ISLAMABAD, June 17(ABC): Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah asked Friday who was responsible for enforced disappearances of people and wondered whether there was a “state operating within the state.” Justice Minallah’s questions came during the hearing relating to the disappearance of journalist Muadassir Naro and five other people, where the deputy attorney-general appeared before the court. The …

ISLAMABAD, June 17(ABC): In response to some media queries and press reports about remarks made by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari regarding relations with India in his address at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), the foreign office spokesperson stated that the statements were being “interpreted out of context and portrayed incorrectly.” “There is no change in Pakistan’s policy on …

KARACHI, June 17(ABC): Markets across Sindh will shut down at 9pm in order to save electricity, a notification from the province’s home department said Friday, as the country witnesses constant power outages. The measure, which will remain in effect till July 16, is in response to the prevalent outages, and load shedding of the electricity and seeks to reduce the …

RAWALPINDI, June 17(ABC): A 5.0-magnitude earthquake hit the federal capital, Rawalpindi and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reported Friday afternoon. Earthquake tremors were also felt in several other areas of Punjab and KP including Multan, Faisalabad, Abbottabad, Swat, Buner, Kohat, Malakand, Kotli, Azad Kashmir, Swabi, Mansehra, Battagram, Kohistan and Torghar. The people in affected areas exited their houses and offices immediately …

ISLAMABAD, June 17(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that timely import of edible oil from Indonesia has averted the impending oil crisis in the country. Talking to Minister for Industries and Production Makhdoom Murtaza Mahmood in Islamabad on Friday, the Prime Minister said that the 2.5 million metric tons of edible oil being imported from Indonesia will reduce oil …

LAHORE, June 17(ABC): Due to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in several parts of the country, 13 people have died in different incidents. As per police, a wall fell on a family in Kahna, Lahore. Man named Bashir Ahmed was sleeping on the roof top of his house with his family and a wall from neighbor s house fell on them. Four …

BERLIN, June 17(ABC): All eyes are on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) plenary meeting concluding today (Friday), with Pakistan having high hopes to secure an ‘onsite visit’ which may lead Islamabad a step closer to get out of the grey list. A government official said in conversation that the recent updates on the plenary meeting show good signs of …

ISLAMABAD, June 17(ABC): As diplomatic ties between Pakistan and South Africa remain strained, both countries have imposed an unannounced ban on the transfer and registration of vehicles of each other’s embassies, reported citing sources. According to the sources, the revenue department of South Africa has initiated a probe against the Pakistani embassy in connection with selling vehicles. “Pakistani diplomats deployed …

SHAKARGARH, June 17(ABC): PML-N leader Daniyal Aziz was injured after his car collided with a truck near Shakargarh city in the Narowal district of Punjab. According to rescue officials, one person was killed in the accident while Aziz has been shifted to the DHQ Hospital, Narowal. The sources said that the PML-N leader was driving the car himself and his …

KARACHI, June 17(ABC): MQM-P once again emerged victorious in the NA-240 by-elections with a close margin of 65 votes against rival TLP, reported. The MQM-P’s candidate Mohammad Abubakar has secured 10,683 votes, while TLP’s candidate Shahzada Shahbaz ended up second as he bagged 10,618 votes. Meanwhile, the Muhajir Qaumi Movement candidate Syed Rafiuddin secured the third position with 8,349 votes, …

ISLAMABAD, June 17(ABC): Finance Minister Miftah Ismail clarified on Thursday that he is not using his official residence nor does he have any intention to move there. Responding to a story claiming refurbishment of the official residence, the finance minister said that he lives in a home in Islamabad’s F7. “I have been assigned a home in ministers’ enclave but …

ISLAMABAD, Jun 16 (ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday thanking the Saudi leadership for ‘Road to Makkah’ project, expressed his satisfaction that thousands of Pakistani pilgrims would be facilitated under this initiative. The prime minister was talking to ‘Road to Makkah’ project team, which led by Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al-Malkiy called on him …

ISLAMABAD,  June 16 (ABC) Government on Thursday took away minor relief from electricity consumers by eliminating subsidy over the electricity. According to a notification issued by Ministry of Power, 5 rupees per unit subsidy will be taken back from the electricity consumers, and the decision will be implicated immediately. After the decision, it is expected that electricity consumers of LESCO …

