NADRA Launches Mobile App for Online Registration of Births, Deaths, and Marital Status Changes

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May 18, 2025

PESHAWAR: In a significant step toward digitizing civil registration services, Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has developed a mobile application that enables citizens to register births, deaths, and changes in marital status online—from the comfort of their homes.

According to an official press release issued Saturday, the app is designed to simplify the process of documenting life events by eliminating the need for in-person visits and lengthy paperwork.

Initially being rolled out in Punjab, the app integrates biometric verification services available in all Union Councils across the province. NADRA plans to extend the service nationwide after the pilot phase.

The move is part of NADRA’s broader digital transformation initiative, aimed at making civil services more accessible and efficient.

The agency also announced that one-window counters are being established in the Union Councils of Islamabad to facilitate seamless access for residents seeking assistance with the registration process.

“This initiative will revolutionize how life events are documented in Pakistan,” said the NADRA spokesperson. “It empowers citizens with convenience, ensures accuracy in national data collection, and strengthens our digital governance framework.”

The launch marks a pivotal milestone for Pakistan’s e-governance efforts and aligns with global trends in digital civil registry systems.

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Sajid Tarar Warns Against Escalation, Backs Diplomacy

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Our Correspondent

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May 5, 2025

WASHINGTON: Sajid Tarar, head of Muslims for Trump, highlighted the global risks of a third world war amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. He said both India and Pakistan must seek diplomatic solutions.

“The US and Europe cannot afford another war. That’s why the US is urging both sides to talk,” Tarar said and linked the timing of the Pahalgam attack to upcoming elections in Bihar, India, and noted that Indian Prime Minister Modi’s popularity is declining.

“Even within India, serious questions are being raised,” Tarar observed, adding that the international community, including the EU, is rejecting India’s narrative.

Referring to Republican Senator JD Vance’s remarks during his visit to India, Tarar noted, “He clearly said the world won’t stand with you without evidence.” He called the Pahalgam incident an act of terrorism and reminded that Pakistan itself has been a victim of terrorism. He praised the Pakistan Army’s record and asserted, “If any event occurs now, the Pakistan military will defend the nation.”

Tarar stated that the danger of war seems to have subsided for now and confirmed that Trump remains serious about resolving the Afghanistan issue. He also warned about the abandoned US weapons in Afghanistan, calling them a regional threat. “Both the US and Pakistan are aligned in addressing this threat,” he said, stressing that the US will ensure those weapons are recovered.

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Iranian FM Arrives In Islamabad To Ease Pak, India Tensions

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Palwasha Mustafa

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May 5, 2025

ISLAMABAD: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Pakistan on an official visit as part of Tehran’s initiative to reduce tensions between Pakistan and India.

Upon arrival at Islamabad Airport, he was received by senior officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Iranian ambassador.

According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the Iranian foreign minister will hold meetings with the President, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan.

During his visit, Araghchi will discuss bilateral relations, regional developments, and global issues.

Reports also suggest that the Iranian foreign minister is scheduled to visit India later this week as part of the same diplomatic effort.

Despite all efforts, India is facing diplomatic isolation over the Pahalgam False Flag Operation, as major global powers continue to reject New Delhi’s narrative of aggression.

According to Radio Pakistan, Russia has now joined the chorus, with its Foreign Minister advising India to resolve all outstanding issues with Pakistan through dialogue.

Previously, both the United States and the European Union have urged India to engage in negotiations with Pakistan to settle disputes diplomatically.

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India May Launch Military Attack Against Pak In 24-36 hrs: Minister

By

Palwasha Mustafa

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April 30, 2025

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar was of the view that the next 24 to 36 hours are crucial amid Pakistan-India escalating tension as there are credible intelligence reports that India intends to launch military strike against Pakistan.

In a statement on late Tuesday night, Tarar said Pakistan has credible intelligence that India intends to carry out military action against Pakistan in the next 24-36 hours on the pretext of baseless and concocted allegations of involvement in the Pahalgam incident.

Tarar said that any such military adventurism by India would be responded to assuredly and decisively. The International community must remain alive to the reality that the onus of escalatory spiral and its ensuing consequences shall squarely lie with India.

He said that India must remain mindful of the consequences of its reckless conduct and realize that the Pakistani nation remains ready to fully safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all cost.

He said that Indian self-assumed hubristic role of judge, jury and executioner in the region is reckless and vehemently rejected. Pakistan has been the victim of terrorism itself and truly understands the pain of this scourge. We have always condemned it in all its forms and manifestations anywhere in the world, he said.

