Pakistan PM questioned before anti-graft probe

Pakistan hosted a conference of Muslim countries pledging financial assistance to stave off "chaos" in Afghanistan. They vowed to unlock frozen aid funds and set up a humanitarian trust.

Pakistan is the world's fourth largest producer of milk. Domestic demand is strong and some 90 percent of the population consumes untreated raw milk. This provides an opportunity for corrupt retailers but also for farmers who are trying to survive inflation and falling profits. Some use illegal methods to increase the volume of the precious liquid – diluting milk with tap water is one of the most widespread techniques. Others even create fake milk from chemicals. Faced with this serious threat to public health, the authorities in Punjab province have stepped into action, as our correspondents report.

At least 1,472 people — both non-Muslims and secular Muslims — have been charged under Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws since 1987. Despite international pressure, Pakistani authorities are unwilling to amend or repeal the laws.

Speaking to DW, former Afghan MP Mariam Solaimankhil blamed Pakistan, particularly its spy agencies, for the Taliban's seizure of power in Afghanistan. She also stressed that "people around the former president Ghani" brought the country down.

Pakistani authorities imposed new restrictions on online content. Critics and content producers are worried about their negative impacts on the digital economy.

The Pakistani government's media watchdog has imposed a ban on "intimate" scenes on television amid growing religious conservativism in the country. Activists have decried the move.

In Pakistan, where 70 percent of the population lives in rural areas, access to education remains a major issue. According to a recent study, 22 million Pakistani children never complete their 10 years of compulsory schooling. They either drop out or never begin school. The telling of tales and legends from older to younger generations has long served as an educational vehicle in rural areas. But storytellers are gradually disappearing in Pakistan, ousted by competition from televisions and smartphones. Our correspondents report.

Lawmakers will vote on a motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Imran Khan. Opposition legislators say they have enough votes to push it through.

Pakistan's lower legislative chamber has been dissolved after a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Imran Khan was blocked. The country will hold fresh elections in 90 days unless the Supreme Court rules otherwise.

The Pakistani leader continues to assert that the US is behind an attempt to remove him. Meanwhile, a Pakistani general said his country should expand ties with Washington.

The rejection of the opposition's no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan could have serious repercussions for Pakistan's democratic set-up, say experts.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had attempted to sidestep a no-confidence vote by dissolving Parliament. Pakistan's top court has ordered the legislative body reconvene, putting Khan's position into serious doubt.