Pakistan

Say such revisions will better reflect global market moves, aid efficient planning

FBR issues rules with Rs4b tax exemption cap; permits, domicile condition made mandatory

LCCI dialogue stresses modern practices and consistent policy implementation

KSE-100 index drops 244 points amid volatility, range-bound trading

Stakeholders flag taxes, land conversion risks in meeting with food minister

PESHAWAR: A police constable was killed on Wednesday during a crossfire between two rival groups at the busy Rustam Bazaar in Wana, officials said. The incident occurred when an exchange of fire erupted between the two sides during a confrontation, claiming the life of Constable Islamuddin Wazir, who was deployed on law-and-order duty in the local market. “He sustained critical injuries and succumbed on the spot,“ said police. “Constable Islamuddin Wazir was performing his official duties to maintain peace and public safety when he was hit by bullets during the crossfire,” said police officials. Following the incident, panic spread in the marketplace, prompting police to immediately cordon off the area and bring the situation under control. City Police Station Wana SHO Razaullah Wazir confirmed that two suspects involved in the firing had been arrested and taken to the station, where an FIR has been registered at the CTD South Waziristan police station. DSP Wana Imranullah stated, “Under the directives of the...

As Christmas approaches, people around the globe have been preparing for the holiday season by buying decorations and food, praying, and presenting gifts to one another. This Christmas Eve featured multiple events celebrating the upcoming holiday, with the erection of giant Christmas trees, parades in cultural attire, and gatherings in cities around the world. People visit St. Anthony’s Church, decorated on Christmas Eve, in Lahore on December 24. — AFP An ice skating rink and Christmas tree are set up at the LA Live Plaza at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, the US on December 23. — Reuters Vendors sit in front of their shop selling Christmas decorations in Hanoi, Vietnam on December 24. — AFP A cyclist passes near a giant Christmas in Abidjan, in Cote d’Ivoire on December 23, ahead of Christmas. — AFP A four-year-old elephant named Samu is fed a Christmas tree with fruits and vegetables at Budapest Zoo and Botanic Garden in Budapest, Hungary on December 23. — AFP Young women take a selfie in ...

Russia plans to put a nuclear power plant on the moon in the next decade to supply its lunar space programme and a joint Russian-Chinese research station, as major powers rush to explore the earth’s only natural satellite. Ever since Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to go into space in 1961, Russia has prided itself as a leading power in space exploration, but in recent decades it has fallen behind the United States and, increasingly, China. Russia’s ambitions suffered a massive blow in August 2023 when its unmanned Luna-25 mission smashed into the surface of the moon while attempting to land, and Elon Musk has revolutionised the launch of space vehicles - once a Russian speciality. Is that a nuclear reactor on the moon? Russia’s state space corporation, Roscosmos, said in a statement that it planned to build a lunar power plant by 2036 and signed a contract with the Lavochkin Association aerospace company to do it. Roscosmos did not say explicitly that the plant would be nuclear but it sa...

PESHAWAR: At least four children were injured in the Gondalabad area of Kurram district on Wednesday after a quadcopter attack, said official sources. For months, militants in the region have used quadcopters to drop explosives on security forces and the current year has seen an increase in such attacks. In today’s attack, a quadcopter released its explosive payload over a residential area. As a result, three boys and a girl sustained injuries, confirmed official sources. The injured minors were shifted to a nearby medical facility for medical treatment. Security sources condemned the attack, calling it “an act of violence against innocent civilians and children”. “Such incidents reflect a deliberate targeting of non-combatants and have nothing to do with religion or humanitarian values,” they added. An investigation into the incident is underway, while security in the area has been tightened following the attack. Last week, two women and two teenagers were injured in a quadcopter attack in the Janikhel area ...

The military’s top brass on Wednesday vowed that no malicious interest, political or otherwise, aimed at undermining national unity would be tolerated, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. These remarks were made at the 273rd Corps Commanders’ Conference, which was convened at General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi and chaired by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. “The forum categorically rejected the nexus between terrorism, crime, and vested political interests,” the ISPR’s statement read. “It resolved that no malicious interest, political or otherwise, aimed at undermining national unity, security and stability would be tolerated, nor would anyone be allowed to create divisions between the Armed Forces and the people of Pakistan.” Paying tribute to security personnel martyred in counter-terrorism operations and civilians who “laid down their lives in recent terrorist incidents”, the forum noted that Pakistan’s gradual progress towards sta...

