WASHINGTON: United States (US) lauded the efforts of Pakistan to combat terrorism as the country has made many sacrifices against terrorism, ARY News reported.The US State Department spokesperson said that Pakistan has suffered from huge losses in the fight against terrorism and the US is in contact with Pakistan on matters related to combating terrorism.The State Department spox reiterated that the US does not want Afghanistan to again become a safe haven for terrorists as no country should suffer the losses caused by terrorism, he added.Yesterday, the United States (US) urged Pakistan to expand and prioritize economic reforms as Pakistan seeks to clinch a fresh International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package.Read more: US urges Pakistan to prioritize economic reforms“Pakistan has made progress to stabilize its economy, and we support its efforts to manage its daunting debt burden,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said.“We encourage the government to prioritize and expand economic reforms to address its economic challenges. Our support for the country’s economic success is unwavering, and we will continue to engage with Pakistan through technical agreements, as well as through our trade and investment ties, all of which are priorities of our bilateral relationship.”Speaking about remarks made by Indian defense minister, Miller said: “The United States is not going to get in the middle of this, but we do encourage both India and Pakistan to avoid escalation and find a resolution through dialogue.”

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari will address the joint sitting of the parliament today (Thursday), ARY News reported.The joint session will start at 4pm.Under Article 56 (3) of the Constitution, the President shall address a joint session of Parliament at the commencement of the parliamentary year. The National Assembly Secretariat has finalised preparation for the joint sitting of parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora). The Chief Justice of Pakistan, governors and chief ministers of all the provinces, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, have been invited. Besides, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, along with the three services chiefs, has also been invited. Speakers, deputy speakers all provincial assemblies, Legislative Assembly of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are also invited.This will be President Asif Ali Zardari’s record seventh address to the joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate.During his five-year stint in the Presidency from 2008 to 2013, he had already addressed the parliament six times.It is pertinent to mention here that the previous joint sitting of Parliament was summoned on March 9 for the presidential elections with National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in chair.

RAWALPINDI: The district administration of Rawalpindi on Thursday sealed dozens of tandoors and seized the equipment for observing strike against the government's rate of naan and roti, ARY News reported. Nanbais locked horns with the provincial government after Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reduced the prices of naan and roti across the province.All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran on Wednesday announced that the nanbais would observe a shutter-down strike in Punjab and Islamabad.Tandoors in Taxila, Gujjar Khan, Jatli, Kallar Syedan and other areas are closed. The masses have moved to bakeries to cater to their needs for bread.Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi district administration has swung into action and has seized dozens of tandoors and registered cases against their owners.All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran President Ajmal Baloch called for the release of dozens of nanbais arrested across the province as he announced the strike.Read more: Nanbai association rejects cut in naan, roti pricesCriticising the Punjab government, Baloch said that it was inappropriate to shut down the business of one labour to give relief to the other.He maintained that the government would not be able to provide relief to the masses using force.The traders’ leader went on to add that the price of naan was kept at Rs20 when the flour bag was being sold at Rs10,000. The price was increased to Rs25 per naan after an increase of Rs2,000 in the price of flour bag.

WASHINGTON: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva to discuss the economic reforms agenda in Pakistan.The meeting held in Washington discussed economic issues, policy preferences and reforms agenda to uplift Pakistan's economy.Matters related to expanding the tax net, privatisation and facilities to the private sector also came under discussion.The finance minister is currently in the US to discuss new loan programme with the IMF for Pakistan.On Tuesday, Muhammad Aurangzeb appreciated the support of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank extended to Pakistan for economic development. Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Mr. Muhammad Aurangzeb, attended the G-24, Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting, said a press release issued here.Read more: ‘Pakistan committed to enter into extended programme with IMF'The minister talked about reforms in the areas of taxation, energy, privatization and digitalization, and underlined the need to bring in more private sector investment and leverage the “Adaptation Fund” to help the country deal with adverse impacts of the climate change.The South Asian nation is nearing the end of a nine-month, $3 billion loan program with the International Monetary Fund designed to tackle a balance-of-payments crisis which brought it to the brink of default last summer.With the final $1.1 billion tranche of that deal likely to be approved later this month, Pakistan has begun negotiations for a new multi-year IMF loan program worth “billions” of dollars, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said during an interview in Washington.

