Pakistan

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday departed for Iran after concluding his two-day official visit to Turkiye.

Bears continued their stampede on Monday at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) as shares declined by more than 600 points in intraday trade. The benchmark KSE-100 index declined by 886.10, or 0.74 per cent, to stand at 118,216.57 from the last close of 119,102.67 at 1:13pm. At 3:04pm, the index decreased by 642.92 points, or 0.54pc, from the last close. Mohammed Sohail, chief executive of Topline Securities, attributed the decline to “delay in budget announcement”, in addition to “lack of clarity” on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) “conditions related to budget pushing investors to trim their exposure”. Yousuf M. Farooq, director research at Chase Securities, said, “The market is consolidating ahead of the budget, with pressure on the oil sector following media reports of disagreements with the IMF over the circular debt resolution plan and the onset of rollover week.” “We expect a rerating to the upside once there is clarity on key budgetary measures,” he added. The government has delayed unveiling the ...

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will convene in Islamabad on Tuesday to sight the moon for Zil Hajj 1446 Hijri, which will determine the date of Eid ul Azha in Pakistan.

US President Donald Trump backed away on Sunday from his threat to slap 50 per cent tariffs on imports from the European Union next month, agreeing to extend the deadline until July 9 for talks between Washington and the 27-nation bloc to produce a deal. Trump on Friday said he was recommending a 50pc tariff go into place on June 1 because of frustration that talks with the EU were not moving quickly enough. The threat roiled global financial markets and intensified a trade war that has been punctuated by frequent changes in tariff policies toward US trading partners and allies. Trump, who has repeatedly expressed disdain for the EU and its treatment of the US on trade, relented after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told him on Sunday that the EU needed more time to come to an agreement. She asked him during a call to delay the tariffs until July, the deadline he had originally set when he announced new tariffs in April. Trump told reporters he had granted the request. “We had a very nice c...

Iran will not consider temporarily suspending uranium enrichment to secure a nuclear deal with the US, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday, adding that no date had yet been set for a sixth round of talks with Washington. The negotiations between Washington and Tehran aim to resolve a decades-long dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and both sides have taken a tough stance in public over the issue of Iran’s uranium enrichment. Asked about reports that Iran could freeze enrichment for three years to reach an agreement, spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told a press conference: “Iran will never accept that.” Baghaei also ruled out the possibility of an interim nuclear deal with the US, dismissing media reports that a provisional agreement was being considered as a temporary step towards a final deal. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that US negotiators had “very good” talks with an Iranian delegation over the weekend. Iran is waiting for further details from mediator Oman regarding the timing of the...

Political and religious leader Hafiz Abdul Karim has been elected as the new emir of the Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith (JAH). Karim was elected unopposed after the position fell vacant following the demise of former emir Professor Sajid Mir on May 3, Associated Press of Pakistan reported. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Hafiz Abdul Karim on his election and expressed his good wishes for the newly elected chief of the religio-political party. The PML-N has nominated Hafiz Abdul Karim, who was earlier the secretary-general of JAH, as its candidate for the Senate seat which fell vacant after the demise of Prof Mir. According to a PML-N press release, party president Nawaz Sharif offered the Senate seat to Prof Mir’s son, Ahmad Mir, but he declined the offer. The PML-N then nominated Karim for the vacant Senate seat. Karim earlier served as a senator from March 2018 to March 2024 on a technocrat seat from Punjab. He was also a member of the National Assembly from June 2013 to 2018. Besides, he served as ...

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday ordered authorities to take decisive action against the beggar mafia operating in Punjab and directed the development of a dedicated mobile application to help curb the practice.

Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are set to hold virtual discussions today (Monday) regarding the federal budget for the fiscal year 2025–26, with a key focus on the growing circular debt in the gas sector.

