More on Pakistan

Pakistan’s former prime minister Nawaz Sharif issued new passport; set to return after two years in exile

The move came days after the new government removed his name from the country’s exit control list, making the way clear for Sharif's return to the country almost after two years

IMF to extend its bailout program to $8 billion for Pakistan; more reforms urged

Of the $6 billion original bailout program, Pakistan managed to get only $3 billion as the previous government failed to fulfill its commitments for reforms. Furthermore, these reforms were further weakened when the outgoing government of former prime minister Imran Khan drastically reduced the prices of electricity and fuel

‘Can’t afford subsidies’: Pakistan to cut back fuel subsidies after talks with IMF

Pakistan is looking for the release of the $1 billion from the IMF package, Ismail said earlier, while blaming the country’s former prime minister Imran Khan for stalling the IMF program. During his last days in power, Khan had announced huge subsidies on fuel and electricity, a move that scuttled almost a year of reform work of his own government to get the IMF program back on track

Pakistan reports first polio case in over a year; worried government summons task force

The country’s National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed on Friday that the case was detected in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a militancy-ridden northeastern tribal province that often sees attacks on vaccination workers. The polio case—the third confirmed case this year worldwide–is being seen as a setback to the world’s attempt to eradicate the virus

Pakistan prime minister visits restive Waziristan region amid growing TTP attacks; calls for grand assembly of tribal elders

The newly elected prime minister visited Miramshah, the headquarters of the North Waziristan district, along with Army Chief General Qamar Javad Bajwa and other top commanders, reported Dawn. Mounting casualties are also affecting morale among security forces

Imran Khan’s last-ditch relief package complicates new Pakistani government’s IMF efforts

For Prime Minister Sharif, who is running a coalition government with partners united by the sole desire of keeping Imran Khan out, implementing necessary, but unpopular, reforms will not be an easy job. More so, when the country will go into elections in little more than a year's time, making political parties even more averse to painful measures

Jolt to Imran Khan, Islamabad High Court orders government to release details of state gifts

Gifts given to government officials by foreign governments belong to the state of Pakistan, not some individuals. “These gifts are not meant for taking home,” the court observed

Pakistan’s new government disbands controversial media regulatory body

At a press conference on Tuesday, the new information minister said "The media enables accountability of governments, thus enhancing the latter's performance," and also accused the earlier government of suppressing media freedom, gagging vocal journalists and political opponents

US looking forward to working with Pakistan's newly elected government: State Department

After the exit of the US from the region following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, the danger of regrouping of transnational terrorist groups has grown significantly. And, here a basic working relationship with Pakistan, many believe, becomes even more crucial for the United States

Pakistan’s new 37-member cabinet takes oath of office

PML-N, Sharif’s party, got 13 ministries while nine were given to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) led by hardline cleric Maulana Fazlur Rahman got four ministries. MQM-Pakistan, a Karachi-based party, got two ministries

Sri Lankan national lynching case: Pakistani court awards death sentence to six, life imprisonment to nine; 72 sentenced

"This is a very good day as the law punished those who took away an innocent life. It is now hoped that the elements spreading religious extremism will be dealt with in the same manner," he said

Imran Khan sold official gifts given by foreign leaders, alleges Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif

'I can confirm that Imran Khan sold state gifts worth Rs140 million [roughly $770000] from the Toshakhana in Dubai,' Shehbaz Sharif, the country’s newly elected prime minister, was quoted as saying by Dawn.

Pakistan: Amnesty demands release of arrested activists who criticised government on social media

Amnesty International called for the government to 'immediately and unconditionally' release the eight people arrested across Punjab. The rights group also asked the government to end its 'repressive crackdown'.

Eight Pakistan soldiers killed in two attacks as TTP violence increases

Terrorist violence has been on rising in Pakistan, with militants mounting several attacks on security forces, especially in the country’s volatile northeastern region bordering Afghanistan

Pakistan Army says General Bajwa to retire this year; refutes Imran Khan’s ‘foreign conspiracy’ theory

'The future is democracy and there will never be a martial law in the country.' Maj Gen Iftikhar said.