Climate Disasters Leave 9 Dead, Dozens Missing in Gilgit Baltistan Gilgit Baltistan is facing a devastating climate crisis. In the last two weeks, the region has seen extreme weather events that have claimed nine lives and left many more missing. The situation remains fluid, and authorities fear the toll may rise. Chief Secretary Abrar Ahmed Mirza addressed the media on Thursday, outlining the scale of destruction caused by glacial melts, heatwaves, and heavy rains. These weather events triggered flash floods and landslides, mainly in the Diamer and Astore districts. Of the nine confirmed deaths, eight were reported from the valleys…
Author: Farhan Ali
Pakistan is set to join bilateral talks in Washington, says US State Department. Pakistan will participate in a high-level bilateral meeting in Washington, confirmed a US State Department official on Tuesday. While the statement marked a significant step in reactivated diplomatic ties, no details were provided regarding the agenda or timing. The announcement came amid growing speculation about Washington’s behind-the-scenes role in easing regional tensions between Pakistan and India, particularly after a recent four-day military standoff in May. That conflict ended with what former President Donald Trump claimed was a US-brokered ceasefire—a claim India later denied, insisting the resolution was…
Pakistan Signs UN Treaty to Safeguard Marine Biodiversity in International Waters Pakistan has officially signed the United Nations’ “High Seas Treaty,” a historic global agreement aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The treaty was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar at a ceremony held at the UN Headquarters in New York. The treaty focuses on safeguarding marine life in international waters, which cover nearly two-thirds of the planet’s oceans. These vast areas have long remained outside the direct jurisdiction of any single country, leading to concerns about overfishing, deep-sea mining, and unregulated scientific activity. The…
Pakistan’s Rice Exports to China Surge 84% in First Half of 2025 Pakistan’s rice exports to China saw a significant rise in the first half of 2025, climbing 84% compared to the same period last year. According to data from the China General Administration of Customs, Pakistan exported rice worth $35.93 million to China between January and June 2025. This marks a sharp increase from $19.53 million in the first half of 2024. The largest contributor to this growth was semi-wholly milled rice (commodity code 10063020), which accounted for $29.53 million. This category alone saw 66.96 million kilograms shipped to…
ATC Issues Arrest Warrants for Arif Alvi, Ali Amin Gandapur & Other PTI Leaders In a significant legal move, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi has issued arrest warrants for several high-profile Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including former President Arif Alvi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. The action is linked to protest-related cases from November 2023. Warrants Issued in Protest Cases The court has also named other PTI figures such as MNA Shahid Khattak, ex-GB Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid, Faisal Amin Gandapur, Wahab Alvi, and Hammad Azhar in the same cases. Arrest orders also include Umar Ayub,…
ADB Revises Pakistan’s FY25 Growth Forecast to 2.7% Amid Modest Recovery The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has updated its economic outlook for Pakistan in its July 2025 report, forecasting a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 2.7% for the fiscal year 2025. The update reflects a slight improvement in Pakistan’s economic trajectory, though overall growth remains subdued. Interest Rate Cut by SBP One of the notable developments was the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) decision to reduce the policy interest rate by 1.5% by the end of June 2025. This move was aimed at stimulating economic activity and managing inflation.…
A Manufactured Narrative: How India’s RAW Allegedly Constructs Fiction In today’s world, perception often shapes foreign policy more than facts. Independent analysts accuse India of using media campaigns and intelligence manipulation to promote its agenda. At the center of this effort is RAW, India’s external intelligence agency. Experts say RAW created the Resistance Front (TRF), a fake proxy group, to tie Pakistan to terr0r-related actions. This group surfaced during Kashmir-related conflicts. Analysts believe TRF doesn’t exist as an independent entity. Its main purpose appears to be painting Pakistan as a sponsor of extremism. This claim helps India justify its Kashmir…
Governor Appointed for Oath-Taking Amid KP Assembly Deadlock PESHAWAR – In a major development, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) has authorized Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi to administer the oath to members elected on reserved seats in the KP Assembly, after Sunday’s assembly session was adjourned due to lack of quorum caused by a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) boycott. The decision came just hours after opposition lawmakers filed a petition in the PHC requesting urgent action. Chief Justice Syed Muhammad Atique Shah acted swiftly, appointing the governor to ensure the constitutional process is not delayed any further. PTI Boycott Cripples…
Monsoon Devastation in Punjab: 135 Dead, 479 Injured, and More Rains Expected The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has released a sobering fact sheet detailing the impact of this year’s monsoon rains across the province. As per official figures, 135 people have died and 479 sustained injuries, while 156 houses were damaged due to severe weather conditions. The report, issued on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, comes as the fourth spell of monsoon rains is set to begin Sunday evening. The PDMA has urged public vigilance, especially in major urban centres. Roof Collapses, Electrocutions Among Leading Causes of…
KP Assembly Postpones Session Amid Quorum Crisis and Senate Election Tensions The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly session scheduled for Sunday, July 20, 2025, was abruptly postponed due to a lack of quorum. Delaying the long-awaited oath-taking of members elected on reserved seats for women and minorities. Speaker Babar Saleem Swati officially adjourned the session after confirming inadequate attendance. This is not the first time the session has faced disruptions. The delay has drawn severe criticism from opposition members, who accuse the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of deliberately obstructing constitutional processes. Opposition Slams PTI for ‘Political Immaturity’ Opposition Leader Dr. Ibadullah…