Islamabad, April 23 (IANS) Persecution of minorities, misuse of blasphemy laws, violence against women and the forced return of Afghan refugees demonstrate Pakistan’s failure to protect vulnerable groups, local media has highlighted. An editorial in Pakistan’s leading daily Dawn cited Amnesty International’s latest report that has criticised the state of civil liberties in Pakistan. Amendments to Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) and anti-terror laws have increased censorship and detent…
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Islamabad, April 23 (IANS) Suspension of goods transport has triggered a shortage of edibles and fuel in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi and Islamabad and traders and good transporters have urged the district administration to reopen the roads, local media reported on Thursday. Oil Tanker Contractors’ Association spokesperson Noman Ali Butt said that supply had been impacted due to no oil tanker movement.”The ban on the entry of goods transport vehicles is severely hampering the supply of petroleum produc…
Islamabad, April 22 (IANS) A 15-member Afghan family, including minor children, were detained by law enforcement agencies in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi as authorities continued their crackdown against illegal Afghan nationals, local media reported on Wednesday. Sources said more than 5,673 illegal Afghans have been repatriated to Afghanistan since the deadline for voluntary return has ended. The law enforcement agencies have been asked to maintain accurate, comprehensive and consolidated data of all …
Islamabad, April 21 (IANS) The International Labour Organisation (ILO), a specialised United Nations agency, has stated that an employment and livelihoods loss assessment has been undertaken by it for 14 of the worst-affected districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, local media reported on Tuesday. The flood-affected districts of Punjab province bore the majority of employment losses and disruption, according to the assessment of the ILO. Almost 78 per cent of the total estimated employment l…
Islamabad, April 21 (IANS) Global rights watchdog Amnesty International in its annual report has highlighted a pattern of restrictions on civil liberties in Pakistan, including curbs on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and political participation, local media reported on Tuesday. Amnesty has stated that changes to online speech and anti-terrorism laws in Pakistan have significantly affected freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, resulting in the arrest of journalists, activists and…
Islamabad, April 21 (IANS) Pakistan’s federal government has delayed a decision on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s offer to provide Rs 4 billion in bridge financing for the long-pending Peshawar Northern Bypass project, even as the crucial infrastructure initiative continues to face setbacks. Despite the provincial government stepping forward with financial support to push the project ahead, the Centre has indicated that the 30-km road project will not meet its June 30 completion deadlin…
Islamabad, April 20 (IANS) The rise in paediatric HIV cases in Pakistan’s Karachi is the consequence of a healthcare system that continues to tolerate unsafe practices despite knowing their cost. Figures from the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital and Research Centre and Indus Hospital point to a disturbing escalation as admissions of HIV-positive children have increased within a year, with many of them aged below five years. “The pattern of transmission is even more alarming. Only a small fract…
Islamabad, April 20 (IANS) Pakistan has learned little even after 10 years and roughly 10 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) outbreaks later. As many as 331 children tested positive for HIV in Pakistan’s Taunsa between November 2024-October 2025, a report has stated. These cases in Taunsa have been reported despite government claiming to have launched a crackdown on the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, where the medical superintendent was removed and replaced. However, the undercover footage by the…
Islamabad, April 20 (IANS) Protests, rallies, demonstrations and street theatre were held in various parts of Pakistan’s Sindh to highlight injustice faced by women in the name of ‘karo-kari’ custom (murder for honour) and demanded action against killers, local media reported on Monday. Rights group ‘Civil Society for Truth, Peace and Justice’ organised the protests, rallies and demonstrations in Sindh on Sunday. Participants of a protest rally gathered at the local press club in Hyderabad, …
Islamabad, April 20 (IANS) Two Federal Constabulary (FC) personnel were shot dead by unidentified assailants in Kuram Garhi area of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, local media reported on Monday. According to police, the FC personnel were shopping at a local market on Sunday, when the assailants, who arrived on a bike, attacked them and managed to flee from the spot. According to FC sources, both deceased officers were posted in the FC Daryoba MI platoon, Pakistan’s leading daily Dawn reported. F…