Islamabad/Washington, April 03: The Trump administration has seemingly delayed plans to impose visa restrictions on citizens from multiple countries due to concerns over inadequate vetting procedures identified by U.S. security agencies. The proposed travel restrictions were expected to affect travelers from over 40 countries, including Pakistan. This initiative stemmed from an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on January 20, titled Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other Threats. The order directed federal agencies to assess global screening protocols and recommend visa restrictions by March 21. However, the deadline passed without an announcement, and the State Department…
Author: Ahmad Mukhtar
Islamabad, April 03: IMF team will visit Pakistan from tomorrow, April 4, to prepare the budget for the next fiscal year. An IMF delegation will visit Pakistan from tomorrow to prepare the budget for the fiscal year 2025-26. According to sources, the delegation will hold talks with Pakistani officials regarding the budget for the next fiscal year, including tax revenue measures, expenditure control and other development expenditure budget. Sources say that the federal budget for the next fiscal year will be presented in the first week of June and before that, the IMF team will prepare proposals in consultation with…
Islamabad, April 03: In less than three months, the National Highway Authority (NHA) has once again raised toll taxes on motorways and highways, with increases ranging from 15% to 50%, effective April 1. The previous hike occurred on January 5. Under the latest revision, car tolls have increased from Rs60 to Rs70, while vans and jeeps now pay Rs150 instead of Rs100. The toll for buses has risen to Rs250 from Rs200. Owners of two- and three-axle trucks will now pay Rs300, up from Rs250, while articulated trucks face a new toll of Rs550, compared to the previous Rs500. Motorway…
Islamabad, April 03: Despite widespread speculation, Pakistan’s four major telecom operators—Jazz, Zong, Telenor, and Ufone—agree that the full extent of Starlink’s market influence remains unpredictable. Pakistan’s telecom landscape is on the brink of transformation as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) prepares to grant final approval for Starlink’s entry into the market. While excitement surrounds this development, skepticism within the industry remains due to uncertainties about its potential impact. However, they acknowledge that Starlink’s premium pricing is unlikely to replace traditional fiber-based internet services, particularly in urban areas. “In the short term, some customers may opt for Starlink, but its high…
Singapore, April 03: The global financial markets have been thrown into turmoil as the latest round of US tariffs escalates trade tensions, prompting investors to seek refuge in safe-haven assets like gold, bonds, and the yen. Concerns over a potential recession have intensified, leading to sharp declines across stock markets worldwide. Investor sentiment took a major hit after the US government implemented tariff increases that significantly raised import taxes to levels not seen in over a century. The impact was immediate, with the Nasdaq plummeting 3.2%, European stock futures down by nearly 2%, and Japan’s Nikkei index dropping 3% to…
Karachi, April 02: Pakistan President’s Corona test positive, he has been kept in isolation: Statement of personal physician President Asif Ali Zardari is undergoing treatment in a private hospital in Karachi. In a conversation with media, the President’s personal physician Dr. Asim Hussain said that President Asif Ali Zardari’s Corona test has come positive and he has been kept in isolation. He said that Asif Ali Zardari is under treatment by infectious disease specialists and there is a complete ban on meetings with him. Dr. Asim Hussain said that the President has been tested and complete monitoring is being carried…
Islamabad, April 02: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday to discuss key national security matters and the ongoing repatriation of Afghan nationals. During the meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office, Naqvi provided a detailed briefing on:🔹 Security measures during Eid ul Fitr🔹 Progress on the return of undocumented Afghan nationals🔹 Enforcement actions post-deadline for repatriation Security During Eid ul Fitr & Law Enforcement Efforts PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction over the peaceful observance of Eid, commending law enforcement agencies for their role in maintaining security. Afghan Repatriation Deadline Extended The government has postponed the…
Islamabad, April 02: SpaceX shared the first glimpse of the Earth’s poles from space, to which Elon Musk’s reaction has also come to light. SpaceX’s private space mission From 2 has shared amazing views as it passes over the Earth’s north and south poles for the first time. The spacecraft was launched on March 31 and reached low Earth orbit in just 10 minutes. A stunning video taken from space shows the views of the Earth’s north and south poles from the Dragon capsule rotating at a 90-degree tilt. Amazing view of Earth from space Elon Musk responded to the…
Lahore, April 02: A Serene Air flight from Lahore to Jeddah narrowly avoided disaster after experiencing an engine malfunction shortly after takeoff, forcing an emergency landing, Media reported. Flight ER821, which had already faced an eight-hour delay, took off from Allama Iqbal International Airport when it encountered severe engine vibrations soon after departure. The cockpit crew swiftly identified the issue and immediately alerted air traffic control (ATC), requesting emergency clearance to return. ATC promptly granted permission, and the pilot successfully landed the aircraft back at Lahore airport without incident. Passenger Safety and Investigation More than 200 passengers were safely deboarded and…
Islamabad, April 02: Pakistan has postponed its March 31 deadline for the deportation of hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees, citing the Eidul Fitr holidays, a government official confirmed on Tuesday. The deadline, initially set as part of Pakistan’s broader efforts to repatriate Afghan nationals, has been extended until early next week to accommodate the holiday period. Once the new deadline expires, Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders—who number around 800,000 according to United Nations estimates—will be subject to deportation. Meanwhile, over 1.3 million Afghans with Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, issued by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), will be relocated outside…
