Ministry of Finance has fulfilled another IMF condition by releasing the semi-annual report on public debt for FY 2024-25. According to the report, Pakistan’s total public debt surpassed Rs74 trillion by December 2024, with a Rs2,767 billion increase recorded between July and December 2024. During this period, the government paid Rs5,142 billion in interest on these loans, with 90% of …

Foreign rescue teams began flying into Myanmar on Saturday to aid the search for survivors from an earthquake that killed more than 1,000 people in the impoverished Southeast Asian nation crippling critical infrastructure amid a grinding civil war. The death toll in Myanmar was 1,002, the military government said on Saturday, up sharply from initial state media reports of 144 …

A terrorist attack on the Lakhanai border checkpost in Dera Ghazi Khan was successfully repelled by security forces late last night. According to police reports, a group of 20 to 25 militants launched an assault on the post but faced strong retaliation. As a result of the counter-operation, three terrorists were killed, while several others sustained injuries. The remaining attackers …

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has written a letter to President Asif Ali Zardari on the topic of convening the 10th NFC meeting. Gandapur mentioned in his letter that as a result of the 25th Constitutional Amendment, the former tribal districts were merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The merger of those districts increased the population of the province by …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has been granted permission to receive books and speak to his children over phone. Anti-terrorism Court (ATC) judge Amjad Ali Shah approved Imran Khan’s request during a hearing. The court directed the Adiala Jail superintendent to ensure the provision of books to the detainee and arrange a phone call with his children before Eid. …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Dr Yasmin Rashid said on Thursday that the country should be run in line with the constitution instead of bringing laws like the PECA Act and 26th constitutional amendment. According to details, Dr Rashid issued a letter to the media. She lashed out at the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). “The PPP had staged a protest …

The government slashed on Friday the price of petrol by Rs1 per litre, while kept the price of diesel unchanged for the next fortnight, starting from March 29 (Saturday). According to issued notification, the fresh price of petrol reached Rs254.63 per litre. The price of high-speed diesel remained stable at Rs 258.64 per litre. The finance ministry had issued a …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed on Friday the need for embracing the national unity to combat the menace of terrorism. Speaking at the “Rab-e-Zul-Jalaal Ka Ehsaan – Pakistan Day” ceremony, he expressed that the country’s progress hinged on a united front, especially against the forces of terror. PM Shehbaz said: “Every individual in this nation must contribute to the country’s …

LHASA: All-round and historic progress has been made in human rights cause in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, according to a white paper released on Friday. The document, titled “Human Rights in Xizang in the New Era,” was released by the State Council Information Office at a press conference held in Lhasa, capital city of the region. The Communist Party …

None of the Pakistani bowlers could manage to clinch any of the top 10 spots in T20I cricket as the International Cricket Council (ICC) had released the fresh rankings on Wednesday. According to details, Australian batter Travis Head continued to dominate the T20I rankings as the number one batter in the format. Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam was placed on …

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has ruled that a court decision granting the first wife the right to annul marriage if her husband remarries without permission is un-Islamic. The council, in its 241st session chaired by Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi, stated that such a ruling does not align with Sharia law and is therefore incorrect in Islamic jurisprudence. The …

A partial solar eclipse took place on Saturday, as the moon crossed in front of the Sun for approximately four hours, offering skygazers in parts of the Northern Hemisphere a rare celestial spectacle. The event stretched from eastern Canada to northern Russia, with the potential to be seen across most of Europe and some areas of northeastern North America and …

Dubai International Airport had anticipated a busy two weekends, with nearly 4 million passengers expected to pass through as the month of Ramadan was about to be concluded and the Muslim holiday of Eid Al-Fitr to began in April. According to details, the airport had been preparing to receive over 3.6 million guests from March 26 to April 7 during …

The long-awaited resumption of Pakistani airlines’ flights, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), to the United Kingdom (UK) has been delayed due to recent air safety incidents, sources revealed. According to insiders, two critical aviation mishaps significantly impacted the decision-making process regarding the lifting of the ban on Pakistani carriers. Key incidents affecting decision Wrong Runway Landing: During the visit of …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed satisfaction over Pakistan’s staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), calling it a sign of confidence in the country’s economic stability. During a federal cabinet meeting chaired by the premier on Wednesday, Shehbaz congratulated Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and the government’s economic team for successfully securing the next tranche of the IMF loan …

Chief Justice Yahya Afridi has stated that judicial reforms aim to ensure timely and effective delivery of justice to litigants. A consultative meeting was held with the heads of various departments, attended by the Registrar of the Supreme Court, the Director General of the Federal Judicial Academy, and the Secretary of the Law and Justice Commission. According to the official …

The Foreign Office spokesperson, responding to media queries regarding Pakistani journalists’ visit to Israel, stated that the government has taken notice of these reports. The Foreign Office has clarified that Pakistani passports explicitly state that they are “not valid for travel to Israel. Responding to the reports, Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said no such visit is possible under existing regulations. …

The streets of Karachi had been bustling with shoppers preparing for the festive occasion, with Eid-Al-Fitr just around the corner. The city’s markets, particularly in the famous Saddar’s Cooperative Market, had seen a surge in activity as women and children flocked to purchase new clothes, sandals, and jewellery. One of the buyers explained, “I have bought clothes for my children, …

Noted singer Ali Zafar will song the anthem for the forthcoming tenth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). According to details, Zafar had prepared the composition for the anthem of the domestic marquee tournament. The PSL 10 anthem will be released soon. The premium tournament will be kickstarted from April 11 and it will be for the first time …

