Blaze News - Pakistan

The Punjab government has imposed a province-wide ban on the use of wood and charcoal by restaurants and barbecue outlets in a bid to curb worsening air pollution. All hotels and eateries have been given 15 days to install suction hoods and smoke control systems or face legal action under environmental laws. According to a directive issued on Wednesday, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and Punjab Food Authority (PFA) have launched joint operations to inspect food outlets and enforce compliance. The order specifically targets barbecue restaurants and traditional cooking setups known for emitting heavy smoke and particulate matter. EPA Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh said, field teams have been mobilised across all districts to ensure immediate enforcement. “There is no room for smoke-emitting restaurants in Punjab. Those failing to install suction systems within 15 days will face strict action,” he said. Sheikh added that deputy commissioners across the province have been...

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority has approved an increase of Rs0.8 per unit in electricity prices under the monthly fuel cost adjustment for August 2025. According to a notification issued by NEPRA on Tuesday, the adjustment will apply to consumers across Pakistan, including those served by K-Electric, in line with the government policy guidelines. The regulator stated that the additional charge will be collected in October bills. The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) had earlier requested a hike of Rs0.19 per unit for the same month’s adjustment. The increase, though nominal, adds to the growing burden on consumers already facing high energy costs. The upward revision is part of the regular monthly adjustment process that reflects fluctuations in fuel prices and power generation costs. Last month, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority had approved an increase of Rs0.19 per unit in the electricity tariff under the monthly fuel cost adjustment mechanism. The ...

US President Donald Trump lauded the efforts of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, among other world leaders, for their role in achieving the Gaza peace agreement. Speaking at a press conference following the signing of the Gaza Peace Agreement in Sharm El Sheikh on Monday, Trump praised PM Shehbaz and the Chief of Army Staff, referring to him as “my favourite Field Marshal.” He later invited Shehbaz to share his views on the peace initiative. براہِ راست: وزیراعظم کی شرم الشیخ، مصر میں منعقدہ امن سربراہی اجلاس میں شرکت https://t.co/2HInBLfXt4 — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) October 13, 2025 Speaking at the presser, Sharif said, “Today is one of the greatest days in contemporary history because peace has been achieved after untiring efforts led by US President Donald Trump.” He added, “President Trump is genuinely a man of peace who has relentlessly and untiringly worked throughout these months, day in and day out to make this world a place...

A passenger bus rolled down an embankment in South Africa, killing at least 42 people including workers from Malawi and Zimbabwe, authorities said Monday. The bus was travelling to Zimbabwe when it crashed around 90 kilometres (55 miles) from the border on Sunday after the driver apparently lost control, Limpopo province transport minister Violet Mathye said. "A reported 42 travellers died in the incident," South Africa's presidency said. The dead included a 10-month-old girl, Mathye said. Thirty-eight people were in hospital and rescuers were searching for other victims, she said. President Cyril Ramaphosa called the crash a tragedy for all three nations and urged road users to do more to stay safe. "This sadness is compounded by the fact that this incident has taken place during our annual transport month, where we place special focus on the importance of safety on our roads," he said in a statement. Read More: At least 64 dead, 65 missing as floods devastate ...

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry has urged the Federal Board of Revenue to extend the deadline for filing income tax returns for the Tax Year 2025 from October 15 to October 31. FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh, in a statement on Monday, said that in a letter to FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, the chamber highlighted the difficulties taxpayers are facing in meeting the current deadline. He noted delays in obtaining essential financial documents, persistent technical issues with the FBR portal, and problems integrating Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems with the tax authority’s digital invoicing framework. Sheikh stressed the need for a taxpayer-friendly approach, urging the FBR to address these challenges promptly. “The extension will provide much-needed relief to taxpayers struggling to fulfil their legal obligations amid genuine constraints,” he said. The FPCCI statement added that many taxpayers continue to face procedural and logistical bo...

Hyderabad Mayor Kashif Ali Shoro is set to present a proposed Rs5.53 billion budget for 2025–26 fiscal during the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation session scheduled for October 13 (Monday). According to budget documents, around Rs3.187 billion, including Rs390 million in arrears, has been allocated for salaries and pensions. The proposed development expenditure stands at Rs1.491 billion. Interestingly, while the allocation for salaries has been increased by Rs360 million compared with the previous fiscal year, the development budget has been reduced by around Rs366 million. The HMC also plans to allocate Rs381 million for contingencies, Rs358.35 million for payment of utility bills, Rs50 million for disaster management, and Rs20 million for unforeseen expenses. The upcoming HMC session, dominated by local government representatives from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), will also approve a revised budget of Rs5.657 billion for fiscal year 2024–25. The corporation expects to collect Rs5....

Iran has expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, offering to mediate between the two neighbours to help restore peace and stability in the region. In a statement on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baqaei voiced concern over the recent developments between Islamabad and Kabul, underscoring the importance of mutual respect for each country’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty. Baqaei called for “restraint and the immediate commencement of dialogue” between the two sides to de-escalate tensions and resolve their differences through diplomatic means. Iran urges dialogue, restraint to prevent escalation of tensions between #Pakistan, #Afghanistan Esmail Baqaei, @IRIMFA_SPOX , expressed concern over the recent developments between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He underscored the necessity of mutual respect for the territorial… pic.twitter.com/ev1wAmS8Ot — Foreign Ministry, Islamic Republic of Iran 🇮🇷 (@IRIMFA_EN) Oc...