ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed a third-party audit of the Prime Minister Ramadan Relief Package 2025 to ensure transparency and efficiency in aid distribution. According to a statement from the PM Office, Shehbaz chaired a review meeting on the relief package, where officials briefed him on its progress.
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has scheduled the hearing for PTI founder and Bushra Bibi’s petitions seeking suspension of their sentences in the *£190 million case, despite objections raised by the *Registrar’s Office. A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif
RAWALPINDI: Students in Rawalpindi are set for an extended 9-day break on Eid-ul-Fitr, giving them ample time to celebrate. According to a notification from the Ministry of Education, all educational institutions will remain closed from March 29 to April 5. Additionally, 9th-grade board exams will be put on hold during
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the deadline for filing sales tax and federal excise returns until March 27, 2025, to facilitate taxpayers. According to an official notification, the deadline for submitting returns for February 2025, originally set for March 18, 2025, has been extended by nine
Ukrainian and U.S. delegations convened in Riyadh to explore strategies for safeguarding Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and energy facilities, marking another key step in ongoing efforts to end the nearly three-year-long war. This diplomatic initiative is part of a broader push led by U.S. President Donald Trump to
Pakistan’s apparel exports have reached a significant milestone, totaling $6.2 billion during the first eight months of the 2024-25 financial year. This represents a notable 19% growth compared to the same period in the previous year, highlighting the sector’s resilience amidst challenging global economic conditions. The announcement
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the occasion of Pakistan Day, emphasizing the enduring friendship between the two nations and their commitment to deepening bilateral ties. In his letter to Prime Minister Sharif, President Aliyev reiterated Azerbaijan’s determination to
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has dismissed recent threats from the United States, asserting that such warnings will not yield results in Tehran’s dealings with Washington. Speaking during a live televised address marking Nowruz, the Persian New Year, Khamenei strongly rebuffed US President Donald Trump’s recent
Imran Khan’s release from detention could be possible if he offers a “wholehearted apology” for the violent events of May 9, 2023, according to Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah. These riots, which saw the vandalization of military installations following Khan’s arrest in a corruption
The martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Ali ibne Abi Talib (A.S) is being observed with deep reverence and solemnity across Pakistan today. The day is marked by large-scale mourning processions in major cities, while stringent security protocols have been put in place to ensure the safety of participants. Central Processions
Pakistan’s weekly inflation, as measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), has decreased by 0.35% for the week ending March 20, 2025. The decline is primarily attributed to a significant drop in vegetable prices, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Price Drop in
A significant fire broke out at an electrical substation near London’s Heathrow Airport on Friday, forcing the airport to shut down for the entire day and causing widespread disruptions to global flight schedules. Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport and the world’s fifth-busiest, is expected to remain closed until
A Pakistan Army captain was martyred during a successful counter-terrorism operation in Dera Ismail Khan, where security forces neutralized 10 terrorists, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). A Brave Sacrifice The operation, conducted on March 20, 2025, was based on actionable intelligence. During a fierce firefight with militants, Captain
At least 91 Palestinians were killed and dozens more injured in a series of Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Thursday, following the Israeli military’s decision to end a two-month ceasefire. The resumption of airstrikes and ground operations has reignited violence in the region, causing widespread displacement and casualties. Resumption
In a significant policy shift, Pakistan is preparing to legalize cryptocurrency trading in a bid to attract international investment and strengthen its growing digital economy. This decision has attracted global attention, particularly as the country aims to create a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets. A New Vision for Crypto
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has once again excluded the petition for a meeting with former Prime Minister Imran Khan from its cause list, despite a prior court order. The petition, filed by Mashal Yousafzai, concerns the contempt of court over the non-inclusion of the meeting request, and it has
