At a time when households are already squeezed by inflation, the proposal to impose new fixed monthly electricity charges on residential consumers — including the poorest — reflects a troubling shift in policy priorities. Nepra is considering fixed charges ranging from Rs200 to Rs675. On paper, the slabs appear modest. But they mark a structural change in […]
Pakistan’s economic engine is being choked by organised crime, with top cops and even wealthy businessmen now freely admitting who runs the show. The Karachi police chief told journalists the other day that members of his own department are involved with organised crime, while also pointing fingers at bureaucrats, politicians and members of the media, […]
We should be judged by what we have done to our heroes. On the one hand, we have erased from our collective memory the contributions of a vast gallery of towering figures from this region. On the other, even those whom we do hail as national heroes are rarely accepted in their totality; instead, we […]
The analysis scene in Pakistan over situation in Balochistan, especially the former Kalat State, is in overdrive. Most analysts lament the policy adopted by Pakistan over decades in dealing with Baloch ‘grievances’ and ‘sense of deprivation’, blaming this or that civil or military government. Some are crying hoarse that the issue has ‘political solution’ only, […]
The latest UNSC monitoring team report has reignited an old but unresolved debate: is Afghanistan once again becoming a safe space for militant groups, and what does that mean for Pakistan and the wider region? The report challenges the Afghan Taliban’s claim that no terrorist organisations operate from Afghan soil. It states that groups such […]
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Wednesday has termed the launch of digital property registration a revolutionary and historic initiative for overseas Pakistanis, calling the new system helpful in eliminating long-standing hurdles faced by expatriates in buying and selling properties. “Under the new mechanism, overseas Pakistanis would be able to complete sale deeds online […]
National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has allowed the federal government to levy a fixed charge of up to Rs350 per month on domestic consumers – including protected one – using up to 300 units. The regulator also allowed a reduction of up to Rs4.58 per unit and Rs1.53 per unit, respectively for different categories […]
Security officials on Wednesday categorically rejected military role in politics and termed recent statement by the opposition leader in National Assembly (NA) against the armed forces as “regrettable and based on falsehoods.” “The opposition leader’s recent statement against the Pakistan Army is highly regrettable. No narrative can weaken the bond between the army and the […]
The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training on Wednesday ordered investigations into alleged financial irregularities in the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and announced strict measures to address the issue of fake degrees, while also declaring a controversial meeting held at the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) null […]
Australian snowboarder Cam Bolton was airlifted to hospital with two neck fractures following a fall in training and is out of the Winter Olympics. The 35-year-old suffered the injury on Monday but complained of “worsening neck pain” the following day, the Australian Olympic Committee said. A CT scan identified that his neck was broken in […]