Consumers in Pakistan may get some relief at the fuel pumps as prices of petroleum products are expected to drop from August 1, according to sources familiar with the matter. The ex-refinery price of petrol is projected to decrease by Rs9.7 per litre, while the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) is likely to fall by Rs3.73 per litre, sources said. …

The Auditor General of Pakistan has revealed a staggering Rs300 billion profit made from recent sugar price hikes, triggering a political firestorm during a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) held under the chairmanship of MNA Junaid Akbar. The revelation has exposed deep-rooted corruption in the country’s sugar industry, with top political families and elite businessmen being accused of …

Five of the six independent senators elected with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) backing from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa  have officially joined the party raising PTI’s strength in the Senate to 21 members. According to party officials, the senators — Mirza Afridi, Azam Swati, Faisal Javed, Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, and Rubina Naz — have submitted their formal declarations of affiliation to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar …

More than half of the medicines available in Pakistan, including life-saving drugs, are expected to become more expensive in the coming weeks, as the government prepares for an annual price adjustment under the Drug Pricing Policy. According to official sources, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has started receiving price hike applications from several pharmaceutical companies. Under the current …

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has officially extended the deadline for filing sales tax and federal excise duty returns for the tax period of June 2025, granting taxpayers additional time until August 4 to submit their returns. Previously, the deadline was set for July 18, but the extension was announced to facilitate businesses and individuals who were unable to …

Pakistan’s food import bill witnessed a significant rise in the fiscal year 2024–25, with the country spending a record $8.14 billion on food imports — marking an increase of $245 million compared to the previous year. In terms of local currency, the value of food imports stood at Rs2,276 billion, up from $7.90 billion (Rs2,031 billion) in the fiscal year …

Torrential monsoon rains in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district have triggered deadly landslides and flash floods, leaving a trail of destruction across the region. Several lives have been lost, while the search continues for at least 25 missing tourists caught in the natural disaster. So far, more than 300 tourists have been rescued by emergency teams, despite harsh terrain, debris, and continuous …

ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said that the Baloch people are bound to Pakistan through strong ties of religion, culture, history, and tradition. A handful of terrorists cannot stop the development of Pakistan and Balochistan. Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif visited King Edward Medical University in Lahore, where he was warmly welcomed by the administration, students, and …

The contempt of court notice issued to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and federal cabinet members in the Dr Aafia Siddiqui case has been temporarily halted due to internal procedural issues within the Islamabad High Court. The court had earlier sought a response within two weeks from the Prime Minister and cabinet members for failing to submit a report in the …

Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Bangladesh on Wednesday to chair the council’s Annual General Meeting scheduled for July 24 in Dhaka. Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s caretaker Interior Minister, was received at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam. His arrival marks the commencement of a crucial round of discussions …

Power Division has issued a clarification regarding recent media reports on the audit report, stating that the document being referenced pertains to the fiscal year 2023-24 and is not linked to the current government’s tenure. According to a spokesperson for the Power Division, the audit report is over a year old and should not be viewed in the context of …

The Supreme Court on Wednesday made it unequivocally clear that the mere filing of an appeal or review petition does not suspend the enforcement of a judicial decision. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi issued a judgment in a case involving the Chief Land Commissioner Punjab and the Auqaf Department Bahawalpur. The case pertained to a long-pending …

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on July 25 in Washington in what will be the first high-level engagement between the two since Rubio assumed office. The meeting, confirmed by US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, will see senior officials from both sides in attendance. “Preparations for the …

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Tuesday delivered its verdict in the high-profile Sherpao Bridge arson and siege case linked to the May 9 violence, acquitting senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi and several others. The verdict was announced by the ATC judge at Kot Lakhpat Jail amid tight security arrangements. , Other key party figures have been sentenced …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said on Tuesday that party founder Imran Khan has finalised all the Senate nominees including Mirza Afridi. Speaking to media at the Judicial Complex, Barrister Gohar said: “The Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were conducted smoothly, according to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar.  The party had already decided on the candidates, …

A cloudburst in Gilgit-Baltistan has caused extensive damage in the Diamer district, with dozens of houses destroyed, key infrastructure washed away, and several tourists reported missing. Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq said that dozens of tourists have been rescued along the Babusar Highway through joint efforts by rescue personnel and local residents. However, the search for others who remain missing …

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has issued a flood alert for several rivers across the province as the fourth spell of monsoon rains continues to lash various regions. According to the PDMA, a high-level flood is expected in the Jhelum, Chenab, and Ravi rivers between July 21 and 23, while increased water flow is feared in the Sutlej …

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar resolved on Tuesday the Pakistan’s commitment to tackle the global issues. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) spokesperson, Dar called on United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of his visit to the United States. Dar stressed the need for strengthening the UN’s role in addressing the disputes and promotion the …

The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) was officially cancelled on Sunday with the tournament organisers issuing a public apology for “hurting the sentiments” of cricket fans around the world. The match, scheduled to be held at Edgbaston on July 20, was called off after a number of Indian players, including former captains …

The Balochistan High Court has taken suo motu notice of the alleged honour killing of a couple in Degari, a suburban area of Quetta, where a young man and woman were murdered reportedly for marrying of their own will. The case has sparked outrage following the emergence of a disturbing video on social media. Chief Justice Hashim Kakar of the …