Thousands of students flooded the streets of Istanbul on Monday, marking a new chapter in the protests ignited by the arrest of opposition Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The demonstrations, which started after Imamoglu’s arrest on March 19, had spread to at least 55 of Turkey’s 81 provinces, leading to violent clashes with riot police and widespread international condemnation. More than 1,130 …

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a drought alert for Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab, warning that the situation could deteriorate further due to a significant rainfall deficit and rising temperatures. According to official data, between September 1, 2024, and March 21, 2025, the country received 40% less rainfall than normal. Sindh recorded the highest deficit at 62%, followed by …

A high-level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan convened in Islamabad deliberated on strategic investments in Bitcoin mining and the tokenisation of real-world assets. This groundbreaking meeting signals Pakistan’s openness to embrace the digital economy and commitment to becoming a global hub for blockchain technology. The assembly featured prominent participants including Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and …

BOAO, Hainan: Despite increasing global economic uncertainty, Asia has remained a key growth engine for global economy, according to a report released at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) on Tuesday. The weighted real GDP growth rate of Asia is projected to reach 4.5 percent in 2025, an increase from 4.4 percent in 2024, according to the annual report titled …

The immediate restoration of social media platform X in Pakistan remains unlikely as negotiations between the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the platform’s foreign management have failed to reach a resolution. According to sources, PTA has decided not to restore the service on its own without explicit government or court directives. PTA officials confirmed  that despite multiple exchanges of correspondence, …

South Africa’s expelled ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, returned home on Sunday to a raucous reception at Cape Town International Airport, following his removal by the administration of former US President Donald Trump. Rasool and his wife, Rosieda, were surrounded by cheering supporters as they emerged in the arrivals terminal, requiring a police escort to navigate through the …

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Excise and Taxation Department has issued a letter to the Health Department, instructing hospitals to deduct professional tax from doctors’ salaries. According to the letter, the tax deduction will be made as per the prescribed rates, and hospitals have also been directed to recover outstanding tax dues from doctors. The directive follows a 2021 ruling by the Peshawar …

Bollywood’s power couple, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, might be planning to expand their family. Fans are abuzz with speculation after Ranbir hinted at the possibility of welcoming a second child. During an interview with Mashable, Ranbir was asked if he planned on getting another tattoo. He already has one dedicated to his daughter, Raha. In response, he playfully remarked, …

Bollywood star Emraan Hashmi surprised his fans with an official announcement of the much-anticipated sequel to his 2007 action thriller Awarapan on his birthday. The film, titled Awarapan 2, is scheduled for a grand theatrical release on April 3, 2026. Taking to social media, Emraan shared the news with a nostalgic caption, “Bas mujhe kuch aur der zinda rakh… #Awarapan2 …

NEPRA has completed the hearing on tariff revision requests from seven Independent Power Producers (IPPs). If approved, consumers could receive a relief of 50 paisa per unit, leading to an estimated overall saving of Rs920 billion. The hearing was held on the requests submitted by seven IPPs under the 2002 power policy, including Nishat Chunian Power, Nishat Power, Narowal Energy …

The first Hajj flight is scheduled to depart for Saudi Arabia on May 1, according to sources from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The Hajj operation will continue for 30 days, with the last flight departing on May 30. Sources indicate that the flight schedule is expected to be released by April 10. Five airlines, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) …

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz conducted a surprise visit to Jinnah Hospital in Lahore, where she found several shortcomings in the hospital’s administration. Following a series of complaints from patients and their attendants regarding the unavailability of free medicines and essential medical tests, the chief minister took strict action, ordering the immediate suspension of the hospital’s principal and medical superintendent …

Islamabad High Court (IHC) has restored the right of PTI founder to meet visitors twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while hearing petitions related to jail meetings. The larger bench, headed by Acting Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and comprising Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Muhammad Azam, issued the ruling. According to the court’s decision, only individuals nominated by …

ISLAMABAD (Internews): Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong has said that China firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, in resolutely combating terrorism, and in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs. While addressing to the inauguration ceremony of the “Esthetic Bridges” exhibition on …

International Monetary Fund (IMF) has granted partial approval for a 2% reduction in withholding tax on property purchases, following a request from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The change will take effect in April 2025 and is expected to boost business activity in the real estate sector. However, the withholding tax on property sellers will remain unchanged. According to …

President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday paid tribute to the sacrifices made for the creation of Pakistan, reaffirming the country’s commitment to national security, counterterrorism efforts, and the Kashmir cause. Addressing the participants of the Pakistan Day ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Zardari said that March 23 serves as a reminder of the countless sacrifices made by millions of Muslims in …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday asserted that Pakistan has achieved economic stability through relentless efforts, while institutional reforms and systemic rectifications are in progress to ensure long-term national progress. In his special message on the occasion of Pakistan Day, the premier paid tribute to the country’s founding leaders, highlighting the significance of the Lahore Resolution of 1940, which laid …

The nation is commemorating Pakistan Day with patriotic fervour today (Sunday), as dignitaries, military leadership, and citizens come together to reflect on the significance of the historic Lahore Resolution of 1940 that paved the way for the country’s independence. The hallmark of the celebrations, the Pakistan Day parade, was held at Aiwan-e-Sadr instead of its usual venue at the Shakarparian …

US authorities on Friday dismissed accusations that a French researcher had been barred entry to the United States because of his political opinions, stating that he had confidential material from a nuclear research laboratory. The French government reported on Wednesday that the researcher had been denied entry while attempting to attend a scientific conference in Texas. “This measure was apparently …

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has announced a protest movement against the controversial six canals project on the Indus River, calling it an illegal and unconstitutional initiative. Senior PPP leader Nisar Khuhro stated that protests will be held across all district headquarters in Sindh on March 25 to oppose the project. Speaking to the media, Khuhro accused the Punjab government …