ISLAMABAD: The government is advancing plans for a unified “one-window” clearance system at its airports, combining immigration, security and customs checks into a single process powered by e-gates and advanced scanners in an effort to cut passenger wait times and ease chronic congestion.
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Pakistan probes Discos for costly off-grid power purchases, orders immediate halt
ISLAMABAD: The government said on Wednesday it has uncovered purchases of electricity by state-owned distribution companies at rates well above the national tariff, made outside the national grid in violation of economic merit-order rules amid widespread complaints about expensive power and prolonged loadshedding.
All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz under ICC probe after positive recreational drug test; Surrey T20 Blast deal collapses
LAHORE: Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz is under investigation by the International Cricket Council after returning a positive test for recreational drug use during the T20 World Cup earlier this year, a development that has caused the collapse of his planned stint with Surrey in the English T20 Blast.
Iran signals openness to diplomacy but vows to defend itself as Trump extends fragile US-Iran ceasefire at Pakistan’s request
ISLAMABAD: Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday welcomed Pakistan’s mediation efforts to end the Middle East war but offered no direct comment on a last-minute extension of the cease-fire announced hours earlier by President Donald Trump, even as a second round of US-Iran talks in the Pakistani capital appeared to be unraveling before it began.
China selects two Pakistani astronauts for training, with one set to become first foreigner aboard Tiangong space station
ISLAMABAD: China has chosen two Pakistani astronauts as candidates for its manned space program, a step that will send one of them into orbit aboard the Tiangong space station as the first foreign national to fly on a Chinese spacecraft, state media reported on Wednesday.
Pakistan targets 30 percent electric-vehicle shift in five years to save $4.5 billion on fuel imports
ISLAMABAD: The government plans to convert 30% of the country’s vehicles to electric power within the next five years, a push that officials say will deliver fuel-import savings of as much as $4.5 billion and help ease chronic pressure on the economy.
Pakistan seeks fixed underwriting teams for eurobonds, sukuk and rupee-dollar bonds to smooth external borrowing
ISLAMABAD: The government moved to institutionalise its access to international capital markets on Tuesday, soliciting proposals from global banks to act as underwriters and lead managers for all its foreign-currency debt issuance over the next three years.
Pakistan condemns Israeli settlers’ storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and raising of flag as ‘reprehensible’
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday denounced in the strongest terms the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem by Israeli settlers and the raising of Israel’s flag in its courtyard, describing the actions as “reprehensible” and a serious threat to regional stability.
Trump extends Iran ceasefire at Pakistan’s request, buying time for Tehran to submit peace proposal
ISLAMABAD: President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he had directed the US military to extend an already strained ceasefire with Iran, keeping a naval blockade in place while Tehran prepares what he called a “unified proposal” to end the conflict that began with American and Israeli strikes in late February.
Pakistan extends ban on Indian aircraft in its airspace, pushing restrictions into a second year
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s airports authority on Tuesday extended its prohibition on Indian-registered aircraft using Pakistani airspace for another month, a step that will carry the restrictions into their second year and continue to impose significant financial strain on Indian airlines.