Blaze News - Pakistan

The federal government has announced a price hike for petroleum products, raising the cost of petrol by Rs8.36 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs10.39 per litre, according to a notification issued by the Finance Division late Monday night. The price of petrol has increased from Rs258.43 to 266.79 per litre, while HSD now costs Rs272.98 per litre, up from the previous Rs262.59. The new rates came into effect immediately from July 1. This adjustment follows recommendations from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and relevant ministries. The government stated that the rise in fuel prices is a result of fluctuating international market trends, which have impacted global oil prices. Fuel prices in Pakistan are reviewed fortnightly, with adjustments based on changes in international oil prices and the local currency exchange rate. On June 15, the government also increased the prices of petroleum products by up to Rs7.95 per litre. Based on the recommendations of the Oil and...

The United States will resume trade negotiations with Canada immediately after Ottawa scrapped its digital services tax targeting US technology firms, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on Monday. "Absolutely," Hassett said on Fox News Channel when asked about the talks restarting. US President Donald Trump had asked the Canadians to take the tax off at a G7 meeting in Canada earlier in June, he said. "It's something that they've studied, now they've agreed to, and for sure, that means that we can get back to the negotiations." Canada halted its plans to begin collecting a new digital services tax targeting US technology firms just hours before this was due to start on Monday in a bid to advance stalled trade negotiations with the US. Canada's finance ministry said late on Sunday that Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump would resume trade negotiations in order to agree on a deal by July 21. "Thank you Canada for removing your Digit...

Energy Minister Awais Leghari has written letters to all chief ministers regarding the decision to discontinue the collection of Electricity Duty through electricity bills starting from July 1, 2025. In his letters, the federal minister sought the support of all chief ministers in removing the complexities arising from multiple charges, taxes, and duties being collected through consumer bills. He stated that high electricity tariffs are already a significant challenge, and the additional burden of various levies further complicates the billing structure, making it difficult for consumers to understand and manage their electricity costs. The minister also highlighted the federal government's efforts to reduce power tariffs, including renegotiating Independent Power Producer (IPP) contracts, lowering the Return on Equity (ROE) for government-owned power plants, and implementing other structural reforms. Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari has written letters to all pro...

Karachi police have arrested three suspects, including a brother and two sisters who are popular TikTok personalities, in connection with a high-profile armed robbery involving over Rs130 million in cash and valuables from a home in the PECHS Block 2 area. According to police, the suspects posed as Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials to carry out the heist, which took place in the early hours of June 26. Ferozabad SHO Inam Junejo said the robbery occurred at around 3:30 am when the victim, Muhammad Saalik, returned to his residence on Khalid Bin Waleed Road and was ambushed while parking his car. Two armed men and three burqa-clad women emerged from a black vehicle, held Saalik hostage, and forced him inside the house. One suspect wore an FIA-style uniform bearing the agency’s logo to appear authentic, police said. Once inside, the suspects looted Rs130 million in cash, nine mobile phones including iPhones and Google Pixels, 20 luxury watches, a smartwatch, 25 branded perfumes...

Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir received a call from Iran’s top military commander on Sunday, with Tehran thanking Islamabad for its support during the 12-day war with Israel, Iranian Press TV media reported. During the conversation, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, praised Islamabad’s “courageous stance” during the crisis and thanked the people of Pakistan for their “bold positions” in condemning what he called unprovoked attacks by the Zionist regime. He credited Islamabad for standing by Tehran as Israeli strikes targeted senior military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians—including women and children—starting June 13. Gen Mousavi claimed that the US administration under President Donald Trump “spared no effort in assisting the Zionist regime” by attacking Iran’s civilian nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow—sites operating under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. “Alongside the US,” he ...

The United States and the Group of Seven nations have agreed to support a proposal that would exempt US companies from some components of an existing global agreement, the G7 said in a statement on Saturday. The group has created a 'side-by-side' system in response to the US administration agreeing to scrap the Section 899 retaliatory tax proposal from President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill, it said in a statement from Canada, the head of the rolling G7 presidency. The G7 said the plan recognizes existing US minimum tax laws and aims to bring more stability to the international tax system. UK businesses are also spared higher taxes after the removal of Section 899 from President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill. Read More: G7 leaders seek unity on Ukraine and Mideast as Trump defends Putin Britain said businesses would benefit from greater certainty and stability following the agreement. Some British businesses had in recent weeks said they were worried abou...