ISLAMABAD, Jun 16 (ABC): Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani on Thursday said that the government was keen to further expand economic ties with China which would eventually enhance people-to-people contact of both the countries and would offer massive opportunities to the investors. The chairman, in a meeting with a five-member delegation of Chinese investors, said business partnership and investment would …

ISLAMABAD, June 16(ABC): Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has announced countrywide protest on Sunday against rising inflation and hike in prices of petroleum products. In a video message on Thursday, he called on the masses to hold a countrywide protest on Sunday at 9 pm against the ‘rising inflation’ and petrol price hike. Imran Khan …

ISLAMABAD, June 16(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed the confidence that Pakistan will get out of economic difficulties. In his tweets on Thursday, the Prime Minister said he is acutely aware of the impact that a fuel price hike causes. He said the government is left with no choice but to raise the prices due to the IMF deal …

ISLAMABAD, June 16(ABC): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reaffirmed Pakistan s desire to play a role of bridge between world powers, not a divider. Addressing the 49th Foundation Day of the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad on Thursday, he said Pakistan has an important geographic location and it has the potential to mitigate the conflict between world powers …

ISLAMABAD, June 16(ABC): Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif on Thursday said that the coalition government inherited economy in tatters from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government. Addressing a press conference, flanked by Qamar Zaman Kaira and Asad Mehmood in Islamabad, Khawaja Asif said that former prime ministeImran Khan always makes claims about alleged conspiracy against him but never talks about …

KARACHI, June 16(ABC): A person was killed after he was shot during the by-election in the port city’s NA-240 constituency, while nearly a dozen others sustained injuries as violence marred the polls. Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC) officials said that the deceased, identified as 60-year-old Saifullah, died when he was brought to the medical facility. The administration officials said that …

ISLAMABAD, June 16(ABC): Islamabad High Court (IHC) Thursday nullified an earlier ruling of the higher court that ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to wrap up PTI’s prohibited funding case within a month. A day earlier, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja had directed the ECP staff to list the foreign funding case as prohibited funding — accepting the PTI’s …

KARACHI, June 16(ABC): The vehicle of Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) leader Anis Kaimkhani was fired upon in the city’s Korangi area during the by-election for a National Assembly constituency. The incident took place as the political activities heightened in the NA-240 constituency — which covers areas in Korangi and Landhi — on Thursday evening, with political parties eyeing to win …

ISLAMABAD, June 16(ABC): President Dr Arif Alvi reprimanded the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for harassing a taxpayer who filed a complaint with the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) against the tax collecting authority over the non-issuance of a genuine refund. President Alvi rejected the FBR representation against the order of the FTO by observing that the case had repeatedly been …

ISLAMABAD, June 16(ABC): In a major move to conserve electricity amid skyrocketing fuel prices, the Power Division has decided to cut supply from commercial feeders from 7pm to 10pm daily all over Pakistan, sources told on Thursday. According to the Power Division sources, the energy ministry has prepared a summary for the cabinet’s approval. The sources said that no load-shedding …

WEB DESK, June 16(ABC): The dollar continued to rise against the Pakistan rupee on Thursday, zooming past Rs207 in interbank trade. The foreign currency recorded an increase of Rs1.29 compared to yesterday’s rate, hitting Rs207.75, foreign exchange dealers said. According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), on Wednesday the local currency shed Rs1.3 (or 0.63%) against the greenback to …

ISLAMABAD, June 16(ABC): PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said on Thursday that the former governments tell people about their achievements when they leave but “ex-ministers tell the people that Imran Khan laid landmines for the incumbent government.” Maryam said that the Shehbaz-led government hasn’t increased a single penny in the petrol price or tax by its own will. It is …

ISLAMABAD, June 16(ABC): Senior PPP leader and adviser to the Prime Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira on Thursday said that “we must change our habits and unite” while responding to the latest petrol price hike. The statement came during a press conference of Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif, flanked by Kaira and MNA Asad Mehmood in Islamabad. “With a heavy heart, …

