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PML-N begins ticket deliberations for AJK polls

LAHORE: With more than 200 aspirants competing for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) tickets for 45 legislative assembly seats in the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, the party on Friday convened a parliamentary board meeting to begin finalising candidates for the electoral contest. The meeting, chaired by PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, was attended by … Read more

US court torpedoes Democrats’ redistricting win

. WASHINGTON: The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday overturned the US state’s voter-approved redistricting plan, dealing a huge blow to Democrats’ hopes of reshaping the battle for control of Congress ahead of this year’s midterm elections. In a ruling following months of legal challenges, the court found that Democratic lawmakers failed to follow constitutional procedures … Read more

Australia sanctions BLA, affiliates

ISLAMABAD: The Australian government on Friday imposed counterterrorism financing sanctions on the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its senior leaders “for their engagement in and support of terrorist attacks”. Announcing the sanctions, Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said that the BLA has conducted “violent terror attacks” across Pakistan, targeting civilians, critical infrastructure, and … Read more

LHC allows women to become lumberdars

ISLAMABAD: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has set aside the Punjab government’s executive orders and ruled that women are entitled to be appointed as permanent lumberdars. “This Court cannot remain oblivious to the contemporary constitutional ethos of equality, inclusion and fair participation of women in public life. No provision of law has been shown which … Read more

IMF approves $1.2b lifeline with new strings attached

Govt pledges adherence to pre-war targets Money will be disbursed early next week The government has agreed to the need for a mini-budget if revenues fall short of expectations by end-December 2025, according to the IMF. Photo: file ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund’s executive board on Friday approved $1.2 billion loan tranches after Pakistan accepted … Read more

US-Iran deal hangs in balance

Efforts to end the war between the US and Iran appeared to stall as the two sides traded fire in the Gulf on Friday, while a US intelligence analysis concluded Tehran could withstand a naval blockade for another four months. The CIA assessment also concluded that the US bombing campaign of Iran, hailed as a … Read more

Quadcopter blast injures eight in Bannu

. MIRANSHAH: At least eight people, including women, were injured when a quadcopter drone allegedly exploded in the Kinger Jan Bahadur area of Bannu on Friday night. According to police, the drone reportedly entered the area from an unknown direction and fell near a residential neighbourhood. Moments after fall, it exploded with a loud blast, … Read more

Punjab starts e-service marriage registration

. LAHORE: The Punjab Information Technology Board has launched a new facility for marriage registration and issuance of marriage certificates at 15 e-service centres across Punjab to simplify the process for citizens. Officials said the initiative would enable citizens to register marriages and obtain certificates in a fast, secure and convenient manner without complicated procedures. … Read more