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Category: National

  • PM Shehbaz, President Putin eye new high for Pak-Russia relations

    PM Shehbaz, President Putin eye new high for Pak-Russia relations

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, emphasising that Islamabad seeks to build a strong relationship with Moscow.

    “We respect your relation with India… but we also want to build very strong relations, and these relations will be supplementary and complementary for the good and for the progress and prosperity of the region,” PM Shehbaz told the Russian president as the two leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of States (CHS) summit Tuesday.

    The premier highlighted that relations between Islamabad and Moscow have improved in recent years due to President Putin’s personal commitment and interest. He expressed the resolve that Pakistan was also keen to strengthen the bilateral relations further, adding that they were moving in the right direction.

    Underlining the significance of the trade corridor connecting Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, the premier said that the initiative would boost regional connectivity and prosperity.

    He also expressed gratitude to the Russian president for supporting Pakistan, which was viewed as “a balancing act in the region”.

    Responding to Putin’s invitation to attend the SCO Heads of Government Summit in November, the premier said he was looking forward to it.

    Meanwhile, President Putin maintained that Pakistan has “always been a traditional partner” and remains as such in Asia, and Moscow “cherishes these ties”.

    He said that both sides had agreed to further their mutual relations, and bilateral trade needed to be enhanced.

    President Putin also extended his condolences to the people and the government of Pakistan on the losses suffered from catastrophes and natural disasters, including recent flooding.

  • Death toll in Quetta suicide blast rises to 13

    Death toll in Quetta suicide blast rises to 13

    The death toll of the suicide bombing near Quetta’s Shahwani Stadium on Tuesday night has risen to 13, hospital staff confirmed.

    According to reports, at least 35 people were also injured in the explosion that occurred shortly after the conclusion of a public gathering of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) held to mark the death anniversary of the late Sardar Attaullah Mengal.

    The gathering was attended by top leaders, including BNP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Asghar Khan Achakzai of the Awami National Party (ANP) and former senator Mir Kabeer Muhammad Shai of the National Party.

    Officials said the bomber detonated his explosives-laden jacket in the parking area as participants were leaving the meeting. All political leaders, however, remained safe.

    According to police, the explosion occurred about 15 minutes after the meeting ended as the crowd dispersed.

    The deceased were identified as Muhammad Ishaq, Najeebullah, Shan, Muhammad Hanif, Madad Khan, Waqir Ahmed, Hafeez, Abdul Nabi, Nasarullah, Allah Bakhsh, Najeebullah s/o Asadullah, Allah Bakhsh and Muhammad Waqar.

    In a statement, Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Sarfraz Bugti condemned the blast, calling it a cowardly attack on innocent people. He said those behind the bombing were enemies of humanity and had spilled the blood of ordinary citizens to spread fear. 

    The provincial chief executive vowed to “crush their nefarious designs,” adding that the attackers would be hunted down and punished.

    “Violence will not be allowed to derail peace in Balochistan,” Bugti emphasised, noting that both the federal and provincial governments will work together to keep citizens safe.

    Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terror activities, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, since Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in August 2021.

    According to a report released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based think tank, the country has witnessed 78 terrorist attacks during June this year, resulting in at least 100 deaths.

  • Pakistan, China reaffirm strong resolve to strengthen bilateral partnership

    Pakistan, China reaffirm strong resolve to strengthen bilateral partnership

    Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping have reaffirmed their strong resolve to further deepen and strengthen the bilateral partnership between the two countries founded on strategic cooperation. 

    During their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on Tuesday, PM Shehbaz congratulated President Xi on successfully hosting the SCO Heads of State Summit, praising the Chinese leader’s vision and leadership.

    PM Shehbaz said, “Pakistan is very proud of China’s achievements,” noting that Islamabad will always be ready to work with Beijing on the great journey.

    Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal General Asim Munir and other delegates attended the high-level meeting, during which the PM and President Xi reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership.

    Lauding President Xi for his vision and leadership, PM Shehbaz felicitated him on the 80th anniversary of the “World Anti-Fascist War”.

