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KARACHI: A gas explosion in a house – used to sell computer equipment online – was reported from Karachi’s North Nazimabad area, in which one person died, ARY News reported on Saturday. According to the rescue officials, the reason for the explosion is due to gas filling in a house, while the victim who perished in the explosion was identified as the gatekeeper of the house, whose body is been shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. As per fire brigade sources, the explosion was so powerful that it affected the roof and walls of the house, as well as destroyed goods presented at the spot. The police officials stated that the house was filled with gas and a short circuit triggered the blast, while further investigation is under way to uncover the reason of the incident. The body of the watchman has been shifted to the hospital for post-mortem, after which it will be handed over to the heirs. from Latest Pakistan News and Breaking News from All over Pakistan https://ift.tt/9dv7tju

KARACHI: The Karachi Dairy and Cattle Farmers Association has jacked up milk prices by Rs20 per litre, ARY News reported. As per details, the milk is already being sold at Rs210/kg in Karachi against the official rate of Rs180 and now the Karachi dairy farmers have further increased the price by Rs20 per litre. In his statement, Derry Farmers leader Shakir Umar Gujjar said that the commissioner had twice convened a meeting for milk prices but he himself remained absent. Read more:  ‘Milk price in Karachi to touch Rs200 per litre’ “We told the additional commissioner that if prices were not immediately raised, we would announce raise ourselves.” He said the rise in milk prices was announced in conjunction with stakeholders، From July 1, the x-farm rate will increase by Rs600 per 40kg of milk. Recently, Commissioner Karachi ordered to carry out operations and seal dairy shops selling milk at higher prices. from Latest Pakistan News and Breaking News from All over Pakistan https

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will participate in the 23rd Meeting of SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) being held in videoconference format on July 4, 2023, ARY News reported. The invitation to the prime minister to attend the SCO-CHS was extended by the Prime Minister of India in his capacity as the current Chair of the SCO, according to a PM Office statement. At the forthcoming CHS, the highest forum of the SCO, the leaders would deliberate on important global and regional issues and chart the future direction of cooperation among SCO member states. This year, the SCO CHS would also welcome Iran as a new member of the organisation. The prime minister’s participation in the CHS illustrates the high importance that Pakistan attaches to the SCO, as an important forum for regional security and prosperity, and enhanced engagement with the region. from Latest Pakistan News and Breaking News from All over Pakistan https://ift.tt/sTvXz2h

KARACHI: Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori has announced free health care facility for low-income people, ARY News reported. As per details, Governor Sindh said in a statement, he said free healthcare facilities will be for those having income from 35 to 40 thousand rupees. Health insurance up to five hundred thousand rupees will be free through a health card. The cardholders will be able to get treatment in the best hospitals. It is pertinent to mention here that the federal government has allocated an amount of Rs1 billion in the budget 2023-24 for health insurance of working journalists and media workers. Read More: Budget 2023-24: Rs1bn allocated for health insurance of journalists Taking to Twitter, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed the development, saying that Rs1 billion has been allocated for health insurance of working journalists and media workers. “Delighted to announce that an allocation has been made in the budget for health insurance of working jou

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has announced that the prices of petrol will remain unchanged while the diesel price hiked by Rs7.5 per liter, ARY News reported.  The federal government decided to maintain the petrol price at Rs262 per liter, while the diesel price has been hiked by Rs7.5 for 15 days and the new price will be Rs260.50 per liter. Earlier today it was reported that the government of Pakistan is likely to impose an additional burden on citizens by raising petroleum levies to fulfill International Monetary Fund (IMF) terms. According to the sources, the federal government is expected to increase the petroleum levy after which the initial electricity tariff will likely raise Rs 3 to Rs 5 per unit, adding that the gas will also become more expensive for the citizens of Pakistan. Read more: PAK-IMF agreement: Govt expected to raise petroleum levy The government sources maintained that the federal cabinet will decide on the increase in electricity tariff. Simultane

The government of Pakistan is likely to impose additional burden on citizens by raising petroleum levy to fulfill International Monetary Fund (IMF) terms, ARY News reported on Friday, Citing sources. According to the sources, the federal government is expected to increase the petroleum levy after which the initial electricity tariff will likely to raise Rs 3 to Rs 5 per unit, adding that the gas will also become more expensive for the citizens of Pakistan. The government sources maintained that the federal cabinet will take the decision regarding the increase in electricity tariff. Simultaneously, government sources have also hinted at an anticipated decision to further increase gas prices in the near future. READ: IMF, Pakistan reach $3bn staff-level agreement Furthermore, the sources said that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) already sent a proposal to the government to raise gas tariff up to 50 per cent. The confidential sources have stated that the government posse

