from Prime Minister Imran Khan to the people. She said the government is committed to improve the living standard of underprivileged segment of the society. Adviser on Commerce, Textile, Industry, Production and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood says Pakistan is heading towards the right economic direction and its export level is also increasing. Addressing a news conference along with Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan in Islamabad today, he said the government is taking further measures with regard to increase in the country's exports. He said providing market access to the businessmen is imperative for achieving the target of enhancement of exports of the country and we achieved success in this regard as well.  

Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has endorsed punishment to two army and one civil officers on the charges of espionage/leakage of sensitive information to foreign agencies prejudice to the national security. According to ISPR, the officers were tried under Pakistan Army Act and Official Secret Act by separate Field General Court Marshal for separate cases. Retired Lieutenant General Javed Iqbal has been awarded 14 years rigorous imprisonment while retired Brigadier Raja Rizwan and Dr. Wasim Akram have been awarded death sentences.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is flying to Ottawa on Thursday to talk to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about ratification of the new North American trade agreement and the two countries’ dispute with China. It will be the first official visit by a senior member of President Donald Trump’s administration to Canada’s capital. Pence will arrive in the late morning and meet with Trudeau at about 1200 ET (1600 GMT). The main issue under discussion will be the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is to replace the existing North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a Canadian government source said. The deal has yet to be ratified by any of the three countries, though Canada formally began the process on Wednesday and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Thursday announced his government’s intention to send the treaty to Congress for ratification. Pence - Trump’s point person for getting the deal through the U.S. Congress - has been traveling thr...

Jordan’s King Abdullah II has called for the formation of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 boundaries with East Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital, in what appears to be at odds with Washington’s upcoming proposal on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He made the remarks in a meeting with a US delegation headed by US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, along with Middle East Envoy Jason Greenblatt, in Amman on Wednesday. King Abdullah II, who acts as the custodian of Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem al-Quds, expressed his commitment to the so-called two-state solution. The Jordan king had “stressed the need to step up all efforts to achieve comprehensive and lasting peace on the basis of the two-state solution, guaranteeing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem [al-Quds] as its capital ... in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions,” the Royal Hashemite ...

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has ruled out the possibility of talks between Tehran and Washington, saying such negotiations will be “fruitless”, “harmful”, and “a total loss”. “The Islamic Republic of Iran will absolutely not sit for talks with America … because first, it bears no fruit and second, it is harmful,” the Leader said in a meeting with a number of university professors, elites and researchers in Tehran on Wednesday. The Leader referred to negotiation as a tactic used by Americans to complement their strategy of pressure. “This is actually not negotiation; it’s rather a means for picking the fruits of pressure.” The only way to counter this trick, he said, is to utilize the means of pressure available for use against Americans. “If they are used properly, the Americans will either stop or decrease pressures.” However, the Leader warned against being deceived by the US plot, saying that the Islamic Republic must use the leverage at its ...

Israel's parliament voted to dissolve itself early Thursday, sending the country to an unprecedented second snap election this year as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a governing coalition before a midnight deadline. The dramatic vote, less than two months after parliamentary elections, marked a setback for Netanyahu and sent the longtime leader's future into turmoil. Netanyahu, who has led Israel for the past decade, had appeared to capture a fourth consecutive term in the April 9 election. But infighting among his allies, and disagreements over proposed bills to protect Netanyahu from prosecution stymied his efforts to put together a majority coalition. Rather than concede that task to one of his rivals, Netanyahu's Likud party advanced a bill to dissolve parliament and send the country to the polls for a second time this year. “I didn't spare any effort to avoid unnecessary elections,” Netanyahu said after the vote, lashing out at an ally-turne...

Pace spearhead Mohammad Amir is fit and available for selection for Pakistan's opening World Cup match against the West Indies on Friday, captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said. There was speculation that the 27-year-old, who missed the last four matches of the one-day international series against England earlier this month, might not be able to make his World Cup debut at Trent Bridge. “Amir is fully fit and available for selection for tomorrow's game,” Sarfaraz said in his pre-match press conference. Amir, who missed the 2011 and 2015 World Cups due to a five-year ban for spot-fixing, was seen bowling using his full run-up in the team's practice session. Sarfaraz said he hoped the team could put behind them a streak of 10 straight ODI defeats. “Yes, we have lost 10 matches but we have to forget that and start the World Cup journey,” he said. Asked if he was worried about the short boundaries and a flat pitch at Trent Bridge, Sarfaraz said: “When we came here on the first day...

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has approved extension of Sehat Sahulat Programme to the entire province. Presiding over a meeting in Peshawar on Thursday afternoon, he said sufficient funds will be allocated for this purpose in the new budget. Chief Minister said interest free loans will also be provided to the youth of the province to start their own business.

