Stories by Iftikhar A. Khan

Pakistan, Iran vow to boost security ties

Interior ministers pledge to upgrade border management, immigration protocols Published 25 Jun, 2026 06:59am

ECP summons KP, capital officials over LG polls delay

Schedule for LG polls in Punjab likely to be released in mid-August Published 24 Jun, 2026 06:09am

ECP summons KP, Islamabad officials on July 1 over delay in local govt polls data

Neither the notifications for UCs nor the maps have been provided to the election commission so far. Published 23 Jun, 2026 08:25pm

PPP won’t support controversial telecom bill in Senate

Sherry Rehman says party will not pass bill that encroaches on right of way, imposes egregious penalties Published 23 Jun, 2026 07:35am

Senate ends fuel conservation, austerity measures after fuel prices ease

Office hours will be 9am to 5pm on non-session days and until the conclusion of a session when it is in progress. Published 20 Jun, 2026 09:17pm

Country to fully shift to e-passports

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to phase out machine-readable passports and switch fully to e-passports,... Published 20 Jun, 2026 05:08am

Pakistan to fully shift to e-passports

No cutoff date announced for phasing out old passports. Published 19 Jun, 2026 12:30pm

FBR tells Senate panel tobacco tax theft is Rs40bn, not $1bn

The committee is briefed that Federal Board of Revenue has seized 16 tobacco factories on charges of tax fraud. Published 19 Jun, 2026 07:35am

Drones to keep watch over Muharram processions, majalis in Islamabad

l Safe City control room activated for real-time surveillance l Geo-tagging of imambargah and procession routes... Published 19 Jun, 2026 06:57am

BUDGET 2026-27: Pakistan missed growth target due to global, regional shocks: Aurangzeb

• Finance minister wraps up Senate debate on budget; says trade bodies’ proposals also considered • Small shopkeepers to be... Published 19 Jun, 2026 06:56am

FY2026-27 budget: Senate seeks increase of income tax exemption threshold, reduction in electricity tariffs

Also recommends increased taxes on luxury assets and reduction in GST on essential food items, medicines; finmin wraps up Senate budget debate. Updated 18 Jun, 2026 09:58pm

Muharram gatherings, processions to be digitally monitored through drones in Islamabad

App launched for citizens to report suspicious activity or individual or inadequate security arrangements. Updated 18 Jun, 2026 01:27pm

PPP lawmaker demands separate South Punjab province

• PPP’s Rana Mahmoodul Hassan calls for creation of Seraikistan during budget debate in upper house • Senator Abro claims IPPs Published 18 Jun, 2026 07:37am

PPP lawmaker calls for separate South Punjab province in Senate

Independent senator claims IPPs behind reversal of solar policy; PML-N senator criticises PTI's economic team. Published 17 Jun, 2026 09:19pm

Pakistan, UK agree to expand cooperation on counterterrorism, illegal migration

UK minister lauds Pakistan’s role in Iran-US talks. Published 17 Jun, 2026 01:19pm

PTI slams budget of ‘broken promises’

• Barrister Ali Zafar says it aims to stabilise ‘poverty, hardship and hopelessness’ • JUI-F opposes tobacco tax Published 17 Jun, 2026 06:57am

Naqvi vows crackdown on sectarian content online as Muharram Peace Committee meets in Islamabad

District-level committees to be activated; ulema pledge support for inter-sect harmony Published 16 Jun, 2026 09:18pm

PTI’s Ali Zafar rejects budget, says it achieves neither growth nor public welfare

PTI senator warns of public anger if economic hardship persists. Published 16 Jun, 2026 08:30pm

BUDGET 2026-27: Senators term rising debt a major risk for economic stability

• Sherry Rehman says almost half the budget consumed by debt repayment, calls for governance reforms • Senate opposition leader Published 16 Jun, 2026 06:43am

Senators raise alarm over rising debt amid lack of roadmap for economic stability

Opposition leader demands ‘people-first’ budget with relief, reforms. Published 15 Jun, 2026 08:45pm