ECP sets Jan 10 deadline for postal ballot applications in PP-289 by-elections

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Thu, 25 Dec 2025, 6:17 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 25 (APP): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has fixed January 10, 2026 as the final date for receiving applications for postal ballot papers in the upcoming by-elections for PP-289, Dera Ghazi Khan-IV.

The commission stated that the facility is designed to assist voters unable to appear at polling stations.

Under election law, postal ballots are available to government employees, military officers and soldiers, as well as their registered-voter spouses and children residing with them, provided they live outside their constituencies.

Persons with disabilities who cannot travel may also apply, if they hold a national identity card bearing the disability logo issued by NADRA. Prisoners in custody are likewise entitled to vote through postal ballots.

Officials assigned election duties by the Returning Officer including police personnel who are registered voters have been directed to submit their applications within three days of their appointment.

Applications must be submitted on the prescribed form to the Returning Officer of the constituency. Forms can be obtained from the concerned Returning Officer or downloaded from the ECP’s official website, www.ecp.gov.pk.

The commission stressed that voters issued postal ballots will not be permitted to cast their votes in person at polling stations. Each application must also be verified by the applicant’s office or department to prevent unauthorized use of the facility.

For PP-289 (Dera Ghazi Khan-IV), the Returning Officer is Nasir Maqsood, District Election Commissioner. Applications should be sent to the Camp Office, Office of the Regional Election Commissioner, Dera Ghazi Khan, Divisional Offices Complex, Railway Road, Dera Ghazi Khan. The office can be reached at 064-9260486.

9th China-Pakistan economic corridor media forum convenes

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Asif Jalal

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Thu, 25 Dec 2025, 6:15 PM

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BEIJING, Dec 25 (APP): The 9th China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Media Forum was held in a hybrid format (online + offline) in Islamabad and Beijing on December 24. With the theme “Strengthen Media Cooperation, Advance the Construction of the Upgraded Version 2.0 of CPEC”, the forum was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan and co-organized by China Economic Net and Pakistan-China Institute.

Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, reviewed his involvement in China-Pakistan exchanges in three capacities as a student, a government official and a minister, emphasizing that China-Pakistan friendship is time-tested and ever-strengthening.

He pointed out that the advent of the digital age has transformed the way information is disseminated, and disinformation and information warfare have become global challenges. He proposed establishing a China-Pakistan joint fact-checking forum to promptly counter false reports and enhance media cooperation between the two countries. The minister reaffirmed that the Pakistani government and media will remain committed to strengthening China-Pakistan media cooperation, and invited the private sector to tell the story of China-Pakistan cooperation together.

Zheng Qingdong, President and Editor-in-Chief of Economic Daily, noted that over the past decade, CPEC has evolved from a blueprint into a tangible reality, embarked on a new journey of its upgraded Version 2.0, and established itself as a model of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Pakistan.

He stated that it is the mission entrusted by the times and an unshirkable responsibility of the media to tell the story of CPEC with depth, vividness and resonance and create a sound public opinion environment for the common cause. He emphasized that the media of the two countries should forge ahead hand in hand as promoters of development, pass on the torch of bilateral ties as guardians of friendship, and work together in solidarity as partners in global good governance.

Shezra Mansab Ali Kharal, Minister of State for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, said that since her first visit to China in 2016, she has participated in inter-party exchanges, youth delegation visits and media forums, giving her a firsthand understanding of the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.

She pointed out that China’s concept of win-win cooperation, especially its pragmatic cooperation with the Global South, stands in sharp contrast to certain confrontational thinking in the international community. In terms of media cooperation, she appealed to both sides to further strengthen collaboration and jointly establish a rapid information response mechanism to effectively address the challenge of disinformation.

Jiang Zaidong, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, stated that over the past decade, the CPEC Media Forum has grown from an information exchange platform into a high-end dialogue brand, always resonating with the corridor and playing a unique and positive role.

The advancement of CPEC’s upgraded Version 2.0 will inject a steady stream of vitality into China-Pakistan media cooperation. He called upon Chinese and Pakistani media and think tanks to strengthen daily cooperation, act as interpreters of the two nations’ development achievements, disseminators of CPEC’s construction outcomes, and promoters of the profound China-Pakistan friendship.

He urged them to actively disseminate the development achievements of CPEC, thereby consolidating the public opinion foundation and forging social consensus for the upgraded Version 2.0 of the corridor and the building of the China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future.

Mushahid Hussain Sayed, President of the Pakistan-China Institute, pointed out that disinformation and fake news have become important factors affecting national security and international public opinion. China and Pakistan face similar challenges in this field, making it necessary to strengthen media collaboration and establish a rapid information response mechanism.

He expressed his expectation that through media forums, youth exchanges and think tank cooperation, the public opinion foundation between the two countries will be continuously consolidated, and China-Pakistan friendship will progress steadily and endure.

