ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja has admitted to the slow internet speed in Pakistan, promising improvement with the adoption of the upcoming “fabrication policy and the rollout of 5G technology. Speaking at the National Broadband Network Forum in Islamabad, the minister acknowledged the existing connectivity challenges, emphasising that faster internet services are critical for the country’s digital …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s efforts to curb illegal foreign-exchange trading have led to a significant boost in remittances, according to a report by Bloomberg. Citing data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the report revealed that remittances surged by 34 per cent to $14.8 billion in the five months leading up to November, compared to the same period last year. The …

Online fraud cases are on the rise in South Punjab as advanced technology and social media misuse create opportunities for scammers. In 2024, over 1,500 cases of online fraud have been reported in Multan, with unsuspecting citizens frequently targeted. One such victim, Muhammad Daniyal, shared his ordeal: “I ordered a cellphone online, and the vendor promised delivery within five days. …

GWADAR, Pakistan: Nadia Akram Ali’s life took a devastating turn when a health worker informed her that her five-year-old son was showing symptoms of acute typhoid fever and urgently needed to be hospitalized to save his life in the Gwadar district of Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province. “I felt utterly helpless. I didn’t have the resources to take him to big …

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) cut its key policy rate by 200 basis points to 13 per cent on Monday, for a fifth straight reduction since June as the headline inflation declined to 4.9 per cent year-on-year basis in November 2024. The new rate will be effective from December 17 (Tuesday), SBP’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) said in …

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has vacated the stay order regarding the execution of the death sentences of five ex-navy officers, who were sentenced to death by a Field General Court Martial. These ex-naval officers were court-martialed for their alleged involvement in the attack on the Karachi-based Naval Dockyard. IHC judge Justice Babar Sattar heard the plea of the ex-navy officers …

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Maj-Gen (retd) Hafeezur Rehman on Monday claimed that no Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have been blocked in the country. Speaking at a press briefing in Islamabad, Rehman said, “We have not blocked any VPNs to date. I earlier told the National Assembly that while we have the ability to block VPNs, we have no intention …

A policeman was martyred and a polio worker injured when unidentified attackers targeted a polio team in the Banda Daud Shah tehsil of Karak district on Monday. The incident occurred in the Shakarkhel area of Teri police precincts, where unidentified motorcyclists opened fire on the team during an ongoing anti-polio campaign. According to the Kohat DIG, the martyred policeman, identified …

Monday marks the tenth anniversary of the Army Public School (APS) tragedy, a day that remains etched in Pakistan’s history as one of its darkest. On December 16, 2014, six terrorists from the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban launched a cowardly attack on APS, resulting in the deaths of 132 students and 17 staff members. The tragedy not only devastated families but also revitalized the …

Another devastating incident of human trafficking has claimed lives as a boat carrying illegal migrants capsized near a southern Greek island. The tragic accident resulted in the deaths of five Pakistani nationals, with dozens reported missing. Some survivors have been rescued, according to initial reports. President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi have expressed deep …

Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, journalist, and writer Siddiq-ul-Farooq passed away in Islamabad after battling a prolonged kidney ailment. The funeral prayers for the late Siddiq-ul-Farooq will be offered tomorrow at 11 am at the H-11 Cemetery in Islamabad. A Life of Service Siddiq-ul-Farooq, a seasoned journalist and author of two books, joined the PML-N in 1993 and remained …

The Federal Inves­tigation Agency (FIA) has initiated action against over 150 individuals — including journalists, vloggers and anchorperson Harmeet Singh — for allegedly promoting a false narrative against state institutions, particularly the security agencies, over the Nov 26 crackdown on PTI supporters in Islamabad. The FIA Cybercrime Wing has so far arrested over 20 social media activists across the country for controversial posts about …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar has reiterated that dialogue is essential for resolving political disputes in Pakistan, a stance previously taken by the party’s faounding chairman Imran Khan as well. Speaking to the media at the District Courts, Gohar said, “Imran Khan has called for negotiations before, and dialogue should definitely take place,” Express News reported. He emphasised that …

