Bank advances, deposits jump – Pakistan
KARACHI: Banks’ advances jumped 16 per cent year-on-year in October while it increased by 12pc month-on-month, reflecting the banks’ efforts to increase the advance-to-deposit ratio (ADR) to avoid tax. The latest data provided by the State Bank on Monday showed that the total bank advances increased 15.8pc to Rs13.8 trillion in October compared to Rs11.9tr […]
Saudi Arabia’s MBS discusses ‘new crises’ in long-awaited UAE visit – World
French President Emmanuel Macron walks alongside Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman ahead of their meeting in Riyadh.—AFP DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler discussed “new crises” in the Middle East with the UAE’s president during his first visit to the country in three years, Emirati media said. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and UAE […]
New task force to probe fake news of PTI casualties – Newspaper
• Led by PTA chairman, body to submit report in 10 days, trace ‘perpetrators’ at home and abroad• National Prevention of Violent Extremism Policy accorded approval ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet endorsed a decision by the prime minister regarding the formation of a joint task force to trace perpetrators involved in ‘fake news’ regarding the deaths […]
Fear of the people – Newspaper
SOME months ago, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) called a jirga in Gwadar. The aim was to highlight the many challenges of Balochistan such as underdevelopment and state excesses, including enforced disappearances. Then came the reaction. First, the permission to hold the gathering in Gwadar was denied — the infamous NOC — because of ‘law […]
Exports jump 13pc in first five months – Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s merchandise exports slowed in November and fell into the single digit due to a reduction in international demand, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics on Monday. The growth momentum picked pace in July owing to improved orders from the international community and stability in the exchange rate. The exports […]
PPP favours talks with all parties on critical issues – Pakistan
KARACHI: Amid escalating political tensions at the Centre, the PPP on Monday decided to engage with all parties, including its rival PTI, to foster national consensus on critical issues such as security, digital economy and agriculture. The decision was made during a meeting at Bilawal House, where party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari directed PPP’s Rabta committee […]
Kurram schools open as peace returns after jirga-brokered ceasefire – Pakistan
KURRAM: After days of violent clashes which left around 100 people dead, some semblance of peace returned to the restive district as educational institutions opened on Monday. According to Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mahsud, all schools and colleges reopened in the district following a ceasefire brokered by a jirga. Cellular services, which were suspended after […]
Changes to cybercrime law to tighten noose on social media – Pakistan
• Draft amendment proposes Digital Rights Protection Authority to hold social media firms to account• Definition of social media expanded to include tools used to access it, potentially bringing VPNs into ambit• Sharing ‘fake news’ to be unbailable offence, punishable by 5 years in jail ISLAMABAD: The government is planning ‘wholesale’ changes to the Prevention […]
SC urged to declare govt is bound to ensure cheap power supply – Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: The constitutional bench on Monday admitted for hearing a set of petitions seeking Supreme Court’s declaration that power supply on a least-cost basis to citizens was the federal government’s responsibility under Article 9. The six-member bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, ordered the removal of objections raised by the registrar’s office to the petitions […]
Police unable to identify 89 ‘highly trained’ protesters in Islamabad – Pakistan
RAWALPINDI: There are no records of at least 89 of the suspects arrested following PTI’s protest last week, police claimed on Monday, saying that if they were to commit a crime anywhere in the country, there was no way to track them down. At a press conference, Attock District Police Officer Dr Sardar Ghias Gul […]