Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: ReporterThe Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced that GRE and HAT tests will be mandatory for all MPhil and PhD admissions starting from Fall 2026, introducing a unified national testing system for postgraduate programmes. According to the new policy, admissions to both public and private universities will be based solely on GRE and HAT scores, marking a shift towards a centralised merit-based system. The Education Testing Council will oversee GRE, HAT and subject-specific assessments under the revised framework. HEC Chairman Niaz Ahmad Akhtar said the decision aims to ensure transparency and merit in higher education. He…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The Chief Minister of Sindh, Murad Ali Shah, has taken notice of the burning of houses in Jacobabad following a dispute linked to a so-called “love marriage”, as authorities confirmed arrests and an ongoing crackdown under anti-terror laws. According to a statement from the provincial government spokesperson, the incident in the village of Siddiq Arain in Jacobabad took place around a week ago and escalated after a young couple contracted what they describe as a consensual marriage. Officials said the girl’s family initially filed an abduction case, but the couple later appeared in the Sindh High…

By our correspondent KARACHI: A delegation of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s Central Standing Committee on Women Education and Training visited the Governor House. The visiting members held a meeting with Governor of Sindh, Nihal Hashmi, to discuss the growing challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and the need for stronger institutional support for women’s education and vocational training across the province. The delegation attended the meeting under the leadership of Dr Akram Sultan, convener of the FPCCI Central Standing Committee on General Health, while the discussions were led by Shamsa Jabeen Jawed Ahmed, Convener of the…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The government has announced a reduction in petroleum product prices, bringing relief to consumers amid ongoing fuel price fluctuations. According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, petrol prices have been reduced by Rs5 per litre, setting the new rate at Rs409.78 per litre. Similarly, the price of diesel has also been cut by Rs5 per litre, bringing it down to Rs409.58 per litre. The revised prices will take effect from midnight, as per the official notification. Officials say the adjustment reflects changes in international oil markets and exchange rate movements, which continue to influence…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Police in Karachi’s East District arrested two suspects involved in mobile phone snatching after an intelligence-led operation in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area on 15 May 2026. Police said the action was taken by Gulshan-e-Iqbal police following secret information about the suspects’ involvement in mobile phone theft cases. The two suspects were arrested and a 30 bore pistol, ammunition and a snatched mobile phone were recovered from their possession. Police also recovered a motorcycle that was reportedly used in the crimes. The recovered mobile phone had been snatched from the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area. A case had already been registered…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s weekly inflation rate increased by 0.4 percent, according to the latest report released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, reflecting a rise in prices of essential goods across the country. The report showed that prices of 23 essential items increased during the week, while 9 items became cheaper and 19 remained stable. According to official data, tomatoes recorded the highest increase at 22.13 percent. Prices of flour rose by 4.94 percent, while diesel increased by 3.76 percent and petrol by 3.73 percent. The report further noted that onions became 2.98 percent more expensive, bananas rose…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Pakistan Women defeated Zimbabwe Women by 67 runs in the second T20I to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Batting first in Karachi, Pakistan Women posted 170 for 4 in their allotted overs. Eyman Fatima led the charge with a brilliant 79 off 43 balls, striking 10 fours and four sixes. Opener Muneeba Ali contributed 36 runs to strengthen the total. For Zimbabwe Women, Mabhero, Muringi and Mawonga picked up one wicket each but struggled to contain the scoring rate. In reply, Zimbabwe Women could only manage 103 for 8 in their 20…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD : Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has formed a four-member committee to hold budget negotiations with the federal government ahead of the upcoming financial plan. According to party sources, the committee includes Raja Pervez Ashraf, Saleem Mandviwalla, Sherry Rehman and Naveed Qamar. The group will represent the PPP in discussions with the government over budget-related matters and policy coordination. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said he would respond to the proposed 28th constitutional amendment only when a formal proposal is presented. He added that without the support of the PPP, neither constitutional amendments nor the budget…

By our correspondent PESHAWAR: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency has arrested a suspect for allegedly recording videos of women staff and passengers at Peshawar Airport and uploading them on social media. According to officials, an FIR has been registered at the NCCIA Peshawar office under relevant cybercrime laws. The accused is also alleged to have shared the videos on a TikTok account without consent. Authorities said the arrest was made after a complaint from airport security. During a search operation, two mobile phones were recovered from the suspect. One of the devices contained multiple videos of airport premises along…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Renowned educationist Professor Dr Suroo sh Hashmat Lodhi has been awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, while eminent agricultural expert Dr Fateh Mohammad Mari has received a civil award in recognition of his services in education and agriculture. Dr Suroosh Lodhi, who has served as Vice Chancellor of NED University for eight years and currently heads the Charter Inspection and Evaluation Committee, was honoured at a ceremony held at the Governor House. The award was presented by Sindh Governor Naheed Hameed, acknowledging his contributions to higher education and institutional development. Dr Fateh Mohammad Mari, a leading agricultural scientist and…