Ben Duckett insisted England had no regrets about their aggressive game-plan after the opener was one of several batters to fall into Australia’s short-ball trap on a dramatic day of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s. In reply to Australia’s first-innings total of 416, England had seized back the momentum as they raced to 188-1 during Thursday’s second day of the second Ashes Test. But Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Joe Root all perished playing needlessly attacking hook shots in response to a barrage of Australia bouncers. That reduced England to 222-4 before captain Ben Stokes restored order with a slightly more cautious approach alongside Harry Brook as the hosts reached 278-4 by the close of play. Despite handing Australia a lifeline, Ben Duckett was adamant there would be no recriminations in the England dressing room. “I don’t regret it at all. I would have been gutted with myself if I had gone into my shell and gloved one to the keeper,” Duckett said after he was caught in the d

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed his satisfaction after Pakistan signed a staff-level agreement on a “standby arrangement” for nine months, helping to achieve economic stability in Pakistan, ARY News reported on Friday. READ: IMF, Pakistan reach $3bn staff-level agreement PM Shehbaz Sharif in a tweet stated that the signing of a $3 billion Stand-By Arrangement will help strengthen Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, enable Pakistan to achieve economic stability, and put the country on the path of sustainable economic growth. Alhamdulillah, I am pleased to announce that Pakistan has reached a Staff-Level Agreement with the IMF on a nine-month US$3 billion Stand-By Arrangement. This Arrangement will help strengthen Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, enable Pakistan to achieve economic stability, and… — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 30, 2023 This agreement will not only provide immediate financial relief but also pave the way for future economic stability

A tragic incident was reported from Faisalabad where four individuals from the same family were murdered on the occasion of Eid, ARY News reported on Friday. According to the details, this incident occurred in the Khurrianwala area of Faisalabad, where adversaries blinded by animosity unleashed a hail of bullets, claiming the lives of a father, daughter, and two others from the same household, while leaving three individuals, including two women, injured. READ: Three killed, minor injured over ‘personal enmity’ in Karachi According to the police, the two brothers, Imran and Aamir along with other family members, were returning home after celebrating Eid with their sister, when the armed assailants, who had already set up an ambush near Karianwala, opened fire on their car. The gunfire resulted in the instant death of three persons, including Aamir and a 6-year-old child, while four, including two women, were injured. The injured and the bodies were transported to the hospital, wh

ISLAMABAD: International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday, announced that a “Stand-By Arrangement” between the global money lender with Pakistan has been reached successfully, ARY News reported. According to the details, a staff-level agreement has been concluded between Pakistan and the IMF, valuing $3 billion for 9 months. IMF Mission Chief Nathan Porter along with his team maintained continuous communication with Pakistani authorities and completed the agreement through virtual negotiation. Regarding the agreement, IMF Mission Chief Nathan Porter has said that the staff-level agreement with Pakistan has been made under a Stand-By Arrangement for 9 months. READ: Pakistan ‘hopeful’ of IMF deal as loan programme set to expire tomorrow The final approval of this agreement will be given by the IMF’s executive board, which is expected to take place in mid-July. After this approval, Pakistan can receive a loan of $3 billion. Nathan Porter further stated that Pakistan’s parliament playe

LAHORE: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said a staff-level agreement for a crucial bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was “very close” and expected in the next 24 hours. Pakistan is racing against time to unlock at least $1.1 billion under the lender’s ninth review of a $6.5-billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) agreed in 2019. The programme expires on Friday. “We are very close to signing a staff-level agreement with the IMF,” minister Ishaq Dar told Reuters late on Thursday. “I think it should come some time tonight or maximum within 24 hours. We have finalised everything.” A source familiar with talks told Reuters that Pakistan and the global lender were also in discussions for the release of the full $2.5 billion pending under the IMF programme. The source said the staff-level agreement was to set to initially unlock around $1.1 billion and then be followed by a “standby agreement” which could release the rest after the programme finishes on Saturday. A repres

