US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was due in China on Wednesday, as the United States ramps up pressure on its rival over its support for Russia while also seeking to manage tensions with Beijing. The US diplomat will meet China’s top brass on Friday in Beijing, where he is also expected to plead for restraint as Taiwan inaugurates a …

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) Punjab reiterated its commitment to eliminate plastic bags from the district, announcing a complete ban on the use of all types of shopping bags and polythene bags from June 5. This decisive measure aims to eradicate plastic bags and mitigate the risks posed by plastic to human life, wildlife and aquatic ecosystems. This was …

ISLAMABAD: The Shu­h­ada Forum Baloc­hi­stan (SFB) approached the Sup­reme Court on Tuesday to seek the strict implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism and extremism — formulated in 2014 — as well as expeditious disposal of pending appeals and trials of terrorists involved in anti-state activities. Moved through senior counsel Hafiz Ahsaan Ahmad Khokhar on behalf of SFB patron-in-chief Nawabzada …

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday took notice of the “willful” delay in tax cases and ordered suspension of the commissioner inland revenue Islamabad and other relevant officials. He also asked for initiating an inquiry against the officials, said the media wing of Prime Minister Office in a press release. Soon after assuming the office, the prime minister had …

NAROWAL: The government has given a cheque for Rs2.5 million to the family of the youth who had died in the alleged accident involving the protocol vehicle of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz five days back. On the instructions of the chief minister, Narowal Deputy Commissioner Syed Hasan Raza and MPA Ahmad Iqbal went to the residence of the victim, Muhammad Abubakar, in …

KARACHI / LAHORE: Tehran is ready to exchange its prowess in industry, science, and technology with Pakistan, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said after visiting Lahore and Karachi on Tuesday amid strict security during his three-day trip to the country. Speaking at a ceremony at the Chief Minister House in Karachi, he said Iran made strides in these fields despite “unfavourable …

ISLAMABAD: Some police officials deployed outside the Diplomatic Enclave – a high-security zone in the federal capital where many embassies are located – were found involved in taking bribes from visitors to facilitate their entry inside the area. Sources said the staff of the security division, including some policemen attached with the senior officials of the same division, were exposed …

ISLAMABAD: A full court meeting of the Islamabad High Court decided to introduce several measures, including the reactivation of ‘empo­wered’ inspection teams to put an end to the alleged meddling of intelligence officials in judicial affairs. The meeting, held at the IHC building on Tues­day, was chaired by Chief Justice Aamir Farooq against the backdrop of allegations levelled by six judges …

ISLAMABAD: Low voter turnout, procedural irregularities and restrictions on independent obse­r­vation in two provincial constituencies in Punjab overshadowed the improved results management and lower numbers of ballots excluded from the count during April 21 elections in 22 national and provincial assembly constituencies, the Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) said in its report, released on Tuesday. Polling station establishment, voter identification, and …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday arrived in Karachi on a day-long visit, where he is expected to hold meetings with the Sindh chief minister and governor, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. Upon his arrival at the Karachi airport, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah welcomed PM Shehbaz. The prime minister visited Mazar-i-Quaid, where he laid a floral wreath …