    Underscoring the significance of the Chinese president’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a major project, the premier reiterated his desire to continue working with China for the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

    “Pakistan fully supports President Xi’s historic initiatives [which] include global governance, global development, global security and global solarisation initiatives,” he said, adding, “These initiatives will contribute to regional and global peace, stability and development.”

    Meanwhile, the Chinese president reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to stand by Pakistan in all areas of economic growth. “Focus is being placed on Pakistan’s most important economic sectors,” President Xi told the premier while saying that the CPEC had entered its second phase. PM Shehbaz reiterated the invitation to President Xi to visit Pakistan next year.

    Founded in 2001, the SCO is an intergovernmental organisation with the main objectives is to strengthen relations among member states and safeguard regional peace, security, and stability.

  • Imran Khan has fallen sick in jail: journalist

    Imran Khan has fallen sick in jail: journalist

    Journalist Matiullah Jan has revealed that incarcerated former prime minister (PM) Imran Khan has fallen sick in jail and is suffering from a hearing condition.

    “Doctors have told me that a patient suffering from said condition should avoid exposure to loud noise and music as it can further damage hearing and worsen the condition,” Jan said in a YouTube video, citing Khan’s medical records.

    He further said that a person diagnosed with the condition same as Khan often struggles with sleep, adding that doctors had also warned the jailed former premier against complete silence as it too could aggravate the condition.

    “Any person diagnosed with this condition cannot be kept in isolation,” the journalist quoted doctors as saying, noting that the same could also impact the patient’s psychological health.

    Further citing Khan’s medical records, Jan revealed that on August 12, an ENT panel had recommended “supportive management” for Khan in jail, underscoring the seriousness of the condition.

    Read More: Imran Khan given these six books to read in jail

    While the journalist didn’t name the condition, it merits a mention that Khan was in February this year reportedly diagnosed with tinnitus – a hearing problem in which the patient feels ringing, buzzing or roaring in the ear despite the absence of any external sound.

    According to reports, Khan had also started to suffer from high blood pressure. 

    Khan was on August 5, 2023, arrested from his residence in Zaman Park Lahore shortly after his conviction in the Toshakhana case and was shifted to Attock jail.

    Following an Islamabad High Court (IHC) order, Khan was shifted to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on September 27, 2023. Currently, he is held in jail under high security and with B-class facilities due to his status as a former premier. 

    While courts provided him relief in several cases against him, the former PM remains in jail due to his January conviction in the £190 million case commonly known as the Al Qadir Trust case.

    Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana sentenced Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to 14 years and seven years imprisonment, respectively.

    As per the verdict, Khan was convicted for “corrupt practices” and “misuse of authority”, while the ex-first lady was convicted for “involvement in illegal activities”.

  • Pepsi Brings Dil Dil Pakistan Back in Style

    Pepsi Brings Dil Dil Pakistan Back in Style

    From the streets to the skies, literally, this Independence Day was all about Pepsi vibes!

    The brand dropped an electrifying new spin on Dil Dil Pakistan and instantly set the stage for celebrations across the country.

    From the streets to the skies, this 14th August was taken over by Pepsi! The brand’s electrifying fresh take on Dil Dil Pakistan set the tone for celebrations everywhere.

    Pakistanis became a part of the movement online with Pepsi’s TikTok branded filter, which took them back to the different iconic eras of the anthem as showcased in the music video.

    Online, Pakistanis jumped right in. Pepsi’s TikTok filter had everyone time-traveling through the anthem’s iconic eras, while the duet challenge let fans sing side by side with their favorite stars like Asim Azhar, Bilal Khan, Shae Gill and more. Soon enough, the internet was flooded with renditions from Babar Mangi, Farhan Saeed, Ashir Wajahat and even Sultan of Swing, Wasim Akram!

    Creators made it a whole Azaadi mood. Dana Neer, Aiza, Laiba Khan Lodhi, and Zarraar brought Pepsi into their GRWM routines, mixing style with celebration.

