Govt issued Rs68bn income tax refunds during July, says finance minister – Pakistan
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced on Sunday that the government has returned approximately Rs68 billion in income tax refunds since the process began on July 1. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the finance minister said that if the government wants to expand the tax net and take it to 13 percent, then it also […]
Khamenei backs moderate candidate as Iran’s new president
TEHRAN,: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, attend an endorsement ceremony in Tehran, Iran, July 28, 2024.PHOTO: REUTERS Iran’s supreme leader formally endorsed Masoud Pezeshkian as the country’s president on Sunday, after he won an election this month by pledging a pragmatic foreign policy and easing repression at home. […]
Passport printing woes continue as office faces financial crunch
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Passport Office is grappling with a severe financial crisis, struggling to pay taxes and duties on the imported paper and ink necessary for printing passports. According to sources, the Passport Office has requested customs authorities to clear ink consignments on a deferred payment basis. The existing ink stock has run out, and […]
Canadian Sikhs counter India’s transnational repression with Khalistan referendum vote
CALGARY: Thousands of Sikhs on Sunday queued up at Calgary’s iconic Municipal Plaza – opposite the local United States diplomatic mission – and took part in the Khalistan Referendum voting for the creation of an independent state of Khalistan for the Sikh nation. Organised by the pro-Khalistan Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) group, the voting was […]
Domestic workers continue battle against exploitation
LAHORE: For a society where yelling out a list of orders to a dutiful house maid emerges to be the standard mode of functioning for nearly all affluent households, domestic workers hold an under recognized albeit irreplaceable role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the social and economic spheres of the country. Hence, while a […]
JI legislator announces separation from Balochistan govt
Hidayat-ur-Rehman, a member of the Balochistan Assembly and a leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, announced his decision to sever ties with the provincial government led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). In a press conference held in Quetta on Sunday, Rehman declared his departure from the provincial government, stating that he will join the opposition benches starting […]
Pakistani swimmers conclude disappointing run in 200m freestyle
At the Paris Olympics 2024 in France, Pakistan’s swimmers Ahmed Durrani and Jehanara Nabi faced disappointment in their 200-metre freestyle events on Sunday. In the men’s 200-metre freestyle, Ahmed Durrani finished last overall with a time of 1:58.67. Durrani, who holds the national record, was fourth in his heat with splits of 26.62, 29.21, 31.06, […]
Foreigners from 126 countries to receive Pakistani visa online within 24 hours
ISLAMABAD: On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a series of significant visa reforms that will allow businessmen, investors, and tourists from 126 countries to receive their visas within 24 hours through an online system. To further encourage travel and investment, visa fees will be waived for traders and tourists from these countries. In a […]
Federal govt also extends school holidays due to extreme heat
The Ministry of Education on Sunday announced an extension of the summer holidays for educational institutions under the federal government until August 4 due to the ongoing heatwave in the country. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Education, all government schools will remain closed until August 4 and will reopen on August […]
‘All signs’ point to Hezbollah behind Golan rocket attack: Blinken
TOKYO: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that there was “every indication” that Lebanese group Hezbollah was behind a rocket strike in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights that killed 12 young people. “Every indication is that indeed the rocket was from Hezbollah. We stand by Israel’s right to defend its citizens from terrorist attacks,” […]