Weather alert on monsoon rains issued

Says intermittent heavy rainfall between July 7-10 could trigger flash floods in hill torrents and seasonal streams ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the meteorological authorities have issued nationwide weather alerts as an active monsoon system is set to bring widespread rain and thunderstorms to large parts of the country from Tuesday, raising…

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PPP eyes larger role in judicial appointments

ISLAMABAD: As Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi has convened meetings of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) to consider appointments of additional judges to the high courts, PPP Senator Farooq H Naek has proposed 33 candidates for appointment to the four high courts. This move has revived debate over the party’s growing influence in…

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Construction lifts cement sales to 50.6m tons

KARACHI: Cement demand in Pakistan rebounded strongly in FY26 on the back of construction revival and lower policy rates, with dispatches rising to multi-year highs. Total cement dispatches reached 50.58 million tons in FY26, up approximately 8% year-on-year, driven primarily by robust local demand. “The improvement was led by domestic demand, where sales grew 9%…

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DPM reviews preparations for SCO summit

. ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday chaired the fourth meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Follow-up Committee to review preparations for Pakistan’s upcoming SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) chairmanship for 2026–27 and the CHS Summit to be hosted in Islamabad in 2027. Sub-committees briefed the meeting…

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SC seeks replies on Imaan sentence plea

Observes that top court generally does not interfere even in interim orders passed by HCs ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the federation and other respondents on a petition seeking suspension of the sentences awarded to lawyer Imaan Mazari and Barrister Hadi Ali Chattha, while observing that the Islamabad High Court (IHC)…

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PTI leaves door open for AJK elections

ISLAMABAD: PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan on Monday indicated that the party could reconsider its decision to boycott the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections if it is provided a level playing field and its leaders and workers are not subjected to arrests or crackdowns. Speaking to reporters, Gohar said the boycott…

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Zardari begins Kyrgyzstan state visit

President Asif Ali Zardari, accompanied by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, witnesses a traditional Kyrgyz cultural performance at the Rukh Ordo Cultural Center in Cholpon-Ata. Photo: PID ISSYK-KUL/ CHOLPON-ATA, KYRGYZSTAN: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday arrived at Issyk-Kul International Airport for an official visit to the Kyrgyz Republic, where he was warmly received by his…

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GHQ hardens stance on cross-border terror

ISLAMABAD: The top military leadership on Monday announced that counterterrorism operations against terrorist groups operating from territory under the control of the Afghan Taliban regime would continue, in a rare and explicit declaration suggesting that Islamabad is prepared to take the war against terrorism deep inside Afghanistan if required. The message came at the 276th…

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Hamas dissolves Gaza govt to advance peace plan

Moves to transfer administration to technocrats Retains control of security and ministries Humanitarian crisis p CAIRO: Hamas announced on Monday that it had dissolved its de facto government in Gaza and signalled its willingness to hand administrative authority to a US-backed committee of Palestinian technocrats, in a move aimed at advancing a stalled post-war peace…

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InvestPak opens Rs82tr market to small investors

SBP’s digital platform lets individuals buy govt bonds; aims to boost financial inclusion KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) launched InvestPak, a digital platform that allows individuals to invest directly in government securities, opening the Rs82 trillion sovereign debt market to ordinary citizens for the first time, according to a statement issued on Monday….

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