Pakistan’s passport has fallen nine places to 183rd in the 2026 global ranking, according to the latest Passport Reports ranking, reversing gains recorded over the previous two years. The passport has a Mobility Score of 42, meaning Pakistani passport holders have access to 42 destinations through visa-free entry, visas on arrival and electronic travel authorisations…

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ISLAMABAD: A day before the hearing in the controversial tweets case involving lawyers Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha, leaders of the Islamabad Bar Council, Islamabad High Court Bar Association and Islamabad District Bar Association on Wednesday demanded the immediate implementation of a Supreme Court order concerning the suspension of the couple’s sentences in the…

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has extended its ban on Indian civil and military aircraft using its airspace until October 24, prolonging a restriction that has remained in place for over a year amid strained relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. According to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), the closure applies…

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MUZAFFARABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has nominated Dr Muhammad Najeeb Naqi Khan as its candidate for the slot of AJK president, ahead of the election for the region’s constitutional head on September 24. “PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has nominated Dr Muhammad Najeeb Naqi Khan for the slot of the AJK president and directed him…

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LOS ANGELES: TV’s horror comedy Widow’s Bay emerged as the biggest winner at this year’s Emmy Awards, collecting a record 14 trophies, including the prize for outstanding comedy series, while medical drama The Pitt secured the top drama award for a second consecutive year. Widow’s Bay, centred on a cursed New England town, edged out…

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ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has directed Pakistan’s incoming ambassador to China to prioritise economic and industrial cooperation with Beijing, particularly in technology, agriculture and skills development. According to a press statement, the president gave direction on Tuesday during a meeting with Ambassador-designate Dr. Syed Ali Asad Gilani at Aiwan-e-Sadr, as Islamabad seeks to expand…

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for making export growth a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economic development, urging authorities to diversify the country’s export base, improve product quality and increase value addition to make Pakistani goods more competitive in global markets. Chairing a review meeting on measures to boost exports and accelerate economic growth,…

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LAHORE: Punjab has launched a body-worn camera system for police personnel across the province, linking the devices with the Safe City system in 43 cities to improve monitoring and help curb corruption, the provincial government said on Tuesday. The rollout follows directives from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, with training for personnel on the use…

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LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ruled that continuous contractual service rendered by a government employee before regularisation can be counted towards the qualifying service required for pension and other retirement benefits. A two-member LHC bench headed by Justice Muzamil Akhtar Shabbir dismissed an appeal filed by the Punjab government and upheld an earlier…

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ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court on Tuesday sought the record of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan’s hospital-transfer case from the Supreme Court, raising a significant question over jurisdiction a day before the apex court is due to hear a contempt petition over alleged non-implementation of its August 18 order. A three-member…

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