Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri appeared before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday, presenting arguments in his defence against challenges to the legitimacy of his law degree and appointment as a judge while also raising objections over the division bench hearing the case. A two-member IHC bench, led by Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar […]
Pakistan
SBP slashes key rate by 50bps in surprise move
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday slashed the key policy rate by 50 basis points to 10.5% in a surprise move despite food-led inflation pressures and external considerations. In the last four monetary policy meetings, the central bank had observed the status quo. The last cut of 100 bps was announced after the […]
Diesel price cut by Rs14; no change in petrol rate
The government on Monday decreased the high-speed diesel (HSD) price by Rs14 and kept the petrol price unchanged for the fortnight ending December 31, owing to favourable international market prices. The Petroleum Division said the revision followed movements in international markets and recommendations from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra). According to the announcement, […]
‘Hero’ who disarmed Bondi gunman recovers in hospital as donations pour in
Donations for a Sydney man who wrestled a gun from one of the alleged attackers during a mass shooting at Bondi Beach have surged past Australian dollars (A$)1.1 million ($744,000), as he recovers in hospital after surgery for bullet wounds. Forty-three-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, a father-of-two, hid behind parked cars before charging at one of […]
ATC seeks NADRA verification in Radio Pakistan attack case
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), while hearing an application filed for the identification of individuals involved in the attack on Radio Pakistan Peshawar on May 9, has issued a brief order. The court approved the application seeking identification of the accused and directed that the verification of the incident’s videos and records should be referred to […]
Punjab government to establish IT City in Rawalpindi
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif presided over the 31st Provincial Cabinet meeting, during which important decisions were taken on transparency, education, technology, health, infrastructure, youth development, employment, and public convenience. The cabinet approved the construction of the second-largest IT city in Rawalpindi and set a target to train 2,300 youth as skilled professionals within […]
Govt warns of paid social media campaigns from abroad
State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Monday said Pakistan has uncovered extensive evidence of coordinated, paid social media campaigns being run through fake accounts operated largely from abroad, warning that those involved could face legal action if they continue activities that undermine the country. Addressing a detailed briefing, the minister said the government recently […]
PM directs expedited privatisation process for Discos, Gencos
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the relevant authorities to expedite the privatization process of power distribution companies (DISCOs) and generation companies (GENCOs). Chairing a meeting regarding power sector, the prime minister emphasized that the privatization of the energy system, leading to the establishment of a competitive electricity market, was the sustainable solution to […]
Bilawal establishes panel to enhance communication with PPP unit in KP
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has constituted a committee to enhance coordination with the party’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter. The committee, comprising Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, Muhammad Humayoon Khan and Qamar Zaman Kaira, has been tasked with strengthening party ties and facilitating communication within the provincial organization. The notification for the committee was issued […]
Race heats up for PIA privatisation as four bidders pre-qualified
The race to acquire Pakistan’s national carrier, PIA, has officially entered its final stages, with some bidders seeking support from internationally recognised airlines. The government’s renewed effort to privatise PIA comes after a failed bid last year, when only one offer, Rs10 billion ($36 million) from real estate developer Blue World City, was received for […]