Pakistan & China Building a Smarter Trade Future As global supply chains undergo digital and structural upgrades, Sheikh Muhammad Shariq, Chief Representative of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) Beijing Office, emphasized the need for localized financial services, better liquidity solutions for SMEs, and a unified trade framework during the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo. Speaking at the panel on “Supply Chain Optimization and Strategic Innovation,” Shariq highlighted the growing responsibility nations share in building sustainable and innovative global value chains. He stressed that complete and locally tailored financial services are essential to minimize trader conflicts and to support…
Author: Farhan Ali
Govt Eyes Chenab Dam Amid IMF Tax Push and IWT Tensions The Pakistani government’s plan to construct a new dam over the Chenab River amid growing tensions over the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) has hit a financial wall, as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has rejected its proposal to impose a 1% water storage cess on goods. The government had hoped to use the tax to raise Rs1.35 trillion to complete three key dam projects: Diamer-Basha, Mohmand, and the new Chenab dam. According to official sources, the IMF instead urged Pakistan to increase the existing 18% standard sales tax rate,…
CTD Neutralizes Three Militants in Bannu as Milit@nt Attacks Surge Nationwide In a major counterterrorism success, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) gunned down three suspected militants during a late-night operation in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The raid was carried out by KP Police and confirmed on Thursday. According to a CTD spokesperson, the slain individuals were identified as Mudassir, Turab, and Mohammad Hussain, all residents of Bannu. They were affiliated with banned groups Gul Bahadur and Zarar, and had a history of involvement in milit@nt activ1ty. The raid resulted in the recovery of explosive materials, a Kalashnikov rifle, a pistol, and…
Flash Flood Emergency in Punjab: Pakistan Army Leads Critical Rescue Efforts As torrential rains wreak havoc across parts of northern Punjab, dozens of residents—including women and children—are trapped in rising floodwaters in Jhelum and Chakwal. In response, the Pakistan Army has launched a full-scale rescue operation using helicopters, boats, and ground personnel. So far, 10 individuals have been successfully rescued, and efforts are continuing to evacuate the remaining stranded citizens. The worst-hit area is Dhoke Badr village in Jhelum, where a seasonal stream burst its banks and flooded homes. More than 40 people were cut off by the sudden surge…
Gallup Survey: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Growing Disillusioned With PTI Governance A recent Gallup Pakistan survey has unearthed a growing sense of dissatisfaction in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)—a province long considered the backbone of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) political movement. Once a secure base of support, KP is now raising its voice against what residents see as a widening gap between promises and delivery. With unemployment rising, public services deteriorating, and a visible lack of governance, voters are signaling that enough is enough. The findings of the survey are hard to ignore. A significant 53% of KP residents are unhappy with how…
The Global Risk Report 2025 provides an in-depth analysis of key global challenges, including economic, geopolitical, environmental, and technological risks. For Pakistan, the report highlights significant progress across various sectors, reflecting the nation’s ability to adapt to shifting global dynamics. Despite uncertainties, Pakistan has demonstrated resilience, achieving notable milestones in governance, economic recovery, and environmental sustainability. The report recognizes Pakistan’s strategic responses to economic challenges, particularly in the face of global inflation and environmental crises. Over the past few years, the country has implemented reforms that have improved its economic landscape and positioned it as a resilient player in regional…
WHO Chief Narrowly Escapes Israeli Airstrike on Yemen’s Sanaa Airport In a harrowing incident on Thursday, Israeli airstrikes targeted Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport, narrowly missing World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The attack injured a crew member of a United Nations (UN) plane as Tedros prepared to board a flight. Tedros recounted the chilling moments on X (formerly Twitter): “As we were about to board our flight from Sanaa, the airport came under aerial bombardment. One of our plane’s crew members sustained injuries. The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge – just a few metres from where…
PMSA Rescues Nine Crew Members of Indian Cargo Vessel In a significant act of regional maritime cooperation, the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) rescued nine crew members from the Indian cargo dhow Tajdare Haram on Tuesday, December 26. The vessel reported water ingress 120 nautical miles south of Karachi, prompting the crew to abandon ship and take refuge in a life raft. The incident occurred around 11 a.m., and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Mumbai sent a distress alert to PMSA. The PMSA quickly launched a Search and Rescue (SAR) operation, deploying an aircraft and directing nearby merchant vessels…
DG ISPR Reaffirms Pakistan Military’s Stance on May 9 Violence and National Security Challenges RAWALPINDI: Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, reaffirmed the Pakistan Armed Forces’ unwavering stance on the May 9 violence during a press conference held on Friday. He described the events as not just an affront to the military but also to the sentiments of the entire nation. May 9 Violence: A National Concern Addressing the press, the DG ISPR highlighted that the attacks carried out on May 9, 2023, represented a severe challenge to Pakistan’s societal fabric. “If armed groups…
CM Sarfaraz Bugti Highlights Reforms and Social Projects in Balochistan In a conference held in Quetta on Thursday, BalochistanCM Sarfaraz Bugti unveiled various collaborative welfare initiatives being undertaken through public-private partnerships. The CM emphasized the province’s ongoing reforms, anti-corruption measures, and social development projects while calling for societal unity in combating terrorism. Addressing Corruption and Merit in Recruitment During his speech, CCM Sarfaraz Bugti identified corruption as a significant obstacle to development in Balochistan. He detailed efforts to tackle the issue, highlighting the government’s commitment to merit-based recruitment, especially in the education sector. However, he pointed out challenges, such as…