Digital payments hit 2.8b transactions in Q1FY26: SBP

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has released its Quarterly Report on Payment Systems, highlighting growth in digital transactions and continued expansion of the country’s payment ecosystem during the first quarter of fiscal year 2025-26. According to an official statement issued on Tuesday, total payment volumes increased to 2.8 billion transactions in the quarter, reflecting […]

PAC flags massive irregularities in NHA

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday flagged massive financial irregularities involving the National Highway Authority (NHA), revealing that Rs26.4 billion in toll tax dues remain unpaid while another Rs16 billion could not be recovered from overloaded trucks, causing significant losses to the national exchequer. The PAC meeting, chaired by Moeen Amir Pirzada, reviewed audit […]

The year of the drone

The counterterrorism template has been amended significantly in 2025 through drone operations. The drone technology has not only enhanced the reach of LEAs but has also transformed the response of military and paramilitary forces in selective regions of the country. This however is attached with pitfalls and potential operational susceptibilities as well. Most importantly, the […]

The price of patience

Over the decades, the policy of Pakistan towards its western neighbour has been based on one simple assumption: a stable government in Afghanistan will eventually lead to peace in the region. Much political and security prices were paid by Islamabad and a lot of international criticism too was taken in the hope that Afghanistan must […]