Audit flags Rs47 billion overbilling by DISCOs
Iesco stood on top in the wake of its plausible performance to curb losses, improve recoveries and act in line with the time frame for new connections. PHOTO: FILE ISLAMABAD: Power distribution companies (DISCOs) were involved in an overbilling scam worth Rs47 billion to conceal inefficiencies, electricity theft and line losses, audit officials told a […]
UN chief praises Pakistan’s peace initiatives to ‘reduce tensions and create space for dialogue’ – World
UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday praised Pakistan’s initiative at the UN Security Council (UNSC) to strengthen mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes, saying the move was particularly important at a time when conflicts were escalating across the Middle East and beyond. Addressing an UNSC open debate held pursuant to Pakistan-sponsored Resolution […]
Petrol price up by Rs4.40, diesel by Rs3.62 per litre – Pakistan
The government on Thursday increased the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs4.40 and Rs3.62 per litre, respectively, passing on the impact of fluctuating global oil prices following renewed hostilities in the Persian Gulf. Following the changes, the price of petrol stands at Rs331.52 per litre, while that of HSD stands at Rs378.66 […]
Trump weighs ‘massive’ strikes on Iran
Says will hold Iran accountable if Houthis attack ships Iran warns US troops against carrying out ‘manifestly u WAR FOOTAGE: A still image from a video obtained from social media shows the moment of a strike on the Iranian side of the Shalamcheh border crossing in Iran. PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON: US President Donald […]
Environmental poliovirus detection declines across Pakistan, positivity falls to 13.1pc – Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has recorded a significant decline in the detection of poliovirus in environmental samples during the first six months of 2026, with the positivity rate dropping from 48.1 per cent during the same period last year to 13.1pc this year. Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq told Dawn that the […]
US House votes to curb Trump’s Iran war powers but Senate backs president – World
The Republican-led US House of Representatives backed a resolution on Thursday directing President Donald Trump to halt military action against Iran unless he obtains Congress’ approval, but the Senate voted hours later to block a separate, similar measure. The House vote, the latest rebuke of Trump from Congress, was 214-208 in favour of the war […]
Israeli far-right minister leads hundreds to Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jewish mourning day – World
Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir led hundreds of Israeli Jews into Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque compound on Thursday, breaching the site’s decades-old status quo as he marked a Jewish day of mourning. The visit coincided with Tisha B’Av, the Jewish fasting day commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples, which is […]
Karachi police claim suspect in six-year-old girl’s abduction, murder killed in shootout – Pakistan
KARACHI: The police on Thursday killed the alleged abductor and murderer of a six-year-old girl in a shootout after the suspect allegedly opened fire on law enforcers during a raid in Karachi’s Keamari area. According to a statement issued by the Keamari police spokesperson, a first information report (No. 265/2026) under Sections 364-A and 302 […]
‘Despite US financing, reforms must continue’
KARACHI: Pakistan’s push to convert some of its diplomatic goodwill with the Trump administration into economic support has drawn scepticism from economists, who say fresh financing will do little to address the reforms Islamabad is required to pursue. During a visit by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to Washington this week, he requested a $10 billion […]
SBP names 10 primary dealers for FY27
KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has appointed 10 financial institutions as Primary Dealers (PDs) and two as Special Purpose Primary Dealers (SPDs) for fiscal year 2026-27, as banks continue to finance the government’s borrowing through the domestic debt market. United Bank (UBL), National Bank (NBP) and Bank Alfalah emerged as the top three […]