Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif greets PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in the National Assembly during the final budget session.—APP • Bilawal supports budget, highlights increased funding for BISP, tax relief • Opposition objects to FBR’s arrest powers, says ‘most corrupt’ body turned into police force ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday passed the federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with an outlay of Rs17.57 trillion, despite opposition calls for the budgetary proposals to be made public and for the passage to be delayed until public input had been sought. The House passed the Finance Bill for 2025 with certain amendments, incorporating around half of the suggestions put forward by the finance committees of both houses of parliament. All amendments proposed by the opposition were rejected. Speaking to lawmakers, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari explained why his party was supporting the federal budget. He highlighted an increase of 20 per cent in the allocation for the Bena...

LAHORE: At least 10 persons were killed as heavy rain drenched cities across Punjab on Thursday, according to rescue officials and the provincial disaster management authority. Some districts in south Punjab were also hit by a strong windstorm. The weather brought much-needed relief after weeks of sweltering heat where temperatures increased to record levels. Rescue 1122 said it provided emergency services to 46 people in the last 24 hours, out of which 39 were hospitalised. Seven died in these emergencies. The most number of emergencies, eight, were reported in Okara, four in Multan, two each in Fai­sal­abad, Mandi Baha­uddin, Jhang and Chiniot and one each in Lahore, Kasur, Jhelum, Sahiwal, Murree, Muzaffar­garh, Baha­wal­nagar and Khanewal. Two persons each died in Jhelum and Muzaffargarh and one each in Okara, Bahawalnagar and Khanewal. According to details, a 5-year-old girl, identified as Dua Fatima, died when a bamboo roof collapsed in Basti Riazabad in Okara. Two persons were also injured. In Jhelum, ...

Dera Ghazi Khan - A decisive and comprehensive crackdown has been launched across Dera Ghazi Khan Division to eliminate quackery and ensure the delivery of quality healthcare services to the public.

Vehari - In a decisive move to maintain peace and sectarian harmony during Muharram, Deputy Commissioner Vehari Imrana Touqeer has imposed a two-month entry ban on four clerics and enforced a speech ban on three provocative speakers across the district.

Vehari - A graceful farewell ceremony was held at Police Lines Vehari under the direction of DPO Muhammad Afzal to honour retiring DSP Headquarters Muhammad Ajmal Saeed.

BAHAWALPUR - On the instructions of District Police Officer Muhammad Hassan Iqbal, Bahawalpur Police held a flag march across the city yesterday regarding law and order in view of Muharram, a clear message to mischievous elements, any illegal activity will be dealt with iron hands, DPO Muhammad Hassan Iqbal.

USD 2.5m needed to ensure Green shirts' participation in Pro League

The changes for white-ball formats will take effect from July 2

TEHRAN: Iran currently has no plan to meet with the United States, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Thursday in an interview on state TV, contradicting U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement that Washington planned to have talks with Tehran next week. The Iranian foreign minister said Tehran was assessing whether talks with the U.S. were […]

Sean “Diddy” Combs used “violence and fear” to lead a criminal enterprise that helped him subject two of his former girlfriends to sex trafficking, a US prosecutor said on Thursday in her closing argument at the music mogul’s trial. To Read Lifestyle Stories in Urdu – Click Here Combs, a former billionaire known for elevating […]

KARACHI: Heavy rainfall in Karachi has caused more than 340 K-Electric feeders to trip, disrupting power supply across various areas of the city, ARY News reported. The power supply has been suspended in Gulistan-e-Johar, Scheme 33, and Gulshan-e-Muammar, while Korangi, Bin Qasim, and Orangi Town’s multiple neighborhoods are also without power. Additionally, outages have affected […]

TOKYO: Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has validated that around 30% of the rice auctioned from government holdings has been transported to retailers and restaurants, as part of a larger undertaking to stabilise rising rice prices across the country. Three rice auctions were conducted in March and April 2025 by the ministry, selling […]

Apple is set to reveal the iPhone 17 Pro Max, its most powerful smartphone yet, with an inauguration event expected between September 11 and 13, 2025, followed by global availability starting September 19. Following its once-a-year release pattern, Apple is proud to introduce a host of upgrades that could redefine the flagship smartphone experience. The […]

KARACHI: Another tragic Karachi water tanker accident has taken the life of an old man in the Korangi area on Wednesday morning, ARY News reported. The accident happened at Vita Chowrangi when a water tanker badly struck a 62-year-old man while reversing without proper guidance. The victim, named Hashim, was waiting for the bus to […]

KARACHI: In expectation of the 1st Muharram rally, Karachi’s traffic police have issued a detailed Karachi traffic plan to control traffic flow and diversions during the religious rally scheduled for tomorrow, ARY News reported. The rally, led by a religious group, will continue from Lasbela Chowk to Regal Chowk. Karachi traffic police have temporarily closed […]

Experts urge tax cut to catalyse affordability; say scheme will fail without coordination

It marks second-largest decline since 2011 owing to debt repayments

Bilwani condemns Section 37AA as 'draconian', warns of business relocation, nationwide protests

Plans Rs100b subsidy for electric two, three-wheelers over five years

Meeting explores partnerships to boost Pakistan's global presence