Pakistan

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has urged the United Nations to strengthen its commitment to supporting developing nations in tackling debt sustainability challenges. Stressing that this burden has notably impeded efforts related to climate change and gender equality, Pakistan highlights the need for increased assistance in these crucial areas. In a recent gathering organised by the Group of Friends on Gender Parity …

ISLAMABAD: The Cent­ral Ruet-i-Hilal Commi­ttee is set to convene today (Monday) for Ramazan’s moon-sighting at the office of Administrator Auqaf in Peshawar. The meeting, to be presided over by the committee’s chairman Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad, will witness the participation of esteemed members from both central and zonal Ruet-i-Hilal committees. Central Ruet-i-Hilal Com­m­ittee Chairman Maulana Azad emphasised that …

KARACHI: Bodies of four of the 14 missing fishermen, thought to have drowned after their boat capsized on March 5, were found in the sea by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) on Sunday. “After strenuous and continuous search of more than 100 hours by PMSA units at sea in coordination with Pakistan Navy, today PMSA Ship Rehmat recovered four bodies near …

ISLAMABAD: PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari made history on Sunday by taking the oath as president for a second time. He was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa at a grand ceremony at the Presidency. The two were joined by the newly-elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and outgoing president Dr Arif Alvi. Chief of Army Staff General …

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: The Punjab Police continued to use force in dealing with PTI protests across the province on Sunday, as many party workers were beaten up and a number of key leaders arrested during demonstrations against alleged electoral rigging. The rallies and protests were held in major cities across the country on the call of PTI’s incarcerated founder, Imran Khan. The agitation was …

KARACHI: In his first press conference after leaving the Presidency, Dr Arif Alvi said on Sunday that he was still trying to bridge the gap between the establishment and the PTI. Addressing the media at his residence in Karachi, Dr Alvi also stressed the need to take positive steps to bring the country together, calling on both the government and …

ISLAMABAD: Newly elected PM Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday continued consultations within in his own party over the federal cabinet, which is likely to be constituted in a couple of days. A source in the PM Office told Dawn the prime minister held a marathon meeting on Sunday, which continued late into the night, to finalise the names of his new ministers. “The oath-taking of …

President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday administered the oath to a 19-member federal cabinet of newly elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Earlier today, PM Shehbaz had sent a summary to President Zardari to appoint the cabinet, comprising 18 federal ministers and a minister of state. The PML-N’s main ally, the PPP, has refused to become part of the federal cabinet. …

LONDON: Scotland’s First Minis­ter Humza Yousaf clarified his position on a Scottish government donation to Gaza, after The Telegraph ran a story on Saturday alleging that he gave the funds while his family was stuck in Gaza. In November last year, the Scot­tish government donated £250,000 to the UNRWA aid agency. The rep­o­­­rt alleges that the donation was made shortly before Yousaf’s paren­ts-in-law were …

India’s second-highest ranked election commission official has resigned, the justice ministry said, days before the expected announcement of general elections in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek a third term. Arun Goel resigned on Saturday, leaving the Election Commission of India with only one of its three top officials to conduct what will be the largest exercise of the democratic franchise …