Pakistan

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq and Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Wednesday invited the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) to dialogue in a bid to ease the unrest triggered by protests in the region, which left three policemen dead. A three-day shutter-down strike has paralysed AJK under a communications blackout, as JAAC presses its demands after talks with the AJK government and federal ministers broke down last week over elite privileges and reserved seats for refugees. Rival groups have since staged protests, trading blame for violence that marred what began as a largely peaceful movement. Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad today, the AJK PM said that negotiations were a “civilised” way to achieve rights and that the government had invited the JAAC back to the table. “This is a request to start from where the talks broke down,” Haq said. “Whenever it suits you, wherever the JAAC wants to talk, the state government is read...

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Office confirmed.

At least 1,006 people have lost their lives, including 275 children, 568 men, and 163 women, in flood-affected regions of the country following relentless torrential rains.

Efforts to bring a quick end to the US government shutdown floundered Wednesday when senators rejected a plan to resolve an acrimonious funding stand-off between President Donald Trump and Democrats in Congress. With the government out of money after Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. Senate Democrats — who are demanding extended health care subsidies for low income families — refused to help the majority Republicans approve a House-passed bill that would have reopened the government for several weeks while negotiations continue. Around 750,000 public sector workers are expected to be placed on furlough — a kind of enforced leave, with pay withheld until they return to work. Essential workers such as the military and border agents may be forced to work without pay and some will likely miss pay checks next week. Shutdowns are a periodic feature of gridlocked Washington, although this is the first since a re...

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Anti-Corruption Establishment inquiry stalled as officials skip summons and withhold documents

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Medical experts call for urgent HPV vaccination campaign

Punjab records 48 confirmed cases, patients complained of crowded wards

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Rs25.7m lapse sparks row; JICA warns of serious concerns if closure persists

Five others injured as Arain, Panwar groups exchange fire

Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim on Wednesday congratulated Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) on receiving approval from the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) for the acquisition of Telenor Pakistan, terming the move an important step towards strengthening the country’s telecom sector.

The Government of Balochistan has announced a blanket ban on poppy seeds (khashkhash), prohibiting their sale, purchase, transportation, and possession with immediate effect.