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met Mona Khan, the gold medalist of the London Marathon 2025, and her coach Muhammad Yousuf on Saturday to honor their remarkable international achievement.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) Chief Executive Officer Bilal Bin Saqib as his special assistant on blockchain and cryptocurrency, with the status of a minister of state. On February 25, the finance ministry had announced it was considering “establishing a National Crypto Council” to adopt emerging digital currencies in line with global trends. It later appointed Saqib as chief executive officer of the PPC. According to a press release issued today, Saqib will now be responsible for developing a comprehensive, FATF-compliant regulatory framework for digital assets, launching Bitcoin mining initiatives, and overseeing blockchain integration in governance, finance, and land records. Additionally, he will also facilitate “licensing and oversight of virtual asset service providers (VASPs)” and champion “investor protection and Web3 ecosystem growth” in the country. According to Forbes, Saqib — who is part of their ‘30 under 30’ list — is the cofounder of Tayaba, which the...

ISLAMABAD: After more than a decade, residents of the federal capital got a sigh of relief as over 95 per cent of previously barricaded U-turns and chowks (squares) have been reopened, allowing for smoother traffic flow — thanks to the efforts of the local administration. This development has brought considerable comfort to motorists. The previous closures had forced them to take long detours, resulting in increased fuel consumption and wastage of time. A large number of citizens have welcomed the decision and expressed the hope that the reopened U-turns and squares would not be closed again under the pretext of managing traffic congestion. “It [the reopening of U-turns] happened due to a collective effort of all stakeholders,” said Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon when contacted on Sunday. Decision taken on permanent basis and happened due to collective effort of all stakeholders, says DC When asked whether the move was permanent or if the U-turns might be closed again, he confirmed that it would be permanent...

RAWALPINDI: A medical officer (MO) posted at the Samli Sanatorium in Murree was allegedly raped by a man who claimed to be an adviser to the Punjab chief minister. According to the first information report (FIR) lodged with the police based on the victim’s complaint, the suspect, a resident of her native village in Khanewal, claimed he was an adviser to the chief minister and promised he could facilitate her transfer to a hospital of her choice. He continued to make such assurances and eventually called her to Lahore. Upon her arrival in Lahore, the suspect reportedly showed her videos of her family, issued threats and attempted to sexually assault her. The FIR stated that on May 20, the suspect forcibly entered her hostel in Murree after pushing aside the security guard and falsely claimed that the doctor was his wife. Despite her efforts to persuade him to leave, he forcibly took her out and placed her in a cab, in which two other individuals were already seated. She said the men threatened to kill her and ...

KUALA LUMPUR: Be it family-friendly attractions, scenic stays or wonderful dining options, Malaysia has a wide range of experiences that is sure to delight every type of traveller. This unsurprisingly results in Malaysia leading the Asia-focused categories of Trip.com’s global rankings. Named the best in a total of 19 categories, ranging from accommodation to nightlife, the country boasts several establishments that received multiple recognitions. The popular island of Langkawi earns repeat mentions for its hotels and villas, as well as its Underwater World attraction. Langkawi was also named one of “Asia’s best coastal destinations”. The only other place in Malaysia crowned best coastal destination is Semporna, a scenic seaside town in Sabah’s east coast. Meanwhile, the state’s capital city Kota Kinabalu joins Semporna, Langkawi, Melaka and Kuala Lumpur in the “best destinations” category. Understandably, Kuala Lumpur draws many visits from local and foreign tourists alike. Many of its attractions and restau...

Karachi is currently experiencing intense heat, with temperatures forecasted to rise up to 39°C on Monday.

DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry says India’s face is visible behind every terror activity in Pakistan Asks Afghan elites not to become stooges of India against Pakistan Time has come for IIOJK to become part of Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have agreed to remain on front foot as Islamabad launches a diplomatic bid to counter India’s narrative after the recent military confrontation.

Traveling to Europe in 2024 may be tougher than before, as recent data from the European Commission reveals a significant increase in Schengen visa rejection rates.

LAHORE - Lahore Qalandars recorded an impressive six-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators in the PSL 10 final played at the jampacked Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on Sunday night.

President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday commended the security forces for their successful intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which led to the elimination of nine terrorists affiliated with the outlawed Khawarij group, allegedly backed by India.

LAHORE - Senate Chairman Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that during the recent Indian provocations, the entire Pakistani nation, alongwith all political parties, demonstrated exemplary unity, which played a pivotal role in delivering a strong and effective national response to the enemy.