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The Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd on Friday said that its optical fiber network is experiencing "technical faults" due to heavy rains and floods and assured subscribers work is underway to restore services. "Due to heavy rains and floods, PTCL's optical fiber network is experiencing some technical faults," read a statement posted on Twitter. As reported by PTCL, issue has been reported in data networks between South and North which is causing internet connectivity issues. This issue is being investigated. PTA is monitoring the situation and further updates will be shared. — PTA (@PTAofficialpk) August 19, 2022 "As a result, PTCL users in Northern and Central regions are facing internet outage," the statement said, adding that teams are working to restore the services "on priority". Earlier, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said internet connectivity problems that have been reported by the PTCL have been caused

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb says media faced unprecedented gags during last regime of Imran Khan and now he is misleading the nation in the name media freedom. Talking to media in Islamabad on Thursday, she said journalists' organizations condemned actions of Imran Khan's government against media. She said these organizations termed Imran Khan as press freedom predator. She said journalists like Absar Alam, Matiullah Jan, Asad Toor, Nusrat Javed, Ghareeda Farooqui, Asma Shirazi, Amber Shamsi, Talat Hussain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Najam Sethi, Murtaza Solangi and Dr. Danish were banned during PTI's government. The Minister said PTI government tried to introduce a black law 'Media Regulatory Authority' to curb the freedom of speech. She said PTI government used National Accountability Bureau for political victimization. She said Imran Khan should present himself in Election Commission of Pakistan in foreign funding case. from lates

China says it will continue to work with Pakistan under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects to ensure that cooperation outcome are better delivered. A Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin during a media briefing in Beijing said CPEC is an important pilot program under Belt and Road Initiative. He said the programme focuses on development and people’s livelihood and has got wide recognition from outside. The spokesperson said that the CPEC has brought tangible benefits for socio-economic development of people’s lives. from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/UVNCfqM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says Pakistan desires peaceful ties with India based on the principles of equity, justice and mutual respect. He was talking to Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Neil Hawkins who called on him in Islamabad. The Prime Minister said a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people is indispensable for peace and stability in the region. He stressed that the international community has to play a facilitative role in this regard, as it is essential for durable peace in South Asia. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan's strong commitment to further enhance cooperation with Australia in diverse fields including trade, investment, agriculture and livestock. He also stressed for educational and technical cooperation, direct air-links, skilled migration, and people-to-people contacts. The Australian High Commissioner reciprocated the desire for

Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Thursday of a nuclear disaster in Ukraine during his first face-to-face talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky since Russia’s invasion began, echoing pleas from the UN’s chief. A flare-up in fighting around Europe’s largest nuclear facility in Russian-controlled southern Ukraine has sparked urgent warnings from world leaders and UN chief Antonio Guterres cautioned during talks with Erdogan that any damage to the plant would be akin to “suicide”. “We are worried. We don’t want another Chernobyl,” Erdogan said during a press conference in the eastern city of Lviv, during which he also assured the Ukrainian leader that Ankara was a firm ally. “While continuing our efforts to find a solution, we remain on the side of our Ukraine friends,” Erdogan said. Guterres said he was “gravely concerned” about the situation at the plant and said it had to be demilitarised, adding: “We must tell it like it is — any potential damage to Zaporizhzhia is su

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa discussed military-to-military ties with Commander US Centcom General Michael Erik Kurilla, a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Thursday. COAS Gen Bajwa held a meeting with the commander US CENTCOM along with his delegation at General Head Quarters (GHQ). According to the military's media wing, the meeting discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security situation, stability, defence and security cooperation. Commander US CENTCOM along with a delegation visited GHQ Rawalpindi today. Commander CENTCOM held a one-on-one meeting with General Qamar Javed Bajwa Chief Of Army Staff (COAS). @OfficialDGISPR #PakistanArmy #Pakistan #COAS #ISPR 1/4 pic.twitter.com/tlhY1uf5iO — Pakistan Armed Forces ?? (@PakistanFauj) August 18, 2022 The one-on-one call was followed by a delegation-level meeting. The discussion also included the Pakistan Army’s counter-terrorism efforts and significant contribut

Ireland clinched the five-match Twenty20 international series 3-2 against Afghanistan by sealing a narrow win in the last and fifth rain-affected faceoff at Stormon on Wednesday. George Dockrell hit the winning run with two balls to spare after Ireland had been set a revised target of 56 in seven overs, with a seven-wicket victory giving the hosts the five-match contest 3-2. Ireland paceman Mark Adair removed openers Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz in his first over after home skipper Andy Balbirnie won the toss. And when Adair dismissed Ibrahim Zadran, he had figures of 3-16, with Afghanistan 26-3 inside four overs. Usman Ghani, however, led an Afghanistan counter-attack after Josh Little had Najibullah Zadran and captain Mohammad Nabi caught behind by Lorcan Tucker off successive deliveries. But having made an unbeaten 44, off just 40 balls -- including three fours and two sixes -- Ghani´s innings was curtailed by rain, with Afghanistan 95-5 off 15 overs. A lengthy d

