Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: For the first time after coming to power, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar’s government on Saturday reduced the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs8 and Rs11 per litre, respectively, for the next fortnight ending October 15. The price cut has come after an increase of Rs59 and Rs56 per litre in petrol and HSD rates, …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) late Saturday night offloaded eight alleged beggars in the disguise of Umrah pilgrims from a Kingdom of Saudi Arabia-bound flight at Multan airport. According to a statement issued by FIA immigration officer Tariq Mehmood, it transpired during the immigration that the group was travelling to Saudi Arabia for the “purpose of begging”. The agency said …

QUETTA: In the wake of a deadly bombing in Mastung, which claimed at least 59 lives — including several children — Pakis­tan has vowed to strike at the bases of terror groups, including the militant Islamic State (IS) group and the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). On Friday, a suicide bomber ripped through a procession celebrating the birth of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) …

A policeman was martyred while two terrorists were killed during an attack on the Kundal patrolling post in Mianwali during the early hours of Sunday, Punjab police chief Usman Anwar said in a statement. “Kundal Punjab Highway Patrolling Post, in a daring operation assisted by the Counter Terrorism Department Punjab, successfully thwarted an attack by 12 to 15 terrorists last …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has formulated a new strategy to curb financial losses to the exchequer from the Afghan transit trade, citing sources. Sources told ARY News that Pakistan suffered an annual financial loss of Rs180 billion from the Afghan transit trade. To curb the financial losses, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) formulated a new strategy to stop smuggling of the …

ISLAMABAD: The petrol price is likely to be reduced for the Oct 1-15 period as the interim government planned to provide a slight relief to the inflation-hit public. According to sources, the petrol price could come down by Rs15-19 per litre in the upcoming review and HSD by Rs9-12 per litre if the government decides to maintain the petroleum levy …

As Balochistan mourned yesterday’s grisly suicide blast in Mastung on Saturday, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) said it has registered a first information report (FIR) of the attack that claimed the lives of 55 people, including a police officer, yesterday. Officials said the bomber targeted a 12th Rabiul Awwal procession people were gathering outside near Madina Masjid on Alfalah Road. No group …

KARACHI: Smooth operation of electric buses, launched in the metropolis in January this year, has become a serious challenge for its management as the half of the total 40-bus fleet is gathering dust for past several weeks after one of the two power stations faced capacity issues and failed to charge all high-tech public transport carriers. Realising the complexity of …

KARACHI: The cow had been slaughtered and bags of rice purchased, but young bride Wahida’s nuptials were cut short when her groom was arrested on their wedding day, one of hundreds caught in a recent crackdown on Afghans living in Pakistan. The 20-year-old now lives with her in-laws at the Afghan Muhajir aid camp in Karachi, but without her husband-to-be, …

ISLAMABAD: Owing to the slackness of the city managers, people are being forced to pay high fares to use the shuttle service to enter the Diplomatic Enclave. Sources told Dawn recently a European diplomat also tried to wake up the city managers from their slumber, informing them about the overcharging issue faced by the public visiting embassies. However, so far, no action …