LAHORE: The Gujranwala police have inaugurated the Women’s Enclave, a pioneering general reporting center designed to assist women in lodging complaints across various state-run institutions, including the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), in addition to police-related issues. Located in Satellite Town, this center is uniquely staffed entirely by female police personnel, ensuring that no male staff or visitors are allowed entry, thus creating a secure environment for women to report sensitive issues. The Women’s Enclave offers a log-in facility for three key departments—the FIA, Social Welfare Department, and the Women Ombudsperson Punjab—via a specialized app, allowing for priority handling of complaints.…
Author: Hasnain Abid Khanzada
ISLAMABAD: On Tuesday, Pakistan carried out a successful training launch of the Shaheen-II surface-to-surface ballistic missile, according to a statement from the military’s media affairs wing. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that the training launch was conducted to train troops, validate technical parameters, and evaluate the performance of various sub-systems designed to enhance accuracy and survivability. Senior officers from the Strategic Plans Division, Army Strategic Forces Command, along with scientists and engineers from strategic organizations, observed the launch. The Director General of the Strategic Plans Division praised the technical expertise and dedication of the scientists involved in this achievement.…
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday asked the government and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to respond to senior journalist Hamid Mir’s petition challenging the nationwide internet slowdown. Internet speeds have significantly declined in recent weeks, causing difficulties for users trying to send or download media and voice notes on WhatsApp, and experiencing slow browsing even on broadband connections. The business community and internet service providers (ISPs) have attributed the slowdown to the government’s internet traffic monitoring efforts, including a reported ‘firewall,’ which they claim has led to economic losses. While IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja has acknowledged…
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the creation of the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund on Tuesday, designed to support higher education for children from low-income families. This initiative follows his earlier declaration of an education emergency and a commitment to enroll approximately 26 million out-of-school children. During a meeting with Oxford Union President Israr Khan Kakar, PM Shehbaz revealed that the new fund will allocate a 20% quota for students from Balochistan. He praised Kakar for his recent election as Oxford Union President, noting that Kakar is the third Pakistani and the first from Balochistan to hold the position. PM…
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced a 30% reduction in fares for flights from Karachi to Jeddah and Madina. The new one-way ticket price is set at Rs 56,000, inclusive of taxes, while a return ticket will cost Rs 88,000. The discounted fares are available for purchase until August 31, with travel permitted up to September 30. The new rates are effective immediately.
ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan alleged on Monday that Faiz Hameed, the former ISI chief who was detained earlier this month in connection with a housing scheme scam, is being pressured to turn approver against him. Khan claimed that this move is part of a strategy to facilitate his trial in a military court over the May 9 incidents. In a separate development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has prohibited an accountability court from announcing its verdict in the £190 million corruption case involving Khan and his spouse related to the Al Qadir Trust. However, the IHC allowed the…
ISLAMABAD: On Monday, Tarbela Dam, the country’s second-largest reservoir, achieved its full conservation capacity, with total live storage surpassing 11 million acre feet (MAF) and nearing its maximum capacity of 13.35 MAF. The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) announced that Tarbela Dam reached its maximum conservation level of 1,550 feet above sea level, holding 5.766 MAF of usable water. This development is seen as a positive sign for both irrigated agriculture and the generation of green, clean, and affordable hydropower in the country. In contrast, Mangla Dam, the largest water reservoir in Pakistan, is approximately 30 feet short of…
ISLAMABAD: On Monday, police used baton charges and teargas to disperse protesters from the Aalmi Majlis Tahaffuz-i-Nabuwat who were rallying against the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Mubarak Sani case. The protest, which began with rallies from various locations in the twin cities, saw demonstrators converge at Express Chowk, where they set up a stage and sound system for speeches. As the protesters advanced toward the Supreme Court, they encountered a heavy police presence and barriers set up at the old parade ground. Despite the police’s efforts to block their path using baton charges, water cannons, and teargas, the protesters…
KHYBER: The Tirah Valley is experiencing heightened security concerns as armed men from militant groups Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Lashkar-i-Islam (LI) have commenced patrols in the region. Local residents are urging authorities to bolster security measures to protect the community. Despite local markets remaining open and normal vehicle traffic continuing, the presence of TTP and LI militants in areas such as Bar Qambarkhel, Adamkhel, Thiyrai, Landawar, Pir Mela, Bhutan Shareef, and Sanda Pal has intensified security worries. Videos circulating on social media showing TTP militants in Pir Mela Bazaar have prompted calls for a more stringent response from security forces.…
GILGIT: On Monday, Army Aviation helicopters initiated a critical mission to rescue two Russian climbers stranded on Gasherbrum IV (7,925m), who were attempting to retrieve the body of their deceased compatriot from the previous year. According to Shigar Deputy Commissioner Waliullah Falahi, the helicopters successfully deposited four local high-altitude mountaineers and one Russian climber at an altitude of 6,000 meters. The rescue team is now set to attempt the challenging task of bringing down the stranded climbers, Mikhail Mironov and Sergei Mironov, who remain at 6,400 meters, as helicopters are unable to land above 6,000 meters. The two climbers were…
