U.S. holds back $33 Million aid to Pakistan. U.S. said that Pakistan must free Dr Shakeel Afridi first. Watch further to know more.

WION Dispatch: U.S. holds back $33 Million aid to Pakistan

US budget passed by congress states that $33 million aid will be given to Pakistan until Dr. Shakeel Afridi is freed. Afridi helped US find Osama Bin Laden.

US to Pakistan: Release Dr Shakeel Afridi or we withhold aid

Amid a grim economic outlook in Pakistan, car manufacturing companies are announcing production halts. The latest to join the trail is the Pak Suzuki , Indus Motors, citing a shortage of inventory level.

Pakistan Economic Woes: Top car companies Pak Suzuki, Indus Motors halt production for up to 10 days

Cyclists in Pakistan's smog-smothered Lahore are enduring hazardous pollution levels abused from drivers and social stigma in a campaign to get people to ditch their cars.

WION Climate Tracker | Pakistan: Citizens cycle around Lahore to spread awareness against pollution

For the past two months, protesters in Pakistan have blocked the Gwadar East Bay Expressway in Balochistan, an area crucial to Pakistan-China relations.

Pakistan: Protests against CPEC continue in Gwadar, demand for Chinese to leave

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said on Monday that they intercepted a Pakistani boat with 10 crew members carrying arms, ammunition and 40 kgs of narcotics, off the Gujarat coast.&nbsp;

In their official press release, the ICG said that they received inputs from the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad.&nbsp;

The Coast Guard then deployed its fast patrol ship 'ICGS Arinjay' for patrolling in the area close to the International Maritime Border Line (IMBL) on the intervening night of December 25 and 26.&nbsp;

The release revealed that in the early hours of the day, the Pakistani fishing boat 'Al Soheli' was observed moving suspiciously in Indian waters.&nbsp;

When the Indian authorities challenged them, the boat started evasive manoeuvring. The boat also did not stop even after firing warning shots.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/IndiaCoastGuard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndiaCoastGuard</a> in joint ops with ATS <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>, apprehended <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistani</a> Fishing Boat Al Soheli with 10 crew in Indian waters. During rummaging Arms, ammunition &amp; approx 40 Kgs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/narcotics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#narcotics</a> worth Rs 300 cr found concealed. Boat being brought to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Okha?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Okha</a> for further investigation. <a href="https://t.co/3YwzKne6bQ">pic.twitter.com/3YwzKne6bQ</a>
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiaCoastGuard/status/1607356889377177600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The release also mentioned that it was the seventh joint operation by the ICG and Gujarat ATS in the last 18 months.&nbsp;

"In joint ops with ATS Gujarat,&nbsp; we apprehended Pakistani fishing boat Al Soheli with 10 crew in Indian waters. During rummaging arms, ammunition and approximately 40 kg narcotics worth&nbsp;₹&nbsp;300 crore were found concealed. Boat being brought to Okha for further investigation," the Coast Guard said.&nbsp;

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The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said on Monday that they intercepted a Pakistani boat with 10 crew members carrying arms, ammunition and 40 kgs of narcotics, off the Gujarat coast.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said on Monday that they intercepted a Pakistani boat with 10 crew members carrying arms, ammunition and 40 kgs of narcotics, off the Gujarat coast. In their official press release, the ICG said that they received inputs from the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad. The Coast Guard then deployed its fast patrol ship 'ICGS Arinjay' for patrolling in the area close to the International Maritime Border Line (IMBL) on the intervening night of December 25 and 26. The release revealed that in the early hours of the day, the Pakistani fishing boat 'Al Soheli' was observed moving suspiciously in Indian waters. When the Indian authorities challenged them, the boat started evasive manoeuvring. The boat also did not stop even after firing warning shots. @IndiaCoastGuard in joint ops with ATS #Gujarat, apprehended #Pakistani Fishing Boat Al Soheli with 10 crew in Indian waters. During rummaging Arms, ammunition & approx 40 Kgs #narcotics worth Rs 300 cr found concealed. Boat being brought to #Okha for further investigation. pic.twitter.com/3YwzKne6bQ — Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) December 26, 2022 × The release also mentioned that it was the seventh joint operation by the ICG and Gujarat ATS in the last 18 months. "In joint ops with ATS Gujarat, we apprehended Pakistani fishing boat Al Soheli with 10 crew in Indian waters. During rummaging arms, ammunition and approximately 40 kg narcotics worth ₹ 300 crore were found concealed. Boat being brought to Okha for further investigation," the Coast Guard said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indian Coast Guard intercepts Pak boat with crew, arms and drugs

For years, Pakistan has been accused of nurturing, harbouring and sheltering terror groups. Today, countering terrorism becomes its biggest challenge as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan intensifies attacks across the country.

