Pakistan

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged awareness on responsible parenthood and family planning to address population growth on the World Population Day on Friday, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. Established by the then-Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989 and observed on July 11 every year, World Population Day seeks to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues, including their relations to the environment and development. The president, in his message to the nation, said that the challenge of population growth continued to hinder the country’s national development process which necessitated a comprehensive, and inclusive approach, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported. “When community leaders, elders, and civil society organisations promote the benefits of responsible parenthood and support access to family planning, societal attitudes begin to change. The media also has a central role to play in raising awaren...

At least five people died and four others were injured when a pickup vehicle plunged into a deep gorge in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district on Friday morning, police said. Kurram Deputy Commissioner Ashfaq Khan told Dawn.com: “The accident occurred in the Para Chamkani Gondal, where five people died and four others sustained injuries.” He said the vehicle was on its way to Sadda Bazaar Lower Kurram from Spin Ghar Manro when the incident occurred. “The vehicle lost control on a narrow and dangerous bend and fell off the road, as a result of which five people died on the spot while four were seriously injured,” he added. The deceased were identified as Gul Wali, son of Abdul Hanan (driver); Naimatullah, son of Gul Khan; Naseeb, son of Hamad Jan, residents of Manro; Dolly Khan, son of Islam; and Riazuddin, son of Zahiruddin, residents of Kimal Baza Zangi. According to the deputy commissioner, locals voluntarily started relief operations to rescue the injured and recover the bodies soon after the incident. The...

The United Arab Emirates’ Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Friday assured “full support” in expediting visas for Pakistani citizens, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported. Al Nahyan’s statement came during a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who is currently on an official visit to the UAE. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in security, counter-narcotics, and immigration matters. The minister received a warm welcome at the UAE Ministry of Interior, where he was presented with a guard of honour. He was introduced to senior UAE officials and engaged in high-level discussions focusing on visa facilitation for Pakistani citizens, especially work visas. During the visit, Naqvi emphasised the importance of easing the visa policy, stating, “We want Pakistani citizens to come to the UAE with ease. Relaxation in visa policies will bring great relief.” The UAE interior minister assured full support in this reg...

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday said that India’s political leadership is struggling to come to terms with its defeat during the recent military escalation with Pakistan.

In a bid to curb deteriorating air quality in the province, the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday ordered that all restaurants across the city must close by 12 a.

Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday expressed strong displeasure over the federal government’s continued failure to submit a report regarding the release, health, and repatriation of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

A potential disaster was narrowly averted at Lahore’s bustling Hafeez Centre on Thursday after a fire broke out due to a short circuit, but was swiftly brought under control within 20 minutes, according to rescue officials quoted by ARY News.

Pakistan and Russia signed an agreement on Friday to revive and expand the Pakistan Steel Mills project in Karachi — originally built in 1973 with soviet assistance — signalling both countries’ commitment to their “long-standing” industrial partnership. In May, Pakistan and Russia had agreed to revive PSM, which ceased its operations in 2015, according to a press release by the Press Information Department (PID). In 2024, following the official closure of the mill, Sindh sought Russia’s assistance in restoring the ageing infrastructure, which had been incurring losses for decades. The agreement to revive the defunct entity was signed at the Pakistan Embassy in Moscow by Secretary Industries and Production, Saif Anjum and General Director of Industries Engineering LLC of Russia, Vadim Velichko, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Industries and Production. “Reviving PSM with Russia’s support reflects our shared history and commitment to a stronger industrial future,” said Special Assistant t...

Six members of a family, including four children, were injured after the roof of a mud house collapsed due to heavy rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Charsadda district in the early hours of Friday, a rescue official said. Rescue 1122, Charsadda’s District Emergency Officer Jawad Ali told Dawn.com that the incident occurred in the Omarzai area, where the roof of a house collapsed, adding that his team responded promptly and recovered the injured from the debris. “The injured were transported to the district headquarters hospital in Charsadda for medical assistance,” he said. “The Rescue 1122 team had also provided first aid to the injured on the spot and in the ambulances; they seemed out of danger.” According to the DEO Ali, four of the injured were guests from Karachi. Of the four children, aged five to nine, three suffered multiple injuries, while the fourth suffered a forehead wound. The DEO appealed to the public to take precautionary measures during the monsoon season. Meanwhile, Ali and Charsadda Deputy Co...

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the sidelines of the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting on Friday, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.

Tesla will open its first India showroom in Mumbai next week, having imported $1 million worth of cars and merchandise, marking its entry into the world’s third-largest car market despite CEO Elon Musk’s complaints about high import tariffs. In an invitation to the media on Thursday, the carmaker said the July 15 event was the “launch of Tesla in India through the opening of the Tesla experience centre at Bandra Kurla Complex,” located in the city’s leading commercial business district. Grappling with excess manufacturing capacity at its other factories and falling sales, Tesla has pivoted to selling imported cars in India, on which it will need to pay about 70 per cent import duty and other levies. Commercially available custom records from January to June showed Tesla imported vehicles, chargers and accessories into India worth close to $1m, mainly from China and the United States. The vehicles included six of Tesla’s best-selling Model Y at a shipment value of $32,500 each for five cars, and $46,000 for th...

As the world marks World Population Day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan’s strong commitment to a comprehensive, rights-based population strategy focused on equitable healthcare, informed family planning, and empowering individuals to make autonomous decisions about their future.

Canada will face a 35 per cent tariff on exports to the United States starting August 1, President Donald Trump said on Thursday in a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney. It was the latest of more than 20 such letters issued by Trump since Monday, as he continues to pursue his trade war threats against dozens of economies. Canada and the US have been locked in trade negotiations in hopes of reaching a deal by July 21, but the latest threat appeared to have shifted that deadline. Both Canada and Mexico are trying to find ways to satisfy Trump so that the free trade deal uniting the three countries — known as the USMCA — can be put back on track. “Throughout the current trade negotiations with the United States, the Canadian government has steadfastly defended our workers and businesses. We will continue to do so as we work towards the revised deadline of August 1,“ Carney posted on the social media platform X Thursday night. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement replaced the previous NAFTA accord in July ...

In the wake of the deadly Lyari building collapse that claimed over 25 lives, the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has announced a sweeping citywide operation to demolish all illegally constructed and under-construction buildings across Karachi.

Corp Commanders Conference reiterates safety, security of Pakistani people remain its top priority Field Marsha Asim Munir terms India’s efforts to involve third parties in regional tensions a baseless attempt at bloc politics.

Shehbaz assures govt’s support for safety, facilitation of foreign mountaineers Forms committee to boost E-Commerce sector in Pakistan Directs for urgent restructuring of NTC powers, responsibilities.

LAHORE/PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD - National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a nationwide alert, warning of heavy rains, thunderstorms, and an increased risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) over the next 12 hours.

BAJAUR - Shooting near the Khar Tehsil headquarters in Bajaur on Thursday claimed two lives including Awami National Party (ANP) leader Maulana Khan Zaib.

ISLAMABAD - Interior Miniter Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday dismissed reports of unceremonious removal of President Asif Ali Zardari from his office, terming them a “malicious campaign”.

ISLAMABAD - A high-level Government of Pakistan delegation, led by H.