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reiterated the commitment to stand by Pakistan in hard times and extends full support to flood victims. In a tweet, he said one million dollars will be given to Pakistan to build resilience against natural disasters. He said this amount is in addition to one hundred thousand dollars in immediate relief. We stand by Pakistan in hard times and offer our support to flood victims. In addition to $100,000 in immediate relief, the U.S. announced $1 million to build resilience against natural disasters, and we continue to work together to mitigate future impacts of the climate crisis. https://t.co/eDSeZOrvaE — Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) August 17, 2022 The US Secretary of State said we continue to work together to mitigate future impacts of the climate crisis in Pakistan. from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/JO4gaX3

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed NDMA, PDMA and the provincial government to speed-up relief operations in the flood-affected areas immediately. According to PM Office, Shehbaz Sharif said the first priority in a flood situation is the rescue of the affected people and their immediate assistance. He also directed that 50000 rupees should be provided immediately to each victim family. The Prime Minister directed for immediate provision of accommodation, medical facilities, food and clean drinking water to the victims. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and properties due to floods in southern Sindh. from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/QtSrLyR

Heavy rains continued to wreak havoc in Balochistan after a new spell of rains caused flash flooding in Lasbela district and nearby areas, leaving several villages inundated. Traffic on Quetta-Karachi National Highway remained suspended even after five days as flood water is still flowing over the highway. Sibi Deputy Commis­si­o­ner Mansoor Qazi said flood water had entered villages including Raza Mohammad Goth and Kalmathi Goth in the Uthal area. The deputy commissioner said the ground link between Uthal and the rest of Lasbela had been disconnected after a pylon caved in on a thoroughfare connecting the two points. He said 12 people were rescued from one of the inundated villages. “An alternative route that was prepared three days ago near Landa River in Uthal has been washed away once again due to floods,” he said. He urged motorists to avoid using Quetta-Karachi National Highway, saying the repair work could take at least two more days. Two cars were also washed away in f

Chinese troops will travel to Russia to take part in joint military drills, Beijing’s defence ministry said. Beijing and Moscow have close defence links and China has said it wants to push bilateral relations “to a higher level,” even as Moscow faces international sanctions and widespread condemnation over its war in Ukraine. China’s defence ministry said Wednesday its participation in the annual “Vostok” exercises — which Moscow has said will take place from August 30 to September 5 — is part of a bilateral cooperation agreement with Russia. “The aim is to deepen practical and friendly cooperation with the armies of participating countries, enhance the level of strategic collaboration among the participating parties, and strengthen the ability to respond to various security threats,” the Chinese defence ministry said in a statement. India, Belarus, Mongolia, Tajikistan and other countries will also participate, it said. China and India have been accused of providing diplomatic

Former prime minister and Chairman PTI Imran Khan's Chief of Staff Shahbaz Gill was shifted to the PIMS Hospital late Wednesday after he complained of difficulty in breathing. Gill has been in police custody since August 9 when the Islamabad police arrested him in a sedition case after he passed controversial remarks on a private news channel. According to the Islamabad police spokesperson, he was booked on charges of sedition and inciting members of state institutions against the Pakistan Army. According to sources in jail, it was learnt that Gill complained of difficulty in breathing and poor health due to alleged torture after which he was shifted to the jail hospital for a checkup. However, when his condition reportedly appeared to have deteriorated, it was decided that he will be shifted to a hospital for a complete medical checkup. At the PIMS hospital's Cardiac Centre, doctors conducted an initial medical checkup. Different tests, including blood tests and ECG, were

An Islamabad district and sessions court on Wednesday approved a two-day physical remand of PTI leader Shahbaz Gill at the request of the capital police. Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry announced a verdict that was reserved earlier today. The development comes less than a week after a district and sessions court rejected a police request to extend Gill's two-day physical remand and an additional district and sessions judge dismissed a plea requesting a review of the district court's order. A plea challenging these orders was filed by Islamabad Advocate General Jahangir Khan Jadoon in the Islamabad High Court on Saturday last week. The authorities had maintained in the plea that the physical remand of Gill — who is currently in judicial custody on charges of sedition and inciting mutiny in the armed forces following his controversial remarks on ARY News — is important for the completion of the case's investigation. The IHC on Tuesday referred a pl

