Pakistan rejects Taliban allegations over Badakhsh…

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Monday inaugurated the National Press Club’s (NPC) new website and announced the establishment of a modern digital lab at the club within the next two months to enhance journalists’ digital skills. Addressing the launch ceremony, Tarar said digital transformation had become essential for media institutions and stressed the need for journalists to equip themselves with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), digital media and modern reporting techniques. He said the government was committed to addressing journalists’ welfare issues, including job security, timely payment of salaries, housing, restoration of health cards and other welfare initiatives. He also announced efforts to partner with an academic institution to provide professional digital skills training for media professionals. The minister said the government was aware of the financial challenges facing the media industry and emphasized the need for a comprehensive policy to protect journalists’ jobs and livelihoods. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to media freedom and pledged continued support for strengthening the country’s print and electronic media. NPC President Abdul Razzaq Sial welcomed the minister and urged the government to resolve longstanding issues faced by journalists, including housing quotas, health cards, special grants and pending dues. NPC Secretary Dr. Furqan Rao said the newly launched website would digitalize members’ records, improve transparency and enable journalists to update their professional profiles online. During the ceremony, the National Press Club awarded Tarar honorary membership and the minister distributed certificates among participants who completed a month-long digital training programme organized by the club.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held talks with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi in Amman on Wednesday, where both leaders reviewed the worsening situation in the occupied West Bank and reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian cause. The meeting took place on the sidelines of a ministerial conference focused on developing a coordinated stance on the situation in occupied Jerusalem. During the discussions, the two foreign ministers exchanged views on recent regional developments, with particular attention to escalating tensions in the Palestinian territories. Dar praised Jordan’s longstanding role in protecting the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and acknowledged Amman’s continued support for the Palestinian people. Both sides also expressed satisfaction over the growing momentum in Pakistan-Jordan relations and pledged to further expand cooperation in political, economic, defence, education, cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The two leaders also discussed broader regional issues, including recent developments involving the United States and Iran. They stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remain essential for reducing tensions and maintaining regional peace and stability. Both ministers agreed to continue close coordination at bilateral and multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to address regional challenges and promote peaceful solutions. During his visit, Dar also met Somalia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdisalam Abdi Ali. The two leaders reviewed longstanding bilateral relations and explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation in politics, trade, defence, education and capacity-building. They also reaffirmed their commitment to working closely on issues of mutual interest at international forums. Dar is attending the ministerial meeting in Jordan to join foreign ministers from Arab League member states and several Islamic countries in formulating a unified response to developments in occupied Jerusalem. Pakistan is expected to reiterate its consistent support for the Palestinian people and call for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday declined to recognise veteran politician Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the head of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, citing the party’s failure to conduct mandatory intra-party elections, while also delisting four political parties for violating election laws. A five-member bench, headed by the Chief Election Commissioner, heard proceedings related to PkMAP’s non-compliance with legal requirements, including the absence of intra-party elections, amendments to the party constitution, and objections concerning its financial accounts. During the hearing, the commission questioned the validity of the power of attorney submitted by the party’s legal counsel. The lawyer informed the bench that the document had been signed by the party chairman, Mahmood Khan Achakzai. However, the Chief Election Commissioner observed that the party currently had no officially recognised chairman because it had failed to hold intra-party elections as required under the law. The commission, therefore, refused to recognise Achakzai as the party’s head for the purpose of the proceedings. The ECP stated that while the power of attorney would be placed on record, a separate order would determine whether it would be formally accepted. At the request of PkMAP’s counsel, the commission granted additional time to prepare arguments and adjourned the case until August 19. In a separate development, the ECP intensified its enforcement of election regulations by removing four more political parties from its official register. The delisted parties include Technology Movement Pakistan, Awami Jamhoori Party Pakistan, Hum Awam Pakistan Party, and Pakistan Reform Party. According to official notifications, the parties were delisted for failing to conduct intra-party elections, submit annual financial statements, and comply with other mandatory legal obligations. The latest decisions underline the ECP’s continued push to ensure transparency, financial accountability, and internal democracy within Pakistan’s political parties as it strengthens enforcement of the country’s electoral laws.