PHOTO: reutersThe government on Monday decided to hire a firm for giving Roosevelt Hotel in New York on lease, in a decision that may ensure the best use of the idle asset located at the most prized place. The Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCOP) reaffirmed its earlier decision on Roosevelt Hotel, said the finance ministry. Roosevelt Hotel faces the threat of being declared as a heritage building by the local authorities in New York. PIA-IL, the parent company of Roosevelt Hotel and wholly owned subsidiary of PIAC, engaged services of Deloitte to conduct a feasibility study. The Privatisation Commission tabled a summary related to the privatisation of Services International Hotel.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Davos on May 25, 2022. PHOTO: Twitter/BilawalBhuttoSaudi Arabia conveyed to Pakistan on Monday its strong support for all initiatives aimed at strengthening and reinforcing Pakistan’s post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, ahead of an international conference about the country in Geneva next month. The Saudi foreign minister conveyed the Kingdom’s “strong support for all initiatives” aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, it said. The foreign minister thanked the leadership of Saudi Arabia for valuable flood relief assistance to Pakistan, Foreign Office said. Read More NGOs halt Afghan work after Taliban ban on women staffThe two foreign ministers reiterated their mutual commitment to further enhance and deepen bilateral cooperation across all areas of mutual interest, the Foreign Office said.

Share:Pakistan Customs officials deputed at Jinnah International airport Karachi have foiled the smuggling of cellular phones worth millions of rupees on Monday. According to a spokesman for Customs, officials deployed at the International Departure were busy checking passengers coming from a foreign origin. During the process, the staff screened a suspicious passenger, who landed at the Karachi airport from Dubai. The spokesman added that when the officials checked his luggage they found more than 65 smartphones worth ab over Rs7 million approximately. According to a deputy collector of Customs, a passenger travelled from the United States via a private airline carrying smuggled goods worth Rs8 million.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Davos on May 25, 2022. PHOTO: Twitter/BilawalBhuttoReaffirming the fraternal relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Monday reiterated their mutual commitment to further enhance and deepen bilateral cooperation across all areas of mutual interest. FM Bilawal, during a telephonic conversation with the Saudi foreign minister, thanked the leadership of the Kingdom for its valuable flood relief assistance to Pakistan, the Foreign Office said in a press statement. They reaffirmed the importance of guaranteeing women’s rights and their full and equal participation in all aspects of life. The Saudi foreign minister conveyed the Kingdom’s strong support for all initiatives aimed at strengthening and reinforcing Pakistan’s post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.

The Christian community across Pakistan, like other parts of the world, celebrated the grand festival of Christmas on Sunday with traditional zeal and enthusiasm. The main attractions of the Christmas festival included the traditions like decorating Christmas trees, the arrival of Santa Clause, offering prayers in churches, singing carols and distributing Christmas gifts which added charm to the festivity. The main ritual of the Christmas celebration is the decoration of the Christmas tree to welcome the arrival of Santa Claus also known as Father Christmas. The Islamabad police ensured comprehensive security arrangements on the eve of Christmas and special deployment at Churches and public places. It has been observed that a number of stalls were set up outside the Katchi Abadis where majority of the Christian community reside.

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Shahid Afridi was named interim chief selector and the flamboyant former Pakistan captain immediately beefed up the 16-member squad for the test series against the New Zealand by adding three more bowlers. “Things have changed in the past two, three days and there have been changes, but as a professional you have to face such things,” Babar said Sunday on the eve of the first test. “We could not play the last series the way we wanted and committed small mistakes that left us behind,” Babar said. Spinner Abrar Ahmed has already made his mark while claiming 17 wickets in two test matches against England, including figures of 11-234 on his test debut on the slow-turning wicket in Multan. Fast bowler Hasan Ali has also been recalled while uncapped fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani and Mir Hamza, who played his only test match against Australia four years ago, were also drafted into the expanded 19-member squad.

Sindh Governor Mohammed Kamran Khan Tessori and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah have laid emphasis on following the principles of Father of the nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammed Ali Jinnah for the development and prosperity of the country. CM Murad Ali Shah along with the Sindh governor paid a visit to the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali to pay tribute to the father of the nation on his 146th birthday. Talking to the media at the mausoleum, CM Murad said that on Jinnah’s 146th birth anniversary we should reaffirm our commitment to steer the country out of crises by forging unity and discipline. Murad said that the nation needed unity to fight against the crisis such as financial and reemerging waves of terrorism. Murad Ali Shah said that on this day we must remember the sacrifices and struggles of the people of Kashmir for their just cause.

