PM thanks Iran for de-escalation efforts

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday held a telephonic conversation with Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian. The PM conveyed his warm regards to Supreme Leader Ayatullah Khamenei and thanked President Pezeshkian for Iran’s sincere and brotherly diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions in South Asia. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity […]

FIA arrests four alleged human traffickers

Federal Investigating Agency (FIA) has detained four suspects from Karachi airport over the charges of human smuggling upon their deportation from United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to an FIA statement issued on Saturday, the suspects — identified as Bakhtiar, Adnan Ashraf, Muhammad Jamshed, and Sikandar Abbas — were deported by UAE authorities after completing their sentences. […]

Same slides, new fiscal year

It is that time of the year again. No, not mango season — though that might offer more sweetness than what is coming. It is pre-budget seminar season in Pakistan, our annual economic charade where universities, think tanks, chambers of commerce, and just about every office with a whiteboard and Wi-Fi hold solemn gatherings to discuss […]

Tainted wit and piety?

Throughout the ages, sages, empathetic individuals and characters who emerged in different times and advocated for positive change have often been idolised and held in high esteem for their selflessness, implied openness to scrutiny, and impact on people’s lives. The same holds, though with frequent letdowns, disillusionments and betrayals in our part of the world […]

Man-made famine

On May 11, just hours before Israeli American hostage Edan Alexander was released by Hamas, the nation of Gaza was celebrating news of a nearing ceasefire. Soon after Edan was received by his family, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that his country is “on the eve of a forceful entry to Gaza”. While international […]

Countries offering visa-free access to Pakistanis: Here are the full details

Citizens of Pakistan can travel visa-free to more than 30 countries worldwide, according to the latest data released by Henley & Partners, a global residence and citizenship advisory firm, Khaleej Times reported. The report identifies 12 countries — predominantly in Africa, Oceania and Asia — as the world’s most open, granting visa-free access to nationals […]