Rolling back the NFC, again – Pakistan
IT is getting boring now. Every so often the idea is floated that the government should roll back the provincial allocations under the seventh National Finance Commission (NFC) Award in order to free up some fiscal space for itself. Sometimes, a few years go by between each episode when this suggestion is floated and a […]
Airstrikes targeted terrorists, not Afghans civilians: FO
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office said on Thursday that the airstrikes by the Pakistan armed forces on targets in Afghanistan hit terrorsts and not the local civilian population. Addressing the weekly briefing, FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Islamabad had provided Kabul with evidence of terrorists on Afghan soil a number of times, maintaining that the country […]
Imran asks for judicial audit of ‘poll fraud’ – Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: PTI founder Imran Khan on Wednesday approached the Supreme Court to seek the constitution of a judicial commission to conduct a thorough audit by inquiring into the manner and process of the Feb 8 general elections, as well as subsequent developments involving the compiling of what he called ‘false’ and ‘fraudulent’ results, rendering winners […]
Islamabad seeking 24th bailout, IMF confirms – Pakistan
• Three-year programme to focus on strengthening public finances, restoring energy sector’s viability, returning inflation to target• $1.1bn due next month after staff-level accord reached on final review of current package ISLAMABAD: Announcing the staff-level agreement on the successful completion of the existing short-term facility, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday confirmed Pakistan was […]
ECP issues code of conduct for Senate polls – Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan on Wednesday issued a code of conduct for upcoming Senate polls, barring political parties, candidates, voters and election agents from propagating any opinion, or act against morality or public order or the integrity or independence of the parliament, judiciary and defaming or bringing into ridicule the parliament, judiciary or […]
Imran predicts govt’s fall, his release in four to five months – Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan does not see the incumbent government lasting more than four to five months, and believes that its fall will pave the way for his release from Adiala Jail. Talking to reporters after the hearing of a £190 million corruption reference at Adiala Jail, Mr Khan said this was the […]
Blinken in Mideast to bolster efforts for Gaza ceasefire – World
GAZA STRIP: US top diplomat Antony Blinken touched down on Wednesday in the Middle East to bolster international efforts to secure a truce in the war, as the threat of famine looms in besieged Gaza. Global concern has mounted over the military conflict now in its sixth month. The latest flare-ups included an Israeli assault […]
Neuralink shows first brain-chip patient playing online chess
Elon Musk’s brain-chip startup Neuralink livestreamed on Wednesday its first patient implanted with a chip using his mind to play online chess. Noland Arbaugh, the 29-year-old patient who was paralyzed below the shoulder after a diving accident, played chess on his laptop and moved the cursor using the Neuralink device. The implant seeks to enable […]