Dutch King Willem-Alexander swore in former spy chief Dick Schoof as new prime minister on Tuesday, at the head of a right-wing coalition cabinet with a mission to implement the “strictest-ever” immigration policy in the country. Two hundred and twenty-three days after far-right leader Geert Wilders swept to an election victory that stunned Europe and the world, Schoof took over from Mark Rutte after 14 years in power. Schoof presented his ministers to Willem-Alexander in the ornate “Oranjezaal” in the royal palace, who each stepped forward to swear allegiance to the king and the constitution. Wilders was forced to shelve…
Author: Hasnain Abid Khanzada
Dozens of Kenyans took to the streets on Tuesday under a heavy police presence, with many shops shuttered as youth activists called for fresh protests after anti-tax hike demonstrations last month descended into deadly violence. Activists have stepped up their campaign against President William Ruto despite his announcement last week that he would not sign into law a controversial finance bill that triggered what he has branded “treasonous” protests. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) said on Monday that 39 people had been killed and 361 injured during two weeks of demonstrations and condemned the use of force against protesters as…
Leaders of the Afghanistan interim government held a meeting with Pakistani officials in Doha on Monday in what was seen as an effort to ease tension following the announcement of a fresh operation against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which security officials insist operate from Afghan soil. Relations between the two neighbouring countries have lately become strained, largely because of the TTP but also due to frequent border skirmishes. Last week, the Afghan defense ministry’s spokesman angrily reacted to Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s remarks when he said that Islamabad could hit TTP hideouts in Afghanistan. In an apparent move to improve relations between Kabul…
GILGIT: As climbing season kicks off, hundreds of local and foreign climbers are making their way to Gilgit-Baltistan to climb eight-thousander peaks, including K2. According to Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Department, over 1,700 permits have been issued to foreign tourists to climb peaks in the region, while 175 permits have been issued to scale K2 (8,611 metres). Many climbers have established their base camps at K2, Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum-I and Gasherbrum-II peaks. Sajid Ali Sadpara, the son of world-famous high altitude climber, Mohammad Ali Sadpara, has also arrived at K2 base to attempt to climb K2 without oxygen. He is…
RAWALPINDI: A housemaid was allegedly sexually abused by her employer and his friend in the limits of Ratta Amral, police said on Monday. The victim, a resident of Babu Lal Hussain Road, lodged a complaint, stating that her employer, Arsalan, initially developed physical relations with her on the pretext of getting married to her. When she insisted on marriage, he refused and started blackmailing her with obscene videos. She further claimed that Arsalan and his friend then sexually abused her. In another incident, four unidentified robbers held Ishtiaq Ahmad and his family hostage in Dhoke Gujran, stealing Rs400,000 cash and…
ISLAMABAD: Thirty electric buses which had arrived in Islamabad last month are likely to start operations this week, as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to ply these vehicles on two city routes following an inauguration ceremony likely on Friday. The ceremony is expected to be held on July 5 and either the prime minister or the interior minister will attend it. “The preparations are in progress for holding the inauguration ceremony on July 5; there are chances that the interior minister will inaugurate this bus service,” said an official privy to details of the ceremony. The official said the CDA…
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has finally allowed cellular companies to share with police data related to suspects for investigation in the post-crime scenario, as scores of inquiries remained halted due to a previous order, restraining telecom operators from facilitating law enforcement agencies with surveillance. The order was issued on the petitions of Mian Najamus Saqib, son of former chief justice Saqib Nisar, and Imran Khan’s spouse Bushra Bibi in the audio leaks case. On May 29, Justice Babar Sattar issued the restraining order, with the result that the telecom operators stopped cooperating with police investigators. At the last hearing, Islamabad Police…
KARACHI: As citizens heaved a sigh of relief with restoration of the sea breeze on Monday, the low atmospheric pressure area that brought a severe heatwave in the city made its presence felt again on the night between Sunday and Monday as it was recorded as the warmest night of the month of July in over six decades. According to the Met department, the minimum temperature recorded on the night of July 1 was 32 degrees Celsius with 70 per cent relative humidity. “It’s the remnants of the low pressure area still prevailing over the Indian Gujarat that influenced Karachi’s weather,” Chief…
ISLAMABAD: The month of June saw 20 per cent decline in militant attacks, resulting in fewer deaths and injuries. According to data released by an Islamabad-based think-tank, Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), militants carried out 69 attacks across the country last month. These attacks resulted in 60 deaths, including 33 security forces personnel, 26 civilians, and one militant. Additionally, 65 people were injured: 33 civilians, 31 security forces personnel, and one militant. Compared to May, there was a 20 per cent decline in militant attacks, a 33 per cent decrease in resultant deaths, and a 25 per…
RAWALPINDI: Dubai-based low-cost airline flydubai has commenced operations for Islamabad and Lahore and inaugural flights received water cannon salutes as they touched down at ariports in the two cities on Monday. Fire tenders from the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Rescue and Fire Fighting Service presented water cannon salutes, which is a traditional aviation gesture to honour inaugural flights at the Islamabad International Airport and Allama Iqbal International Airport. A CAA spokesman said the inaugural flight from Dubai to Lahore, FZ 359, arrived at 4:29am. The CAA representatives and other officials welcomed the passengers and a cake-cutting ceremony and gift presentation…
