Author: i2wtc
Listen to article The Pakistan Banks Association (PBA) rejected on Monday misleading assertions in recent press coverage suggesting that government subsidies to banks under remittance incentive schemes serve no economic purpose. Last week, an independent policy institute urged the government to reconsider subsidising profitable banks and instead redirect limited fiscal resources toward growth-focused sectors. The Economic Policy and Business Development (EPBD) think tank issued the call on Friday, the same day the federal Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) was informed that banks had claimed Rs200 billion under the Pakistan Remittances Initiative (PRI) this fiscal year—exceeding the budgeted amount by Rs115 billion. The EPBD…
ANAHEIM: YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul cruised to victory over Mexico’s Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on Saturday in a one-sided cruiserweight bout in California. Paul, whose last fight was a controversial clash with 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in November, dominated from the outset to win by unanimous decision. The 28-year-old influencer, who has earned millions from a string of lucrative contests in a ring career that has spanned 13 fights, had too much speed and power for Chavez Jr. The three judges at ringside scored the 10-round fight 99-91, 97-93, 98-92 in Paul’s favour. Chavez Jr, the 39-year-old son of…
Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a visit to a Jaguar Land Rover car factory on April 7, 2025 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Wpa Pool | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesLONDON – The U.K.-U.S. trade deal comes into play on Monday, giving a preferential tariff rate to British cars imported to America, while questions linger over final levies on the U.K.’s metal exports.Back in May, the U.K. became the first country to negotiate a trade deal with the U.S. since White House leader Donald Trump unveiled his so-called reciprocal tariffs a month prior. The terms of the agreement are effective…
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, has said that India must review its policies and cannot impose its will on Pakistan. Speaking at the Foundation Day ceremony of the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad, Dar warned New Delhi against unilateral actions and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and sovereignty. He strongly criticised India’s use of “false flag operations” to justify aggression against Pakistan, particularly citing the Pulwama incident, which he said was used by India to stage a fabricated narrative. “India must revisit its strategic choices and end its policy of coercion,” Dar stated.…
Zimbabwean batter Sean Williams celebrates scoring a century during the first Test against South Africa at the Queen’s Sports Club on Sunday.—courtesy ZC BULAWAYO: Sean Williams hit an aggressive century for Zimbabwe but South Africa were in control after the second day of the first Test at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Sunday. The left-handed Williams hit 137 off 163 balls — more than half his team’s total of 251. South Africa led by 167 runs on the first innings and stretched their lead to 216 runs when they reached 49 for one at the close of play. Zimbabwe…
Listen to article After extending crucial support to the federal budget, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is expected to formally join the federal government in July, with the distribution of ministries likely to be finalised next month, sources told Express News. The move comes after weeks of tension between the PPP and the ruling Paksitan Muslim League (PML-N) over budget allocations and controversial tax measures, which had prompted strong criticism from the PPP. The party had accused the government of sidelining Sindh and threatened to withhold support for the budget unless its demands were addressed. However, the deadlock eased when the government agreed…
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on April 4 that he would again postpone enforcement of a law banning TikTok unless its Chinese owner ByteDance divests from the platform. Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty ImagesU.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News in an interview aired on Sunday that he has a group of “very wealthy people” ready to buy TikTok, whose identities he can reveal in about two weeks.Trump added that the deal will probably need Beijing’s approval to move forward, but said “I think President Xi will probably do it,” in reference to China’s leader Xi Jinping.The president…
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz practises ahead of the Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on Sunday.—AFP LONDON: The first round of Wimbledon begins on Monday with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz seeking a hat-trick of titles at the All England Club while women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka resumes her quest for a first major this year after two runner-up finishes. Spaniard Alcaraz could join an elite club of just four men — Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic — who have claimed three consecutive Wimbledon titles in the Open era. Yet the 22-year-old Alcaraz,…
Listen to article Chief of his own faction of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F), Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday issued a stern warning to the federal government, claiming that his party could “take over Islamabad within a week’s notice” if pushed to the brink. Addressing the Shaair-e-Islam Conference in Battagram, the JUI-F chief said his party rejected both the 2018 and the 2024 general elections, describing them as “fraudulent and manipulated.” He accused the ruling coalition of lacking legitimacy and warned the establishment against ignoring the public’s will. “These kinds of governments cannot last,” Rehman said. “Those who consider themselves powerful should bow before…
The federal government launched a new power smart mobile application, “Apna Meter, Apni Reading”, aimed at enhancing transparency in electricity billing and empowering consumers to take control of their monthly meter readings, it emerged on Sunday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif officially inaugurated the app, developed by the Power Division under the leadership of Minister Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari. The app allows users to upload a photo of their meter reading on a specific date, which will then be used to generate their bill. The move targets key issues such as overbilling, delayed or inaccurate readings, and lack of transparency in…