The fate of over 1.4 million Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (POR) cards hangs in the balance as the official deadline for their repatriation expires today (Monday), with the federal cabinet yet to receive a summary for extending their stay. According to official sources, a proposal is under consideration to extend the stay of Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan …

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday said India should reconsider its approach towards Pakistan and the region, adding that New Delhi cannot impose its will on Islamabad through unilateral decisions or aggressive posturing. Speaking at a ceremony marking the Foundation Day of the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad, Mr Dar said India’s repeated attempts to create tensions in …

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan on Saturday announced that a formal reference is being sent to the ECP against 26 suspended opposition members of the Assembly for disrupting proceedings and violating House rules. The suspended lawmakers, all affiliated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), were barred from attending 15 sittings after engaging in loud sloganeering, tearing official documents, and what the …

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet approved a new framework for natural gas pricing, leaving domestic consumer rates unchanged. The decision came during a meeting chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and forms part of the broader economic reforms under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. According to an official handout, the federal government will now announce revised …

Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attended the commissioning parade of the Pakistan Navy’s 123rd Midshipmen and 31st Short Service Commission (SSC) Course at the Pakistan Naval Academy PNS Rahbar on Saturday. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Syed Asim Munir graced the ceremony as the chief guest. Upon arrival, he was presented with a ceremonial salute by …

ISLAMABAD (Internews): The OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), in collaboration with the Hunan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM) has officially launched the Second Edition of the Joint Technicians Training Program, reaffirming a strong commitment to empowering scientific and technical talent across the Islamic world and beyond. This initiative brings together 15 selected participants from diverse …

Pakistan on Friday reported its 13th polio case of the year after health authorities confirmed the virus in an 18-month-old girl from Union Council Amakhel in Tank district, South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The latest case was confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Islamabad, which has also verified a previous case of …

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has officially commenced the mandatory registration process for Hajj 2026 pilgrims. According to the ministry, the registration will continue until July 9, and no registration fee is required at this stage. The ministry emphasized that early registration is compulsory for all intending pilgrims for Hajj 2026. Only those who complete this mandatory registration process will …

In Swat, 15 tourists from Daska swept away in the Swat River near the Mingora Bypass, according to rescue officials. According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rescue 1122, four tourists are confirmed dead, and five have been rescued, while seven tourists are reportedly missing. Swat Assistant Commissioner Dr Nida Iqbal said the Swat administration had already imposed Section 144 a week …

For the first time since last month’s brief but intense military standoff, the defence ministers of Pakistan and India are attending a high-level summit under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Qingdao, China — raising the possibility of a bilateral meeting between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are …

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has instructed its Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) to vote in favor of the federal budget during today’s crucial budget session. The directive was issued during the PPP’s parliamentary party meeting in the National Assembly, chaired by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. All PPP lawmakers, including Asifa Bhutto Zardari attended the meeting. During the session, …

ISLAMABAD (Internews) Ambassador of China to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong lauded the proactive and positive role being played by Pakistan at every diplomatic forum, including at the United Nations Security Council for a peaceful settlement of the regional security situation through dialogue and diplomacy. The Chinese ambassador on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and discussed regional security situation, particularly …

The Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has arrested six Pakistani nationals allegedly working as facilitators for India’s intelligence agency, RAW, in a meticulously planned operation named ‘Operation Yalghar’, officials said on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Punjab Additional IG Shahzada Sultan revealed that the CTD successfully thwarted a terror plot aimed at destabilizing key areas of southern Punjab, particularly …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday chaired a high-level meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) to review the regional security situation following the Iran-Israel conflict and subsequent US strikes on Iranian territory, according to informed sources. The meeting, held at the Prime Minister House, was attended by the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the chiefs of the Pakistan …

Pakistan has decided to extend the closure of its airspace for Indian aircraft for another month. The decision will be formally announced through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to be issued later today. Pakistan had initially closed its airspace to Indian aircraft on April 24, and the restriction was first extended for a month on May 23. The current NOTAM …

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast the onset of monsoon rains across the country starting from June 25. According to the PMD, monsoon winds are expected to intensify over the coming days, bringing significant rainfall to various regions. The department has predicted that monsoon rains will continue in different parts of the country from June 25 to July 1. Authorities …

It has been officially revealed that Pakistanis are spending over $1 billion annually on online shopping, with major payments going to international platforms such as Facebook, Google, Alibaba, Netflix, and others. According to a newly released government document, Pakistani citizens have made over 42.6 million online transactions, amounting to more than Rs317 billion over the past year. In response, the …

The federal government has signed a landmark Rs1,275 billion loan agreement with a consortium of 18 banks in a major breakthrough to resolve Pakistan’s long-standing circular debt crisis in the energy sector. The agreement aims to eliminate circular debt without imposing any additional burden on electricity consumers. According to the Ministry of Energy, this financing arrangement comes with consumer-friendly terms, …

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance, chaired by MNA Naveed Qamar, has approved several significant tax-related proposals under the Finance Bill 2025, targeting non-filers, online businesses, mutual funds, and digital advertising platforms. The reforms aim to expand the tax base, curb evasion, and ensure compliance amid mounting pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Non-filers, e-commerce, and cash transactions …

ISLAMABAD, June 21 (Internews): The Government of Pakistan has formally recommended former U.S. President Donald J. Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his pivotal diplomatic role in defusing the recent crisis between Pakistan and India. In an official statement released Saturday, Pakistani authorities praised President Trump’s “decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership” during a period of heightened tensions …

