ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday passed by majority vote the Defence Forces Act 2026, and the National Command Authority (Amendment) Bill, following their approval by the federal cabinet earlier. The bills were approved by the cabinet during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where the government endorsed draft legislation aimed at implementing legal and administrative changes arising from the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The cabinet approved the draft Defence Forces Act 2026, which seeks to establish the necessary legal and administrative framework concerning the office of the ChiefRead More

German envoy stresses GSP+ role in bilateral trade as GPCCI expands outreach to Sialkot SIALKOT, AUG 20 /DNA/ – Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has urged Sialkot’s exporters to set ambitious targets, embrace technology and move from low-cost manufacturing to high-value, internationally recognised brands, saying exporters earning foreign exchange should be treated as national heroes. Addressing the first-ever Business Networking Reception of the German-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) held in collaboration with the PRGMEA, Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan had a major opportunity toRead More

ISLAMABAD, AUG 20: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday returned a review petition filed by the federal government against the top court’s order to shift incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan to Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital for medical examination and treatment. Supreme Court (SC) Registrar’s Office raised objections to the federal government’s plea filed by the Islamabad chief commissioner, said sources. The review petition will be filed again after addressing the Registrar Office’s objections, they said. Meanwhile, in a post on X, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has saidRead More

ISLAMABAD, AUG 20: In a positive development for child online safety, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Google have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening awareness, digital safety and responsible use of online platforms among children, parents, teachers and caregivers across the country. Under the MoU, the PTA and Google will collaborate on a Child Safety Programme focused on awareness, education and capacity-building, equipping parents and teachers with practical tools and resources to help children navigate the digital world safely, the regulator said in a statement onRead More

RAWALPINDI, AUG 20: Security forces have killed at least five India-sponsored terrorists and injured several others during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Panjgur district under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3, said security sources on Thursday. According to security sources, motorcycle-borne militants were en route to execute a terrorist attack, but forces targeted them by using advanced weapons in Kali Suran area of Panjgur. Security forces said a significant cache of advanced weapons and ammunition, three vehicles, two motorcycles, an IED device and a flag of a banned organisation were recovered from theRead More