A local court on Wednesday approved a two-day physical remand for journalist Waheed Murad, who was allegedly abducted from his residence and subsequently handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). During the court hearing, Murad testified that police forcibly entered his home and took him away, further stating that his mother-in-law was also assaulted during the raid. “Just 20 minutes ago, I was handed over to the FIA,” he told the court. Iman Mazari, Murad’s lawyer, revealed that she had filed a petition seeking protection from unlawful detention. She questioned the justification for subjecting a journalist to physical remand.…
Author: Web Desk
A suspected case of mpox surfaced at Jinnah Hospital, Karachi, on Saturday. According to details, the patient is a resident of Shah Latif Town in Karachi. The hospital administration reported that the patient’s wife first exhibited symptoms of mpox. The patient was kept in the isolation ward pending the receipt of test results. The Sindh Health Department stated that the patient’s samples have been sent to a private hospital, and they are awaiting the results.
Researchers announced on Tuesday that chewing gum releases hundreds of tiny microplastic particles directly into people’s mouths. This revelation comes amid growing concerns about the presence of microplastics in various environments, from mountaintops to the deepest parts of the ocean, and even in the air we breathe. The research, conducted by scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), highlights yet another unexamined route through which these minute plastic fragments enter the human body. The pilot study explored how chewing gum, often perceived as an innocent treat, could be contributing to the widespread problem of plastic pollution. “I don’t…
Stresses the need to promote SMEs in farm storage and transportation. Directs the provision of reasonably priced inputs to farmers. Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday pledged to revitalize the country’s agriculture sector, achieve food self-sufficiency, and boost farm exports. “In the next few years, an agricultural revolution can be brought to Pakistan if the federal government, in collaboration with provinces, provides reasonably priced inputs to farmers. The country needs a conducive environment to exploit the agri potential as we have fertile land, water resources, agricultural scientists, and graduates,” the prime minister said while inaugurating the Seed Potato Production…
Islamabad: Pakistan’s trade deficit with nine neighboring countries swelled by 36.09 percent to $7.36 billion during the first eight months of FY25, up from $5.41 billion in the corresponding period last year. Recent regional political shifts have spurred exports to Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. However, Pakistan’s trade with these nations has faced significant setbacks in recent years, attributed to challenges posed by unfavorable governmental policies. The trade gap with regional countries widened mainly due to higher imports from China, India, and Bangladesh during the months under review. According to data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan’s exports…
Islamabad: The Ministry of Finance is recruiting six professionals from the market to operationalize the Tax Policy Office (TPO), which will report directly to the finance minister, in line with commitments made with the IMF under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF). On Monday, the ministry sought applications for the positions—one for the director general of TPO and five directors with diverse expertise, including economic analysis, business taxation, personal taxation, international taxation, and direct/indirect taxation. All of them will be hired on Special Professional Pay Scales (SPPS). The DG will receive SPPS-1, while the directors will be hired on…
The finance ministry, in its monthly economic outlook report released on Tuesday, stated that remittances are expected to maintain their upward trajectory due to the seasonal factors of Ramadan and Eid. “The external account position has strengthened, driven by a continued increase in exports and a noteworthy rise in remittances despite an upward trend in imports,” the report said, adding that seasonal factors “will help to keep the current account within manageable limits.” The current account deficit (CAD) declined to $12 million in February from $420 million in the preceding month—with the country recording a surplus of $691 million in…
The inaugural EU-Pakistan Business Forum is scheduled to take place in Islamabad from May 14-15 to enhance economic cooperation, according to a joint announcement by the government and the European Union delegation on Tuesday. The EU is the world’s largest single market and the primary destination for Pakistani exports. The EU also stands as the world’s largest foreign investor, representing 42 percent of global outward foreign direct investment. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its cooperative partnership with the EU and welcomed the convening of the business forum. “With a rapidly expanding market…
Satellite-based internet provider Starlink was issued a temporary No Objection Certificate (NOC) to operate in Pakistan on Friday, according to a statement from the IT ministry. Starlink Services, owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk, is among the most technologically advanced companies globally that provide internet via Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. Musk confirmed in January that Starlink had applied to launch internet services in Pakistan but was “waiting for approval from the government.” A user on X—also owned by Musk—confirmed that Pakistan had “approved Starlink.” According to today’s statement, IT Minister Shaza Fatima said that Starlink was granted temporary registration…
Rome: Negotiations regarding a potential contract between Elon Musk’s satellite internet operator, Starlink, and the Italian government have reached an impasse, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions, Italy’s defense minister stated on Saturday. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government aims to secure encrypted communications among government officials, diplomats, and defense personnel operating in high-risk areas, with Starlink among the contenders to provide the system. “It seems to me that everything has come to a standstill,” Guido Crosetto was quoted as saying by the newspaper La Repubblica. He indicated that this was partly due to the shift in discussions from technical aspects to “statements”…
