ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (APP): The Election Commission of Pakistan has decided to hold Local Government by-elections on Feb 21 in 23 districts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK).

ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (APP): The Higher Education Commission (HEC) governing body has taken some necessary initiatives to strengthen commissions role and for the promotion of higher education in  the country.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday reiterated his government’s resolve to ensure a merit-based business friendly environment in the country.

RAWALPINDI, Feb 16  (APP):  Federal Minister for Finance Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Tuesday said the present government is fully committed to do away with major challenges including economic revival.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (APP): Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Chaudhry Barjees Tahir has said  that  Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed was creating hurdles in the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) for holding transparent elections.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (APP): Pakistan will be hosting the meeting of the Trade Ministers’ Council of the D 8 Group here on February 17 (Wednesday).

HANGU, Feb 16 (APP): The security forces on Tuesday seized huge quantity of explosive material, arms and ammunitions during a raid on hideout of a Commander of banned outfit in Tor Samat area of Shaikhan.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs (SAPM), Syed Tariq Fatemi Tuesday tressed upon enhanced and regular exchanges between Pakistan and Sweden in all areas of mutual interest, especially in trade. He was talking to Ambassador designate of Sweden, Ms. Ingrid Johansson, accompanied by the outgoing Ambassador Tomas Rosander, who paid a courtesy call on him at the Foreign Office.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain Tuesday approved the Prime Minister’s advice for nomination of two judge each Appellate Tribunals for disposal of appeals against decisions of the Returning Officer rejecting/accepting nomination papers for Bye Elections in the National Assembly Constituencies NA 153 Multan VI and NA 101 Gujranwala VII.

TAXILA, Feb 16 (APP): Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Tuesday said that Foreign Office would formally approach India to seek permission for Pakistan’s special investigation team to visit Pathankot.