Author: i2wtc
US President Donald Trump (R) and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin speak during their meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7, 2017Mikhail Klimentiev | AFP | Getty ImagesIn heady times — and with trade wars dominating the news agenda — it’s easy to forget that Russia and Ukraine’s soldiers continue to fight for every inch of frontline territory in Ukraine.Conflict in Gaza, ongoing economic uncertainty in the U.S. and Europe and the shifting geopolitical landscape with strengthening, and opposing, ‘axes of power’ are also at the fore of global policymakers’ minds, pushing more than…
Listen to article ISLAMABAD: The government managed to restrict the outstanding dues of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) power projects to Rs423 billion by June this year, which might also be settled soon, subject to early resolution of the issue of interest on late payments. The official documents showed that as of the end of fiscal year 2024-25, the outstanding energy payments to Chinese power plants amounted to Rs423 billion. These were Rs22 billion, or 5.5%, more than the preceding fiscal year. The details showed that since 2017, the country has paid Rs5.1 trillion in energy costs to the 18 Chinese power plants,…
Listen to article PESHAWAR: In a joint counter-terrorism operation, the Swat police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) killed three key operatives of Fitna al-Khawarij a group identified as an Indian proxy, including a high-value target with a bounty of Rs2 million on Saturday, Express News reported. According to the CTD, the terrorists were involved in attacks on security forces and the killings of police personnel. Among the deceased was Ajmal alias Waqas, accused of murdering members of a Village Defence Council and listed as a most-wanted terrorist. The second suspect was identified as Matiullah, also known as Ishaq and Junaid. The third…
Listen to article Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has reaffirmed the federal government’s unwavering support for Balochistan in its fight against terrorism, during a high-level meeting held in Quetta to review law and order. In a statement released on Saturday, Naqvi co-chaired the special session at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat with Chief Minister Sarfraz Ahmad Bugti. The meeting focused on the overall security situation in Balochistan, the performance of law enforcement agencies, and ongoing operations against “Fitna-e-Hindustan” – a term used for Indian-sponsored terrorists operating in the region. Attendees included the Balochistan IGP, Frontier Corps (North) IG, Counter Terrorism Department DIG, Special Branch DIG,…
Listen to article Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has clarified that his recent remarks about Dr Aafia Siddiqui, made during a question-and-answer session at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington, were “taken out of context”. Dar, who is currently on an official visit to the United States, addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York before travelling to Washington, where he spoke at a session hosted by the Atlantic Council think tank. During the event, Dar was asked about the incarceration of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. In response, he…
Listen to article ISLAMABAD: A subcommittee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was left stunned on Friday after uncovering gross mismanagement within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), which resulted in a staggering Rs397 billion loss to the national exchequer. The meeting of the subcommittee, chaired by its convener Shahida Akhtar Ali, was informed that the losses stemmed from the non-recovery of direct and indirect taxes as well as customs duties, due to negligence and inefficiency within the FBR. The subcommittee reviewed audit reports of the FBR for fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014. Audit officials disclosed alarming lapses, pointing out…
People view an AI-powered textile machine at the exhibition area of the 2025 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in east China’s Shanghai, July 26, 2025. The event kicked off here on Saturday. More than 1,000 officials and representatives of industries, universities and research institutes from home and abroad attended the opening ceremony. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)A staff member (C) introduces an AR glasses product to visitors at the exhibition area of the 2025 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in east China’s Shanghai, July 26, 2025. The event kicked off here on Saturday.…
Listen to article ISLAMABAD: Authorities in capital have uncovered a disturbing illegal meat operation at a farmhouse in the Tarnol area, where donkey meat was allegedly being processed for sale both locally and abroad. The Islamabad Food Authority, backed by local police and district administration, conducted the raid and found approximately 25 maunds (over 900 kilograms) of meat, which was immediately destroyed. Officials also recovered around 60 live donkeys from the premises. A foreign national found at the scene was arrested and handed over to police for further investigation. Early reports suggest the meat was not only being distributed locally, but was…
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the development of a digital ecosystem within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), as part of the government’s ongoing reform efforts, Radio Pakistan reported. Chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Saturday to review progress on FBR reforms, the PM directed that globally recognised experts be engaged to design and implement the new digital system. He instructed that all data—from the import and production of raw materials to product manufacturing and consumer purchases—must be integrated into a single centralised system to enable real-time, end-to-end monitoring. The prime minister emphasised that the system should be…
Listen to article Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has said that the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from prison appears unlikely, adding that his sons are also not expected to return to Pakistan. Addressing senior journalists in Peshawar on Saturday, Kundi dismissed speculation about the involvement of Khan’s sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, in PTI’s upcoming protest campaign. “It is highly unlikely they will come back,” he said, reiterating that prospects of Imran Khan’s release remain slim. Earlier this month, Khan’s sister Aleema Khan claimed that both sons would join the party’s anti-government protest movement, expected to begin in…