He said that being a responsible state, Pakistan open-heartedly offered a credible, transparent and independent investigation by a neutral commission of experts to ascertain the truth.

Unfortunately, rather than pursuing the path of reason, India has apparently decided to tread the dangerous path of irrationality and confrontation, which will have catastrophic consequences for the complete region and beyond, he said.

Tarar said that evasion of credible investigations is in itself sufficient evidence exposing India’s real motives. Consciously making strategic decisions hostage to public sentiments, purposefully trumped up for securing political objectives, is unfortunate and deplorable.

Following a cabinet meeting chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan and the closure of the Attari check post.

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Chinese Business Delegation Arrives In Islamabad To Explore Investment Opportunities

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Sara Maqsood

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April 30, 2025

ISLAMABAD: A Chinese Business delegation consisting of 15 top companies arrived in Pakistan Capital to explore investment opportunities in different sectors of the country.

The delegation having senior executives of 15 Chinese companies have arrived as part of a high-level delegation to assess investment opportunities across a range of sectors in Pakistan.

This visit aims to strengthen economic ties between the two countries, with scheduled meetings between the delegation and key government officials, the reports said, adding that the visiting companies represent diverse industries such as new energy, satellite communications, smart technologies, mining, high-tech manufacturing, and aviation.

The initiative is being led by the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), a major national chamber representing China’s private enterprises and playing a central role in aligning private sector growth with national policy goals.

Included in the delegation are members of the Chamber of Commerce for High Technology and Equipment Industry and the New Energy Operations Committee of the China Electricity Equipment Management Association. Discussions are also underway with the China Jinhua (Yiwu) Wenzhou General Chamber of Commerce regarding further development of the Pakistan-China Free Trade Zone.

Companies such as Xi’an Yufei Electronic Technology Co Ltd, known for UAV communication systems; Rongzhihang Information Technology (Suzhou) Co Ltd, which supplies aircraft components; and Sichuan Andy Technology Industrial Co Ltd, a satellite communication firm, are actively exploring sectoral collaborations. Others, like Hefei Changwei Zhixuan Technology Co Ltd and Beijing Xiaotunpai Technology Co Ltd, focus on smart industrial solutions and medical infrared technology.

Zhongke Hongtai (Anhui) New Energy Technology Co Ltd is looking to invest in renewable energy infrastructure and manufacturing, while Beijing Masterful Sci-Tech Co Ltd is interested in mining ventures, particularly copper extraction.

The delegation’s visit underscores a growing Chinese interest in strategic sectors of the Pakistani economy, with formal meetings expected to outline investment incentives and regulatory pathways.

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Chinese Employers Asked Not To Ask Female Workers About Marital Status

By

TNT Monitoring Desk

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April 3, 2025

HONG KONG: Several Chinese labor unions, including in central Hunan province and the southern hub of Shenzhen, issued official notices to companies to stop requiring prospective female employees to disclose their marital and childbearing status.

The notices, posted on the Shenzhen, Hunan and Qinghai state-backed unions’ official Wechat pages in the past week, were among the most widely circulated items on social media with many netizens saying it was a step in the right direction to address widespread gender inequality.

It has become increasingly common in China for companies to quiz female job seekers about their marriage or childbearing plans during job interviews.

Fear of having to give up their career or be side lined if they start a family has been a growing concern for many young Chinese women who opt not to give birth as a result.

Chinese authorities, worried about the country’s declining population growth, have pledged a series of measures to try to incentivise births, including subsidies, but have not successfully addressed entrenched gender stereotypes where women are seen as the chief care givers.

During the recruitment process, employers should not give priority to men, said the notice from the Hunan Federation of Trade Unions.

“Employers shall not further inquire or investigate the marital and childbearing status of female job seekers” while contracts should “not stipulate restrictions on marriage and childbearing of female employees,” it said.

Female employees cannot be dismissed or see their salaries cut due to marriage, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, it said.

Many netizens welcomed the move while some were sceptical and said it may make employers stop hiring women altogether.

“Discrimination still exists and they will still refuse to hire you because of concerns about your marriage and childbearing,” said one netizen. Another pointed out the societal ironies.

“In the workplace, women are required not to have children but society requires women to have more children. After having children, women are required to take care of children and the family while earning money in society. Isn’t this contradictory?”

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World War I Memorial In Islamabad Faces Demolition Threat

By

Our Correspondent

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April 3, 2025

ISLAMABAD: World War I Memorial, a historical monument in Islamabad is at risk of being demolished to make way for a new housing project.

