Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: A popular TikTok content creator, Sana Yousuf, was shot dead in her home in Islamabad in a case that has shocked fans and raised fresh concerns about the safety of women in Pakistan’s urban centers. According to police sources, the incident took place in Sector G-13/1, under the jurisdiction of Islamabad’s Sumbal Police Station. Sana was reportedly alone at home when a man known to her visited and allegedly shot her twice. Her family members were out at the market at the time of the attack. After the shooting, her body was taken to PIMS Hospital…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Bilal Bin Saqib, Pakistan’s special assistant on blockchain and crypto, has announced the formation of a dedicated crypto council tasked with developing regulatory frameworks for digital currencies. He underlined the importance of thoughtful regulation, describing it as both an opportunity and a necessity. “Pakistan has finally set up a crypto council which is now actively assessing the future direction of crypto regulations,” Bin Saqib said. “It’s a new technology, and people don’t fully understand it yet — but the world is moving forward, and we can’t afford to stay behind.” Addressing global concerns over illegal activities…

In a firm and resolute tone, the army chief vowed that the nation’s integrity would be upheld at all costs, leaving absolutely no room for compromise By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, has publicly affirmed longstanding concerns over Indian interference in Balochistan, describing it as no longer hidden but openly evident. Speaking at a Jirga of tribal elders in Quetta, Munir pointed to clear intelligence showing terrorist networks operating within the province, a development he framed as a direct challenge to Pakistan’s sovereignty and security. In a firm and resolute tone, the army…

Sources within the government reveal that the latest meeting on 30 May ended without a clear breakthrough, leaving critical issues unresolved and tensions rising By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are poised to enter a critical phase of negotiations over the federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with talks expected to resume within the next two days. This round of discussions comes amid mounting pressure on the government to align its budgetary plans with the stringent conditions laid out by the IMF as part of the country’s ongoing loan program. Sources within the government…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) has firmly rejected the proposed child marriage bill, insisting that no legislation should contradict the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the party opposes the bill on child marriage, arguing that the constitution does not permit laws that conflict with Islamic principles. He emphasized that Islam does not prescribe a fixed age for marriage but sets puberty as the defining criterion. He announced that JUI-F would launch a public campaign against the child marriage law. Fazlur Rehman criticized the government for…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), one of Pakistan’s foremost cardiac care institutions, is currently facing a series of serious legal and administrative challenges that have raised concerns about its governance and management. Between 2019 and 2023, a total of 45 court cases were filed against the institute, with allegations ranging from corruption and misuse of resources to illegal appointments made under the current director’s tenure. Official documents reveal a troubling financial aspect to this legal turmoil. NICVD has reportedly spent nearly Rs99.2 million on legal fees over the past few years, yet has not…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Lawmakers from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) in the Sindh Assembly have issued a scathing rebuke of the provincial government over the alarming deterioration of Karachi’s infrastructure, particularly its roads, which they say have become a dangerous web of potholes, encroachments, and mismanagement. In an official statement, MQM-P legislators denounced what they described as “seventeen years of systematic neglect,” accusing the Sindh government of treating Karachi worse than a stepchild. “The ruling party seems more focused on preserving its political power than on safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of Karachi’s citizens,” the lawmakers declared. They…

Several areas of Karachi have suffered power outages lasting over 12 hours, with many residents reporting blackouts ranging from two and a half to three hours at a time By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Karachi’s electricity supply is facing mounting criticism as the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has issued a stern warning to K-Electric over prolonged power cuts across the city. In a recent letter, NEPRA directed the utility company to take immediate and effective steps to improve the situation and ensure uninterrupted electricity for Karachi’s residents. According to NEPRA, many parts of Karachi have experienced power outages exceeding…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that India was never historically a single country but a vast subcontinent with hundreds of independent states. Speaking in Islamabad, Asif said history shows that what we call India today has always been a region made up of many entities, not a unified nation. Asif said, “There was a time when more than 500 princely states existed in the subcontinent. Even during Muslim rule, India was only briefly united, stretching from Badakhshan to Bengal.” Referring to the present-day situation, Asif claimed that India is now home to dozens of…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The country has witnessed a notable decline in the average price of 20 kilograms of flour, both month-on-month and year-on-year, according to the latest data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. In April, the average price of 20 kg flour was recorded at Rs 1,642.33, marking a 6.62 percent decrease compared to March, and a substantial 31.86 percent fall from April last year. In March, the average price stood at Rs1,758.84, while in April 2023 it was much higher, at Rs2,410.01. The price reduction offers some relief amid ongoing inflationary pressures faced by consumers. Breaking down…