Gravitas: TTP intensifies attacks in Pakistan

Pakistan Police has announced special security measures, including setting up 25 new check-posts to tighten security in the capital Islamabad. This after several countries, including the US, UK, Saudi Arabia and Australia asked their citizens to restrict their movement, warning of a possible terror threat.

WION Dispatch: Pak makes 'special' security plan for Islamabad amid terror alert by foreign missions

Pakistan cricket is going through a major bureaucratic upheaval at the moment. After the sudden sacking of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja, efforts are underway to find the next coach for the national side.

Pakistan cricket is going through a major bureaucratic upheaval at the moment. After the sudden sacking of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja, efforts are underway to find the next coach for the national side. And one man's name is making the rounds yet again. With current coach Saqlain Mushtaq expected to step down after the ongoing series against New Zealand, Najam Sethi,the interim chairman has hinted at bringing former coach Mickey Arthur. "When I was in power, we had Mickey Arthur and results were evident. We were world number one in both ODI and Test cricket and we won the Champions Trophy as well," Sethi told the reporters. Sethi, who has previously served in the PCB chairman role twice added that he had made the contact with Australian. “He is currently busy with Derbyshire. We have already contacted him and asked for his opinion on coaches for Pakistan team. The final call on coaches will be made during the next 8-10 days.” Read more: Ramiz Raja sacked as PCB chief after Pakistan's home Tests vs England, replacement named: Reports Ramiz Raja's dismissal as the PCB chairman was cemented the moment Imran Khan was removed as the prime minister. It didn't help that a string of controversies followed him and that Pakistan cricket team performed atrociously bad, both at home and overseas. The final straw was the humiliating series whitewash at the hands of England earlier this month. England under the leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum managed to blow away an insipid Pakistani side that just could not compete. Raja faced flak for preparing pitches that were not conducive for bowling and offered a placid competition between bat and ball. Read more: "I have got...' - Ramiz Raja opens up on continuous rant against India during his tenure as PCB chief (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Mickey Arthur could be appointed for second stint as the Pakistan head coach, hints Najam Sethi

Pakistan's central bank criticised the Shehbaz Sharif government for prioritising growth at the cost of price and financial stability.&nbsp;The State Bank of Pakistan in its annual report said that such economies are not able to sustain growth and face financial crisis, reported the Dawn.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Sharif government's focus&nbsp;on growth for the fiscal year 2023 might result in a fall in growth overall as it failed to bring price stability with financial stability, it said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-punjab-governor-denotifies-cm-with-immediate-effect-545813">Also read |&nbsp;Pakistan: Punjab governor denotifies CM Elahi with 'immediate effect', Lahore HC reinstates him</a>

In its report, 'State of the Economy of the fiscal year FY22',&nbsp;the State Bank of Pakistan anticipated that the economic growth for FY23 will be lower than what was expected. It added that the growth rate will remain less than three or four per cent.

The fall in growth has resulted in mass layoffs of hundreds of people from the trade and industrial sectors. In these sectors, it is hard to survive under the focus set by the government.&nbsp;

The inflation in the South Asian country has been nearly 25 per cent in the last five months, worsening aspects of growth and stability.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-bilawal-bhutto-claims-made-to-work-like-donkey-on-foreign-trips-546112">Also read |&nbsp;WATCH| Bilawal Bhutto claims ‘made to work like donkey’ on foreign trips</a>

The SBP added that economies that prioritise 'price stability' tend to have lower inflation as well as less volatility&nbsp;in both inflation and growth.&nbsp;

However, the report further stated that estimating the growth of side supplies like the price of energy and food is hard to predict as they can be driven by both national and international developments.&nbsp;

The document said, "In Pakistan, the coverage and timeliness of information need improvement and there are often large revisions to 'annual' GDP growth estimates relative to provisional estimates. These, together with scarce availability of high-frequency real sector data, complicate forecasting and real-time decision making."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Pakistan's central bank criticised the Shehbaz Sharif government for prioritising growth at the cost of price and financial stability. The State Bank of Pakistan in its annual report said that such economies are not able to sustain growth and face financial crisis, reported the Dawn.

