Islamabad: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported that a 5.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the twin cities and several northern regions of the country on Tuesday night.
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Tag: islamabad
NADRA restores Arshad Khan Chaiwala’s Pakistani nationality
ISLAMABAD: Arshad Khan, famously known as Chaiwala, has regained his Pakistani nationality after the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) admitted to mistakenly blocking his ID card over allegations of holding Afghan citizenship. The viral tea-seller-turned-entrepreneur expressed gratitude after the issue was legally resolved.
Arshad Khan’s lawyer confirmed that NADRA had restored his ID card, acknowledging that the earlier action was based on an error. The development ends months of speculation regarding the nationality of the internet sensation.
Speaking to the media, his lawyer said, “Arshad Khan’s Pakistani identity card has been unblocked, which is good news for all Pakistanis, especially the youth. We had provided all necessary documents when the issue first arose and requested NADRA to follow the legal procedures.”
The lawyer further revealed that Arshad himself appeared in court, where the verification process was carried out for him and his family members. After reviewing all official records, NADRA accepted the documents as genuine and admitted its mistake. “NADRA accepted their mistake and restored his ID card,” the lawyer added, emphasizing that the decision reflected a commitment to fairness and due process.
Arshad Khan expressed heartfelt gratitude after the restoration of his ID card. “I am a proud Pakistani and will always remain so,” he said. He thanked his supporters for their encouragement during the ordeal and reaffirmed his dedication to representing Pakistan. “Just as I built the Arshad Khan Chaiwala franchise, I will continue to serve and represent Pakistan proudly,” he added.
Also read:Trump’s Tariff Talk Fails to Slow Global Film Production
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17 Illegal Afghan Nationals Held as Punjab, Islamabad Launch Crackdown
ISLAMABAD: Authorities have initiated a large-scale operation targeting illegal Afghan residents across Punjab, including major cities such as Islamabad and Lahore. In a late-night raid in the federal capital, police apprehended 17 Afghan nationals residing in the country without legal documentation.
The search operation was led by the SP City at the Secretariat Police Station in Bari Imam, where the Afghan migrants resisted arrest but were ultimately taken into custody. These detainees have been transferred to the police station and are set to be deported to Afghanistan from the Torkham border.
In addition to Islamabad, similar operations began across Punjab to identify illegal Afghan residents. Nomadic Afghan families are being geo-tagged, and data for individuals holding Pakistani identity cards is also being verified. The Lahore authorities have resolved to take strict action against those who have fraudulently registered as Pakistani families.
Police sources disclosed that the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) is assisting in cross-checking family trees and records, as many Afghans have been living in Pakistan for over four decades with Pakistani identity cards. The police sources said those holding residential permits and Afghan citizen cards are also being sent back to Afghanistan.
Separately, the process of evacuation of Afghan migrants from Faisalabad has been completed, with all Afghan migrants voluntarily relocating to Peshawar. The Faisalabad administration had prepared a list of 413 Afghan migrants, but during the search, an additional 35 were discovered, making a total of 448.
To avoid arrest, all left the city voluntarily. The Foreigners Cell of Faisalabad Police has declared the city clear of Afghan migrants. Abu Zar Sarwar Bhatti, in charge of the Foreigners Cell at Faisalabad Police, stated that no Afghan nationals remain in Faisalabad. Abu Zar Sarwar Bhatti said before leaving, the Afghan migrants submitted affidavits to the administration.
also read:Four killed in clash over cutting tree in Shikarpur
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PM Shehbaz Says Pakistan’s Economy on Path to Growth
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that Pakistan’s economy has stabilized, key financial indicators show positive trends, and the country is now moving toward sustained economic growth.
He was speaking to ministers, members of Parliament and Punjab assembly at the residence of member National Assembly Chaudhry Iftikhar Nazir. He said when his government came in power, the country was facing difficult economic conditions and the government had to sign an agreement with International Monetary Fund (IMF) to save Pakistan from economic default.
He said that during the last one and a half year, the federal and Punjab governments had served Pakistan and Punjab well. During a recent meeting, he said he appreciated Chief Minister Punjab and her team for their efforts to help people during floods.
He appreciated the Punjab government for its excellent performance in the areas of health, education, transport, communication and road construction.
“We are serving Pakistan day and night with hard work, honesty and sincerity,” he remarked. He said Pakistan defeated India in the four day war and achieved victory with the prayers of the people and bravery of the Pakistan army, navy and air force.
Pakistan’s armed forces led by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber wrote a new chapter as they resoundingly defeated India, he observed, adding the government also achieved success on the diplomatic front and signed a defence pact with Saudi Arabia. The Saudi leadership expressed its strong affinity with Pakistan, he mentioned.
The Prime Minister said during his visit to New York and Washington, he held meetings with the US President Donald Trump and along with leaders of the Islamic countries, played role to stop the oppression in Gaza.
The situation in Gaza was very bad as women, children, youth and elders were getting martyred and schools and hospitals were being destroyed, he said.
