Author: admin

ISLAMABAD  : Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Advocate Ali Bukhari has said that his party is willing to engage in negotiations, but the government is not serious about taking the initiative to engage with the Opposition party, noting that the civil disobedience movement has been temporarily delayed, not cancelled altogether. The PTI leader’s remarks came hours after the incumbent government of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ruled out talks with the embattled PTI with the “sword of civil disobedience hanging on its neck”. “For the first time, a pleasant breeze came from the opposition […] but talks cannot be held at gunpoint,”…

Saim Ayub became the youngest player to score a century against South Africa while chasing, achieving this remarkable feat at just 22 years and 207 days. Ayub’s stellar knock came in 2024, breaking records and surpassing some of cricket’s legendary names. Adding another feather to his cap, Ayub also set a new record as the youngest player to score a century in South Africa while chasing. The previous record-holder, Quinton de Kock, achieved this milestone at 23 years and 48 days in 2016. Overall, Ayub now ranks as the third youngest player to score a century against South Africa in…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to leave for Cairo, Egypt today to attend the 11th D-8 Summit – scheduled to run from December 18 to 20, 2024. The summit’s theme, “Investing in Youth, Supporting SMEs: Shaping Tomorrow’s Economy,” focuses on enhancing economic cooperation among the member countries. The D-8, an economic cooperation organization, includes Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nigeria, Indonesia, Iran, and Turkey. This gathering offers an opportunity for these nations to deepen economic ties, especially in the areas of agriculture, food security, and tourism. According to a statement from the Foreign Office, Prime Minister Sharif will express Pakistan’s strong commitment…

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced that all the applications received under the government Hajj scheme for 2025 have been accepted. This decision comes after the ministry declared all applications received by the end of the third extension of Hajj applications as approved. According to officials, a total of 82,000 Hajj applications were received by the end of the third extension period, falling 7,000 short of the allocated quota. Despite the shortfall, the ministry has assured that every applicant has been approved. The Ministry of Religious Affairs is actively working to fill the remaining 7,000 slots in the government…

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has approved a significant hike in gas prices for the current fiscal year, fulfilling another condition set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). According to the announcement, OGRA approved an increase of 8.71% in gas prices for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and a 25.78% hike for Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL). With these adjustments, the average gas price for SNGPL will rise to Rs1,778.35 per MMBTU, while the average price for SSGCL will increase to Rs1,762.51 per MMBTU. The decision has been forwarded to the federal government for final approval.…

KINGSTOWN: Taskin Ahmed spearheaded a superb bowling effort as Bangladesh defended another modest total to claim a series-clinching 27-run victory over the West Indies in the second T20 International of a three-match series at the Arnos Vale Stadium in St Vincent on Tuesday. After the tourists were limited to 129 for seven, medium-pacer Taskin claimed two early wickets and then returned to seal victory in the 19th over when he dismissed all-rounder Akeal Hosein, who fell for 31 to a catch at backward-point just as he was threatening to win the match off his own bat as the West Indies…

The third Test between Australia and India in Brisbane ended in a draw on Wednesday after play was abandoned due to rain after tea on day five at the Gabba. India were eight for no loss in their second innings needing 267 runs for victory when bad light halted play and brought tea early, with the match unable to resume after the break. The five-Test series is level at 1-1. The fourth Test starts in Melbourne on Dec. 26.

URUMQI :Pakistan is fully committed to working closely with China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to realize shared vision of prosperity and development for the region, Pakistan Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi said on Sunday night. For Pakistan, Xinjiang of course holds a special significance as the artery that connects our two countries, he said in his remarks while speaking at a meeting with Ma Xingrui, Secretary of CPC, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region prior to a state banquet hosted by Erkin Tuniyaz, Governor of the People’s Government of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Senior diplomats, representatives of SCO, OIC, Senior Chinese Government…

ISLAMABAD : Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to CICA’s vision of sustainable security and regional cooperation in Asia during the 7th Ministerial Meeting, hosted virtually by Azerbaijan. Highlighting the significance of connectivity initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), he emphasized their role in fostering shared growth, infrastructure development, and regional prosperity. Dar also underscored the importance of dialogue and adherence to international law to address longstanding disputes such as Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir.

ISLAMABAD  : Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing development cooperation with China under the Belt and Road and Global Development Initiatives during a meeting with Luo Zhaohui, Director of China International Development Cooperation Agency, in Kunming. He praised China’s platform for regional collaboration and leadership in advancing the blue economy, while Luo highlighted strong bilateral ties, leadership consensus, and Pakistan’s active participation in the forum over the past three years.