Author: none@none.com (Dawn.com)

Pakistan Army Neutralises 11 Terrorists Involved in Lakki Marwat Attack The Pakistan Army has successfully eliminated 11 terrorists responsible for the recent attack on security officials in Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The attack resulted in the martyrdom of seven security officials, including an army captain, in an IED explosion on Sunday. The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) conducted an intelligence-based operation to bring the perpetrators to justice, resulting in the neutralization of the terrorists and the discovery of multiple hideouts. The security forces continue to carry out a sanitization operation to eliminate any remaining threat in the area. Pakistan has…

Pakistan’s economy showed resilience in the face of challenging conditions, with the agriculture sector driving unprecedented growth, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2023-24 unveiled by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The report highlighted a 2.38% GDP growth in FY 2024, rebounding from a previous contraction. The key takeaways from the survey include the economy’s expected 2.4% growth, a 95% reduction in the current account deficit to $200m, and a significant increase in revenue collection. While most targets were missed, the agriculture sector’s outstanding performance led to a nearly double growth compared to last year. Finance Minister Aurangzeb also addressed inflation,…

Finance Minister Aurangzeb Presents Pakistan’s Economic Survey for Fiscal Year 2024 Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb recently presented Pakistan’s economic survey for the fiscal year 2024 at a press conference in Islamabad. The Pakistan Economic Survey is an annual report that provides an overview of the country’s economic progress for the outgoing financial year. Aurangzeb discussed various economic aspects, emphasizing the impact of inflation and the country’s relationship with the IMF. He praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for signing a Stand-by agreement with the IMF, which improved the country’s economic situation. The agriculture sector showed significant growth, surpassing targets and previous…

The State Bank of Pakistan made a surprising move on Monday by cutting the interest rate by 150 basis points to 20.5 percent, ahead of the annual budget announcement. This decision follows a decrease in inflation to a 30-month low of 11.8 percent in May. The Monetary Policy Committee highlighted the positive downturn in inflation and noted the easing of underlying inflationary pressures due to a tight monetary policy stance and fiscal consolidation. Despite concerns about potential inflation risks from upcoming budget measures and energy price adjustments, the committee emphasized the importance of maintaining a significantly positive real interest rate…

Former Governor of Sindh, Mohammad Zubair, has officially left the PML-N citing irreconcilable differences. In an interview with ARY News, Zubair mentioned that the party’s shift towards power politics made it challenging for him to continue. He clarified that the decision to part ways was made prior to the party’s change in stance. Zubair also revealed that he has not yet decided on joining another political party but hinted that a decision might be made in the coming days. He acknowledged ex-PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s plan to form a new political party but did not confirm his own involvement. In…

Stock Market Update: PSX Shares Decline By Over 300 Points on Thursday Shares at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) took a hit on Thursday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index dropping by 356.50 points, or 0.48 percent, to settle at 73,862.93 points. This decline has been attributed to concerns about potential tax changes that could impact market sentiment. Chief executive of Topline Securities, Mohammed Sohail, stated that there is a “fear of increase or change in treatment of dividend and gain tax affecting market sentiments”. Investors are particularly anxious about the impending budget, which may bring about hikes in Capital Gains…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is spearheading efforts to enhance governance, expand the tax base, and foster a conducive business environment to entice foreign direct investment (FDI) in Pakistan. During a meeting with China Exim Bank President Dr. Wu Fulin in Beijing, Shehbaz highlighted the positive impact of reform measures, such as controlling food inflation and narrowing the current account deficit, leading to greater economic sustainability. With his recent visit to China alongside majority federal cabinet members, Shehbaz aims to secure increased investments, especially for the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The trip, however, has postponed the annual…

International Media’s Take on Indian General Elections The recently concluded Indian general elections saw incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi securing a third term, while the opposition also made surprising gains, leading to interesting insights from international media. As the six-week electoral process unfolded, media coverage extensively focused on Modi’s anti-Muslim rhetoric and the controversial mixing of politics with mythology and communalism. Despite Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) losing its outright majority in Parliament, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured enough seats to retain power. US media, such as CNN and The New York Times, highlighted the shifts in voter…

Breaking news! The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has acquitted Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, founders of the PTI, in the cipher case. This decision, announced by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, is being hailed as a “logical solution” by lawyers. The cipher case revolves around a diplomatic document that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) alleged was never returned by then-Prime Minister Imran Khan. The PTI leaders were sentenced to 10 years just before the general elections. Lawyer Abdul Moiz Jaferii called the allegation a “joke” and Barrister Asad Rahim referred to the case as an “embarrassment.” They believe that…

Minister Attaullah Tarar from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry announced that the government will decide on legal action against PTI once the FIA completes its inquiry into the party’s social media activity. The FIA summoned PTI leaders for the alleged misuse of Imran Khan’s account to spread content against state institutions. The video shared on Imran’s account highlighted the Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report and accused military leadership of wrongdoing. Tarar emphasized the seriousness of the FIA inquiry and the possible legal action. Tarar also mentioned the possibility of legal action under PECA, 2016, against incitement to mutiny. He criticized the…