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday strongly condemned the suicide attack on security forces in North Waziristan, terming it a cowardly act sponsored by external forces aiming to destabilise the country. In their separate statements, the president and the prime minister paid tribute to the 13 soldiers martyred during the operation and praised the security forces for eliminating 14 terrorists in the ensuing exchange of fire while offering prayers for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families. Both leaders also wished a swift recovery for the three civilians – including two children and a woman – who were injured in the attack. Read More: 13 troops martyred in suicide attack on military convoy in North Waziristan President Zardari said the Pakistani nation and its armed forces were determined to uproot terrorism, particularly the “Indian-sponsored” networks operating in the region. He stressed th...

At least 31 people have died and dozens more have been injured in rain-related incidents across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces over the past 48 hours, authorities confirmed on Saturday. According to Radio Pakistan, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Punjab confirmed that 12 people were killed and 39 injured in separate incidents triggered by heavy rains and strong winds across the province. Most casualties were caused by collapsing roofs and lightning strikes. پی ڈی ایم اے کی جانب سے بارش، سیلاب/فلش فلڈ اور لینڈ سلائیڈنگ کے باعث صوبہ میں جانی و مالی نقصانات کی ابتدائی رپورٹ جاری* pic.twitter.com/pp3ruwaBB6 — PDMAKP OFFICIAL (@PDMAKP) June 28, 2025 The PDMA in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also issued a preliminary report detailing human and material losses caused by the severe weather. As per the report, at least 19 people have been killed and six others injured in various incidents caused by heavy rains, strong winds, flash floods, and landslides over the pa...

The US Supreme Court's landmark ruling blunting a potent weapon that federal judges have used to block government policies nationwide during legal challenges was in many ways a victory for President Donald Trump, except perhaps on the very policy he is seeking to enforce. An executive order that the Republican president signed on his first day back in office in January would restrict birthright citizenship - a far-reaching plan that three federal judges, questioning its constitutionality, quickly halted nationwide through so-called "universal" injunctions. The three judges found that the order likely violates citizenship language in the US Constitution's 14th Amendment. The directive remains blocked while lower courts reconsider the scope of their injunctions, and the Supreme Court said it cannot take effect for 30 days, a window that gives the challengers time to seek further protection from those courts. The court's six conservative justices delivered the majori...

President Donald Trump said on Friday he would consider bombing Iran again if Tehran was enriching uranium to a level that concerned the United States, and he backed inspections of Iran's bombed nuclear sites. “Sure, without question, absolutely,” Trump said when asked about the possibility of new bombing of Iranian nuclear sites if deemed necessary at some point. At a White House news conference, Trump said he plans to respond soon to comments from Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who said Iran "slapped America in the face" by launching an attack against a major US base in Qatar following last weekend's US bombing raid. Trump also said he would like inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or another respected source to be able to inspect Iran's nuclear sites after they were bombed last weekend. Trump said he believes the sites were “obliterated.” He rejected any suggestion that the damage to the sites was not as profound as he has cla...

Defence ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) were unable to adopt a joint statement at their meeting in Qingdao, China, after India reportedly refused to sign the document, claiming it was pro-Pakistan for not referencing the April attack on Indian tourists. The SCO is a 10-member Eurasian security and political bloc comprising China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran and several Central Asian states. The defence ministers’ meeting was held ahead of the annual leaders’ summit scheduled for later this year. Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif led Pakistan’s delegation at the meeting, where he reaffirmed the country’s commitment to regional stability, collective security and counterterrorism cooperation. In his address, the minister condemned Israel’s recent military actions against Iran and the continuing violence in Gaza while calling for peaceful resolutions to long-standing global disputes, including Kashmir and Palestine. Read More: SCO brings Paki...

Seven soldiers were killed in Gaza after an attack on their armoured vehicle, Israel said Wednesday, in one of the deadliest incidents for its forces in the more than 20-month war. The troops were operating in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis on Tuesday when their vehicle caught fire after assailants attached an explosive device to it, the Israeli military said. The army's website listed the names of the seven soldiers, including a platoon commander from the battalion who "fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip". "Yesterday afternoon, during an operational activity, an explosive device was attached to an armored Puma vehicle belonging to the brigade's forces," military spokesperson Effie Defrin told a briefing. "As a result, the armored vehicle caught fire. Rescue forces and helicopters were dispatched to the scene and made attempts to extract the soldiers, but were unsuccessful." Read More: Hamas-Israel ceasefire talks gain momentum as ...

