Pakistan

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi on Sunday announced free education up to graduation in state-run educational institutes. After hoisting the national flag at a ceremony held at Lahore Fort to celebrate Independence Day, Mr Elahi said he had made education free up to matriculation in his previous tenure as chief minister. Addressing the ceremony, he paid rich tribute to …

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan has condemned what he called a government crackdown on the media houses and journalists supporting Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s narrative. “I want to warn our nation of an unprecedented crackdown campaign by the imported government and state machinery against media houses and journalists who are carrying PTI and my narrative to the public,” Mr Khan tweeted …

KARACHI: To mark the country’s 75 years of independence, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Sunday issued a Rs75 commemorative banknote featuring not only the portraits of Quaid-i-Azam Moha­mmad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal, Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah and Sir Syed Ahmed Khan but also highlighting nation’s commitment to address climate change. The green and white currency note has tones of …

The National Highway (N-25), also known as the RCD Highway that connects Karachi to Quetta, continued to remain closed for the third straight day on Monday after suffering damage during rains and floods. Lasbela Deputy Commissioner (DC) Murad Kasi told Dawn.com that a recently established alternate route near the Landa area of Uthal on the National Highway was washed away by floods on Friday, …

ISLAMABAD: The government has given a commitment to the Asian Develo­pment Bank (ADB) to approve and commence with effect from January 1, 2022 the implementation of National Carbon Pricing Strategy under the country’s overall tax policy to raise tax-to-GDP ratio to 10pc by FY2025 from 8.5pc now. This is part of about $200 million loan — Resource Mobilisation Reforms programme …

A terrorist was killed by security forces during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan tribal district, the military’s media affairs wing said on Monday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the forces conducted an IBO in the area, prompting an intense exchange of fire between the troops and terrorists. “Resultantly, one terrorist got …

Federal minister Javed Latif on Monday claimed that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif — who is in a self-imposed exile in London on medical grounds — would return to the country in September. Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Latif said a “level playing field” in Pakistani politics was impossible without Nawaz’s presence. He said the people had expressed their opinion …

Acting Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq on Monday questioned why authorities were seeking PTI leader Shahbaz Gill’s physical custody. Justice Farooq raised the question while hearing arguments from the prosecution on the maintainability of a plea filed by Islamabad Advocate General Jahangir Khan Jadoon against the order of a sessions court which dismissed an application seeking Gill’s physical remand. …

Two Pakistan Army soldiers embraced martyrdom in Harnai, Balochistan during a gun battle with terrorists, the military’s media affairs wing said on Sunday. In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said terrorists fire raided a security forces post in Harnai’s Khost area on late Saturday night which was successfully repulsed by soldiers. The armed attackers attempted to flee after …

Pakistanis are celebrating the country’s diamond jubilee with traditional zeal and fervour, with commemorative ceremonies being held in different cities today. According to Radio Pakistan, the day dawned with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad and a 21-gun salute in the provincial headquarters. Prayers were offered for the security and progress of Pakistan, and the well-being of the people, the report said. …