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 …

BEIJING: July 1 marks the 103rd founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) – the party that leads one of the world’s most populous countries to realize rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization. Found in 1921, the CPC faced with a China that was torn apart and bullied by foreign powers whose traditional political structure and overall …

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 …

ISLAMABAD: Taking on both the government and opposition parties, the mercurial Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday said that the incumbent government was incapable of allaying their concerns about the Feb 8 polls, while the PTI appeared confused about the way forward. Addressing a press conference after a meeting of his party’s Majlis-i-Shura, which spanned two days, the JUI-F chief demanded …

BEIJING: From July 2 to 6, Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana, Kazakhstan and pay state visits to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of the Republic of Kazakhstan and President Emomali Rahmon of the Republic of Tajikistan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Sunday. 

BEIJING: An article by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on the missions and tasks of the CPC on the new journey of the new era will be published on Monday, which marks the CPC’s 103rd founding anniversary. The article will be published in this year’s 13th issue of the Qiushi Journal, a …

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Sunday expressed confidence that Pakistan would secure an extended loan programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), adding that agreements with the Fund can contribute to macroeconomic stability. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad at the end of the fiscal year 2023-24, the finance minister stressed his and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s hopes that …

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday gave assent to the government’s tax-heavy Finance Bill 2024 for the new fiscal year. The government had presented the budget two weeks ago, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties, especially the PTI, as well as coalition ally PPP. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb had moved the finance bill in parliament, which had been opened to seek …