Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a significant bill seeking stringent laws and penalties to curb child marriages and protect girls from becoming mothers in their teens. The bill, tabled by MNA Sharmila Faruqui, was not on the agenda of the proceedings but was introduced by suspending relevant rules. Once the bill becomes an act, it will be implemented in the federal capital and no court other than that of the district and sessions judge shall take cognizance of or try any offence under it. When the bill becomes a law, the Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929 will stand repealed to the extent of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). However, all orders made, decisions taken, judgements passed by any court shall be deemed to have been validly made, taken and passed under this act. The bill was introduced with the object to curb, discourage and eventually eradicate the concept and phenomenon of child marriages. No nikah khwan shall register a marriage where one or both contracting part...

LAHORE - The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday directed the Punjab government to implement immediate measures to curb water wastage in the province.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, has reiterated that lasting peace in South Asia hinges on the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

In a significant step towards digital transformation and public service, the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has introduced a lifetime ID card for citizens who voluntarily pledge to donate their organs.

Islamabad - Nation observed Youm-eTashakur on Friday to celebrate victory in Operation Bunyanum-Marsoos and Marka-e-Haq.

KHUZDAR: Four Levies personnel were martyred in an armed attack on their check post in the Nasl area of Khuzdar district late on Friday night. A senior Levies officer confirmed the incident to Dawn, stating that four Levies men lost their lives in the armed attack. The incident occurred at the Sanand Levies check post along the CPEC Road. According to police, the bodies were shifted to Khuzdar Hospital. The deceased have been identified as Maqbool, Khuda Bakhsh, Ejaz Ahmed, and Muhammad Ali. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2025

Shehbaz Sharif says we have won the war Urges India to become peaceful neighbour vows to elevate Pakistan’s dignity in comity of nations PM visits CMH to inquire after health of injured soldiers Meets family members of Usman Yousaf Shaheed.

ISLAMABAD - Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Friday lauded the role of national media stating that it has responded courageously and wisely to Indian propaganda.

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan said yesterday that Islamabad and New Delhi had agreed to a “phased and struc-tured de-escalation mechanism” following last week’s border conflict, which had raised fears of an-other war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday hoisted the national flag at the PM House to mark Youm-e-Tashakur (Thanksgiving Day).

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi had a meeting on Friday to discuss national issues, including the prevailing political situation, national security, and major infrastructure projects.

ISLAMABAD - Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday paid rich tribute to the professionalism and bravery of Pakistan’s armed forces, commending their decisive and effective response to Indian aggression, which he described as a golden chapter in the country’s military history.

A new methane-powered rocket developed by China’s LandSpace Technology launched six satellites into orbit on Saturday, doubling down on a cheap, cleaner fuel that the private startup hopes will help it develop reusable rockets. The Zhuque-2E Y2 carrier rocket blasted off at 12:12pm (09:12am PKT) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China, marking the fifth flight for the Zhuque-2 series, according to a company statement. Beijing-based LandSpace became the world’s first company to launch a methane-liquid oxygen rocket in July 2023, ahead of US rivals including Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. Interest has grown in recent years in launching carrier vehicles fuelled by methane, which is deemed less polluting, safer and cheaper than more commonly used hydrocarbon fuels and a suitable propellant in a reusable rocket. LandSpace has increased the rocket’s payload, reflecting increasing demand in China’s expanding commercial space industry amid growing competition to form a constellati...

ISLAMABAD - British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said yesterday that peace and security were cornerstones of the UK-Pakistan relationship.

ISLAMABAD - Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi Friday emphasized that the independence and safety of judges, particularly of the District Judiciary is essential for the fair and effective delivery of justice.

Siddiqui urges opposition benches to respect political leadership.

The federal government is set to present the budget for the fiscal year 2025–26, with an estimated outlay of around Rs20 trillion, in Parliament on June 2, official sources confirmed.

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has accorded approval to a gradual but significant reduction in import tariffs for the promotion of exports and investments in the country.

MIRPUR (AJK) - Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul has warned the Modi-led Indian fascist government of serious consequences if it continued with its jingoistic policy or attempted to commit any misadventure again.

Rawalpindi - People from all walks of life here on Friday observed Youm-e-Tashakur to mark the successful defence of the homeland by the armed forces against uncalled for aggression of India.