Pakistan

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday that China has rolled over a $2.4 billion loan to Islamabad for a period of two years, a boost to the country’s economy as it tries to build its foreign reserves after clinching a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “Chinese Exim bank rolled over principal amounts totalling $2.4bn which are due …

LAHORE: Doctors say the test reports of the maid allegedly tortured by employers in Islamabad unveil some internal injuries, besides arm fracture. According to Lahore General Hospital Chief Executive Prof Dr Al-fareed Zafar, the second follow-up meeting of the board formed for the treatment of Rizwana, 15, examined her new medical reports. He said the board conducted a detailed physical …

ISLAMABAD: An environmental sample collected from Peshawar has tested positive for wild poliovirus. According to the Pakistan Polio Laboratory at the National Institute of Health, the virus has been detected in a sewage sample collected from the Naray Khuwar site and is genetically linked to poliovirus in circulation in neighbouring Afghanistan. Federal Minister for Health Abdul Qadir Patel said the …

ISLAMABAD: Following vociferous opposition from allies and opposition alike to its plan to grant greater powers to the caretaker government, a diluted version of amendments which would allow the interim set-up to take major policy decisions regarding multilateral and bilateral projects was approved by parliament on Wednesday. It took the joint sitting three to four hours to pass these amendments. At one …

ISLAMABAD: Police on Wednesday claimed that the judge and his wife involved in alleged torture of a 13-year-old maid had gone into hiding, thus hindering the investigations. According to police officers, the police teams raided the judge’s residences in Islamabad and Lahore, but found both the houses locked. According to them, the police high-ups had not yet decided whether the …

LAHORE: The Punjab government has reportedly sealed two clinics of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Senator Dr Zarqa Taimur in Lahore allegedly to victimise her a day after she protested against the derogatory remarks made by PML-N leader Khwaja Asif against women in a joint session of the parliament in Islamabad. During his address, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif referred to women senators as ‘garbage’ and …

ISLAMABAD: Two pieces of legislation approved by the federal cabinet on Wednesday are expected to have a widespread impact on the digital rights of individuals, as well as country’s ecommerce and digital economy. The E-Safety Bill 2023 and the Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 were given principle appro­val by the cabinet, which also okayed the establishment of a commission to …

KARACHI / ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday held consultations with Pakistan Demo­cratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over the formation of a caretaker setup, with a view to holding general elections most probably in November this year. Sources said the PM will conduct a final round of consultations after Muharram 10 (Ashura), where all parties in the …

QUETTA: Five people, including four girls, lost their lives as torrential rains lashed most districts of Balochistan on Wednesday. Flash floods and downpour also caused property losses in different areas. Balochistan’s road link with Karachi, Punjab and other parts of Sindh could not be restored despite the passage of 48 hours, forcing the authorities concerned to prepare alternative ways on …

The Senate on Thursday passed a bill to amend the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 which proposes up to five years in jail for anyone who discloses sensitive information pertaining to the security of the country or the Pakistan Army. The bill, titled “Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act, 2023”, was moved by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. The bill proposes adding Section 26-A …