Nature has created the human body and all its organs in complete harmony and beauty. However, it is also a marvel of nature that some people, despite changes in this order, are leading healthy lives.One such family resides in Sindh's Qambar-Shahdad Kot district, whose six members have their hearts on the right side.The family in Selra village in Qamber Shahdadkot district, includes the 53-year-old head of family Khuda Bux Selro, his wife, two young sons, a 22-year-old daughter and six months old grandson.Read more: US approves Wegovy for lowering heart risksAccording to Khuda Bux, all in the family are leading a normal and healthy life with heart on the right side. He desired the Guinness Book of World Records to register his family accordingly.The health experts said Dextrocardia, a congenital abnormality, is a rare condition in which heart points toward the right side of chest instead of the left side. Less than 1 percent of the general population is born with dextrocardia.

ISLAMABAD: All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran has announced that the nanbais will observe a shutter down strike in Punjab and Islamabad today (Thursday) as they lock horn with the provincial government over naan and roti prices, ARY News reported.All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran President Ajmal Baloch called for the release of dozens of nanbais arrested across the province as he announced the strike.Criticising the Punjab government, Baloch said that it was inappropriate to shut down the business of one labour to give relief to the other.He maintained that the government would not be able to provide relief to the masses using force.The traders' leader went on to add that the price of naan was kept at Rs20 when the flour bag was being sold at Rs10,000. The price was increased to Rs25 per naan after an increase of Rs2,000 in the price of flour bag.Read more: Nanbai association rejects cut in naan, roti pricesBaloch questioned the government's latest measure, saying that nanbais are being asked to sell naan on Rs16 when the flour bag came down to Rs10,800.Calling for negotiations with all stakeholders before making a decision, he said that the issue would be resolved without taking all stakeholders on board regarding the prices of naan and roti.Days earlier, the Muttahida Nanbai Roti Association of Punjab rejected the directives to reduce the price of naan and roti in the province.After the Punjab government’s directive to set the price of roti at Rs 16, the Nanbai Association issued a 96-hour ultimatum, demanding a reduction in flour prices.The Nanbai Association also threatened to initiate a province-wide shutter-down strike if their demands were not met.It is pertinent to mention here that the Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had reduced the price of roti across the province.Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the first female chief minister announced that the Punjab government has reduced the prices of roti (flat bread made in tandoor) and fixed it at Rs16.

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Czech Republic counterpart Jan Lipavsky reaffirmed their commitment to promote bilateral cooperation between the two countries.Taking to ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter), Ishaq Dar said that he received a congratulatory telephone call from the Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky.Both the foreign ministers agreed to expand cooperation between Pakistan and Czech Republic in the fields of trade, economy, investment as well as people-to-people exchanges.Ishaq Dar also extended an invitation to Jan Lipavsky to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.Read More: FM Ishaq Dar, Antony Blinken discuss situations in Gaza, AfghanistanEarlier, Ishaq Dar and United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed matters of regional importance such as situation in Gaza and developments in Afghanistan, ARY News reported.The discussion came as the foreign minister received a call from Antony Blinken, wherein the latter felicitated him on assuming the office.During the telephonic conversation, the two diplomats reiterated dedication to strengthening bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and the United States (US) across all spheres of mutual interest.According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, a wide range of bilateral issues including enhancing trade and investment relations, climate change, agriculture and security came under discussion.

GILGIT: A Senior Civil Judge has issued an arrest warrant against former Chief Minister (CM) of Gilgit-Baltistan Khalid Khurshid Khan in a fake degree case, ARY News reported.According to the details, Senior Civil Judge Hidayat Ali issued a bailable arrest warrant against the former chief minister of Gilgit Baltistan over his continuous absence.Khalid Khurshid who also served as the president of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chapter in the Gilgit Baltistan was charged with getting a lawyer's license from the Gilgit-Baltistan Bar Council by submitting a ‘fictitious’ University of London law degree and an affidavit to the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad to obtain an equivalency certificate.He contested the GB elections from Astore and eventually went to became the chief minister. He was disqualified by Gilgit Baltistan Court for possessing ‘fake’ degree and booked in the fraud case.Read More: Gilgit-Baltistan CM Khalid Khursheed disqualified in fake degree caseThe Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court in July 2023 disqualified Khalid Khursheed Khan in a fake degree case as a three-member bench announced the verdict on a petition filed by a member of the GB Assembly Shahzad Agha against him.The petitioner had argued that Khursheed’s law degree was fake and he should be disqualified under Article 62 and 63.  Khursheed claimed to have received a law degree from London but it could not be verified.Khalid Khursheed had been in office since December 2020 and considered a close aide of PTI chairman Imran Khan.

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has made it mandatory for government employees to serve a three-month notice period before voluntary retirement, ARY News reported.The finance ministry in a circular, sent to all federal ministries and divisions of Pakistan, bounded government employees to inform the relevant authority three months before their voluntary retirement.According to the ministry, the three-month period will give the relevant authority ample time to hire for the position, the retiring officials had been holding.The ministry said that government employees who retire after completing 25 years of service will be eligible for pension after their voluntary retirement.However, an inquiry will be conducted to fix the responsibility in case of any loses to the retiring officials.The development came after the finance ministry said that a few cases were reported where the retiring officials had submitted their resignations and were accepted by the relevant authorities.Read more: Govt introducing new pension scheme for employees from July 1stHowever, the 25 years qualifying service for pension had not been rendered e.g. the period of extra-ordinary leave had not been excluded from the officials' service.Without the exclusion of the extra-ordinary leave from the service, the servants were declared ineligible for pension, the ministry added.Last month, reports said that the federal government was introducing the Voluntary Pension Scheme from July 1 to replace the existing traditional pension setup on demand of the IMF.All newly recruited government employees will be awarded voluntary pension scheme from July 1, while the old government employees will be given pension from official budget. The government could transfer the employees to new pension scheme with their consent.

KARACHI: The Sindh government will roll out non-formal education system in the province to enable over 2 million out-of-school children complete elementary-level education in a shorter period of four years.Sindh Minister for Education, Syed Sardar Ali Shah, while chairing a meeting on Wednesday, said that curriculum for non-formal education as well as course work has been developed while ‘Sindh Non-formal Education Authority’ will also be constituted in collaboration with JICA and UNICEF that would operate in Public Private Partnership mode.Sardar Shah said that under the non-formal education system, out-of-school children will be allowed to complete their education up to class eight while vocational education will also be imparted to them simultaneously.Through the approach, over two million boys and girls in the province will be able to get educated in the next four years, he said adding that for the convenience of out-of-school children non-formal education centers will be opened in areas with higher numbers of out-of-school children.Terming post primary dropout ratio as the biggest challenge the minister said that primary schools will be upgraded where required.The minister emphasising the need of paying more attention to the STEM education system in schools noted “We have to focus on teaching subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to students.”Underscoring the significant role of science exhibitions in developing children’s interest in the subject, the minister instructed the Directorate of Private Schools and District Education Officers to organize science exhibitions at the district, divisional and provincial levels to help youth showcasing their talent.The education minister, in a separate meeting with officers of Directorate of Private Institutions, directed to further improve the mechanism for monitoring of private schools.He informed that 35 inspectors will be appointed across the province to monitor private schools at district level.The minister instructed to ensure that private schools must provide scholarships to 10 percent students and teach Sindhi language as a subject. Measures should be taken in collaboration with Sindhi Language Authority to impart training to teachers for improving method of teaching Sindhi language.

