Islamabad, April 04: A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has arrived in Pakistan to conduct a comprehensive assessment of governance and corruption as part of ongoing reform discussions. Key Objectives of the IMF Mission The IMF team will hold meetings with Pakistani officials starting Monday, focusing on: Technical assistance to enhance Pakistan’s reform capacity Governance improvements and anti-corruption measures Review of fiscal year 2025-26 budget proposals Tax revenue enhancements & expenditure control Sources indicate that the IMF will engage in follow-up negotiations regarding technical support for governance reforms. The team will also work with Finance Ministry officials to finalize…
Author: Ahmad Mukhtar
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Islamabad/Houston, April 04: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has shut down 40 illegal game rooms in Houston, marking one of the largest crackdowns in Texas history. Dubbed Operation Double Down, the FBI’s investigation uncovered a $22 million illegal gambling and money laundering network that had been operating for over 15 years. The large-scale operation involved over 700 law enforcement personnel executing 85 warrants across 45 locations. Operation Double Down: A $22 Million Gambling and Money Laundering Scheme This resulted in 45 arrests and the seizure of millions in illicit assets, firearms, and illegal slot machines. Alleged Mastermind: Nazir Ali…
Islamabad, April 04: Shafaat Ali, Director of the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), announced on Friday that Pakistan will send two merit-based astronauts for training in China, marking a significant milestone as the first foreign country to participate in Beijing’s space station training program. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan signed an agreement with China to train Pakistani astronauts. The candidates will be selected based on merit, including PhD holders, experienced pilots, and graduates who meet specific physical requirements, Ali explained during an interview with a private news channel. Ali emphasized that the collaboration…
Islamabad, April 04: The US government has expressed concerns about Pakistan’s trade and investment policies, citing their negative impact on American businesses, particularly after US President Donald Trump imposed a 29% reciprocal tariff on Pakistan. According to a report titled 2025 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, US companies have raised issues with high tariff rates and, in some instances, additional duties imposed on products like automobiles and finished goods in Pakistan. The report highlights that US exporters in Pakistan face challenges such as inconsistent customs valuation, excessive documentation requirements, and penalties arising from outdated invoicing rules, increasing…
Islamabad, April 04: A so-called “city-killer” asteroid, initially feared to be on a collision course with Earth, may instead crash into the Moon, according to updated observations from NASA scientists. Asteroid 2024 YR4, discovered last year, raised concerns when early projections suggested a 3% chance of striking Earth in December 2032. If it had collided with Earth, the impact could have caused devastation up to 80 kilometers from the site. However, further tracking and analysis have since ruled out an Earth impact, lowering the threat level to almost zero. But new data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has increased…
Islamabad, April 04: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visited the Embassy of Myanmar in Islamabad today, where he signed the Condolence Book in memory of the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025. The Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by the Ambassador of Myanmar, H.E. Wunna Han, who expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister’s visit and for the relief assistance Pakistan has provided to those affected by the disaster. In his message, the Prime Minister conveyed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan to the Government and people of Myanmar, acknowledging…
WASHINGTON/OTTAWA, April04: if US markets pass on complete tariff enforced by Trump Administration then the high-end iPhone would then cost $2300, which is way higher than now. This has started a new debate inside US markets. According to projections by Rosenblatt Securities, a high-end iPhone could see its price surge to nearly $2,300 if Apple decides to pass on the additional costs to consumers. In response to the tariffs, several multinational corporations have begun adjusting their operations. Stellantis has announced temporary layoffs for U.S. workers and the closure of plants in Canada and Mexico, while General Motors has signaled an…
Islamabad/Dubai, April 04: For any city aspiring to become a global hub for technology and startups, attracting the right talent is paramount. Dubai has perfected this strategy, demonstrating how proactive government initiatives and a thriving ecosystem can pull in top-tier innovators from around the world. A prime example is Raakin Iqbal, an entrepreneur who stumbled upon an opportunity in Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) while in the United States. Noticing limitations in AI platforms like ChatGPT, he delved into AGI research, exploring how AI could evolve beyond existing models to fully comprehend human cultural nuances. Dubai’s Swift Move to Secure a Tech…
ISLAMABAD, April 04: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, on the sidelines of a regional summit in Bangkok on Friday, marking their first official interaction since the ouster of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year, according to the Bangladesh government’s press office. Bilateral relations between the two South Asian nations, once strong under Hasina’s leadership, have soured following her departure from Bangladesh in August amid massive student-led protests. The former prime minister sought refuge in India, a move that has contributed to public resentment in Bangladesh toward its larger neighbor. Shifting Relations…
Islamabad/Seoul, April 04: South Korea’s Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday, removing him from office over his controversial martial law declaration last year, which led to the country’s most severe political crisis in decades. The verdict brings an end to months of political uncertainty that had overshadowed key domestic and foreign policy decisions, particularly in dealing with US President Donald Trump’s administration amid economic challenges in Asia’s fourth-largest economy. Under the South Korean Constitution, a new presidential election must be held within 60 days. Until then, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will serve as acting president.…
