Pakistan

President Donald Trump faces a critical legal deadline on Friday that could determine the future of US military operations against Iran, even as his administration signals it may rely on a controversial legal interpretation to bypass congressional approval. Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, a US president must terminate military action within 60 days of notifying Congress unless lawmakers authorise the operation. The Trump administration formally notified Congress on March 2 following joint US-Israeli strikes launched on February 28, setting up a May 1 deadline. But administration officials now argue that the deadline may not apply, claiming that a ceasefire with Iran — in place since April 7 — effectively ended “hostilities” under the law. A senior official told reporters the conflict had “terminated” for War Powers purposes, allowing the White House to continue operations without seeking congressional approval. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced that position during congressional testimony ...

PESHAWAR: A police constable was martyred on Friday when militants targeted an armoured police vehicle with a rocket and sniper attack at Kingar Jan Bahadar, within the jurisdiction of Mandan Police Station near the Fatah Khel police post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district. The attack occurred while the vehicle was on a routine patrol. According to the police, the assault was sudden, causing severe damage to the vehicle and leaving driver, a constable, critically injured. He later succumbed to his injuries. A civilian present at the scene was also injured and was taken to the District Headquarters Hospital, where he is currently receiving medical treatment. Hospital sources confirmed that the injured civilian is out of danger. Following the incident, police and security agencies cordoned off the area and launched a large-scale search and combing operation. Police officials stated that all available resources are being utilised to arrest the militants, while security in the area has been placed on high ale...

ISLAMABAD - The Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan has declared Section 4C of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, constitutional, upholding the imposition of super tax and setting aside contrary judgments of the Islamabad High Court.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tele­communication Company Limited (PTCL) said on Thursday that its managing shareholder ‘e&’ (formerly Etisalat) remains closely engaged with it, with a shared focus on delivering long-term value and advancing Pakistan’s digital ecosystem. Referring to a Dawn report, titled ‘Emirati telecom giant mulling exit’, published on Apr 30, regarding a potential change in e&’s investment position in Pakistan, the company said it was not aware of the sources referenced in the reports. “PTCL’s shareholders remain fully committed to the company’s long-term strategy and growth trajectory. This is reflected in key strategic initiatives, including the acquisition of Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers, Ufone’s 5G spectrum acquisition, and the continued expansion of the company’s fibre network across the country,” it said in a statement. When contacted for response prior to the publication of the report, PTCL had simply stated that a long-term business plan had recently been approved by its board, and ...

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday upheld the Capital Development Authority (CDA) decision, canceling lease of iconic skyscraper One Constitution Avenue owing to the multi-billion rupees default. IHC Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar announced the decision on the appeals filed by M/s BNP (Private) Limited and the occupants of flats in the skyscraper. The court in February this year had reserved its verdict in the high-profile case concerning the cancellation of the lease of Grand Hyatt building located in the Red Zone near Constitution Avenue. Counsel for the CDA Kashif Ali Malik advanced arguments on behalf of the civic agency. IHC in February this year had reserved the verdict in the high-profile case The case pertains to the controversial five-star hotel project, which was awarded to BNP Group nearly two decades ago. However, instead of functioning as a five-star hotel, it was converted into residential apartments and commercial areas. Apartments in the building were also repor...

• Rs6.59 rise in petrol, Rs19.39 hike in diesel prices implemented with IMF concurrence • PM extends fuel subsidy for motorcyclists, transport sector by a month • Pakistan on track to meet Rs1.47tr petroleum levy target • May face $10-68bn fallout from ME crisis, NA panel told ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday raised petrol and diesel prices while simultaneously extending fuel subsidies for motorcyclists and the transport sector, seeking to cushion the impact of rising global oil costs on vulnerable consumers. With the concurrence of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Shehbaz Sharif government has increased the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs6.51 and Rs19.39 per litre, respectively, with immediate effect for the week ending May 8. During a virtual meeting on Thursday, the IMF was informed that Pakistan was well placed to achieve its petroleum levy target of Rs1.468 trillion, as collections over 10 months had already exceeded the target for 11 months. The two sides agreed to keep the primary bala...