The monument, erected by the British Empire after 1914 to honor local soldiers who fought in the Great War, stands on Kuri Road, an suburban area of the Capital city, but now faces imminent destruction due to development plans by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Defence Housing Authority (DHA).

The CDA, in league with DHA, is planning to level a mound in the area as part of a joint project, which threatens the preservation of this historical monumental site, an official in the Department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM) revealed this to media.

Islamabad has already witnessed loss of numerous historical and archaeological sites due to rapid urban expansion, the DOAM exp[erts said, and they warned that the continued disregard for cultural heritage in the name of development is erasing significant parts of the city’s history.

It has been a recurring issue that CDA and other development bodies initiate construction projects without obtaining the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the DAOM.

This negligence has led to the destruction of several archaeological sites over the years.

Islamabad is home to ancient artifacts, including two-million-year-old man-made stone tools. A recent survey of the archaeology department identified over 20 archaeological sites within the city, underscoring the need for stronger preservation efforts.

Heritage conservationists and historians are urging authorities to take immediate action to safeguard the World War I memorial and other historically significant landmarks before they are lost to unchecked development.

Images show that land has been levelled all around till the foot of the mound above which the memorial stands. The matter of the immanent destruction of the monument went viral on social media, where concerned citizens have urged people to join protests to stop what they call “unsympathetic” and “insensitive” developers in their tracks.

The CDA Spokesperson in respose to a question revealed that he had no knowledge of the matter.

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Smuggling Causes Decline In Petrol, Diesel Sales in Pakistan

By

Sara Maqsood

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March 25, 2025

ISLAMABAD: The Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) has raised concerns over a decline in petrol and diesel sales due to smuggling, urging the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), and the Ministry of Petroleum to take action to curb the menace of smuggling.

According to the letter, strict action against unlicensed agencies and illegal petrol pumps last year had curbed smuggling and led to an increase in sales from September to December, benefiting government revenue and the national economy.

The OCAC highlighted that smuggled diesel is being sold at Rs. 180 per liter, significantly lower than the official price of Rs. 258.64 per liter, while smuggled petrol is available at Rs. 160 per liter.

The council expressed concerns over the drop in petroleum product sales since February 2025.

The OCAC estimates that the government is losing Rs. 1.5 billion in daily revenue due to smuggling.

Compared to February 2024, high-speed diesel sales fell by 6% in February 2025, while petrol sales declined by 5%.

Over the last four months, diesel sales dropped by 16% and petrol by 13% compared to the same period last year.

The letter urged authorities to shut down illegal petrol pumps, improve cross-border management, and ban the import of white spirit, which is being adulterated and sold as diesel.

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President Erdogan Arrives On Two-day Visit, Welcomed Warmly

By

Palwasha Mustafa

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February 13, 2025

ISLAMABAD: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was warmly welcomed a=in Islamabad at his arrival on a two-day official visit of Pakistan.

Turkish President is accompanied by a high-level delegation, which included ministers, senior officials, and prominent business personalities.

During his stay, President Erdoğan was expected to hold significant talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari.

According to sources, discussions would revolve around strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.

PM Shehbaz and the Turkish president will chair the seventh meeting of the Pakistan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC).

President Erdogan was scheduled to address the Pakistan-Turkey Business and Investment Forum. President Erdogan was warmly greeted at the Noor Khan Airbase by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

A ceremonial 21-gun salute was fired in honour of President Erdogan’s arrival, while schoolchildren, dressed in traditional attire, welcomed him with great enthusiasm. A military band also played traditionally to celebrate his visit.

Upon entering Pakistan’s airspace, the Pakistan Air Force’s JF-17 aircraft carried out an aerial salute, escorting the Turkish leader’s plane into Islamabad with their protection.

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Marco Rubio Tour Middle East Regarding Gaza Deal

By

TNT Monitoring Desk

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February 13, 2025

WAHINGTON: Newly appointed US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio will visit Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE from February 15 -18 as part of a six-day trip focused on Israel, Gaza and Iran’s “destabilising activities”, the US State Department said.

“Freeing Americans and all other hostages from Hamas captivity, advancing to Phase II of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, and countering the destabilizing activities of the Iranian regime and its proxies,” will be the main focus of the trip, the office said in a statement.

His “engagements with senior officials will promote US interests in advancing regional cooperation, stability, and peace”, it added.

Rubio will first travel to Munich, where he will participate in the Munich Security Conference and the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

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