Day: July 28, 2026

Islamabad: Parliamentary Secretary for Information Barrister Danyal Chaudhry on Monday said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz

(PML-N) has a proven track record of development and public service, expressing confidence that the party will secure a majority seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections.

Speaking to a private television channel, he said the people of AJK are looking for development and progress and support the PML-N’s development-oriented agenda. He maintained that the party has consistently worked for the welfare and prosperity of the people.

Commenting on the political situation, he said the PML-N is expected to emerge victorious in the AJK elections due to its performance-based policies and commitment to development.

Responding to a question about Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), he criticized the party’s governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, claiming that despite being in power for several years, it failed to significantly improve security, infrastructure, and the law and order situation in the province.

He also praised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, saying she is effectively utilizing provincial resources to bring improvements across various sectors. He further said Pakistan is making progress in different fields under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, attributing the government’s policies to the country’s ongoing development.

Islamabad: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced the schedule and technical officials for the four-match Test Series between Pakistan and South Korea, scheduled to take place from July 30 to August 7, at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium Islamabad.

The series, approved by PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, will feature matches on the following dates, all starting at 5:15 pm Pakistan Standard Time:

First Test: July 30, 2026

Second Test: August 1, 2026

Third Test: August 4, 2026

Fourth Test: August 7, 2026

The PHF has appointed an experienced panel of officials to oversee the series. Faiz Muhammad will serve as Umpire Manager, with umpires Haroon Rashid, Yasir Khursheed, Fahad Ali Khan, Asad Abbas and Sajid Raza. Muhammad Shafiq Bhatti has been named Technical Delegate, while the technical officials and judges include Hamza Tufail (Peshawar), M. Waqas Ahmed, Adnan Shahzad, Mahboob Javed and Mirza Javed.

Waqas Sheikh will act as Media Coordinator, Najeeb Khattak as Chief Coordinator, and Habib-ur-Rehman as Assistant to the Chief Coordinator.

Islamabad: The Government of Pakistan on Monday condemned in the strongest possible terms the highly provocative and irresponsible comments by the Indian Defence Minister in the context of Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

“His statement not only distorts facts regarding the UN and internationally recognized Jammu and Kashmir dispute that remains on the agenda of the UN Security Council but also shows Indian government’s deliberate policy to threaten regional and international peace and security, ” Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said in a statement.

He said that such insinuations were an attempt to divert attention from India’s continued occupation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), its sponsorship of terrorism across the region, as well as its domestic instability.

He said that while resorting to its misplaced rhetoric of aggression and belligerence, India must not underestimate the people and Government of Pakistan’s unwavering resolve and determination to thwart any Indian adventurism as demonstrated by the entire Pakistani nation and its valiant armed forces during Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos last year.

“Pakistan urges the international community, in particular the United Nations, to take note of India’s continued rouge behavior and to hold it accountable for its failure to uphold the relevant UN Security Council resolutions that guarantee the right to self-determination to the Kashmiris, ” the spokesperson added.

Islamabad: A planned protest march by the Islamabad Bar Association (IBA) to the Deputy Commissioner’s Office was called off on Monday after discussions between lawyers and district administration officials led to an agreement on key concerns.

The protest had been announced in response to what the bar described as inappropriate conduct by an Assistant Commissioner toward members of the legal community. Following the announcement, senior officials, including the Assistant Commissioner, Station House Officer (SHO), and other officers, arrived at the Islamabad District Courts to hold talks with representatives of the bar.

During the meeting, officials expressed regret over the conduct attributed to Assistant Commissioner. The administration also assured the legal fraternity that efforts would be made to maintain coordination and address issues through consultation.

After the discussions, both sides reached an understanding, leading the Islamabad Bar Association to withdraw its call for the protest rally to the DC Office.

Bar representatives said the administration had assured them that lawyers would be provided all facilities in accordance with established standard operating procedures (SOPs). They emphasized that cooperation between the administration and the legal community would continue to ensure smooth functioning of official matters.

However, the bar also issued a warning that if any similar incident involving disrespectful treatment of lawyers occurs in the future, it would consider stronger action, including locking the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in protest.

Islamabad: Fresh from conquering the majestic Nanga Parbat, renowned Chinese mountaineer Tao Hu called on Principal Information Officer, Raisa Adil at her office on Monday, recounting his extraordinary journey and expressing his admiration for Pakistan’s spectacular landscapes, warm hospitality and vibrant local culture.

During the meeting, Tao Hu shared his experiences of climbing Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth-highest mountain at 8, 126 metres.

Drawing on his mountaineering experience, he remarked that he found Nanga Parbat even more challenging than both K2 and Mount Everest, describing the climb as a true test of endurance, determination and mental resilience.

Beyond the mountains, Tao Hu spoke fondly of Pakistan’s hospitality, saying the kindness of the local people made a lasting impression on him.

He also praised the country’s fresh seasonal fruits and its delicious corn, which became among his favourite culinary experiences during his stay.

Principal Information Officer Ms Raisa Adil congratulated Tao Hu on his remarkable achievement, noting that his successful ascent highlights Pakistan’s unparalleled potential as a global destination for adventure tourism and high-altitude mountaineering.

She said stories like his inspire people around the world to discover Pakistan’s natural beauty, rich culture and welcoming spirit.

Tao Hu expressed his hope that more international climbers, adventure seekers and tourists would visit Pakistan to experience its magnificent mountains and unique cultural heritage firsthand.

The meeting also reflected the strong and enduring friendship between Pakistan and China, with people-to-people exchanges through tourism, sports and adventure continuing to deepen mutual understanding and goodwill between the two countries.

Home to five of the world’s fourteen peaks above 8, 000 metres, Pakistan remains one of the world’s foremost destinations for mountaineering. Tao Hu’s successful expedition stands as another powerful endorsement of the country’s status as a premier destination for international adventure tourism.