Senator Rubina Khalid, a new member of the committee, questioned the rationale and procedure behind adopting railway models that are not widely practiced internationally. The committee instructed the Ministry of Railways to provide a comprehensive briefing on its outsourcing policies and practices at the next meeting. She also raised concerns over the closure of train services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and called for the uniform development of railway infrastructure across all provinces. Disappointment Over Ministers’ and Senior Officials’ Absence Committee Chairman Jam Saifullah Khan announced that the next meeting would be held in Peshawar to specifically review railway projects and facilities…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
The drama began late Sunday night when reports emerged on social media of a leopard sighting in the Sathra area. Residents searched with torches and phone lights but found nothing. Later, CCTV footage showed the animal roaming through Madina Market, a busy commercial hub about a kilometer away, without encountering any security personnel or passers-by. On Monday morning, the big cat was spotted in the Central Plate neighborhood near Jinnah Dental Hospital. It was seen leaping past a female resident and crouching in an open plot next to her house. “Surprisingly, it was not violent but friendly,” she recounted. Another…
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative to Afghanistan during the Trump administration, has called on Afghanistan to “help Pakistan with such negotiations.” He recently visited Kabul with US hostage envoy Adam Boehler, where he met with key members of the Afghan Taliban regime. In a tweet after his visit, Khalilzad noted that the escalating violence between Pakistan’s security forces and the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has resulted in the deaths of a significant number of security personnel and civilians. Khalilzad’s Call for a Political Solution Stating that a military solution to this challenge is a mistake, Khalilzad urged Islamabad to…
A special bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, heard multiple petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the amended Section 4C of the Income Tax Ordinance (ITO), 2001, applicable to the tax year 2023. Senior counsel for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Hafiz Ehsaan Ahmad Khokhar, argued that the present case did not involve any question of the National Assembly’s legislative competence. He informed the court that the federal government would submit a written response within a few days. Previously, on April 4, 2024, a division bench of the IHC had directed one of…
A committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address concerns over taxes and the clearance of consignments imported from China via the Khunjerab Pass met in Islamabad. Chaired by Federal Energy Minister Awais Leghari, this was the body’s fourth meeting. The session was attended by federal ministers, the Attorney General, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, and representatives from various government agencies including the NLC, FBR, and intelligence bureaus. Push for a Tax-Free Zone Sources indicated that the GB chief minister and other GB representatives pressed for declaring Gilgit-Baltistan a tax-free zone and allowing residents…
Punjab’s unofficial ban on the interprovincial movement of wheat has created a new crisis, leading to a severe flour shortage and skyrocketing prices in other provinces. This measure has been heavily criticized by politicians and flour millers, who argue it violates constitutional rights and a recent deregulation agreement. Constitutional and Political Backlash While Punjab officials denied a formal ban, they admitted to setting up checkpoints to curb what they called “unusual” wheat movement. Critics, however, argue that these actions go against the spirit of a deregulated market. The ban has been met with strong condemnation from other provinces, particularly Khyber…
As artificial intelligence (AI) transforms industries globally, Telenor Pakistan is ensuring its transition to an AI-First future begins with its own workforce. The company recently celebrated AI Day as part of a Telenor Group-wide initiative, demonstrating how it is integrating AI not just into its systems but also into the skills, culture, and daily work practices of its employees. Central to this vision is AI Verse, a new learning program designed to provide employees with practical and inclusive skills for the future. According to Areej Khan, Telenor Pakistan’s Chief People Officer, this investment signifies a shift in mindset that places…
A committee established by the prime minister to assess flood damages announced on Tuesday that initial estimates will be finalized within ten days based on “accurate and transparent field reports.” Simultaneously, PM Shehbaz Sharif has directed a “comprehensive assessment” of the losses. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who chaired the meeting, emphasized the need for a coordinated effort with the provinces to ensure a thorough assessment. However, provincial representatives noted that a final, accurate assessment could only be made once the floodwaters fully receded. Iqbal confirmed that, similar to the 2022 floods, a comprehensive Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) would be conducted…
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have a long and multifaceted relationship built on mutual economic interests, strategic military cooperation, and shared Islamic heritage. Riyadh has consistently been a vital source of financial aid and oil for Islamabad, strengthening their bond. According to a Foreign Office (FO) statement, PM Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a state visit at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “During the visit, the prime minister will hold a bilateral meeting with the crown prince to review the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations,” the statement noted. The FO added that both leaders are expected to…
State authorities have designated Balochistan-based groups as ‘Fitna al-Hind’ to underscore India’s alleged involvement in terrorism and destabilization across Pakistan. In a press release, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that on the night of September 14/15, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) based on intelligence about the presence of “terrorists belonging to the Indian proxy Fitna al-Hind.” The military’s media wing added, “During the operation, our forces effectively engaged the terrorists’ location, and after an intense fire exchange, five Indian-sponsored terrorists were sent to hell.” The ISPR noted that “weapons, ammunition, and explosives were also recovered from the…
