LAHORE – The Punjab government has completed the balloting of 2,000 free residential plots for deserving families under the chief minister’s Apni Zameen Apna Ghar programme, officials said on Thursday. Successful applicants across 19 districts have been allotted block and plot numbers, marking a major step in the province’s low-income housing initiative aimed at providing shelter to homeless families. Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yasin personally called several successful applicants from Jhelum and Kasur to inform them of their plot numbers, sizes and block details, congratulating them on their selection. Beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the provincial government and shared their excitement…
Author: Web Desk2
ISLAMABAD – The federal government has introduced a new incentive package for overseas Pakistanis and announced civil awards to honour distinguished expatriates for their services to the country. According to officials, the awards will be presented during the Pakistan Day ceremony in March 2026, where outstanding overseas Pakistanis from around the world will receive national civil honours in recognition of their contributions. The government said the comprehensive package is aimed at facilitating expatriates and their families. It includes a range of special incentives designed to improve services and engagement with the diaspora. A key feature of the initiative is a…
ISLAMABAD – Authorities sealed Islamabad’s Red Zone on Friday ahead of a protest announced by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and a joint opposition alliance, blocking access to Parliament and surrounding roads. The main gate of Parliament House was shut, with heavy police deployment inside and outside the premises. Prisoner vans and an armoured vehicle were stationed outside the building as security was tightened. Shahrah-e-Dastoor was completely closed from Radio Pakistan Chowk, where a large police contingent was deployed. Law enforcement officials stopped both citizens and lawmakers from moving toward Parliament. PTI lawmakers Iqbal Afridi and Umair Niazi were halted at Radio Pakistan…
LAHORE – Former Pakistan Muslim League-N leader and ex-member of the Punjab Assembly Zaeem Qadri has passed away, family sources confirmed on Thursday. According to relatives, his funeral prayers will be offered after Maghrib at 26 Lawrence Road in Lahore. Born on December 25, 1964, in Lahore, Zaeem Qadri served as a member of the Punjab Assembly from 2008 to 2018. During his political career, he worked closely with then Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif as an adviser and also served as spokesperson for the Punjab government. He later parted ways with the PML-N in 2018 following internal party differences…
COLOMBO: Zimbabwe pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the T20 World Cup, defeating Australia by 23 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday. Chasing a competitive target of 170, Australia were bowled out for 146 in 19.3 overs as Zimbabwe’s pace attack delivered a disciplined and clinical performance. Matthew Renshaw fought a lone battle with 65 runs, while Glenn Maxwell scored 31 and captain Travis Head managed 17. The rest of the batting line-up failed to reach double figures, triggering a dramatic collapse. Fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani led the charge with a match-winning spell of 4 for…
DHAKA: In a historic development for Bangladesh, preliminary results of the Bangladesh Referendum 2026 indicate that 67% of voters have supported sweeping constitutional reforms proposed under a Gen Z-led movement. This referendum, held alongside the country’s 13th national parliamentary elections, marks a significant step in reshaping the political and constitutional landscape after the end of Sheikh Hasina’s two-decade-long rule. The elections themselves were a culmination of 18 months of intense student-led activism. This movement, originating in July 2024, successfully challenged long-standing political structures and called for democratic reforms, transparency, and accountability in governance. The referendum was a mechanism to give…
ISLAMABAD: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has agreed in principle to extend Pakistan’s $2 billion deposit for two months, offering temporary relief ahead of key IMF review talks. The move means the UAE extends Pakistan loan repayment until April 17, 2026. A senior official confirmed that Abu Dhabi has agreed to roll over the amount for a short period at an interest rate of 6.5%. According to sources, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar contacted senior Emirati officials earlier this week to secure the extension. Officials said the formal approval is expected soon. Previously, only four days remained…
COLOMBO: The much-awaited high-voltage clash between the Pakistan national cricket team and the India national cricket team in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is under threat due to rain forecast in Colombo. According to reports, both teams are scheduled to face off on February 15 at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. However, weather experts have warned that persistent rainfall and thunderstorms could disrupt the crucial encounter. Cricket fans eagerly waiting for the blockbuster showdown are closely monitoring weather updates, hoping the rain stays away on match day. Weather forecasts indicate that rainfall is expected to begin…
DHAKA: In a major political shift, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has secured a landslide victory in Bangladesh’s historic general elections, winning 209 out of 300 seats in parliament and gaining a two-thirds majority. According to local television channels, the BNP-led alliance dominated the polls, while the alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami managed to win 68 seats. These elections were held for the first time after the 2024 anti-government movement that led to the fall of the long-serving government of Sheikh Hasina. The vote was widely seen as crucial for restoring political stability in the country. BNP chief and strong prime…
Islamabad: Federal Minister for Energy Awais Leghari informed the National Assembly on Thursday that the government has suspended the implementation of the policy aimed at transitioning from net metering to net billing. Defending the existing net metering framework during a parliamentary session, the minister said the government had carefully reviewed the impact of proposed regulatory changes. Leghari stated that across the country, approximately 466,000 consumers are currently using net metering. According to him, these consumers are earning up to 50 percent annual returns on their investment. He explained that electricity produced at around Rs5 per unit is being sold to…