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday spoke to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Iran’s Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi on phone and felicitated the governments and the people of both countries on the auspicious occasion of Eidul Azha, ARY News reported. In a telephonic conversation, PM Shehbaz and President of Azerbaijan reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance bilateral relations in all fields. Appreciating the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation during his visit to Baku earlier this month, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that important engagements at the various bilateral levels were being coordinated in the wake of decisions taken during the visit. The Prime Minister extended an invitation to the President to visit Pakistan which he most graciously accepted. Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz in his telephonic conversation with President of Iran Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi reciprocated the kind sentiments and expressed heartfelt felicitations to the

CHAMAN: Several inmates escaped the prison in Balochistan’s Chaman after overpowering guards when they were allowed out of cells for Fajr prayers in the wee hours of Thursday. The incident unfolded as the inmates of barrack No. 4 were being led out for prayers. Seizing a moment of opportunity, the prisoners launched a sudden and coordinated attack on the prison guards, overpowering them and taking control of the situation. Sources within the prison reported that many of the prisoners involved in serious criminal cases, including murder and other heinous crimes, had been housed in barrack No. 4. The prison authorities revealed that one inmate was killed in the ensuing retaliatory gunfire by the police. Two others sustained injuries during the clash and are currently receiving medical treatment. Meanwhile, a comprehensive search operation was launched in the vicinity of the prison to apprehend the escaped prisoners. from Latest Pakistan News and Breaking News from All over Pakist

ISLAMABAD: A magnitude 5.2 earthquake jolted the federal capital Islamabad and nearby areas on Thursday, ARY News reported on Thursday quoting National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC). According to the NSMC, the depth of the quake was 170 kilometres with its epicenter being deduced to be the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border. People came out of their houses in fear by reciting Kalma-e-Tayyaba. No loss is reported as per initial reports. Earlier, an earthquake of magnitude 6 earthquake jolted twin cities of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, adjoining areas, and several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Local residents out of fear and panic ran out of their homes to open space in the wee hours of Sunday morning after the temblor jolted the area. Read more:  Magnitude 6 earthquake jolts Rawalpindi, Islamabad, KP districts The earthquake tremors were also felt in Swat, Peshawar, Buttgram, Upper Dir, Swabi, Mardan, Kohat districts, and adjoining areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to N

Pakistanis are celebrating Eidul Azha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, with zeal and fervour today (Thursday) amid prayers for an economic turnaround, ARY News reported. The South Asian nation faces one of its worst crises as the government struggles to revive a stalled International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. The day dawned with special prayers in mosques for the well-being of Ummah and progress, prosperity and security of the country. Eid prayer congregations were held at mosques, Eidgahs and open places in all cities, towns and villages. Ulema, in their Eid sermons, are highlighting the significance of the philosophy of great sacrifice rendered by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS). Later, people will offer sacrifice of animals to follow the Sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS). Civic authorities have made special arrangements for disposal of offals and other solid waste during the Eid days. ‘Maximum relief’ On the occasion of Eid ul Adha, Prime Minister Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has urged the people to take special care of flood-hit homeless people on the occasion of Eid ul Azha, ARY News reported.  In a message on the occasion of Eid ul Azha, 1444 Hijrah, the prime minister felicitated the Pakistani nation and the Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of Hajj and Eid ul Azha, he prayed for the acceptance of all the religious rituals and sacrifices. He said that he was cognizant that Pakistan was facing price hike which was triggered by the external issues in the shape of inflation and recession. The prime minister said the incumbent government was utilizing all its resources to provide relief to the public. It had provided maximum relief to the salaried class, pensioners and labourers in the the current fiscal budget, PM Office Media Wing in a press release on Wednesday quoted the prime minister as saying. On the occasion, the prime minister prayed for the peace and prosperity of the Muslim world and for the

KARACHI: Unidentified men hurled a hand grenade at a Rangers checkpost on Ghareeb Shah Road Lyari Karachi, ARY NEWS reported. According to police officials, the unidentified men hurled the hand grenade at the Ranger’s checkpost and fled the spot of the incident. The police said that no casualties were reported in the attack. Police and Ranger are present on the spot of the incident and Bomb Disposal Sqauad has also rushed to the site. Earlier, unidentified men hurled a hand grenade at SSP’s squad in Dera Murad Jamali, Naseerabad. As per details, they fled the spot before hurling a hand grenade near the vehicle of the police squad. The police, CTD, and bomb disposal squad rushed to the site of the explosion and cordoned off the area. In a separate incident, two policemen died and two others sustained injuries after a hand grenade went off at Karachi police headquarters in the Garden area. According to hospital sources, one of the policemen succumbed to his injuries on the spot

