One case of Covid-19 among those in quarantine ahead of the Australian Open has been reclassified, local health officials said on Sunday, leaving nine active cases in the group of players and support staff isolating in Melbourne hotels. Health officials previously said they were investigating some positive tests for evidence of “viral shedding”, where people who have had the virus …

The story goes something like this. There was once a blind man who lived in a small town. But even though he could not see, he carried a lamp with him whenever he went out after dark. One night, as he was returning home after dinner, he came across a group of young travellers. They noticed the blind man carrying …

ISLAMABAD: As the peak winter seems to have subsided and the mercury level gradually rising, the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) on Saturday decided to resume gas supply to filling stations in Punjab and Islamabad from Sunday (today). “The CNG stations are allowed to resume business from 6am tomorrow (Sunday),” the SNGPL said in a statement. However, the gas utility …

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has allowed former Sindh Bank president Bilal Sheikh to withdraw Rs95,000 from his account seized by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in connection with his alleged involvement in a fake accounts case. IHC Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Ghulam Azam Qambrani heard the petition filed by Mr Sheikh. An inquiry was initiated against him …

NORTH WAZIRISTAN: A militant leader was killed during an intelligence-based operation in Mirali subdivision of North Waziristan tribal district on Saturday. Sources said that the security forces launched an operation after receiving information about the presence of a militant commander in Mossaki village. As the militant saw the security forces, he opened fire on them. The security personnel responded to …

va ISLAMABAD: Availability of free-of-cost Covid-19 vaccine seems to have been assured for Pakistan as Covax has announced that it will acquire 150 million doses in the first quarter and two billion doses by the end of the year. It further said that, out of the two billion doses, 1.3bn will be provided to 92 lower-income economies. As a result …

ISLAMABAD: The federal government is considering mortgaging Islamabad’s biggest park in F-9 sector to get a loan of around Rs500 billion. The proposal has been included in the agenda of the meeting of the federal cabinet scheduled to be held on Tuesday. The meeting will be held through video link conference system which has been arranged at Prime Minister’s House …

ISLAMABAD: Cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country, including the federal capital, while upper parts and north Balochistan will experience a severe cold weather during next 24 hours. Fog is likely to prevail in plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh during morning and evening hours. Continental air is prevailing over central and southern parts …

LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on Saturday asked Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to show (the required) numbers before considering the move to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan through a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly. “Tabling a no-confidence motion (against PM Khan in the NA) is an old suggestion of the PPP. However, if Bilawal Bhutto thinks he …

ISLAMABAD: The Elec­tion Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has once again exp­la­ined its position over the ext­ent of secrecy in the foreign funding case against the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. “There seems (to be) confusion about open/closed hearing of the case. It is again clarified that there will be open hearing of the case before the co­mmission once the scrutiny committee submits …