At least 27 passengers were injured in an unusual accident at Khanewal Railway Station when a signal pole ladder struck multiple passing trains, railway officials confirmed. According to railway authorities, the injured were traveling aboard Awam Express (up and down) and Musa Pak Express. Officials stated that many of the passengers had their hands extended out of the train windows …

Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an alert regarding the weather situation in Punjab, warning of the start of pre-monsoon rains from this evening. According to a PDMA spokesperson, several districts across Punjab are expected to experience rain, dust storms, and strong winds. The forecast indicates that the spell of inclement weather will continue until June 23. Rain is …

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance, chaired by MNA Naveed Qamar, on Thursday endorsed the government’s proposal to impose a 10% sales tax on imported solar panels, replacing the earlier suggested 18% rate. Naveed Qamar clarified that the recommendation to impose a reduced sales tax originated from the committee itself, not the Senate. “We had earlier discussed and proposed …

During his official visit to the United States, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Asim Munir, held a series of key engagements in Washington where he addressed critical regional and global issues, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. Field Marshal Munir identified regional actors using terrorism as a tool of hybrid warfare and reaffirmed that …

U.S. President Donald Trump will host a luncheon today in honour of Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. According to the White House spokesperson, the luncheon will be held in the Cabinet Room, where Field Marshal Munir is also scheduled to have a significant meeting with President Trump. Earlier, a grand reception was held in Washington …

A blast occurred near the railway track close to the cattle market in Jacobabad, causing six bogies of the Jaffar Express to derail. Following the explosion, a heavy contingent of police cordoned off the area. Authorities are currently investigating the nature of the blast. According to railway officials, the train, which was en route from Quetta to Peshawar, suffered no …

In the newly proposed Finance Bill 2025, federal government has introduced a clause to levy income tax on online academies and freelance teachers, marking its first foray into taxing digital‑education providers. Under the same measure, e‑commerce businesses that operate via online marketplaces will also face new tax obligations, as authorities seek to broaden the tax base in the rapidly growing …

Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab Director General Irfan Kathia visited the head office of the Meteorological Department in Lahore on Tuesday as part of efforts to enhance preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season. He was accompanied by PDMA Director Zaheer Baig and other senior officers. During the visit, Chief Meteorologist Zaheer Babar gave a detailed briefing on the working …

Careem, Uber’s ride-hailing arm in the Middle East, will suspend its Pakistan service on July 18, citing economic challenges, rising competition, and capital constraints, ending its core business in a country where it helped pioneer app-based transport nearly a decade ago. The move underscores strain on Pakistan’s digital economy, as tech firms scale back amid high inflation, weak consumer demand, …

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced a reduction in the sales tax on solar panels from 18 percent to 10 percent following mutual consultation during the federal budget discussions. The move aims to promote renewable energy adoption and provide relief to consumers amid rising energy costs. Speaking during a session of the National Assembly, Dar also revealed …

Powerloom workers in Faisalabad have strongly rejected the Punjab government’s proposed minimum wage of Rs 40,000, calling it inadequate and anti-worker. The announcement, part of the provincial budget for the upcoming fiscal year, sparked widespread anger among laborers in the city’s textile hub. A large number of workers walked off their jobs and took to the streets, chanting slogans against …

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), is currently on an official visit to the United States, where he met with members of the overseas Pakistani community in Washington, D.C. The COAS received a warm and enthusiastic reception, with a large number of expatriates gathering to welcome him. The overseas Pakistanis praised the Pakistan Armed …

A high-level committee chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday reviewed the country’s petroleum reserves and pricing in light of escalating tensions in the Middle East following the recent Israeli strike on Iran. The meeting, held in Islamabad, examined the impact of fluctuating global oil prices driven by the geopolitical developments in the region. Officials from the Ministry of …

The prices of petroleum products in Pakistan are expected to witness an increase of up to Rs5 per litre, as per a preliminary working paper prepared by relevant authorities ahead of the fortnightly price review. According to official sources, the working paper has proposed an upward revision in fuel prices effective from June 16. Petrol prices are expected to rise …

The government has introduced a 30 percent tax credit scheme on the purchase of flats and 10-marla houses in the federal budget for the fiscal year 2024-25. This was revealed during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance on Friday, chaired by MNA Naveed Qamar. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial briefed the committee …

Former  foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, stressing that war is not a solution and all disputes, including the Kashmir issue, must be resolved through comprehensive dialogue. Speaking at a press conference in Brussels as the head of a parliamentary delegation, Mr Bhutto said Pakistan seeks peaceful engagement with India despite increasing tensions …

The polio eradication programme requested on Friday detailed information regarding mobile populations from all districts. According to details, the district authorities are required to immediately submit data on these populations to the polio programme. A meeting was held to review the progress of the polio eradication campaign, chaired by Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Coordinator Adeel Tasawar. Polio officers from 36 …

Pakistan on Friday strongly condemned the Israeli military’s early morning airstrikes on Iran, calling the attack an “unacceptable” violation of international law and a grave threat to regional peace and stability. In an official statement, the Foreign Office expressed deep concern over what it described as a clear breach of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying the Israeli assault was …

Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has announced the appointment of headmasters in 35,000 government schools across the province. In an official directive issued to the School Education Department, the minister emphasized that permanent headmasters will be appointed after many years of vacancies in these key positions. The decision includes an additional monthly compensation of Rs 10,000 for appointed headmasters. …

The federal government has introduced a new tax on petrol and diesel vehicles as part of the Budget 2025–26, targeting all internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles — both locally manufactured and imported. According to the Finance Bill 2025–26, a fixed levy will now be charged on ICE vehicles based on engine capacity, with the rate applied as a percentage of …