SADIQABAD: A butcher hit a speech-impaired man with a knife in Ghulam Rasool colony Sadiqabad, ARY News reported.  As per details, the man was hit by the butcher when he came into rage over a motorbike accident. The speech-impaired man was shifted to Tehsil Headquarter in injured condition whereas the butcher fled the spot of the incident. In a separate incident, as many as eight people were stabbed to death while sleeping in the farms in Hachar village of Sheikhupura, Punjab. According to details, the police arrested a suspect for killing eight people with an axe in Hachar village of Sheikhupura. The police have also recovered the weapon used in the killing. Sheikhupura District Police Officer (DPO) Faisal Mukhtar said the culprit attacked the men sleeping at different spots in the farms. “The suspect seems to be a mentally unstable person,” he said, adding that further investigations are underway. A 20-year-old girl, Saba, was also stabbed to death by an unidentified man in

Economic expert Khurram Shehzad said that the federal government has prepared to further increase taxes on the salaried class for expanding the tax net amid the high inflation rate, ARY News reported on Tuesday. While talking to the ARY News programme ‘Bakhabar Savera’, economic expert Khurram Shehzad said that the government made the salaried class scapegoat once again for expanding the tax net. He criticised that the nationals have always borne the consequences of politicians’ mistakes and the financial burden was always imposed on the common people. “The burden of the political mistakes will be borne by the nation and the corporate sector due to vague financial decisions.” Shehzad admitted that the issue of the stalled International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programme is quite serious but the global institution has never pushed the government to do injustice to the poor nation and the corporate sector but to improve the financial matters. “The financial issues will not be resolv

KARACHI: Sindh Local Government (LG) Department has finalised its Eidul Azha plan for the disposal of offal of the sacrificial animals and decided to introduce a GPS tagging system, ARY News reported on Tuesday. The Sindh LG department unveiled its Eidul Azha plan and introduced a GPS tagging system for ensuring the timely and proper timely disposal of offal of the sacrificial animals. A notification read that the transition officers will link the GPS system to the dumping points, whereas, the lists of the on-duty sanitary staff and supervisors at the collection points were declared mandatory. Additionally, the chief executive officer will be bound to present the performance report of each chairman of the concerned local council. Holidays of all employees including the chief executive officer of the Sindh Local Government (LG) Department. The executive officers will be responsible for providing the necessary machinery for the disposal of the offal. Earlier in the day, Karachi Ma

LONDON: The International Cricket Council (ICC) expressed confidence that Pakistan cricket team will travel to India for playing upcoming one-day international (ODI) World Cup, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) subjecting its participation to government clearance, ARY News reported on Tuesday. In a statement to Indian news agency, an ICC spokesperson pointed out that Pakistan has a signed participation agreement to compete and the world governing body “100 percent expects them to be there”. “All members have to abide by the rules and the laws of their country and we respect that. But we’re confident Pakistan will be in India for the men’s ODI World Cup,” an ICC spokesperson said. However, a PCB official said, the country’s participation in the World Cup and playing in Ahmedabad on October 15 or in Mumbai “if we qualify for semi-finals will all be dependent on government clearance.” The PCB official said the government has not yet issued any NOC to the PCB to travel to India an

SWAT: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) former provincial minister from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Dr Amjad and city mayor Shahid Ali Khan arrested in Swat, ARY News reported citing sources. According to sources, city mayor Shahid Ali Khan was arrested from his residence. Both the PTI leaders Dr Amjad and Shahid Ali Khan have been taken to Saidu Sharif jail. Earlier today, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Muhammad Khan has been re-arrested for the sixth time after being released from jail. The judge of an anti-corruption court approved the bail of PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan today. The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) arrested Khan again in another case. Khan was immediately arrested by the ACE officials at the jail gate. A new corruption case was lodged against the PTI leader yesterday for alleged financial irregularities in development projects. Former minister Muhammad Atif, Tufial Anjum and others were also nominated. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Tehreek-e

KARACHI: A property investor has been murdered in Baghdadi Lyari, Karachi in what police have termed as a target killing incident, ARY News reported. The police identified the victim as Irfan, who invest money in properties in different areas. He has several property disputes with people. Police officials said that one woman and a man who was passing by also sustained injuries when the unidentified men opened firing. According to the initial investigation, the reason behind his murder is the property disputes. The crime scene unit has reached the spot of the incident and further investigation is underway. Earlier, five people including two women were killed in separate firing incidents in Karachi in the last two hours. According to details, the shootings took place in Memon Goth, Surjani Town, Defence, and Municipal Town۔ Police officers said two people were killed when unidentified men opened fire at a car near a petrol pump in Gulshan-e-Surjani، The deceased was identified as

