Pakistan urges economic collaboration among SCO member states

Pakistan on Wednesday urged economic collaboration among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states as a two-day leaders’ summit of the organization began in the capital Islamabad.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Pakistan on Monday for a four-day official visit, during which he will also attend the much-anticipated Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

Pakistan has banned the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), or Pashtun Protection Movement, a prominent rights group, listing it as a `proscribed organisation`.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has given a fresh call for countrywide protests for the `independence of judiciary`, inclu­ding a demonstration in Islamabad where all such gatherings are banned.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a 7 billion US dollar loan to cash-strapped Pakistan. The country is due to receive the first $1 billion of the loan immediately, with the balance to be paid out over the next three years.

The Pakistan Army has announced the appointment of Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik as the new Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He is set to assume his new role on September 30, replacing the current DG.

Pakistan`s jailed former premier Imran Khan on Monday rejected the anticipated constitutional changes, claiming that it was an effort to keep him in prison by controlling the judiciary.

Pakistan on Saturday slammed Washington`s `double standards` for sanctioning Chinese firms allegedly linked to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.

Pakistan`s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has underscored the critical importance of international cooperation for ensuring maritime stability.

Pakistan`s PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf) party held a long awaited rally on Sunday, demanding the release of jailed party founder Imran Khan, and vowing the stand for a military trial against him.

Pakistan`s Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Thursday said that Pakistan had invited the Indian Premier Narendra Modi to the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting being held in Islamabad.

At least 34 people were killed in two separate bus accidents in Pakistan today, including 12 pilgrims who had been trying to reach Iran, rescue officials said.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by imprisoned former Premier Imran Khan, has decided to postpone its planned rally in Islamabad, initially set for Thursday, until next month. The decision came after the government refused to grant permission for the demonstration, heightening tensions in the capital.

Citizens in various cities of Pakistan faced internet connectivity issues on Thursday, amid already-existing concerns of service disruptions.

The Pakistan army announced that it has arrested former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen (retd.) Faiz Hameed and initiated court martial proceedings against him in connection with a housing scheme scandal.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said that his country has been making efforts to fully ensure political, social and economic empowerment of minorities residing in the South Asian country.