ISLAMABAD, June 25(ABC): Pakistan’s power crisis is escalating due to its inability to reach an agreement for natural gas supply next month, reported on Friday. According to traders with knowledge of the situation, Pakistan LNG Ltd. cancelled a July tender for the purchase of shipments of liquefied natural gas after receiving an offer for the most expensive shipment ever to …

GUJRAT, June 25(ABC): Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, the younger brother of PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, has announced the formation of a new party, reported. Chaudhry Wajahat told the media yesterday that Tariq Bashir Cheema had “divided” his family, while Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain (his brother) has been “held hostage by his sons”. He lamented that Chaudhry Shujaat’s son, Salik Hussain, was …

ISLAMABAD, June 25(ABC): The country is witnessing an increase in COVID-19 cases with the positivity ratio reaching 3.19 per cent, and one death reported, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH) on Saturday. According to new NIH statistics, 13,644 tests were performed in the last 24 hours, with 435 new cases detected. The NIH said 87 patients remain in …

KIGALI, June 25(ABC): Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday agreed to strengthen the trade relations between both countries. The state minister held a meeting with the British premier on the sidelines of the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda, where she is leading Pakistan’s …

ISLAMABAD, June 24 (ABC): Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail said that a loan of $2.3 billion from China was expected to be transferred by June 27 and China had also rerolled the safe deposits that were due in June and July. China always supported Pakistan at a crucial time, “ he maintained.  “It is our responsibility to …

RAWALPINDI, June 24(ABC): Pakistan on Friday dispatched the second tranche of humanitarian assistance for the earthquake affectees in a C-30 aircraft of Pakistan Air Force to Afghanistan. Minister for State and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood on Friday handed over the consignment to Afghan Chargé d’affaires Sardar Muhammad Shakeeb here at the Nur Khan Base. NDMA Chairman Lieutenant …

ISLAMABAD, June 24(ABC): Finance Minister Miftah Ismail Friday announced that a Chinese consortium loan of RMB 15 billion (roughly $2.3 billion) has been credited into the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) account, increasing Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves. Earlier, Pakistan had signed a loan facility agreement with a Chinese consortium of banks to aid the depleting foreign exchange reserves and depreciation …

GWADAR, June 24(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced the provision of 200 acres of land for the establishment of a residential colony for the fishermen of Gwadar besides the distribution of 2,000 motorboat engines to help them earn a livelihood. The prime minister stated this in an interaction with local fishermen at Gwadar Business Centre during his day-long …

ISLAMABAD, June 24(ABC): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Thursday urged countries to create an “international plan of action” to battle disinformation and demanded the United Nations create an effective strategy. In his virtual address to the Group of Friends on Countering Disinformation meeting, Bilawal provided some of his own suggestions such as creating campaigns for public awareness regarding disinformation and enhancing …

ISLAMABAD, June 25(ABC): Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Thursday denied claims of an attack against PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan. “When big leaders are attacked, the whole country suffers,” Sanaullah said while speaking to a private news channel. “Imran Khan has the same security as when he was the prime minister.” Sanaullah further accused Khan of wanting …

ISLAMABAD, June 24(ABC): The government has decided to impose ten percent “poverty alleviation tax” on large scale industries of the country. This was announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a video message after chairing meeting of his economic team in Islamabad on Friday. The Prime Minister said teams will be formed to collect tax after the passage of budget …

KARACHI, June 24(ABC): The US dollar did not have to wait long to display its superiority as the greenback struck back at the Pakistani rupee on Friday, reversing the rupee’s winning streak for a day. After an increase of 45 paisa the US dollar was selling at Rs 207.48. It should be noted that the US dollar had depreciated by …

ISLAMABAD, June 24(ABC): Pakistan is no longer heading towards a default as it has now moved on to a path of progress, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail said Friday in his closing speech on the federal budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 in the National Assembly of Pakistan. The premier wrapped up the discussion on budget 2022-23 …

KABUL, June 24(ABC): Five people were killed on Friday in eastern Afghanistan after fresh tremors shook areas close to the epicentre of Wednesday’s 6.1 magnitude earthquake, a senior Afghan official said. “(This) morning another earthquake happened in Paktika in Gayan district, according primary information… five have died,” Afghan health ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman told. US Geological Survey’s website showed a …

