A delegation of senior officials of the European Union and business representatives from prominent European companies, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House this morning. The delegation was led by Mr. Peteris Ustubs, Director (Asia Pacific) of the European Commission’s Directorate General of International Partnerships, and comprised Ms. Thourya Triki…
MOSCOW / BERLIN — Russia’s Foreign Ministry has summoned Germany’s ambassador to Moscow, lodging a formal protest over alleged contacts between German politicians and terrorist organizations. The Kremlin has demanded a clarification from Berlin over the reported links.Meanwhile, applications for conscientious objector status in Germany have continued to rise following the introduction of a new…
CHANGSHA, China — Pakistan and China have signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance bilateral cooperation across key sectors.The signing ceremony was held in Changsha, the capital of China’s Hunan Province, and was attended by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.The agreements cover seawater desalination for Karachi, agricultural technology transfer, and cooperation in the tea…
TEHRAN — Iran has drafted a significant piece of legislation that would legally authorize the collection of fees from international commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, in exchange for security services and navigational assistance provided by Iranian authorities.According to sources within the Iranian parliament, the proposed bill would grant Iranian maritime officials the formal…
BEIRUT — As tensions continue to simmer across Lebanon, Hezbollah’s leadership has laid out five major preconditions for any potential negotiations with Israel, firmly declaring that the militant group will under no circumstances surrender its weapons and will continue to retaliate against what it describes as Israeli aggression.In a strongly-worded statement, the Hezbollah chief reaffirmed…
LAHORE — Punjab Traffic Police have launched a province-wide crackdown on traffic law violations effective today, with authorities announcing a zero tolerance policy across all districts of the province.DIG Traffic Punjab stated that a comprehensive two-week public awareness campaign was conducted to educate citizens about traffic regulations and road safety. With the awareness phase now…
LAHORE — Lahore Police have arrested a man who disguised himself as a police officer to rob citizens across the city, with authorities confirming he is linked to more than 50 criminal incidents.According to police spokesperson, the suspect would don a counterfeit police uniform and stop unsuspecting citizens on roads and in public areas, threatening…
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the cancellation of the annual Lag BaOmer religious festival at Mount Meron in northern Israel, citing serious security threats from Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.The Lag BaOmer celebration is one of the most significant events in the Jewish religious calendar, drawing hundreds of thousands of worshippers each…
KARACHI — The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has increased its benchmark interest rate by 100 basis points, raising it from 10.5% to 11.5%, following a meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).The central bank cited rising inflationary pressures and evolving macroeconomic conditions as key factors behind the decision to tighten monetary policy. The move…
ISLAMABAD — In a significant legal development, the Federal Constitutional Court has restored the provisions of the Passport and Immigration Rules that had previously been struck down by the Lahore High Court, effectively reinstating the government’s authority to block citizens’ passports and place their names on the Passport Control List (PCL).A two-member bench, headed by…
