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QUETTA: Iranian Ambassador Syed Muhammad Ali Hussaini has said Pakistan and Iran need to work jointly to foil all conspiracies hatched and hurdles created by international forces in the way of close relations between the two countries. Talking to business leaders at the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) here on Tuesday, he said trade relations between Pakistan and Iran would be strengthened by removing all hurdles in their way. QCCI president Haji Abdullah Achakzai, senior vice president Haji Agha Gul Khilji, vice president Syed Abdul Ahad Agha and other business leaders were present on the occasion. Mr Hussaini said Iranian officials would be deployed at Bazarcha business terminal in Taftan soon to increase trade activities between the two countries, while efforts were also under way to establish border markets and remove hurdles in the way of industrial activities. “We want to have free trade with Pakistan so all the three countries of the region — Iran, Afghanistan

IN a game they needed to win to advance at the World Cup, Argentina had seen Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny deny their talisman Lionel Messi from the spot here at the Stadium 974 on Wednesday night. Szczesny’s 38th-minute save after Argentina had been utterly dominant meant both teams were goalless at halftime but it took Argentina a minute into the second half to take the lead, Alexis Mac Allister turning in a cross from the left in a move that started straight from kick-off. Once they had the lead, Argentina thrived. Julian Alvarez showed great control and shot to add a second on 67 minutes, sending thousands of Argentina fans at the venue, made up of 974 shipping containers wild with joy. Argentina could’ve got more goals but the 2-0 victory kept alive Messi’s dream of emulating the legendary Diego Maradona by guiding the Albiceleste to the World Cup title. It also saw Argentina finish top of Group ‘C’, setting up a last-16 clash with Australia. Holders France will meet Pol

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) sought funds worth Rs47 billion for the organisation of general elections, ARY News reported. The election commission will be given Rs27 billion in the current fiscal year, whereas, the ECP sought immediate disbursement of Rs18 billion for commencing the preparations for the general elections. The federal government will disburse over Rs20 billion to the ECP in the next fiscal year. The overall expenditures of the 2018 general polls were Rs31 billion. Sources said that the federal government approved the budget for the next general polls. Earlier on November 29, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet had approved a technical grant to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for general elections. Read More:  ECP completes preparations for general elections: sources According to details, the ECC – chaired by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar –approved a technical grant to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) f

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has strongly reacted to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s congratulatory message to the new COAS and CJCSC alongside sharing a Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s quote, ARY News reported on Wednesday.  While addressing a press conference in Islamabad today, Marriyum Aurangzeb questioned whether it was Quaid-e-Azam’s words to offer an extension behind closed doors, blackmailing National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman, revengeful actions against political rivals or selling Toshakhana’s wristwatch. She slammed the PTI chief by saying that Imran Khan wanted to topple the federal government but he made the announcement of toppling his own government. She further said that those who are serious about dissolving the assembly would not wait for a no-trust motion. Aurangzeb claimed Imran Khan has failed in politics and he should leave staging the drama of Haqeeqi Azadi. She asked the PTI

RAWALPINDI: A Pakistan Army soldier embraced martyrdom in an exchange of fire with terrorists in North Waziristan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ARY News reported on Wednesday, quoting the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). According to military’s media wing, the security forces were patrolling in the Shewa area of North Waziristan District when they came under fire from terrorists. “Pakistan Army troops fought bravely and engaged the terrorist’s location effectively,” the ISPR said. However, it added, during the intense fire exchange, Havaldar Parosh, who was a resident of Kohat, fought gallantly and embraced martyrdom. The military’s media wing noted that the terrorist remained actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces. The troops also recovered weapons and ammunition from the slain terrorist, it added. Following the exchange of fire, sanitisation of the area was being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area. Read More: Five sold

