Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent KARACHI: Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has announced that Regal Chowk will be renamed Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Chowk, with redevelopment and beautification work planned ahead of Rabi-ul-Awwal. The announcement was made during the mayor’s visit to the site, accompanied by Municipal Commissioner Abrar Jaffer and members of the City Council. Wahab said the square would undergo renovation before the start of Rabi-ul-Awwal, while special arrangements for cleanliness, lighting and beautification would be implemented across the city during the month. He said Karachi has long been an example of interfaith and inter-sect harmony, tolerance and mutual respect, adding that the…

By ourl Correspondent KARACHI: Politicians, academics, business leaders and civil society representatives gathered in Karachi for a national dialogue on the city’s future, calling for stronger local governance, fairer resource distribution and comprehensive administrative reforms to address the metropolis’s longstanding civic and economic challenges. The discussion, titled “Karachi: Facts and Solutions”, was organised at the invitation of senior politician and MIT Chairman Dr Saleem Haider. Participants exchanged views on urban governance, the distribution of powers, civic rights and Sindh’s administrative structure. Among those attending were National Dialogue Committee Chairman Mahmood Molvi, former federal finance minister Miftah Ismail, CPLC founding president…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni arrived in Pakistan with a focus on accelerating the implementation of agreements reached between the two neighbouring countries and further strengthening bilateral relations. Speaking to media after his arrival, Momeni said his visit was aimed at reviewing progress on commitments made during the recent visit of the Iranian president to Pakistan. He said several decisions had been taken during that visit, but some areas still required practical steps for full implementation. The Iranian minister said improving relations between Pakistan and Iran remained a key objective of his visit. He highlighted the…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The government has reduced the price of petrol by 35 paisa per liter while increasing the price of high-speed diesel by Rs5.71 per liter, according to an official notification. Under the revised rates, petrol will now cost Rs315.80 per liter, while high-speed diesel has been raised to Rs360.06 per liter. The notification states that the new prices will remain in effect for 21 July. The price of kerosene has also been increased by Rs5.93 per liter, taking the new rate to Rs282.59 per liter. The Petroleum Division said the revised fuel prices were determined by the…

By our correspondent KHYBER: The death toll from torrential rain and flash floods in Khyber district has risen to six, as rescue teams continue relief operations in affected areas. According to Rescue officials, four people died in Landi Kotal and two in Jamrud after being swept away by floodwaters. Authorities said a vehicle carrying an Afghan family to the Torkham border crossing was caught in a flash flood. Sixteen people, including women and children, were on board. Rescue teams managed to save 13 passengers. Officials confirmed that the bodies of three victims recovered from the floodwaters were handed over to…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The Sindh government has advised the University of Karachi to postpone its 662nd Syndicate meeting, scheduled for 27 July, arguing that key long-term decisions should be taken under the leadership of the institution’s next permanent vice-chancellor. According to an official letter issued by the Sindh Higher Education Department on 20 July 2026, the meeting is due to take place on the final day of the tenure of Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi. The government said the meeting’s agenda includes significant administrative, financial and policy matters, including selection board recommendations, appointments, service-related issues and financial approvals.…

By our correspondent KARACHI: A seven-member group accused of defrauding people by promising overseas employment has been arrested in Karachi, with investigators recovering firearms, police uniforms, laptops and dozens of passports during the operation. More than 50 alleged victims have also come forward, according to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The arrests were made during a raid in Karachi’s North Nazimabad Block L, where the suspects were allegedly operating a fraudulent travel and recruitment network. Speaking at a press conference, the deputy director of the FIA’s Human Trafficking Circle said the group collected large sums of money from people seeking…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has reiterated that the government remained committed to addressing the challenges faced by the people of Balochistan and supporting efforts aimed at bringing economic development and prosperity to the province. Senator Ishaq Dar expressed these views during a meeting with National Party President Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, who called on him in Islamabad along with parliamentary members of his party. He said the government was focused on working for the welfare of the people of Balochistan and helping them achieve their legitimate aspirations within the constitutional…

News Desk ISLAMABAD: Noreen Niazi, the sister of the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has submitted a written response to a notice issued by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). Through her lawyer, Niazi argued that the notice did not clearly specify the allegations against her or the legal provisions under which it had been issued. In her reply, she said she was willing to cooperate fully within the framework of the law, maintaining that the allegations were baseless. She also requested the agency to provide detailed information about the accusations and the legal sections cited in the notice.…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the livestock and meat export sectors as part of efforts to expand trade, improve value addition and enhance the country’s livestock industry. The understanding was reached during a high-level meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and a Chinese delegation. During the meeting, Rana Tanveer Hussain said Pakistan possessed vast livestock resources and had significant potential to become a major supplier of high-quality halal meat in international markets. The minister highlighted the importance of modernising the sector to improve production standards…