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PPP stalwart and former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani said on Friday former president Asif Ali Zardari’s daughter Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari will address the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) Multan rally slated for November 30. Speaking to the media, he said PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari won’t be able to attend the public meeting to be held in Multan to mark the party’s foundation day after being diagnosed with the coronavirus. “The Multan rally will be held come what may,” he declared, alleging the government is creating a law and order situation by trying to stop the party from holding a massive power show in the city. It is worthwhile to mention here that the Multan district authorities have denied permission to the Pakistan People’s Party for a public meeting in Multan on November 30. The Deputy Commissioner Multan refused permission on a request submitted by PPP leader Natasha Daultana citing ‘current situation’ of the spike in COVID-19 cases. “The health depart

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday visited Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) Wah. Appreciating the management and staff of POF for their dedication to optimise the output, COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa termed POF a force behind the armed forces serving as the backbone in defence of Pakistan, said the military’ media wing. The COAS said that modernization and indigenous development to attain self-reliance in defence production is vital to meet the challenges of the future battlefield. He was given a detailed briefing on the performance of various production units, ISPR said, adding that the briefing focused on targets achieved, future projects, envisaged modernisation for cost-effective and sustainable production and acquisition of modern technology in line with prevailing operational requirements of Pakistan armed forces. The COAS was also apprised on POF endeavours for international ventures focusing on exports to contribute to the national exchequer

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi reiterated on Friday Pakistan's desire for peace in Afghanistan, and dignified and honourable return of Afghan refugees to their homeland. "Pakistan will continue to play its conciliatory role for peace in the neighbouring country," FM Qureshi said during his meeting with Afghan counterpart Mohammed Haneef Atmar on the sidelines of the 47th session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting, happening in Niamey, Niger. FM Qureshi added that Afghan leadership should remain cognisant of elements that want to sabotage peace efforts in Afghanistan. Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations with the country. The Afghan foreign minister commended Pakistan's sincere efforts in the Afghan peace process. On November 25, in a video message, FM Qureshi said the OIC meeting would deliberate upon the challenges faced by the Muslim community and othe

PML-N supremo and former prime minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif offered the funeral prayers of his mother, Begum Shamim Akhtar, in London on Friday along with several family and party members. The prayers were held in London Central Mosque — alternatively known as Regent's Park Mosque — where the number of participants had to be limited to 30 under the United Kingdom's coronavirus guidelines. After the prayers, Begum Shamim's body was taken to the London Heathrow Airport for repatriation to Pakistan. Earlier, ex-finance minister Ishaq Dar had announced that Nawaz Sharif would not be able to accompany his mother's body to Pakistan as he was not declared medically fit to travel by his doctors. Begum Shamim Akhtar passed away in London on November 22 at the age of 89. She had developed a severe chest infection and was suffering from an advanced stage of Alzheimer's Disease. Her condition had deteriorated and she could not regain her health due to old age. The d

Advocate Khalid Khurshid is set to become the next chief minister of Gilgit Baltistan. PTI Chief Organiser Saifullah Niazi said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has finalized the name of Advocate Khalid Khurshid for Gilgit Baltistan chief minister. Khalid Khurshid contested 2020 Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly election from constituency GBA-13 (Astore-I) on the ticket of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. He won the election by a margin of 1,719 votes over the runner-up Abdul Hameed Khan of Pakistan People’s Party. He garnered 4,836 votes while Abdul Hameed received 3,117 votes. According to PTI, Khalid Khurshid, who joined the party in 2018, will be party's candidate for the chief ministership. Prime Minister Imran Khan chose Khalid Khurshid after holding consultations with PTI central and Gilgit Baltistan leadership. Earlier, several names emerged for the coveted position of chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan. Four names – Fatehullah, Khalid Khurshid, Col R Obaidullah and Advocate Nazir Ah

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz will be released on five-day parole at 02:30 pm today following the death of Begum Shamim Akhtar, on Friday. Shehbaz Sharif and his son will be released from Kot Lakhpat Jail today on five-day parole following the death of her mother Begum Shamim Akhtar. The dead body of Sharifs’ mother will be brought to Lahore to be buried at their Jati Umra residence. The funeral prayers of Begum Shamim Akhtar will be offered on Saturday evening at Medical City Complex. Earlier on Thursday, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar had approved the release of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz on parole for five days to receive the body of her mother at Lahore airport and to offer her funeral prayers. The lawyers had pleaded for their 15-day release on parole, however, the provincial government approved their five-day release besides allowing Shehbaz Sharif to r

Pakistan’s COVID-19 positivity ratio stands at 7.20 per cent, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) said on Friday. A meeting of the NCOC with Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar in the chair was informed today that the highest test positivity rate was recorded in Peshawar at 19.65 %, followed by Karachi at 17.73%, and Hyderabad at 16.32 %. The NCOC was briefed that Pakistan’s positivity ratio has soared to 7.20 per cent lately. Sindh recorded the highest positivity ratio at 13.25%, followed by 10.79% witnessed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, 9.25% in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 6.41% in Balochistan, 5.84% in Islamabad, 4.81% in Gilgit Baltistan, and 3.59% in Punjab. There are a total of 2,112 critically ill Covid-19 patients across the country but the number of such patients is increasing sharply, the forum was informed. Asad Umar said protecting the masses from the pandemic is the government’s foremost priority. All-out efforts are being made to contain the spread of the