The Biden administration plans to donate 500 million Pfizer coronavirus vaccine doses to about 100 countries over the next two years, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The United States is likely to distribute 200 million shots this year and 300 million in the first half of next year, they said It will donate them to 92 lower-income …

KARACHI: Lahore Qalandars pulled off a jittery five-wicket last-ball victory over Islamabad United in the opening fixture of the HBL Pakistan Super League’s second leg at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday night. After restricting Islamabad to 143-9 on an outrageously sluggish pitch, Lahore also found runs hard to come by against spinners as they found adequate …

KARACHI: Andy Flower on Wednesday hoped that Multan Sultans can still bounce back into contention for the HBL Pakistan Super League 6 playoffs despite struggling in the first half of the tournament in Karachi. Addressing a virtual media conference a day before Multan Sultans face holders Karachi Kings in Abu Dhabi — the venue for the remaining 20 matches, including …

LAHORE: If Pakistan Television does not telecast live national team’s bilateral series matches in England next month, it will not be due to Pakistan’s Kashmir policy against India, rather the PTV is not ready to pay what the broadcasters are demanding to telecast the said series in Pakistan, former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi said on Wednesday. “It is all drama being …

KARACHI: The government raised Rs160.899 billion through auction of Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIBs) on Wednesday which was higher than the target of Rs125bn. The government raised higher amount but did not increase the return on the bonds. However, the bids were much higher than the amount raised reflecting the increased liquidity in the financial sector. Total bids received were Rs376.4bn. …

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Commi­ttee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Thursday approved a Rs43 billion grant for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to cover its cash shortfall, allowed signing of about $1bn worth of debt relief from G20 countries and agreed in principle for a $1.1bn requirement for procurement of vaccination. The meeting of the ECC presided over by Federal Minister for Finance …

ISLAMABAD: With the federal budget scheduled to be announced on June 11, top tax officials are still debating the fate of key revenue measures, a well-placed source in the Revenue Division familiar with the matter told Dawn on Wednesday. Contrary to the repeated claims of the government’s economic team that the upcoming budget would be tax-free, in reality the budget is expected …

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said the government had formulated a comprehensive strategy to pull poor and weaker segments of society out of poverty through wealth creation and improving purchasing power of people. Presiding over a meeting of Kamyab Pakistan Programme, he cited the examples of China and India and said unlike India which had failed, China had …

ISLAMABAD: As unannounced power cuts continued for the third consecutive day almost across the country, the government on Wednesday confirmed supply shortfalls in the system due to technical reasons despite surplus generation capacity. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) took serious notice of the excessive loadshedding and sought explanation from power distribution companies (Discos), including K-Electric. Minister for Energy …

DAMASCUS: Israeli air strikes in central Syria killed at least 11 government troops and militiamen late on Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The strikes were the first carried out by Israel in Syria since 11 days of heavy fighting with the Hamas rulers of Gaza ended with an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire on May 21, the Britain-based war monitor …