Pakistan's central bank criticised the Shehbaz Sharif government for prioritising growth at the cost of price and financial stability. The State Bank of Pakistan in its annual report said that such economies are not able to sustain growth and face financial crisis, reported the Dawn. The Sharif government's focus on growth for the fiscal year 2023 might result in a fall in growth overall as it failed to bring price stability with financial stability, it said. Also read | Pakistan: Punjab governor denotifies CM Elahi with 'immediate effect', Lahore HC reinstates him In its report, 'State of the Economy of the fiscal year FY22', the State Bank of Pakistan anticipated that the economic growth for FY23 will be lower than what was expected. It added that the growth rate will remain less than three or four per cent. The fall in growth has resulted in mass layoffs of hundreds of people from the trade and industrial sectors. In these sectors, it is hard to survive under the focus set by the government. The inflation in the South Asian country has been nearly 25 per cent in the last five months, worsening aspects of growth and stability. Also read | WATCH| Bilawal Bhutto claims ‘made to work like donkey’ on foreign trips The SBP added that economies that prioritise 'price stability' tend to have lower inflation as well as less volatility in both inflation and growth. However, the report further stated that estimating the growth of side supplies like the price of energy and food is hard to predict as they can be driven by both national and international developments. The document said, "In Pakistan, the coverage and timeliness of information need improvement and there are often large revisions to 'annual' GDP growth estimates relative to provisional estimates. These, together with scarce availability of high-frequency real sector data, complicate forecasting and real-time decision making." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pak central bank slams Shehbaz govt’s focus on growth over financial stability, warns of economic crisis ahead

US Embassy and British High Commission in Pakistan have cautioned employees not to visit the Marriott in Islamabad amid terror attack warning. A notice has been issued for the same. Watch further to know more.

UK and U.S Embassy issue notice amid Islamabad Terror 'Red Alert'

Reham&nbsp;Khan, ex-wife of Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan, tied&nbsp;knot with&nbsp;Mirza Bilal, a US-based Pakistani actor, on December 23. The couple got married in a simple and private ceremony in Seattle, US, PTI reported.

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<a href="https://t.co/LqB0jMZDZe">pic.twitter.com/LqB0jMZDZe</a>
— Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) <a href="https://twitter.com/RehamKhan1/status/1606155475149811712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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We Hope from <a href="https://twitter.com/MirzaBilal__?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MirzaBilal__</a> to keep our sister very very Happy and Congratulations to Both for new Life and again Congratulations to Both Families <a href="https://twitter.com/RehamKhan1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RehamKhan1</a> 
💫💫💫 <a href="https://t.co/lfzAEpoCvC">pic.twitter.com/lfzAEpoCvC</a>
— SabirWazir🏴🏳 (@S_Wazir1) <a href="https://twitter.com/S_Wazir1/status/1606221176866344960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Expressing her happiness, the 49-year-old British-Pakistani journalist&nbsp;tweeted pics with the caption reading, "We had a lovely Nikkah ceremony performed in Seattle with the blessings of @MirzaBilal_ parents &amp; my son as my Vakeel."

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We had a lovely Nikkah ceremony performed in Seattle with the blessings of ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/MirzaBilal__?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MirzaBilal__</a>⁩ parents &amp; my son as my Vakeel. <a href="https://t.co/960WQjgNqU">pic.twitter.com/960WQjgNqU</a>
— Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) <a href="https://twitter.com/RehamKhan1/status/1606184712460206081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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PK online portal reported that Bilal,36,&nbsp; is a corporate professional, former model and satirist&nbsp;who has also been part of 'The 4 Men Show' and 'National Alien Broadcast.'

