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DPM orders swift evacuation of Pakistanis stranded in Iran, Iraq

Listen to article ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a high-level meeting on Wednesday to review ongoing evacuation efforts for Pakistani nationals currently stranded in Iran and Iraq. Dar was briefed on the progress made so far and on upcoming evacuation plans. Expressing satisfaction over the efforts, he directed the Ministry of Foreign […]

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Academy Museum Gala stages a red-carpet revival

KARACHI: The Academy Museum Gala has quickly established itself as one of Hollywood’s most exclusive and highly anticipated events. With its unique invitation-only approach, the gala offers exclusivity, star power, and – most importantly – a return to the kind of fashion that prioritises elegance over excess. Held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures […]

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Housing financeL Govt to provide markup subsidy

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced the government of Pakistan’s markup subsidy for affordable housing finance. In a statement, the central bank said the government would provide a markup subsidy facility for the construction and purchase of new houses. This facility will allow all individuals, who will be constructing or buying a new […]

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Kate Middleton cancels Royal Ascot appearance last minute

In an unexpected change of plans, Catherine, Princess of Wales, cancelled her appearance at Royal Ascot today, June 18, only moments before the event began. The royal had been scheduled to ride in the second carriage of the royal procession alongside her husband, Prince William, marking what would have been one of her few public […]

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Real Effective Exchange Rate improves to 97.81 in May

Listen to article KARACHI: Pakistan’s Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) index, a crucial indicator of trade competitiveness, improved to 97.81 in May 2025, according to a report released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). This represents a 1.5% drop from the previous month’s figure of 99.30, according to AKD Securities. The decrease in REER, which measures […]

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Taxes on hybrid cars, solar panels being withdrawn

Listen to article ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance on Tuesday unanimously rejected the proposed 18% sales tax on the import of solar panels, while the government also announced the withdrawal of another controversial measure to increase sales tax on hybrid vehicles, reversing both the anti-environment initiatives. The committee in its meeting, chaired by Pakistan […]

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Rickshaw ban extended

KARACHI: Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi extended the ban on three-seater and five-seater rickshaws on 20 major roads for another two months. The roads include Sharea Faisal, Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, II Chundrigar Road, Shershah Suri Road, Shaheed-e-Millat Road, Abdullah Haroon Road, Dau Talwar Shahrah-e-Firdous, Stadium Road, Sir Shah Sulaiman Road, Rashid Minhas Road, Mauripur Road, Shahrah-e-Pakistan, Hub River […]

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Juice industry seeks tax reduction

The Fruit Juice Council — a body representing the formal juice industry – has demanded the government to reduce the FED rate on the juice industry to 15%. The current 20% FED (on top of existing 18% GST) has stalled the juice industry’s growth and in FY2024-25 the government’s revenue projections fell short of its own […]

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K-P proposes hike in traffic fines under new budget

Listen to article The KhyberPakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has proposed substantial increases in traffic violation fines under its Finance Bill for 2025-26, with a particular focus on regulating three-wheelers and curbing underage driving. For the first time, a separate category has been created for three-wheeled vehicles, including rickshaws and loaders, Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Tuesday. […]

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