Saudi Arabia and several Gulf countries have announced the sighting of the Muharram crescent moon, marking the beginning of the Islamic New Year 1447 Hijri on Thursday, June 26. Religious authorities confirmed the sighting of the new moon on Wednesday evening, signalling the start of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic lunar calendar. The Day of Ashura, observed on the 10th of Muharram, will fall on July 5 in Saudi Arabia. NEWS: The 1st of Muharram 1447 has commenced after Maghrib on Wednesday 25th June 2025 The moon was sighted in Saudi Arabia today which means the month of Dhul Hijjah will be 29 Days. May Allāh accept our siyām, qiyām & acts of worship and may He grant us the ability to… pic.twitter.com/2uyCkSR3hl — 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@HaramainInfo) June 25, 2025 The beginning of the new Islamic year is being marked with various religious and cultural events across the region. In the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and other Arab nations, special programmes have been planned to ...

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) alert for northern regions amid a combination of persistent high temperatures, intensified monsoon activity, and a prevailing westerly weather system. According to a statement from the National Emergencies Operation Centre on Wednesday, sustained heat over recent weeks has led to accelerated snow and glacier melt. Combined with ongoing monsoon rains and thunderstorms, the risk of sudden glacial outburst floods has significantly increased. “Valleys identified as highly vulnerable — including Reshun, Brep, Booni, Sardar Gol, Thalu 1 and 2, Badswat, Hinarchi, Darkut, and Hundur — are at heightened risk,” the NDMA said. گلیشیائی جھیل کے پھٹنے (GLOF) الرٹ: شدید گرمی اور مغربی موسمی سلسلے کے باعث شمالی علاقوں کے گلیشیرز ریشن، بریپ، بونی، سردار گول، تھلو 1، تھلو 2، بدسوات، ہنارچی، درکوٹ، ہنڈر)میں برف پگھلنے کیوجہ سے ان علاقوں میں گلیشیائی سیلاب اور رابطہ سڑکیں بندش کا شکار ہو سکتی ہیں۔ pic.twitte...

As Iran and Israel agreed to a ceasefire following nearly two weeks of hostilities, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting a peaceful resolution to the conflict. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with the Saudi crown prince during which the two leaders exchanged views on the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East. Premier Sharif expressed Pakistan’s full support for immediate de‑escalation and a peaceful resolution of the Iran‑Israel crisis through dialogue and diplomacy. Referring to recent attacks, he emphasised the importance of adherence to international law and the principles of the UN Charter by all parties. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Also Read: PM Shehbaz reaffirms support to Iran in call with President Pezeshkian Th...

Iran's military said it carried out a missile attack on the Al Udeid US airbase in Qatar on Monday after explosions were heard across Doha following Tehran's threat to retaliate for US airstrikes on its nuclear sites. The Iranian military said the attack was "devastating and powerful" but US officials said no US personnel were killed or injured in the attack on the airbase, the largest US military installation in the Middle East. Iran will continue its retaliation in response to US attacks, a senior Iranian official told Reuters. He added that Iran possesses the necessary rationality to pursue diplomacy—but only after punishing the aggressor. “If the United States seeks negotiations, Israeli and US attacks must stop,” he said. However, Qatar said that the security situation was "stable". "The Ministry of Interior confirms... that the security situation in the country is stable, and there is no cause for concern," the government said in a statement....

The Pakistan embassy in the United Arab Emirates has issued a safety advisory for its nationals following Iranian missile attacks on US military bases in Qatar and Iraq. In a statement issued on Monday, the embassy advised Pakistani citizens in the UAE to remain in safe locations and avoid areas near military installations. “In light of regional developments, Pakistani citizens are strongly urged to stay away from military zones and seek shelter in safe areas,” statement added. Read More: Explosions rock Doha as Iran launches missiles toward US bases The advisory comes after Iran fired ballistic missiles at US military bases in Qatar and Iraq in retaliation for US strikes on Tehran’s nuclear sites. Iran launched six missiles toward US bases in Qatar Monday evening, following an earlier report that Tehran was preparing to do so. Iran’s top security body issued a statement saying it has used the same number of bombs that the US used when striking Iranian nuclear facilities. Several e...