As per reports, this is the third marriage for both Reham&nbsp;and Mirza.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-lands-in-hot-soup-once-again-leaked-audio-of-a-vulgar-call-invites-hate-pti-claims-its-fake-545335">Also read |&nbsp;Imran Khan lands in hot soup once again, leaked audio of a vulgar call invites hate; PTI claims it's fake</a>

Reham&nbsp;and Imran Khan were married in 2014-2015. This was the second marriage of Reham&nbsp;that lasted for nearly 10 months. They got divorced in 2015.&nbsp;

After her divorce, she released her autobiography in 2018 titled "Rehman Khan" which talked about her married life with the PTI chief Imran Khan, drugs and the abuse she faced.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
(With inputs from agencies)

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Reham Khan, ex-wife of Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan, tied knot with Mirza Bilal, a US-based Pakistani actor, on December 23. The couple got married in a simple and private ceremony in Seattle, US, PTI reported.

Reham Khan, ex-wife of Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan, tied knot with Mirza Bilal, a US-based Pakistani actor, on December 23. The couple got married in a simple and private ceremony in Seattle, US, PTI reported. pic.twitter.com/LqB0jMZDZe — Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) December 23, 2022 × We Hope from @MirzaBilal__ to keep our sister very very Happy and Congratulations to Both for new Life and again Congratulations to Both Families @RehamKhan1 💫💫💫 pic.twitter.com/lfzAEpoCvC — SabirWazir🏴🏳 (@S_Wazir1) December 23, 2022 × Expressing her happiness, the 49-year-old British-Pakistani journalist tweeted pics with the caption reading, "We had a lovely Nikkah ceremony performed in Seattle with the blessings of @MirzaBilal_ parents & my son as my Vakeel." We had a lovely Nikkah ceremony performed in Seattle with the blessings of ⁦@MirzaBilal__⁩ parents & my son as my Vakeel. pic.twitter.com/960WQjgNqU — Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) December 23, 2022 × PK online portal reported that Bilal,36, is a corporate professional, former model and satirist who has also been part of 'The 4 Men Show' and 'National Alien Broadcast.' As per reports, this is the third marriage for both Reham and Mirza. Also read | Imran Khan lands in hot soup once again, leaked audio of a vulgar call invites hate; PTI claims it's fake Reham and Imran Khan were married in 2014-2015. This was the second marriage of Reham that lasted for nearly 10 months. They got divorced in 2015. After her divorce, she released her autobiography in 2018 titled "Rehman Khan" which talked about her married life with the PTI chief Imran Khan, drugs and the abuse she faced. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Imran Khan's ex-wife Reham Khan ties knot with US-based Pak actor Mirza Bilal

The US Embassy of Islamabad has issued a security alert warning its officials of a possible attack on the Americans in the Pakistan capital's top hotel amid the city already being on high alert after the suicide bombing that took place earlier in the week.

WION Dispatch: US embassy warns officials against visiting Islamabad's Marriott Hotel

Imtiaz Gul, Senior Journalist on US embassy issuing security alert for visiting Islamabad's Marriott

Pakistan needs to answer many questions. The country's economy is in the doldrums and its impact has left no one untouched. Its resources are bleeding with no funds coming Islamabad's way.

IMF to Pakistan: Time to take ‘required actions’; rupee devalued at Rs 220 against a dollar

After a spate of attacks by terrorist group Tehrik-i-Taliban, Pakistan Army said that it has started an operation in Balochistan against the terrorists in the wake of the renewed threat to the country. Pakistan Army said that a group of terrorists were intercepted on Sunday. One terrorist was killed during heavy exchange of fire.

Pakistan Army Operation against terrorists: One terrorist killed in Balochistan

A suicide blast in Islamabad killed one policeman & injured 6 others. The TTP has claimed responsibility for the attack. Priyanka Sharma asks: Has the pre-eminent guardian of suicide missions now become a suicide state?

Gravitas: Has Pakistan become a 'suicide state'?

Australia's legendary captain Meg Lanning is returning to cricket after five-month hiatus that has refreshed her outlook. Lanning has been named captain of the ODI squad against Pakistan following a five-month break. She is now expected to lead her team at the T20 World Cup in February.

