Pakistan

Washington, Feb 3 (PTI) A top Indian diaspora group has urged US President Joe Biden to reject the appointment of Masood Khan as Pakistan's ambassador to the United States, alleging that the diplomat is a sympathiser and supporter of terrorist groups.

The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), in a statement on Wednesday, urged Biden to reject the appointment of the Jihadi-terrorist-sympathiser Masood Khan as Pakistani ambassador to the United States.

Islamabad, Feb 3 (PTI) The International Monetary Fund has approved the completion of the sixth review of its stalled USD 6 billion programme for Pakistan, paving the way for an immediate disbursement of about USD 1 billion loan tranche for the cash-strapped country.

The IMF's Executive Board held a meeting in Washington DC on Wednesday to consider Pakistan's request for completion of the sixth review and release of a USD 1 billion tranche under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Tuesday said that increase in the volume of Pakistan’s exports to the European Union (EU) was the practical manifestation of the enhanced bilateral cooperation.

The foreign minister, in a reception hosted by EU Ambassador in Pakistan Androulla Kaminara in his honor, said the agreement on Pakistan-EU Strategic Partnership had helped broaden the trade and economic ties.

Moreover, he said the GSP Plus status also led to a remarkable improvement in the Pakistan-EU trade relations.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP): Pakistan on Monday strongly condemned the launching of a missile from Al-Jawf, Yemen, by the Houthis towards the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“It is commendable that the missile was successfully intercepted by the air defence system of the UAE, preventing loss of innocent lives,” the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement.

He said Pakistan considered these attacks as a grave violation of international law and a serious threat to regional peace and security and called for their immediate cessation.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (NNN-APP) – Pakistan reported 7,048 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, the fifth day with over 7,000 new infections, amid the country’s ongoing battle against the Omicron variant of the virus, according to figures released by the National Command and Operation Centre today.

With the new cases, the country’s number of overall confirmed cases has risen to 1,425,039, according to the centre, which leads Pakistan’s campaign against the pandemic.

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Gunmen killed one Christian priest and wounded another as they were driving home from Sunday Mass in Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar, police said.

Father William Siraj, 75, was shot multiple times and died instantly in the ambush in the Gulbahar neighborhood, while Father Naeem Patrick was treated briefly in hospital for a gunshot wound to the hand, officer Iqbal Shah said. A third priest in the car was unharmed.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 26 (APP): Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Wednesday held telephonic conversations with foreign ministers of Kazakhstan and Jordan and discussed bilateral as well as regional matters.

During their conversation, Foreign Minister Qureshi and Kazakh counterpart Mukhtar Tileuberdi reaffirmed the commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation in all areas leading towards a sustainable partnership.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 26 (APP): Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Wednesday held a telephonic conversation with Azeri counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov in which they emphasized deepening of trade and economic linkages as well as increased cooperation in education and energy sectors.

The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on ways to further strengthen mutual cooperation.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Tuesday appreciated Tunisia’s vision for making OIC a substantive platform for advancing interfaith harmony as well as cooperation on addressing international issues such as Jammu and Kashmir and Islamophobia.

The foreign minister, in a meeting with Ambassador of Tunisia Borhene El Kamel here, Pakistan’s historical and fraternal ties with Tunisia predating the latter’s independence.

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has reported 6,357 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) said on Tuesday.

The country's number of overall confirmed cases has risen to 1,381,152, according to the NCOC, the department leading Pakistan's campaign against the pandemic.

Another 17 people lost their lives over the past 24 hours in Pakistan, taking the death toll to 29,122, according to the NCOC, adding that 1,200 are in critical condition.