Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the distribution of 100,000 free laptops among talented students across the country on merit, during an International Youth Day event in Islamabad on Tuesday. Premier stated that the distribution of these laptops will cover all four provinces, the federal capital Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir, and will be based purely on merit, without any nepotism. He added that these laptops would be separate from the scheme for laptops through interest-based loans. Referring to Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, the prime minister mentioned that Pakistan’s victory on May 10 against a numerically larger and more boastful enemy had instilled a new vigour in the entire nation. He urged the youth to build on the spirit of this achievement and work hard to bring honour to the country. Earlier, during the ceremony, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, Rana Mashhood, said the government’s merit-based programs for youth had enabled talented and des...
In a landmark decision, Pakistan’s military courts sentenced 25 civilians to rigorous imprisonment ranging from two to ten years on Saturday. These individuals were found guilty of participating in the violent attacks on military installations during the May 9, 2023, protests following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The violence on May 9 was unprecedented, with protesters targeting sensitive military sites, including the Corps Commander’s House in Lahore and other key installations. The events drew widespread condemnation from political and social circles, prompting the government to launch an extensive crackdown on those involved. The military, in its statement, emphasized that all defendants were afforded due legal rights, including access to defense counsel and fair trials. These convictions are part of broader efforts to bring perpetrators of the May 9 unrest to justice, a move that has sparked debate about the use of military courts for civilian trials. Th...