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar said that the nation will hear a good news about International Monetary Fund (IMF) program soon, ARY News reported. As per details, the finance minister said that the negotiations between Pakistan and International Monetary Fund are on the right track and they will announce good news soon. Ishaq Dar said economic revival and trade deficit are the two challenges for the country. He said that the foreign debt increased by 30 Billion USD in the last four years. He said the policy rate was increased to 22% on the demand of the IMF. The Finance Minister said the past government did not honor the IMF conditions laid down in an agreement. Talking about the steps for the government employees, he said we did everything for the salaried class of the country. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made his fourth contact with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director (MD) Kristalina Georgieva in six days. Pakistan’s ninth review by the IM

Former chief justice Jawwad S Khawaja has issued a clarification statement regarding the military courts’ case being heard by the Supreme Court (SC), ARY News reported on Monday. Justice Retired Jawwad S Khawaja said that he has not adopted a new stance regarding the civilians’ trials in the military courts. He added that he had adopted the same stance in 2015 that civilians cannot face trials in the military courts. He said that those who declared his petition against the military courts a personal matter are seemingly unaware of his stance or misguiding the people by saying that he is supporting the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman. He said that he and Hamid Khan knew each other for 46 years and he has not consulted him regarding the petition but it was filed in the public interest. It is noteworthy to mention here that ex-CJP Jawwad S Khawaja challenged the trial of civilians in military courts in the Supreme Court (SC), demanding to declare the move ‘unconstitutional’.

LOWER DIR: Law enforcement agencies foiled a major terrorism bid in Lower Dir ahead of Eidul Azha and recovered five suicide vests, 19 remote-controlled bombs and hand grenades and three SMGs during the search operation, ARY News reported on Monday. Police, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) conducted a successful search operation on the Malakand border. The LEAs recovered five suicide vests, 19 remote-controlled bombs and hand grenades and three SMGs from the suspects. Moreover, the officials also recovered 30 kg of high-explosive material, five walkie talkie, 16 SMG magazines and hundreds of rounds. During the search operation, the officials seized medicines, clothes, bags, chargers, mobile phones, food and other weaponry. DPO Ziauddin told the media that terrorists were planning to carry out a major terrorist activity on Eidul Azha which was foiled by the law enforcement agencies. A search operation is underway in the district to arrest the terroris

KARACHI: An unidentified man stole a sacrificial cow within seconds in Karachi, the video of the incident is going viral on social media, ARY News reported. As per details, the stealing of sacrificial cow in Ancholi in Karachi’s Federal B Area, was caught on CCTV camera. The man can we seeing coming out of an expensive car in the street to steal the cow. The man can be seen taking away the sacrificial cow after untying it within 10 seconds. The thief can be seen walking towards the vehicle parked on the corner of the street. Read more: Man along with family caught stealing sacrificial goats in Karachi Earlier it was learnt that more than 60 sacrificial animals were stolen and snatched in Karachi ahead of Eidul Azha in a few days. In the North Karachi Sector 7-A area, 40 goats were stolen from an empty plot. In the Yaseenabad area, thieves broke the shutter of a shop and stole two goats, whereas, a cow was stolen from an apartment near Frere police station. from Latest Pakistan

OKARA: A teenage girl was rapped and then murdered in the premises of Saddar, Okara, ARY News reported. As per details, the brother of the 17-year-old rape victim said that several boys of the village abducted her from the home. He claimed that the boys then raped her before they murdered her and hanged her dead body from a tree. Furthermore, police took the dead body in their custody and carrying out further investigation. Earlier, a TikToker girl was allegedly gang raped by three men in the Matiari district of Sindh.  Read more:  TikToker girl allegedly gang raped in Sindh As per details, a TikToker girl was called by some men to New Saeedabad tehsil of Sindh’s Matiari district where they gang raped her. The girl alleged that Waqas Mallah along with his friend raped her. Police lodged a case against the suspects, however, no arrest was made so far. The victim girl complained about police inaction to arrest the nominated persons. She said that she is receiving threats from the