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Senior Civil Representative in Afghanistan Sir Nicholas Kay, called on Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday. Matters related to peace and stability in the region, Pak-Afghan border management and reconciliation process in Afghanistan were discussed. Two days earlier, the Afghan national security adviser held crucial talks with Pakistani authorities, including the army chief, as part of the latest push by the two neighbours to remove irritants in their bilateral ties that have undermined efforts for a peace deal in Afghanistan. Hamdullah Mohib who led a high-powered delegation that included the Afghan interior minister – was the first senior Afghan official to have travelled to Islamabad in months. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani sent the delegation to Pakistan after he spoke to Prime Minister Imran Khan by the phone last month. The prime minister, while renewing Pakistan’s commitment to making genuine efforts for a peac...

A high level meeting was held with Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Jam Kamal Khan in the chair in Quetta on Thursday afternoon. Progress on Quetta development package was thoroughly reviewed in the meeting. Commissioner Quetta Division Usman Ali Khan briefed participants of the meeting about construction of roads and implementation on other proposed developmental projects under the package. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister directed the concerned officials to ensure timely completion of construction and renovation work of all roads included in the package.

Punjab Minister for School Education Murad Raas has announced summer vacations in schools from Saturday. In a tweet message on Thursday, Minister informed that schools will remain closed till August 14 and classes resume on August 15.

Eoin Morgan got off the mark with a boundary in his 200th one-day international for England, after South Africa captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and sent England into bat in the opening game of the Cricket World Cup. Morgan has been an integral figure in England’s rise to No. 1 in the International Cricket Council’s ODI rankings, and is leading the home team at the 12th World Cup. After being sent into bat by South Africa, England was 107-2 when Morgan went to the crease in the opening game of the tournament at the Oval. South Africa legspinner Imran Tahir had dismissed England opener Jonny Bairstow with the second ball of the World Cup. After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Tahir was a surprise pick to bowl the first over of the tournament opener. He conceded a single to Jason Roy with the first ball and then had Bairstow caught behind off a faint edge the very next ball as World Cup favorite England slipped to 1-1. No. 1-ranked England is the favorite to win the titl...

Nearly 200,000 different kinds of viruses swirl in the world’s oceans, according to a new study. The new count is 12 times higher than what the previous census of marine viruses recorded in 2016. The reasons for the jump, researchers says, include extensive expeditions to collect samples and improved tools for genetic analysis. Roughly 90% of the viruses identified were new to science, they report today in Cell. This new appreciation of the viral diversity of the seas could help clarify the role of such microbes in the ocean’s carbon cycle, where they can kill or manipulate bacteria that might otherwise capture or release carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

A trilateral meeting of Pakistan, Turkey and Malaysia has reviewed reforms agenda of Organization of Islamic Cooperation and discussed ways to make OIC more effective organization. The trilateral talks were held on the sidelines of the ongoing meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah on Thursday. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi represented Pakistan while the Turkish and Malaysian Foreign Ministers led their respective sides. Speaking on the occasion, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan wants OIC to be recognized as a proactive and effective organization that can get its laws enforced. He said Pakistan is in favor of real reforms in OIC, which should be prepared keeping in view principles and regulations, transparency and merit. In this regard, he said, Pakistan fully supports the OIC Secretary General. The Foreign Minister said the monitoring system in OIC should be made effective so that no country deviates from the principles and regulations. He said OIC...

A Sindh High Court bench rejected government request to defer hearing of a petition against recent hike in prices of petroleum products. A bench comprises of Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Agha Faisal heard petition filed by Iqbal Kazmi against hike in petroleum prices. The bench expressed its disappointment over federal petroleum ministry’s failure to submit reply in court. Getting a reply from Islamabad has become a problem for the court, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar remarked. The court had earlier summoned reply on another petition but they didn’t answer and submit the reply only after the court issued arrest warrants of the secretary, the Justice said. “(What do you think) the bench summon the Secretary Petroleum”, the court asked in an interchange with the government counsel. “The Islamabad people don’t give heed to any notice from Sindh High Court,” the bench remarked. The bench also rejected the government lawyer’s request to postpone hearing of the petition. Justi...

President Arif Alvi has said that the state is fully alive to its responsibility to provide all possible facilities to the visually impaired people. Talking to a delegation of Pakistan Association of the Blind in Islamabad on Thursday, he underlined the need for having correct database of disabled people so that proper policies could be formulated for their betterment. The President appreciated the efforts of Pakistan Association of the Blind in the field of education, training and rehabilitation of visually impaired persons for improving their standard of living. He assured them every possible support of their future endeavors besides ensuring proper implementation of their quota. He called upon the PAB to establish close coordination with Bait-ul-Mal.