A United Nations (UN) expert on Wednesday warned that Bushra Bibi, the wife of former prime minister Imran Khan, is being “detained in circumstances that could pose a serious risk to her physical and mental integrity”. Bushra is serving a seven-year sentence in the £190 million corruption case. She was recently sen­tenced to 17 years’ imprisonment in the Toshakhana 2 case, which revolved around the purchase of an expensive jewelry set gifted to Imran by the Saudi crown prince during his May 2021 visit. “The state has an obligation to protect Mrs. Khan’s health and ensure conditions of detention compatible with human dignity,” Alice Jills Edwards, the UN Special Rapporteur, said in a statement issued on Wednesday. Earlier in May, the Adiala prison administration submitted a detailed report to the Islamabad High Court (IHC), stating that Bushra was receiving a range of special facilities at the prison, with accommodation provided to her under the Pakistan Prison Rules 1978, including medical care, private lodgi...

Motherhood begins with immense joy, but soon, physical and mental exhaustion step in. The body feels unfamiliar, and the mind rides an emotional roller coaster. In the middle of sleepless nights and feeding schedules, self-care quietly fades away. The “baby blues” often step in, leaving many mothers feeling fragile and overwhelmed. Yet, recovery is not a luxury but a necessity. And that’s where post-pregnancy yoga steps in. It serves as a gentle bridge between healing the body and calming the mind. From hormonal fluctuations to weakened core and pelvic muscles, after childbirth, a woman’s body undergoes dramatic changes. Back pain, fatigue, anxiety, and mood swings are common complaints. In today’s fast-paced world, many mothers feel pressured to “get back in shape” quickly, but healing takes time, and the body deserves patience. Yoga offers far more than physical exercise, as it is a complete system of self-recovery. Gentle asanas strengthen the pelvic floor, back, and abdominal muscles. Breathing practices ...

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Wednesday that the government was fully satisfied with the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), terming the Rs135 billion deal a historic milestone with major symbolic importance for the country’s economic and aviation reforms.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is expected to be run by a new owner from April next year, subject to approvals, and receive fresh capital under a deal to privatise the flag carrier, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation Muhammad Ali said on Wednesday. A consortium headed by the Arif Habib Corporation emerged as the top bidder in a live-televised auction for a 75 per cent stake in PIA on Tuesday, marking a breakthrough for the government’s long-delayed privatisation of the carrier. The Arif Habib consortium offered Rs135 billion, surpassing a government reserve price of Rs100bn, in a sharp turnaround from last year’s failed sale attempt. Muhammad Ali, the privatisation adviser to the prime minister, told Reuters in an online interview that the state expects a new owner to be running the airline by April, subject to approvals. The process now moves to final approvals by the Privatisation Commission board and the cabinet, expected within days, with contract signing likely within two weeks and fin...

The President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will arrive in Pakistan for an official visit on December 26 (Friday), according to a statement from the Foreign Office (FO) issued on Wednesday. This will be the second time the Emirati president will visit Pakistan this year, having met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Rahim Yar Khan in January. However, Friday’s trip, according to the FO, will be his first official visit as president. According to the statement, President Al-Nahyan will review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations with PM Shehbaz and the pair will “exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest”. “The visit will provide an important opportunity to further strengthen the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates,” the FO said. The FO added that the visit reflects the depth of bilateral relations between both nations and their shared commitment to bolster collaboration in key areas, including ...

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday chaired a review meeting on the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Energy and granted in-principle approval for the formulation of a comprehensive National Energy Plan in consultation with relevant federal ministries and provincial governments.

The nation will observe the 149th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on Thursday with national zeal and fervour.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday chaired a meeting of a private-sector working group formed to propose reforms related to ports for boosting business activity and accelerating economic growth.

The Committee on National Dialogue (CND), comprising a group of former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, has welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s invitation for dialogue, terming it a positive initiative.

BANNU: Bannu Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sajjad Khan said on Wednesday that 27 cops were martyred in 134 terrorist attacks targeting personnel in the district in 2025. He made the remarks while addressing a press briefing at his office, where he gave a detailed breakdown of the overall law and order situation in the district and operations carried out against terrorist elements. According to the DIG, Bannu police conducted comprehensive, well-organised and result-oriented operations against militants. He said the data showed that during 2025, a total of 134 terrorist attacks targeted police stations, police posts, checkpoints, police mobiles and police parties. In these attacks, 27 police personnel were martyred, while 79 sustained injuries. In retaliatory action by police, 53 terrorists were killed and 163 were injured, he said. The DIG said that Bannu police carried out 168 intelligence-based operations across the district, resulting in the arrest of 105 terrorists and the elimination of 65 terrorists. O...