ISLAMABAD: Federal government has hiked the excise duty on the registration of vehicles over 2000 CC in the finance bill, ARY News reported. As per details, a six percent fixed tax has been imposed on the value of 2001CC and 2500CC vehicles whereas the tax for the filers on the 2001CC and 2005CC was Rs 0.25 million. The government has imposed an eight percent fixed tax on the registration of 2501CC and 3000CC vehicles, the tax for the filers was earlier Rs 0.2 million and 0.4 million for the non-filers. Furthermore, ten percent fixed taz has been imposed on the registration of 3000CC vehicles. Read more: National Assembly passes Finance Bill 2023-24 Earlier, the National Assembly passed the Finance Bill 2023-2024, giving the go-ahead to the budgetary proposals for the upcoming financial year. The bill with a total outlay of Rs14,480 billion was moved by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the house. The House passed the federal budget with the revised targets to appease the Internation

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will pay visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), United States (US) and Japan next week, ARY News reported on Sunday. Prior to his foreign visits, FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will reach Larkana. Later, the foreign minister will depart for the UAE to spend Eidul Azha with his sister Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari. After his Dubai visit, FM Bilawal will pay visits to the US and Japan from July 2 to 3. The foreign minister will attend a think tank conference in the US. In his upcoming Japan visit, FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will meet his Japanese counterpart besides holding a meeting with the business community. A few days ago, the FO spokesperson said Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will undertake an official visit to Japan on 2-3 July at the invitation of the Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa. In Tokyo, the foreign minister will hold substantive talks with his counterpart Minister Hayashi. The two leaders will discuss bilateral

NAROWAL: A lightning strike killed four persons and injured four others in a suburban village of Punjab’s Narowal city, ARY News reported on Sunday. Amid heavy rainfall in different parts of the country, lightning strike killed four persons including a five-year-old boy Saqlain Shah, 18-year-old Bilal and a 71-year-old elderly man in Shakargarh – Narowal today. نارووال: آسمانی بجلی گرنے سے 4 افراد جاں بحق #ARYNews pic.twitter.com/4QyrwDwL8F — ARY NEWS (@ARYNEWSOFFICIAL) June 25, 2023 Four persons got injured in the lightning strike who have been shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital. READ: Lightning kills two brothers in Sukkur Different parts of the country are receiving pre-monsoon rainfall including Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). Rainfall with thunderstorm was also predicted in Balochistan, South Punjab and Sindh from June 26 to 29. Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman warned of urban flooding in m

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has hinted at addressing the concerns put forward by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the federal budget for FY2023-24, ARY News reported, citing sources.  Pakistan’s efforts are underway to restore the stalled loan programme with the IMF and the breakthrough is likely within two days.  According to sources, Pakistan has decided to address the IMF’s concerns in the budget. Sources claimed that Pakistan has started changes upon the demands of the IMF and changes are being made in the budget speech. Pakistan has once again provided working to the IMF on $6 billion in external financing. Sources say the IMF’s demand for collecting more than Rs215 billion from the people has been accepted by the federal government. Read more: SBP lifts all restrictions on imports to fulfil IMF condition The IMF has asked Pakistan to abolish subsidies for the textile sector and increase electricity tariffs, the sources said.  According to sources, the IMF had also demande

NAWABSHAH: At least six persons were killed and over 60 others were injured in a road accident in Sindh’s province of Shaheed Benazirabad in the wee hours of Sunday night. According to police, the incident occurred near Balochpur Stop in Nawabshah, when two passenger buses collided, leaving six persons dead on the spot and over 60 injured including children and kids. The injured have been shifted to the People’s Medical University Hospital. Police further say that one bus was travelling from Karachi to Punjab whereas the other was going to Punjab from Karachi. Read more: 10 killed in bus accident on M-2 motorway Last week, at least 13 people, including five women, were killed and 31 others injured when a bus veered off the Islamabad-Lahore Motorway and overturned near Kallar Kahar. The police, in a statement said, driver lost control over the steering apparently due to a ‘brake failure’.  It was around 3.30pm when the Jhang-bound bus (BBA452) was passing through Kallar Kahar and

KARACHI: The system of cheque-clearance institution, the National Institutional Facilitation Technologies (NIFT) remains non-functional as cyber attackers managed to breach its security and force the banking system to resort to a manual system despite the prevalence of digital technology. Even after seven days since the cyberattack occurred last week, NIFT is still in the process of fully restoring its normal operations. Cheques are being cleared manually nationwide, and digital payment services remain halted. Last Friday (June 16), the attack forced the national institution to shut down both its data centres in Islamabad and Karachi. Read more: SBP lifts all restrictions on imports to fulfil IMF condition The private banks said their cheque-clearance operation is badly affected as they are going for manual clearance and due to staff shortage, it is taking more time for clearance of cheques, which were earlier being cleared in seconds through NIFT. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP

