News Archives for Latest - 2025-01-21

Subcommittee made to prepare govt response on PTI demands, says PM aide Sanaullah

Senator Irfan Siddiqui says discussions between members of govt committee on PTI demand were fruitful, hopes PTI will attend 4th round of talks.

Published 21 Jan, 2025 11:02pm

Finance minister says $1bn loan agreed with two Middle Eastern banks

Says loans are short-term up to one year, adds Pakistan is in good position for IMF review.

Published 21 Jan, 2025 09:32pm

NAB cautions against investing in Bahria Town’s Dubai project; govt to reach out to UAE for Malik Riaz’s extradition

Says if public still goes ahead and invests, their actions would be "tantamount to money laundering, for which they may face criminal/ legal proceedings".

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 09:05pm

South Asia

Bangladesh probe reveals children held in secret jails

Commission says it had detailed “multiple verified cases where women were disappeared along with their children”, as recently as 2023.

Published 21 Jan, 2025 06:04pm

UK PM vows to fight new ‘terrorism’ threat after Southport girls’ murders

Says girls’ deaths should mark a “line in the sand” and “a fundamental change in how Britain protects its citizens and its children”.

Published 21 Jan, 2025 05:58pm

South Asia

Security forces neutralise Afghan national involved in terrorism during Zhob operation: ISPR

"Such incidents are irrefutable evidence of the involvement of Afghan nationals in terrorist activities in Pakistan," says ISPR, adds body handed over to Afghanistan.

Published 21 Jan, 2025 04:29pm

Balochistan

Gwadar International Airport to benefit entire country’s economy: PM Shehbaz

Welcomes record increase in IT exports in December, $20b World Bank pledge for sustainable development.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 04:44pm

Middle East

7,208 Pakistani prisoners freed from Saudi Arabia between 2019 and 2024: FO

"23,456 Pakistanis are imprisoned in jails of different countries," Foreign Minister Dar informs Senate in written response.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 05:20pm

Melania’s big hat plays starring role in Trump’s Inauguration Day

The hat drew widespread attention on social media after Trump was blocked from kissing the First Lady because of the accessory.

Published 21 Jan, 2025 02:42pm

China says hopes for cooperation with US on trade under Trump

Vows to support World Health Organisation after US withdrawal.

Published 21 Jan, 2025 02:04pm

South Asia

Afghan Taliban govt announces prisoner swap with US

Foreign ministry says Khan Mohammed had been serving a life sentence in California after being arrested “almost two decades ago” in Nangarhar.

Published 21 Jan, 2025 01:56pm

Punjab

Punjab passes bill for complete ban on kite flying

Document highlights severe penalties for violation.

Published 21 Jan, 2025 01:47pm

Judges wonder why case related to 26th Amendment sent to constitutional bench as SC official faces contempt

Justice Mansoor Shah says "judiciary’s independence has ended" if ongoing cases taken back from regular benches; Nazar Abbas removed as additional registrar.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 05:44pm

Saudi’s Manara Minerals to buy 10 to 20pc stake in Pakistan’s Reko Diq gold project: report

Manara Minerals to buy equity stake from govt of Pakistan, which owns 25pc stake in project, says report.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 02:27pm

‘Overtly fascist’ — In Trump’s America, can govt officials do the Nazi salute and get away with it?

Elon Musk made a gesture similar to the Sieg Heil twice at an event celebrating Trump's inauguration and people are defending him.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 02:33pm

Turkish ski resort fire kills 66, forces guests to jump from windows

Interior minister says some 51 people injured at the Kartalkaya ski resort in northwest Turkiye; justice minister says four suspects detained.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 08:37pm

Balochistan

Khawaja Asif calls new Gwadar airport vital component of CPEC

CM Bugti boasts of employment opportunities for locals.

Published 21 Jan, 2025 10:46am

Following army chief’s meeting with politicians on security, there is a real change in the air

The meeting indicates an awareness that the solution or answers need more than a ‘kinetic’ response.

Published 21 Jan, 2025 09:22am

Editorial: Few have forgotten how disruptive Trump could be as president

Presence of high-profile xenophobes in his team will remain a concern.

