The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) held another meeting on Monday regarding the allocation of reserved seats, but no decision was reached. Chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, the meeting included ECP members, senior officials, and legal experts. Consultations with the legal team are expected to continue. The issue remains unresolved despite several previous meetings. Earlier, the Supreme Court ruled that the reserved seats should be allocated to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), affirming that the party is entitled to the seats after participating in the February 8 elections. On September 14, the Supreme Court dismissed the ECP’s petition, urging…
Author: Saifullah
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Customs authorities at Islamabad Airport have seized over 30 imported phones, including the newly launched iPhone 16 Pro Max. The phones were confiscated from passengers arriving from the UAE. According to sources, one of the passengers, a resident of Quetta, was allegedly in contact with a Customs official to facilitate the smuggling. However, the attempt was foiled by other staff members. Read More: PTI to Hold Next Rally in Mianwali on September 29 Unofficial prices for the iPhone 16 Pro Max in Pakistan could reach up to Rs900,000 for PTA-approved models. Customs authorities have registered an FIR against the passenger, though…
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, has announced that the party’s next rally will be held in Mianwali on September 29 (Sunday). Speaking to the media, he highlighted the challenges PTI has faced in obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for organizing rallies. Khan emphasized that even when the NOCs are granted, the imposed conditions often make it difficult to proceed with the events. Reflecting on the recent rally in Lahore, Khan noted the hurdles, such as road closures, which delayed many attendees, including himself, and other key figures. Despite these obstacles, the rally attracted a large crowd.…
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought clarification from the federal government regarding the potential trial of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in a military court. The court raised serious concerns over the possibility of trying a civilian in a military court, emphasizing the gravity of the matter for both the petitioner and the judiciary. During the hearing, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb called on Assistant Attorney General Azmat Bashir Tarar, instructing him to consult with the Attorney General’s office and provide a clear response on the matter. The hearing was adjourned until the court receives clarification from the Attorney…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) decision to cut the policy rate by 2 per cent, reducing it from 19.5 per cent to 17.5 per cent. He expressed hope that this move would boost exports, investment, business, agriculture, and overall economic growth. While presiding over a federal cabinet committee meeting, he also anticipated that the policy rate could eventually drop to single digits, aligning with the country’s inflation rate. On negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), PM Sharif noted that discussions were progressing smoothly. He thanked friendly nations for their continued support, which has…
The State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has reduced the key policy rate by 200 basis points to 17.5%, marking the third consecutive rate cut. The new rate is effective from September 13, 2024. The decision follows a significant drop in both headline and core inflation over the last two months, primarily due to delayed energy price hikes and favorable global oil and food prices. Despite these improvements, the MPC highlighted the uncertainty surrounding these factors, which warranted a cautious approach. Key factors influencing the decision include declining global oil prices, improved business confidence, and a noticeable…
The government has increased the electricity tariff by Rs1.74 per unit through a quarterly adjustment, impacting consumers across the country, including those served by K-Electric and distribution companies (DISCOs). The revised rates, effective for September, October, and November, are expected to generate over Rs43 billion in additional revenue from consumers. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) had submitted its decision on the quarterly adjustment to the federal government on September 6, which has now been approved and implemented. In a related development, the Punjab government has revoked its Rs14 per unit electricity subsidy for Islamabad consumers following objections raised…
In a bid to address escalating unrest in Balochistan, the federal government is expected to approve a proposal for establishing internment centres for terror suspects in the province. This move comes in the wake of a deadly series of terrorist attacks on August 26, which left over 50 people, including security officials, martyred. The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the coordinated attacks across 10 districts, marking one of the deadliest incidents in recent years. In response, the government, alongside key stakeholders, reviewed the security situation and proposed granting special powers to law enforcement agencies, including the army,…
Residents of Swat and nearby regions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced a jolt on Monday as an earthquake struck the area. The Pakistan Meteorological Department reported that the earthquake registered a magnitude of 4.5 on the Richter scale. The tremors were felt across Swat and its surroundings, causing momentary panic among residents. The earthquake’s depth was recorded at 151 km, with the epicentre located in the Hindu Kush mountain range, a seismically active area known for frequent quakes. Despite the strong tremors, there have been no immediate reports of significant damage or casualties. Authorities are actively assessing the situation to ensure…
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has issued sharp criticism of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership, calling on them to take responsibility for the worsening law and order situation in the province. Speaking to the media, Kundi highlighted the lack of attention from PTI leaders during times of crisis. “When our province was facing a worsening law and order crisis, there was a noticeable lack of attention,” he remarked. Addressing speeches made at a recent PTI rally, Kundi expressed concerns over the use of undemocratic methods in recent political movements, stressing that such actions undermine the country’s political landscape. “My…
