The Gilgit-Baltistan government has decided to call in the army to ensure peace in the region and maintain the law and order situation, it emerged on Saturday. The decision was arrived at during a meeting of the Parliamentary Peace Committee the apex body headed by the chief minister that decides on matters related to law and order held yesterday. The …

ISLAMABAD: The Punjab Intelligence Agencies have proposed to the provincial government to stress upon the federal government to address excessive billing issue on emergent basis as some political parties including PTI could further strengthen protests. In a letter to Punjab Government, Provincial Intelligence Centre (PIC) explained that apropos reports of public protests in various districts of the Punjab against astronomical …

Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar is likely to cancel his maiden foreign visit amid turmoil in the country over inflated electricity bills and hike in petroleum prices. Hours after Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch confirmed at a weekly news briefing here on Friday that the prime minister would undertake a three-day official visit to Kenya, official sources said now …

The Counter-Terrorism Department of Punjab has arrested five women terrorists from Lahore and Sheikhupura by conducting intelligence-based operations.The arrested women were said to be a part of Daesh, also known as the Islamic State. In view of the fears of terrorism, the CTD Punjab carried out intelligence-based operations during which five women terrorists were arrested. The CTD officials arrested three …

Thousands of traders shut down their shops on Saturday, as they observed a strike against the soaring energy and petrol prices. There were widespread market closures on Saturday in Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar, where abandoned bazaars were posted with placards decrying “the unreasonable increase in electricity bills and taxes”. Everyone is participating because the situation has become unbearable now,” Township …

Social media sensation Mahek Bukhari and her mother, Ansreen Bukhari, have been sentenced to life behind bars for their involvement in a ruthless double murder case. The victims, Saqib Hussain and Hashim Ijazuddin, both just 21 years old, lost their lives in a horrific car crash during a high-speed chase in Leicestershire. The motive behind this tragic incident revolves around …

Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Friday hearing a plea challenging the amendments remarked that the National Accountablity Beauru (NAB) law was misused against business figures. A three-member bench headed by CJP Bandial comprising Justice Ejazul Ahsan and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah heard the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Supremo Imran Khan’s petition challenging the NAB amendments during Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) …

The Punjab Emergency Services Department (ESD) has reported just under 1,100 road traffic collisions in the last 24 hours. According to the report, five people died and 1,130 were injured in 1,097 road accidents across all 37 districts of Punjab. Of these, 595 people sustained critical injuries and were put in urgent care at various hospitals across Punjab. The remaining …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has sought the records of around 20 officers who are reportedly involved in corruption. The officers are currently working for the Capital Development Authority (CDA). According to an FIA report, around 20 CDA officers were found involved in corruption, money laundering, and record tampering. FIA has sought the financial details of the suspects. The investigation …

The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat on Friday took serious notice of the recent hike in electricity prices. Chairman Committee Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmad said that this is a national crisis and many cases of suicide linked to the price hike have been reported in the country. The committee submitted a proposal to withdraw all taxes on electricity bills, …

In a bid to bolster research and development in virology and vaccine technology, ten fellowships have been bestowed upon scholars hailing from eight member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The ceremony, held at the Ministry of Health in Jakarta, Indonesia, marked a significant milestone in advancing scientific collaboration among OIC nations. These prestigious fellowships were awarded as …

PTI President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi was re-arrested by the Islamabad police on Friday, hours after the Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered his release. According to the capital police, the former Punjab chief minister was taken into custody on orders of the district magistrate under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO). “He is being shifted to jail,” it …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday announced that it has decided to shorten the timeframe of the delimitation of constituencies and will complete the process by November 30. Though it would still be a violation of the Constitution, which requires the conduct of polls within 90 days after the dissolution of assemblies, the ECP decision allays fears that …

Diplomatic missions in Islamabad were urged on Friday to “brief and encourage their countries” to profit from Pakistan’s rich resources in a bid to attract foreign investment to the country, the Foreign Office (FO) said. The development comes days after caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar directed the authorities concerned to accelerate the realisation of identified Special Investment Facilitation Council …

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar directed the Immigration and Customs authorities to provide all facilities to the overseas Pakistanis at the airports. While presiding over a meeting over on economy, the caretaker prime minister said that overseas Pakistanis are a valuable asset and their valuable services for the stability of the country’s economy must be appreciated. In the context of …

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has decided to suspend the country’s membership due to non-payment of the annual subscription fee. The Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), a part of the Ministry of Science and Technology, failed to settle its dues despite repeated reminders and emails from the ISO. Renowned worldwide as an independent and non-governmental organization, ISO …

The business community of Lahore has taken a stand against the mounting electricity bills and surging inflation by declaring a widespread shutter-down strike on 2 September. Mujahid Maqsood Butt, the President of the Traders Association, issued a statement today confirming that markets throughout Lahore will be closed on Saturday. This comes as a direct response to the burden of exorbitant …

The government is finally looking to import 100,000 tons of sugar from Brazil as a potential shortage is on the cards during the two-and-a-half months before the sugarcane crushing season begins in late November. Interestingly, the July 2023 exports stood at 5,542 tons which is more than five times higher than the quantity exported during June 2023, but we will …

The authorities have shared their plan with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to provide relief to the nation heavily burdened by sky-high electricity bills. However, the Fund has been assured that none of its targets agreed upon by the previous government would be compromised. Caretaker Minister for Finance Dr Shamshad Akhtar said on Wednesday that a team comprising Pakistani authorities …

Pakistanis living in the UAE have said they are sending more money this month to their families back home to cover their higher utility costs. Widespread protests in cities and towns have taken place in the South Asian country in recent days over soaring electricity bills, with many refusing to pay charges that have increased by more than three times …

