Washington, D.C.: Pakistani-origin woman Asra Hussain Raza was among the victims of a tragic mid-air collision between a passenger jet and a military helicopter in the United States. Asra was aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which was struck by a US Army Black Hawk training helicopter mid-air. Final Text and Tragic End Just moments before the crash, Asra texted her husband, Hamaad Raza, saying she would land in 20 minutes. Hamaad, who was waiting at the airport, never received another message. “Asra was everything to us,” said Hamaad’s father, Hashim Raza, tearfully. “And now my son is widowed at just…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
Islamabad: The Inland Revenue Service Officers Association (IRSOA) has strongly refuted the allegations made by Senator Faisal Vawda, in which he claimed that Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials had threatened him over objections to an official vehicle procurement plan. In a statement issued on Thursday, the association termed the allegations “baseless and reckless,” saying they were an attempt to tarnish the reputation of dedicated civil servants. Vawda’s Allegations & Vehicle Procurement Controversy During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, Faisal Vawda alleged that three FBR officers had threatened him for opposing an “opaque” procurement process for…
Washington: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has stated that Islamabad aims to enhance its relationship with Washington across various sectors as the new US administration takes charge. Speaking at an event in Washington, the envoy highlighted the robust trade ties between Pakistan and the US, emphasizing that Washington remains Pakistan’s largest trading partner. “Trade has been the most stable aspect of our bilateral relationship. My top priority as ambassador is to expand economic diplomacy and strengthen commercial interactions,” he said. He was addressing the “Ambassador Insider Series”, a platform where people can meet ambassadors and learn…
Lahore: To enhance road safety and reduce traffic accidents, the Punjab government has imposed a speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour for motorcycles across the province. The decision was made during the 22nd Provincial Cabinet meeting on January 14, 2025, and is being implemented under Section 75(2) of the Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1960. A notification issued by the Transport and Mass Transit Department, signed by Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch, instructs relevant authorities, including the Additional Inspector General of Police (Traffic) and district traffic officers, to ensure strict enforcement of the rule. The Punjab Emergency Services Department has also…
Karachi: An American woman, Onijah Andrew Robinson, who gained media attention after traveling to Pakistan for love, has fallen ill and has been shifted to a hospital. According to the police, local hotels and guesthouses refused to provide her accommodation, after which she was handed over to a welfare organization. She was later taken to a social welfare office on Sharea Faisal. The head of the welfare organization stated that Robinson had previously been at Tipu Sultan police station, where her health deteriorated due to a lack of rest. However, arrangements have now been made for her stay. He added,…
Lahore/Sheikhupura: On Friday, the Shalimar Express train derailed near the Shahdara Bridge while traveling from Lahore to Karachi. Officials reported that three coaches of the train went off the tracks, prompting immediate response from rescue services. Train services were also suspended following the incident. According to a railway spokesperson, “The Shalimar Express departed from Lahore at 7:30 AM.” He confirmed that “all passengers onboard the derailed coaches are safe” and were transported to Shahdara railway station. Railways CEO Aamir Ali Baloch has ordered an investigation into the incident. The affected train has been sent to Khanewal. Additionally, passengers from seven…
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), allies in the centre but fierce rivals in Sindh, once again locked horns as MQM-P leveled fresh allegations against the PPP leadership. Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, who also serves as the spokesperson for PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, dismissed the claims made by MQM-P leaders Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Mustafa Kamal, calling them a “bundle of lies.” Federal Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui criticized PPP Chairman Bilawal for allegedly adopting a “threatening tone” towards Karachi’s businessmen at a recent event. During a luncheon hosted by the Sindh government, Bilawal…
The US has detected the first-ever rare strain of avian influenza, H5N9, at a poultry farm in California. According to The Guardian, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) confirmed the first outbreak of the novel bird flu on a duck at a California farm earlier this week. The US Department of Agriculture in the WOAH report said, “This is the first confirmed case of HPAI H5N9 in poultry in the United States. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in conjunction with state animal health and wildlife officials, is conducting comprehensive epidemiological investigations and enhanced surveillance in…
Gold traded in a relatively narrow range on Thursday as investors focused on U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff plans and a key inflation report for further monetary policy cues. Spot gold was up 0.1% at $2,761.59 per ounce, as of 0622 GMT. U.S. gold futures climbed 0.1% to $2,773.30. The premium over spot rates was nearly $12. Investors are now awaiting the December U.S. personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index report, due on Friday, to assess the inflation trajectory. The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday, and Chair Jerome Powell said there would be no rush to cut…
There is a possibility of another increase in the prices of petroleum products in Pakistan, with an expected rise of up to Rs6 per litre on Friday (tomorrow), due to rising prices in the global market, reports suggest. Petrol might rise by Rs1.24, while diesel could increase by Rs4.49. Light diesel oil might see an increase of Rs5.93, and kerosene could rise by up to Rs5. The industry has submitted its working estimates to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), which will determine the prices based on the global market conditions on January 31. The new prices will be…
