The Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) expressed on Wednesday disappointment over the federal budget, saying that it offers no relief for the agriculture sector or the business community. According to details, Pakistan Business Forum Chief Organiser Ahmed Jawad said: “The budget once again fails to support the agriculture sector, contradicting the prime minister’s stated vision. How does the government plan to …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will embark on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) tomorrow. During the visit, he is expected to meet President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. to discuss key bilateral, regional, and global issues. The prime minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Deputy Prime Minister, federal ministers, and other senior …

US Central Command (Centcom) chief General Michael Erik Kurilla described on Wednesday relations with Pakistan as “vital” to US national security. General Kurilla emphasised that the United States cannot afford to strain ties with Pakistan for the sake of India. He said that the US, in cooperation with Pakistan, has been conducting successful operations against IS. According to General Kurilla, …

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub on Wednesday launched a scathing critique of the federal budget and government policies, accusing the ruling coalition of pushing the country towards economic collapse. Speaking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Ayub alleged that the government had “destroyed the economy,” pointing to the sharp rise in the …

The federal government has allocated Rs8,205 billion for distribution among the provinces under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award for the new fiscal year, with Punjab and Sindh emerging as the biggest beneficiaries, budget documents revealed. According to official figures, Punjab is set to receive Rs4,760 billion from the divisible pool, maintaining its position as the largest recipient due to …

Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday defended the government’s limited relief to the salaried class in the newly unveiled budget for fiscal year 2025-26. Addressing a post-budget press conference in Islamabad, the finance minister said that while he and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif were keen to provide maximum relief to the salaried class, “we can only go further according …

ISLAMABAD (Internews): The Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong has emphasised the deep-rooted cultural and diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan highlighting both nations’ commitment to promoting global peace, mutual understanding and shared prosperity under various global initiatives spearheaded by China. While addressing the event hosted by Chinese embassy in connection with the celebrations of the international day for dialogue …

Pakistan’s fast-bowling spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi leads a high-profile contingent of players from the country who have confirmed their availability for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) Draft, scheduled to take place on June 19. Afridi, alongside fellow national teammates Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan, is among more than 600 overseas cricketers who have registered for selection in …

In a diplomatic push to highlight India’s recent military provocations and violations of international law, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari led a high-level delegation to the United Kingdom. The visit included crucial meetings with British lawmakers and government officials aimed at promoting peace and stability in South Asia. The delegation was warmly received at …

The federal government is set to unveil a Rs17,600 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year today, with a focus on increasing revenues through new taxation measures while offering relief to lower-grade government employees. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is targeting a record-breaking tax collection goal of Rs14,130 billion. According to official sources, the total income for the next …

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Monday that the upcoming budget will include measures aimed at providing relief to the poor and promoting economic growth. Expressing his thoughts, Aurangzeb said, “It is not possible to change everything overnight; time is required.” He emphasised that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, there has been notable economic improvement. “We intend …

As Pakistan braces for the federal budget announcement for the fiscal year 2025-26 on Tuesday, key figures and policy directions have already emerged. The National Economic Survey will be presented today (Monday), setting the stage for a crucial budget presentation that comes amid high inflation, mounting debt, and ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). According to official sources, …

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed on Monday concern about the growing threat posed by India’s hardline Hindutva ideology to the entire region. According to details, in a meeting at the President’s House with leaders and workers of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), President Zardari extended his Eid ul-Azha greetings to party members. On this occasion, he said: “Minorities, particularly Muslims …

Pakistan is on the brink of a worsening water crisis as the country’s usable water reserves continue to plummet at an alarming rate, according to the latest data released by the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA). As of today, the nation’s usable water reserves stand at 3.856 million acre-feet, reflecting a significant decrease of 188,000 acre-feet compared to the …

Federal government will release the Economic Survey for the fiscal year 2024-25 on June 9. According to official sources, while several economic targets were missed, the overall performance shows ‘moderate improvement’ compared to the previous year. The targeted GDP growth of 3.6% could not be achieved, with actual growth recorded at 2.7%. However, inflation remained significantly below expectations, recorded at …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded on Wednesday United States President Donald Trump’s efforts in promoting peace and praised his role in facilitating a ceasefire, saying the latter has proven to be a proponent of peace and economic cooperation. Speaking at an event held at the US Embassy in Islamabad to mark the 249th Independence Day of the United States, the …

Pakistan has been appointed as the co-chair of the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) Counter-Terrorism Committee for the year 2025, with Algeria serving as Chair. According to details surfaced on Wednesday, in addition, Pakistan will also chair the Security Council’s Sanctions Committee on the Taliban, which oversees the implementation of measures such as asset freezes, travel bans and arms embargoes …

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, has approved a series of technical supplementary grants for various ministries and divisions. However, the summary related to the Mashke, Thalian, and Tarujba white oil pipelines, submitted by the Petroleum Division, has been postponed for further deliberation. According to an official statement released after the …

A total of 216 prisoners escaped from Karachi’s District Jail Malir — commonly known as “Bacha Jail” — in a dramatic incident on Monday night. According to police and jail officials, the escape occurred amid chaos reportedly triggered by a series of tremors in the city. The prisoners, many of whom were already outside their barracks, took advantage of the …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the immediate removal of all hurdles in the way of Diamer-Bhasha Dam and ordered that the project be completed on a priority basis, terming it essential for the country’s economic self-reliance. Chairing a high-level meeting on the Diamer-Bhasha Dam and other national water resources, the premier said that Pakistan’s path to economic stability …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday expressed satisfaction over the record-breaking performance of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), terming it a promising start to the new fiscal year and a reflection of growing confidence in the government’s economic policies. The PSX made history on the first trading day of the 2025–26 fiscal year, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index surging by …