Nation stands resolutely with security forces to root out menace of terrorism: KairaAdviser to Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira says the whole nation stands resolutely with its security forces to root out the menace of terrorism. Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Monday, he said the recent acts of terrorism in different parts of the country are condemnable but they can neither shake our resolve nor thwart the hard earned gains of peace. The Adviser lamented the lack of effective new policies and discontinuity of existing ones during PTI's tenure. He said difference of opinion is part of democracy but it should not reach the level of hatred or polarization in the society. Slamming PTI Chief Imran Khan's statement about the Foreign Minister's tours, Qamar Zaman Kaira said the visits to different countries are not personal rather they are part of state's policy of enhanced engagement with our friendly countries.

It was not a surprise for those who follow the resurgence of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in neighbouring Afghanistan. However, the attack in Islamabad should have been the wakeup call for all those who were taking the TTP threat lightly. It is a legitimate question since many in power circles celebrated the return of the Afghan Taliban hoping that this would end Pakistan’s security woes. But those sitting at the helm dismissed those fears and took the TTP threat lightly. While a major policy review may be underway, will those who miscalculated or took the TTP threat lightly after Afghan Taliban takeover be held accountable?

Share:In light of the upsurge in terrorist attacks, the country’s civil and military leadership is undertaking a review of its policy to bring the TTP’s rampage to a halt. Sources reveal that closed door discussions are ongoing and major decisions are expected in the next couple of weeks. Considering the deteriorating situation in KP, particularly in the tribal districts, a major military offensive could be a necessity given that the TTP has infiltrated those areas in larger numbers. In fact, there has been a 51 per cent increase in terrorist attacks since the Afghan Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. It is imperative that the civil and military leadership prioritises this matter over anything else as blood continues to be spilled every other day.

Share:LAHORE - Provincial Minister for Local Government and Community Development Mian Mahmood-ur-Rashid has said that Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the real benefactor of the Pakistani na­tion because of his efforts we are a free and inde­pendent nation today. In his message on Quaid’s Day and Christmas here on Sunday, he added that seeing the plight of Muslims in India today, the value and respect of freedom has increased. He said that Quaid-i-Azam, Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal and all the workers of Pakistan Movement are our true heroes. The provincial minister said that the father of the nation had emphasized on giving equal rights to the minorities in Pakistan as well. “Today is also a day of joy for the Christian community and I congratulate the entire Christian community on the birth of holy prophet Hazrat Esa (AS),” he added.

A statement issued by the US Embassy in Islamabad said the US government staff prohibited from visiting the private hotel in the federal capital due to possible attack. The US government is aware of information that unidentified individuals are possibly plotting to attack Americans at the private hotel in Islamabad “sometime during the holidays”, the statement added. Effective immediately, the embassy in Islamabad prohibited all American staff from visiting the hotel, according to the advisory available on the US embassy website. Also read: JIT to investigate Islamabad suicide blast"Furthermore, as Islamabad has been placed on a Red Alert citing security concerns while banning all public gatherings, the embassy is urging all Mission personnel to refrain from non-essential, unofficial travel in Islamabad throughout the holiday season," the statement further said. The bombing shook Pakistan as terrorist managed to breach security of red zone where key government installations and diplomatic missions are located.

Nation should follow principles of Unity, Faith, Discipline to deal with challenges: Sindh Governor, CMGovernor Sindh Kamran Tissori and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah have emphasized the need for following the golden principles of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah Unity, Faith and Discipline to deal with the challenges faced by the nation. Addressing the media outside Quaid-e-Azam's mausoleum in Karachi on Sundayy, Governor Sindh said that all of us will have to play our due role in progress and prosperity of the country and to fulfill the Quaid's wishes. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali said that the we are facing a severe economic crisis and terrorism in the country which can only be dealt with by forging unity in our ranks. He assured the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir that the government and the people of Pakistan stand with them.

Share:President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in their separate messages in connection with birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam, have urged the nation to follow the guiding principles of the father of the nation to ensure progress and prosperity of the country. They expressed gratitude to Quaid-e-Azam for carving out a separate homeland for Muslims of the sub-continent where they are free to realize their dreams. The President in his message renewed Pakistan's pledge to continue its moral, diplomatic and political support to Kashmiris of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in realizing their dream of self-determination in line with the UN Security Council resolutions. The Prime Minister in his message said the best way to pay tribute to Quaid-e-Azam is to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state. He stressed the need to put an end to internal differences and work tirelessly for progress of the country.