PUBLISHED May 24, 2026 The first and foremost duty of a story is to entertain in uneventful, dull, and monotonous times—at least this is what our dastans (tales) and their counterparts in other cultures suggest. In Qissa Chahar Dervish, a classic 13th-century allegorical story traditionally attributed to Amir Khusro, the main characters accidentally meet outside…
FIRs to be lodged as unregulated Eid livestock setups disrupt traffic, sanitation, civic order KARACHI: Illegal cattle markets that have mushroomed across the city ahead of Eidul Azha are now set to face criminal proceedings, as the city administration moves beyond warnings and decides to register FIRs against those responsible for setting up unapproved livestock…
Zaki Ijaz cites limited finance, high costs and regulatory hurdles as key challenges LAHORE: Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) CEO Nadia Jahangir Seth has said the authority is working to create an enabling ecosystem for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to grow and contribute more effectively to the national economy, according to…
PUBLISHED May 24, 2026 KARACHI: Years ago, a friend lost her aged father to the great unknown. I didn’t know much about him or how he passed away finally and I still don’t recall. What is a clear memory even today though are my friend’s words as I sat beside her. She said it meant…
Family of three killed in nearby flat; PM Shehbaz, CM Bugti reaffirm determination to eliminate terrorism Terrorists targeted a train near Chaman Phatak in Quetta on May 24, 2026. Photo: Reporter QUETTA: 14 people were martyred and several others injured on Sunday when terrorists targeted a train near Chaman Phatak in Quetta. Three Frontier Corps…
Minister says PIA privatisation completed, three power distribution companies next RAWALPINDI: Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani has said the government intends to reduce the tax burden on the salaried class in the upcoming budget, but limited fiscal space under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme restricts major relief, according to a statement…
Law enforcement agents examine the evidence inside a cordoned off area on the street after a shooting incident near the White House in Washington, DC, US, May 23, 2026 PHOTO; REUTERS A gunman who fired at a White House checkpoint was shot by officers and died after being taken to the hospital on Saturday evening,…
US, Iran near 60-day deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz, negotiate Tehran’s nuclear programme Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated United States President Donald Trump for actively engaging in peace prospects by having a “very useful” and “productive” telephone call on Saturday with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan…
KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended gains during the outgoing week, when the benchmark KSE-100 index rose over 2,248 points amid easing geopolitical concerns linked to expected progress in US-Iran negotiations and improving investor confidence. On a day-on-day basis, the bourse commenced the week with a plunge of nearly 3,800 points, triggered by stalled US-Iran…
PUBLISHED May 24, 2026 In Pakistan’s policing lexicon, few words carry as much controversy as “encounter.” While official accounts describe armed exchanges and the neutralisation of hardened criminals, grieving families speak of sons taken into custody and returned as bodies. Between these competing narratives lies a widening fault line in the country’s criminal justice system….