Saudi Arabia, Qatar pledge joint financial support for Syrian public sector workers
RIYADH, Saturday, May 31, 2025 (WNP): The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar have announced joint financial assistance to support public sector employees in the Syrian Arab Republic over the next three months in a renewed gesture of solidarity with the Syrian people. The initiative follows an earlier contribution of approximately $15 million by the two nations...
Pakistan marks World No Tobacco Day with nationwide calls for tougher regulation, higher taxes
ISLAMABAD, Saturday, May 31 (WNP): As Pakistan joined the global observance of World No Tobacco Day 2025 on Saturday, policymakers, public health experts, and civil society organizations called for urgent and comprehensive measures to curb rising tobacco consumption, particularly among the country’s youth. In her official message, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif warned of the devastating consequences of tobacco...
WHO, Pakistan call for urgent ban on flavoured tobacco amid alarming youth addiction trends
ISLAMABAD, Saturday, May 31, 2025 (WNP): Marking World No Tobacco Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an urgent global call for the immediate ban of all flavours in tobacco and nicotine products, citing their role in fuelling addiction—especially among young people. The UN health agency warned that flavouring agents such as menthol, bubble gum, and cotton candy are...
EU delegation, Pakistan’s human rights ministry review reforms, affirm commitment to strengthening rights protections
ISLAMABAD, Friday, May 30, 2025 (WNP): A delegation from the European Union (EU), led by Jeroen Willems, EU Head of Cooperation in Pakistan, visited the Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) and held a detailed meeting with Secretary Humera Ahmad to review ongoing collaboration and future priorities in the field of human rights. The delegation included Marta Szymczyk, Programme Manager for...
DASTAK Foundation wins 2025 Nelson Mandela-Graça Machel Innovation Award for gender-responsive climate justice
ISLAMABAD, Friday, May 30, 2025 (WNP): The DASTAK Women Rights and Awareness Foundation has been honored with the 2025 Nelson Mandela-Graça Machel Innovation Award in the Organisation Category by the CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation. The award recognizes DASTAK’s pioneering efforts in advancing gender-responsive climate justice through its flagship initiative, FIERCE. The FIERCE program — Feminist Initiative for Environmental...
Romanian embassy, PNCA launch opera singing courses to foster cultural exchange
ISLAMABAD, Friday, May 30, 2025 (WNP): The Embassy of Romania, in collaboration with the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), launched a unique set of opera singing courses on Friday in Islamabad, aiming to introduce Pakistani students to Romania’s rich musical heritage and promote cultural dialogue between the two countries. The launch ceremony was attended by Romanian Ambassador Dr....
Pakistan, Ethiopia explore deeper cooperation in higher education sector
ISLAMABAD, Friday, May 30, 2025 (WNP): Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Jemal Beker Abdula, met with Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, on Friday to explore avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation in the higher education sector, aiming to strengthen academic ties and promote excellence through collaborative initiatives. The meeting was held at the HEC Chairman’s Office...
Railway bridge collapse prompts suspension of officials as Pakistan Railways pushes forward with reforms
ISLAMABAD, Friday, May 30, 2025 (WNP): A section of a pedestrian bridge collapsed at Khanewal Railway Station on Friday, prompting swift action from Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, who ordered the suspension of three officials and launched a high-level investigation into the incident. According to a notification issued by the ministry, Divisional Engineer Abid Razaq (Grade 18), Assistant...
PM Shehbaz Sharif concludes successful Tajikistan visit, reaffirms commitment to climate action, regional cooperation
DUSHANBE, Friday, May 30, 2025 (WNP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday concluded a productive two-day official visit to Tajikistan, reaffirming Pakistan’s strong commitment to regional connectivity, climate action, and bilateral cooperation with the Central Asian republic. The visit marked a significant step forward in strengthening diplomatic, economic, and environmental ties between Islamabad and Dushanbe. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,...
Saudi Arabia to broadcast ‘Arafat Sermon’ in 35 languages, reaching over 5 mln globally
MAKKAH AL MUKARRAMAH, Friday, May 30, 2025 (WNP): The Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has launched an ambitious global initiative to translate and broadcast this year’s Arafat Sermon (1446 AH) in 35 languages, in a bid to reach over five million Muslims worldwide. Described as the largest enrichment package in the Presidency’s history,...