Pakistan

By Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad, Aug 25 (PTI) Pakistan's new government has banned the discretionary use of state funds and first-class air travel by officials and leaders, including the president and the prime minister, as part of its austerity drive.

The decisions were made at a Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan yesterday, according to Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.

By Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad, Aug 20 (PTI) Pakistan's new Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi today extended the hand of friendship to India soon after taking oath by offering "uninterrupted" dialogue to resolve all the outstanding issues, saying it is the "only wise course" as the two countries cannot afford any "adventurism".

After the swearing-in ceremony at the President House, Qureshi went to Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and addressed media.

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan was sworn in as prime minister of Pakistan here on Saturday morning.

President Mamnoon Hussain administered the oath to Imran Khan as the 22nd prime minister of Pakistan. Caretaker Prime Minister Nasir ul Mulk was also present at the ceremony.

The ceremony was attended by diplomats, ministers, lawmakers, other political leaders, military and civil officials and dignitaries.

Islamabad, Aug 13; PTI:  The maiden session of Pakistan's newly-elected Parliament began today with the outgoing speaker administering oath to 329 members as part of the process of transition and handing over powers to the new government.

Ayaz Sadiq, speaker of the previous National Assembly, presided over the 15th Parliament's session and administered oath to the new leaders in the 342-member lower house. The new members signed their presence in a register.

Washington, Aug 14 (PTI) The US hopes to further strengthen ties with Pakistan in the years ahead and work with its people and government to advance shared goals of security, stability and prosperity in South Asia, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo today said.

Wishing the people of Pakistan on the country's 72nd Independence day, Pompeo, in a statement, said for more than seven decades, the relationship between the US and Pakistan has "rested on the strong foundation of close ties between our two peoples."

By Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad, Aug 13 (PTI) Pakistan today released 30 Indian prisoners, including 27 fishermen, from jail as a goodwill gesture ahead of the country's Independence Day tomorrow.

The release of the prisoners "is in line with Pakistan's consistent policy of not politicising humanitarian issues," Foreign Office Spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said in a statement.

The 30 prisoners being set free also include 27 fishermen, it added.

"This is a humanitarian gesture to mark Pakistan's Independence day on August 14," he said.

By Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad, Aug 11 (PTI) The Trump administration has suspended more than a decade-long military training programme of Pakistani personnel at the US institutions, a media report said today, days after Islamabad and Moscow signed an agreement to allow Pakistani troops to receive training at the Russian defence centres.

Islamabad, Aug 9 (PTI): Pakistan's Prime Minister-in-waiting Imran Khan has said his government will build a more "balanced and trustworthy" relationship with the US, asserting that the trust deficit between the two countries has resulted in many ups and downs in the bilateral ties.

The relations between Pakistan and the US nosedived this January after President Donald Trump accused Islamabad of giving nothing to Washington but "lies and deceit" and providing "safe haven" to terrorists.

Islamabad, Aug 9 (PTI): The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party and its allies have secured over 180 seats in the National Assembly, a senior party leader said today, days after Imran Khan was nominated by his party for the next prime minister of Pakistan.

The party has already claimed to have crossed the magical figure of 172 required to secure simple majority in the 342-seat National Assembly.

Islamabad, Aug 8 (PTI) Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari, a close aide of Pakistan's Prime Minister in-waiting Imran Khan, was today put on no-fly list on a request filed by the National Accountability Bureau, a media report said.

The top anti-graft body is conducting a probe into off-shore companies of Bukhari, who was in charge of Khan's campaign in NA-53 (Islamabad-II). Khan had defeated former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in NA-53.