At the forum, representatives from media, think tanks and business circles of the two countries, including Yang Chunyan, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Foreign Languages Press under China International Communications Group, Hamid Mir, Senior Journalist of Pakistan’s Geo News, Liu Zongyi, Director of the Center for South Asia Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, Mohammad Malick, Senior Journalist of Pakistan’s ARY News, Hu Pingping, Journalist and Associate Senior Translator at the Asia-Africa Language Programs Center of China Media Group, and Liu Yonggang, Senior Executive of China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Limited, conducted extensive and in-depth discussions on ways to deepen China-Pakistan media cooperation under the current international situation.

About 200 high-level officials, media and think tank representatives, and other professionals from China and Pakistan attended the event. Established in 2015, the CPEC Media Forum is committed to deepening media cooperation between China and Pakistan and jointly telling the story of CPEC and China-Pakistan cooperation. Having successfully completed nine editions to date, it has become an influential platform for exchange between the media of the two countries.

Representatives of the three arms forces after laying a floral wreath at mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to pay homage to the father of the nation on the occasion of his 149th birth anniversary.

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Wajid

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Thu, 25 Dec 2025, 6:10 PM

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Representatives of the three arms forces after laying a floral wreath at mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to pay homage to the father of the nation on the occasion of his 149th birth anniversary. — APP30-251225
KARACHI: December 25 –

CM congratulates security forces on successful operation in Kalat

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Asif Jalal

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Thu, 25 Dec 2025, 6:10 PM

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LAHORE, Dec 25 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has congratulated the security forces on a successful operation against terrorists in Kalat.

In a statement issued here on Thursday, the chief minister paid rich tribute to the professionalism of the security forces for killing eight Khawarij during the operation. She lauded their courage, vigilance, and commitment to safeguarding the country from the menace of terrorism.

Alhamra celebrates Quaid-e-Azam’s 149th birth anniversary

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Asif Jalal

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Thu, 25 Dec 2025, 6:10 PM

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LAHORE, Dec 25 (APP): The Lahore Arts Council (Alhamra) has organized a dignified and inspiring ceremony to commemorate the 149th birth anniversary of the Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, here on Thursday.

The event paid rich tribute to the visionary leader whose principles laid the foundation of an independent nation.

On the occasion, Chairman Alhamra Razi Ahmad said that the thoughts and teachings of Quaid-e-Azam continue to serve as a guiding light for the youth of Pakistan. He said that the Founder of the Nation’s principles of faith, unity, and discipline remain as relevant today as ever, and it was the collective responsibility of national institutions to instil these ideals in the younger generation through character-building, awareness, and a sense of national pride.

Alhamra Executive Director Muhammad Nawaz Gondal paid a heartfelt tribute to Quaid-e-Azam, saying that his vision remains the ideological backbone of Pakistan. He said that Alhamra was committed to promoting Quaid-e-Azam’s philosophy by conveying his message to the youth and reminding them of the historic struggle that led to the creation of an independent homeland. He added that cultural institutions like Alhamra play a vital role in fostering patriotic consciousness by linking history with creative expression.

As part of the ceremony, a cake was cut to mark Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s birth anniversary, symbolizing national unity and remembrance. Young artists presented patriotic songs, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm, pride, and devotion. Through their performances, the youth expressed love, respect, and reverence for the Father of the Nation, reflecting the enduring inspiration of his legacy.

The ceremony was attended by Alhamra Board Members Shahid Nadeem, Dr Neelum Naz, Dr Tariq Sharifzada and others.

Christian community members performing religious rituals on Christmas Day at St. John Cathedral Church.

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Wajid

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Thu, 25 Dec 2025, 6:09 PM

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Christian community members performing religious rituals on Christmas Day at St. John Cathedral Church. — APP31-251225
PESHAWAR: December 25 –

Pakistani Rice and Food Products Gain Ground in Chinese Market

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Asif Jalal

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Thu, 25 Dec 2025, 6:07 PM

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BEIJING, Dec 25 (APP): Pakistan’s rice and an expanding range of food products strengthened their presence in China during January–November 2025, reflecting rising demand for diverse food imports and improved trade facilitation between the two countries.

According to trade data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), Pakistan’s rice exports to China reached $49.37 million in January–November 2025, up from $43.49 million during the same period in 2024. This marks an increase of $5.88 million (+14%). The steady growth suggests continued market interest in Pakistan’s rice, driven by improvements in processing, packaging, and compliance with import regulations.

Further data revealed strong gains across several other food categories. Exports of flour, meals, and pellets of meat/fish and related products rose to $35.57 million, up from $22.76 million (+56%). Exports of food preparation products climbed to $2.97 million from $0.84 million (+254%). Additionally, trade in fruits and vegetables expanded to $0.75 million from $0.05 million, showing rapid growth from a small base, CEN reported.

Food industry experts note that these trends align with China’s shifting consumer preferences and the increasing importance of cross-border e-commerce and modern retail channels. Looking ahead, stakeholders stress that further progress will depend on strengthening cold-chain logistics, standardization, and product traceability. These improvements would enable Pakistani exporters to scale up value-added food shipments and deepen partnerships with Chinese importers.