Police in southern Pakistan shot dead a blasphemy suspect during an alleged shootout with armed men, officials said Thursday, the second such apparent extra-judicial killing in a week, drawing condemnation from human rights groups.

The family of a blasphemy suspect killed in custody in southwestern Pakistan has forgiven the police officer accused of killing him, saying they would not press charges "in the name of God". Abdul Ali,

A Pakistani Christian woman, mother of four children, was sentenced to death for blasphemy in Islamabad on Thursday. She was convicted of posting offensive content on the WhatsApp communication channel.

Pakistan has reaffirmed the importance of the Indus Water Treaty, responding to India's notice seeking a review of the 64-year-old agreement. India cited changes in circumstances and cross-border terrorism as reasons for the review.

Under the Indus Water Treaty, India was granted unrestricted access to the water from the ‘Eastern Rivers’, and Pakistan retained rights to that from the ‘Western Rivers'.

India has formally requested a review of the Indus Water Treaty due to unforeseen changes and security concerns. Pakistan emphasized the treaty's significance and expressed hope for India's compliance.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said on Thursday that Moscow would support Pakistan's inclusion in BRICS. "We would be supportive of it," Overchuk, who is on a two-day visit to Islamabad told a joint press conference with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad,

Russia expressed support Wednesday for Pakistan's entry into the BRICS intergovernmental group of major emerging economies from the Global South. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk made the pledge after holding delegation-level talks in Islamabad with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar,