- Advertisement -ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP): Special prayers for rain (Salat-ul-Istisqa) were offered across the nation responding to an appeal by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday. Under the auspicious of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, the congregation was held in the Kohsar Block lawn which was led by Dr Shahid Rehman, Director of Research and References, who also delivered the sermon. The event was attended by Secretary for Religious Affairs, Zulfiqar Haider, along with officials and personnel from the Ministries of Maritime Affairs, National Health, Human Rights, and Inter-Provincial Coordination. - Advertisement -Following the prescribed prayer, Dr Shahid Rehman and the participants recited supplications and sought forgiveness for collective and individual shortcomings. Special prayers were made for the alleviation of drought, the eradication of diseases and smog, and for the blessings of rainfall to benefit the nation.

Pakistan Faces Backlash Over Champions Trophy Hosting And Trophy Tour Cricketing tension escalates as BCCI confirms India's non-participation amid geopolitical strifeCricket's political drama has taken center stage with Pakistan as the host of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. On November 14, 2024, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made headlines with their announcement about the ICC Champions Trophy trophy tour kicking off across Pakistan. Pakistan’s decision to include PoK within the trophy tour raised eyebrows not only within its borders but also with its neighbor to the east. Pakistan’s return as Champions Trophy hosts means consideration beyond matches, necessitating transparent and cordial dialogue among ICC, BCCI, and PCB. Time continues to tick away, and with the anticipated Champions Trophy just months away, stakeholders await clarity from the ICC.

Pakistan is schedule to host the ICC Champions Trophy in February-March. Photo: AFPThe upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, slated to be hosted by Pakistan, has sparked fresh controversy after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to visit their neighbours for the tournament. This proposal has ignited a strong response from Pakistani cricket fans, who have taken to social media to express their frustration. Calling on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reject any hybrid model and insist on hosting the tournament fully within Pakistan, many fans have suggested a boycott of the Champions Trophy if Pakistan’s hosting rights are compromised. “Pakistan should not accept a hybrid option, even if it means withdrawing from the tournament,” one fan commented, echoing widespread sentiments.

Event marks significant advancement in ongoing efforts to improve TTS compliance and enhance FBR’s regulatory approach. ISLAMABAD - A critical roundtable discussion on the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) Track and Trace System (TTS) compliance was held in Islamabad. Efforts to implement the track and trace system in the tobacco sector kickstarted in 2021 along with three other sectors - cement, fertilizer and sugar. However, since the deadline, track and trace compliance remains a distant dream. The outcomes from this session represent a strategic step forward in enhancing regulatory compliance, supporting FBR’s tax collection objectives, and reinforcing public health initiatives.

ISLAMABAD - The repair work of head race tunnel (HRT) of 969MW Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHPP) will cost approximately Rs23 billion and it will be completed in approximately eight months. The experts have recommended the concrete work of the damaged part of the tunnel, and as per the initial estimates it will cost approximately Rs23 billion. The panel has recommended adit of approximately 16km to reach to the fault line of the tunnel and undertake the repair work of the tunnel, the source informed. Now, the Ministry of Water Resources has been tasked to bring an implementation plan for the repair work of the tunnel, the source said. The committee is headed by Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal as chairman, while Minister for Water Resources, Secretary, Water Resources Chairman WAPDA and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) NJHPP are its members.

- Advertisement -ISLAMABAD, Nov 14 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday appealed to the nation to perform Namaz-e-Istisqa (prayers for rain) and pray to Allah Almighty for His mercy in the form of rain. The prime minister said that the federal and provincial governments should arrange Namaz-e-Istisqa in the mosques across the country. - Advertisement -In a statement issued by the PM Office Press Wing, the prime minister emphasized that rainfall will improve the environment and can significantly help in mitigating the diseases. The prime minister stressed that in the current situation, there is an urgent need for Baran-e-Rehmat (rain). He called for seeking special prayers from Allah Almighty so that the human life may be relieved from the hardships.

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The importance of this statement cannot be overstated, especially considering the recent targeting of Chinese nationals in Pakistan by terrorist groups. Recognizing this, both sides are now looking to ensure that security measures around Chinese nationals and projects are robust enough to prevent future tragedies. Nonetheless, Beijing’s concerns over security remain valid, and reports indicate that China has proposed a joint security arrangement with Pakistan. This proposal may include deploying Chinese security personnel on Pakistani soil — a suggestion that has reportedly made officials in Islamabad and Rawalpindi uneasy. In the long run, ensuring the security of Chinese nationals and assets is essential for maintaining the confidence of a key partner.

In its recent report, The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change pointed out that people in every country today face threats to their health and existence as climate death escalates. One more foremost effect of climate change on health is the growing risk of water-borne, vector-borne, food-borne, and air-borne disease transmission. The yearly climate change talks saw a decrease in efforts to safeguard national and regional economic interests and delayed action. Hence, the way out is to cultivate climate-resilient health systems. The World Health Organization in a report released ahead of COP29 pointed out that focusing on cities is compulsory to lessen climate change effects on health.

Listen to articleThe fate of six individuals, including three children and women, remains unknown amid escalating communal violence between tribal Christians and Meitei Hindus in India’s northeastern state of Manipur. On November 12, Kuki-Zo tribal Christians were accused of abducting 11 Meitei Hindus in Jiribam district. While five of the victims were rescued by security forces, six others, including women and children, are still in captivity. The violence dates back to May 2023, when Meitei Hindus campaigned for tribal status to receive benefits under India’s affirmative action policy. This was followed by the deaths of 11 Kuki-Zo members in a police operation on November 11.

Pakistan has expressed concerns over the Indian support to terror groups. At her weekly news briefing in Islamabad today, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said this is an established fact that the terror groups receive support from India. She recalled that Pakistan arrested an Indian Naval Officer a few years back who was the mastermind of support for espionage and terror activities in Balochistan. She said this dialogue is based on mutual respect, mutually beneficial cooperation and respect for each other's sovereignty. She said it is in our mutual interest to build on this relationship on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and on the basis on non-interference in each other's domestic affairs.

As many as 12 terrorists were killed in two different intelligence based operations in Kech District, Balochistan and Miran Shah, North Waziristan District. In another intelligence based operation, four terrorists were killed after an intense firing in Balgatar, Kech District. During the operation, four terrorists - including a high value target and ring leader Sana Baru - were killed. The president and prime minister lauded the bravery and professionalism of the security forces for killing four terrorists including a high value target in the operation. The entire nation lauded the contributions of security forces for peace and stability in the province, he added.

A special court of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has set November 18 as the date to indict Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in a new Toshakhana case. This decision came after the court dismissed their requests for acquittal in the matter. The current case involves the alleged unlawful sale of a jewelry set gifted to Bushra Bibi by the Saudi crown prince during Imran Khan’s tenure as prime minister (2018-2022). This case is separate from the first Toshakhana case, in which the couple was initially sentenced to 14 years in prison and fined Rs1.57 billion in January. Their sentence was later suspended by the Islamabad High Court in April.

India Pakistan Cricket Rivalry Faces Major Challenge Champions Trophy 2025 sparks debate over participation amid political tensionsThe cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan is not just about the sport; it encapsulates deep-seated historical, political, and emotional currents. With the ICC Champions Trophy set to take place in 2025, this rivalry has sparked tension and heated debate, particularly following India’s controversial refusal to travel to Pakistan for the event. Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi, renowned for his candid remarks, recently shared his views during an interview on Samaa TV. Sethi criticized the ruling by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), stressing the situation's complexity, which transcends mere cricketing disagreements. Cricket matches between these two nations consistently attract enormous audiences, with financial ramifications reaching the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The government also requested the IMF visiting delegation to review its condition on drastically amending the Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund law by end of December. Pakistan assured again that China's Exim Bank would rollover $3.4 billion project debt and Saudi Arabia will provide a $1.2 billion facility. Out of a total $5 billion external financing gap for the 2024-27 periods, $2.5 billion is estimated for this fiscal year. At the time of the $7 billion package, Pakistan had anticipated raising $3.2 billion against the $2.5 billion in debt needs. PSWFThe Pakistani authorities and Alvarez & Marsel give briefing to the IMF about the required amendments in the Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund Act.