Published 21 Jan, 2025 08:39am

Trump executive orders target climate, immigration policy, federal employees

Newly sworn-in president pardons about 1,500 people who stormed US Capitol in 2021; revokes Biden admin's 78 executive actions.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 08:53am

Punjab

Three People Students Federation students injured by IJT in Lahore

PU spokesperson says admin would move police for registration of case against Islami Jamiat Talba activists.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 11:35am

Punjab

Rangers take up anti-power theft operation in Lesco

Teams will assist Lesco officials in carrying out raids along with FIA officials.

Published 21 Jan, 2025 08:09am

Punjab

FIA arrests another human smuggler in Gujranwala

FIA lodges five cases in connection with the boat tragedy.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 11:08am

Punjab

Maryam wants to give scholarships to KP, Balochistan students

Claims that requests for scholarships are coming from KP; raises concerns at dangers of fake news.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 11:11am

Punjab

Landlord ploughs tractor into woman in Sahiwal

During confrontation, man asks one of his sons to run over woman with tractor, while another son records.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 11:14am

Business

Repatriation of profit surges 114pc

Profit repatriation primarily restricted in FY24 to contain the country’s fast-depleting foreign exchange reserves.

Published 21 Jan, 2025 07:29am

Business

Stocks rise, bitcoin hits record as Trump returns

Dollar slides more than 1 per cent versus euro and lost similar ground against the pound.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 09:48am

Business

Oil imports show paltry growth

Overall import bill rises 6.52pc year-on-year to $27.84bn in July-December.

Published 21 Jan, 2025 07:28am

Business

Textile exports rise 9.6pc in 1HFY25

Trade experts believe it would take a lot of struggle for the sector to compete with regional rivals.

Published 21 Jan, 2025 07:28am

Business

Independent power producer Rousch hands over complex

Receives all the agreed amounts from Central Power Purchasing Agency.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 09:43am

Column

The curious case of Trump invitees

One hopes for the sake of diplomatic dignity with which one grew up in Nehru’s India that the stories about denied invitations are untrue.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 08:53am

Sindh

Increased surveillance ordered in Sindh to curb Covid resurgence

Health minister Azra says "no Covid-19 epidemic" as only 7 tested positive out of over 100 tested.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 09:55am

Sindh

Two suspects killed, three passers-by hurt in Karachi ‘encounter’

Police claim passers-by got bullet wounds due to alleged robbers' firing.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 10:04am

Sindh

Seven-year-old Karachi boy raped before being murdered, autopsy reveals

Port-mortem report says he sufferred 12 injuries/wounds, mostly prior to death; DIG says cause of death yet to be determined.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 11:41am

Sindh

Academic activities suspended in universities across Sindh for third day

Teachers’ boycott of classes to continue today.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 09:48am

Sindh

MPAs’ concerns over water shortage, frequent traffic jams echo in Sindh Assembly

LG minister Saeed Ghani says Karachi water woes will end after completion of K-IV in July 2026.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 09:59am

KP & FATA

KP to engage with Afghan Taliban govt

CM Gandapur says terrorism can’t be eliminated through operations, strikes.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 11:49am

KP & FATA

Robbers loot Rs10 million after killing trader in Swabi

Man dies on spot after robbers opened fire, critically injuring his brother.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 10:37am

KP & FATA

Rain, snowfall end prolonged dry spell in Lower, Upper Dir

District admin asks tourists to take precautionary measures before visiting snow-covered areas.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 10:32am

Islamabad

Police hunt killer after missing boy found dead in Rawalpindi

Initial report rules out drowning, suggests body less than two weeks old.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 11:27am

Islamabad

CDA still remains clueless about missing portraits

Interestingly, Romanian embassy highlights issue of missing portraits.

Published 21 Jan, 2025 07:01am

Islamabad

Zebra crossings fade into oblivion in federal capital

Vanishing stripes leave pedestrians at reckless drivers’ mercy.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 11:30am

Sport

Pakistan to host Asian Development Tour in Multan

Pakistan Golf Federation terms events as "landmark development".

