Pakistan is poised for a significant shift in its economic strategy, aiming to foster export-led growth through comprehensive tariff reforms. Over the next five years, the nation plans to drastically reduce its average tariff rate from 20.19% to a mere 9.7%. This ambitious initiative is a cornerstone of the draft National Tariff Policy 2025-30, which also seeks to eliminate regulatory duties and gradually phase out additional customs duties by 2029. These details were shared with a parliamentary panel on Wednesday by officials, as reported by The News on Thursday. Streamlining Customs Duties and Abolishing Outdated Schedules As part of the…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
A second death from the Congo virus has been reported in Karachi, sparking renewed concerns about the spread of this deadly disease in the city. The latest victim was a 26-year-old resident of Ibrahim Hyderi. He was admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital with symptoms including high fever and internal bleeding, both characteristic indicators of the Congo virus, according to Dr. Abdul Waheed. This marks the second confirmed death linked to the virus in Karachi in recent weeks. Health officials are strongly urging the public to adopt preventive measures, especially when in contact with livestock or visiting high-risk areas.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday established a high-level committee under his chairmanship, aimed at accelerating Pakistan’s transition to a cashless and digitized economy. The committee is mandated to convene weekly to review the progress of ongoing digitization initiatives nationwide. Officials close to the development indicated that several key measures to bolster a digital financial system have already been integrated into the recently unveiled federal budget. During the announcement, Prime Minister Sharif underscored that economic digitization is a top government priority. “By encouraging digital payments and money transfers, we aim to restrict the informal economy and ensure greater transparency in…
Apple is exploring the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to significantly speed up the design of its custom chips, which are core to its various devices. This insight comes from remarks made by Johny Srouji, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies, during a private speech last month in Belgium. Srouji was there to receive an award from Imec, a prominent independent semiconductor research and development group. In the recorded speech, reviewed by Reuters, Srouji detailed Apple’s journey in custom chip development, from the inaugural A4 chip in the 2010 iPhone to the cutting-edge silicon currently powering Mac computers…
Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir held a pivotal meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, according to a statement released by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The two leaders participated in a luncheon in the Cabinet Room, followed by Field Marshal Munir’s visit to the Oval Office. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff also attended the meeting. Key Highlights of the Meeting: Security and Counterterrorism Cooperation: The ISPR stated that President Trump lauded Pakistan’s contributions to peace efforts and counterterrorism operations. Both leaders agreed to…
US President Donald Trump has asserted that Iran is “totally defenceless” and has initiated contact for negotiations amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, the US President made several claims regarding Iran’s military capabilities and alleged diplomatic overtures. Without presenting any supporting evidence, Trump stated, “Iran has no air defence whatsoever. They are totally defenceless.” He further added that Iranian officials had reached out, suggesting a visit to the White House. “They want to negotiate,” Trump claimed, questioning why Tehran hadn’t sought talks earlier, prior to “all this death and destruction.”…
The United States has once again affirmed President Donald Trump’s willingness to mediate the longstanding Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan. However, the US has also stressed that the ultimate decision to accept such an offer rests solely with the two countries involved. During a press briefing on Tuesday, US State Department spokesperson Timmy Bruce responded to a journalist’s question about President Trump’s stance on the matter. Bruce stated that while President Trump is genuinely open to offering assistance, it is “entirely up to the parties concerned whether to accept the offer or not.” “Well, yes, this is – every…
The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Britain are scheduled to hold nuclear talks with their Iranian counterpart on Friday in Geneva. This was confirmed by a German diplomatic source to Reuters. The European ministers will first convene with the European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, at Germany’s permanent mission in Geneva. Following this, they will hold a joint meeting with the Iranian foreign minister. This European initiative comes amidst growing fears of a spiraling conflict in the Middle East. Tensions have escalated significantly after Israel launched extensive military strikes on Iran last week, to which Iran responded with waves…
An Iranian ballistic missile struck the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba on Thursday morning, causing significant damage as air raid sirens blared across Israel during a large-scale missile attack launched from Iranian territory. The IDF confirmed at 7:03 am on Thursday that between 20 and 30 missiles were launched from Iran towards Israeli territory. According to Israeli reports, this constitutes the largest barrage launched from Iran in the past 48 hours. Reports indicate at least seven impact sites, including three in Gush Dan and a direct hit on Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva. So far, over 50 individuals have been…
Israel’s military has confirmed it carried out airstrikes targeting Iran’s Arak heavy water nuclear reactor overnight, signifying a major escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. An official statement indicated that Israeli fighter jets struck dozens of sites across Iran, including what were described as key nuclear and missile production facilities. Among the primary targets was the IR-40 reactor, a 40-megawatt thermal heavy water facility located near Arak and part of Iran’s nuclear complex. The Israeli military claimed to have specifically aimed for “the structure of the reactor’s core seal,” a critical component for the production of plutonium,…