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur directed the police to immediately apprehend the individuals responsible for the attack on Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) candidate for by-election Akhunzada Chattan in Bajaur, ARY News reported.Taking notice of the attack, CM Gandapur termed the incident as condemnable and emphasised the need for preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the futureThe chief minister also stressed the importance of ensuring peaceful by-elections in all districts, including Bajaur. He called for all possible steps to be taken to protect the safety of leaders engaged in electioneering. Earlier in the day, Akhunzada Chattan escaped a blast in Mamund tehsil of Bajaur district of Khyber PakhtunkhwaAccording to the police, the blast went off near the vehicle of the PPP leader. However, Chattan remained safe as he was inside the bomb-proof vehicle, they added.Akhunzada Chattan is the PPP’s candidate for NA-8 of Bajaur in the by-elections scheduled for April 21.It is pertinent to mention that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had postponed elections in Bajaur’s NA-8 and PK-22 after a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf  (PTI) backed independent candidate Rehan Zeb Khan was killed in the Siddiqabad area of Bajaur.

KARACHI: An alleged robber was gunned down while a passerby woman also sustained fatal bullet wounds during an exchange of fire between the dacoits and a citizen in Karachi’s Malir area on Wednesday, ARY News reported citing police. According to the police, three suspects were robbing the citizens in Malir and opened intense firing when they faced resistance.According to the police, a citizen also opened fire on the robbers, leaving one of them dead. Two suspects however managed to escape.The police said that a passerby woman also sustained bullet injuries and was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition. She later succumbed to her injuries. Three 9 mm shells were found from the crime scene.Read More: Karachi police reveal data on killings over robbery resistance in RamadanEarlier on Thursday, the police said that at least 19 were killed and 55 injured over resisting robberies during Ramadan 2024 amid rising crime rate in Karachi.According to a police officials, the armed robbers gunned down 19 citizens in Karachi over robbery resistance during Ramadan.Additionally, the killings in robberies have recorded a sharp increase in 2024 with a total of 56 killings and injuries to over 200 citizens so far.During the January-April period last year,  armed robbers shot dead 25 citizens while 110 people were injured over resisting robberies.In 2023, as many as 108 people were killed and 469 were injured over robbery resistance.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday called for joint efforts to steer country out of crisis, saying that his party supremo Nawaz Sharif will be ready to hold talks, but PTI founder Imran Khan won’t, ARY News reported.Speaking to a private news channel, the former interior minister said that PTI founder categorically denied holding talks with major political parties.Stressing the need for national reconciliation, Sanaullah said that Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari, Imran Khan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, MQM-P and Baloch leadership should sit together, after which all “problems could be solved”.Meanwhile, he also advised his party for self-accountability, maintaining that he will always stays with party. He added that his political carrier will end if he now leaves PML-N.Referring to Faizabad dharna commission report, Sanaullah said that a truth commission should be formed on the Faizabad sit-in which will reveal all the details.It is pertinent to mention here that the Faizabad dharna commission gave a clean chit to former spy chief Faiz Hameed.On November 08, 2017, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) held a sit-in at Faizabad interchange against the amendments in the Election Act 2017, changing the word oath to declaration.Ex-PEMRA chief Absar Alam – in response submitted to Supreme Court – said that former ISI chief Faiz Hameed pressurized the media regulatory authority during Faizabad sit-in.Absar Alam stated that Ex-ISI chief General retired Faiz Hameed pressurized him to take action against senior journalist Najam Sethi and ban the former US ambassador Husain Haqqani however his demands were not met.The federal government established an inquiry commission, headed by retired Inspector General Akhtar Ali Shah, in response to the Supreme Court’s rejection of the Fact-Finding Committee report.However, the inquiry commission – in its 149-page report issued today – give clean chit to former spy chief.Read More: Khawaja Asif rejects Faizabad sit-in inquiry reportThe commission maintained that the then DG ISI and Army Chief had given permission to Faiz Hameed for the agreement. The report added that then Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal were also taken on board for the agreement.The Faizabad sit-in inquiry commission was established in the light of Supreme Court directives. The commission reviewed the reasons related to the Faizabad sit-in and also made recommendations.

