Author: Tim Norman

Pakistan’s army has fired three senior officers for their conduct during protests following the May arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. The rare public announcement did not name the officers, only saying that they failed to protect army properties. Pakistan’s powerful military wields massive political influence and Mr Khan’s supporters blame it for his removal as prime minister. Mr Khan was arrested on corruption charges, sparking nationwide unrest. Thousands of Mr Khan’s supporters tore through military buildings across the country, setting them on fire, including the house of an army general. At least eight people died in the protests. More than 5,000…

Pakistan launched a project Friday to convert millions of hectares of uncultivated waste state land into cultivable land to overcome food insecurity challenges. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the Land Information and Management System – Center of Excellence to enhance food security, according to a statement from his office. Pakistan will convert 4.4 million hectares (10.9 million acres) out of around 9 million hectares of uncultivated land into cultivable productive land by utilizing Modern Agri Technologies, it said. “This state-of-the-art System will help optimize the agricultural production through innovative technologies and sustainable precision agricultural practices based on agro-ecological potential of…

April 27 (Reuters) – The anti-tank ditches near Ukraine’s occupied southeastern town of Polohy stretch for 30 km (19 miles). Behind are rows of concrete “dragon’s teeth” barricades. Further back are defensive trenches where Russia’s troops will be positioned. The defences visible in satellite imagery taken by Capella Space are part of a vast network of Russian fortifications sweeping down from western Russia through eastern Ukraine and on to Crimea built in readiness for a major Ukrainian attack. Thousands of Ukrainian troops have been training in the West to use different military assets on the battlefield in a combined way…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved $10 to $14 billion worth of oil refinery in Pakistan, State Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik said on Friday. “Pakistan had been working for this for long,” he said at a press conference in Islamabad. The media briefing was held after the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy earlier in the day. “Energy is necessary for economic progress. Pakistan will be on the road to progress soon,” Musadik said. He said the government had managed to secure a deal with Russia to receive the first cargo of cheap oil soon, unlike the previous government’s “noisy propaganda”. Speaking…

Stalls, kiosks pop up as demand for traditional fragrance surges KARACHI: The cramped and narrow lanes that lead to the aptly-named Botal Gali (Bottle lane) in Karachi’s downtown is home to a variety of smells, from perplexing to downright noxious, unless you enter one of the shops selling attar. Attar is an oily perfume, therefore without alcohol, which has its origin in India and the Middle East, and known as the oldest perfume in the world. Of Arabic etymology, the term attar (also written atr, ittar or othr) could be translated by “scent”. It is known to elevate the mood…

An oddity occurred during the second round of the Puntacana Championship on the PGA Tour. Tyler Duncan lost his clubhead on the tee shot. Normally in golf, after the tee shot, a small white ball should fly towards the hole. On the PGA Tour, however, something special happened on Friday, where not only the ball got up and away. Tyler Duncan, American professional golfer, was amazed when the clubhead of his driver suddenly fell off on the 15th tee and launched in a high arc towards the fairway. But what do you have to consider if the equipment breaks down on the round? Golf Post enlightens. PGA…

The American legal system embarrasses the multi-billion dollar Saudi investment fund. The legal battle between his LIV golf tournament series and the PGA Tour reveals that the sports washing campaign is playing a double game. The first season in the magnificent, nouveau riche world financed with Saudi billions begins a year ago at its best. The prize money? Richer than ever. The way to work? Free in a huge charter plane with colleagues. In the plane? A large lounge with a bar, wide leather seats and background music. The comfort of the LIV Golf series still seems not enough for some golf professionals – although some are…

Amid economic crisis in Pakistan, the country’s defence minister Khawaja Asif said that the country has already defaulted and held ‘everyone’ including the establishment, bureaucracy, and politicians responsible for it. Asserting that it is important for Pakistan to become a stable country, Khawaja Asif said, while addressing a ceremony in Sialkot, “You may have learnt that Pakistan is going bankrupt or that a default or meltdown is taking place. It has already taken place. We are living in a bankrupt country.” “The solution to our problems lies within the country. The IMF does not have the solution to Pakistan’s problems,”…

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced it will grant additional fare reductions for students. The carrier will now offer up to a 27% discount for students traveling from Pakistan to China. PIA increases student discount The Pakistani airline first announced fare reductions for students in December, with discounts initially applying for those flying between Beijing and Islamabad before the offering was extended to its Islamabad-Chengdu route. As reported by The Nation, Pakistan International Airlines will further increase ticket reductions for students flying to China up to 27%. Additionally, the airline has announced that a Beijing-Islamabad-Beijing roundtrip is now priced at RMB 12,050…