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

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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

By

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

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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

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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

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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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Islamabad Put On High Alert Amid Lawyers’ Strike Call On SJC Moot

By

Sara Maqsood

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February 10, 2025

ISLAMABAD: In light of the lawyers’ strike call at the time of Supreme Judicial Commission meeting, security was beefed in Islamabad.

As per the advisory issued by the Capital Traffic Police, all entry and exit points to the Red Zone have been closed due to potential law and order situation in the city.

The traffic advisory stated that the internal and external routes to the Red Zone would remain closed due to security concerns.

The roads leading to Red Zone, including Serena, NADRA, Marriott, Express Chowk, and T-Cross Bari Imam, would be temporarily closed from 6am until further notice.

The police advised the public to use Margalla Road as an alternative to avoid any travel difficulties.

The Judicial Commission of Pakistan is set to hold a meeting today to discuss the appointment of eight new judges to the Supreme Court.

Senator Ali Zafar, member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, has written a letter to Chief Justice Yahya Afridi requesting him to postpone the commission’s meeting.

He said the session be deferred until the issue of seniority is settled in the Islamabad High Court. In the letter, he said due to the recent transfer and posting of the judges, the seniority list of the IHC has changed. These developments, he opined, could have serious effects on the justice system.

Earlier on Feberuary 3, lawyers from the Islamabad Bar Council, Islamabad High Court Bar Association, and District Bar Association boycotted courts in protest against the transfer of judges from other high courts to the IHC.

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Kashmiris Diaspora Set to Protest Modi’s Paris Visit

By

TNT Monitoring Desk

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February 10, 2025

PARIS: Kashmiri diaspora in France is all set to hold a protest demonstration with active support of Pakistanis against the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Paris, today.

The protest will take place at Place de la Bataille de Stalingrad, 75019 Paris, near Metro lines 2, 5, and 7 (from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

The organizers, under the banner of the Pakistani and Kashmiri Community France, have urged all individuals, irrespective of political differences, to join the demonstration. The event aims to condemn Modi’s policies and actions in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, while expressing solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiris.

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IMF Team Arrives Islamabad To Discuss Process Of Appointing Judges

By

Palwasha Mustafa

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February 9, 2025

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation has arrived in Pakistan to evaluate efforts to strengthen anti-corruption institutions and improve governance reforms.

The delegation will stay in Islamabad until February 14 and hold meetings with key officials.

According to officlas, the IMF team will meet with representatives from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Ministry of Finance, State Bank of Pakistan, and Ministry of Law, among others.

The discussions are expected to cover judicial independence, legal and financial transparency, and the process of appointing judges.

The primary objective of the visit is to review rule of law measures, anti-corruption strategies, suspicious transactions monitoring, banking regulations, and transparency in development projects. Special focus will be placed on NAB’s role in combating corruption and ways to enhance its effectiveness. The delegation will release its assessment report in July.

Officials from the Ministry of Finance have refrained from commenting on the visit. However, they have indicated that an IMF mission will soon arrive to assess Pakistan’s overall economic performance from July to December.

The anti-corruption and anti-money laundering measures are also part of the $7 billion bailout package Pakistan secured from the IMF.

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