Pakistan

LAHORE: The data entry system of the Punjab government has become embroiled in a controversy after an audit report revealed that nearly 300 Covid-19 deaths caused by the pandemic went ‘unreported’ in the province. Of them 145 deaths occurred in Lahore, 42 in Rawalpindi and 29 in Multan. In the related disturbing report, the positivity rate of the virus in …

RAWALPINDI: Police and the District Intelligence Committee (DIC) have sent the names of 14 individuals to the Home Department to place them on the fourth schedule of Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for their involvement in unlawful activities. According to sources, 25 individuals have already been on the fourth schedule in the Rawalpindi district and with the latest addition the number of …

KARACHI: The city administration on Friday decided to impose ‘smart lockdown’ in four districts and ‘micro lockdown’ in other two districts of Karachi in the wake of an alarming surge in the number of Covid-19 cases. The decision was taken in a meeting presided over by Commissioner Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, who is also the administrator of Karachi. All deputy commissioners …

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan was informed on Friday that economic activities worth Rs1 trillion had been generated in Punjab through initiation of several housing and construction projects. According to the Prime Minister Office, Punjab Chief Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik told a meeting of the National Coordination Committee on Housing and Construction presided over by the prime minister that construction …

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday sought a reply from the ministry of interior on a petition seeking removal of the name of former director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) retired Lt-Gen Asad Durrani from the Exit Control List (ECL). IHC Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani last year issued the directive to the interior ministry for deciding the …

PESHAWAR: The opposition’s Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Friday vowed to defy government ban on its public gathering in Peshawar on Sunday, warning the district administration that use of force to stop the protesting citizens could spark street battles. Rallies across the country will be held as the PDM planned until the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government is removed, representatives of …

• Allows ministry to seek extension in debt relief from G20 • 2,738 new infections, 36 deaths reported ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Friday approved, in principle, a $150 million supplementary grant to procure anti-Covid vaccine. The committee also allowed the Ministry of Economic Affairs to formally request G20 countries for extension in Covid-19-related debt …

us LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar says empowerment of the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) bore fruit as it recovered the state land from land grabbers and made recoveries worth Rs206 billion during the tenure of the PTI government. Flanked by Adviser to Prime Minister on Accountability and Interior Shahzad Akbar, the chief minister told a news conference through a video link …

ISLAMABAD: A group of public-spirited individuals, including I.A. Rehman, on Thursday challenged the Supreme Court office’s Oct 29 decision to return a petition they had moved against the alleged kidnapping and detention of the Sindh police chief. The petition had sought an SC declaration that the Oct 19 detention of the Sindh inspector general as well as illegal and mala …

mer ISLAMABAD: The government has been supporting demands of the business community for revival of industrialisation as it is essential for economic growth in the country, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said whilst addressing a delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). “The government is fully focused on reviving industrialisation to achieve rapid economic …