ISLAMABAD, June 24(ABC): The COVID-19 numbers in Pakistan are continuing to slowly creep up, with the positivity rate witnessing nearly a 2% jump within a span of just the last five days. Karachi is the most affected city, the latest data by the National Institute of Health, Islamabad (NIH) showed Friday morning. As per the latest stats, the country reported …

KARACHI, June 24(ABC): Inflation, based on the consumer price index (CPI), is expected to soar to over a decade high in June owing to sky-high food and energy prices and massive currency devaluation, reported 0n Friday. Analysts and financial pundits reinforced expectations that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will raise its key interest rate for the sixth consecutive time …

ISLAMABAD, June 24(ABC): Electricity prices are expected to rise from July 1 in phases across the country as the basic power tariff will be jacked up to Rs24.8 per unit,  reported, citing sources in the power division. The decision was taken on June 2 in line with the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) demands and the power distribution companies’ requests. The …

ISLAMABAD, June 23(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that the country may witness more difficult times as it struggles to steer out of the ongoing economic crisis. The coalition government has recently taken some “tough” decisions, including a massive increase on petroleum prices. PM Shehbaz Sharif, while addressing PML-N senators, said that some of his “companions” suggested making …

LAHORE, June 23(ABC): Former planning minister Asad Umar has conceded that the head of Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency, the ISI, had told the National Security Committee (NSC) that he did not see a conspiracy against the then-PTI government. According to a report, the PTI Secretary-General said in a television show Wednesday that, however, the DG ISI did not produce any …

KABUL, June 23(ABC): Scores of people dug graves to bury the earthquake dead in the Paktika province of Afghanistan amid massive aid from across the world, as the death toll from the tremors that jolted Afghanistan on Wednesday hit 1,000, with the number expected to rise. A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck early Wednesday morning about 160 km, (100 miles) southeast of …

ISLAMABAD, June 23(ABC): Finance Minister Miftah Ismail on Thursday declared that Pakistan has been “saved from bankruptcy” as he announced a raft of new measures which will be included in the budget for fiscal year 2022-23. “We have saved the country from bankruptcy by increasing the prices of petroleum products and by holding late-night dialogue with the Fund mission,” he …

KARACHI, June 23(ABC): The Pakistani rupee appreciated by Rs1.93 on Thursday morning in the interbank market, a day after Finance Minister Miftah Ismail announced a $2.3 billion loan agreement with a Chinese banks consortium. The dollar was trading at Rs210 in the interbank market at about 10:15am. The previous day’s close was Rs211.93 against the greenback, according to the State …

KARACHI, June 23(ABC): The COVID-19 positivity ratio has exceeded 21% in Karachi as the spread of the infection sees a swift rise across the city and the rest of the country, data by the National Institute of Health, Islamabad (NIH) showed Thursday morning. A total of 138 new infections were detected in the metropolis when 650 samples were tested, taking …

ISLAMABAD, June 23(ABC): The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Wednesday on the directives of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has dispatched relief goods for Afghanistan earthquake victims. The National Disaster Management Authority dispatched a consignment including family tents, tarpaulins, blankets and emergency medicines, said the spokesperson of NDMA. “Pakistan has assured all possible support to ameliorate the sufferings of …

ISLAMABAD, June 23(ABC): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday said that they wanted to transform Pakistan into an Asian hub for industrialization through extensive investment. The prime minister was talking to a delegation of Bahrainian companies led by Founder/Chairman Royale Nova Pvt. Ltd. Sheikh Khalid Mohammad Salman Al Khalifa that called on him. Minister for Investment Board Chaudhry Salik Hussain, …

ISLAMABAD, Jun 22 (ABC): Federal Minister for Planning and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal, on Wednesday, said  the government was positively engaged with European Union Monitoring Mission expecting the extension of GSP+ (Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus) status for Pakistan for next 10 years, which was set to expire on Dec 31, 2023. It is pertinent to mention that there is zero …