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 11:36am

Sport

Champions Trophy preparations on schedule, says PCB

Contractors say renovation work at Karachi’s National Stadium will be completed by January 30.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 11:46am

Sport

India series ideal preparation for Champions Trophy: McCullum

"But, hopefully, we will chisel away at that over the next few weeks, and we’ll be in good shape come that Champions Trophy,” says McCullum.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 12:29pm

Balochistan

OGDCL man killed, other hurt in Qila Saifullah blast

Police say IED planted on road detonated as gas company's vehicle was passing by.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 10:55am

National

President Zardari, PM Shehbaz welcome Trump

Premier says he looks "forward to working with him to strengthen the enduring Pakistan-US partnership".

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 11:02am

National

Iranian military official meets army chief, president

Discuss terrorism as shared challenge, matters of regional security, bilateral defence cooperation.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 09:15am

Balochistan

GB, Balochistan people brave harsh weather

Snowfall, rain make life hard; prolong power outage adds to hardship.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 09:06am

Balochistan

Three additional BHC judges sworn in

Case backlog expected to be reduced with new inductions.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 09:27am

National

Govt announces Youm-i-Tameer-o-Taraqi on Feb 8th

Atta Tarar says negotiations crucial for political stability, hopes for positive outcome of talks with PTI.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 10:51am

National

Imran directs PTI to seek apex court intervention in rights cases

Says “our cabinet had no role in the Al-Qadir Trust matter, nor did we transfer this money" to SC.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 11:25am

National

Govt in another push to beef up border oversight

New proposal suggests shifting immigration duties from FIA to PBCA.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 10:09am

National

PM orders prompt start of Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway construction

Project cost goes up by 25pc in two years; premier reviews arrangements for Haj pilgrim.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 10:53am

Back Page

Electoral fairness hinges on ECP’s independence, says Justice Ayesha Malik

Additional note explains verdict overturning de-seating of MNA Bazai; Justice Shah says Article 63A doesn't empower ECP to determine facts.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 10:01am

Back Page

SC constitutional bench likely to hear pleas against amendment in a week’s time

Court urged to ascertain legal status of certain changes to Constitution.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 09:47am

Middle East

Gaza truce holding after first prisoner swap

Ex-detainee says Israeli jail is "hell, hell, hell"; Qatar says 12.5m litres of fuel will enter Gaza for 10 days.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 09:22am

Front Page

Lawmakers bicker over verdict in Imran’s £190m case

PTI leader terms ex-PM's conviction "politically motivated"; PML-N senator says Al Qadir Trust not "registered".

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 09:53am

Front Page

Govt swings into action after PTI threatens boycott

PM briefed on meetings; Senator Irfan Siddiqui promises "serious response" within 7 days.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 12:49pm

Front Page

Miscreants’ hideouts targeted in Kurram operation

Curfew continues in Bagan and surrounding regions, forcing several families to move to Thall.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 08:21am

Front Page

Judicial ‘bad blood’ in focus as SC official faces contempt

Three judge bench issues show cause notice to additional registrar; Balochistan Bar Council regrets move to not fix case.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 07:45am

International

Tech billionaires take centre stage at Trump’s inauguration

Google, Meta, Apple, and Amazon face landmark antitrust lawsuits from US govt that could force their breakup.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 12:01pm

International

How Trump has already changed the world

President plans to declare emergency at border in flurry of day one orders.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 11:35am

International

Biden watches in disbelief as Trump tears into his record

Weather not the only unusual aspect of the 47th president’s swearing-in ceremony.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 02:43pm

International

Young Chinese turn to AI pets for emotional relief

Across China, a growing number of people are turning to AI to combat social isolation.

Published 21 Jan, 2025 06:58am

International

Longest-serving Palestinian inmate among prisoners to be deported under swap

Nael Barghouthi was arrested in 1978 and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of an Israeli officer.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 10:52am

International

Beijing urges Musk to deepen ties with China

Chinese vice president met with Musk and other American business representatives, says report.

Updated 21 Jan, 2025 10:43am

International

Tuesday, January 21, 2025