LAHORE: Following an audit report submitted to the Punjab Assembly, major financial irregularities in the construction of Greater Iqbal Park has come to light, on Sunday. The audit report highlights serious variants in the project’s management, revealing that over Rs 21.98 million was spent on unnecessary items. The report also points out that Rs 107 million were distributed to employees …

ISLAMABAD: Former speaker and PTI leader Asad Qaiser said that his party was not intending any harm to the SCO Conference in Islamabad. “We have concerns over the health of the PTI’s founder, no doctor being sent to attend him, we want the party leaders’ contact with the chairman,” Asad Qaiser said. It is to be mentioned here that the …

A case has been registered against Dr Mahrang Baloch, a Baloch rights activist, at Karachi’s Quaidabad Police Station. The case was filed by a local businessman, Asad Ali, who accused Baloch of incitement and involvement in facilitating terrorist activities. The case involves provisions of incitement, including terrorism. According to the first information report (FIR), Mahrang Baloch is alleged to have …

Air pollution in Lahore has surged to alarming levels, making it the most polluted city in Pakistan and the second-most polluted globally. According to international air monitors, the city’s air quality is currently 19 times more hazardous than the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has recorded dangerously high levels across various parts of the city. …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has identified corruption, bureaucratic red tape, and a weak business environment as the primary challenges hindering Pakistan’s development. In response, the government has assured the IMF of taking firm steps to address these issues, including greater transparency and accountability in the public sector. The government has also assured the IMF of curbing corruption and abuse …

Eleven people were killed, and six others injured in a firing incident in the Kanj Alizai area of Kurram district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to the deputy commissioner. The injured victims were immediately transferred to various hospitals for treatment, sources said. Police claimed that investigations are underway to determine the circumstances behind the shooting that is said to have taken …

ASHGABAT: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin wherein they emphasised further strengthening of bilateral relationship. The informal interaction was held on the sidelines of two-day international forum on “Interrelation of Times and Civilizations- Basis for Peace and Development” here in the Turkmen capital to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of Magtymguly Faragi, a great …

DUKKI: At least 20 miners were killed and seven others wounded when unidentified armed men attacked coalmines in Dukki area of Balochistan in the wee hours of Friday. According to police, unidentified men attacked the mines of Dukki District Chairman Haji Khair Ullah Nasir with hand grenades and rocket launchers and opened fire on the miners, killing 20 and injuring …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has unveiled the strict conditions associated with its new $7 billion bailout package for Pakistan, detailing several measures aimed at increasing tax revenues and adjusting tariffs. The government has committed to timely adjustments in electricity and gas prices as part of the agreement, with plans to raise the tax target to over Rs15 trillion for …

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa is set to retire, and in his honour, a full court reference will be held on October 25. The reference will take place at 10:30am, according to an official circular issued by the Registrar’s Office of the Supreme Court. The full court reference is a customary practice to pay tribute to the outgoing …

Pakistan Airport Authority is facing loss of millions due to non-functional airports. According to sources, the inactivity of eight airports across Pakistan including, Bannu, Dalbadin, Parachinar, Khuzdar, Rawlakot, Saidu Sharif, Sehwan Sharif and Sibi, has led to significant financial losses for the Pakistan Airport Authority, with the cost running into millions of rupees. Despite the suspension of flight operations, staff …

Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, who will land in Pakistan next week for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, is likely to address the joint session of parliament. The Chinese premier will arrive in Pakistan on October 14 for the SCO summit set to take place on October 15-16. According to Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Prime Minister Shehbaz …

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the federal government is terminating contracts with five Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in the first phase. Chairing the federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad today, he said this has been done after the mutual consent of the owners of the IPPs. The Prime Minister informed the Cabinet that only the outstanding amounts owed …

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has said protection of life and property has been his government’s foremost responsibility and priority. A grand Jirga being held in Peshawar hosted by KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur, attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Governor KP Faisal Karim Kundi and leaders of various political parties. “We all have gathered here for the sake of peace …

In a tragic incident near Pathankot, two police officers were martyred and four others, including a civilian, were injured when unknown suspects opened fire on a police van during a routine patrol. The attack left the community in shock as law enforcement rushed to secure the area. The police van which was patrolling the area, came under heavy fire, resulting …

Economists, architects, traders, and business leaders have appealed to the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court (SHC) and the Sindh government to take serious notice of the rundown road infrastructure, collapsed sewerage system, and rampant pollution outside almost all business centres and markets in Karachi. They expressed these concerns while speaking to The Express Tribune, noting that the economic …

RAWALPINDI: Saudi Arabian Minister of Investment Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al Falih and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir discussed initiatives to strengthen “evergrowing brotherly” bilateral cooperation in a variety of sectors, the military’s media wing said on Thursday. The development took place during a meeting between the minister accompanied by a delegation and army chief in Rawalpindi. …

RAWALPINDI: Marriage halls, restaurants, and cafes will remain closed for a period of five days in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, officials said on Thursday. The decision to shut them down from October 12 to 16 was made in light of security measures being implemented ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled for October 15-16. The …

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday ordered to de-seal the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in the federal capital, two days after the Capital Development Authority (CDA) sealed it. The court’s orders were issued by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq during the hearing of a plea filed by the KP government. Justice Farooq told the CDA lawyer that the authority …

ISLAMABAD : The Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) on Wednesday approved the establishment of an independent multiplayer market for power generation and purchase to gradually end the government’s role as a sole purchaser of electricity. Experts say that an independent operator can effectively connect buyers and sellers of electricity, resulting in more efficiency and market competitive prices. According to a …

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that the government wants to get constitutional amendments passed before October 25, but doing so before the said date is “neither a necessity nor obligatory”, The former foreign minister, while speaking to a private TV channel, said that the parliamentary legislative process gives their sitting government the right to amend …

