Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has formally announced the auction of special vehicle number plates bearing the names of prominent political and national figures, including President Asif Ali Zardari, former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan. According to a private television report, the provincial government has decided to include the names of key political leaders and other notable personalities in the upcoming auction of fancy and unique choice number plates. The move is aimed at generating additional revenue while responding to growing public interest in personalised vehicle registration numbers. Provincial Minister for Excise and Taxation Fakhr Jahan, speaking to…
Author: Web Desk2
Lahore: Thick fog has gripped several plain areas of Punjab, forcing the closure of multiple motorways due to poor visibility, motorway police confirmed on Wednesday. According to a spokesperson for the Motorway Police Central Region, Motorway M-2 has been closed for traffic from Lahore to Islamabad, while M-3 remains shut from Faizpur to Jaranwala. Similarly, Motorway M-4 is closed between Pindi Bhattian and Faisalabad, and the Lahore–Sialkot Motorway (M-11) has been blocked from Kala Shah Kaku to Sambrial. In addition, Motorway M-14 has been closed from Isa Khel to the Indus River due to extremely low visibility. Authorities have also…
Web Desk: Australia has tightened scrutiny of student visa applications from India by placing the country in the ‘highest risk category’, significantly increasing checks on Indian students. According to India’s Times of India, the new classification came into effect on January 8, 2026, under which India has been moved from Evidence Level 2 to Evidence Level 3 in Australia’s Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF). Australian media reports said the decision was taken outside the regular review schedule, indicating serious concerns among authorities. Following the new classification, Australian visa authorities will more strictly assess financial capacity, academic background and English language…
Islamabad: There is good news for Pakistani consumers as the government is likely to reduce prices of petroleum products once again, marking the fourth consecutive relief for the public. According to official sources, prices of petroleum products are expected to be revised downward from January 16, providing further relief at the start of the new year. Sources said that petrol prices may be reduced by up to Rs4.59 per litre, while high-speed diesel is expected to become cheaper by Rs2.70 per litre. In addition, kerosene oil may see a reduction of Rs1.82 per litre, while light diesel oil is likely…
Web Desk: A severe cold wave continues to affect the plains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, prompting the provincial government to revise school timings across the region. According to a notification issued by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Department, school timings have been changed with effect from January 16, following the end of winter vacations. The notification stated that all primary schools in the province’s plain areas will operate from 9:00am to 1:30pm due to the prevailing cold weather. It further said that middle, high, and higher secondary schools will observe classes from 9:00am to 2:20pm. The decision has been taken to ensure…
LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to launch a unique “Agriculture Lab on Wheels” initiative to provide on-the-spot services to farmers across the province. According to the Agriculture Department, mobile laboratories will be set up in 15 districts of Punjab, enabling farmers to get immediate testing and reports of soil and water samples at their fields. The initiative aims to help farmers accurately assess soil fertility and water quality, which are critical for improving crop yields. The mobile labs will be monitored through a central control room to ensure transparency, efficiency and quality of services. To further strengthen agricultural extension…
BEIJING: China on Tuesday announced that it would take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests after the United States imposed additional tariffs on countries doing business with Iran. The statement came after US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on nations engaged in trade with Iran, saying the move would take effect immediately. President Trump said the decision was taken in response to a crackdown on anti-government protests in Iran. China is currently Iran’s largest trading partner, making the announcement particularly significant. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington said in a statement that…
KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Monday said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will not be allowed to stage a strike in Sindh on February 8, accusing the party of attempting to recreate a May 9–like situation in Karachi. Criticising the recent Karachi visit of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister’s aide Suhail Afridi, Sharjeel Memon said that PTI deliberately tried to create unrest in the city and violated the law. He said the Sindh government had no intention of harassing Suhail Afridi, but PTI appeared to be in a “mischievous mode”. Despite a security threat alert, permission was granted…
ISLAMABAD: Director General ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has stressed that unity and consensus on the national narrative regarding national security is the need of the hour. He expressed these views during a meeting with members of the National Paigham-e-Aman Committee (NPAC), a body formed to help shape and promote a unified national narrative. During the meeting, NPAC members reaffirmed their unwavering solidarity with the Pakistan Armed Forces. The discussion focused on internal security challenges, particularly in the context of Fitna al-Khawarij, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA). The participants also reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance on Kashmir and…
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court has declared the increase in excise duty under the Balochistan Finance Act 2020 as constitutional, dismissing a petition filed against the Balochistan government. A two-member bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Rozi Khan Barrech heard the case. A 15-page written verdict, authored by Justice Aamer Farooq, was issued on Monday. The court rejected the petition filed by Attock Cement, accepting the principle of “dual aspect”, under which a law may have both federal and provincial dimensions. In its written judgment, the court stated that a single law can have both federal and provincial aspects,…
