Islamabad: The deadline for Hajj 2025 applications concludes today, with over 54,000 submissions received so far. According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the quota may be fully subscribed by day’s end. The ministry has designated 15 banks for application collection. Additionally, Hajj flight schedules and accommodations in Medina are being finalized. The installment-based payment plan has attracted significant applicants. A total of 179,210 Pakistanis will perform Hajj, with costs ranging from PKR 1,075,000 to 1,175,000. Applicants must initially deposit PKR 200,000, with remaining payments due by February 2025. Refunds are partially provided for cancellations. 300 seats are allocated for…
Author: Web Desk
Parachinar: The death toll in Kurram District has risen to 133 after two more injured individuals succumbed. According to the district administration, law and order are gradually improving as a ceasefire enters its third day. Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud reported no tribal skirmishes or firing, while schools and markets resumed normal operations. However, residents are grappling with shortages of essential commodities such as food and medicines due to the closure of the Parachinar-Peshawar highway. Pak-Afghan trade remains suspended, exacerbating challenges for locals. Despite government efforts, recent clashes between tribes have claimed numerous lives. The ceasefire led to the removal of…
Rawalpindi: Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir has affirmed that the Pakistan Army is fully capable of safeguarding the nation against all types of threats. He made these remarks during a field training exercise near Narowal and Sialkot. The exercise featured units including armor, infantry, artillery, and air defense, with a focus on utilizing electronic warfare and information operations effectively in modern combat scenarios. General Munir praised the troops for their professional skills, training standards, and high morale, stressing the importance of being prepared for any potential adversities. He was briefed on the exercise’s objectives, aimed at enhancing operational…
Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership has expressed concerns over the growing influence of its social media strategies and certain diaspora groups abroad. According to senior leaders, the inability to control propaganda on social media is exacerbating the party’s challenges. PTI supporters in the US conducted anti-army campaigns during recent protests, causing unease within the leadership. Some PTI leaders, fearing backlash on social media, have refrained from publicly condemning the propaganda against the army. This hesitation is deepening internal party conflicts. Sources revealed that the leadership’s primary worry stems from aggressive social media supporters shaping the party’s narrative. The spokesperson clarified…
Islamabad: The federal cabinet has approved the National Prevention of Violent Extremism Policy 2024, aimed at fostering peace and stability across the country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized economic growth during the cabinet meeting, highlighting the adverse effects of recent protests on the economy. He underscored the importance of enhancing exports, remittances, and industrial growth to stabilize the economy. The cabinet lauded efforts that led to lifting the European ban on PIA flights and approved sugar exports expected to earn $500 million in foreign exchange. The government acknowledged the Pakistan Army’s role in curbing smuggling, which has significantly contributed to…
Islamabad: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership has expressed serious concerns regarding statements made by Maryam Riaz Wattoo, Bushra Bibi’s sister, and her spokesperson Mishal Yousafzai. PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat highlighted that these remarks have caused unease within the leadership. Marwat revealed that certain individuals within the party are linked to former agency operatives, fostering internal rifts. This situation has left the leadership disheartened and undermined. He called on Imran Khan to intervene immediately, emphasizing that unity is essential during these critical times. Marwat also recommended resuming protests nationwide. Additionally, Wattoo and Yousafzai claimed that Khan places greater trust in…
Islamabad: The United States has reaffirmed its support for Pakistan in combating terrorism and extremism. Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US State Department, emphasized that the US stands with Pakistan in this effort during a press briefing in Washington. Miller underscored the need for peaceful protests in Pakistan, urging the government to engage with demonstrators calmly. He highlighted the global importance of maintaining peace during public demonstrations. Recent protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf resulted in clashes that martyred three Rangers and two police officers. The party claims 20 of its members also lost their lives. Additionally, over 1,000 individuals, including Afghan…
Karachi: Pakistan has reported three new cases of polio, raising the total for 2024 to 59. These cases were detected in Dera Ismail Khan, Karachi’s Keamari district, and Kashmore. Dera Ismail Khan has now reported eight cases this year, with three from Keamari and one, the first, from Kashmore. Balochistan leads with 26 cases, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 16, Sindh with 15, and one each in Punjab and Islamabad. Polio, a highly contagious virus, mainly affects children under five, particularly those with weak immunity or incomplete vaccinations. Health authorities emphasize vaccination campaigns as crucial to combating this preventable disease.…
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Massad Boulos, his daughter Tiffany Trump’s father-in-law, as a senior adviser on Middle East affairs. Based in Beirut, Boulos is a prominent businessman with experience in healthcare and real estate. His appointment is seen as part of Trump’s broader strategy to strengthen ties with the Middle East and leverage family connections for diplomatic gains. The decision underscores Trump’s focus on maintaining influence in the region ahead of the upcoming election. Political analysts believe this move could impact U.S.-Middle East relations, especially given Boulos’ Lebanese background and his business acumen.
In a remarkable medical feat, doctors at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) in Karachi successfully separated conjoined twins, Naila and Shumaila, after a grueling 10-12 hour surgery. Born in September 2024 in a private hospital in Naushahro Feroze, the twins had been conjoined at the chest. The operation involved a team of 10 medical professionals, including four expert surgeons from top Karachi hospitals. The twins’ parents, struggling financially, had been unable to afford the procedure, but NICH stepped in to cover all expenses. Specialists from NICH, Aga Khan University Hospital, and other key medical institutions collaborated on the…