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam opened up about the potency of trying different team combinations during the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, slated to begin tomorrow (Thursday).The newly-appointed captain interacted with the media here on the eve of Pakistan’s crucial home series, leading to this year’s T20 World Cup in the United States of America (USA) and the West Indies.To a question regarding the opening pair for the New Zealand T20Is, Babar remained tight-lipped but revealed that there will be an almost different combination in each of the five matches.“I think, there’s flexibility for everyone and we’ll try to give opportunities to the youngsters and test our bench strength.“And, you’ll see a different combination in almost every match. We’ll try to check where we stand by going with different combinations, be it in batting or bowling.Babar then went on to reveal that the national team’s ideal combination would be finalized by the upcoming away T20I series against Ireland and England.In response to a question regarding Pakistan’s long-standing middle-order woes, Babar Azam claimed that the inclusion of youngsters like Azam Khan and Muhammad Irfan Khan Naizi would give more depth to the team’s batting unit.“We definitely pondered about this and thus included youngsters like Usman Khan, Irfan Niazi and Azam Khan to address the spots on which we were lacking in the past and obviously, we already had Iftikhar in the mix.“We tried to strengthen that and after that, we have Shadab and Imad. So, in this way, our batting is getting more stronger.“So, if we go with whatever combination, our batting [depth] goes till the eighth number and yet we would be left with Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah.”It is worth mentioning here that Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium will host the opening three T20Is between Pakistan and New Zealand on 18, 20 and 21 April before action shifts to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium where the last two matches will be played on 25 and 27 April.Pakistan squadBabar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usama Mir, Zaman KhanReserves: Haseebullah, Mohammad Ali, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Wasim Jr.New Zealand squadMichael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi, Tom Blundell, Zak Foulkes.

QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court (BHC) has barred the provincial government from closing educational institutions and businesses during VIP movement in Quetta, ARY News reported.In a written order on a constitutional petition filed by a citizen, the court directed the authorities to not close the roads for more than two minutes as per the Blue Book documents.BHC Acting Chief Hashim Kakar and Justice Shaukat Ali Rakhshani wrote the judgment which barred the provincial government and relevant departments from closing educational institutes and businesses falling in the route of the VIP movement in Quetta.The court also directed the government against disturbing traffic flow unnecessarily during the VIP movement.Read more: Sindh CM’s protocol car upturned, policeman die, six injuredWhile acknowledging the state's responsibility to protect VIPs and prominent individuals, the BHC stated that the basic human rights of the citizens also held significance.The Balochistan High Court (BHC) said that closing down roads, shops and schools during the VIP movement without providing a substitute was inappropriate.The BHC urged for providing appropriate security measures that would allow the provision of basic human rights and free movement to the citizens.It is pertinent to mention that a citizen, identified as Naimatullah, had filed a constitutional petition at the BHC in 2018 against the security protocols during the VIP movement.The petitioner maintained that the closure of the educational institutes and businesses during the visits of the prime minister and president was against basic human rights.

The Pakistan Army formed an inquiry committee to probe abuse of powers allegations against former ISI chief Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd), ARY News reported, citing sources.The committee was constituted over the directives of the superior court and the defence ministry, sources privy to the matter said.The probe committee will look into the allegations against Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd) and write a report on the matter.The inquiry committee is tasked with giving recommendations against Faiz Hameed if the allegations levelled against him are proven true, sources said.Read more: Faizabad commission gives ‘clean chit’ to Faiz HameedThe former ISI chief has been accused of misusing his powers regarding the housing society in Islamabad.Sources said that the apex court has conducted hearings on the case against the ex-ISI chief.It is pertinent to mention that the Federal Cabinet on December 5, 2022, approved the resignations of then Lieutenant-General Faiz Hameed through circulation following the appointment of a new Chief of Army Staff (COAS).The summary stated that the retirement of Lt Gen Faiz Hameed will be effective from December 10, 2022.On October 26, 2021, former prime minister Imran Khan posted Hameed as the Corps Commander Peshawar. He was serving as the director general of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) at the time.

