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Ishaq Dar, Indonesian minister reaffirm Pakistan-Indonesia cooperation

By
TNT Monitoring Desk
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ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Tuesday received Indonesian Minister for Investment and Downstream Industry and CEO of the Indonesian Sovereign Wealth Fund Danantara, Rosan Roeslani, reaffirming Pakistan and Indonesia’s resolve to enhance bilateral cooperation in various sectors.

Addressing the opening session in his welcome note, DPM Dar said the visit was timely and pertinent, coming soon after the recent presidential-level exchanges between Pakistan and Indonesia, during which wide-ranging and productive discussions were held.

He noted that both sides had engaged in agriculture, information technology, trade, economy, artificial intelligence, security and defence, and expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum in relations.

He said Pakistan and Indonesia, as the two largest Muslim-majority countries by population, shared strong bonds and considerable untapped potential for cooperation. Dar highlighted the close coordination between the two sides at multilateral forums, particularly the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the United Nations, as well as other international platforms.

Indonesian Minister Roeslani thanked the deputy prime minister and said that he had been directed by the Indonesian president to engage with Pakistan’s leadership and stakeholders to further strengthen collaboration. He said Indonesia firmly believed that significant unexplored potential existed between the two nations.

Sharing an overview of Indonesia’s economic structure, he said domestic consumption accounted for about 53 to 54 percent of economic growth, investment around 29 to 30 percent, government spending 7 to 8 percent and net exports about 2 percent, underlining the critical role of investment in Indonesia’s growth trajectory.

He said the Danantara Investment Fund was established in February 2025 through the consolidation of state-owned enterprises, bringing together 1,044 companies with total assets nearing one trillion dollars. He added that the fund reported directly to the president and reinvested dividends from state-owned enterprises without reliance on the government budget.

Roeslani expressed Indonesia’s openness to working with Pakistan in collaboration with investment funds and relevant offices, particularly in sectors such as palm oil, agriculture and other priority areas, and voiced optimism for productive and fruitful engagements during the visit.

Also read:President Zardari reaffirms commitment to strengthening Pakistan-Japan relations

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President Zardari reaffirms commitment to strengthening Pakistan-Japan relations

By
Our Correspondent
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ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly in development, technology and people-to-people exchanges.

Speaking at a reception marking the 66th birthday of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito of Japan, Mr Zardari said that Pakistan and Japan enjoy a relationship rooted in decades of trust, mutual respect and consistent cooperation

He underscored Japan’s enduring support for Pakistan and its key role in the country’s development journey.

“Japan is widely admired across the world for its technological achievements and its rich cultural heritage,” the president said adding “The Japanese people place great importance on discipline and dignity. They value family and community, and they honour tradition while steadily embracing progress and innovation. These qualities are well understood and appreciated in Pakistan.”

“Japan has stood with Pakistan in difficult times,” he said, recalling Japan’s compassionate and practical support during climate-related disasters.

He said beyond immediate assistance, Japan’s continued engagement in development cooperation and disaster-risk preparedness had been deeply valued and widely felt. “For this, we are sincerely grateful”, he added.

President Zardari said Pakistan looked to Japan as a model of technological excellence and innovation, and seeks to learn from its experience to build skills, strengthen institutions, and prepare its youth for the future.

He noted that more than 80 Japanese companies were currently operating in Pakistan, contributing to economic growth, creating employment and sharing valuable expertise, which reflected Japan’s confidence in Pakistan’s potential.

Referring to Pakistan’s strategic geographic location at the crossroads of Asia, the president said the country connects trade routes, energy corridors and regional markets, offering significant opportunities along with shared responsibilities.

“Pakistan and Japan share a belief in strong families, social harmony and respect for human dignity. These shared principles give our partnership depth and resilience,” the president said, adding that he was confident bilateral relations would continue to grow stronger with purpose, clarity and shared ambition.

Also read:Study warns AI tools more likely to spread medical misinformation

 

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Tarlai Mosque blast mastermind arrested, says Mohsin Naqvi

By
TNT Monitoring Desk
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Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday announced the arrest of an Afghan national associated with the banned Daesh group, who is believed to be the mastermind of the suicide attack at a mosque in Islamabad’s Tarlai area.

While addressing a press conference, Naqvi said the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) had arrested the mastermind along with all individuals involved in the attack.

Naqvi said four facilitators were also arrested during raids in Peshawar and Nowshera, adding that a police assistant sub-inspector (ASI) was martyred during the operation.

He said the planning of the attack was carried out in Afghanistan, where at least 21 terrorist organisations are currently operating.

The minister said that These terrorists work for money and are being funded by India, alleging foreign involvement in destabilising Pakistan.

He said Pakistan was in a “state of war” against terrorism and stressed the need for public cooperation to curb militancy.

Yesterday, a suicide bombing at a mosque in Islamabad’s Tarlai area during Friday prayers killed at least 32 worshippers and injured more than 169 others.

Also read:Information minister vows action after Imambargah Blast in Islamabad

 

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Rubina Khalid condemns suicide blast at Imam Bargah in Islamabad

By
TNT Monitoring Desk
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ISLAMABAD: Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Rubina Khalid expressed deep condemnation over the suicide blast that occurred during the Friday prayer at an Imam Bargah mosque in Taralai, Islamabad.

In her statement, cited by APP, Rubina Khalid described the attack on innocent civilians as a “cowardly and inhumane act” and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives.

She stressed that terrorist elements are conspiring to spread fear across the country, but the nation stands united against such acts of terror.

Rubina Khalid prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the blast and extended her heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. She reiterated the government’s determination to eradicate the scourge of terrorism from the country.

She said that the entire nation is united against terrorism, and they share equally in the grief of the affected families.

Also read:One killed, six injured in kite-flying accidents during Basant in Lahore

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National consultation highlights need for climate proof public infrastructure

By
Arshad Ali Jaan
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ISLAMABAD: A high-level stakeholder consultation on ‘Capacity Development for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure’ (CD-CRI) was held in Islamabad, bringing together engineering leaders, disaster risk authorities and development partners to discuss strengthening Pakistan’s public infrastructure against climate and disaster risks.

The consultation was organised by Kokkyo naki Kodomotachi (KnK) Japan in partnership with the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) and the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF), with support from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and in consultation with Dr Qasier Ali Associates.

Participants included PEC Chairman Wasim Nazir, NDRMF Chief Executive Officer Bilal Anwar, Dr Nicolai Dellmann of GIZ and Alex Forbes of the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, among other stakeholders from engineering, government and development sectors.

A key feature of the event was a technical session introducing a data-driven Structural Health Assessment (SHA) system aligned with the Building Code of Pakistan 2021. The system is designed to digitise the evaluation of public buildings for safety and resilience.

Speakers highlighted the need to bridge gaps between policy frameworks, engineering practice and community-level needs.

The consultation also saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding between KnK Japan, PEC and NDRMF, formalising cooperation to promote resilience in infrastructure development across the country.

Speaking at the event, PEC Chairman Mr Nazir said the initiative marked a shift from viewing resilience as a concept to implementing it in practice. He noted that digital tools and structured assessments could help strengthen engineering standards and improve decision-making.

Organisers said the CD-CRI initiative introduces a digital, GIS-enabled platform for structural assessments aimed at enhancing transparency and supporting evidence-based planning. The system is expected to be piloted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, in alignment with national building codes.

They emphasised that the initiative also focuses on institutional capacity-building, with PEC and NDRMF playing key technical roles in sustaining the system. The programme includes training engineers, certifying professionals in resilient construction standards and encouraging greater participation of women in technical decision-making processes.

The initiative is supported by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through GIZ, with the aim of strengthening local expertise and embedding climate resilience in Pakistan’s infrastructure planning frameworks.

Participants described the consultation as a step toward integrating climate risk considerations into the assessment and development of schools, hospitals and other critical infrastructure across the country.

Also read:Photo exhibition on Kashmir by European journalist held in Muzaffarabad

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Rain, snow lash Country as cold wave sweeps across Pakistan

By
TNT Monitoring Desk
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ISLAMABAD: As rain and snow lashed large parts of the country on Thursday, a cold wave swept across Pakistan.

As per the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), rain and heavy snowfall affected all provinces and northern regions. Areas including Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galiyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli, and Rawalakot experienced heavy rain and snowfall.

In Punjab, widespread intermittent rain and thunderstorms hit major cities, including Rawalpindi and Lahore. Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also experienced widespread intermittent rain and snowfall across most districts.

In Sindh, the weather turned cold, with Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Larkana receiving light rain.

The PMD said a strong westerly wave is affecting most parts of the country and is expected to persist in upper regions through Thursday. Widespread intermittent rain, wind, and thunderstorms—with snowfall over hilly areas—are forecast for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, and upper and central Punjab. Moderate to heavy rain and snowfall may occur at higher elevations.

On Friday, similar conditions are expected in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeastern Punjab, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, while cold and dry weather is likely to prevail in other parts of the country.

During the past 24 hours, scattered rain and thunderstorms were recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Punjab, and Sindh. Significant rainfall was reported in Parachinar (88 millimetres), Khuzdar (12 millimetres), Jacobabad and Sukkur (10 millimetres each), and Bhakkar (9 millimetres). Snowfall of up to two inches was recorded in Kalam, Quetta, and Parachinar.

The lowest temperatures recorded included minus 11 degrees Celsius in Leh, minus 5 degrees in Gupis, Skardu, Bagrote, and Parachinar, and minus 4 degrees in Kalam.

Meanwhile, the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a weather alert, advising the public to avoid non-essential travel to high-altitude and snowfall-prone areas and to use snow chains where travel is unavoidable.

Citizens were urged to make adequate arrangements for heating, warm clothing, and shelter, particularly for vulnerable populations. Local communities were advised to remain vigilant and strictly follow advisories issued by relevant authorities.

The NDMA directed provincial and district administrations to remain on high alert and ensure preparedness for snow clearance, emergency response, and timely restoration of essential services, including electricity and communications.

