Author: Novid Minhas

Two years after the Taliban took over Afghanistan, the last remaining Hindus and Sikhs in the nation continue to face severe religious persecution as the Taliban imposes strict Islamic laws (Sharia). While the country’s last Jew escaped soon after the fall of Kabul, only a few Sikh and Hindu families continue to live under the Islamic regime. Fari Kaur, one of the last remaining Sikhs in the capital, Kabul stated, “I cannot go anywhere freely.” She made reference to the Taliban’s directive that all women must wear the all-encompassing burqa or niqab when they are outside. “When I go out, I’m forced to…

ISLAMABAD, – One year after historic floods devastated Pakistan and a national state of emergency was declared, millions of children continue to need humanitarian assistance and access to essential services, UNICEF warned today. Recovery and rehabilitation efforts remain underfunded. This season’s monsoon rains are worsening already challenging conditions for flood-affected communities, tragically claiming the lives of 87 children across the country. UNICEF estimates there are still 8 million people, around half of whom are children, that continue to live without access to safe water in flood-affected areas. Over 1.5 million children require lifesaving nutrition interventions in flood-affected districts, while UNICEF’s current…

A Pakistani government official on Sunday condemned an attack in southeast Iran near the border between the two countries that claimed the lives of four Iranian highway patrol police officers, saying that Islamabad was taking all steps to secure its border against militants. Iran’s state-owned Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) said a “terrorist attack” on Sunday at the Khash-Taftan road in Sistan and Baluchistan province claimed the lives of four police officers. Three police officers were killed on the spot while the fourth, who was severely injured, succumbed to his wounds later. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.…

Muslims rallied in across Pakistan to observe a ‘Day of the Sanctity of Quran’ after the South Asian Islamic nation’s PM issued a call for anti-Sweden protests over last week’s burning of Islamic holy book ‘Quran’ in Stockholm. Children recite from Islamic holy book Quran as other hold banners during a demonstration in Karachi, Pakistan. Young men and children recite from Islamic holy book Quran as other hold banners during a demonstration in Karachi, Pakistan. Children hold copies of Islam’s holy book Quran during a demonstration in Karachi, Pakistan. Supporters of Pakistan Central Muslim League party take part in a…

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal on Monday said that the size of Pakistan’s economy would be expected to touch $1 trillion by the year 2035 as the country’s economy would become one of the largest in the world. Addressing ‘ Master Card Funded Care Ignite Project” ceremony’ held here, the minister said that the country’s economy had the potential to become a major economy in the world by 2035. Ahsan Iqbal hoped that domestic exports could reach $100 billion in the next five years and current domestic exports stood at $30 billion, which was…

Dental colleges have proliferated in Pakistan since the 1990s in order to meet the country’s growing need for oral care; however, a recent study suggests that quality may not have kept pace with quantity. According to a recent nationwide study, undergraduate dental students and recent dental graduates in Pakistan feel that they lack experience and skills in endodontics, radiography and orthodontics. Researchers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UK and Qatar evaluated the self-perceived preparedness of 543 undergraduates and 319 recent graduates working under supervision at public and private dental schools and hospitals around Pakistan. Using the validated Dental Undergraduates Preparedness Assessment Scale…

Pakistan Rugby Union’s secretary Salman Sheikh confirmed that the country is set to host the Asia Rugby Men Division 1 in July.  Pakistan will play their matches against the UAE on July 4 and 8, Sheikh shared in a press conference today in Lahore. The winner will advance to the Asia Rugby Championship which is scheduled for next year. Hong Kong, China, South Korea, and Malaysia have already qualified for the Asian event. The Asian Rugby Championship will be a road to Rugby World Cup qualification. Pakistan team’s head coach Gert Mulder said: “It is an honour to continue leading the Pakistan National…

At the United Nations, Pakistan has reaffirmed its dedication to the Palestinian cause by renewing its commitment to financial and political support. This was stated by Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent representative to the United Nations, Aamir Khan while addressing the pledging event for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine, UNRWA in New York. The Pakistani envoy said. this commitment is a natural corollary of Pakistan’s strong affiliation with the Palestinian cause. Ambassador Aamir Khan called for stepping up efforts to support UNRWA in overcoming the huge funding gap. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday asserted that the country was “on its way” to overcoming the myriad of economic challenges it has been facing for the past few months because of the “tough decisions” taken by the government at the cost of its political capital. Addressing the passing out parade of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Academy Asghar Khan in Risalpur, the premier said, “Let me assure you that we are making all efforts to bring our economy back on track. Thanks to tough decisions at the cost of our political asset, we are on the way to overcome…

Pakistan has reported an increase in inflation based on the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) of 47.23% on a year-on-year basis by the week ending April 19, 2023. The high inflation rate has made it challenging for many Pakistanis to purchase essential items during Eid celebrations. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data shows that the prices of wheat flour increased by 144%, high-speed diesel by 103%, tea by 104%, potatoes by 99%, bananas by 98%, eggs by 99%, and gas by 108%, according to a report published by pkrevenue.  Many people in the crisis-hit country are cutting back on non-essential purchases and looking for…