Author: Dawn.com

Recent developments have shed light on the alleged involvement of Pakistani national Asif Merchant in a plot to assassinate US politicians and government officials on behalf of Iran. The US State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, stated that Washington has not engaged in any discussions with Islamabad regarding Merchant’s indictment. Merchant, accused of recruiting individuals in the US to carry out the assassination plan in retaliation for the killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, has been charged with murder for hire in a federal court in New York. The FBI believes that former US President Donald Trump and other government officials…

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir recently emphasized the role of social media in spreading anarchy during an Ulema-o-Mashaikh Conference in Islamabad. He highlighted the importance of promoting tolerance and unity in society instead of extremism, discrimination, and corruption. The army chief reiterated Pakistan’s resilience and commitment to standing against any attempt to destabilize the country. Additionally, the ISPR Director General had previously expressed concerns about the rise of “digital terrorism” and the spread of fake news and propaganda on social media platforms. The military’s response to online dissent has led to crackdowns on critics and the…

The escalating violence in the Middle East has prompted the Pakistani government to advise its nationals in Lebanon to leave the country. Tensions have increased following Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza and the recent assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. The Foreign Office issued a statement urging Pakistanis to avoid travel to Lebanon and exercise extreme caution if already in the country. Contact details for the Embassy of Pakistan in Beirut were provided for assistance. Recent cross-border fire incidents between Israel and Hezbollah have raised concerns of a potential full-blown war. Several countries, including Saudi Arabia, France, Canada, and Jordan,…

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has recently come under fire from the military, which has labeled it a “proxy of terrorist organizations and criminal mafias.” The BYC has called for an independent inquiry into all the allegations made against the group, following a series of protests and arrests in Gwadar. Despite signing an agreement with the provincial government and agreeing to end the protest, tensions remain high between the government and BYC leadership. The military spokesperson accused the group of defaming law enforcement agencies and creating controversy around development projects in the province. In response, the BYC has rejected these…

ISPR DG expresses concern over digital terrorism in Pakistan Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry recently voiced his concerns about the rise of “digital terrorism” in Pakistan. During a press conference in Rawalpindi, he emphasized the need for stronger legal measures to combat fake news, propaganda, and doctored images that are spreading through social media platforms. While acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, Lt Gen Chaudhry assured that the Pakistan Army is dedicated to taking necessary actions against individuals, both domestically and abroad, who are involved in spreading misinformation and creating unrest among the…

On the fifth anniversary of India revoking the special autonomy of occupied Kashmir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged New Delhi to transition from “dispute denial to dispute resolution” for sustainable peace in South Asia. Pakistan is commemorating Youm-i-Istehsal (Exploitation Day) today to stand in solidarity with Kashmiris against India’s revocation of Kashmir’s special status in 2019. This move allowed Indian nationals to acquire property in Kashmir, leading to concerns about demographic changes. Shehbaz emphasized the importance of resolving the Kashmir conflict for regional security and reiterated Pakistan’s support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. Indian forces’ actions in Kashmir were condemned…

The federal government of Pakistan has declared that the country will observe “Youm-i-Istehsal” (Exploitation Day) on Monday, marking the fifth anniversary of India’s revocation of Kashmir’s special autonomy and showing solidarity with Kashmiris. This decision was reported by the state-owned channel PTV News. On August 5, 2019, India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stripped Kashmir of its special status by revoking Article 370 of the constitution, dividing the region into two territories directly administered by New Delhi. The move allowed people from other parts of India to buy property and settle permanently in Indian-held Kashmir, leading to…

The government has announced a Rs5 million “support package” per family of missing persons to provide legal and financial assistance, as stated by the law minister. The move comes after sustained protests in Balochistan over the issue of missing persons, with recent incidents of violence claiming lives and injuries. Additionally, a three-member committee of top intelligence officials has been formed to aid in the recovery of missing persons, following an order from the Islamabad High Court. The government has approved recommendations from a report presented by a cabinet committee, focusing on providing urgent support to families facing economic hardships due…

The government has announced a Rs5 million support package per family of missing persons to provide legal and financial assistance, addressing the ongoing issue in Balochistan. Amidst protests and unrest, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee’s sit-in in Gwadar resulted in three deaths and 24 injuries. A three-member committee has been formed to aid in the recovery of missing persons as ordered by the Islamabad High Court. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stated that the support package is not compensation but a means of assistance for families facing economic hardships. The government aims to prioritize 1,000 cases of missing persons for immediate…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan has made significant moves to secure a $7 billion economic bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In a bid to ease foreign exchange outflows and consumer tariffs in the energy sector, Sharif has requested debt reprofiling from China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, totaling over $27 billion. This request includes converting imported coal-based projects to local coal and restructuring energy sector liabilities to create fiscal space. Sharif also highlighted the importance of Pakistan-China relations, specifically praising China for its investments in the energy sector through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He mentioned efforts…