Islamabad

28 May 2021; MEMO: An international peacekeeping force must be deployed in the occupied Palestinian territories to protect civilians from repeated Israeli aggression, Pakistan's Minister of Information Chaudhry Fawad Hussain demanded yesterday.

Washington, May 22 (PTI) Pakistan has allowed the US military to have overflight and access to be able to support its presence in Afghanistan, a top Pentagon official has told lawmakers.

Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Affairs David F Helvey also told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Friday that the US will continue its conversation with Pakistan due to the important role it has played to support the peace process in the neighbouring war-torn country.

Islamabad, May 16 (PTI) Pakistan on Sunday started easing coronavirus restrictions on transportation and commercial activities, which were suspended for a week to curb the spread of the virus during Eid holidays.

The easing of restrictions came even as the country's coronavirus positivity rose to 7.83 per cent on Sunday, a day after falling to more than two months low to about 5 per cent.

All businesses and public transport were suspended from May 10-16 to stop mass movement during the Eid al-Fitr holidays to curb the spread of the virus.

15 May 2021; MEMO: Pakistan's human rights minister on Saturday took exception to UN chief Antonio Guterres calling the current violence in the Mideast a "conflict," saying it is instead a "massacre."

"With respect honourable SG (secretary general) this is not a conflict but a massacre by an Occupation Power & UN needs to enforce its responsibility to protect the Palestinian people against Israel's state terrorism," Shireen Mazari said on Twitter.

Islamabad, Apr 18 (PTI) Pakistan on Sunday reported its highest single-day coronavirus spike this year with over 6,000 new cases and about 149 deaths, as the country struggled to speed up its vaccination programme.

The previous highest surge was recorded last year on June 20 when the country reported 6,825 infections and 153 deaths.

30 Mar 2021; MEMO: Pakistan and a Turkish shipbuilder yesterday signed two contracts worth $33.46 million for the procurement of four azimuth stern drive (ASD) tugboats (LNG compatible) and two pilot boats, Pakistan Today reports.

The agreements were signed between Port Qasim Authority (PQA) and Sanmar Shipyards, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

Sanmar, Turkey's leading tugboat builder will deliver the vessels within 12 months.

Islamabad, Mar 27 (PTI) Pakistan's Supreme Court has criticised the prosecution for its failure to prove the guilt of British-born al-Qaeda terrorist Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, the main accused in the sensational kidnapping and murder of US journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002, according to a media report.

The apex court issued its detailed 43-page judgment on Friday, which has been authored by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood who was part of the three-member bench.

20 Mar 2021; MEMO: Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has tested positive for COVID-19, his office confirmed on Saturday, Anadolu Agency reports.

Khan is self-isolating at home, the premier's office said on Twitter.

The news comes just days after the prime minister received his first dose of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine on Thursday.

Islamabad, Mar 20 (PTI) Pakistan on Saturday recorded its highest single-day increase in the coronavirus infections this year with 3,876 new cases as the positivity rate reached 9.4 per cent in the country.

The national tally of cases reached 623,135 while the death toll jumped to 13,799 as 40 patients died in the last 24 hours, the health ministry said.

The data showed that 579,760 people recovered so far but some 2,122 were in a critical condition.

18 Mar 2021; MEMO: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said Iran, as a rich source of energy, has the capacity to meet Pakistan's energy needs.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is our neighbour and a rich source of energy through which Pakistan's energy needs can be met," Khan said at the inaugural session of the two-day Islamabad Security Dialogue yesterday.