After more than a decade-long pause, Pakistan and Bangladesh are set to revive high-level diplomatic engagement, as the Pakistan-Bangladesh Political Consultative Meeting is likely to be held in Dhaka on April 17, sources confirmed. According to diplomatic sources, Foreign Secretary Amina Baloch will represent Pakistan at the upcoming meeting, which marks a significant step forward in improving bilateral ties between …

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for reducing power prices. According to reports, Rehman had telephoned the premier. On this occasion, PM Shehbaz said: “Despite the hardships, providing relief to the masses was the priority.” “We will continue our mission,” he said. PM Shehbaz vowed to continue the mission of steering the …

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced on Saturday that Pakistan plans to send a high-level delegation to Washington to reinforce its commitment to a long-term strategic partnership with the United States, especially in light of shifting US trade policies under President Donald Trump’s administration. Speaking at a press conference, Aurangzeb said the government is in the final stages of formulating its …

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) reached a historic milestone as the KSE-100 Index crossed the 120,000-point mark for the first time in history. During trading, the index saw a surge of over 1,800 points, reaching 120,793 points at one stage. Earlier, it had gained 1,427 points, touching 120,365 points. The sharp rally reflects strong investor confidence and bullish sentiment in the …

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has acquitted a woman and her friend who had been sentenced to death for the murder of her husband, giving them the benefit of the doubt. The court accepted their appeals and overturned the trial court’s 2021 death sentence verdict. A detailed judgment was issued by Justice Shahram Sarwar Chaudhry and Justice Sardar Akbar Dogar. …

The latest round of U.S. trade tariffs unveiled on Wednesday will sap yet more vigour from a world economy barely recovered from the post-pandemic inflation surge, weighed down by record debt and unnerved by geopolitical strife. Depending on how President Donald Trump and leaders of other nations proceed now, it may also go down as a turning point for a …

Strong earthquake tremors were felt in the Pak-Afghan border areas on Wednesday morning, causing fear and panic among residents. The tremors prompted people in Zhob and nearby regions to rush out of their homes and buildings. According to the National Seismological Center, the earthquake had a magnitude of 5.0 on the Richter scale and occurred at a depth of 65 …

Backdoor negotiations are underway between the PML-N and PPP leadership over the construction of new canals and the convening of a Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting, sources revealed. According to insiders, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken an active role in addressing PPP’s concerns, engaging in talks with PPP leadership and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to reach …

Pakistan has decided to formally serve a diplomatic notice to India in response to the latter’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, officials familiar with the development confirmed on Friday. The move comes amid heightened concern in Islamabad over what officials described as “unilateral and unjustified” actions taken by New Delhi. According to informed sources in the Indus Commission, consultations …

Where to start in defining a mother, after all, the Higher Power has created her with unbelievable power and resilience. When a mother departs from the world, clearly you have to face the music of life, with trials and tribulations coming your way following the mother’s passing. There is no doubt that there is no alternative to a mother, no …

Islamabad authorities have heightened security measures across the city, allowing only families to enter public parks during Eid celebrations. According to IG Islamabad, more than 500 traffic officers have been deployed to ensure smooth traffic flow, while over 3,500 police officers and personnel are actively patrolling the city. To strengthen security, 18 checkpoints have been set up at the city’s …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to adopt the fastest, most efficient, and cost-effective measures to deliver humanitarian relief to the people affected by the earthquake in Myanmar. He emphasized the need for immediate assistance to support those suffering due to the disaster. Additionally, the prime minister instructed Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq …

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, IPP Chairman Abdul Aleem Khan, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, along with other key political figures, offered Eid-ul-Fitr prayers in their respective hometowns. President Asif Ali Zardari performed Eid prayers at Zardari House in Nawabshah, accompanied by National Assembly Deputy Speaker …

Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated across the country with religious enthusiasm, as mosques and Eidgahs in various cities hosted spiritually uplifting congregational prayers attended by large numbers of worshippers. Special prayers were offered for the unity of the Muslim Ummah, as well as for the peace, prosperity, and development of Pakistan. Following the prayers, people embraced each other, setting aside grievances …

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast mainly dry weather across Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and most parts of the country during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. According to the PMD, continental air is dominating most regions of Pakistan. As a result, dry conditions will prevail in the twin cities and other areas over the weekend, while the plains will experience hot weather during …

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has faced a tax shortfall of over Rs100 billion in March 2025, as it managed to collect only Rs1,100 billion in taxes against the target of Rs1,220 billion. According to provisional data, FBR paid Rs34 billion in tax refunds in March alone, while a total of Rs384 billion has been refunded over the past nine …

Ministry of Finance has fulfilled another IMF condition by releasing the semi-annual report on public debt for FY 2024-25. According to the report, Pakistan’s total public debt surpassed Rs74 trillion by December 2024, with a Rs2,767 billion increase recorded between July and December 2024. During this period, the government paid Rs5,142 billion in interest on these loans, with 90% of …

A terrorist attack on the Lakhanai border checkpost in Dera Ghazi Khan was successfully repelled by security forces late last night. According to police reports, a group of 20 to 25 militants launched an assault on the post but faced strong retaliation. As a result of the counter-operation, three terrorists were killed, while several others sustained injuries. The remaining attackers …