Australian captain Meg Lanning ends sabbatical, returns to play for Australia

A suicide car bombing at a checkpoint in Pakistan's capital of Islamabad killed one police officer and injured four others. According to the reports, the bomber exploded his car at the security checkpoint. The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan has taken responsibility of the attack in which two civilians were also injured.

Pakistan Suicide Blast: 1 policeman dead, 4 injured in attack; TTP claims responsibility

A suicide car bombing at a checkpoint in Pakistan's capital of Islamabad killed one police officer and injured others. The taxi was stopped for the snap check

Breaking news: Suicide car bombing kills one policeman, injures others at Islamabad checkpoint

More audio leaks featuring former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan have been released. Khan's party says that the salacious leaks are 'fake'. This is the third leak to take place this month.

Former Pak PM Imran Khan's sleazy audio latest in series of leaks

Pakistan has expressed disappointment with the ban on university education for women in Afghanistan and has urged the Taliban government to revisit this decision.&nbsp;On Tuesday, Pakistan's foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto said that he was disappointed by the Taliban's decision but said the best approach remained engagement with the ruling government in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

"I'm disappointed by the decision that was taken today. I still think the easiest path to our goal -- despite having a lot of setbacks when it comes to women's education and other things -- is through Kabul and through the interim government," Bhutto told news agency AFP on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The Pakistan foreign minister also pointed out there were no alternatives to the Taliban and warned of further instability in Afghanistan.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-led-ministry-suspends-university-education-for-afghan-girls-and-women-544909">Taliban-led ministry suspends university education for Afghan girls and women&nbsp;</a>

Apart from Bilawal Bhutto, Pakistan foreign ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch also voiced disappointment over the ban and urged the Afghan authorities to revisit this decision, according to a report by the Dawn on Wednesday. Baloch said "We strongly believe that every man and woman has the inherent right to education in accordance with the injunctions of Islam.''

On Tuesday, the Taliban banned university education for women in Afghanistan despite promising a softer approach when they took over the war-torn country last year. The decision has been strongly condemned by the United States and the United Nations.&nbsp;

"You all are informed to immediately implement the mentioned order of suspending education of females until further notice," Afghanistan's higher education minister Neda Mohammad Nadeem said in a letter to all government and private universities on Tuesday.

And on Wednesday, hundreds of Afghan women were stopped by armed guards from entering universities. "We are doomed. We have lost everything," a student told AFP on the condition of anonymity.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pak-clerics-delegation-to-visit-afghanistan-to-talk-on-border-clashes-report-544292">Pak clerics' delegation to visit Afghanistan to talk on border clashes: Report</a>

Tuesday's ban comes less than three months after thousands of girls and women sat for university entrance exams across Afghanistan, with many choosing to be teachers and doctors in future.&nbsp;

Following the Taliban's takeover of the country, universities had been forced to implement new regulations including gender-segregated classrooms and entrances. Women students were only permitted to be taught by women professors or old men.&nbsp;

Not just in education, the Taliban has ratcheted restrictions on all aspects of women's lives.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Pakistan has expressed disappointment with the ban on university education for women in Afghanistan and has urged the Taliban government to revisit this decision.

Pakistan has expressed disappointment with the ban on university education for women in Afghanistan and has urged the Taliban government to revisit this decision. On Tuesday, Pakistan's foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto said that he was disappointed by the Taliban's decision but said the best approach remained engagement with the ruling government in Afghanistan. "I'm disappointed by the decision that was taken today. I still think the easiest path to our goal -- despite having a lot of setbacks when it comes to women's education and other things -- is through Kabul and through the interim government," Bhutto told news agency AFP on Tuesday. The Pakistan foreign minister also pointed out there were no alternatives to the Taliban and warned of further instability in Afghanistan. ALSO READ | Taliban-led ministry suspends university education for Afghan girls and women Apart from Bilawal Bhutto, Pakistan foreign ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch also voiced disappointment over the ban and urged the Afghan authorities to revisit this decision, according to a report by the Dawn on Wednesday. Baloch said "We strongly believe that every man and woman has the inherent right to education in accordance with the injunctions of Islam.'' On Tuesday, the Taliban banned university education for women in Afghanistan despite promising a softer approach when they took over the war-torn country last year. The decision has been strongly condemned by the United States and the United Nations. "You all are informed to immediately implement the mentioned order of suspending education of females until further notice," Afghanistan's higher education minister Neda Mohammad Nadeem said in a letter to all government and private universities on Tuesday. And on Wednesday, hundreds of Afghan women were stopped by armed guards from entering universities. "We are doomed. We have lost everything," a student told AFP on the condition of anonymity. ALSO READ | Pak clerics' delegation to visit Afghanistan to talk on border clashes: Report Tuesday's ban comes less than three months after thousands of girls and women sat for university entrance exams across Afghanistan, with many choosing to be teachers and doctors in future. Following the Taliban's takeover of the country, universities had been forced to implement new regulations including gender-segregated classrooms and entrances. Women students were only permitted to be taught by women professors or old men. Not just in education, the Taliban has ratcheted restrictions on all aspects of women's lives. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan 'disappointed' by ban on university education for Afghan women, urges Kabul to revisit decision

