Ministry urges caution in booking private Hajj packages amid reduced quota
ISLAMABAD, Thursday, May 08, 2025 (WNP): The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has advised all prospective pilgrims intending to perform Hajj under the Private Hajj Scheme to exercise utmost caution when booking packages through private tour operators (Munazzameen). The advisory comes after some private organizers failed to pay dues related to Mashair (including Tawafah and Qadana services) within...
IPL 2025 suspended for one week amid escalating India-Pakistan conflict
NEW DELHI, Friday, May 09, 2025 (WNP): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 for one week with immediate effect, citing the escalating military conflict between India and Pakistan, according to an official statement issued on Friday. The decision follows the abrupt abandonment of Thursday’s match between...
Trump pushes for de-escalation as U.S. holds urgent talks with India, Pakistan amid escalating cross-border strikes
WASHINGTON, Friday, May 09, 2025 (WNP): The United States is maintaining “constant communication” with the leadership of both India and Pakistan amid rapidly escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, the White House said Friday, as President Donald Trump pushes for urgent de-escalation. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security...
Naqvi warns of war risk in second urgent meeting with U.S. envoy over Indian drone strikes
ISLAMABAD, Friday, May 09, 2025 (WNP): Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in a key diplomatic development amid rising regional tensions, held a second high-level meeting within 48 hours with the United States Chargé d’Affaires, Natalie Baker, to discuss the escalating hostilities with India, particularly along the shared borders on Friday. During the meeting, Minister Naqvi conveyed Pakistan’s deep concerns over what...
Pakistan warns of escalation as India’s aggression threatens regional peace
ISLAMABAD, Friday, May 09, 2025 (WNP): Pakistan on Friday strongly condemned India’s repeated violations of its sovereignty, warning that New Delhi’s reckless conduct had dangerously escalated tensions between two nuclear-armed neighbors and posed a serious threat to regional peace and global security. “India’s actions are a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the basic norms of inter-state...
Ministry launches special flights for pilgrims amid airport disruptions
ISLAMABAD, Friday, May 09, 2025 (WNP): The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Friday said several Hajj flights from across the country faced cancellations and delays due to intermittent suspensions in airport operations, affecting the travel plans of thousands of pilgrims. In an exclusive talk with WNP, ministry’s spokesperson Muhammad Umar Butt informed that a total of 13...
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia discuss regional tensions as PM Shehbaz condemns Indian aggression
ISLAMABAD, Friday, May 09, 2025 (WNP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday received Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel Al-Jubeir, at the Prime Minister’s House to discuss the escalating situation in South Asia, with a particular focus on rising tensions between Pakistan and India. During the high-level meeting, Minister Al-Jubeir conveyed the Kingdom’s deep concern over...
Pakistan welcomes UN appointment to combat Islamophobia, congratulates Catholic Church on election of Pope Leo XIV
ISLAMABAD, Friday, May 09, 2025 (WNP): Pakistan on Friday welcomed the appointment of Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), as the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia — a landmark decision pursuant to UN General Assembly Resolution 78/264 titled "Measures to Combat Islamophobia." In a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Pakistan hailed...
Pakistan accuses India of sponsoring terrorism, calls for int’l scrutiny
RAWALPINDI, Friday, May 09, 2025 (WNP): Pakistan on Friday accused India of orchestrating and sponsoring terrorist activities within its borders, presenting what it claimed was concrete video and audio evidence of Indian involvement, including support to banned militant outfits and interference through disinformation campaigns. Addressing a press briefing attended by foreign journalists, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR)...