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, currently on an official four-day visit to Saudi Arabia, has engaged in high-level talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). The discussions, held on March 20, 2025, focused on strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, particularly in the areas of trade, security,
Pakistani actor Danish Taimoor has issued an apology after his remarks about polygamy during a recent Ramadan TV show triggered widespread backlash. Taimoor, who appeared alongside his wife, actress Ayeza Khan, made controversial comments regarding polygamy, stating that Islamic law permits men to marry up to four women. His remark,
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) reached an all-time high on Thursday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index surpassing the 119,000 mark for the first time in history. The index surged by 1,447.79 points, or 1.23%, touching an intraday high of 119,421.81, before closing at a
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar assured the National Assembly on Wednesday that Pakistan is actively involved in “constructive” discussions with India, with the aim of resolving key bilateral issues, including the long-standing Kashmir dispute. Addressing members during a session, Dar highlighted that despite the challenges in the relationship between the two
On Tuesday, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) saw negative sentiment take hold, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index shedding over 700 points. By 10:25 AM, the index had fallen to 113,632.09, a decrease of 724.25 points or 0.63%. The market felt the impact of the State
The federal government is considering reducing petroleum prices in the upcoming second fortnightly review for March 2025, due to the ongoing decline in global oil prices. Sources suggest that petrol could become cheaper by Rs13 to Rs15 per litre, while high-speed diesel prices might drop by around Rs11 per litre.
U.S. and Ukrainian officials gathered in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for critical talks aimed at repairing strained relations and determining whether Ukraine is prepared to make concessions in President Donald Trump’s push to swiftly end the war with Russia. This meeting comes after months of tensions, particularly following
The Royal Thai Embassy in Pakistan has introduced a new e-visa system, offering a streamlined process for Pakistani citizens planning to visit Thailand. This new system allows applicants to apply online, eliminating the need to visit the embassy in person. Speed and Convenience The e-visa system aims to simplify the
Two patients tragically lost their lives at Mayo Hospital in Lahore due to severe reactions from a suspected anti-bacterial injection. The incident, which occurred on Monday, has sent shockwaves through the medical community. Along with the two fatalities, 17 others remain in critical condition at the hospital’s Chest Surgery
Two intelligence officers of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Mustafa and Zahid, were tragically martyred in a targeted attack on Tanda Dam Road in Kohat. While on their way to Kohat city for duty, the officers were ambushed by armed terrorists who opened indiscriminate fire. Both officers, riding a motorcycle,
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has filed a petition with the Lahore High Court (LHC) seeking permission to hold a public gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan on March 22. The petition, filed by PTI leader Akmal Khan Bari, names the Punjab Chief Secretary, Lahore Deputy Commissioner, and other relevant authorities as respondents. Constitutional Right
Dry conditions continue to dominate across Punjab, including in Lahore, with temperatures slowly climbing, as per the Meteorological Department’s update on Saturday. Cloudy Days Ahead, but Rain is Unlikely The Met Office predicts that most areas of Punjab, including Lahore, will experience cloudy weather on Sunday and Monday. However,
Provincial Minister of Irrigation, Pir Kazim Pirzada, revealed that 30,000 government positions were eliminated as part of measures dictated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This decision has sparked conversations about the country’s economic challenges and its attempts to meet IMF conditions. Irrigation System Challenges and Future Repairs
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for the Arab League’s proposal to reconstruct Gaza, which is to be governed by the Palestinian Authority. He expressed this stance during an Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers held in Jeddah.
Advocate Akhtar Hussain, a member of the Supreme Judicial Council and representative of the Pakistan Bar Council in the Judicial Commission, has tendered his resignation. This move comes amid rising tensions within the commission, particularly surrounding the issues of seniority and the judicial selection process. Advocate Hussain’s resignation signals
In a groundbreaking move set to transform Pakistan’s digital landscape, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has successfully connected the country to the Africa-1 submarine cable, marking a significant milestone in the enhancement of Pakistan’s telecommunication and digital infrastructure. The Africa-1 cable system, a state-of-the-art high-capacity submarine cable capable