More audio leaks purportedly featuring Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan have been released. Imran Khan has now publicly commented on these leaks yet but his party the PTI, has called these fake.

WION Dispatch: Pakistan politics devolves into dirty leak war? New audio leaks in country

Pakistani army commandos on Tuesday stormed a counter-terrorism centre and killed militant detainees who had seized control of the facility, as well as rescuing their hostages, after talks failed to resolve a two-day standoff.

Gravitas Global Headlines: Pakistan army frees hostages, kills all militants

The hostage-taking situation in Pakistan is now over and the nation's defence minister confirmed that all the suspected terrorists were killed. But before that, the United States announced that it was prepared to launch drone strikes against militants if Islamabad asked Washington to do so.&nbsp;

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the Pakistan Army conducted an operation conducted to free all the hostages who were captured at a Counter-Terrorism Depart­ment (CTD) centre in Bannu last weekend. During the operation, two of the commandos were also killed.&nbsp;

US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price was asked by reporters to comment on terrorism and the hostage situation at a counterterrorism centre in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Bannu city.&nbsp;

"We have partnered with our Pakistani friends to take on – to help them take on this (terrorism) challenge. We stand ready to assist, whether with this unfolding situation (Bannu prison siege by TTP) or more broadly," he said addressing his daily news briefing on Monday in Washington.&nbsp;

Ned Price on Bilawal Bhutto's remarks against Indian PM Modi

On being asked about the controversial remarks made by Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto which was aimed at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Price said that the US has relationships with both India and Pakistan and prefers productive discussion over a "war of words" in order to advance the welfare of the people of both the countries.&nbsp;

Price said, "We have a global strategic partnership with India. I have just spoken to the depth of our partnership with Pakistan. These relationships stand on their own; it is not zero-sum. We see the importance — the indispensability really — of maintaining valuable partnerships with both our Indian and our Pakistani friends. Each of these relationships is — we don't view them in relation to the other. Each of these relationships also happens to be multifaceted."&nbsp;

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The hostage-taking situation in Pakistan is now over and the nation's defence minister confirmed that all the suspected terrorists were killed. But before that, the United States announced that it was prepared to launch drone strikes against militants if Islamabad asked Washington to do so.

The hostage-taking situation in Pakistan is now over and the nation's defence minister confirmed that all the suspected terrorists were killed. But before that, the United States announced that it was prepared to launch drone strikes against militants if Islamabad asked Washington to do so. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the Pakistan Army conducted an operation conducted to free all the hostages who were captured at a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) centre in Bannu last weekend. During the operation, two of the commandos were also killed. US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price was asked by reporters to comment on terrorism and the hostage situation at a counterterrorism centre in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Bannu city. "We have partnered with our Pakistani friends to take on – to help them take on this (terrorism) challenge. We stand ready to assist, whether with this unfolding situation (Bannu prison siege by TTP) or more broadly," he said addressing his daily news briefing on Monday in Washington. Ned Price on Bilawal Bhutto's remarks against Indian PM Modi On being asked about the controversial remarks made by Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto which was aimed at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Price said that the US has relationships with both India and Pakistan and prefers productive discussion over a "war of words" in order to advance the welfare of the people of both the countries. Price said, "We have a global strategic partnership with India. I have just spoken to the depth of our partnership with Pakistan. These relationships stand on their own; it is not zero-sum. We see the importance — the indispensability really — of maintaining valuable partnerships with both our Indian and our Pakistani friends. Each of these relationships is — we don't view them in relation to the other. Each of these relationships also happens to be multifaceted." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US 'ready to assist' Pakistan to tackle terrorism; comments on Bilawal Bhutto's remarks

According to the sources, it is now being said that the hostage crisis in Pakistan's Bannu has now ended. The hostages according to report have all been rescued.

