Pakistan

Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir asserted on Thursday that the PML-N-led coalition government’s commitment to stabilise Pakistan’s economy and prevent the effects of an “international energy crisis” from manifesting in the country was clear as petroleum product reserves were at a “record level”. Dastgir, who was addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside State Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik, said this …

RAWALPINDI: In response to the government’s efforts to lower the cost of petroleum products, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has reduced its international flight fares. A PIA spokesman said on Wednesday that following instructions of Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, the national carrier has reduced fares of international flights. “On the special instructions of Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, there has …

ISLAMABAD: Blaming political factors for the latest downturn in currency and share markets, Pakis­tan’s economic managers tried on Wednesday to reassure that macroeconomic fundamentals were stabilising and $8.5-10 billion inflows have been lined up from friendly countries against a financing gap of $4bn estimated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Simultaneously, econo­mic managers of both incu­mbent and former PTI governments …

ISLAMABAD: At least 400 officers of the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives, who were left out of the notification regarding an ‘executive allowance’, announced by the federal government on Tuesday night, have decided to challenge the decision in the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The officers said the allowance was “discriminatory” in nature and against the decisions of the federal cabinet …

KARACHI: The director general of the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) has signed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report of the Malir Expressway in what appears to be an attempt to save him and the controversial project from legal troubles, it emerged on Wednesday. It was transpired during the hearing of appeals against Malir Expressway before the Sindh Environmental Tribunal …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday rejected PTI’s plea seeking a recount of votes in PP-7 Rawalpindi-II — which it lost to the PML-N by a razor-thin 49 vote margin. The decision was announced by a five-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja. In the brief ruling, he said that the petitioner, PTI candidate …

ISLAMABAD: Despite challenging fiscal position and poor economic indicators, the federal governm­ent has notified a heavy fin­ancial benefit — up to 150 per cent — through an ‘exe­cutive allowance’ for government officers working in the federal secretariat and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Field Administration. According to a notification issued by the Finance Division on Tuesday night, there will be 150 …

LAHORE: A US national woman was allegedly gang-raped by her “guide” and his two accomplices at tribal area tourist resort Fort Munro in Dera Ghazi Khan district. Also a social media activist and vlogger, the woman was on a trip to the Fort Munro hill station. Acting on the woman’s complaint, the Border Military Police (BMP) arrested the prime suspect, …

KHYBER: The killing of a civilian in police uniform during an armed attack on a checkpost in Bara on July 16 caused embarrassment to the force as the deceased was performing duty as a substitute for an unknown regular policeman. Police in Bara initially said that two of their colleagues were killed in the attack but the statement was immediately …

DADU/RAHIM YAR KHAN: At least 26 people were laid to rest in their na­­tive village Hussain Ba­­khsh Solangi near Machke in Sin­dh and 27 remained missing despite rescue operations a day after a tragic boat accident in the Indus River near Rahim Yar Khan claimed the lives of over two dozen people. The funeral prayers were attended by clan chief …