Islamabad: President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrived in Islamabad on Friday on his first official visit to Pakistan as head of state, reaffirming the deep-rooted and multifaceted relationship between the two brotherly nations. According to the UAE’s state news agency WAM, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was warmly received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Nur Khan Airbase, where a ceremonial welcome was held in his honour. As the presidential aircraft entered Pakistani airspace, it was escorted by a formation of military fighter jets, symbolising respect and goodwill. An official reception…
Author: Imran Ali Khan
Islamabad: President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrived in Islamabad on Friday on his first official visit to Pakistan as head of state, reaffirming the deep-rooted and multifaceted relationship between the two brotherly nations. According to the UAE’s state news agency WAM, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was warmly received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Nur Khan Airbase, where a ceremonial welcome was held in his honour. As the presidential aircraft entered Pakistani airspace, it was escorted by a formation of military fighter jets, symbolising respect and goodwill. An official reception…
LONDON: King Charles III is reported to have reached a confidential agreement with his brother, Prince Andrew, in a move aimed at publicly severing the former Duke of York’s ties with the royal family while ensuring he continues to receive financial support, according to sources cited by Radar Online. The agreement, reportedly accepted by Andrew, allows him to maintain a residence and receive an allowance, but only under strict conditions that he stays silent and refrains from participating in any public or private royal engagements. Observers say that Andrew’s recent solitary outings, including horse-riding trips at Buckingham Palace without the…
ISLAMABAD: The Privatisation Commission is all set to proceed with the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Ltd (PIAC) on December 23, with only three bidders remaining in the race following the withdrawal of Fauji Fertilizer Company Ltd, officials said on Sunday. According to the privatization programme, sealed bids for a 75 per cent stake in the national flag carrier will be submitted between 10:45am and 11:15am and opened at 3:30pm in a process to be broadcast live on television to ensure transparency. The remaining bidders include a consortium led by Lucky Cement Limited along with Hub Power Holdings Limited,…
LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Aalia Neelum on Monday issued an interim order suspending the enforcement of the recently enacted Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance, 2025, observing that the law undermines civil courts, constitutional rights, and judicial supremacy. The chief justice passed the order while hearing petitions filed by Abida Parveen and others, challenging actions taken under the ordinance in property disputes. The court also suspended all decisions made under the law that resulted in the transfer or takeover of property possession. Strongly criticizing the legislation, Justice Neelum warned that if the ordinance remained in…
Saudi Arabia’s Defence Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, has conferred the prestigious King Abdulaziz Medal (Excellent Class) on Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in recognition of his outstanding efforts to strengthen Saudi-Pakistani relations. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the medal was awarded in honor of Field Marshal Munir’s distinguished efforts to enhance strategic cooperation and deepen bilateral ties between the two brotherly nations.” The award ceremony took place in Riyadh during an official reception hosted by the Saudi defence minister. Prince Khalid congratulated Field Marshal Munir on…
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved $700 million in financing for Pakistan under the Public Resources for Inclusive Development Multiphase Programmatic Approach (PRID-MPA), a multi-year initiative aimed at strengthening macroeconomic stability, improving public spending quality and enhancing service delivery across the country. According to a statement issued on Saturday, the PRID-MPA is designed to support Pakistan’s ongoing fiscal reforms by leveraging data, digital systems and institutional strengthening to ensure more efficient and transparent use of public resources. The programme is aligned with key national reform frameworks, including the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the…
Former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were on Saturday sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment each after a trial court convicted them in the Toshakhana-II case, marking another major legal setback for the incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder. The verdict was announced by Judge Shahrukh Arjumand, who also imposed a fine of Rs16.4 million on each of the accused. Failure to pay the fine would result in additional imprisonment, court officials said. The case was filed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which accused the couple of unlawfully retaining a Bulgari jewellery set received as a state…
ISLAMABAD: Major manufacturing and export-oriented sectors have challenged the government’s assertions of a recovery in large-scale manufacturing (LSM) output, cautioning that industrial activities continue to contract amid soaring costs, weak demand, and heavy taxation. Industry leaders say over 150 industrial units have shut down in the past 18 months, while surviving factories are operating at barely 50 percent of installed capacity. The textile sector, Pakistan’s largest export earner, is facing a deepening crisis. Kamran Arshad, Chairman of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), told Daar News that around 150 textile units have closed due to record-high gas and electricity…
Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed Russia’s readiness for a peaceful and durable resolution to the ongoing Ukraine conflict, emphasizing that the crisis must be addressed on the principles outlined last year. Speaking in a key statement on Thursday, Putin said that resolving the fundamental causes of the crisis is essential for ending the conflict and achieving long-term stability in the region. The Russian president highlighted that Moscow has already agreed on proposed conciliatory measures regarding Ukraine, and stressed that the next steps now lie with the West and Kyiv to implement them effectively. “The ball is now in…
