Bishops in Pakistan dimayed after court validates marriage of Christian minor

IANS | April 9, 2026 8:38 PM

Islamabad, April 9 (IANS) Bishops in Pakistan have expressed concern after the Federal Constitutional Court upheld the marriage of a Christian minor. The Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (PCBC) stated that the courts are not consistently applying laws that ban marriage under the age of 18 years, terming this selective implementation of legislation deeply troubling, a report has stated.

Pakistan: Alarming rise in mine fatalities demonstrates systemic neglect

IANS | April 9, 2026 8:04 PM

Islamabad, April 9 (IANS) The death of nine workers in a recent marble mine collapse incident in Mardan area of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province demonstrates systemic neglect. Mining is one of the most unprotected, hazardous and neglected sectors in Pakistan due to lack of safety regulations and insufficient protocols, resulting in miners getting trapped underground or getting killed in mine collapse incidents and explosions, a report has stated.

Pakistan's current response to TB insufficient as cases continue to rise: Report

IANS | April 9, 2026 7:54 PM

Islamabad, April 9 (IANS) Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the deadliest diseases in Pakistan as it claims tens of thousands of lives each year. More than 1,800 new cases of TB being reported daily and approximately 140 casualties each day demonstrate that Pakistan's current response to the disease is inadequate, a report has stated.

Pakistan: Locals in Karachi living in fear amid increasing gun violence incidents

IANS | April 9, 2026 7:39 PM

Islamabad, April 9 (IANS) Pakistan's Karachi continues to grapple with gun violence incidents, with nine people, including three women and teenage boys, injured in stray bullet incidents over a span of three days, local media reported citing officials and residents. People of Karachi have expressed fear and frustration, stressing that they feel vulnerable to street criminals and gun firing.

Lebanon not part of US-Iran truce deal: Israeli envoy (IANS interview)

IANS | April 9, 2026 6:45 PM

New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) Asserting that Tehran is beaten and weaker than ever with its missile production machinery destroyed completely, Reuven Azar, the Ambassador of Israel to India, on Thursday reiterated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that Lebanon is not part of the ongoing two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

Israel encouraged by India's support for free maritime navigation: Envoy Azar

IANS | April 9, 2026 6:18 PM

New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) Spotlighting that India continues to pursue its national interests strongly amid the ongoing geopolitical conflicts, Reuven Azar, the Ambassador of Israel to India, on Thursday lauded New Delhi's stance on unimpeded freedom of navigation as efforts continue to resume the use of commercial maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz.