Category: Latest News

ISLAMABAD: The federal capital has been placed on high alert in anticipation of key peace talks between the United States and Iran, with over 10,000 security personnel deployed across the city to ensure the safety of visiting delegates. According to sources, a comprehensive, multi-layered security plan is being overseen by the military, with support from paramilitary forces including Rangers, as well as Islamabad and Punjab police. The Islamabad Traffic Police and National Highway and Motorways Police have also been mobilised to maintain smooth traffic flow. The deployment includes approximately 6,000…

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KARACHI (April 9): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday reviewed the Judicial Commission report into the Gul Plaza fire incident and constituted a ministerial committee to study the report and submit its recommendations to him.The meeting, held at the CM House, was attended by Provincial Ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasir Shah, and Zia Lanjar, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, PSCM Agha Wasif, ACS Home Iqbal Memon, IGP Javed Odho, Additional IG Karachi Azad Khan, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Secretary Law Ali Ahmad Baloch…

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Saudi Arabia’s critical East-West oil pipeline—its key alternative export route bypassing the Strait of Hormuz—has been damaged in an Iranian attack, raising fresh concerns over global energy security, according to an industry source. The pipeline, operated by Saudi Aramco, transports crude from the kingdom’s eastern oil fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. It had been carrying around 7 million barrels per day (bpd) after Iran effectively disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy chokepoint. Initial assessments indicate that flows through the pipeline may be…

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ISLAMABAD: The government is expected to increase the petroleum levy (PL) even as global oil prices decline, amid mounting fiscal pressure and a significant revenue shortfall faced by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Officials indicated that the move is being considered to offset a Rs610 billion shortfall in tax collection during July–March of the current fiscal year. Petroleum levy collections, a key non-tax revenue source, are also under scrutiny as the government seeks to meet its fiscal targets. Global oil prices have dropped sharply—by nearly 14%—following the announcement of…

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ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to secure a $1 billion budget support loan from the Asian Development Bank to strengthen climate resilience policies, while deferring approval of a $40 million project due to concerns over excessive spending on equipment and services. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Central Development Working Party, chaired by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, which granted concept clearance for the second tranche of the Climate Disaster Resilience Enhancement Programme (CDREP). Under the arrangement, $500 million will be released immediately upon ADB board approval, with…

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