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has written a letter to President Asif Ali Zardari on the topic of convening the 10th NFC meeting. Gandapur mentioned in his letter that as a result of the 25th Constitutional Amendment, the former tribal districts were merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The merger of those districts increased the population of the province by …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has been granted permission to receive books and speak to his children over phone. Anti-terrorism Court (ATC) judge Amjad Ali Shah approved Imran Khan’s request during a hearing. The court directed the Adiala Jail superintendent to ensure the provision of books to the detainee and arrange a phone call with his children before Eid. …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Dr Yasmin Rashid said on Thursday that the country should be run in line with the constitution instead of bringing laws like the PECA Act and 26th constitutional amendment. According to details, Dr Rashid issued a letter to the media. She lashed out at the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). “The PPP had staged a protest …

The government slashed on Friday the price of petrol by Rs1 per litre, while kept the price of diesel unchanged for the next fortnight, starting from March 29 (Saturday). According to issued notification, the fresh price of petrol reached Rs254.63 per litre. The price of high-speed diesel remained stable at Rs 258.64 per litre. The finance ministry had issued a …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed on Friday the need for embracing the national unity to combat the menace of terrorism. Speaking at the “Rab-e-Zul-Jalaal Ka Ehsaan – Pakistan Day” ceremony, he expressed that the country’s progress hinged on a united front, especially against the forces of terror. PM Shehbaz said: “Every individual in this nation must contribute to the country’s …

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has ruled that a court decision granting the first wife the right to annul marriage if her husband remarries without permission is un-Islamic. The council, in its 241st session chaired by Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi, stated that such a ruling does not align with Sharia law and is therefore incorrect in Islamic jurisprudence. The …

A partial solar eclipse took place on Saturday, as the moon crossed in front of the Sun for approximately four hours, offering skygazers in parts of the Northern Hemisphere a rare celestial spectacle. The event stretched from eastern Canada to northern Russia, with the potential to be seen across most of Europe and some areas of northeastern North America and …

The long-awaited resumption of Pakistani airlines’ flights, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), to the United Kingdom (UK) has been delayed due to recent air safety incidents, sources revealed. According to insiders, two critical aviation mishaps significantly impacted the decision-making process regarding the lifting of the ban on Pakistani carriers. Key incidents affecting decision Wrong Runway Landing: During the visit of …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed satisfaction over Pakistan’s staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), calling it a sign of confidence in the country’s economic stability. During a federal cabinet meeting chaired by the premier on Wednesday, Shehbaz congratulated Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and the government’s economic team for successfully securing the next tranche of the IMF loan …

Chief Justice Yahya Afridi has stated that judicial reforms aim to ensure timely and effective delivery of justice to litigants. A consultative meeting was held with the heads of various departments, attended by the Registrar of the Supreme Court, the Director General of the Federal Judicial Academy, and the Secretary of the Law and Justice Commission. According to the official …

The Foreign Office spokesperson, responding to media queries regarding Pakistani journalists’ visit to Israel, stated that the government has taken notice of these reports. The Foreign Office has clarified that Pakistani passports explicitly state that they are “not valid for travel to Israel. Responding to the reports, Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said no such visit is possible under existing regulations. …

The streets of Karachi had been bustling with shoppers preparing for the festive occasion, with Eid-Al-Fitr just around the corner. The city’s markets, particularly in the famous Saddar’s Cooperative Market, had seen a surge in activity as women and children flocked to purchase new clothes, sandals, and jewellery. One of the buyers explained, “I have bought clothes for my children, …

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a drought alert for Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab, warning that the situation could deteriorate further due to a significant rainfall deficit and rising temperatures. According to official data, between September 1, 2024, and March 21, 2025, the country received 40% less rainfall than normal. Sindh recorded the highest deficit at 62%, followed by …

A high-level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan convened in Islamabad deliberated on strategic investments in Bitcoin mining and the tokenisation of real-world assets. This groundbreaking meeting signals Pakistan’s openness to embrace the digital economy and commitment to becoming a global hub for blockchain technology. The assembly featured prominent participants including Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and …

The immediate restoration of social media platform X in Pakistan remains unlikely as negotiations between the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the platform’s foreign management have failed to reach a resolution. According to sources, PTA has decided not to restore the service on its own without explicit government or court directives. PTA officials confirmed  that despite multiple exchanges of correspondence, …

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Excise and Taxation Department has issued a letter to the Health Department, instructing hospitals to deduct professional tax from doctors’ salaries. According to the letter, the tax deduction will be made as per the prescribed rates, and hospitals have also been directed to recover outstanding tax dues from doctors. The directive follows a 2021 ruling by the Peshawar …

NEPRA has completed the hearing on tariff revision requests from seven Independent Power Producers (IPPs). If approved, consumers could receive a relief of 50 paisa per unit, leading to an estimated overall saving of Rs920 billion. The hearing was held on the requests submitted by seven IPPs under the 2002 power policy, including Nishat Chunian Power, Nishat Power, Narowal Energy …

The first Hajj flight is scheduled to depart for Saudi Arabia on May 1, according to sources from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The Hajj operation will continue for 30 days, with the last flight departing on May 30. Sources indicate that the flight schedule is expected to be released by April 10. Five airlines, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) …

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz conducted a surprise visit to Jinnah Hospital in Lahore, where she found several shortcomings in the hospital’s administration. Following a series of complaints from patients and their attendants regarding the unavailability of free medicines and essential medical tests, the chief minister took strict action, ordering the immediate suspension of the hospital’s principal and medical superintendent …

Islamabad High Court (IHC) has restored the right of PTI founder to meet visitors twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while hearing petitions related to jail meetings. The larger bench, headed by Acting Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and comprising Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Muhammad Azam, issued the ruling. According to the court’s decision, only individuals nominated by …

ISLAMABAD (Internews): Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong has said that China firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, in resolutely combating terrorism, and in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs. While addressing to the inauguration ceremony of the “Esthetic Bridges” exhibition on …