International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has written a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, expressing concern over the challenges faced by journalists in the country, particularly under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The letter, also sent to the prime minister and the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), highlights the increasing risks journalists face while …

The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led federal government is likely to hike petroleum product prices from July 16. Industry insiders indicate that petrol may become costlier by approximately Rs6.60 per litre, while the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) is expected to go up by around Rs5.27 per litre. The price revisions, if implemented, will take effect from July 16 and remain …

A powerful sugar cartel is driving the surge in sugar prices across Pakistan, exploiting export permissions, manipulating production costs, and pocketing billions, according to official documents. Sugar mill owners have historically secured government subsidies under the pretext of sugar exports, yet domestic prices remained uncontrolled. From 2015 to 2020, 26 sugar mills received Rs4.12 billion in subsidies to export 400,000 …

At least 104 people have lost their lives and 200 others have been injured in rain-related incidents across Pakistan since June 26, as the country grapples with the ongoing monsoon spell. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) released updated figures on Friday, detailing the human and infrastructural toll of the extreme weather. According to a spokesperson for the NDMA, the …

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh has said that there is no pressure from Washington on Islamabad to recognise Israel. Speaking at a community event held in Dallas, Texas, Ambassador Sheikh clarified that Pakistan’s stance on Israel remains unchanged, and any decision on the matter will be taken in accordance with the nation’s interests and principles. “There …

Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur has extended an offer of cooperation for the establishment of a cancer hospital in Afghanistan, the Afghan embassy said on Saturday. Pakistan has built several medical facilities in Afghanistan, including a big Jinnah Hospital in the capital, Kabul. Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan, Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb, met with the Chief Minister of Khyber …

The Punjab government on Saturday decided to restore board examinations for eighth grade students across the province. The decision was announced following a meeting of the Board of Governors of the Punjab Assessment and Examination Commission (PACTA), chaired by Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat. The meeting deliberated on the structure of assessment and examination from classes five to eight …

Under conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Ministry of Finance has released a comprehensive performance report of Pakistan’s government-owned enterprises (SOEs), revealing alarming levels of financial mismanagement and mounting liabilities. According to the report, the total losses of more than 15 major government institutions have now surpassed a staggering Rs5,893 billion. In just the first six months …

Nine passengers, all belonging to Punjab, were brutally shot dead after being abducted by terrorists affiliated with Fitna-ul-Hindustan in the Loralai district, officials confirmed on Thursday. All nine were shot dead in cold blood. The victims’ bodies were shifted to Rakhni Basic Health Unit (BHU) for identification and have since been sent to their native towns in Punjab. The bodies …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s former wife Jemima Goldsmith said on Thursday that the latter’s sons will be arrested if visit Pakistan. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Goldsmith said: “My children are not allowed to speak on the phone of their father. He has been in solitary confinement in prison for nearly 2 years.” “Pakistan’s government has now said …

The Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a weather alert, forecasting widespread heavy rains across the country from July 14 to 17, warning of potential urban flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. According to the Met Office, persistent rainfall during this period could lead to the inundation of low-lying areas in major cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sargodha, Peshawar, and Nowshera. …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken strict notice of the National Tariff Commission’s (NTC) poor performance and has ordered immediate structural reforms. According to details surfaced on Thursday, during a high-level meeting chaired by the premier, it was decided that the NTC would undergo a complete legal and administrative restructuring. He directed that the commission be made more effective on …

The Pakistan Army has vowed to continue decisive and comprehensive operations at all levels against Indian-sponsored terrorist proxies, reaffirming that the safety and security of the Pakistani people remain its top priority. This was stated during the 271st Corps Commanders Conference held at the General Headquarters (GHQ), chaired by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The high-level …

Senior lawyer and PTI leader Salman Akram Raja has strongly defended the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s democratic right to protest and criticized the government’s claims of having a two-thirds majority in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Speaking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court on Wednesday, Raja emphasized that the sons of the PTI founder have every right to participate in the …

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has accused India of adopting terrorism as a state policy against Pakistan during an interview with Al Jazeera. Addressing security concerns, Lt Gen Chaudhry further asserted Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities remain “invincible and fully secure.” “No one can dare target our nuclear program,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s strategic assets …

Torrential monsoon rains and resulting floods have claimed at least 79 lives across Pakistan in the last 12 days, according to a report issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday. The report, which covers the period from June 26 to July 7, reveals a grim toll: 29 fatalities were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 24 in Punjab, 15 …

The number of Pakistanis applying for political asylum in European countries has declined in 2024, according to the latest EU asylum trends report. Italy remained the top destination for Pakistani asylum seekers, followed by France, Greece, and Germany. Asylum applications from Pakistani nationals had been steadily rising since 2020. The EU Asylum Report 2022 had already shown a significant increase, …

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Quetta on Tuesday handed Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) chief Dr Mahrang Baloch and other organisers of the group into police custody for 10 days, extending their three-month detention. In March, Mahrang and other BYC members were arrested for “attacking” the Quetta Civil Hospital and “inciting people to violence”, a day after the group faced a …

Adviser to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister on Information Barrister Muhammad Saif has urged Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to show moral courage and refuse to accept the reserved seats. “If the opposition parties have even the slightest moral courage, they will refuse to take reserved seats which are only PTI’s right but have been put up for ‘auction’,” …

LAHORE: Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad khan said he cannot permit vulgar language on the assembly floor. Addressing a press conference in Lahore, the speaker said he has always tried to fulfill his responsibilities as a good custodian of the House. “I have always acted as a good custodian of the House, but I cannot permit the use of vulgar …