Oil prices sank more than five per cent Monday after Iran attacked a US military base in neighboring Qatar in retaliation for US weekend strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Near 1745 GMT, futures for West Texas Intermediate fell 5.3 per cent to $69.96 a barrel, while Brent oil futures fell by similar amounts. Explosions were heard over Qatar's capital, Doha, on Monday, a Reuters witness reported, shortly after a Western diplomat said there had been a credible Iranian threat against the US-run al Udeid air base in the Gulf Arab state since midday. "Oil flows for now aren't the primary target and are likely not to be impacted. I think it's going to be military retaliation on US bases and/or trying to hit more of the Israeli civilian targets," said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital. Qatar said it closed its airspace, while the United Arab Emirates' airspace was closed based on flight paths and air traffic control audio, according to Flightradar. US Pres...

The leaders of two prominent Iranian opposition factions on Sunday urged supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to step down and spare more bloodshed, in the wake of unprecedented American attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. Reza Pahlavi, the son of the shah ousted by the 1979 Islamic revolution, and Maryam Rajavi, the leader of the People's Mujahedin (MEK), which is outlawed in Iran, said in separate statements that Khamenei must quit after over a week of war between Iran and Israel. The whereabouts of Khamenei, who has led the country since 1989, are unclear after Israel refused to rule out killing him. The strikes on the Islamic Republic’s three nuclear sites are the result of the regime’s catastrophic pursuit of nuclear weapons at the expense of the Iranian people. Ali Khamenei and his crumbling terrorist regime have failed the nation. As Khamenei considers how to respond… — Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) June 22, 2025 Opposition groups claim he is deep underground in a bunker a...

Pakistani authorities strongly rejected claims circulating on social media suggesting that the country had permitted the United States to use its airspace or territorial waters for military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, calling the reports "completely false and baseless." The denial comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East following US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The strikes targeted three key Iranian nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — according to US President Donald Trump, who announced the operation on his Truth Social platform. According to the state television PTV, some Indian media outlets have amplified allegations that US B-2 bombers and warships passed through Pakistani territory to reach Iranian targets—claims officials in Islamabad dismiss as deliberate disinformation. “These reports are part of a broader pattern of false narratives, particularly pushed by certain quarters in Indian media,” a senior government source told Reut...

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar strongly condemned Israeli military actions in Gaza and Iran. During his address at the 51st session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul on Saturday, Dar condemned Israel’s recent strikes on Iran and terming them a violation of international law and a threat to global peace. “Israeli aggression against Iran is not an isolated event but part of a consistent pattern of militarism,” he warned. “This meeting is taking place at a crucial time, and against the backdrop of unprecedented challenges being faced by the Muslim Ummah,” Dar said. “From Palestine to Kashmir, Islamophobia to state-sponsored terrorism—our challenges are urgent and require unified action.” He said that the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with over 55,000 Palestinian deaths—primarily women and children—was the result of Israel’s “genocidal campaign.” Dar called for “an immediate, unconditional, and permanen...

In the wake of serious administrative lapses that prevented more than 67,000 prospective pilgrims from performing Hajj this year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Ministry of Religious Affairs to immediately begin planning and logistical preparations for Hajj 2026. Chairing a high-level review meeting in Islamabad on Saturday, the prime minister said such negligence would not be tolerated in the future, and instructed the ministry to develop a comprehensive roadmap aligned with the Hajj policy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “Serving the Hajj pilgrims is a sacred responsibility. Any negligence in this regard next year will be unacceptable,” the prime minister was quoted as saying during the meeting. Read More: 'Private Hajj quota' lost due to negligence In 2025, Saudi Arabia had allocated a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims to Pakistan, traditionally split evenly between the government and private Hajj operators. However, delays and mismanagement in meeting procedur...

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, on Friday condemned Israeli airstrikes on Iran during an emergency session of the UN Security Council, calling them a blatant violation of the UN Charter and international law. Addressing a session on the war, he urged members to issue a categorical rejection and an unconditional and unequivocal condemnation of the attacks and to take meaningful action to halt the aggression. He praised Secretary-General António Guterres’s earlier appeal for a ceasefire, declaring Pakistan’s full support for diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis. Also Read: UN chief urges parties to 'give peace a chance' on Iran-Israel war Denouncing the “unjustified and illegal” strikes on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, he stressed that they not only breached International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards but also defied the Geneva Conventions and other global treaties. Pakistan called on the IAEA to publicly clarify i...

Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of the messaging platform Telegram, has announced plans to leave his estimated £17 billion fortune to the more than 100 children he has fathered. The tech mogul, 40, has six children with three different partners and is believed to have around 100 additional offspring resulting from sperm donations he made to numerous couples across 12 countries. In a recent interview with France’s Le Point magazine, Durov revealed that he considers all his children—whether conceived naturally or through sperm donations—equally deserving of his fortune. He explained that he sees no difference between those born of his own relationships and those from his donation efforts. Durov is the founder of Telegram, which has more than one billion monthly active users worldwide. His fortune is estimated at up to £17 billion, cementing his status as a key player in the tech world. Durov has been compared to other tech giants like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk due to his influen...

Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli forces killed at least 72 people on Thursday, including 21 who had gathered near aid distribution sites as famine looms after more than 20 months of war. Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that six people were killed while waiting for aid in the southern Gaza Strip and 15 others in a central area known as the Netzarim corridor, where thousands of Palestinians have gathered daily in the hope of receiving food rations. The Israeli army told AFP that its troops in Netzarim corridor -- a strip of land militarised by Israel that bisects the Palestinian territory -- had fired "warning shots" at "suspects" approaching them, but that it was "not aware of any injured individuals". The army did not comment on the incident reported in the south. In northern Gaza, Bassal said that nine separate Israeli strikes killed another 51 people, updating earlier tolls provided by his agency. Bassam Abu Shaar, who witnesse...

The government’s renewed push to privatise Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has drawn interest from eight parties, with five formally submitting pre-qualification documents ahead of Thursday's deadline, the Privatisation Commission confirmed. Among those to file documentation is a consortium comprising Lucky Cement, Hub Power Company, Kohat Cement, and Metro Ventures. A separate group including Arif Habib Corporation, Fatima Fertilizer, The City School, and Lake City Holdings has also expressed interest in acquiring a majority stake in the loss-making national carrier. Airblue and Fauji Fertilizer Company have submitted their documents independently, while expressions of interest were also received from Augment Securities, Serene Air, Bahria Foundation, Mega Holdings, and Equitas, who have indicated joint intent to participate. Read More: Deadline to bid for PIA extended to June 19 Of the eight interested parties, five met the June 19 submission deadline for pre-qualification....

Pakistan has secured a $1 billion syndicated term finance facility, partially guaranteed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), marking its return to Middle Eastern financial markets after more than two years, the Ministry of Finance said on Tuesday. The facility is backed by the ADB’s Policy-Based Guarantee under its “Improved Resource Mobilization & Utilisation Reform” programme, aimed at supporting Pakistan’s long-term fiscal resilience. Dubai Islamic Bank served as the sole Islamic global coordinator, while Standard Chartered Bank acted as mandated lead arranger and bookrunner. Other participating banks include Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Sharjah Islamic Bank, Ajman Bank, and HBL. "This landmark transaction underscores the growing confidence of leading regional financiers in Pakistan’s fiscal and macroeconomic recovery," the ministry said in a statement. The $1 billion loan spans five years and is structured in multiple tranches. Notably, 89% of the facility is based on Isl...

Senate's Standing Committee on Finance has recommended exempting income tax for individuals earning up to Rs1.2 million per year. In addition, it approved a proposal to increase the limit for property purchases by non-filers from 130 per cent to 500 per cent of their declared assets. The committee met under the chairmanship of Senator Saleem Mandviwala on Wednesday and conducted a section-wise review of the Finance Bill 2025. During the meeting, FBR officials informed the committee that a new section has been introduced in the Finance Bill to bring e-commerce businesses and recreational clubs into the tax net. FBR officials stated that under the new budget, a tax will be levied on the income of online academies and teachers, some of whom are earning up to Rs30 million annually. The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue,Chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, has entered its sixth consecutive session to review and deliberate on the Income Tax provisions of National Budget ...

US President Donald Trump dramatically stepped up his rhetoric against Iran's supreme leader Tuesday, saying on social media that the United States knows where Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is located but will not kill him "for now." In another post, Trump also appeared to demand Iran's "unconditional surrender!" as he fueled questions about whether the United States would join Israel's attacks on Tehran's leadership and nuclear facilities. "We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there -- We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now," Trump said on his Truth Social platform. https://ift.tt/bMwZu0S "But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" said Trump. Minutes later the US president followed up with another message simply saying: "UNCONDITIONAL S...

