Pakistani authorities on Saturday evening began easing restrictions following the departure of an Iranian delegation and a US decision not to send its delegation to Islamabad for potential talks, offering relief to hundreds of thousands of residents after nearly a week of near-lockdown conditions. The developments signal a setback to Pakistan’s efforts to host a […]
Authorities
Authorities deny sending any delegation to Kabul for talks
Official sources dismissed on Tuesday reports that a three-member delegation sent by the government was holding talks with the Afghan Taliban in Kabul amid border tensions. The sources noted that “Afghan propaganda accounts” had been making such claims on social media. Afghanistan-based Tolo News also reported the same, citing an anonymous source. But, official sources […]
Authorities told to safeguard legitimate travellers amid offloading complaints
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday stressed the need for the full utilization of modern technology to improve Pakistan’s immigration system, while chairing a review meeting on the eradication of human trafficking and measures against illegal travel abroad. The prime minister appreciated the efforts of relevant institutions in curbing human trafficking. Referring to recent reports […]
State Uncovers Paid Anti-State Social Media Campaign
Pakistan has uncovered a large anti-state social media campaign, officials said Monday. Interior State Minister Talal Chaudhry shared details at a press briefing. He said the anti-state social media campaign used fake accounts. Authorities believe many accounts operated from abroad. According to the minister, terrorists and organized networks used social media to manipulate opinion. These […]
SC expresses displeasure over narcotics control authorities
The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the hearing on a bail plea filed by a courier company manager in a narcotics case, while directing the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) to submit the accused’s CCTV footage in court. The two-member bench, led by Justice Mandokhel, questioned how drugs were reaching urban areas and why they were not […]
Malaysian authorities raid LGBT Halloween party
Malaysia’s Islamic religious officers broke up a large Halloween party attended by the LGBT community and arrested 20 people for cross-dressing and allegedly encouraging vice, activists said. Activist Numan Afifi who was among those arrested at the event in Kuala Lumpur late Saturday described the raid as “traumatising and harrowing”. “About 40 religious officers backed […]
Young, pregnant urged to take blood tests for lead after Notre-Dame fire
The Paris health authorities have urged children and pregnant women living around Notre-Dame cathedral to have the levels of lead in their blood checked amid concerns over the impact of the fire. The appeal comes after a child living on the Ile de la Cite island in central Paris where Notre-Dame stands was found to […]
Extension to mobile companies for blocking unregistered phones
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday granted time to mobile companies to make certain the adequate strategy for blockage of unregistered mobile phones; the court directed Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to resolve the issue with the help of mobile telecommunication companies. The IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah took up the petition filed by some […]