Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has said that Pakistan’s recent diplomatic and strategic triumph over India was not only celebrated domestically but also found strong resonance in Azerbaijan, highlighting the depth of international solidarity with Islamabad’s position. Speaking from the mountainous city of Lachin during Azerbaijan’s Independence Day celebrations, Tarar drew attention to what he described as a remarkable show of unity among Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. His remarks came as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan joined the festivities, turning the occasion into a powerful display of trilateral harmony and regional…

K-Electric has once again been allowed to draw more money from Karachiites’ pockets than any other distribution company (Disco) in the country By our correspondent KARACHI: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has given its nod to a significant revision in K-Electric’s power supply tariff, setting an average rate of Rs39.97 per unit for the fiscal year 2023-24. The decision, which marks an 18 percent jump from the earlier rate of Rs33.82, comes as part of a long-term framework spanning seven years—from 2023-24 to 2029-30—aimed at reshaping the utility’s financial and operational footing. But the move is already fueling…

By our correspondent RAWALPINDI: On the 27th anniversary of Youm-e-Takbeer, the Armed Forces of Pakistan, alongside the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and the Services Chiefs, extended heartfelt felicitations to the people of the country, marking a day of profound national significance. Youm-e-Takbeer commemorates the historic moment in 1998 when Pakistan declared itself a nuclear power, a milestone that not only reshaped the strategic balance in South Asia but also affirmed the nation’s sovereign right to self-defense. This landmark achievement stands as a testament to Pakistan’s unity, resolve, and enduring pursuit of dignity and peace. It reflects the collective…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Federal Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi has strongly criticised the Indian government’s expansionist ideology, declaring that Pakistan will “sink the Akhand Bharat plan into the Indian Ocean.” Abbasi condemned the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and its ideological affiliate, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, accusing them of seeking to eliminate Muslims from India. He said the Indian leadership harbours ambitions to expand its influence by taking control of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and several other neighbouring countries under the banner of creating a so-called unified Akhand Bharat — a vision rooted in Hindu nationalist ideology. “This is not…

Over the past decade, cumulative tariffs have surged by 117 percent, skewing competition and steering investment toward politically favored sectors instead of globally competitive industries By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The World Bank’s recent report casts a stark light on Pakistan’s trade and industrial policy framework, highlighting a troubling pattern of rising import tariffs that threaten to undermine the country’s economic potential. The report identifies steep import duties—especially regulatory duties (RDs) and additional customs duties (ACDs)—as significant obstacles stifling industrial growth and hampering the nation’s export performance. It warns that the current system disproportionately benefits well-connected elites, fostering distortions that deter…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), has issued a stern warning against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s approach of confronting the public with force, cautioning that such a strategy will ultimately prove costly. Speaking in a phone call with Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha, PPP president in KP, Bilawal sought details about the recent unrest that unfolded during the Save the Province rally in Peshawar. Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha informed Bilawal that the KP government, visibly unsettled by what was intended as a peaceful protest, resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse demonstrators.…

By our correspondent PESHAWAR: Asad Qaiser, a senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), openly accused the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) of engaging in hooliganism, asserting that protests are effectively banned in Sindh. Speaking to reporters in Peshawar, Qaiser contrasted the situation in Sindh with that of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where he praised the democratic atmosphere and freedom for protests to be officially registered without obstruction. Qaiser highlighted the active involvement of PTI workers in demonstrations, underscoring the party’s commitment to political expression despite the challenges. Addressing the issue of PTI founder Imran Khan’s bail, he acknowledged its legal possibility but cast…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The Privatization Commission has officially extended the deadline for submitting expressions of interest (EOIs) for the acquisition of Pakistan’s national airline, granting prospective bidders an additional 15 days. According to a notification issued by the commission, the new deadline is now set for June 19, replacing the earlier cut-off date of June 3. The decision comes in light of the upcoming Eid holidays, which were expected to disrupt regular business activities and limit the time available for stakeholders to complete necessary documentation and internal approvals. The commission emphasized that all other terms and conditions related to…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Marking the 27th anniversary of Youm-e-Takbeer, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Chairman Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui paid tribute to Pakistan’s nuclear achievements, calling the moment a defining milestone in the nation’s history. In a special message to the nation, Dr. Siddiqui recalled that on this day in 1998, the combined resolve of Pakistan’s scientists, technical experts, and armed forces fortified the country’s defence and altered the strategic balance in South Asia. He described the nuclear tests as a bold and historic step that infused the country with renewed confidence, national pride, and a sense of security. “Our…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The Provincial Advisor on Environment, Climate Change, and Coastal Development for Sindh, Dost Muhammad Rahumo, recently held a meeting with Senior Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, alongside MPA Dr. Sikandar Shoro, signaling a renewed push for closer coordination between environmental initiatives and public communication strategies within the province. Though specifics of the discussions were not made public, the meeting reflected an important step in the Sindh government’s evolving approach to tackling the complex challenges posed by climate change and coastal management. As Sindh grapples with rising environmental threats—from coastal erosion to unpredictable weather patterns—the need…