Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has underscored Pakistan’s commitment to deepening engagement with Iran, describing the relationship as one rooted in long-standing cultural affinity, historical ties and what he termed “brotherly relations” between the two neighbors. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Dar made the remarks during a meeting with Pakistan’s designated ambassador to Iran, where broader bilateral cooperation and diplomatic priorities were reviewed. The foreign minister said Pakistan remained committed to expanding cooperation in key areas including trade, people-to-people exchanges and regional connectivity. He stressed that sustained dialogue and…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Passengers using railway booking services in Karachi will benefit from extended counter hours after Pakistan Railways announced an expansion of evening shift timings by three hours, in a move aimed at easing ticketing access for travelers. According to officials, the revised schedule applies across the Karachi Division of Pakistan Railways reservation offices, where working hours have now been formally updated through an official notification. Under the new arrangement, the morning shift will run from 8:00am to 4:00pm as usual. The evening shift, however, has been significantly extended, now operating from 4:00pm until midnight. A night shift…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has said there was no “ill intent” behind delays in the Red Line bus rapid transit project, insisting that financial pressures and contractual complications were the main reasons behind repeated setbacks. Speaking in the Sindh Assembly, Memon said sharp fluctuations in the exchange rate, particularly the rising value of the US dollar, had significantly increased the cost of large-scale infrastructure schemes in Karachi. He argued that such volatility had placed added strain on project planning and execution, forcing repeated reassessments of budgets and timelines. He said contractors had sought revised…

By our correspondent KARACHI: On International Museum Day, a cultural ceremony was held at the historic Quaid-e-Azam House Museum in Karachi, where officials and stakeholders gathered to underline the role of museums in safeguarding Sindh’s cultural memory and promoting heritage tourism. The event took place under the auspices of the Culture, Tourism, Antiquities & Archives Department, Government of Sindh and brought together senior representatives from the province’s cultural and tourism institutions. Among those present were Provincial Minister for Culture, Tourism, Antiquities and Archives Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, along with senior bureaucrats and officials including the Director General of Antiquities and…

By our correspondent KARACHI: National Accountability Bureau (National Accountability Bureau) has launched a major enforcement action against Bahria Town, freezing thousands of acres of land in Karachi and surrounding areas amid allegations of illegal land acquisition and misuse of state property. According to official documents, implementation teams acting on directives from NAB Karachi’s Director General carried out coordinated operations in Jamshoro and Malir districts, with support from local administration and police. The move included the physical takeover of disputed land and the sealing of key properties linked to the housing developer. In one of the most high-profile actions, authorities moved…

By our correspondent KARACHI: A major development has emerged in the investigation linked to the alleged drug network involving a woman known as Anmol alias “Pinky”, as two Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel have been taken into custody in Pakistan. According to sources, the arrested officials include Assistant Sub-Inspector Kafeel and a constable, both posted in the CTD Civil Lines unit. Investigators say the two personnel were in contact with the accused and are now being questioned as part of a widening probe. The case, which has already triggered administrative action, saw a district Senior Superintendent of Police earlier suspended…

Authorities say the state has pursued a calibrated and restrained posture amid external provocations, while insisting it remains fully prepared to respond decisively to any emerging threat By our correspondent QUETTA: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday that “Operation Ghazab-ul-Haq” was continuing at full strength against terrorist groups, as he used a visit to the Command and Staff College in Quetta to underline Pakistan’s security priorities and broader strategic posture. Addressing faculty members and student officers at the premier military training institution, the prime minister praised the professionalism, discipline and sacrifices of the armed forces, saying Pakistan remained…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Central Standing Committee on Women Education and Training organized an awareness session marking International Mother’s Day at its head office in Karachi, focusing on the theme of mothers’ role in global peace and unity. The session, convened by Shamsa-Jabeen Jawed Ahmed, Convener of the Committee, was attended by FPCCI Senior Vice President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon and Vice President Qurat-ul-Ain. The event brought together women entrepreneurs, homemakers, and participants joining both in person and online, reflecting broad engagement with the theme. Prominent scholar, educator and author Nighat…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The two-day Training of Trainers (ToT) program on gender equality and workplace harassment concluded with participants calling for stronger institutional measures to ensure safer and more inclusive working environments across Pakistan’s public and private sectors. The program, organized in accordance with Pakistan’s labor laws and the International Labor Organization’s Convention C-190 on violence and harassment at work, brought together professionals, trainers and institutional representatives to discuss practical strategies aimed at improving workplace culture and promoting equal opportunities. At the closing ceremony, the Secretary General of the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan, Nazar Ali, along with trainer Kiran…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Electricity consumers could receive a modest reduction in power tariffs next month, although much of the relief may be offset by an increase linked to monthly fuel cost adjustments. Officials said there was a possibility of a reduction of Rs1.93 per unit under the quarterly adjustment mechanism, while electricity prices could simultaneously rise by Rs1.73 per unit because of the April fuel adjustment. If both revisions are approved, the net relief for consumers in June would amount to only 20 paisa per unit. The final decision will be taken by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority after…