Gazans, who are struggling to meet their basic needs in the devastated enclave, welcome the opportunity to vote A Palestinian woman votes during the municipal election at a polling station in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. PHOTO: REUTERS Palestinians voted in local elections on Saturday that, for the first time in two decades, include Gaza and…
State Bank of Pakistan. Photo: File KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) foreign exchange reserves increased by $18 million during the week ended April 17, 2026, reaching $15.097 billion, according to official data released on Thursday. Overall, the country’s total liquid foreign reserves stood at $20.628 billion. Breakdown shows the SBP-held reserves at $15.097…
LAHORE: Agricultural stakeholders in Punjab are calling on Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to dedicate a meaningful share of the next fiscal year’s budget to organic farming, a sector they believe could fundamentally reshape the province’s export profile and offer its farmers a more stable and profitable future. The appeal comes at a time when…
RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has directed all public-sector bodies to eliminate non-essential expenditure and transfer surplus financial deposits to the provincial exchequer, citing rising welfare spending, public relief measures, and a shortfall in revenue targets. Under the directive, development authorities, Parks and Horticulture Authorities (PHA), Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASA), waste management companies and other…
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Power Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari has said that nearly 25% of Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) consumers have been equipped with Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters, which amounts to around 1.1 to 1.2 million meters and is a key step towards modernising the power sector. Speaking during his visit to the…
US stock indexes rose, while most major European markets were closed for holidays SYDNEY/LONDON: Global shares steadied on Friday with investor focus staying on currency markets, after the yen briefly jumped against the dollar for a second straight day. The dollar lost as much as 1% against the yen in a matter of minutes on…
Viktor Axelsen retires at 32 due to persistent back problems, closing a legendary career marked by two Olympic gold medals, world titles, and dominance at the top of badminton. Photo: AFP/FILE COPEHAGEN: Denmark’s double Olympic badminton champion Viktor Axelsen announced his retirement at 32 on Wednesday, saying back problems meant he could no longer “compete…
LAHORE: More than 200,000 frontline polio workers and supervisors will participate in a vaccination campaign targeting over 23.3 million children under the age of five across Punjab from April 13. Addressing a ceremony on Thursday where the Punjab Emergency Operations Centre inaugurated the upcoming National Immunisation Days (NIDs), Provincial Minister for Health and Population Imran…
President hopes to deepen Pakistan–Vietnam cooperation, lauds ties and country’s progress under new leadership President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday congratulated To Lam on his election as president of Vietnam. President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday congratulated To Lam on his election as president of Vietnam, saying the unanimous vote reflects the National Assembly’s “trust…
Astronauts express gratitude for opportunity, term their participation honour and a source of pride for Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets Pakistani Astronauts in Islamabad on April 23, 2026. Photo: PMO Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met Pakistani astronauts Khurram Daud and Muhammad Zeeshan Ali, selected for a human space mission by China, and…