Also read:Dar Praises Strengthening of Pak-UK Ties
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Pak, Russia to Promot Tourism and Media Cooperation
ISLAMABAD: Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert P. Khorev met Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar in Islamabad to discussed bilateral relations, promotion of tourism and various aspects of media cooperation.
The two sides also discussed finalizing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and Sputnik News Agency, as well as a cooperation agreement between Pakistan Television and RT (Russian Television). Proposals regarding people-to-people exchange programs, including the exchange of digital influencers and youth delegations, were also considered.
In his remarks, the Information Minister said diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Russia are based on mutual trust and respect. The Russian Ambassador said the tourism potential of Pakistan’s northern areas is attractive to tourists from all over the world. He said Russian tourists have a special interest in Pakistan’s tourist destinations. The Russian Ambassador said Pakistan and Russia will transform their relations into a practical partnership by exploring new dimensions of cooperation.
The two sides agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of media, culture and tourism.
Also read:Dar Praises Strengthening of Pak-UK Ties
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Mohsin Naqvi, JUI’s Awais Noorani Discuss National Unity
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday held a detailed meeting with Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP) Secretary-General Shah Awais Noorani in Islamabad. During the meeting, both leaders exchanged views on religious harmony and national unity.
Mohsin Naqvi assured the JUP Secretary-General that all those individuals who were found innocent will be released soon.
“The current government is not considering closing down any madrissah”. Mohsin Naqvi said, adding that no action would be taken against the innocent people; however, he warned that those involved in creating law and order disturbances will be dealt with an iron hand.
Naqvi said “Nobody will be allowed to use weapons against the state because in Quaid-e-Azam’s Pakistan, there is no place for miscreants and extremists”.
Also read: ATC Extends Bail of Imran Khan’s Sisters in Protest Case
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ATC Extends Bail of Imran Khan’s Sisters in Protest Case
LAHORE: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Friday extended the interim bail of PTI founder Imran Khan’s sisters in the October 5 protest case.
The duty judge of the Lahore ATC heard the interim bail petitions of Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan.Their counsel, Advocate Rana Mudassir Umar, submitted an application seeking exemption from personal appearance, stating that both sisters were attending hearings in terrorism cases at the Islamabad ATC.
The court accepted their one-day exemption request and extended their interim bail till October 24.
Also read: Meta and PTA Launch Online Anti-Scam Drive in Pakistan
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Pakistan, Afghan Taliban agree to 48-hour ceasefire following precision strikes
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime have mutually agreed to observe a 48-hour ceasefire, beginning today at 6 p.m., the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced on Wednesday. The decision follows Pakistan’s recent precision strikes targeting Taliban and terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan’s Kandahar and Kabul regions.
According to the Foreign Office, the ceasefire was reached with the consent of both sides at the request of the Taliban authorities.
“A temporary ceasefire has been agreed upon between the Government of Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime for the next 48 hours, starting 6 p.m. today,” the FO statement read.
“During this period, both sides will make sincere efforts to resolve this complex yet solvable issue through constructive dialogue,” it added.
Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the development on social media platform X, stating that Afghan forces had been instructed to adhere to the truce “unless any aggression takes place.”
Earlier in the day, state broadcaster PTV News reported that Pakistan’s armed forces conducted “precision strikes” against Taliban positions in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province and capital Kabul.
Citing security sources, PTV stated: “Pakistan Army’s retaliatory action destroyed key Taliban hideouts. The strikes successfully targeted Taliban Battalion Number 4 and Border Brigade Number 6, resulting in the deaths of numerous Afghan and foreign operatives.”
The report further said that the Pakistan Army retains “full capability to deliver a strong and decisive response to any external aggression.”
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FPSC announces CSS Examination 2024 final results
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has announced the final results of the Central Superior Services (CSS) Examination 2024.
According to the results, 15,602 candidates appeared in the written exam, out of which 397 passed. After the interview (viva voce) stage, 387 candidates have been declared fully qualified. The final list includes 207 male and 180 female candidates.
The overall success rate stood at just 2.48%, highlighting the exam’s highly competitive nature. The FPSC has recommended 229 candidates for appointment to various services and cadres, including 119 men and 110 women — reflecting a strong female representation among the top qualifiers.
These results underscore the rigorous merit-based selection process and the growing participation of women in Pakistan’s civil service.
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Pakistan, UAE vow to further enhancing trade and economic cooperation
ABU DHABI: Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan met Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Trade, at the Ministry of Economy in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
During the meeting, both dignitaries reviewed the state of bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and the UAE, underscoring the importance of further enhancing these long-standing fraternal ties.
Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan invited the UAE business community to explore new avenues of collaboration with their Pakistani counterparts. He also extended a special invitation to UAE companies and investors to participate in the 3rd International Food and Agriculture Exhibition (FoodAg 2025), scheduled to be held from November 25–27, which is a flagship event of Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce.
Expressing deep appreciation for the warmth and hospitality extended to him, the Coordinator conveyed his gratitude to the leadership and people of the UAE for their continued support and friendship during his tenure. The Trade and Investment Counselor from the Pakistan Consulate in Dubai was also present during the meeting.
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