SIALKOT: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief was the mastermind of May 9 violence, ARY News reported. As per details, senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Khawaja Asif said that they could not serve the people as they should have.  He lambasted the PTI chief, saying that he has challenged the state for his power thirst and his entire family is in London. The PTI chief sisters were present when the May 9 violence was taking place and he was taking updates on the incidents, Khawaja Asif added. The defence minister further said that the PTI chief was behind the May 9 violence but he is not standing behind his workers. The PTI chief never talked to politicians about solving the country’s problems.  The PTI chief is paying the price for his wrong decisions and if he did not dissolve the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab assemblies, it would have been a political nightmare for us, he added.  Furthermore, he maintained that a solutio

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has announced to launch public contact campaign in a bid to attract citizens, ARY News reported on Saturday. According to details, the decision to launch this public contact campaign was taken after extensive talks by party’s top leadership in Rabta Committee. In a statement, the committee said that MQM-P leaders will hold meeting with market unions, mosques committees and notables of different areas. In this regard, the members of Rabta Committee and national and provincial assemblies visited different areas of Karachi. The MQM-P leaders held discussion on the problems being faced by the citizens. The committee said the meetings under the public contact campaign will continue till next month. A day earlier, MQM-P lambasted the K-Electric (KE) , the sole power distribution company in Karachi, over ‘prolonged power outages and over-billing’, demanding the federal government to take notice of the issue. In a statement, the MQM-P R

KARACHI: Police have submitted an interim challan of May 9 violence in the anti-terrorism court (ATC), ARY News reported. As per details, the interim challan of violence on Shahrah-e-Faisal and the attack on the Rangers check post was submitted to the court. The interim challan stated that the suspects started arriving at Insaf House on May 9 and the workers who were incited by Shah Nawaz Jadoon, Saeed Awan, Haleem Adil Sheikh and 23 other suspects started pelting stones at vehicles. They used petrol bombs to burn the Ranger’s check post and People Bus, the interim challan stated. The suspects said that the former governor of Sindh Imran Ismail made a WhatsApp call.  The challan further said that Haleem Adil Sheikh and 18 others are accused of facilitation, and Murad Saeed, Imran Qureshi, and five others are declared absconders. It stated that the geofencing report has not been received yet and Imran Ismail was released by the court upon no evidence.  May 9 events Violent clashe

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday summoned Indian Charge d’ Affaires to the Foreign Office (FO) to register strong protest over the ceasefire violation committed by the Indian forces in Satwal Sector of the Line of Control (LoC), ARY News reported. “The Indian Charge d’ Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, today, to register Pakistan’s strong protest over the ceasefire violation committed by the Indian forces in Satwal Sector of the Line of Control (LoC),” the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement. Condemning the deplorable targeting of innocent civilians by the Indian forces, the foreign office said it was also conveyed to the envoy that such senseless acts are in clear violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding, reaffirmed in February 2021. “It was further underscored that targeting of civilians is contrary to human dignity and international human rights and humanitarian laws,” it added. The statement added that the Indian side was urged to respect the Ce

ISLAMABAD: A district and session court in the federal capital on Saturday deferred the indictment of former information minister Fawad Chaudhry in the sedition case after he skipped today’s proceedings, ARY News reported. Additional Sessions Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra resumed hearing to frame charges against the former PTI leader. During the hearing, Fawad’s lawyer informed that his client could not appear before the court due to illness and sought an exemption from hearing today. At which, the judge remarked whether the former minister had been hit by heatstroke. Later, the judge accepted the exemption plea and ordered Mr Chaudhry to appear before the court on July 7 for indictment. It is pertinent to mention here that the Islamabad police arrested former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry from his residence earlier inn January for ‘threatening’ Election Commission of Pakistan members. A case against Chaudhary was registered at the Kohsar police station in Islamabad on the complaint

