Pakistan Plans Mini-Budget to Meet IMF Fiscal Targets Pakistan plans to introduce a mini-budget before the next federal budget. The government aims to raise revenue and close its financing gap under IMF commitments. Officials have confirmed that the plan includes new taxes and reduced expenditures to support fiscal stability. Government Prepares New Tax Measures The government will increase excise duty on fertilisers and pesticides by 5%. It will also add taxes on high-value sugar products. Pakistan assured the IMF that it will apply an 18% sales tax on several specified items. These measures will help the country meet its annual…
Author: Farhan Ali
President Zardari Announces Schedule for Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly Elections President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has officially announced the schedule for the upcoming Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Assembly elections, setting January 24, 2026, as the polling date. The announcement was made through a formal notification issued on Friday and reported by ARY News. According to the notification, the election schedule has been issued under the Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018 and the Election Act, ensuring compliance with legal and constitutional requirements. The announcement marks a key step in the region’s democratic transition following the completion of the previous assembly’s tenure earlier this year. Caretaker Setup…
PM Shehbaz Seeks Global Pressure on Kabul Amid Emerging Terr0r Threat Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called on the international community to intensify pressure on the Afghan Taliban-led administration in Kabul to prevent the rise of what he described as a new terr0r threat emanating from Afghanistan. His remarks came during a high-level forum in Turkmenistan marking the International Year of Peace and Trust 2025, the International Day of Neutrality, and the 30th Anniversary of Permanent Neutrality. Speaking at the event, the prime minister reiterated that the peaceful resolution of conflicts remains a central pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy. His…
U.S. Approves $686 Million Upgrade Package for Pakistan’s F-16 Fleet The United States has approved a $686 million upgrade package for the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) F-16 fleet, marking a major development in bilateral defence cooperation. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) formally notified Congress, triggering a 30-day review period. The move follows a series of recent high-level engagements between President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, indicating a renewed diplomatic thaw. According to the DSCA, the upgrade package will enhance Pakistan’s interoperability with US and partner forces involved in…
Pakistan Warns Taliban of Defensive Measures Over Rising Cross-Border Terr0r Threats Pakistan has delivered a strong warning to the Taliban regime, stating that Islamabad will adopt all necessary defensive measures if Kabul fails to act against terr0rist groups operating from Afghan territory. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, addressed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and detailed the growing secu-rity risks emerging from Afghanistan. The ambassador said Afghanistan has once again become a safe sanctuary for violent networks. According to his statement, groups including Daesh-K, Al-Qaeda, TTP, ETIM, BLA, and the Majeed Brigade benefit from…
Former ISI Chief Faiz Hamid Sentenced to 14 Years by Field General Court Martial The Field General Court Martial (FGCM) has sentenced former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced the verdict after a 15-month legal process conducted under the Pakistan Army Act. The proceedings covered four major charges related to political involvement, the misuse of authority, and violations of state-related laws. According to the ISPR, Faiz Hamid faced allegations of engaging in political activities and breaching the Official Secret Act. His actions, described as harmful…
Pakistan’s Economy Shows Improvement as Corruption Perception Decreases: Transparency International A recent survey by Transparency International Pakistan reveals positive signs for the country’s economy, alongside a decline in corruption perception among citizens. The findings, captured in the National Corruption Perception Survey (NCPS) 2025, suggest that governance reforms and economic policies under the current government are gradually taking effect. Positive Trends in Governance and Transparency According to the NCPS 2025 report, Pakistanis are increasingly experiencing transparent and accountable governance. Around 66% of citizens reported not having to pay a bribe for government services, highlighting a notable improvement in public sector efficiency.…
US Arrest Case: FO Confirms Suspect Is Afghan, Not of Pakistani Origin Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) has clarified that the man arrested in the United States last week for possessing firearms and written plans for an att@ck is not Pakistani, countering several inaccurate media reports circulating internationally. FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stated that the suspect is an Afghan national who spent a few years as a refugee in Pakistan before moving to the United States, where he lived for most of his life. The clarification came after multiple American and Indian media outlets incorrectly identified the arrested individual as being…
11th NFC Holds Maiden Meeting, Forms Working Groups to Shape Pakistan’s Future Fiscal Framework The inaugural meeting of the 11th National Finance Commission (NFC) was held in Islamabad under the leadership of Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, marking an important step toward redefining Pakistan’s federal-provincial fiscal landscape. Senior representatives from all four provinces — including chief ministers, finance ministers, and technical experts — gathered to outline priorities for the upcoming NFC Award. During the session, participants engaged in detailed discussions on resource distribution, revenue-sharing formulas, and the constitutional framework guiding the NFC. The meeting was described as constructive, cooperative, and inclusive,…
Pakistan Seeks Stronger Economic Partnership with Bahrain, Says PM Shehbaz During Manama Visit Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with Bahrain. During his address to the Bahraini business community in Manama on Thursday, the premier highlighted key sectors where both countries can expand collaboration, including agriculture, information technology, artificial intelligence and fintech. A Renewed Push for Economic Synergy PM Shehbaz said Pakistan and Bahrain share decades of strategic cooperation. He noted that both nations stand on a foundation built on cultural affinity, religious ties and mutual trust. These shared values, he added, continue to…