Pakistan

PESHAWAR: The federal government’s decision to expel Afghan nationals with Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, the last category of refugees legally living in the country without visas, has left those over one million people in panic. The interior ministry on Thursday issued a special regulatory order (SRO), saying PoR cards expired on June 30 this year, rendering their holders’ stay in the country unlawful. It empowered district administration, police, prosecution, prisons and all other authorities to take appropriate measures for the arrest and detention, whether in jails or other suitable premises, and repatriation of all such illegal foreigners. “Federal Government is pleased to invoke the provisions of sub-sections (I), (2)(c), (2)(e)(i) and (2)(g) of Section 3 of the Foreigners Act, 1946, in relation to PoR card holders forthwith,” the SRO read. Following the issuance of SRO, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa home and tribal affairs department on Friday made a public announcement regarding the deportation of Afghan...

BAJAUR: Terrorists in Bajaur district have conditionally agreed to vacate civilian areas, but would not leave the district completely, sources said on Saturday. The second round of talks between Bajaur Aman (peace) Jirga members and local terrorist leaders aimed at convincing them to leave the region ended on Saturday, said the sources. They told Dawn that talks between the 50-member peace jirga and terrorist leaders were held in the Lowi Mamund tehsil. The terrorists had requested a day’s time at the Friday meeting to consult their leadership over the jirga’s two-point demands — either to return to Afghanistan or retreat to the mountains if they wanted to fight the security forces, as their presence posed a serious threat to locals. However, the sources said that no significant development took place in this crucial meeting, meant to convince the terrorist to leave the region peacefully. The details of the meeting, which started at around 3pm and ended late on Saturday evening, have yet to be formally disclo...

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s value-added textile sector has raised alarms over the United States’ recent imposition of a 19 per cent tariff on Pakistani exports, warning that it could neutralise any potential gains in market access. The new tariff, added on top of existing duties, is seen as significantly higher than expected, undermining hopes for improved trade relations and market share, particularly in comparison to regional competitors such as Vietnam and Bangladesh. Industry leaders argue that the new tariff structure, combined with rising domestic production costs, makes it increasingly difficult to compete. One exporter noted that the higher tariffs, along with Pakistan’s growing production costs, could result in a decline in export volumes. “The deal is neutral at best,” the exporter said, pointing out that regional players like Vietnam and Bangladesh, with their lower production costs, remain better positioned. Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Jawed Bilwani told Dawn that Pakistan’...

ISLAMABAD - Aleema Khan, the sister of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, on Saturday clarified that Imran’s sons have applied both for their national identity cards for overseas Pakistanis (Nicops) as well as visas to visit Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD - The federal government has decided to establish separate immigration counters for for-eign passengers at all international airports in the country.

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Iran on Saturday reaffirmed commitment to strengthen bilateral ties and promote peace and stability in the region.

Karachi - First Lady and Member of the National Assembly, Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, on Saturday, said that today is a day of pride for all of us.

Rawalpindi - The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed a complaint under anti-money laundering laws with an accountability court here on Saturday against property tycoon Malik Riaz, his family and key officials of Bahria Town housing society.

ISLAMABAD - In the world of politics, timing is not just important; it is considered everything.

On the special directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, province-wide celebrations for Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day have commenced with fervour, dignity, and national pride.

Witnesses firepower demonstration by newly-inducted Z-10ME helicopters at Muzaffargarh Field Firing Ranges.

PESHAWAR - The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government on Saturday initiated a series of regional jirgas following an All Parties Conference (APC) hosted by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur.

ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi on Saturday said that the government was heavily prioritising major infrastructure development in Pakistan Railways, particularly the ML1 Railway corridor.

ISLAMABAD - Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar Saturday met with Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi here and discussed matters of mutual interest.

Islamabad - Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar says Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit is highly significant and will give a boost not only to Pak-Iran trade but entire gamut of bilateral relations.

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and the World Health Organization have agreed to accelerate fight against Hepatitis C.

In a significant move to promote equal rights and civic inclusion, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has launched a nationwide minority registration drive, set to run from August 4 to August 11, 2025, in connection with National Minorities Day.

RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast more rain, with wind-thundershowers in the upper and central regions of the country over the coming week. The department has asked provincial disaster management authorities and district administrations to take preventive measures against possible urban flooding. According to the PMD, weak monsoon currents continue to move into the upper and central regions of the country and are expected to intensify from Aug 4. A westerly wave is forecast to strengthen on Aug 5. From Aug 4 to 7, rain, wind and thundershowers, with isolated heavy falls, are expected in Kashmir. In Gilgit-Baltistan, hea­vy rainfall with occasional gaps is predicted from Aug 5 to 7. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is expected to experience rain, wind and thundershowers with isolated heavy falls from Aug 4 to 7. In Punjab and Islam­abad, rain and thundershowers, with scattered heavy falls, are predicted in several areas. Balochistan is forecast to experience mainly hot and humid weather, ...

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said that the regime, terrified by the prospect of the incarcerated PTI Patron-in-Chief Imran Khan’s children returning to Pakistan, resorted to blatant “lies” — a clear reflection of its weakness. In a statement on Saturday, PTI CIS lashed out at the government for labelling the PTI founder’s sons as foreigners. He made it clear that they were Pakistani nationals who possessed National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOPs), and therefore have every legal and constitutional right to visit Pakistan and see their father. “The oppressive and tyrannical government was forced to lie out of fear of Imran Khan’s children coming to Pakistan, which shows how weak and cowardly they are,” Mr Waqas stated. He emphasised that both were issued tracking numbers for their visa applications submitted to the Pakistan High Commission in London — with Sulaiman’s tracking ID being 88005575178 and Kasim’s 88005575782. Asserts both ...

• The dam is holding 4.3MAF of water against its capacity of 7.3MAF • Below average inflows in Jhelum mean water in reservoir increases only a few inches each day LAHORE: Despite record rainfall and flooding in rivers, experts have warned of a 25 per cent water shortage in a few months due to a significant decline in Jehlum River’s inflows. The drop in inflows has also slowed the filling of the Mangla Dam, one of the country’s two biggest reservoirs. Inflows in the Jhelum River on Saturday dropped to 25,200 cusecs, 47 per cent less than its recorded average. On the corresponding day last year, the inflows were 39,700 cusecs. The last five-year average for the day was 47,900 cusecs and 44,200 cusecs for the last 10 years. Due to lesser inflows, water in the Mangla dam was only increasing a few inches each day. According to water experts, this could result in a 25pc water shortage in the coming Rabi season. From Thursday to Friday, the dam’s storage only increased from 1,200.65 feet to 1,201.20 feet, 41ft below...