Author: Abdulrehman

Hasina Gets Six-Month Jail Term in Contempt Ruling DHAKA – Bangladesh’s former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, now living in exile, received a six-month prison sentence from the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for contempt of court. The three-judge panel, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, delivered the verdict on Wednesday in Hasina’s absence. Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam confirmed that the sentence becomes active once she gets arrested or surrenders. Controversial Audio Clip Triggers Penalty The contempt charge stems from an audio clip in which Hasina allegedly said, “There are 227 cases against me, so I now have a licence to…

ISLAMABAD –Bilawal India Partnership Former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari once again invited India to collaborate with Pakistan in combating terrorism. While speaking at the international conference ‘Pakistan Fighting War for the World against Terrorism’, hosted by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute, Bilawal emphasized the need for a historic shift in bilateral relations between the two nations. Instead of acting as rivals, he encouraged both countries to embrace a partnership for peace. “He said, “Let’s put aside the zero-sum attitude and cooperate to protect a billion lives from extremism.” He also urged India’s leadership to abandon a confrontational stance and embrace…

ISLAMABAD – Nepra Tariff Cut the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has approved a Rs1.15 per unit reduction in electricity rates for all consumer categories, excluding lifeline users. This decision aligns with efforts to establish a uniform tariff structure across Pakistan, including for K-Electric consumers. The move follows a recent hearing on the Power Division’s proposal to unify basic tariffs. Officials clarified that this rationalisation is not designed to boost federal revenue but to fulfill constitutional and policy requirements related to fair energy pricing. Rates for Lifeline and Protected Users Remain Unchanged Lifeline customers will continue to pay Rs3.95 per unit for up to 50 units and Rs7.74 per unit for 100 units under the revised rate. Low income households are guaranteed affordability with these unaltered rates. In order to provide relief for vulnerable groups, protected users will now pay Rs10.54 per unit for 100 units and Rs13 per unit for 200 units. Non-Protected, Commercial, and…

LTO Karachi Achieves Record Rs. 3.5 Trillion Revenue in FY25 LTO Karachi Revenue FY25. The Large Taxpayers Office (LTO) Karachi achieved a historic revenue milestone in fiscal year 2024–25 by collecting Rs. 3.5 trillion, marking a 29% rise from last year’s Rs. 2.515 trillion. This growth underscores the LTO’s strategic enforcement and improved tax administration. In June 2025, LTO Karachi reported an exceptional monthly collection of Rs. 449.05 billion, a significant 48% jump from Rs. 302.83 billion collected in June 2024. In addition, the office set a new single-day national record by generating Rs. 184.7 billion in tax revenue—its highest…

First Major Revision in Five Years Comes Into Effect Cargo handling costs have increased dramatically nationwide by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), with some charges rising by as much as 100%. This upgrade, which is the first significant one in five years, attempts to account for the growing operating expenses related to airport administration. An official statement issued on Wednesday stated that the new price structure went into effect on July 1, 2025. The modification was accepted by the PAA’s executive committee as part of an effort to update antiquated tariffs and bring them into line with the state of…

Inflation Data Aligns with Ministry Projection KARACHI: The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reports that in June 2025, consumer price inflation in Pakistan increased 3.2% year over year. This number closely resembles the 3–4% prediction made by the Ministry of Finance. Prices rose by 0.2 percent on a monthly basis, reversing the May decline. Despite the seemingly minor change, the yearly rise illustrates how Pakistan’s fiscal reforms have affected the economy. Central Bank Holds Interest Rate Steady The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) declared it would keep the policy interest rate at 11% shortly after the inflation report. The SBP…

Joby Aviation Air Taxi Dubai Trials Signal Commercial Readiness Joby air taxi flights. In order to start its first commercial air taxi service by the end of 2025, California-based Joby Aviation, an innovation in the field of air taxis, has finished piloted test flights in Dubai. A significant turning point in the company’s deployment path was reached when the eVTOL aircraft seamlessly transitioned from vertical takeoff to horizontal flight and returned. The latest trials in Dubai are the first time that such tests have taken place as part of a public campaign outside of the United States, despite Joby conducting…

Pakistan Appoints Chief Justices to High Courts Chief Justices High Courts Pakistan. Chief Justice Yahya Afridi led the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) in approving four new chief justices on Tuesday. Leadership in the High Courts of Peshawar, Sindh, Balochistan, and Islamabad is enhanced by this action Peshawar High Court Welcomes Justice Attique Shah Justice SM Attique Shah became the permanent Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court. The JCP selected him over Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Arshad Ali based on merit and judicial standing. Justice Rozi Khan Heads Balochistan High Court The JCP appointed Justice Rozi Khan as…

Pakistan India Prisoner List Exchange Renews Humanitarian Push Pakistan India prisoner list. On July 1, 2025, Pakistan and India executed their biannual exchange of prisoner lists, as mandated by the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access. This protocol requires both countries to share updated lists twice annually—on January 1 and July 1—to maintain transparency and address humanitarian concerns. A list of 246 Pakistani detainees was shown to an official of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.This list included 193 fishermen and 53 civilian detainees who are presently being held by Pakistan. At the same time, India submitted a list of 463…

Heavy Rain Causes Fatalities and Injuries Across Provinces Pakistan monsoon rain deaths. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Pakistan’s heavy monsoon rains have caused 99 injuries and 57 fatalities since June 26. Through July 5, the authority anticipates more rain, flash floods, and landslides. There are 12 women, 17 men, and 28 children among the victims. There are 27 women, 33 men, and 39 children among the injured. Flash floods, roof collapses, lightning, electrocution, and landslides were the main causes of death. thirteen, and Punjab had seventeen. KP Records Highest Death Toll, Punjab Leads in Injuries Khyber Pakhtunkhwa…