MULTAN: A major controversy has erupted at Multan International Airport after allegations surfaced regarding a “fake” auction of seized cigarette consignments worth millions of rupees, raising serious questions about transparency within the Customs Department. According to sources, large quantities of assorted cigarette brands confiscated from international passengers were allegedly auctioned under questionable circumstances, with several dealers claiming they were deliberately excluded from the bidding process. Traders accused customs officials of conducting the auction before the officially announced time and favoring selected parties. Affected dealers staged a protest, alleging that influential groups from Lahore were given undue advantage while local bidders…
Author: Imran Ali Khan
ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday acknowledged that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was now standing “firmly” with the Centre and armed forces in the fight against terrorism, saying all stakeholders were finally “on the same page” after years of strained coordination. Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly of Pakistan during a heated session overshadowed by political clashes and allegations over the deteriorating security situation, the defence minister said the Centre and provinces had to jointly shoulder responsibility for combating militancy. “We did not have the KP government’s cooperation for a very long time, but…
WASHINGTON/TEHRAN: The strategic Strait of Hormuz briefly reopened on Saturday before Iran’s military announced it was again under “strict control,” deepening uncertainty over one of the world’s most critical energy corridors amid escalating tensions with the United States. According to Iranian state media, military central command confirmed that “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous status” after a short-lived reopening that had allowed more than a dozen commercial vessels to pass through the narrow waterway. The reversal came just hours after Iran had declared the strait open following a temporary ceasefire arrangement linked to broader regional…
The Lahore High Court Multan Bench has set aside orders of the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue and Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals) in a significant tax reference involving advance tax under Section 236H of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, holding that liability cannot be determined on the basis of arbitrary percentage formulas without legal backing. The case was strongly contested by Advocate Furqan Ahmed Khan, representing the respondent-taxpayer, assisted by Mr. Rehan Ahmad Khan Advocate, while the department was represented by its counsel before the court. The court, while deciding Income Tax References Nos. 62 to 65 of 2025 through a…
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki, has reiterated that the Saudi government and people will never leave Pakistan alone, emphasizing that the bilateral relationship continues to grow stronger and more stable with each passing day. The remarks came during the launch of Ramadan food packages for deserving families across Pakistan, organized by King Salman Relief Center. Speaking to the media, Ambassador Al-Maliki said that the relief center, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has begun distributing aid in 30 districts under the Food Basket Project (5) Pakistan 2026, targeting 192,500 vulnerable individuals. Each food…
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday underscored the importance of close cooperation between the federal government and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) administration during his first meeting with Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s House at the premier’s invitation, with both leaders discussing issues ranging from KP’s finances to counterterrorism efforts. Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam were also present. According to a statement reported by PTV News, PM Shehbaz stressed that “close and effective communication between the Centre and the provinces…
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday acknowledged the World Bank Group’s (WBG) pivotal role in supporting Pakistan’s economic development and reform agenda, describing the institution as a long-standing and reliable development partner. The prime minister made these remarks during a meeting with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, who paid a courtesy call on him at the Prime Minister’s House during his first official visit to Pakistan since assuming office. Welcoming Mr Banga, the prime minister expressed appreciation for the World Bank Group’s continued support, particularly through the 10-year Country Partnership Framework (CPF), which aligns closely with Pakistan’s development…
New Delhi/Brussels: India and the European Union have finalized a landmark trade agreement, ending a nine-year negotiation hiatus and marking a major pivot in global trade dynamics. Leaders on both sides hailed the pact as a game-changer for commerce and economic ties. The deal, expected to double EU exports to India by 2032, will eliminate or reduce tariffs on 96.6% of traded goods by value, translating to savings of €4 billion ($4.75 billion) for European companies, according to EU officials. The EU will cut tariffs on 99.5% of goods over seven years, including immediate zero duties on Indian marine products,…
Riyadh:The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, visited Riyadh’s King Faisal Specialist Hospital on Friday, January 16, for his routine medical check-up. During the examination, all necessary tests and assessments were conducted, and the results were fully satisfactory. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Royal Court stated that after the successful completion of the medical examination, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques returned to his royal palace. Saudi authorities assured the public and the international community that King Salman’s health is secure and that this check-up is a…
The Pakistan Armed Forces have once again demonstrated their commitment to adapting to modern warfare, conducting extensive exercises to showcase their readiness for multi-domain operations (MDO) a contemporary military approach integrating air, land, cyber, electronic, and information warfare in a unified strategy. According to defense sources, these exercises are part of ongoing efforts to align Pakistan’s military capabilities with evolving global and regional security challenges, ensuring that the armed forces are prepared to respond decisively to both conventional and asymmetric threats. During the drills, Pakistan’s forces displayed a high degree of operational coordination. Electronic warfare systems were deployed to disrupt…