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has decided to postpone the party’s planned protest movement for two weeks, citing prevailing regional tensions and the evolving international situation amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. The announcement was made by PTI leader Noreen Khanum following her meeting with the incarcerated former prime minister at Adiala Jail on Tuesday, Express News reported. Speaking to reporters outside the prison, she said Khan had taken the decision keeping in view the “sensitive regional circumstances” and ongoing developments in the Middle East. “We are awaiting policy statements from the prime minister, president and field marshal before proceeding further,” Khanum stated. She added that although Khan had not met anyone over the past week, he remained aware of global affairs and believed the situation would have direct consequences for Pakistan. “The PTI founder has called for national unity during this critical time,” she said. Read More: Israel...

Will Smith recently revealed that he turned down the lead role in Christopher Nolan’s Inception because he didn’t understand the plot. In an interview with Kiss Xtra (via HuffPost), Smith admitted he initially struggled to grasp the concept of the film, leading him to pass on the role that ultimately went to Leonardo DiCaprio. The movie went on to become a worldwide success, grossing $839 million. Smith’s decision to reject Inception is part of a longer list of iconic films that he passed on, including The Matrix and Django Unchained. Will Smith reveals director Christopher Nolan brought him the movie "Inception" first, but he turned it down and says movies about alternate realities don’t pitch well. (🎥 Kiss Xtra) pic.twitter.com/jwcvZfiuMG — The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) June 15, 2025 "I don’t think I’ve ever said it publicly, but I am going to say it because we are opening up to one another," Smith shared during the candid conversation. He explained that ...

As hostilities between Israel and Iran escalate, a growing number of regional and international airlines have suspended operations to several Middle Eastern destinations, citing security concerns and airspace restrictions. In response to deteriorating security conditions, Flydubai said its flights to Israel, Iran, and Iraq will remain suspended until June 20. Services to Russia’s St. Petersburg and Minsk are also halted until June 17, while flights to Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria are suspended until June 16. Qatar Airways has similarly suspended operations to Iran, Iraq, and Syria until further notice. Flights to Iran’s Tehran, Mashhad, and Shiraz have been halted, as well as to Iraq’s Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Najaf, and Syria’s Damascus. Lufthansa, Germany’s flagship carrier, has suspended flights to Israel, Iran, Iraq, Oman, and Lebanon. Routes to Tel Aviv and Tehran remain suspended until July 31, with services to Amman, Baghdad, and Beirut paused until June 20. Also R...

Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is set to roll out a retail-based payment model starting Monday, replacing its traditional campsite disbursement system to safeguard beneficiaries from the ongoing severe heatwave, state television PTV reported. The new system aims to provide safer, more dignified, and accessible cash transfers, particularly for vulnerable groups in high-temperature regions. As part of field preparations, BISP Additional Secretary Dr Tahir Noor visited District Khanewal to review the readiness of retail outlets and coordinate with district teams and partner banks. ایڈیشنل سیکرٹری بی آئی ایس پی ڈاکٹر طاہر نور نے آج بینظیر انکم سپورٹ پروگرام کی چوتھی سہ ماہی قسط کی ریٹیل پیمنٹ ماڈل کے تحت تقسیم کے لیے جاری تیاریوں کے سلسلے میں ضلع خانیوال کا دورہ کیا۔اس دورے کا مقصد فیلڈ سطح پر تیاریوں کا جائزہ لینا، ضلعی ٹیموں اور شراکت دار بینکوں کے… pic.twitter.com/UDVrbWuI0M — Benazir Income Support Programme (@bisp_pakistan) June 15, 2025 “The retail model is being introdu...

Pakistani officials held discussions this week with US billionaire and Bitcoin advocate Michael Saylor on the potential use of digital currencies to strengthen Pakistan’s financial resilience and digital economy, according to a statement released on Sunday. The talks were held between Saylor and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, alongside Minister of State for Crypto and Blockchain Bilal Bin Saqib. The meeting reportedly focused on the possible inclusion of Bitcoin in Pakistan’s sovereign reserves and its role in future monetary policy. The discussions come as Pakistan steps up its efforts to regulate digital assets. “Pakistan aspires to lead the Global South in the development and adoption of digital assets, setting a benchmark for innovation, regulation and inclusive growth,” Aurangzeb, who also chairs the PCC, was quoted as saying. Read More: Crypto currencies use is illegal, NA panel told  Saylor, one of the most prominent corporate investors in Bitcoin, welcomed Pakist...