A Senate Standing Committee has called for major reforms in Pakistan’s cultural institutions after reviewing their performance, structure, and funding during a high-level meeting held at Parliament House. Chaired by Senator Hidayatullah Khan, the committee examined key organisations including the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), the National Library of Pakistan, and the National…
Members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly have urged the provincial government to impose a tax on tobacco transported to other provinces for cigarette manufacturing, highlighting concerns over economic imbalance and farmer losses. During a session chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, lawmakers pointed out that KP produces the majority of Pakistan’s tobacco, particularly flue-cured…
Authorities in Attock have finalised comprehensive security arrangements for Sikh pilgrims attending the Baisakhi Mela 2026 at Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal. The annual religious festival is expected to attract around 6,000 pilgrims from across Pakistan and abroad. To ensure a safe and peaceful environment, more than 1,200 police personnel have been deployed…
Authorities in Islamabad have announced a comprehensive traffic diversion plan for April 11 and 12 in response to the arrival of a foreign delegation. The measures aim to ensure security and smooth arrangements during the high-profile visit, but are expected to impact daily commuters across the city. According to officials, all roads leading to and…
More than 10,600 Pakistanis have returned to the country from Iran amid rising regional tensions and growing security concerns. According to official data, all arrivals were recorded at the Taftan Border Crossing, the primary land route connecting Pakistan with Iran. The movement took place between February 28 and April 8, 2026, reflecting a significant increase…
Islamabad has taken centre stage in global diplomacy as it hosts high-stakes talks between the United States and Iran, following a fragile ceasefire that ended weeks of intense conflict. Senior delegations from both sides have arrived, highlighting the significance of the dialogue. The US delegation is led by Vice President JD Vance, while Iran’s team…
The Balochistan government has launched a one-month free vehicle and motorcycle registration campaign aimed at providing relief to citizens and improving compliance across the province. According to officials, the initiative was approved by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti following rising fuel prices, which had impacted vehicle owners. Director General Excise and Taxation Muhammad Ayub Hazara…
An inspection of the Railways Police Pakistan training centre has revealed serious shortcomings in infrastructure and training standards, raising concerns about the quality of facilities provided to trainees. During a visit to the centre in Lahore, Inspector General Muhammad Wisal Fakhar Sultan expressed strong dissatisfaction with the existing arrangements. The IG observed that trainees were…
Afghanistan has described its ongoing talks with Pakistan, hosted by China, as “useful,” reflecting cautious optimism in efforts to reduce cross-border tensions. The negotiations are taking place in Urumqi and were initiated following China’s invitation to both countries to engage in dialogue and de-escalate hostilities. The talks come after months of rising tensions along the…
A heated debate erupted in the National Assembly of Pakistan over the recent increase in fuel prices, highlighting growing concerns about inflation and economic pressure on citizens. Opposition members strongly criticised the government, arguing that rising petrol and diesel prices have significantly increased the cost of living. They pointed out that inflation is already high,…