A Chinese re­­search vessel bristling with antennas and communication gear docked at Sri Lanka’s Chinese-run port of Hambantota on Tuesday despite concerns from India and the United States about its alleged spying activities. The Yuan Wang 5 entered the deep-sea port after securing permission to enter Sri Lankan waters on the condition it would not engage in research, port officials said. It was originally due to arrive last week, but Colombo asked Beijing to defer the visit following objections by India, which shares Western concerns about Chinese activities in the region. But on Saturday, after intense negotiations, Sri Lanka announced a U-turn, saying permission was restored to dock at the southern port and remain for six days for refuelling and taking in other supplies. “We are granting the same facilities that we extend to all other countries,” government spokesman Bandula Gunawardana told reporters. “All these countries are important to us.” Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka

Former president and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Zardari expressed concern on Tuesday over the latest hike the petrol price by Rs6.72 for the next fortnight, and urged the government to consult the allies before taking such important decisions. “Pakistan People’s Party is a part of the government and supports it, but there must be consultation when it comes to such decisions,” he said in a statement issued by the PPP on its Twitter handle. Zardari said that PPP and other coalition parties had joined the government to give relief to the people. “We are with the prime minister. I will meet him soon and talk to him about the [government’s] economic team,” the PPP co-chairman added. from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/HAM1zS3

The federal cabinet amended the Exit Control List (ECL) on Tuesday on the recommendation of the Interior Ministry, removing 22 names from the no-fly list and adding 10 people to it, while giving a one-time permission to three people to leave the country. Those added to the ECL included Shahzad Akbar, who served as adviser on interior and accountability to former prime minister Imran Khan, and Ziaul Mustafa Naseem. Both names were included in the ECL based on cases pertaining to a private housing scheme. The cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, received a briefing from the Climate Change Ministry on the effects of climate change in the country. The ministers were informed that Pakistan was among the top-eight worst affected countries because of the climate change. It was underlined in the briefing that there was a dire need for immediate implementation of ‘Mitigation and Adaptation” mechanism. It was suggested that a documentary about the issues confronting Pa

A larger bench of the Islamabad High Court has been constituted to hear an appeal of the PTI against the decision of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on the prohibited funding case. A three-member larger bench has been formed under the chairmanship of acting chief justice of the IHC, Justice Aamer Farooq, and will consist of Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Babar Sattar. Yesterday, the IHC heard PTI's petition against the ECP decision and ordered the matter to be handed over to a larger bench. Justice Farooq, who was hearing the case, said that a larger bench will be formed and the case will be heard on August 18 (Thursday). The PTI was found by the ECP to have received prohibited funding which it did not disclose. A notice was issued to the party asking it to explain why the funds should not be confiscated. PTI has challenged the ECP's fact-finding report, with the party's lawyer contending that "it was not necessary to disclose accounts fo

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa was conferred with the Order of the Union Medal, the second highest honour of United Arab Emirates, for his distinguished efforts in strengthening UAE-Pakistan ties. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief had paid an official visit to United Arab Emirates and called on UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Matters of mutual interest, bilateral defence and security cooperation and regional security situation were discussed during the meeting. “Both the personalities agreed that Pakistan and UAE share a great history of the cordial and deep-rooted spirit of brotherhood which is transforming into an enduring partnership,” the ISPR said. The military’s media wing added that COAS Bajwa was conferred upon Order of the Union Medal by UAE President for making significant contributions in furthering bilateral ties between both the countries. from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/3CzrRux

A man in India was arrested for hoisting Pakistan's flag on his rooftop on Saturday. Salman Ahmed, 21, hoisted the flag on his house in Bedupura village under the Taryan Sujan police station area in Kushinagar. The police reported that Ahmed was taken to a local court, which sent him to judicial custody. According to the police, Ahmed said that the flag was put atop his house "by mistake" and that there was no "specific motive behind" the act. An FIR has been lodged against the 21-year-old and also his aunt on the charges of sedition and promoting enmity between two groups. from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/LAMmnj3

In line with the international market, the price of gold plunged by a whopping 3.1% in the domestic market amid no demand from consumers. Data released by the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association (ASSJA) showed that the gold prices in the local market recorded a decrease of Rs4,300 per tola and Rs3,686 per 10 grams to settle at Rs134,200 and Rs115,055. The price of the precious commodity is declining because of the continuous appreciation of the Pakistan rupee against the US dollar — which has recovered nearly 12% or Rs26 — and fading concerns regarding the deepening economic crisis. Cumulatively, the precious commodity has lost Rs9,300 per tola since August 10. The dealers had already anticipated the market to undergo a correction after the precious commodity scaled to new peaks. The gold hit an all-time high of Rs162,500 per tola on July 28. Pakistan is a small market for gold at the global level. It meets the commodity’s demand through imports as it does not produce the com