Pakistan

• Additional taxes, spending cuts planned to offset revenue shortfalls • Govt commits to raising federal excise duty on fertilisers, pesticides • FED to be introduced on sugary items; goods to be shifted to 18pc GST • Expenditure cuts pledged if National Tariff Policy leads to revenue losses ISLAMABAD: Having missed a total of 11 performance indicators under its IMF programme, the government has agreed to 11 new targets, including additional tax measures and expenditure cuts from early next month, to make up for rising revenue shortfalls and keep the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) on track. Commitment to the new or revised structural benchmarks, together with completion of two “prior actions”, enabled the conclusion of a staff-level agreement on the second review of the EFF and its approval by the IMF Executive Board for the disbursement of about $1.2bn, reveal fresh documents released by the Fund on Thursday. The government confirmed at the outset that it estimated a shortfall from the underperforma...

• Pakistan ‘hopeful but realistic’ as over 1,000 scholars seek ‘necessary measures’ to discourage cross-border movement of fighters • FO says Afghan Taliban have failed to comply with past commitments, reiterates demand for written assurances ISLAMABAD: Amid concerns by Pakistan regarding the use of Afghan soil by militants to launch attacks inside the country, over 1,000 Afghan clerics recently passed a resolution apparently aimed at discouraging the flow of militancy from its territory to neighbouring states. The resolution, adopted by leading Afghan clerics, pledges that their country’s soil will not be used against other countries. In case of violations, the “Islamic Emirate has the right to take necessary measures against them”, it said, noting that Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada had not permitted any Afghan national “to travel abroad for military activity, so if anyone violates this… The Islamic Emirate must take necessary measures to prevent such people”. The resolution, though welcomed b...

The government may consider banning social media platforms if they do not cooperate with authorities, Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said on Thursday. The social media platform X, which around 4.5 million people in Pakistan use, was blocked in February 2024, around 10 days after the general elections. Speaking on Dawn News programme “Doosra Rukh,” Barrister Malik, responding to a question about a possible ban on incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan’s X account, said “investigations are ongoing.” He added that while the government has contacted X, the platform has shown the least cooperation compared to other social media networks. Criticising X, the minister said the platform should not operate with double standards. “Posts related to Palestine are removed, and accounts blocked, within 24 hours. Here, we are talking about a matter of terrorism,” he said. He further noted that the government has issued reminders to social media platforms and warned that those that fail to cooperate ...

Faiz Hameed convicted on four charges; Involvement in political agitation being probed; Convict can appeal

FO says 'unwarranted intrusion' into judicial matters unacceptable

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FO cautiously welcomes Afghan Ulema Council's anti-terror declaration

Pakistan pitches alternative as regional bloc remains in gridlock

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ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Thursday issued notices to the federal government and other concerned authorities in a petition filed by an overseas Pakistani citizen residing in Cambodia, seeking the removal of his name from the blacklist.

ISLAMABAD - Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, the judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, and the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association Thursday joined employees and security staff from the Christian Community in marking the joyous occasion of Christmas by cutting a festive cake at a special ceremony held at the Supreme.

ISLAMABAD - The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works, chaired by Senator Nasir Mehmood, convened Thursday in Islamabad to review agenda items related to land vacation, payment of salaries, government accommodation, and the installation of lifts at Shaheed-e-Millat.

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China are conducting joint coun-terterrorism exercise Warrior-IX from 28 November to 14 December 2025.

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan yesterday summoned Ambassador of Norway to Pakistan Per Albert Ilsaas over his ‘unwarranted’ appearance in the Supreme Court hearing of the Iman Mazari case.

ISLAMABAD - Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held an important meeting in Brussels with the European Union Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner.

RAWALPINDI - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi here on Thursday was not allowed to meet incarcerated Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), for the 10th time.