President Asif Ali Zardari hosted a dinner in honour of the national cricket teams of Pakistan and Bangladesh, following their recent cricket series. The event, organized by Federal Minister Mohsin Naqvi, brought together players and officials from both teams in a spirit of sportsmanship and regional friendship. President Zardari warmly greeted the players and team officials, acknowledging the Pakistani team’s …

HONG KONG: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Friday that China is willing to work with Pakistan and like-minded countries to enhance the unique advantages of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed). When meeting with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who attended here the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of …

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) clarified that it has never declared virtual assets (VAs), including cryptocurrencies as illegal. In a press release issued by the central bank, the SBP stated that the advisory directed banks, microfinance institutions, development finance institutions (DFIs), electronic money institutions (EMIs), and other financial service providers to refrain from dealing in VAs purely as a …

Pakistan has strongly condemned the rising incidents of Islamophobia in India, urging New Delhi to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and rights of its Muslim citizens. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Foreign Office expressed deep concern over what it termed as the “state-sponsored targeting” of Muslims in India, citing increased incidents of hate speech, discrimination, and …

US President Donald Trump confirmed that a high-level delegation from Pakistan is scheduled to arrive in the United States next week for critical trade negotiations. The talks come as Islamabad seeks to resolve a tariff dispute with Washington, which has placed Pakistan at risk of facing up to 29% tariffs on its exports. Pakistan’s trade surplus of $3 billion with …

A joint operation by police and law enforcement agencies in the Rawalakot area resulted in the killing of four terrorists, while two police officials lost their lives and 8 others sustained injuries during the encounter. According to SSP Poonch Riaz Mughal, the operation was launched after receiving credible intelligence about the presence of the terrorists in the forested region of …

On the occasion of Youm-e-Takbeer, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the nation’s historic achievement of becoming a nuclear power in 1998, emphasizing the day as a symbol of national unity and unwavering commitment to Pakistan’s freedom and sovereignty. In his message, the premier recalled the bold decision by then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who, despite facing economic sanctions, international …

SpaceX’s ninth test flight of its towering Starship rocket ended in failure on Wednesday, after the vehicle lost control and disintegrated roughly 30 minutes into its uncrewed mission, US-based media outlets reported. The rocket, developed by billionaire Elon Musk’s commercial space venture SpaceX, was launched from the company’s test facility in Boca Chica, Texas. According to a report by Reuters, …

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) on Tuesday rejected key legislative proposals, including a ban on underage marriage and the mandatory thalassaemia test before marriage, declaring them contrary to Islamic principles. A statement issued after a meeting chaired by CII Chairman Raghib Hussain Naeemi stated that the ‘Prohibition of Underage Marriage Bill’, introduced by PPP MNA Sharmila Faruqui, was deemed …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday extended heartfelt congratulations to Lahore Qalandars on clinching their third Pakistan Super League (PSL) title. In a statement issued from Istanbul, the premier also praised the Quetta Gladiators for their spirited display in the high-stakes final, acknowledging the competitive spirit shown by all teams in the tournament. The Qalandars secured a six-wicket victory over …

In one of the largest global data breaches in recent history, sensitive information, including passwords, of over 180 million users from major companies such as Google, Facebook, and Apple have been compromised. The alarming incident has prompted Pakistan’s National Cyber Emergency Response Team (N-CERT) to issue an urgent advisory to all users and institutions across the country. According to the …

ISLAMABAD (Internews): The Chinese embassy in Pakistan has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and injuries resulting from the devastating storm that struck Punjab Province. In an official statement released on Sunday, the embassy said, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and injuries caused by the devastating storm in Punjab Province. Our heartfelt …

The Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani has taken stern action against police personnel found involved with drug dealers, resulting in the forcible dismissal of 17 officials from the force. An internal inquiry led by senior police officers uncovered the alleged links and support extended by these personnel to narcotics traffickers operating in Rawalpindi. The dismissed officers include …

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast cloudy conditions and rain accompanied by strong winds in Islamabad and adjoining areas over the next 24 hours. According to the latest advisory, rain and gusty winds are expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, and Jhelum. Similar weather conditions are likely to affect various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, …

The Met Department has issued a heatwave alert for Karachi and southern districts of Sindh starting May 25, as a low-pressure system in the Arabian Sea is expected to push temperatures higher. According to Director General Anjum Rizvi, the mercury in Karachi may reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, with the heat intensity feeling three to four degrees hotter due …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission has concluded its latest visit to Pakistan, setting a primary budget surplus target of 1.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) for the fiscal year 2025-26. However, Pakistan and the IMF have not yet reached full consensus on the upcoming budget targets, with negotiations expected to continue in the coming weeks. Led by Nathan …

The Senate, under the chairmanship of Yousaf Raza Gillani, unanimously passed a resolution to observe May 25 as Pakistan-Africa Friendship Day. The resolution highlighted the potential for increased trade between Pakistan and African nations, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral ties. It also acknowledged Africa’s consistent role in promoting peace in the region.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has stressed the urgent need to eliminate the scourge of terrorism, warning that a clear future strategy must be devised to counter India’s ongoing proxy war. Speaking during a Senate session, Dar strongly condemned the recent attack on children in Khuzdar, terming it a cowardly act. He urged India to learn from its past failures …

Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared a staff member of the High Commission of India, Islamabad, as persona non grata for engaging in activities inconsistent with his privileged status. The concerned official has been directed to leave Pakistan within 24 hours. According to MOFA spokespersons, the Indian Charge d’Affaires was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey this …