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Tuesday reduced the base tariff for electric tube wells under the Kissan package, fixed tobacco minimum indicative prices for crop 2023 and approved Rs15 billion for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The ECC meeting chaired by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar also approved a summary seeking a uniform tariff for K-Electric besides approving supplementary grants for various ministries and divisions. Under the Kissan package, the base tariff for electric tube wells was cut by Rs3.60 to Rs13 per kWh from Nov 1 to compensate farmers for the damage caused by the floods and heavy rains. Of the amount approved for the ECP for the current fiscal year, Rs5bn will be disbursed immediately while the balance will be released in tranches. Clears Rs15bn for ECP, fixes tobacco indicative prices The meeting approved tobacco minimum indicative prices including Rs310 per kg (plain area) and Rs351 (sub-mountainous area) for f

KARACHI: Textile exporters in Pakistan, like their regional counterparts, struggle to be merry this Christmas season, as a buying freeze abroad has hit all segments, from apparel, denim and knits to home textiles, though they hope things will get better in the coming months. “This time around, we did not get Christmas orders,” says Sohail Pasha, chairman of the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association. As a rule of thumb, international markets move six months in advance. Hence, Christmas orders are placed in June-July and delivered three months before the start of the season. But demand was slow due to the global economic environment this year. “The recession has spread everywhere, from Europe and UK to Australia and South Africa,” says Mr Pasha, adding that warehouses are already full of inventories. Mills have to work at half capacity as retailers abroad struggle to clear out shelves Retailers abroad are having sales to clear out their merchandise. Meanwhile, manufacturers in Pa

RAMALLAH: Israeli troops shot dead three Palestinians in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, Palestinian officials said, before a suspected car-ramming attacker was killed after wounding an Israeli soldier, Israeli medics and the army said. The army confirmed its troops had fired on “rioters” who attacked soldiers in two separate clashes in the West Bank overnight. The 20-year-old woman soldier was “moderately injured and evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment” following the suspected car-ramming north of Jerusalem, the army said. Jerusalem’s Shaare Tzedek hospital confirmed the alleged attacker had been killed. The West Bank has suffered spiralling violence this year, with near daily Israeli army raids leading to scores of deaths — of Palestinian fighters and also civilians — while Jewish settlers have been increasingly targeted by at times deadly Palestinian violence. Israeli soldier injured as violence flares in occupied territory In Kafr Ein, near Ramallah, two brother

WASHINGTON: Elon Musk has accused Apple Inc of threatening to block Twitter from its app store without saying why, in a series of tweets on Monday, that also said the iPhone maker had stopped advertising on the social media platform. The billionaire CEO of Twitter and Tesla said Apple was pressuring Twitter over content moderation demands. He later tagged Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook’s Twitter account in another tweet, asking “what’s going on here?” Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The action, unconfirmed by Apple, wo­uld not be unusual as the company has routinely enforced its rules and previously removed apps for similar reasons in the past. In the first quarter of 2022, Apple was the top advertiser on Twitter, spending $48 million and accounting for more than 4% of total revenue for the period, the Washington Post reported, citing an internal Twitter document. Separately, the social media platform has also rolled back a policy that

ISLAMABAD: All nine plaintiffs of first information reports (FIRs) registered against slain journalist Arshad Sharif have failed to appear before the investigation committee, ARY News reported. According to details, all nine plaintiffs of FIRs – registered against Arshad Sharif – did not appear before the investigation committee despite the issuance of summons. It is pertinent to mention here that the investigation committee had summoned all nine plaintiffs of first information reports (FIRs) registered against slain journalist Arshad Sharif in different cities of Pakistan. The investigation committee had penned down letters to Inspector-Generals (IGs) of three provinces and Islamabad and summoned all nine plaintiffs of first information reports (FIRs) registered against Arshad Sharif. The inquiry committee, in its letters, instructed Inspector-Generals (IGs) to ensure the attendance of plaintiffs in FIRs. The letter noted that five FIRs were registered against Arshad Sharif in

RAWALPINDI: The security forces have gunned down ten terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Balochistan’s Hoshab area, ARY News reported on Tuesday, quoting Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). According to military’s media wing, the forces conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Hoshab area of Balochistan to clear a hideout of terrorists linked to firing incidents targeting security forces and civilians. The ISPR further said that as forces were in the process of establishing blocking positions after identifying 12-14 terrorists’ location, terrorists opened fire onto the security forces. “During the intense exchange of fire, ten terrorists were killed while another was apprehended in injured condition. Two terrorists managed to escape,” the military’s media wing added. It noted that an operation to trace the escaped terrorists were launched in the area. The security forces also recovered a heavy cache of arms and ammunition, including IEDs. “Sec

