Author: Mehrab Shah Afridi

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) announced on Monday that the final results of the CSS 2025 examination have been postponed. The commission said the outcome will now be released in April, following the determination of final vacancies. In an official notice, the FPSC explained that the exact number of successful candidates will be finalised only after the 54th Common Training Programme (CTP) begins. The training programme is scheduled to start on March 27, 2026, at the Civil Services Academy in Lahore. The commission noted that the delay is due to the pending confirmation of…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: The government has slightly reduced the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) nationwide, effective from March 1, according to an official notification. The LPG price has been lowered by Rs0.21, bringing the cost of a domestic cylinder down by Rs2.52 to Rs2,664.88, compared with Rs2,667.40 in February. The revised rates apply across the country. #LPGPrice #PakistanEnergy #GasPrices #HouseholdCylinder #FuelUpdate #PakistanNews #EnergyNews #March2026Update

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s recent military operation against the Afghan Taliban has left the militant group reeling, according to official statements. Information Minister Fawad Ataullah Tarar reported that Operation Ghazb-ul-Haq, launched in retaliation to cross-border attacks, inflicted heavy casualties on Taliban forces. Speaking on the social media platform X, Tarar said at least 415 fighters were killed and more than 580 injured, marking one of the most intense escalations along Pakistan’s western border in recent years. The operation, he said, involved targeted airstrikes at 46 locations within Afghanistan, focusing on Taliban positions and infrastructure. Authorities claimed that 182…

Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, has underscored closer ties between Islamabad and Tehran, describing the two countries as “brotherly neighbors” united by geography and shared regional concerns. He emphasized cooperation as crucial amid rising tensions across South Asia and the Middle East. By Mehrab Shah AfridiISLAMABAD: Political changes across the region are drawing Pakistan and Iran into closer alignment, Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, said during a public discussion on bilateral relations and long-term regional partnership. “We can choose our friends, but we cannot choose our neighbors,” he noted, stressing that the two countries are destined…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, 74-year-old Imran Khan, underwent a follow-up eye treatment at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital on Monday. He received the second dose of the anti-VEGF intravitreal injection, a procedure aimed at treating retinal conditions. According to the executive director of PIMS, Imran Khan was transferred from Adiala Jail for the procedure. Cardiologists at PIMS conducted echocardiography and ECG tests, which returned normal results, and his vital signs remained stable throughout the hospital stay, procedure, and recovery period. The procedure was performed under the supervision of consultant ophthalmologists and vitreoretinal surgeons…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s rapid population growth is intensifying pressure on already overstretched education and health systems, with experts warning that delays in family planning reforms and policy implementation could have lasting socio-economic consequences. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s merged tribal districts, around 15,000 additional children have fallen out of school following the closure of the five-year Alternative Learning Pathways (ALP) initiative. The setback adds to the province’s estimated 4.9 million out-of-school children, according to official figures. Education stakeholders say a proposed Annual Development Programme scheme under the Elementary and Secondary Education Department — intended to provide alternative learning opportunities…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, highlighted the growing economic engagement between Pakistan and China, noting that cooperation was expanding into new sectors such as petroleum and minerals. His remarks came during a special ceremony at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, held to mark the Chinese New Year, a celebration that brought together officials, diplomats, and business leaders from both countries. Addressing the gathering, Malik extended heartfelt congratulations to the Chinese leadership, government, and people on the advent of the Year of the Horse. Ali Pervaiz Malik described the year as a symbol of strength,…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar received the United States Chargé d’Affaires, Natalie Baker, in Islamabad on Thursday, in what both sides described as a cordial and forward-looking meeting aimed at consolidating bilateral relations. The discussions centered on the broad contours of cooperation between Pakistan and the United States, with particular emphasis on supporting collective efforts to maintain peace and security across the region and beyond. He welcomed the positive momentum in the relationship, noting that recent engagements had created new opportunities for dialogue and collaboration. During the meeting, Dar emphasized that high-level interactions were essential…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Cambodia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the industrial sector, with a particular focus on textiles, following a meeting between senior officials from both countries in Islamabad on Wednesday. The discussions were held between Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries, and Cham Nimul, Cambodia’s Minister for Commerce. Officials described the meeting as a step toward deepening bilateral economic engagement and exploring avenues for mutual investment. During the talks, Haroon Akhtar Khan highlighted the potential for collaboration in Pakistan’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, particularly through initiatives…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Federal Education Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui called for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s curriculum to equip students for contemporary challenges, while maintaining a firm grounding in national values and cultural heritage. Speaking at the opening of a two-day national summit in Islamabad themed “New National Curriculum of Pakistan,” Dr Siddiqui underlined the importance of preparing learners to navigate emerging global realities, including technological advancement, economic shifts, and social change. He said that education must not only impart knowledge but also cultivate critical thinking, adaptability, and a sense of responsibility aligned with Pakistan’s ideological…