WION Dispatch: Pakistan hostage crisis ends after 3 days

This is said to be an incident where about 50 militants had attacked the police station in the Wana city of South Wazirstan travel district and according to the local officials, militants in fact entered into the police station by firing a rocket-propelled grenade.

Pakistan: Militants attack police station in South Wazirstan, constable injured in firing

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed on Tuesday that all the 33 terrorist suspects, who had captured a Counter-Terrorism Depart­ment (CTD) centre in Bannu last weekend, were killed in an operation conducted by the Pakistan Army, local media outlet Dawn reported. The hostages were freed with some receiving minor injuries.&nbsp;

As per the report, all the 33 members of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were under arrest at the centre. They snatched weapons on Sunday and overpowered the jailors.&nbsp;

As per the defence minister, the Special Service Group (SSG), which is a unit of the army, carried out the operation. He also said that two of the commandos were martyred, and over a dozen were injured.&nbsp;

SSG stormed the centre reportedly when hostage takers had differences over the handling of the captives. Witnesses reported blasts and heavy firing after SSG entered the compound.&nbsp;

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Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told parliament: "All the hostages have been freed. Ten to 15 men from the SSG (special forces) including an officer were wounded while two were martyred."&nbsp;

"This operation was initiated on December 20 at 12:30pm (local time) by the Special Service Group and all terrorists were killed," Asif added. The minister stated that the entire CTD compound was cleared by 2:30pm (local time).&nbsp;

He explained how the siege unfolded, and said, "There were 33 terrorists from different groups who had been arrested and jailed in the counter-terrorism department compound. One of them hit his guard on the head with a brick while going to the toilet and snatched his weapon."&nbsp;

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Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed on Tuesday that all the 33 terrorist suspects, who had captured a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) centre in Bannu last weekend, were killed in an operation conducted by the Pakistan Army, local media outlet Dawn reported.

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed on Tuesday that all the 33 terrorist suspects, who had captured a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) centre in Bannu last weekend, were killed in an operation conducted by the Pakistan Army, local media outlet Dawn reported. The hostages were freed with some receiving minor injuries. As per the report, all the 33 members of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were under arrest at the centre. They snatched weapons on Sunday and overpowered the jailors. As per the defence minister, the Special Service Group (SSG), which is a unit of the army, carried out the operation. He also said that two of the commandos were martyred, and over a dozen were injured. SSG stormed the centre reportedly when hostage takers had differences over the handling of the captives. Witnesses reported blasts and heavy firing after SSG entered the compound. Watch this report: × Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told parliament: "All the hostages have been freed. Ten to 15 men from the SSG (special forces) including an officer were wounded while two were martyred." "This operation was initiated on December 20 at 12:30pm (local time) by the Special Service Group and all terrorists were killed," Asif added. The minister stated that the entire CTD compound was cleared by 2:30pm (local time). He explained how the siege unfolded, and said, "There were 33 terrorists from different groups who had been arrested and jailed in the counter-terrorism department compound. One of them hit his guard on the head with a brick while going to the toilet and snatched his weapon." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan hostage situation ends with all 33 militants dead; two commandos also lose their lives

Pakistan hostage crisis unfolded over the course of 3 days. Some terrorist took control of the counter-terror police station. In the scuffle over 25 members of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan have been killed and 3 others have been arrested.

Hostage crisis unfolded in Pakistan over the course of 3 days

A group of terrorists has seized a counter-terrorism centre in the northwestern Pakistani area of Bannu. According to officials, the terrorists took policemen hostages demanding safe passage to neighboring Afghanistan in exchange for their lives.

Terrorists seize a counter-terrorism centre in Bannu, Pakistan

Terrorists take Pakistani policemen hostage at counter-terrorism center in Bannu

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