Pakistan officially notes UPR 2017 recommendation to decriminalise consensual sex

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan officially noted a recommendation made during third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) proposing to revoke laws barring consensual non-marital sex. The UPR recommendations given by Canada and Czech Republic, also suggested decriminalising such acts rather assuring punishment against those who invoked violence against the participants practicing pre-marital consensual sex. Pakistani officials stated that they […]

‘An even playing field for all’: HRCP

LAHORE: Given the vicissitudes of Pakistan’s political situation, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) demands that free and fair elections be held as scheduled this year. In a statement issued following its 32nd Annual General Meeting, HRCP has reiterated the importance of ensuring an even playing field for all-without interference from any state agency. […]

Jaranwala rape case: SC orders exhumation of body for autopsy

LAHORE: The Supreme Court Saturday ordered exhumation of the body of a minor girl murdered after rape last week in Jaranwala. During hearing of a suo motu case at the Lahore Registry, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar directed the medical superintendent of the Allied Hospital Faisalabad to again conduct post-mortem on the body. The apex […]

Thousands attend PTM rally in Peshawar demanding constitutional rights for Pashtuns

PESHAWAR: Thousands of protesters joined the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) rally on Sunday on Ring Road, near Pishtakhara, Peshawar. Pashtuns from different parts of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) attended the gathering. One section of the ground was reserved for missing persons’ banners and photos. Dozens of mothers, sisters and wives […]

Indian Embassy rejecting 85% visa applications of Pakistanis: sources

ISLAMABAD: Despite promises from the Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan Ajay Bisaria, the Indian Embassy in the country has not issued visas to citizens who are hopeful of a visit to the neighbouring country. According to sources, the Indian embassy rejects 85 percent of the visa applications of Pakistani residents every month, while on the other […]

Amrit Jal export project to be completed soon: ETPB

LAHORE: The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) on Sunday said that despite a two-year delay in completion of the Amrit Jal extraction project, they are hopeful of accomplishing the targets in near future. In September 2016, the then Chairman ETPB Siddiqul Farooq had announced the project of extraction and export of the Amrit Jal – water […]