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti on Monday clarified that there was no marital relationship between the man and woman who were brutally killed in an alleged honour killing in Sanjeedi Degari, a suburb of Quetta. Terming it a “test case” for his administration, he vowed that all those responsible for the crime would be brought to justice. Speaking at an …

The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has forecast monsoon rains across most districts of Punjab on Monday as the fourth spell of the season continues. According to PDMA spokesperson, this phase of rainfall is expected to last until July 25 and is comparatively stronger than previous spells. There is a risk of significant increases in water flow in the …

US President Donald Trump is expected to visit Pakistan on September 18 during his upcoming tour of South Asia, sources said. According to diplomatic sources, Trump is planning visits to both Pakistan and India as part of his regional engagements. India is scheduled to host the Quad leaders’ summit in September, during which Trump is likely to visit New Delhi. …

Several districts of Punjab are facing flood emergencies due to continuous heavy rains. A cloudburst was reported in Chakwal, flash flooding hit Jhelum, and urban flooding disrupted life in Rawalpindi. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), a rain emergency has been declared in Rawalpindi, with a local holiday announced. Evacuation efforts are underway in low-lying areas around Nullah …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has released the updated list of reserved seats, with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) each securing nine seats for women. According to details surfaced on Wednesday, the list was issued following a decision taken by the electoral watchdog a day earlier. As part of the update, the notification confirming the …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, chairing the federal cabinet on Wednesday, approved several major decisions, including a 15% increase in the Employees Old Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) pension and the extension of the import of unregistered life-saving drugs for five more years. According to the official announcement, the EOBI pension will be raised from January 1, 2025, with the increase being …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised serious reservations over the government’s decision to grant tax exemptions on the import of sugar, warning that such policy deviations could undermine the ongoing $7 billion loan programme. According to sources familiar with the matter, IMF officials conveyed that exempting duties and taxes on sugar imports is inconsistent with the commitments made under …

Seven frontline wildlife protectors have been honoured with the Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards 2025 for their outstanding work conserving endangered species in Pakistan’s snow leopard range. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC), in partnership with the Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF), announced the winners after reviewing 21 nominations from across Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber …

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain across several parts of the country, including the federal capital, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir over the next 24 to 48 hours. The Met Office said that rain, accompanied by wind and thunderstorms, is likely in various parts of Islamabad, with some areas expected …

Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Corruption Wing carried out a major operation in Islamabad, arresting the chairman and establishment director of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) over illegal recruitment charges. FIA officials confirmed the arrest of PARC Chairman Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali and Director Establishment Ikhlaq Malik. The two are accused of illegal hiring and abuse of authority in recruitment …

International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has written a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, expressing concern over the challenges faced by journalists in the country, particularly under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The letter, also sent to the prime minister and the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), highlights the increasing risks journalists face while …

The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led federal government is likely to hike petroleum product prices from July 16. Industry insiders indicate that petrol may become costlier by approximately Rs6.60 per litre, while the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) is expected to go up by around Rs5.27 per litre. The price revisions, if implemented, will take effect from July 16 and remain …

A powerful sugar cartel is driving the surge in sugar prices across Pakistan, exploiting export permissions, manipulating production costs, and pocketing billions, according to official documents. Sugar mill owners have historically secured government subsidies under the pretext of sugar exports, yet domestic prices remained uncontrolled. From 2015 to 2020, 26 sugar mills received Rs4.12 billion in subsidies to export 400,000 …

At least 104 people have lost their lives and 200 others have been injured in rain-related incidents across Pakistan since June 26, as the country grapples with the ongoing monsoon spell. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) released updated figures on Friday, detailing the human and infrastructural toll of the extreme weather. According to a spokesperson for the NDMA, the …

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh has said that there is no pressure from Washington on Islamabad to recognise Israel. Speaking at a community event held in Dallas, Texas, Ambassador Sheikh clarified that Pakistan’s stance on Israel remains unchanged, and any decision on the matter will be taken in accordance with the nation’s interests and principles. “There …

Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur has extended an offer of cooperation for the establishment of a cancer hospital in Afghanistan, the Afghan embassy said on Saturday. Pakistan has built several medical facilities in Afghanistan, including a big Jinnah Hospital in the capital, Kabul. Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan, Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb, met with the Chief Minister of Khyber …

The Punjab government on Saturday decided to restore board examinations for eighth grade students across the province. The decision was announced following a meeting of the Board of Governors of the Punjab Assessment and Examination Commission (PACTA), chaired by Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat. The meeting deliberated on the structure of assessment and examination from classes five to eight …

Under conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Ministry of Finance has released a comprehensive performance report of Pakistan’s government-owned enterprises (SOEs), revealing alarming levels of financial mismanagement and mounting liabilities. According to the report, the total losses of more than 15 major government institutions have now surpassed a staggering Rs5,893 billion. In just the first six months …

Nine passengers, all belonging to Punjab, were brutally shot dead after being abducted by terrorists affiliated with Fitna-ul-Hindustan in the Loralai district, officials confirmed on Thursday. All nine were shot dead in cold blood. The victims’ bodies were shifted to Rakhni Basic Health Unit (BHU) for identification and have since been sent to their native towns in Punjab. The bodies …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s former wife Jemima Goldsmith said on Thursday that the latter’s sons will be arrested if visit Pakistan. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Goldsmith said: “My children are not allowed to speak on the phone of their father. He has been in solitary confinement in prison for nearly 2 years.” “Pakistan’s government has now said …