ISLAMABAD: Any decision by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers to resign en masse from all four provincial assemblies will bind the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold by-polls on all vacant seats within two months, legal experts believe. They say Article 224(4) of the Constitution is very clear as it reads, “When, except by dissolution of the National Assembly or a Provincial Assembly, a seat in any such Assembly has become vacant not later than one hundred and twenty days before the term of that Assembly is due to expire, an election to fill the seat shall be held within sixty days from the occurrence of the vacancy”. The seat will fall vacant only after the resignation has been accepted by the speaker. A senior ECP official, when contacted, said the commission would strictly follow the law in such a case. If all PTI lawmakers quit, subsequent electoral exercise will cost exchequer Rs25bn “The ECP is fully ready for the next general elections and it would have n

THE HAGUE, Netherlands: The Netherlands, Canada and Ecuador backed calls Monday for the creation of a global anti-corruption court, saying it would help tackle “kleptocrats” at the head of governments. Foreign ministers from the three countries supported a campaign for a graft-busting tribunal, which backers say would operate on similar lines to the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC). “The Netherlands, Canada and Ecuador share the vision that this could eventually lead to the establishment of an International Anti-Corruption Court,” Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra said after they met in The Hague. “Such a court will provide the international community with an additional tool to enforce existing anti-corruption laws,” Hoekstra tweeted. Some two trillion dollars in procurement spending around the world is lost to corruption every year, according to UN figures. US senior judge Mark Wolf, who is leading the campaign, said the tribunal “will focus on the highest leve

Bollywood actor Salman Khan will reunite with his “Love” co-star Revathy in the upcoming action film “ Tiger 3 “. Watch ARY News live on  live.arynews.tv Salman Khan and Revathy have a long history together as the Dabangg actor was her first leading man in the 1991 film “ Love “. They will share the screen once again in “ Tiger 3 “. The duo made the announcement in Weekend Ka Vaar of Bigg Boss 16. Revathy will play an important character role in the much-anticipated film.   Related – How did Salman Khan help Katrina Kaif on “Tiger 3” sets? Earlier, the report of Indian television actor Ridhi Dogra being part of the cast made rounds. Moreover, superstar Shah Rukh Khan will make a cameo appearance in the avatar of his Pathaan character It is pertinent to mention that Salman Khan-starrer “ Tiger 3 ” is to release on April 21, 2023, on Eid-ul-Fitr. It got delayed to Diwali 2023 of the same year. Tiger has a new date… Diwali 2023 it is! Celebrate #Tiger3 with #YRF50 only at a big

Ecuador nearly doubled its number of prison guards on Monday as it tries to crack down on brutal violence between drug gangs that has left some 400 dead behind bars since 2021. A battle for control of the drug trade in the small country has played out in its prisons, mainly in the port city of Guayaquil, which has become a new nerve center in the global drug trade. Authorities announced the deployment of 1,461 new prison guards joining the current crop of about 1,500 officers, who at times have been severely outnumbered in a country with 32,000 inmates. “We are almost doubling the human resources needed for the professional, serious, and technical management of all of Ecuador’s detention centers,” said President Guillermo Lasso during the graduation ceremony of the new officers. Since February 2021, Ecuador has experienced eight prison massacres that left about 400 dead in grisly scenes where many were beheaded or burnt. Lasso said the deployment of the new guards was part of a p

