In the first phase of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) “ jail Bharo Tehreek (court arrest movement)”, the party’s senior leaders — Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Asad Umar — have voluntarily decided to surrender themselves to the authorities. Addressing a press conference in Lahore, senior party leader Fawad Chaudhry said that PTI Vice Chairman Qureshi and PTI Secretary General Umar …

  CHINA, Feb 21 (AFP): China’s foreign minister said Tuesday that Beijing is “deeply concerned” about the conflict in Ukraine, which is “intensifying and even getting out of control”. Beijing will “work with the international community to promote dialogue and consultation, address the concerns of all parties and seek common security”, Qin Gang said in a speech on global security …

  ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (EW):  A district and session court in the federal capital on Tuesday approved a plea filed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s exemption from physical appearance in the Toshakhana case, deferring his indictment again. Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal heard the case when Mr Khan’s lawyer Gohar Ali Khan and prosecutor Saad Hassan appeared in the court. …

  ISLAMABAD, Feb 17 (EW): Minister of State for Petroleum Dr Musadik Malik has said that while implementing the latest hike in the gas tariff, “the government tried its best not to impose burden on the low-income segment.” Speaking to media on the sidelines of the second and last day of the business conference, The Future Summit, in Karachi at …

  ISLAMABAD, Feb 17 (EW): The Islamabad Police on Friday opened a criminal investigation against an unknown person for “domesticating” a leopard, a day after it ran free and injured several people in an upscale residential area of the capital. Yesterday, video clips of the feline jumping across walls and navigating roads in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase II …

  ISLAMABAD, Feb 17 (EW): The National Assembly session was adjourned on Friday without voting on the finance bill after a brief debate on the budget proposals. “The NA session has been adjourned to meet again on Monday, the 20th February, 2023 at 5:00 pm,” it was announced on the official Twitter handle of the lower house. Finance Minister Ishaq …

  ISLAMABD, Feb 16 (EW): The Islamabad Police said there has been progress in the investigation of the F-9 park rape case — in which two armed men allegedly raped a woman in the federal capital’s recreational site. Taking to Twitter, a spokesperson for the police said it has tracked down the suspects; however, denied making any arrests so far. …

  Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Ishaq Dar Wednesday introduced the Finance Bill 2023 or the “mini-budget” in the National Assembly as the government seeks to fulfil the prerequisites for unlocking the $1.1 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan. Running against time to pacify the IMF for the revival of the bailout programme, the government had last night approved …

  ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (EW):  President Dr Arif Alvi has advised the government to take fiscal measures of Rs170 billion through additional taxes as agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by introducing a bill in the Parliament instead of issuing an Ordinance. According to the Finance Ministry, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday met with the president and apprised …

  ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (EW):   The federal government is mulling over another sharp hike in petroleum products as the cash-strapped country is seeking to unlock a vital bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The sharp increase in fuel prices is on the cards as the government is taking desperate measures to meet conditions tabled by the global lender as …