ISLAMABAD, Jun 22 (ABC): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday expressed gratitude to the Chinese leadership and the people of China for the RMB 15 billion loan facility agreement signed by the Chinese consortium of banks and the Pakistan side. On his Twitter handle, the foreign minister expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping, his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi …

ISLAMABAD, June 22(ABC): Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said Wednesday that negotiations with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) will be held under the Constitution of Pakistan. Sanaullah was addressing a press conference alongside Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb after an important meeting on national security was chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. “A detailed session was held on the [security situation], where …

WEB DESK, June 22(ABC): The US is hoping to combat the growing criminal use of drones with new rules that will allow local law enforcement agencies and other organisations to have counter-drone systems. At present, legal restrictions in the US hamper efforts to tackle such activity. The Federal Aviation Administration bans anyone from interfering with an aircraft in flight, including …

WEB DESK, June 22(ABC): A sweater embedded with a coil filled with liquid metal can wirelessly charge wearable or portable electronic devices, including medical sensors, movement trackers and smartphones. Wireless charging technology is growing in popularity, and it has the potential to be built into clothing to charge small electronics devices while they are being worn. However, this potential has yet to …

WEB DESK, June 22(ABC): A material made from recycled wood is five times stronger than natural wood and can be made from any timber by-product, including shavings and sawdust. Wood is a hugely versatile material, but millions of tonnes go into landfill each year. To build a truly circular economy, wood will need to be re-used on a grander scale. Orlando …

WEB DESK, June 22(ABC): Temporary tattoos made using graphene can continuously monitor blood pressure for days. The approach is very different from standard blood pressure cuffs, which haven’t changed much since they were first invented around a hundred years ago. Akinwande and his colleagues created the tattoo, which consists of 12 nearly invisible graphene strips placed in two rows along …

ISLAMABAD, June 22(ABC): Pakistan on Wednesday signed a RMB 15 billion ($2.3 billion) loan facility agreement with a Chinese consortium of banks which is expected to aid the depleting foreign exchange reserves and depreciation of local currency. Finance Minister Miftah Ismail announced the development on his Twitter handle, revealing that the inflows are expected within a couple of days. “We …

  ISLAMABAD, June 22(ABC): Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday while taking a dig at the government said that he had never thought about appointing army chief of his choice. Addressing a seminar in Islamabad on Wednesday, he said that he had told 11 years ago that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan …

ISLAMABAD, June 22(ABC): Former finance minister and senior PTI leader Shaukat Tarin Wednesday said that the coalition government “should have purchased cheap oil from Russia” as the previous Imran Khan-led government had already written a letter in this regard. Addressing a press conference flanked by his former spokesperson Muzzamil Aslam, Tarin lamented that the matter with Russia “was not taken …

ISLAMABAD, June 22(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that his government stands firmly behind Roshan Digital Account scheme. PM Shehbaz, in a tweet, said that he was happy that the previous day State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) received $57 million, the largest inflow in a day ever. The premier said that we have now crossed $4.5 billion in …

WEB DESK, June 22(ABC): The popular messaging application WhatsApp is planning to roll out a new animation update for one of the most frequently used chat emojis. WhatsApp is working on bringing its larger animated heart emojis feature in a future version of the app. Though the update is a small visual addition, it will make WhatsApp chats more expressive …

KARACHI, June 22(ABC): The Pakistani rupee finally snapped its losing streak against the US dollar on Wednesday, gaining nearly Re1 in early morning interbank trade, mainly due to the ‘broad agreement’ with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. The rupee reversed some of the gains but still appreciated to Rs211 (as of 10:42am) against the dollar from Tuesday’s close of …

KABUL, June 22(ABC): An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 killed at least 950 people in Afghanistan early on Wednesday, officials said, adding that hundreds of people were injured and the toll was likely to rise as information trickled in from remote mountain villages. The quake struck about 44 km (27 miles) from the city of Khost, near the Pakistani border, the …

ISLAMABAD, June 22(ABC): After nearly a five-month hiatus since the last wave of coronavirus, the infection is rearing its head again in Pakistan, with a nationwide positivity rate of 1.53%, according to the latest data by the National Institute of Health Sciences. According to the NIH, 204 more people have tested positive for coronavirus in the last 24 hours after …