The World Bank has approved $240 million in funding for the Second Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP-2) to enhance water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in Karachi. The project aims to provide safely managed WASH services to nearly 16 million people with improved water supply and to 7.5 million with sanitation services by 2030. “Safely managed WASH …

A Pakistani delegation, including members of parliament and a psychiatrist, visited Dr. Aafia Siddiqui in her high-security Texas prison. The visit, which lasted for nearly three hours, was conducted following instructions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. During the meeting, Dr. Aafia shared the challenges she faces in prison and expressed hope for justice. The delegation’s visit is part of Pakistan’s continued efforts …

A lion from Kasur underwent a successful jaw surgery in Daska after sustaining injuries in a fight with another lion. The operation, performed by renowned livestock surgeon Dr Rizwan Bashir, involved the installation of an iron plate to repair the broken jaw. Following the surgery, the lion began eating normally. Dr Rizwan Bashir stated, “The lion is now able to …

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced the Fee-Less Customs Assessment (FCA) system in Karachi as part of its broader reform programme, approved by Prime Minister of Pakistan. The system, effective from midnight on 15 December, mandates that all import declarations filed at Karachi’s Appraisal Collectorates will be routed to the Central Appraisal Unit (CAU). The CAU, established under …

The government has decided to call joint session of Parliament, with the possibility of reintroducing the controversial Madrassa Bill. A summary to summon the joint session has been sent to the President of Pakistan for approval, with the approval expected soon. The joint session is likely to be held on 17 December, sources said. The Madrassa Bill has been at the …

GWADAR, Pakistan: Saiba Asghar Ali, an eighth-grade student at the China-Pakistan Government Middle School in Faqeer colony, Pakistan’s southwest Balochistan province, dreamed of becoming a doctor since childhood. Due to financial hindrances and lack of education opportunities for girls in her colony, it was a goal she feared might never be achievable. “There was no proper school in the area …

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Thursday warned that his party would stage street protests across the country if the federal government didn’t ensure early implementation of the madressah registration bill passed by parliament. He told a presser at his residence in Shorkot area here that he rejected the federal government’s decision on seminary registration with the education ministry. Mr Fazl …

The New Zealand government said on Friday it will pass legislation next year to prevent entities that “do not share the country’s values” from using it as a base to monitor satellites. The South Pacific nation’s location and clear skies make it a good place to launch and monitor satellites from, with the European Space Agency among those keeping an …

The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) Constitutional Bench has allowed military courts to issue verdicts; however, the implementation of sentences or the release of individuals will depend on the outcome of the pending appeals. Supreme Court allowed military courts to pronounce verdicts on 85 accused. The verdict reads that those accused who can get relief in their sentences should be …

The seven-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing of intra-court appeals against the decision to try civilians in military courts until Friday (tomorrow). The federal government lawyer Khawaja Haris argued that the Army Act is applicable to civilians in certain circumstances and that the Supreme Court does not have the authority to nullify the provisions of the …

Newly surfaced proposed changes to the country’s cybercrime laws on Wednesday specified that violations could result in seven years of prison term, with fines hiked up to Rs2 million. Last week, Internews reported that the government was planning ‘wholesale’ changes to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (Peca), which would see the formation of a new authority with powers to block online content …

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday revised its forecast for Pakistan’s economic growth in the fiscal year 2025 (FY25) slightly upwards, projecting it at 3 per cent. In an Asian Development Outlook (ADO) report issued by the Manila-based lending agency in September, Pakistan’s economic growth had been estimated to be struggling at 2.8pc in FY25, subject to domestic and external …

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to withdraw the recently proposed amendments to the Baggage Rules 2006, which included a complete ban on bringing goods in commercial quantities from abroad. Sources revealed on Tuesday that the proposed amendments, which sparked widespread concerns, have been shelved temporarily following directives from the FBR chairman. The draft notification of the amendment, …

