ISLAMABAD: The World Bank on Wednesday announced that its board of directors had approved the long-awaited $350 million loan ‘2nd Resilient Institutions for Sustainable Economy (RISE-II) Operation’ to Pakistan to support key macroeconomic reforms in energy, taxation and business environment. The financing “aims to strengthen fiscal management and promote competitiveness for sustained and inclusive economic growth”, the Washington-based multilateral lender …

ISLAMABAD: Days after the announcement of schedule for upcoming general elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), in yet another controversial move, enlisted a new faction of PTI, headed by former defence minister Pervez Khattak, allowing the change of name of a political party that does not exist. The ECP “has been pleased to allow to change the name of the …

ISLAMABAD: As a long march led by Baloch women against enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings, reached the outskirts of the federal capital on Wednesday, Islamabad police blocked entry points of the city along with major arteries to prevent the protesters from reaching the National Press Club. Initially, police blocked Jinnah Avenue and other routes leading to the press club. Later on, …

WASHINGTON: In a two-hour engagement with US scholars and policymakers on Tuesday, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Syed Asim Munir highlighted Pakistan’s desire to develop as a hub of economic connectivity without getting involved in bloc politics and the US-China rivalry. “Pakistan is a country of consequence both from geopolitical and geoeconomic perspectives and wishes to develop itself …

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Wednesday approved an additional across-the-board charge of Rs1.15 per unit for electricity consumers throughout the country, including K-Electric, and also concluded the process of imposing another Rs1.72 per unit on K-E consumers for the next three months — January to March 2024. Effectively, K-Electric consumers would have to pay a cumulative …

LAHORE: Two policemen were injured in a blast at former chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar’s Lahore residence on Wednesday, according to the police. Media channels reported that the explosion had taken place in the garage. Photos of a damaged black car were also aired on TV. A statement from the Punjab police said provincial police chief Dr Usman …

ISLAMABAD: Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan would contest the upcoming general elections from three constituencies of Lahore, Mianwali and Islamabad, PTI Chairman Gohar Khan said on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters after visiting Imran Khan in Adiala Jail, Mr Gohar said the former premier would be provided with his nomination papers on Thursday (today), vowing that “Khan sahib will contest …

GUJRAT: The nomination papers of Pakistan Tehreek Insaf President and former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi will be filed in at least six constituencies of three districts, including his hometown of Gujrat. Party and family sources said Mr Elahi would contest on three seats of National Assembly, including NA-64 (Gujrat city-Kunjah), NA-69 (Malakwal-Qadirabad) Mandi Bahauddin district and NA-59 Talagang …

KARACHI: Former National Assembly speaker Dr Fahmida Mirza suffered injuries in a road traffic accident in Defence Housing Authority on Tuesday evening, police said. Her son Hasnain Mirza told the media that a vehicle hit his mother’s car from behind, causing her injuries. She was taken to a private hospital where her condition was stated to be out of danger. …

ISLAMABAD: Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb will take up former prime minister Imran Khan’s plea challenging in-camera proceedings of the cipher trial at Adiala jail today (Wednesday). Mr Khan in his petition also challenged his de-novo trial in jail and subsequent developments, including the framing of charges and a gag order on the media. On the other hand, the Islamabad High …