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Friday alleged that the two senior judges of Supreme Court (SC) were minused from the nine-member bench constituted to hear petitions against trials of civilians in military courts, ARY News reported. Speaking to a private news channel, the federal minister claimed that the two SC judges – Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Tariq Masood – did not rescued themselves from hearing the case, but they “were minused from the nine-member bench”. In response to a question, Rana Sanaullah pointed out that the government would take a decision following the Supreme Court (SC) verdict. However, he noted, senior and Chief Justice-designate judge have termed the bench ‘unconstitutional and illegal’. “How can we accept the decision of such a bench,” he asked. Rana Sanaullah further said that the SC’s May 14 decision regarding Punjab elections was ‘one-sided’ and ‘based on stubbornness’. “All political parties have demanded a full bench for the petiti

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reached London after concluding his Paris visit, ARY News reported on Friday. Sources told ARY News that PM Shehbaz Sharif will stay in London for three days and meet Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Supremo Nawaz Sharif. The premier is expected to hold consultations over Nawaz Sharif’s return to the country, upcoming general elections and other matters. After reaching London, PM Sharif met Nawaz Sharif at Avenfield Apartment. While talking to the media, he said that he went to Paris to attend the New Global Financing Pact Summit. He told the journalists that his meeting with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director was held in a friendly environment and he apprised the IMF MD about the fulfilment of all conditions by Pakistan. Shehbaz Sharif expressed hopes that the loan programme should be approved by the IMF board. He added that the IMF MD asked to hold negotiations with Pakistan on some matters. The premier said that Finan

KARACHI: A 12-year-old boy was dragged to death when he entangled himself in the rope of a runaway sacrificial bull in Karachi, ARY News reported on Friday. The video of the incident – which occurred a day earlier – has been acquired by ARY News, wherein the teenage boy – identified as Ibrahim – can be seen dragging by a runaway sacrificial bull. Family members of the victim said that the incident occurred when the bull suddenly started running and 12-year-old Ibrahim entangled himself in the animal’s rope. According to the family members, the boy was dragged for almost a kilometre and suffered major injuries. Meanwhile, the passersby tried untangled the boy and shifted him to hospital. However, the family members said, the boy succumbed to injuries at the hospital. Earlier in 2021, a 16-year-old boy was headbutted to death by a sacrificial bull while he was taking the animal to his home in Karachi . The boy’s family had parched the bull from a local market two days back to perf

MULTAN: Prime Minister’s Advisor on Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan and PPP’s senior leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Friday that the party would decide whether to contest the next general polls in alliance with the PDM or separately. Talking to newsmen at the residence of a trader Sheikh Akram Hanif, Kaira said that the Assemblies would complete their term in August 2023 and elections would be held within 60 or 90 days adding that everything would be done in accordance with the constitution. To a question on Karachi Mayor elections and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) protest, the PPP leader said that Jamat Islami has received a clear response from all, adding that the election process has been completed. He said that no party had a clear majority in Karachi Mayor elections but added that PPP emerged as the single largest party, reported the state news agency. Kaira said that they (JI) cannot get what they desire by using pressure tactics. So many days have passed since the mayor elections but

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has lifted all restrictions on imports to fulfil one more condition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), ARY News reported on Friday. The central bank issued a circular to end all restrictions on imports in order to fulfil another IMF condition. The federal government granted permission to banks for providing remittances to release more than 6,000 containers. The SBP stated in the circular that remittances will be provided for all imports after the enforcement of the latest order. The authorised dealers have been given instructions to provide remittances following the recommendations of the stakeholders, said the central bank. Yesterday, it was learnt that Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are facing challenges in reviving a loan program, leading to conflicts between the IMF and the Ministry of Finance. READ: In last-ditch effort, PM Shehbaz Sharif meets IMF MD in Paris Sources revealed that the plan to bridge the

ISLAMABAD: Kohsar police station on Friday booked Umme Hasaan, the wife of Lala Masjid’s Abdul Aziz on treason and terror charges for inviting banned TTP for attacks in Islamabad, ARY News reported. According to FIR, Umme Hasaan incited proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to launch attacks in Islamabad and termed the security institution the ‘enemy’ of Islam. The wife of Maulana Abdul Aziz in her speech tried to incite civil war against Counter-Terrorism Department and other institutions, the FIR stated. The female students of Jamia Hafsa blocked several roads, including Jinnah Avenue and the bridge near Kulsoom Plaza, to protest against the attempted arrest of Maulana Abdul Aziz. Read more: Supreme Court wraps up suo motu case on Lal Masjid operation Umme Hasaan said the Maulana fired several rounds at the CTD team and there was crossfire. He was pinned down by the CTD officials after his AK-47 ran out of bullets. However, he was able to break free and with the help of t