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced Pakistan’s first-ever Artificial Intelligence-based Customs Clearance and Risk Management System (RMS). During a meeting chaired by the prime minister held here to review the ongoing reforms measures by the FBR, it was informed that under this new system, estimation of cost and nature of goods during import and export will be …

Seven people lost their lives and seven others were injured in various incidents during the recent monsoon rains in Balochistan, according to a report issued by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). PDMA reported that heavy rains, strong winds, and lightning caused significant damage in several areas. In Washuk district, five houses were completely destroyed due to flooding. Damage was …

The new business week began with a new record as the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) surged to an all-time high on Monday. For the first time in history, the stock market crossed the milestone of 133,000 points. During intraday trading, the market gained over 1,100 points. The benchmark KSE-100 index jumped by 1,160 points, reaching a record level of 133,109 …

The Day of Ashura is being celebrated with religious devotion and respect across the country to pay homage to the Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions. The President’s message on the occasion of Ashura said that in the context of the challenges facing the country today, we as a nation need a Hussaini character. President Asif Ali Zardari and …

Youm-e-Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, is being observed with religious reverence and solemnity across Pakistan and around the world today to pay tribute to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the beloved grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and the other martyrs of Karbala. Processions featuring symbolic representations of the Alam (standard), Zuljanah (Imam Hussain’s horse), and Tazias are being taken out …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested two persons and charged four others in a scandal of Pakistani visas to Afghan nationals on fake sponsorship letters, according to the firs information report (FIR) lodged by the anti-crime watchdog. Two government employees, one working in the Press Information Department and other in the Foreign Office, are among those involved in the …

An alarming rise in heart attacks and cardiac arrests among young people in Pakistan is raising serious concerns among health experts, as avoidable lifestyle habits and delayed diagnosis of diseases continue to claim lives that are far too young. The tragic death of a schoolteacher recently, who suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while delivering a lecture, has shocked the public …

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday rejected reports of a meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan, calling them unfounded rumours. Speaking to reporters at Lahore’s Data Darbar, he dismissed rumours about Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Adiala Jail, saying “there is no truth in such talk”. Remarkably, the foreign minister subtly hinted at the …

Allegations of illegal appointments and corruption have emerged within the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC), raising serious concerns over transparency and governance. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has launched an investigation against the former SPSC chairman and several other individuals in connection with these allegations. NAB has requested the SPSC’s current chairman to provide records of 16 officials, including former …

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Friday that India wants war under the guise of terrorist attacks. In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, the former foreign minister said, “This attitude would not favour either Pakistan or India. The fear of war between the two nuclear powers has increased more than ever.” “We cannot punish the generations …

Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has asked the opposition to stop staging the “confrontational” politics. Speaking to media in Islamabad, Chaudhry said, “Political forces do always talk about moving forward by joining hands with each other. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has greeted Barrister Gohar and Asad Qaiser by himself approaching the opposition benches.” The premier has stressed the importance for …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while addressing the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit in Khankandi, called for stronger regional cooperation, urgent climate action, and unity against destabilizing forces. In his keynote speech on Friday, PM Shehbaz congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for successfully hosting the summit and expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality in the historic and beautiful city …

ISLAMABAD (Internews): The China-Pakistan High-Quality Agricultural Cooperation Development Forum was held in Islamabad on Thursday. Hosted by the China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan (CCCPK), the forum aimed to strengthen agricultural industrial cooperation between China and Pakistan and promote agricultural modernization under the CPEC framework. The forum featured five thematic speeches, covering contract farming of chili and sesame, promotion and …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Iran’s nuclear programme for peaceful purposes, while strongly condemning Israel’s “unjustified aggression” against Tehran and atrocities in Gaza. Speaking at a joint press conference alongside Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian in Islamabad, the prime minister praised Iran’s “strong and courageous” response to Israeli actions, describing it as a “brilliant victory” …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has left for Azerbaijan to participate in the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), beginning in Khankendi, Republic of Azerbaijan from today. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi are accompanying the Prime Minister during the visit. The theme of …

The federal government has issued a notification announcing major revisions in the profit rates of various National Savings Schemes, effective immediately. The move comes as part of routine adjustments aligned with prevailing economic conditions, including inflation and policy rates. According to the notification, the rate of return on Regular Income Certificates has been fixed at 11.16%, while the average return …

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has issued a high alert for a powerful monsoon spell expected to begin across the province from July 5. According to the PDMA, the second intense phase of the monsoon season will start from July 5, and heavy rainfall is forecast, particularly on Youm-e-Ashura. In anticipation, PDMA has formulated a comprehensive strategy to …

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has revealed that India fired approximately 11 missiles at a Pakistani base in May where Pakistani aircraft and personnel were present. Fortunately, no casualties or damages occurred. Mohsin Naqvi stated that the army chief had sent a clear message to India, warning that if an attack were carried out, India would face consequences far greater in …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a key meeting regarding the digitization of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), where he appreciated the FBR’s efforts in achieving a 42% increase in tax revenues compared to the past decade. Prime minister directed that the same level of dedication and efficiency must continue in the upcoming fiscal year, making it clear that institutional …

Senior Supreme Court judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah has questioned the process of determining the seniority of Islamabad High Court judges, raising concerns over the lack of consultation. In a letter addressed to the Judicial Commission’s Secretary, Justice Shah expressed his reservations, stating that President Asif Ali Zardari finalized the seniority list without due consultation with the Chief Justice of …