ISLAMABAD, June 16(ABC): PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday said that no Pakistani prime minister can run an independent foreign policy. Addressing a press conference at the Islamabad High Court Bar Association on Thursday, the former premier gave a list of PTI’s achievements during its tenure and heavily criticised the coalition government’s handling of the economy. “In our time, the …

WEB DESK, June 16(ABC): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has rejected reports that it has asked Pakistan to renegotiate deals inked with independent power producers (IPPs) for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). A statement was released on Wednesday by Esther Perez Ruiz, IMF’s Resident Representative for Pakistan. “The IMF did not ask Pakistan to renegotiate CEPC (sic) IPP contracts. These …

ISLAMABAD, June 16(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday promised the nation that his government would release “details soon” regarding the previous PTI regime’s deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). His message on Twitter comes a day after the government raised fuel prices by as much as nearly Rs60, with petrol reaching Rs233.89 — unprecedented in the country’s history. “Acutely aware …

LAHORE, June 16(ABC): PML-Q senior leader Moonis Elahi appeared on Thursday before the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) after it filed a money laundering case against him to the tune of Rs720 million. Moonis is a former federal minister and son of Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Elahi. FIA booked him and others in the case following a report by the FIA’s Anti-Corruption …

ISLAMABAD, June 16(ABC): Federal Finance Minister Miftah Ismail on Wednesday announced that the government was not in a position to bear subsidies on petroleum products anymore, therefore, it has decided to increase the prices of petrol by Rs24.03, taking it to the record high of Rs233.89 per litre. Starting from June 16, the price of petrol will be Rs233.89 per litre, …

ISLAMABAD, June 16(ABC): Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan asked on Wednesday if Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar would decide whether a conspiracy was hatched or not to overthrow his government. Responding to queries of general public on social media on Wednesday, he said that this could be his [DG …

GHOTKI, June 16(ABC): The Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has discovered new gas reserves from a well in district Ghotki of Sindh, which the company says will help in overcoming the energy crisis in the country. “On May 9, a well Umair South East # 01, located in district Ghotki of Sindh was spudded as an exploratory well …

RAWALPINDI, June 15(ABC): Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar said Wednesday he “did not issue political statements” when he commented on the outcomes of the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting which reviewed the alleged “threat letter” from the United States. The DG ISPR, during an interview with a private television channel a day earlier, had said the military …

ISLAMABAD, June 15(ABC): PTI Chairman Imran Khan warned on Wednesday that the justice system in the country was under threat because of the new government in power. Speaking during the executive council meeting of the PTI’s Rawalpindi chapter in Islamabad, the former prime minister said that his successor — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif — siphoned off Rs16 billion under his …

ISLAMABAD, June 15(ABC): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Wednesday released the data of the assets owned by members of Parliament — including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif — for the year 2021. According to the ECP document, the total assets owned by PM Shehbaz are worth Rs100 million while his property in London is worth Rs1.37 million. The document said …

ISLAMABAD, June15(ABC): Minister for Science and Technology Agha Hassan Baloch Wednesday ordered an inquiry committee to probe the allegations levelled against the wife of PTI leader Shahbaz Gill for not completing her university scholarship within the mandated time. Last month it came to light that the PTI leader’s wife Izza Asad Rasool owed around Rs18.6 million to the Commission on …

LAHORE, June 15(ABC): The Punjab government on Wednesday presented the budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 after much delay but at a different venue than the conventional one as the treasury and Opposition benches failed to reach a consensus over convening a session. After a two-day-long delay, Finance Minister Punjab Sardar Awais Laghari unveiled the Rs3.226 trillion provincial budget for …

  ISLAMABAD, June 15(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says it is his personal interest and commitment to building economic zones in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He was speaking during a visit to the Rashakai Special Economic Zone on Wednesday. Rashakai SEZ is a flagship project under the industrial cooperation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework. The …

ISLAMABAD, June 15(ABC): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar on Wednesday said that it would be better for the army and the country if the Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR) director-general does not interpret political affairs. Addressing a press conference along with senior PTI leader and former federal minister Shireen Mazari in Islamabad, Asad Umar said that the facts written in …