PVARA says any deals, pilots involving virtual assets require prior authorisation – Business
The Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) said on Monday that any agreement or pilot announced involving virtual assets required prior authorisation. Earlier this month, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) had announced a significant policy change, legalising and encouraging the use of virtual assets through the enactment of the Virtual Assets Act 2026. Under […]
Reema Khan urges respect for artists
Reema Khan. photo: file In a candid intervention that cuts through the noise surrounding a simmering celebrity spat, veteran actor and filmmaker Reema Khan has weighed in on the Meera-Resham controversy, while delivering a broader critique of how Pakistan’s media engages with its artists. Speaking during a recent appearance on a private television programme, Reema […]
Oil industry seeks extension in permission to import petroleum products on CIF basis to ensure continuity of supplies – Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: The oil industry has asked the State Bank of Pakistan to extend for two months or “until market conditions stabilise” the permission for the import of petroleum products on cost, insurance and freight (CIF) basis — an arrangement under which buyers assume the responsibility of import costs and final delivery following the arrival of […]
PM Shehbaz signs off on letting fans attend PSL playoffs – Sport
Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on Monday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had signed off on letting fans attend all three Pakistan Super League (PSL) playoff matches. In a social media post on X, Naqvi said, “Just had a meeting with PM Shehbaz, and I am pleased to share […]
Pakistan, Sri Lanka kick off joint counter-terrorism exercise ‘Shake Hands-II’ at Tarbela
ISPR says exercise aimed at enhancing professional capabilities through joint training Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Monday kicked off a joint counter-terrorism exercise at Tarbela aimed at enhancing professional capabilities and strengthening longstanding military-to-military relations, the military’s media wing said in a statement According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Shake Hands-II is a […]
Netanyahu’s rivals are joining forces. Can they shift Israel’s security policy? – World
Two of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s top rivals announced they would join forces in an upcoming election to oust his coalition government, with a focus mainly on domestic issues such as military conscription for the ultra-Orthodox. But on issues like Iran, Gaza and Lebanon, the joint party led by right-wing Naftali Bennett and centrist […]
FCC suspends LHC decision setting aside govt’s authority to render passports inactive – Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Monday suspended the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) December 23, 2025, decision declaring key provisions of the Passport Rules 2021, which allowed the government to render a citizen’s passport inactive and impose long-term travel bans on deportees and human trafficking suspects, as ultra vires. With the suspension of the […]
Central bank increases policy rate by 100bps to 11.5pc – Business
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday raised its key policy rate to 11.5 per cent. In its meeting today, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) “decided to raise the policy rate by 100 basis points to 11.50pc” with effect from Tuesday, the SBP said in a statement. The hike is the first in almost […]
KP CM Afridi meets with TTAP’s Achakzai and Abbas amid reports of rift within opposition – Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Amid reports of a rift between the PTI and the Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday met with the opposition alliance’s leaders, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. The meeting comes amid reports that the TTAP leaders, who are also the opposition leaders in the National […]
US secretary of state says Iran ‘serious’ about deal
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo: File Iran is “serious” about reaching a deal with the United States, but any agreement must prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday. “I think they’re are serious about getting themselves out of the mess that they’re in,” Rubio said […]