Pakistan

PESHAWAR: As part of a crackdown on illegal forex trade and smuggling of US dollars, the Federal Investigation Agency on Thursday raided multiple shops in Chowk Yadgar here, the province’s largest currency market. More than 45 shops were closed in the “hub of illegal currency business” in Peshawar, according to FIA deputy director Afzal Khan Niazi. “No one can deal …

CHITRAL: The Jamaat-i-Islami on Thursday held a “peace jirga” here to discuss the situation emanating from the intrusion of the banned outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban’s militants into border areas of Chitral and their attack on the check posts of security forces in Astoi and Jinjiret Koh areas. The participants included political activists and members of other walks of life. The jirga later issued a …

ISLAMABAD: Dr Arif Alvi is on course to become the country’s fourth democratically elected president to complete a five-year term, with his tenure officially ending today (Friday). The three presidents before Dr Alvi who completed their full terms were Chaudhary Fazal Elahi (fifth president, from 1973 to 1978), Asif Ali Zardari (11th, from 2008 to 2013), and Mamnoon Hussain (12th, …

KHYBER: The Torkham border crossing remained closed for a second day on Thursday after clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan border forces, leading to a build-up of trucks laden with goods. The border crossing — the main transit point for travellers and goods between Pakistan and landlocked Afghanistan — had shut on Wednesday after a gun battle erupted between border forces, with both …

ISLAMABAD: The Senate secretariat, in an unprecedented move, has rejected a requisition of the house to discuss the recent Jaranwala mayhem, even as the Supreme Court is set to take up an application seeking cognisance of the tragic incident on Friday (today). The reason for the rejection, which left many red-faced, has been said to be “unmatched signatures” of some of …

The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday rejected the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government’s objections to the bench hearing a set of pleas challenging the constitution of a three-judge commission set up to probe the veracity of audio leaks that had implicated politicians as well as judges of the top court and their family members. Justice Ijazul Ahsan announced the …

An Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday sent PTI President Parvez Elahi to jail on 14-day judicial remand in a case pertaining to the March 18 riots outside the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC). The March 18 events were marred by clashes between the police and PTI workers amid party chairman Imran Khan’s appearance at the FJC in a hearing for the Toshakhana …

GILGIT: Award-winning Russian climber Dmitry Golovchenko died at Gasherbrum IV (7,925 metres) on Wednesday while his partner Sergey Nilov was injured. Nilov was airlifted to Skardu by Pakistan Army helicopters. Gasherbrum IV is the 17th highest mountain on earth and the sixth highest in Pakistan. Dmitry Golovchenko and Sergey Nilov set out from their base camp via the extremely demanding …

LAHORE: President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday had an exclusive meeting with a delegation of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) led by it President Kashif Anwar at the Governor House in a bid to discuss recent meetings of the army chief General Syed Asim Munir with the business community in Karachi and Lahore. The LCCI’s spokesman, through …

MANSEHRA: Deputy Inspector General of Police Hazara Range Mohammad Ijaz Khan on Wednesday said the security of Chinese nationals working on mega energy projects in Upper Kohistan district had been enhanced. “Though we have beefed up security of Chinese engineers and labourers at the sites of Dasu hydropower and other projects, you should be extra vigilant,” the DIG told police …