Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed an agreement for Hajj 2025, aimed at improving facilities for Pakistani pilgrims. Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik participated in the ongoing four-day International Hajj Conference in Jeddah. The conference, alongside the Hajj Expo, seeks to foster further agreements to enhance pilgrim services. Pakistan’s Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik and the Saudi Minister of Hajj signed the agreement in Jeddah. Under this agreement, 189,210 Pakistanis will perform Hajj this year, as confirmed by a Ministry of Religious Affairs spokesperson. The Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs (MORA) spokesperson highlighted several new measures to ensure a more comfortable…
Author: Web Desk
The much-awaited verdict in the £190 million case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, has been postponed for the third time. The Accountability Court has now scheduled January 17 as the new date for the announcement of the verdict. During today’s hearing, neither the lawyers for the accused nor the accused themselves appeared in court. Judge Nasir Javed Rana explained that he was unable to announce the verdict on January 6 due to training commitments. The court highlighted that Bushra Bibi was informed of today’s scheduled verdict but failed to appear. Similarly, Imran Khan…
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested four individuals, including a former Punjab police officer, on Sunday for their alleged involvement in human smuggling and fraud. The FIA’s anti-human trafficking cell conducted a raid in Jalalpur Jattan, leading to the arrest of Hassan Butt, an ex-officer of the Punjab police. According to an FIA spokesperson, Butt was involved in facilitating the illegal transportation of citizens to Turkiye and Europe. The spokesperson further stated that the operation was not limited to Butt’s arrest. “We also apprehended a smuggler named Madah, accused of charging Rs3 million to illegally send a citizen to Malaysia,”…
Security forces killed nine terrorists in two separate operations conducted in North Waziristan District on January 11, 2025, as per a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Sunday. According to the ISPR, the first operation was intelligence-based and targeted the Dosalli area, where the presence of terrorists was reported. During the operation, the forces successfully neutralized the militants’ hideout, killing six Khwarij and apprehending two others. A second operation, also intelligence-driven, was carried out in the Esham area of North Waziristan District. Following a fierce exchange of fire, three Khwarij were eliminated, while two others sustained injuries.…
Former Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader Sirajul Haq stated on Sunday that the country is devoid of justice, peace, and democracy. Speaking at a press conference in Vehari, Haq expressed deep concern over the numerous challenges facing the nation. “The country is engulfed in countless problems, yet those in power are indifferent to the struggles of the common man,” he lamented. He criticized the ongoing political negotiations between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), asserting that these discussions prioritize “personal interests” over the nation’s urgent needs. “The talks between PTI and PML-N reflect their own agendas rather than addressing the…
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, in a significant decision, announced the provision of 10,000 subsidised tractors to farmers by February 28, along with an additional 2,000 super seeders to be distributed by March. A high-level review meeting, chaired by Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, was conducted to evaluate the progress of the agriculture, energy, and industrial sectors over the past six months. Officials provided updates on projects initiated under the chief minister’s directives. The government resolved to expedite and expand the scheme to provide free solar energy to Punjab’s residents. It was also decided to transition government buildings to solar…
The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan (AKCS-P) to restore selected structures of Lahore’s historic spice market. Situated near Akbari Gate in the Walled City, this market is one of the largest spice markets in Asia. Named after Mughal Emperor Akbar, the wholesale spice market is approximately 500 years old, making it one of the oldest hubs for trading hundreds of different spices. On the occasion, WCLA Director General Kamran Lashari reiterated his commitment to preserving Lahore’s cultural heritage. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with AKCS-P.…
Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai strongly condemned the Taliban on Sunday for their oppressive treatment of women, stating that the group “does not regard women as human beings” and has denied Afghan girls their right to education for over a decade. She voiced her concerns during the two-day international conference, “Women’s Education in Muslim Societies: Challenges and Opportunities,” held at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad. Hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in collaboration with the Muslim World League, the summit gathered 150 delegations from 44 countries to address challenges faced by girls in Muslim-majority nations. Malala expressed grave concerns about…
Winter vacations for schools in Punjab officially ended on January 10, 2025. However, rumors spread across social media and WhatsApp, claiming that the holidays had been extended until January 18, 2025, due to persistent cold weather, causing confusion among parents and students. Secretary of Education Khalid Nazir Watoo dismissed these rumors, categorically stating that schools would reopen as scheduled on January 13, 2025. He urged parents to disregard information from unverified platforms and to rely only on official announcements for updates. “All official updates regarding holidays or schedule changes will be communicated through the verified social media channels of the…
With the start of the new year, many people set goals related to health, such as exercising and following a healthy diet. However, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to keep up with fitness trends. But research shows you don’t have to follow all the latest trends, as even a short walk can have incredible benefits. According to research, just 11 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise a day may lower your risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, or premature death, as reported by CNN. However, if that seems too much, even five minutes of walking per day can offer health benefits, said Dr.…
