Opposition Leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub Recommended Akbar’s Name ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Member of National Assembly (MNA) Junaid Akbar has been elected as the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), a post that had been vacant since the government assumed power after the February 2024 elections. The Public Accounts Committee is considered one of the most powerful parliamentary bodies, with the authority to summon any individual or record from government departments regarding financial matters. As per parliamentary traditions established after the 2008 general elections, the chairmanship of the PAC has been assigned to the opposition, a practice…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
“We will bring the perpetrators involved in human trafficking to justice,” vows PM Shehbaz ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday formed a special task force to combat human trafficking, with the Prime Minister himself leading the efforts. “We will bring the perpetrators involved in human trafficking to justice,” the Prime Minister declared while chairing a review meeting on measures to curb human trafficking in Pakistan. The initiative came after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) launched an investigation into 20 of its officials allegedly involved in human smuggling. Additionally, the federal government initiated a high-level probe into the recent tragic…
“Attempts to undo the constitutional amendment will not be accepted,” says PPP Chairman ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari stressed that only parliament has the authority to repeal the 26th Constitutional Amendment, warning that any attempt by an institution to annul it would not be tolerated. Speaking to journalists in Islamabad, Bilawal urged Supreme Court judges to assist one another in their work rather than create obstacles. He reiterated that the power to repeal the 26th Amendment rests exclusively with parliament. The 26th Constitutional Amendment, which revised the process for appointing the chief justice, fixed the tenure of…
“I will definitely attend the breakfast, a tradition since my mother’s tenure,” says PPP Chairman ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari confirmed that he will attend a breakfast invitation extended by US President Donald Trump in a personal capacity. Bilawal made the statement in response to a query about whether he had been invited to an event hosted by the new US administration. He clarified that he would participate in the annual National Prayer Breakfast. “As far as my US visit is concerned, this news is true and was reported by the media, but you should ask the…
Gwadar Airport connects Pakistan to Muscat with its inaugural international flight KARACHI: International flight operations officially commenced from the New Gwadar International Airport as Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) first flight, PK-197, departed for Muscat at 9:41 AM today. The same ATR aircraft will return later in the afternoon as flight PK-198. The New Gwadar International Airport, a flagship project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), became fully operational on January 20, 2025. While equipped to handle large Airbus and Boeing aircraft, ATR planes are currently being used on the Gwadar route due to low passenger demand. PIA has introduced one…
Medicines dispatched via helicopter to violence-hit district, confirms health adviser PARACHINAR: A fourth convoy carrying essential relief goods, including medicines, food, and daily necessities, has reached the violence-hit Kurram district, the administration confirmed on Friday. The convoy, comprising 70 vehicles, was laden with flour, sugar, fruits, vegetables, and medicines to alleviate acute shortages in the crisis-stricken region. Security for the convoy was ensured by police, district administration, and security forces. This development comes as over 100 villages in Upper and Lower Kurram remain under siege for more than three and a half months. Tensions escalated in November 2024 after an…
Negotiation meeting set for January 28 at 11:45 PM ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has refused to attend the negotiation session summoned by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, scheduled for January 28 at 11:45 PM. Ayaz Sadiq, who has been mediating talks between the government and the opposition, invited PTI for the fourth round of negotiations. Senator Irfan Siddiqui, spokesperson for the government’s negotiation committee, stated that PTI was invited, but “PTI has not formally informed us of withdrawing from the talks.” PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced that the party would not attend the meeting, saying, “We will not…
Prisoner exchange agreement with Pakistan also denied ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) was informed on Thursday that former US President Joe Biden rejected Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s clemency plea. During the hearing of a petition filed by her sister, Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui, seeking Dr. Aafia’s repatriation, petitioner’s counsel Imran Shafiq revealed that the US had refused a prisoner exchange agreement with Pakistan. Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan presided over the session, with Dr. Fauzia and her US attorney Clive Smith joining via video link. The additional attorney general (AAG) was also present. The court was briefed about a report submitted…
PTI lawmakers protest against bills; uproar overshadows proceedings ISLAMABAD: Amid an uproar caused by opposition lawmakers, the government successfully passed four bills during the joint session of parliament. PTI lawmakers entered the house holding protest placards and chanting slogans such as “PECA Act unacceptable” and “oppression of journalists unacceptable.” Journalists, protesting against the recent amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), wore black armbands during the session. Opposition Leader Omar Ayub’s request to speak on a point of order was rejected by NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, prompting opposition lawmakers to stand, shout slogans, and tear up copies of…
The party puts negotiations on hold after announcing their end ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has shifted its stance from ending talks with the government to putting them “on hold.” Speaking to the media at Parliament House, Barrister Gohar stated that PTI participated in talks with an open heart, presenting only two demands: forming a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 riots and last year’s November protest, as well as releasing “political prisoners.” The PTI chairman’s statement contrasts with his earlier announcement, which declared the end of talks due to the government’s failure to establish the judicial commission within seven…