The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench heard the phone-tapping review petitions filed by former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and Yousaf Raza Gillani in 1996. Justice Jamal Mandokhel emphasized that the outcome could impact several pending cases. An additional attorney general outlined the 2013 law allowing phone tapping by ISI and IB under judicial oversight. Justice Mazhar stated that the law did …

A constitutional bench of the Supreme Court on Wednesday conducted a hearing on the implementation of the landmark Asghar Khan case decision. During the proceedings, Additional Attorney General informed the court that the FIA had closed its inquiry into the case, stating that no evidence of money distribution among politicians had been found. Responding to this, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi …

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Acting U.S. Ambassador Natalie Baker to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation between the two countries. During the meeting, both sides agreed on U.S. assistance in modernizing Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to match the capabilities of the FBI. Minister Naqvi highlighted the long-standing and strong relationship between Pakistan and the U.S., …

The petition challenging the ban on the social media app X will be heard by Chief Justice Aamir Farooq in the Islamabad High Court on February 6, 2025. The petition, which was last heard on April 17, 2024, has faced several delays. Initially scheduled for hearings on May 2 and June 11, 2024, the case could not proceed on those …

The Supreme Court has formally admitted the petition filed by the PTI chairman seeking a judicial inquiry into the May 9 incidents for a full hearing. A constitutional bench of the apex court overturned the registrar’s office’s objections to the petition and directed the office to assign a case number and schedule the hearing. The PTI chairman was represented by …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reached out to his Lebanese counterpart to seek assistance in evacuating Pakistani nationals stranded in Syria amid the ongoing crisis, according to an official statement. During a conversation with the Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that all Syrian airports were closed, hence Pakistanis in Syria could only be evacuated through Lebanon. “All airports …

NORTH WAZIRISTAN: At least 13 terrorists were reportedly killed and several others injured as militant hideouts near the Afghan border were targeted by security forces in the North Waziristan tribal district, in the early hours of Sunday morning. Although there was no official word from Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), sources said 13 militants, including a key commander of the outla­wed …

ISLAMABAD: The Political Coordination Committee of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the government committee are expected to meet today (Monday) to take up the issues related to both the parties. The PPP and the government formed the committees after PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed his disappointment and conveyed serious reservations to the PMLN for ignoring the PPP in consultations …

All individuals arrested for violating the presidential ordinance in Azad Jammu and Kashmir have been released unconditionally. Among the released were Sardar Liaqat Hayat Khan, leader of the Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party, and other activists. Their release was met with celebrations as Sardar Sagheer Khan Advocate, Chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, and a large crowd of citizens …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Federal Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to review progress on the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. During the meeting, the PCB chairman briefed the prime minister on developments regarding the tournament. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Naqvi’s principled stance on the Champions Trophy and expressed full confidence in his leadership. “Your …

Supreme Court Justice Mansoor Ali Shah on Saturday firmly denied speculations about his resignation, stating he remains committed to his judicial responsibilities and reform initiatives. Addressing reporters in Islamabad, the senior Supreme Court judge said, “These are all speculations. I will not run away and will continue to do the work I can to improve the system.” The apex court …

ISLAMABAD: The New Gwadar International Airport is set to commence operations by the end of December, Acting Director General of the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), Air Vice Marshal Zeeshan Saeed, said on Friday. During his visit to the airport, the officer was briefed about the airport’s cutting-edge features and the promising business and investment opportunities it is expected to generate …

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has commended Energy China’s unwavering commitment for successful implementation of Azad Pattan Hydro power project in Pakistan. Federal minister held a meeting with General Manager of Energy China International Group on Friday during which it was discussed that the group has delivered 21 Mega projects in Pakistan with a …

The Judicial Commission meeting, chaired by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, has begun to discuss the appointment of nine additional judges for the Peshawar High Court. The names under consideration for the positions include three District and Session Judges—Kalim Arshad, Farah Jamshaid, and Inamullah Khan—and six lawyers, including Junaid Anwar, Mudassar Amir, and Aurangzeb. Additionally, the names of lawyers Jawad Ihsanullah, …