Pakistan and 10 other countries condemned on Friday in “strongest terms” the Israeli assault on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which they said was as a peaceful civilian humanitarian initiative aimed at drawing the attention of the international community to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. A joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Turkiye, Brazil, Jordan, Spain, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Colombia, Maldives, South Africa and Libya said the Israeli attacks against the vessels and the unlawful detention of humanitarian activists in international waters constituted “flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law”. “The ministers are deeply concerned about the safety of the civilian activists and urge the Israeli authorities to take the necessary measures to ensure their immediate release. “The ministers also call on the international community to fulfil their moral and legal obligations to uphold international law, protect civilians, and ensure accountability for th...

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday announced major development projects worth Rs 23 billion for development and prosperity of Kacha area and said that now Kacha areas will also be developed like other parts of the province.

ISLAMABAD - In a high-level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State Talal Chaudhry, the government approved major reforms aimed at improving public convenience in the passport issuance system on Thursday.

ISLAMABAD - The Chief Justice of Pakistan, as Chairman of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, chaired a high-level consultation at the Supreme Court on Thursday to address legislative and procedural gaps causing delays in banking dispute resolution.

Islamabad - Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Lt Gen (R) Nazir Ahmed, called on the Federal Minister for Housing & Works Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada at the Ministry of Housing & Works, Islamabad.

Islamabad - Chinese authorities formally handed over 1st HANGOR Class Submarine, PNS/M HANGOR to Pakistan Navy.

Islamabad - The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Islamabad/Rawalpindi, under its prevention-driven and reform-oriented accountability framework, has successfully operationalised the transfer of thousands of kanal of amenity and public utility land to the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

ISLAMABAD - The federal government raised petrol and high-speed diesel prices by Rs 6.

Shehbaz Sharif announces loans upto Rs10m under Rs3.

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman on Thursday said that long-term resilience against climate and socio-economic shocks must be built through community empowerment rather than top-down policy frameworks.

Peshawar - A special session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Thursday discussed drone strikes and their impact on civilian populations, with Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi outlining the provincial government’s position and concerns.

DIR UPPER - Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman is scheduled to visit Upper Dir on May 3, where he will address a public gathering at the Dir Sports Stadium.

The government raised on Thursday the price of petrol by Rs6.51 per litre and that of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs19.39. Following the increase, the price of petrol stands at Rs399.86 per litre and HSD’s at Rs399.58. The Petroleum Division’s press release notifying the increase said the new prices would be effective from May 1. Petrol is mostly used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws and two-wheelers and has a direct bearing on the budget of the middle and lower-middle class. High-speed diesel is mainly used in the heavy transport sector and for large generators. Petrol and high-speed diesel are the major revenue spinners with their monthly sales of about 700,000 to 800,000 tonnes compared to just 10,000 tonnes of monthly demand for kerosene. The latest price hike came after the a virtual meeting between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Pakistan’s representatives, during which the IMF was told that Pakistan was well placed to achieve the petroleum levy target of Rs1.468 trillion, source...

The military’s media affairs wing said on Thursday that 13 Indian-sponsored terrorists were killed in two foiled infiltration attempts along the Pak-Afghan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In a statement, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the 13 Fitna al Khawarij terrorists were killed last night. Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. ISPR said that in KP’s Mohmand district, the movement of a group of terrorists trying to infiltrate the Pak-Afghan border was picked up by security forces. “Own troops effectively engaged this group of khawarij. As a result of precise and skillful engagement, eight khwarij belonging to the Indian-sponsored, Fitna al Khawarij were sent to hell,” it said. It added that troops also foiled another infiltration attempt by a group of khawarij along the Pak-Afghan border in KP’s North Waziristan district. It added that after an intense exchange of fire, five terrorists were killed. “These engagements on...