Muzaffarabad (International Desk) A high-level Pakistani government delegation, led by former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, held talks with the Awami Action Committee (AAC) in Muzaffarabad on Thursday in an effort to defuse ongoing protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation, which included Prime Minister of AJK Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq, Federal Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Ahsan…
Islamabad (International Desk) Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, in his address to the National Assembly, stated that “Trump’s 20 points are not Pakistan’s policy; Pakistan remains committed to the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Palestine.” He emphasized that the government is making every possible effort to ensure the safe return of Pakistanis…
ISLAMABAD: In a deadly combination for Pakistan’s external sector stability, exports sank while imports grew in double digits during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, causing the trade deficit to balloon by one-third to $9.4 billion. The international trade bulletin released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Thursday suggested that neither…
PESHAWAR: Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday outlined the government’s economic reform agenda at the Pakistan Business Summit held at Serena Hotel, Peshawar. As per a statement, the summit, organised under the patronage of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor, carried the theme “Shaping What’s Next.” It brought together policymakers, business leaders, and executives to discuss Pakistan’s…
KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) revealed on Thursday that the government has allocated a Rs3.5 billion subsidy programme to encourage merchants to adopt Raast, the country’s official instant digital payment system, and reduce the cost of digital transactions. At the same time, the central bank has set an ambitious target of routing all…
ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday did not approve a request by Roosevelt Hotel, New York, for a $17.6 million bailout for six months, while the Privatisation Commission continues to sit on another proposal for reopening the hotel for the past three months. Indecision on part of the government and the Roosevelt Hotel’s management’s failure to…
Hollywood’s fascination with spectacle may soon reach new heights — quite literally, as Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas are reportedly considering a wedding that could break all traditions and perhaps even leave Earth behind. According to international media, the two stars are exploring concepts ranging from underwater nuptials to skydiving vows and, most strikingly,…
KARACHI: The finalists for the Aga Khan Music Awards (AKMA) 2025 have been announced, bringing global attention to a diverse line-up of artists whose work reflects both tradition and innovation. Among the 22 nominees from around the world, three hail from Pakistan: Juman Latif, Ustad Noor Bakhsh, and Ustad Naseeruddin Saami. Their inclusion places Pakistan…
Shah Rukh Khan, known universally as Bollywood’s ‘King Khan’, has reached another career milestonethis time offscreen, as the actor has reportedly entered the billionaires’ club, with Indian media estimating his wealth at over $1.4 billion. The achievement places him ahead of several global entertainers and cements his reputation not only as one of cinema’s most…
RAWALPINDI: Unemployment, inflation, privatisation of government institutions, and skyrocketing utility bills have forced government and private sector employees to take up part-time work as motorcycle riders for app-based bike-hailing services and food delivery chains. Not only lower-grade employees but even staff up to scale-16 have started riding for Bykea and food delivery services after working…