RAWALPINDI: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) of Rawalpindi on Wednesday fixed indictment date of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and others in the General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case. Justice Amjad Ali Shah of the ATC conducted hearing in May 9-related cases. Both former and inactive names from the PTI including Shireen Mazari, Sadaqat Abbasi, Amjad Khan Niazi and Usman Dar …

ISLAMABAD : A high-level Saudi Arabian delegation, led by Saudi Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, is expected to arrive in Islamabad today at 6pm for a two-day visit aimed at boosting economic cooperation between the two nations. There are reports the delegation may arrive in Pakistan tomorrow morning. Khalid bin Abdulaziz is also the former minister of energy and …

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) has sought actionable suggestions from the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), the Auditor General, and the Attorney General for the proper utilization of the funds in the Dams Fund case. During the hearing, the apex court was apprised that a complete investigation found no misappropriation of the fund. A three-member bench, headed …

The 19th anniversary of victims of the deadly earthquake of October 8, 2005, is being observed across Pakistan including Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The 2005 earthquake claimed thousands of lives besides causing massive damage to infrastructure especially in Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Different events are being organized in different parts of the country including Azad Jammu and Kashmir to …

In a key development regarding the outsourcing of Islamabad International Airport, a Turkish company’s documents and bid have been technically approved, quoting well-placed sources. As per details, bids for the airport’s outsourcing were submitted, but representatives of two companies were disqualified from the process due to late submission. The Turkish company placed the highest bid for the project. The tender …

A new petition challenging constitutional amendments has been filed in the Supreme Court (SC). According to details, the petition against the constitutional amendments was moved by Advocate Saeem Chaudhry in the Supreme Court. The petition argues that Article 179, concerning the retirement age of judges, should be declared a fundamental part of the Constitution. It also requested a ruling that …

The Punjab transport department on Tuesday launched a crackdown against smoke-emitting vehicles to control smog. According to details, 330 vehicles have been fined Rs2.7million within one week. The transport department had started to mobilize against smog. During the last week, nearly 17,000 vehicles have been examined. 849 vehicles were also issued challans for not having the fitness certificates. Roadmap for …

A small trainee plane crashed in the Gandaf area of Swabi on Tuesday, but fortunately, no casualties were reported. According to local authorities, the crew aboard the training aircraft managed to save their lives by using parachutes moments before the crash. Both crew members escaped unscathed, though the plane was completely destroyed on impact. The cause of the crash is …

Pakistan on Monday categorically rejected a statement by the Afghan foreign ministry regarding the political situation in the country, asking the Afghan interim government (AIG) to focus on fixing its own domestic problems instead of lecturing a democratic country. In a statement today, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch rejected the “frivolous” statement made by the spokesperson of the Ministry …

A petition seeking disqualification of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has been filed in Peshawar High Court (PHC). “Gandapur has violated his oath of office and been liable to be declared as disqualified under Article 62 of the constitution,” petition read. Chief Minister KP, Gandapur, has used government resources for his political rallies, according to the plea. “The …

In the wake of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) D-Chowk protests, a case of sedition and terrorism has been filed against PTI founding chairman Imran Khan and several senior party leaders and workers in Lahore and Rawalpindi. Prominent leaders named in the First Information Report (FIR) include Hammad Azhar, Salman Akram Raja, Ghulam Mohiuddin, MPA Shehbaz, Musarrat Jamshed Cheema, Sheikh Imtiaz, …

Traffic in Islamabad is flowing smoothly, with all major roads and intersections now fully open, according to a police spokesperson. The city’s senior superintendent of police (traffic) is personally overseeing the situation on the ground to ensure the uninterrupted flow of vehicles. In a series of updates, the police confirmed that several key routes, including Rawat T Cross, Koral Chowk, …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his deep shock and sorrow on Monday over the attack on a Chinese national convoy in the country’s southern port city of Karachi on Sunday night, which resulted in the deaths of two Chinese citizens and left another injured. In an official statement, the prime minister strongly condemned the “heinous act” and offered …

ISLAMABAD: Two Chinese nationals were killed, one Chinese national injured, and several Pakistani nationals were killed and injured in a terrorist attack in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi on Sunday night, the Chinese embassy in Pakistan confirmed. The attack happened at about 11:00 p.m. local time on Sunday (1800 GMT) when a convoy from the Port Qasim Electric Power …

The federal government has officially imposed a ban on the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), as confirmed by a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior. The PTM was founded in 2018 and the movement has gained traction among Pashtuns arguing their ‘rights’.

Police officer Abdul Hameed who was critically injured during PTI protests in the capital, was martyred at PIMS Hospital, according to a spokesperson. The officer sustained fatal injuries after being struck by stones thrown by PTI protesters at No. 26 Chungi during clashes. The protests, led by PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur in October 2024, saw heightened tensions in Islamabad …

After a prolonged suspension of 51 hours, mobile and internet services have finally been restored in the federal capital. The shutdown had caused significant disruption to communication across Islamabad, affecting both residents and businesses. The recent service disruption is part of a larger pattern of internet shutdowns across Pakistan over the past year. Authorities have intermittently suspended mobile and internet …

ISLAMABAD: Government of United Kingdom and Middle East institutions will provide jobs to millions of Pakistanis around the world by creating 280 skills centers in Pakistan. A high-level British delegation is on a two-day visit to Pakistan to discuss possible cooperation with Pakistan in education, with a special focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The delegation included …

ISLAMABAD: The unique Chinese modernization serves as a model for Pakistan to promote economic development, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said, extending congratulations on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. China has made remarkable achievements, and Pakistan desired to revamp its economy by emulating China’s path of progress, which offers new opportunities for …