Kissan Ittehad chairman Khalid Hussain Bath has said that the farmers will stage at sit-in on April 19 over low wheat support prices, ARY News reported.Speaking during his appearance on ARY News show "The Reporters", the farmers' leader revealed that the government has imported wheat worth $2.2 million which has not been used yet.Meanwhile, he said that the local growers were unable to sell their crops.According to him, the government instead of purchasing wheat from the local growers in Punjab, imported the commodity.Read more: Farmers’ body withdraws protest call after talks with Punjab govtHe lamented the fact that the farmers had stocks of wheat with no buyers while the flour mills were buying wheat for Rs3000 per 40kg bag.Khalid Hussain Bath also decried the rising fuel prices that have further increased the challenges for the farmers, saying that they are unable to recover the expense of cutting wheat crops through thrasher due to the hiked price of diesel.He alleged that the government officials were misinforming Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz regarding the issues faced by the farmers and growers in the province.The government was ignoring the plight of the farmers, he said, adding that they would be sent back without a meeting with the Punjab chief minister.On April 11, Kissan Ittehad withdrew from a planned protest after successful negotiations with the Punjab government.Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani held a meeting with a 10-member delegation of the farmers’ body where the two sides discussed issues faced by the farmers in the province.The provincial minister met the community leaders and formed a joint investigation committee (JIT) aimed at resolving issues faced by the farmers.During the meeting, the minister assured the farmers’ leaders of conducting an inquiry into the import of wheat during the previous caretaker government.

Karachi: In response to protests by the residents of Purani Sabzi Mandi and surrounding areas, a spokesperson for K-Electric (KE) clarified that the electricity dues in the area have surpassed PKR 53 million.In a statement issued here, the spokesperson urged residents to ensure timely payments of bills which the power utility maintained are essential to stable supply of electricity. Power supply was restored after mediation with senior residents who pledged their support in ensuring bill payment.“The KE regularly organises facilitation camps across the city to support customers in bill payment and extends its fullest cooperation to customers, area representatives and elected officials who wish to work with the organisation to overcome this challenge,” the statement added.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has nominated Senator Sherry Rehman as parliamentary leader in the Senate, ARY News reported.Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani congratulated Senator Rehman on being nominated for the position.He expressed hope that the PPP leader will play a pivotal role in legislation in the upper house.Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani said that the Senate was an important forum for policy-making and Senator Rehman would employ her skills to highlight the issues faced by the masses.Read more: Yousaf Raza Gillani elected unopposed as Senate chairmanIt is pertinent to mention that Senator Sherry Rehman was the first female to become the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.She was declared the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate in 2018 as per a notification issued by the Senate Secretariat.PPP leader and former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani was elected unopposed as the Chairman of the Senate on April 9 while PML-N’s candidate for deputy chairman Senate Syedal Khan Nasir was also returned uncontested in the election.

RAWALPINDI: Security forces gunned down seven terrorists trying to infiltrate Pakistan-Afghanistan border with nefarious intentions, the Inter-Services Press Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday.In a statement, the military’s media wing said that on 16th April 2024, the movement of a group of seven terrorists, trying to infiltrate the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was detected by security forces in the area of Spinkai, Ghulam Khan of North Waziristan District.The infiltrators were surrounded, effectively engaged and after an intense fire exchange, all seven territories were gunned down.A large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and explosives were also recovered from the killed terrorists.Read More: Security forces gunned down two terrorists in Waziristan IBO: ISPRThe ISPR said that Pakistan has consistently been asking the Interim Afghan Government to ensure effective border management on their side of the border. The interim Afghan Government is expected to fulfill its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for perpetrating acts of terrorism against Pakistan.“Security forces of Pakistan are determined and remain committed to securing its borders and eliminating the menace of terrorism from the country,” the ISPR added.Earlier on April 7, the Security Forces held an intelligence-based operation (IBO) and killed two terrorists in North Waziristan District.During the operation, own troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location as a result of which two terrorists were sent to hell. Weapons, ammunition & explosives were also recovered from them.