    Online, it spilled onto the streets! Dil Dil Pakistan–themed cars turned heads everywhere, while OOH placements lit up entire cities. 

    Walk into malls, shops, or even board an AirBlue flight, and there it was: Pepsi, making sure Independence Day was felt at every corner, and every altitude.

    Then came the Pepsi Caravan, rolling through KLI, with live musical performances that had crowds singing, dancing, and waving the flag high!

    From countless reaction videos to shoutouts on Jeeto Pakistan, Pepsi didn’t just celebrate Independence Day this year, Pepsi Pepsi Pakistan owned it.

  • No survivors as army’s MI-17 helicopter crashes in Gilgit-Baltistan

    No survivors as army’s MI-17 helicopter crashes in Gilgit-Baltistan

    All five crew members were martyred when an MI-17 helicopter belonging to the Pakistan army crashed near Gilgit Baltistan’s Hudor village, approximately 12 kilometres away from Thakdas Cantonment, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Monday.

    “The helicopter was on routine training flying when it developed [a] technical fault and crashed. As a result, all crew members on board embraced shahadat,” read the ISPR statement.

    According to the military’s media wing, among the martyred were Pilot in Command Major Atif, Co-pilot Major Faisal, Flight Engineer N/Sub Maqbool, Crew Chief Havaldar Jahangir and Naik Amir. 

    “Training missions are part of routine activities of Army Aviation to maintain operational readiness for performing tasks varying from operational support to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” ISPR said.

    The military’s media wing further stated that the army remained committed to ensuring readiness in all facets.

  • Newborn triplets die as floods cut off hospital access for Gujranwala woman

    Newborn triplets die as floods cut off hospital access for Gujranwala woman

    Three newborns have died on Sunday in Sohdra, a flood-affected village of Gujranwala, after their mother failed to reach a hospital as rising waters had cut off all access routes.

    The woman, who was expecting triplets, went into labour but could not be taken to a medical facility as access routes had submerged underneath flood waters. She gave birth to her first child at home, but complications quickly developed.

    The family arranged a boat to take her to a hospital in an effort to save her and the babies. But she gave birth to two more children as they were being taken in a car toward the boat.

    Due to the lack of medical attention, all three infants – two daughters and a son – died. Overcome with grief, the mother said, “Roads opened for everyone else, but not for us.”

    This is not the first time such a tragedy has been reported in Pakistan, where women have been unable to access hospitals in time.


    In November 2022, a woman in Dir Upper District lost her newborn after giving birth on the way to a hospital, barely surviving herself. 

    Similarly, in August 2021, another woman delivered a baby girl inside an ambulance near the Hazara Motorway’s Shah Maqsood Interchange.

  • Flooding causes 45 schools in Lahore to remain shut after holiday

    Flooding causes 45 schools in Lahore to remain shut after holiday

    The District Education Authority (DEA) Lahore has stated that 45 schools will remain closed due to flooding, as many of them have turned into relief campuses.

    Schools in the worst flood-hit areas, such as Shahdara, Saggian, Maraka, Chung, Manga, and Bund Road will remain closed.

    According to an order issued by the deputy commissioner, the closures affect 33 government schools, three operated by the Punjab Education Foundation (PEF), one under the Punjab Education Initiative Management Authority (PEIMA-PSSP), and eight private institutions.

    Private institutions in the Tehsil Raiwind area, including British Grammar School, The Heaven School System, and Dar-e-Arqam Manga Mandi, will also remain shut.

    Earlier, the Punjab government had extended summer vacations due to intense heat, from mid August to August 31 due to bad weather.

    According to a notification issued by Lahore Colleges Director Ehsan Mukhtar, about 20 colleges in the Lahore division, including six in the Lahore district, will remain closed for two days (September 1 and 2) due to the flood situation.

    Meanwhile, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP’s) plain areas, public and private schools and colleges have reportedly reopened after the summer break.