Also read:Police arrest lawyer Imaan Mazari and husband Hadi Chattha

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Police arrest lawyer Imaan Mazari and husband Hadi Chattha

By
TNT Monitoring Desk
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Islamabad police on Thursday arrested lawyer and activist Imaan Mazari along with her husband, Hadi Ali, in connection with a controversial social media case, despite an earlier Islamabad High Court ruling barring their arrest.

The couple was stopped near Sarina Chowk and later taken into custody while travelling in a High Court Bar van.

Earlier, the Islamabad High Court had declared the trial court’s arrest order null and void, stating that Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali should not be arrested in the current case.

The National Counter Terrorism Authority (NCCIA) had previously registered a case against the couple.

The FIR alleges that they attempted to create division on linguistic grounds through social media posts and held security forces responsible for missing persons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The case has been filed under Sections 9, 10, 11, and 26 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

Also read:Debt Is beneficial when invested productively, says Aurangzeb

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Mahmood Khan Achakzai officially appointed opposition leader in NA

By
TNT Monitoring Desk
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The long-awaited appointment of the opposition leader in the National Assembly has been finalized, as Speaker Ayaz Sadiq signed and issued the official notification naming Mahmood Khan Achakzai for the role, formally ending the leadership uncertainty in the lower house.

Sources said that after signing the notification, the Speaker handed it over to PTI leaders Gohar Ali Khan and Amir Dogar.

With this, the leadership issue in the National Assembly has been formally resolved.

The National Assembly session, presided over by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, began with the announcement that there would be no question hour.

The speaker called the chief whip to his chamber and formally issued the notification appointing Mahmood Khan Achakzai as opposition leader.

During the session, the Speaker told PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar that party leaders’ guidance would help improve the Assembly’s performance and invited him for consultations.

Gohar reminded the house that the notification for the opposition leader was promised by Thursday.

Also read:Pakistan engaged with US over immigrant Visa suspension process: says FO

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Grand night promotes cultural harmony at QAU

By
TNT Blog
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By Arshad Jaan

ISLAMABAD: The ‘grand night and peace mela’ was organised on Saturday night by Pukhtoon Students Council which was aimed at spreading the message of peace and harmony at Quid-I- Azam University (QAU).

The event featured multiple activities, including Pashto traditional attan, music and several food and traditional clothing stalls, which attracted a large number of students and other visitors.

The notable performance of the event was by Pashto renowned singer Fayaz Khan Khishki, who enthralled the audience with his melodious tunes.

Jalal Ud din Kakar, one of the of organisers and the student of Public Administration department said the core beauty of this event was to bring together all cultural communities and encourage respect and understanding for diversity in campus. “This event also called mini Pakistan because it has every culture of the country.” He said, adding that all student councils were invited to showcase their respective cultural representation.

The participants also showed their keen interest in various items; however, jewelry and traditional shawl stall were at the top of their preferences.

A student, Hashmina, who had set up jewelry stall, said that arranging such events were very important as students could gain real-world experience in business and management.“ this event  also provides an opportunity for organisers to learn basic skills of arranging and streamline activities from initial level,” she said, adding that such opportunities should be provided regularly for exposure and entertainment.

The participants also thoroughly enjoyed the Pashto ghazals and traditional attan at the event. “we really enjoyed it; our final exams were ongoing, and we were very stressed, but now fully relaxed and refreshed”, said Naveed Khan, another student at QAU. He added that such activities serve as a relaxing break and should be arranged in future to support student’s mental health.

“Today we fully represented and shared our culture through various activities, it was very crucial for social bonding”, said Muhammad Tanvir Ul Huq, another student. He added that it [grand night] was a gentle reminder to the world that Pakistanis are peaceful and loving people.

The organisers stressed commitment to promoting the country’s positive image, while engaging youth in such activities, which are not only important for preserving cultural heritage but also fostering peace.

Also read:Kashmir’s struggle cannot be silenced, says Mushaal Malik

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gas cylinder blast kills 6, Including bride and groom in Islamabad

By
TNT Monitoring Desk
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At least 6 people were killed and several others injured when a gas cylinder exploded in a house in Islamabad’s G-7/2 sector, authorities said on Sunday.

The explosion was so powerful that three nearby houses also collapsed, while nearby buildings also sustained damage.

Sources said wedding guests were staying at the house, and the deceased included the bride, groom and mother of the groom.

Panic spread in the area after the blast. Later, rescue agencies launched emergency operations to recover trapped people.

According to preliminary information, the explosion was caused by a cylinder leak inside a house.

The blast brought the structure down, trapping several people under the debris.

Rescue workers acted swiftly and have so far pulled 15 people from the rubble.

Ten of the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, with officials saying the condition of some remains critical.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Sahibzada Yousaf reached the scene after the incident and supervised the rescue efforts.

He said rescue teams were making every possible effort to locate and recover anyone still trapped beneath the debris.

He confirmed that 15 people had been rescued so far and said the search operation would continue.

Residents of the area said the sound of the explosion was heard from far away.

After the blast, police cordoned off the area, while gas and electricity supplies were temporarily suspended to prevent any further accidents.

Authorities said a full investigation would be conducted to determine the exact cause of the explosion and to take necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Also read:Iraq expresses interest in Pakistan’s JF-17 during PAF chief’s visit: ISPR

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