Pakistan

Apple and ChatGPT owner OpenAI on Tuesday asked a US federal judge to dismiss a case filed by billionaire Elon Musk’s xAI, which had accused them of illegally conspiring to thwart competition in the field of artificial intelligence. In a lawsuit filed in August, xAI had said that Apple would have no reason to refrain from more prominently featuring the X app and the Grok app in its App Store if not for its “exclusive” deal with OpenAI. Musk’s company sought billions of dollars in alleged damages. “Apple and OpenAI’s agreement is expressly not exclusive, and it is public and widely known that Apple intends to partner with other generative AI chatbots,” lawyers for Apple said in a court filing on Tuesday, while asking the judge to dismiss the case. Musk’s AI startup xAI and social media X do not “plausibly allege” that the integration of ChatGPT into Apple devices harms competition, they added. Apple in partnership with OpenAI has integrated ChatGPT into its operating system for iPhones, iPads and Macs. xAI did...

Security forces killed ten terrorists during a joint intelligence-based operation in the Gazaband area on the outskirts of Quetta, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari on Wednesday said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz will not apologize for her remarks made during a recent public gathering, despite demands from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Tuesday witnessed an overwhelming shutter-down and wheeljam strike on the second consecutive day amid intermittent skirmishes between law enforcers and activists in the state capital Muzaffarabad. The atmosphere was highly charged following the death of one person and injuries to several others a day earlier. Although government offices remained open, attendance was thin for want of transport. Banks were also open but hardly saw any client. All private businesses and shops, including medical stores, remained closed. Even street vendors were nowhere to be seen. Angry youngsters, some carrying batons, blocked intercity roads in many areas of the state capital till afternoon by placing different obstacles and torching bushes. Nevertheless, some private vehicles and motorcycles were seen running through the roads sporadically, without facing serious resistance from the activists. On receiving information about blockades, police personnel swiftly rushed to clear the ro...

China kicked off a new visa programme on Wednesday to attract foreign talent in science and technology. This is part of ongoing efforts to position itself as a world leader in those sectors ahead of the United States. The Chinese measure, announced in August, starkly contrasts with recent US policy, with the Trump administration suddenly introducing new and expensive changes to its skilled worker visas last month. China’s new K visa significantly simplifies the immigration process for those eligible, according to state media. “Against the backdrop of some countries retracting, turning inward, and sidelining international talent, China has keenly seized this important opportunity and promptly introduced this policy,” state newspaper People’s Daily said in a comment piece on Tuesday. In contrast to many other visa categories, the K visa does not require a domestic employer or entity to invite the applicant. “K visas will offer more convenience to holders in terms of the number of permitted entries, validity per...

A 3.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded in Karachi on Wednesday morning, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said. According to PMD, the earthquake was recorded seven kilometres north west of Malir at 9:34am, with a depth of 10km. In June, the metropolitan city recorded a series of low-intensity tremors — starting from June 1 and ending on June 22 — mostly near Malir. Their intensity ranged from 1.5-magnitude to 3.8-magnitude on the Richter scale. According to experts, the fault lines passing along the areas of Landhi, Quaidabad, Gadap and Malir had become active after several decades and were releasing accumulated energy in the form of low intensity earthquakes in areas close to them. Previously, experts have often warned that a powerful seismic hazard can put the lives of thousands at risk and damage critical infrastructure. The city’s close proximity to several seismic faults, including the Allahbund fault, which runs parallel to Sindh’s coast, and the junction of the Indian, Arabian and Eurasian ...

Pakistan has repaid its $500 million Eurobond on schedule, with the government saying the timely servicing reflects fiscal discipline, stronger reserves, improved ratings, and a more sustainable debt profile. The bond, meant to raise funds from global investors, was issued in 2015 with a 10-year tenor and matured on September 30 this year. Taking to the X platform, Adviser to the Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad announced the development, saying, “Timely debt servicing remains business as usual, reflecting the country’s commitment to financial discipline.” He said the development was encouraging as it comes at a time when external buffers and liquidity have improved, sovereign ratings have been raised, and investor confidence is rising, with Pakistan’s bonds recently trading at a premium. Schehzad further said that the debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio had improved from 77 per cent in FY20 to 70pc in FY25. “External debt’s share in total public debt has declined from 38pc to 32pc in FY25, reducing F...

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has extended heartfelt congratulations to the leadership, Communist Party, and people of China on the 76th National Day of the People’s Republic of China, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to the historic and strategic partnership between the two nations.

WASHINGTON: The US State Department’s Trafficking in Per­sons (TIP) Report 2025 has placed both Pakistan and India among the countries that do not fully meet minimum standards for eliminating trafficking but are making “significant efforts” to do so. The annual report, released in Washington, reviews efforts by governments worldwide to combat human trafficking, which the State Department defines as modern-day slavery involving forced labour, sexual exploitation, and other forms of coercion. The report identifies Pakistan as a destination for men, women, and children subjected to forced labour, particularly migrants from Afg­hanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Traffickers also exploit women and girls — and to a lesser extent, boys — from Afghanistan, Iran, and other Asian countries in sex trafficking within Pakistan. The report notes that individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual remain highly vulnerable to exploitation. Since Pakistani law criminalises same-sex conduct, these groups face systemic...

The Senate and National Assembly will resume their sessions on Friday.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted a decrease in rainfall at the onset of the upcoming winter season due to rapid shifts in weather patterns.

Balochistan CM Bugti confirms four attackers killed by security personnel Health minister says two security personnel, 8 civilians among martyred US, Russia condemn heinous terrorist attack in Quetta.

Deputy PM Ishaq Dar says leadership will decide on sending troops for special force in Gaza Pakistan has no direct engagement with Israel We deal with US and US deals with Israel Terms PM Shehbaz’s visit to US highly successful.

RAWALPINDI/RAHIM YAR KHAN - Pakistan Army on Tuesday has successfully conducted the training launch of newly in-ducted indigenously developed Fatah-4 Ground Cruise Missile having a range of 750- kil-ometres.

ISLAMABAD - The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan Tuesday set aside the Islam-abad High Court’s (IHC) September 16 order that had restrained Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri from performing judicial work.

ISLAMABAD - The war of words continued between the main allies of treasury benches as Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) staged walk out of the National Assembly and Senate sessions on Tuesday.

LAHORE/CHAKWAL - Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday reflected on her turbulent political journey, recalling how she formally entered politics in 2011, contested her first election in 2024, and endured imprisonment despite “no crime or wrongdoing.

ISLAMABAD - The newly elected Member of the Senate Rana Sanaullah of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), on Tuesday took oath as Senator.

ISLAMABAD - The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday voiced serious concern over the extraordinary delay in holding local government elections in Punjab.

LAHORE - Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Tuesday rejected the 20-point peace plan for Gaza announced by US President Trump yesterday, saying that it could be a formula for Israel’s expansion, but it cannot be one for the recognition of a Palestinian state or the liberation of Jerusalem.