FAISALABAD: Faisalabad police resolved the murder case of a 15-year-old TikToker Nayab after 18 days, ARY News reported on Monday. Police said that the younger brother of the slain TikToker Nayab namely Taimur turned out to be his murderer. Police detailed that Nayab went out along with his younger brother Taimur on November 11. “Taimur had allegedly murdered his brother by cutting his throat using a knife. The accused had levelled murder allegations on five unidentified persons and staged a drama for being subjected to torture.” Faisalabad police added that the prime suspect Taimur confessed to killing his sibling before his father and secured interim bail. According to the police, Taimur committed the murder due to jealousy of Nayab’s popularity. READ: YOUNG MAN KILLED FOR FILMING TIKTOK VIDEOS OF WOMEN IN FIELDS In December last year, police had apprehended two teenage students for allegedly shooting dead an elderly citizen for a TikTok video in Karachi’s Malir. A man, iden

LODHRAN/PESHAWAR: After Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan’s announcement, the PTI members of the provincial assembly (MPAs) were continuously submitting their resignations and so far four lawmakers tendered their resignations, ARY News reported on Monday. The President of PTI KP South Region Women’s Wing and an MPA Asia Saleh Khattak also announced to tender her resignation and issued a message to the party chairman. میں ایم پی اے آسیہ صالح خٹک چیئرمین پاکستان تحریک انصاف جناب @ImranKhanPTI کے فیصلے پر عمل درآمد کر کے اپنی استعفیٰ تیار رکھی ہے۔ جب صوبائی اسمبلی تحلیل ہونے کا فیصلہ ہو جائے گا میری استعفیٰ دینے میں منٹ بھی نہیں لگے گا۔ یہ سیٹ عمران خان صاحب کی امانت ہے۔ #PTIFamily pic.twitter.com/844ZlNayE8 — Asia Saleh Khattak (@AsiaKhtPTI) November 28, 2022 She said on Twitter that she prepared her resignation following Imran Khan’s decision. Khattak clarified that she will wait further to submit her resignation when the PTI chief orders to dissolve the provinci

BENGALURU: A Muslim student in India’s Karnataka state confronted a teacher who called him a ‘terrorist’ after learning about his Islamic name, Indian media reported on Monday. According to details, a 45-second clip shared on Twitter – which swiftly gathered thousands of views – shows a Muslim student confronting his professor at a private university in Karnataka for calling him a ‘Muslim terrorist’ during class. Indian media reported that the incident took place on Friday at the Manipal Institute of Technology in Udipi. In the short video, the professor had reportedly asked the student his name, and on hearing a Muslim name, had blurted: “Oh, you are like Kasab!” [Ajmal Kasab], the lone Pakistani terrorist captured alive after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. A Professor in a class room in India calling a Muslim student ‘terrorist’ – This is what it has been to be a minority in India! pic.twitter.com/EjE7uFbsSi — Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) November 27, 2022 “How can you pass such sta

QUETTA: Pakistan Customs has seized 67 non-duty paid vehicles in an action against the smugglers in Quetta, ARY News reported on Monday.  In line with the vision of the Prime Minister to curb smuggling, Pakistan Customs seized 67 non-customs paid vehicles, sugar and fertilizer worth Rs336 million approximately. The Pakistan Customs team carried out action near Nokandi, Quetta and foiled the smuggling bid from Pak-Afghan border. Read more: Non-custom paid vehicles worth millions seized in Balochistan On Feb 21, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had said Rs11.2 billion worth of non-custom paid vehicles were confiscated during the July-Jan period. A total of Rs35 billion worth of smuggled items were seized during July-January 2020/2021 as against Rs22 billion worth of such items confiscated during last year’s corresponding period. from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/rkehAyN https://ift.tt/ivboa59

LAHORE: The south Punjab police high-ups have asked the provincial government for a special financial package of Rs5,075 million in order to procure ‘missing war equipment’ for sustainable gains in the ongoing operation against criminals in the katcha areas of Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan. According to the police, Rs36m was required for running cost per month, Rs800m for the purchase of bullet-proof boats, Rs737m for purchase of track APCs, Rs8m for procurement of thermal imaging drones, Rs6m for specialised training by the Pakistan Army, Rs70.7m for bulletproofing of existing vehicles, and Rs2,800m for the consolidated police infrastructure development. Similarly, Rs144m is required for the induction of 200 local police officers while Rs472m will be needed as special incentive for the police operation. The police command supervising the operation also proposed a permanent solution to the criminal activities in the two districts saying that socio-economic development would be the onl