  • SCO member states ‘strongly condemn’ terrorist attacks on Jaffar Express, school bus

    SCO member states ‘strongly condemn’ terrorist attacks on Jaffar Express, school bus

    In a major diplomatic achievement for Pakistan, member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) have strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks on the Jaffar Express and the school bus attack in Khuzdar.

    “SCO Member states strongly condemned the terrorist attacks on Jaffer Express on 11 March 2025 and in Khuzdar on 21 May 2025,” read an excerpt from the Tianjin Declaration, as quoted by journalist Anas Mallick in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.

    On March 11, 2025, Jaffar Express, with over 400 passengers on board in nine bogies, was en route from Quetta to Peshawar when it came under attack by terrorists in the Dhadar area of Bolan Pass.

    A day later, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry made an appearance on a private media outlet, saying that the Jaffar Express clearance operation was completed and all terrorists, 33 in total, at the site of the attack had been killed, with 21 passengers and four Frontier Corps (FC) personnel martyred by the terrorists.

    On 21 May, a terrorist suicide attack at the school bus of Army Public School (APS) near Zero Point in Khuzdar on the Quetta-Karachi highway martyred eight children, including two adults.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, during his SCO speech on Monday, said that “Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, lincluding state terrorism”. 

    In the presence of Indian PM Narendra Modi, PM Sharif highlighted that those who have long used terrorism to advance their “political interest” must know that the world no longer buys this “fictitious narrative”.

    He noted that Pakistan has “irrefutable evidence” of some foreign nations being involved in terrorism in the Jaffer Express attack as well as terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

    The premier further stated Pakistan expects SCO member countries to follow all bilateral treaties, adding that the country has advocated for dialogue and diplomacy and consultation over confrontation.

    He emphasised that Pakistan supports and respects the sovereignty and integrity of all SCO members and their neighbours, respects all international and bilateral treaties, and expects similar principles to be followed by all member nations.

  • GB tourism faces 90 percent decline amid climate disasters, conflicts: Report

    GB tourism faces 90 percent decline amid climate disasters, conflicts: Report

    Unprecedented climate disasters coupled with other challenges have triggered a steep decline in tourism to Gilgit-Baltistan this year, leaving the local economy reeling.

    Officials revealed that international conflicts, natural calamities, and related issues have caused a 90 percent drop in tourist inflows to the region.

    Only 270 foreign climbers came this year to attempt peaks including K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum-I, Gasherbrum-II, and Nanga Parbat, according to Sajid Hussain, assistant director at the GB Tourism Department. 

    This is a significant decrease from the more than 2,000 foreign trekkers and climbers who visited last year.

    He emphasized that many climbers were unable to accomplish their objectives due to severe weather conditions at the peaks. They were forced to stop their expeditions and stay in base camps before going home due to avalanches, rockfalls, and powerful winds.

    According to department figures, 40 climbers made it to the top of K2 this season, 25 made it to Nanga Parbat, and about a dozen managed to climb Gasherbrum-I.

    Iqbal Hussain, director at the GB Tourism Department, told an English daily that last year 24,000 foreign tourists without permits visited the region, along with one million domestic travelers. “This year, the situation is alarming as tourist arrivals, both international and domestic, have declined by 90 percent,” he said. 

    According to tour operator Asghar Ali Porik, several factors were behind the drastic reduction in foreign adventure tourists. “The legal battle between the GB To­­urism Department and tour operators over the hike in permit fees, the Iran-Israel conflict, tensions between Pakistan and India, and unpredictable we­ather conditions at peaks compelled many forei­gn climbers and trekkers to cancel their plans,” he noted.

    The slump has also left small businesses along the Karakoram Highway struggling. A tea stall owner said, “I have never experienced such a situation where you can go the whole day without a single client and return home empty-handed.”

    Hotel owners, shopkeepers, transporters, porters, and tour operators are facing similar losses.Gilgit Looms owner Haider Abbas claimed that his business had suffered greatly. He went on to say that despite having spent billions of rupees, he was now having trouble paying staff salaries and shop rent.