ISLAMABAD: Relentless monsoon rains killed at least 11 people and injured dozens across Lahore and Balochistan on Wednesday, flooding streets, toppling power lines, and exposing the fragility of Pakistan’s urban and rural defences.
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Pakistan scraps duties, to tender 350,000‑tonne sugar import to stabilise market
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan plans to import 350,000 tonnes of sugar in two phases via its state-owned Trading Corporation to stabilise domestic prices, the National Food Security Ministry said Wednesday, as retail rates climb to nearly Rs200 per kilogram in some regions.
Pakistan to cut bank rewards for remittances, risks informal flows
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is cutting rewards for banks and exchange companies that process overseas remittances, a move that risks pushing funds back to informal channels even as official inflows hit a record $38.3 billion in fiscal year 2025, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) told a Senate panel on Wednesday.
Nepra slashes fuel costs for KE, ex-Discos power consumers in July
ISLAMABAD: National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has rolled out substantial fuel cost reductions for electricity consumers, delivering a financial breather in the July billing cycle for customers of K-Electric (KE) and ex-Wapda distribution companies (Discos).
Lucky Cement denies binding PIA deal as Pakistan advances privatization
KARACHI: Lucky Cement Ltd., one of Pakistan’s largest conglomerates, said it has made no binding commitment to acquire Pakistan International Airlines Corp. (PIACL), despite being shortlisted with a consortium to conduct due diligence for a 51% to 100% stake in the debt-laden carrier.
Militant quadcopter attacks in Bannu kill one, injure three children
ISLAMABAD: Two quadcopter attacks carried out by militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district have left one person dead and three children injured, police said Wednesday, signaling a troubling escalation in the use of drone technology by extremist groups in the region.
HRCP slams Pakistan’s ban on 27 YouTube channels as attack on free speech
ISLAMABAD: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) raised alarm on Wednesday over a court decision banning 27 YouTube channels, a move the government defends as necessary to curb “fake, misleading, and defamatory” content targeting the state and armed forces.
Pakistan kicks off Beijing roadshow for debut Panda Bond
KARACHI: Pakistan has launched investor meetings in Beijing this week to lay the groundwork for the nation’s inaugural Panda Bond issuance, targeting a debut later this year, the finance ministry said on Wednesday, marking a bold step to tap China’s onshore capital market and broaden its funding base.
Pakistan’s military points finger at India’s Ajit Doval of orchestrating terrorism campaign
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military has accused India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval of masterminding a sprawling terrorist network aimed at destabilising Pakistan, intensifying the long-standing rivalry between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Pakistan, Turkiye to set up special economic zone, target $5 billion trade
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkiye are planning to establish a Special Economic Zone in Karachi for Turkish entrepreneurs and aim to boost bilateral trade to $5 billion, as part of a broader push to deepen cooperation in energy, defense, and strategic infrastructure amid growing regional instability, officials said.