QUETTA: Five persons sustained injuries after the tank of an oil tanker exploded during welding work in Quetta, ARY News reported on Sunday. Police said that the tank of an oil tanker exploded in the Hazarganji area of Balochistan’s capital Quetta, leaving five persons wounded. Police added that the explosion occurred during welding work. The wounded persons were shifted to the trauma centre by the rescue workers. READ: OIL TANKER CATCHES FIRE AFTER OVERTURNING IN KARACHI’S SHERSHAH In June, a video went viral on social media that showed a burning oil tanker was driven off by the driver when it caught fire at a petrol pump in Quetta. An oil tanker driver exhibited great courage when he drove a burning oil tanker with 40,000 litre of petrol in it away from the crowd. According to details, the oil tanker caught fire when it was standing at petrol pump. #OilTanker | #Balochistan | #Quetta | #KumbraniRoad pic.twitter.com/fLuU8EQBZC — ThebetterPakistan (@ThebetterPak_) June 8, 2

MADRID: Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Shazia Atta Marri has noted that over 33 million people have been affected owing to heavy rains and flash floods in Pakistan. According to a statement, the federal minister made these remarks while attending a meeting of 26th Socialist International Congress held at Madrid, Spain. In her speech, she expressed solidarity with the women and children affected by the wars and conflicts globally and highlighted the catastrophic impact of climate change in Pakistan in-detail. “We are expressing solidarity with the women and children of Palestine, Kashmir and all around the world where they are being tortured and harassed as the results of the wars and conflicts,” she added. Shazia Marri said climate change had wreaked havoc on Pakistan this summer and affected more than 33 million people, including 0.65 million pregnant women and about 4 million children. Read More: Pakistan seeks billions of dollars in new loans after

A new travel advisory was issued for passengers to the United Arab Emirates as the UAE restricted the entry of travellers with a single name on their passports. According to the new advisory, the UAE immigration officials set a new condition for inbound passengers. Under the new condition, passengers with a single name on their passports will not get clearance at the UAE airports. It was declared mandatory for the passport holders to mention first and sir names including father or husband. The UAE authorities also directed the airlines to issue tickets to travellers with full names. A private airline, SereneAir, issued a public notice, stating, “The UAE government has revised the naming guidelines for allowing entry in the Emirates. As per the guideline update, any passport holder with a single name either Surname or Given Name would not be accepted by UAE Immigration and the passenger will be considered as an inadmissible passenger. The revised policy is in effect from 21 November

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday filed 20 appeals against the order of an Appellate Tribunal of Inland Revenue (ATIR) in a matter pertaining to the imposition of Rs5bn additional tax on the undeclared offshore properties owned by the Saifullah family. FBR’s inland revenue commissioner challenged before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) the tribunal decision to set aside the additional tax amount against the business family. The counsel for the revenue board, Ashfaq Hussain Naqvi, filed the appeals. In the appeals, the FBR stated the ATIR decided the matter on technicalities without discussing the merits of the case, misinterpreted the provisions of the law, and ignored the settled principles of the interpretation of the fiscal statute. The FBR said the tribunal misconceived that the companies, which are separate legal entities, were being taxed rather the individuals who had admitted their investment in the companies of which they have provided no details. It was

• Imran says will consult party, CMs on this plan soon; drops idea of taking long march to Islamabad • Tells massive gathering polls no longer a priority as he is confident of victory, whenever they are held • Claims three men — including the one who tried to shoot would-be assassin — involved in Wazirabad conspiracy RAWALPINDI: Springing the much-touted ‘surprise’ on his political allies and opponents alike, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan announced on Saturday his party’s intention to disassociate itself from the “current corrupt political system” by quitting the assemblies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. However, a final decision would only be taken after consultations with chief ministers in both provinces, while a final decision in this regard would be made after a meeting of the PTI’s parliamentary party, Mr Khan said. The announcement came during a mammoth PTI public meeting in Rawalpindi, Mr Khan’s first public appearance since the attempt on his life in