ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have activated a long-pending joint commission aimed at addressing practical matters along their shared border and strengthening coordination between the two countries. The inaugural meeting of the Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad on Wednesday. The meeting was jointly led by Li Ya,…
ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has cancelled the approved layout plan for Bahria Town Phases III-E and IV, citing alleged violations of the approved scheme and failure to fulfil required conditions. The decision affects an area covering approximately 2,999 kanals. The layout plan for the two phases was originally approved by the CDA on…
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s authorities have identified significant gaps in the existing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pricing mechanism, with officials warning that the current formula is creating market distortions and widening the difference between notified and actual consumer prices. The issue was discussed during a meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC), where the Oil and…
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has directed Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan to appear personally before the bench during proceedings concerning the possible transfer of PTI founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital. A three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed was hearing the case when the court staff informed the judges…
KARACHI: A suspected robber was killed while his alleged accomplice escaped during a police encounter in New Karachi’s Sector 11-I, according to police. Police said officers attempted to stop and check two suspects travelling on a motorcycle in the area. The suspects allegedly opened fire at the police while trying to flee, prompting the officers…
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has dismissed a petition challenging the conferment of civil awards on government employees and individuals holding public offices, ruling that public servants are not automatically disqualified from receiving national honours. In its detailed judgment, the court clarified that simply holding a government position does not make a person either…
ISLAMABAD: Petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) prices have increased in Pakistan, adding to the fuel burden on consumers amid continued volatility in international oil markets. According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the price of petrol has been increased by Rs4.10 per litre, taking the new price to Rs384.34 per litre. The price…
ISLAMABAD: A recent survey has found that 91% of Pakistanis consider doing business in the country difficult, with respondents identifying taxation, limited access to financing, energy costs, regulations and corruption among the major challenges facing businesses. According to the survey conducted by the Institute of Public Opinion Research (IPOR), the complicated tax system emerged as…
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) faced further financial pressure during the first half of fiscal year 2025-26 as government support increased while their overall contribution to the national exchequer declined sharply. According to official data presented before the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises (CCoSOEs), the government provided Rs804 billion in financial support to SOEs between…
ISLAMABAD: Heavy rainfall brought relief from the recent heatwave in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, making the weather cooler and more pleasant while prompting the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) to remain on high alert. The twin cities received a combined 45 millimetres of rain, with several areas recording significant rainfall. Saidpur received 15mm, while Golra recorded…
