ISLAMABAD: Amid intense questioning, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa came to the rescue of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday by reminding that the commission was not a subordinate institution to the Supreme Court or the government but an independent authority conferred with a constitutional role to conduct elections. The Supreme Court can only exercise …
ISLAMABAD: Former PML-N leaders Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Misftah Islamil, who have recently formed their own party, criticised the federal budget on Monday for lacking reforms and burdening the salaried class. At a news conference, the two leaders demanded that the government cut its expenses, stop smuggling, and increase exports by incentivising industrialists. The two leaders urged the government to review the …
PESHAWAR: Nine terrorists were killed by the security forces in two separate operations in Khyber and Lakki Marwat districts on Monday, the military’s media wing said. A statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Tirah area of Khyber, where seven terrorists, including high-value terrorist commander Najeeb alias Abdur Rehman, and …
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has reiterated his commitment to strengthen the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and its supporting initiatives to enhance revenue collection, digitisation and economic development. The minister expressed these views while chairing a meeting at the FBR headquarters on Monday to review the performance of the tax machinery. Chairman Zubair Tiwana and members of the board …
ISLAMABAD: The United Nations’ Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has said that PTI founder Imran Khan’s detention and prosecution in the first Toshakhana case — separate from a case involving his wife and undervalued jewellery — and cipher cases were “without legal basis” and were politically motivated to exclude him from competing in the political arena. The first Toshakhana case alleges that Imran had …
RAWALPINDI/ PESHAWAR/ ISLAMABAD: Traders in all major urban centres of the country staged protests against the government’s decision to increase taxes and electricity prices in the upcoming fiscal year. In Islamabad, traders, responding to a call by the All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran, staged a major protest at Aabpara Chowk, blocking the main road. Heavy police presence was deployed to disperse the …
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has criticised the tax exemption granted to civilian bureucrats and military personnel in the latest budget announced the the government. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Monday, the former premier, flanked by fellow Awam Pakistan party member Miftah Ismail, criticised Pakistan’s latest budget, labeling it as the worst in the country’s …
ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Monday announced a protest in Islamabad for July 12 against “high taxes and exorbitant electricity tariff”. The JI announced its Haq Do Awam Ko (give rights to the masses) movement in a post on social media platform X, adding that Rehman would lead the rally. President Asif Ali Zardari assented to the government’s tax-heavy Finance Bill …
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: The PTI has been accused of seeking the imposition of martial law and economic sanctions in the country by its political opponents. In separate statements issued on Sunday, PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui and senior PPP leader Shehla Raza assailed the party for backing a resolution, recently passed by the US Congress, accusing it of using their resources and influence to …
ISLAMABAD: The PML-N-led coalition government began the new fiscal year (2024-25) with an increase in petrol and high-speed diesel prices by Rs7.45 and Rs9.56 per litre, respectively, for the next fortnight. In a late-night announcement, the Ministry of Finance said prices of petroleum products have seen an increasing trend in the international market during the last fortnight. The Oil and Gas Regulatory …