The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday dismissed the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) plea asking the top court to revisit its order of holding elections to the Punjab Assembly on May 14. “The court will intervene whenever the Constitution is violated,” Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial remarked during the hearing. In a unanimous judgment on April 4, …

RAWALPINDI: Police have arrested a couple over allegations of torture of an eight-year-old maid who was employed at a house in Bahria Town as a babysitter. The case was registered against the couple on Wednesday at the Bahria Town police chowki by Fazeel Ahmad, a resident of Khanpur Katora tehsil in Rahimyar Khan. Mr Ahmad claimed that they had sent …

US Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland held a phone call with Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Wednesday during which she assured him of Washington’s support to stabilise Pakistan’s economy and its continued engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Last month, the global lender’s executive board had green-lit a $3 billion nine-month standby arrangement (SBA) for Pakistan …

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar is expected to visit three countries in September. Sources divulged on Wednesday Interim PM Kakar is expected to visit Kenya in the first week, followed by his visit to Saudi Arabia in the second week of the next month. In the third week of September, PM Kakar will visit the United States. According to the sources, …

The coursing floods in eastern Pakistan first swallowed Nasreen Bibi’s corn crop, then the cattle that fed on it, and finally her family home. They retreated to the roof to escape the rising water, before fleeing for their lives by boat. “We didn’t bring any of our belongings with us, everything we own is abandoned back there,” said Bibi, who …

The special court set up to hear cases under the Official Secrets Act extended PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s judicial remand in the cipher case by 14 days. The hearing of the cipher case involving the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman was held at the Attock Jail following an official approval from the Ministry of Law. Imran Khan was presented before the …

President Dr Arif Alvi seeks an increase in his salary. Official documents show the president has sought two raises, first with effect from 1st July 2021 and second with effect from 1st July 2023. Presently, the president draws a monthly salary of Rs846,550 and wants a two-step raise to Rs1,024,325 and Rs1,229,190 per month with effect from July 2021 and …

The federal government has withdrawn an appeal against a verdict of the Lahore High Court in a case related to the auction of the Toshakhana gifts. The deputy attorney general told the Supreme Court that the government wanted to withdraw the appeal in light of the new Toshakhana rules. A division bench led by Justice Ijazul Ahsan conducted the hearing. The Lahore …

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar is set to embark on a significant diplomatic mission to Kenya during the first week of September. This visit comes as a response to an official invitation extended by the Kenyan President, highlighting the strengthening ties between the two nations. During an official three-day visit, Caretaker Prime Minister Kakar will be accompanied by a …

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday suspended PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s three-year sentence in the Toshakhana case. However, a special court recently established to hear cases under the Official Sec­rets Act has directed the Attock Jail authorities where the former premier is incarcerated to keep Imran in “judicial lockup” and produce him on Aug 30 (tomorrow) in connection with …

A two-day U.N. Peacekeeping Ministerial Preparatory Meeting on Wednesday (August 30) under the theme of “Safety and Security of UN Peacekeepers” will take place in Islamabad. Pakistan is hosting this international event, while Japan is a co-host of the meeting. The Preparatory Meeting’s keynote presentations will be given by Pakistan’s foreign and defense ministers. Along with regional and international specialists, …

Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi on Monday said that the energy ministry has chalked out recommendations to tackle the issue of inflated power bills which have resulted in countrywide protests and would present them in the federal cabinet meeting tomorrow. The public has taken to the streets in large numbers since Saturday over exorbitant electricity bills on the back of …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday said it would wrap up the delimitation of national and provincial assembly constituencies “as soon as possible” and ensure that polls were immediately held after the exercise. The assurance was held out to delegations of the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and the Mutahidda Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), who had consultative meetings with the ECP …

The dengue fever is witnessing a rapid upsurge in Islamabad, with an additional 11 cases having been reported within a span of 24 hours. As per the latest report, the cumulative count of dengue-infected patients in the capital city has now escalated to 61. Throughout this year, statistics reveal that 77% of the dengue-affected individuals are males, while the remaining …

A wave of nationwide protests has swept across Pakistan as disgruntled citizens took to the streets to voice their grievances against exorbitant electricity bills. The escalating bills have driven people from various cities and towns to unite in demanding the elimination of what they view as excessive taxes embedded within their electricity charges. Hafizabad In Hafizabad, Anjuman Tajran led a …

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar is scheduled to chair another meeting today regarding possible relief to the masses in electricity bills. NEPRA, the Power Division and DISCOs will give a briefing on the possible relief, electricity theft, losses and recoveries. The public response to inflated bills will also be taken into consideration during the meeting. A briefing will also …

The Islamabad High Court has resumed hearing PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s appeal against his sentence in the Toshakhana criminal case. A division bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri is conducting the hearing. The court has asked the lawyer of the election commission, Amjad Pervaiz, to present arguments. He was unable to attend the previous …

Lawyer Imaan Mazari has been re-arrested from outside Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi as soon as she was released after securing a post arrest bail earlier in the day. A few hours ago, the Anti-Terrorism Court of Islamabad had approved the post-arrest bail petitions of lawyer Imaan Mazari and former MNA Ali Wazir, and ordered that they be released. However, as soon …

The death of 10-year-old Fatima Furiro would have passed sadly but quietly had it not been for the two graphic videos that turned up on social media. The little girl’s body was this week exhumed for a postmortem examination, days after the videos mysteriously appeared online. One appeared to show signs of torture on Fatima’s body, while the other showed …

Employees of electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) consumed free electricity worth Rs. 8.19 billion in 2022, according to Senator Mushtaq Ahmed. In a post on X, the Senator highlighted that according to data provided by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), power sector employees consumed 340 million free electricity units. As many as 189,000 employees benefited from free electricity units, …