The Punjab government is considering delaying the reopening of schools by another week as floodwaters continue to devastate several districts and displace thousands of residents. Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman chaired a review meeting at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) headquarters to assess the situation in the worst-hit areas. Officials discussed ongoing relief efforts,…
Authorities in Sialkot have ordered all schools and colleges to remain closed on August 29 and 30 as flooding continues to wreak havoc across the district. The directive, issued by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sialkot, comes after days of relentless rainfall and surging river levels that have damaged roads, homes, and farmland. Officials say the move…
Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has rolled out new reporting obligations for online marketplaces, courier companies, and payment intermediaries in an effort to plug tax loopholes and improve oversight of the country’s expanding digital economy. New Compliance Requirements for Digital Platforms Under changes introduced through SRO.1634(I)/2025, amendments have been made to the Income Tax…
Sindh’s provincial legislators have quietly approved a 200% salary increase for themselves, tripling their monthly earnings to nearly Rs450,000, even as much of the province struggles with inflation and stagnant wages. The raise, finalized after a cross-party committee meeting in Karachi, comes just weeks after the Sindh Assembly passed a bill authorizing the pay boost….
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) is looking to open the country’s private fund market to a wider pool of investors, including individuals and foreign participants, in a move aimed at spurring growth in private equity and venture capital. Wider Investor Access Under proposals outlined in a July 2025 consultation paper, the regulator…
Pakistan has accused India of deliberately releasing massive torrents from its dams without proper warning, describing the move as a dangerous escalation of tensions over shared water resources. Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal labeled the action “water weaponisation,” saying it has worsened devastating flooding in Punjab. Speaking on Geo News, Iqbal alleged that India…
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft, and Google are joining forces to support the Linux Foundation’s DocumentDB project, a move that could reshape the enterprise database market. The initiative offers an open-source alternative to proprietary NoSQL databases, giving businesses more control over their data and reducing reliance on a single vendor. A Strategic Shift in the…
Parking at Islamabad International Airport just got more expensive. The airport has increased its parking fees, drawing criticism from travelers and visitors who say the decision adds unnecessary financial pressure. Steeper Fees for Short and Long Stays Under the revised rates, visitors will now pay Rs 120 for the first three hours of parking, up…
A historic Sikh shrine in Kartarpur has been swallowed by floodwaters after the Ravi River burst through a key embankment, trapping hundreds and cutting off surrounding roads. Local officials confirmed that 200 to 300 people are stranded near Gurdwara Darbar Sahib as floodwaters inundate the site, prompting a large-scale evacuation effort led by the Pakistan…
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have finalized their 15-man squad for the upcoming T20 tri-series against Pakistan and Afghanistan, a crucial preparation phase before hosting the Asia Cup. The series, scheduled from August 29 to September 7 in Sharjah, pits the UAE against two of Asia’s cricket powerhouses. Pakistan and Afghanistan will open the competition…
Elon Musk’s AI venture, xAI, has filed a federal lawsuit accusing Apple and OpenAI of colluding to stifle competition in the booming artificial intelligence sector. The suit, lodged in a Texas federal court, alleges that Apple’s exclusive partnership with OpenAI—particularly the deep integration of ChatGPT into iPhones, iPads, and Macs—creates an uneven playing field that…
Lyten, a California-based battery startup, has thrown itself into one of Europe’s most ambitious clean-tech challenges: reviving domestic electric vehicle (EV) battery production. Earlier this month, the company stunned the industry by acquiring the assets of bankrupt Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt — once hailed as Europe’s best hope for competing with China’s battery dominance. The…
Pakistan’s disaster authorities have issued a high-level flood warning as heavy monsoon rains and India’s planned water release from the Madhopur Dam threaten to push river levels to dangerous heights over the next 48 hours. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed that India has filled the Thein Dam (Ranjit Sagar Dam) to 86% of…
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government is preparing to hand over management of 55 public colleges to private sector partners in an effort to address administrative inefficiencies and improve educational standards across the province. Colleges Facing Low Enrollment, Poor Oversight According to the Higher Education Department, these colleges—spread across multiple districts, including seven in Dera Ismail…
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Privatization has reviewed progress on the long-anticipated privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), with officials confirming that bidding is expected to open in the final quarter of this year. Committee chairman and MNA Farooq Sattar led the session on Monday, where the Privatization Commission briefed lawmakers on the ongoing…
Punjab’s Higher Education Department has finalized plans to kick off the second round of its laptop distribution program, aiming to support more high-achieving students across the province. The latest phase is set to begin in early September, with the provincial Chief Minister expected to personally oversee the opening ceremony. A detailed distribution schedule has already…
The Punjab government has launched a housing initiative offering free flats to industrial workers, with special provisions for widows and disabled workers. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced the program, calling it a step toward improving living conditions for the province’s labor force. Under the scheme, 3% of units will be set aside for widows of…
The federal government is preparing a Rs. 27 billion financial package to address the deepening crisis at the Utility Stores Corporation (USC), a once-vital retail network now crippled by debt and stalled operations. The plan, set to be presented to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) for approval, comes as lawmakers raise alarm over unpaid salaries,…
Islamabad authorities have sealed off all hiking trails in the Margalla Hills for the next two days following a forecast of heavy rains in the capital. A notification issued Saturday by the deputy commissioner’s office said the closure is a precautionary step to avoid accidents such as landslides and flash floods, both of which are…
A fierce monsoon storm tore through Dera Ismail Khan (DI Khan) on Sunday, leaving at least 10 people dead and more than 60 injured as torrential rains and powerful winds toppled power lines, destroyed homes, and submerged neighborhoods. The storm, one of the most severe this season, plunged much of the city into darkness after…
LAHORE – A family dinner at a Lahore eatery turned into tragedy after two young sisters died from suspected food poisoning, police confirmed Sunday. Authorities say six-year-old Tahreem and her four-year-old sister Arha fell critically ill shortly after eating at Rolling Palace, a restaurant located on PIA Road, on the night of August 16. Despite…
Former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has thrown his weight behind rising star Irfan Khan Niazi, urging T20 franchises worldwide to take notice of the all-rounder’s talent. Speaking on Saturday, Gillespie praised not only Niazi’s cricketing ability but also his temperament off the field. “Irfan is a quality cricketer and an even better human being,”…
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned citizens and tourists to postpone trips to Gilgit-Baltistan after days of heavy rainfall and glacial activity triggered floods, landslides, and widespread road closures across the region. Transport Links Severely Hit Connectivity in the mountainous north has been crippled, leaving many valleys cut off. Two critical bridges—the Shyok…
Honor has launched its latest foldable, the Magic V Flip 2, in China—an upgrade that sets new benchmarks in the flip-phone category. With a 5,500 mAh battery, it carries the largest power pack seen on any clamshell foldable so far, while also introducing a 200MP main camera. The move places Honor in direct competition with…