Agriculture, services, property, and retail — sectors largely under provincial jurisdiction — dominate Pakistan’s economy. Property taxes in Pakistan are archaic, under-assessed, and riddled with discretion. Despite rapid urbanization and soaring real estate prices, property tax collection remains trivial. Ultimately, Pakistan’s fiscal crisis cannot be solved by squeezing the same narrow set of taxpayers or by perpetually seeking external bailouts. Without meaningful provincial tax effort, every reform package will remain incomplete, and every stabilization will be temporary.

The minister’s emphasis on protecting the interests of investors in the oil and gas sector comes at a critical time. Pakistan has long struggled to attract consistent foreign and domestic investment in its energy industry due to policy uncertainty, delayed payments, regulatory bottlenecks and shifting taxation regimes. By publicly committing to regulatory stability, contract protection and transparency, the government is sending a much-needed signal that it understands investor confidence is not optional, it is essential. The minister’s call for clear, forward-looking and investor-friendly policies reflects the reality of a rapidly changing global energy landscape. Pakistan must move beyond short-term fixes and adopt long-term, integrated planning that links petroleum, gas, power, renewable and infrastructure into a coherent national strategy.

Summary A brief sketch of the cybercrimes reported in Pakistan in previous years is given below; (DAWN, 2018) blackmailing, stalking, violation of privacy, impersonation, fraud etc. Currently, the total number of internet users in Pakistan is 111 million. This agency has the expertise as to dealing with cyber security, cyber fraud, technical investigation, digital forensics. A brief sketch of the cybercrimes reported in Pakistan in previous years is given below; (DAWN, 2018) blackmailing, stalking, violation of privacy, impersonation, fraud etc. Cyber Rescue 1991 is also providing 24/7 services to help the victims of Cyber Crime.

LAHORE : Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has expressed deep shock over the death of a mother and daughter who fell into a sewer line in Bhaati Gate area, calling the incident unacceptable in a major city like Lahore. Expressing sympathy with the affected family, the chief minister announced that Rs10 million would be secured from the responsible contractor to provide financial assistance. Maryam Nawaz revealed that briefings confirmed construction work was ongoing at the accident site, the sewer line was extremely high, and water flow varied constantly. The chief minister stated that everyone present at the site shared responsibility, noting that multiple manholes were left open and safety measures were completely lacking. Criticising the handling of the site, Maryam Nawaz noted that though the area had been cordoned off with pannaflex, lighting was not arranged, and those who left the site unsecured appeared unconcerned.

KARACHI :The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a significant surge on Friday a day after it witnessed a bloodbath due to geopolitical tensions. During intraday trading, the market soared by over 1,700 points, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index reaching 184,062 points. The positive momentum comes as regional tensions eased after US President Donald Trump said he hoped to avoid military action against Iran, which has threatened to strike American bases and aircraft carriers in response to any attack. During the session, the ready market recorded a trading volume of 933.099 million shares with a traded value of Rs 66.413 billion, against 953.917 million shares valuing Rs 48.878 billion in the previous session. Out of 487 active companies in the ready market, 83 advanced, 364 declined, while 40 remained u

Concerned over the reports regarding the PTI founder’s health, Afridi arrived in Rawalpindi to meet him at Adiala jail yesterday. On this, he decided to stage a sit-in near the jail. Tarar said eye specialists had examined the PTI founder at Adiala Jail and advised that he be shifted to Pims for further assessment and treatment. Following the procedure, the minister said, he was shifted back to Adiala Jail with the necessary medical instructions. Citing a hospital doctor, the report stated the former prime minister underwent a procedure for an eye ailment, and was returned to Adiala jail the next day.

LAHORE : The Lahore High Court has ordered the suspension of the ongoing underground parking projects at Taxali Gate and Sheranwala Gate in the provincial capital. Justice Karim called the incident a “very tragic event” and directed that the underground parking projects at Taxali Gate and Sheranwala Gate be halted immediately. The court also summoned the director general of Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and the Advocate General of Punjab for the next hearing. The court directed the DG PHA to take suo-motu action and meet with the Vice Chancellors of all universities. The matter of tree cutting at Punjab University will also be referred to the Anti-Corruption Department.

ISLAMABAD :Pakistan has achieved a major milestone in the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), with the signing of the transaction agreement between the government and the Arif Habib Consortium in a ceremony held in Islamabad. The event was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. Prime Minister Sharif congratulated the nation, saying the privatisation process had reached a successful conclusion. Recalling the airline’s peak years, especially in the 1960s, he expressed confidence that the consortium would restore PIA to its former glory. I am confident that Arif Habib and his entire team will bring PIA back to this position,” he said.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to exchange views on the evolving regional situation and the importance of sustained dialogue. The prime minister emphasized the need for continued diplomatic engagement to promote peace, security, and development across the region. Both leaders highlighted the longstanding, brotherly ties between Pakistan and Iran, rooted in shared history, culture, and values. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and maintaining high-level contacts through established institutional mechanisms to advance mutual interests.

The ideological gap between Republicans and Democrats has widened into something closer to mutual distrust than disagreement. Elections are no longer merely contests of policy but existential battles for the soul of the nation, eroding public faith in democratic outcomes themselves. When a significant portion of the electorate questions the legitimacy of electoral processes, democratic stability is inevitably weakened. Social media platforms, partisan news outlets and algorithm-driven content have created parallel realities in which facts are contested and narratives are weaponized. The critical question is whether today’s storm will lead to renewal or rupture.

Wheat is not merely a staple crop; it is the backbone of Pakistan’s food security. The recent meeting of the National Wheat Oversight Committee, chaired by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, has delivered a reassuring message: Pakistan has sufficient wheat stocks to meet national needs until the next harvest. Equally important was the committee’s focus on wheat procurement for the 2026 crop season. The role of the private sector in wheat procurement was also reviewed, with assurances that regulatory mechanisms are being enforced. The government’s commitment to stabilizing wheat markets, protecting farmers, and maintaining strategic reserves is a promising signal.

Reproductive justice goes beyond healthcare – it’s about empowering individuals, especially women, to make informed decisions about their bodies, health and future without discrimination or fear. Globally, millions of women face obstacles in accessing basic reproductive healthcare like family planning, maternal care and safe childbirth. Factors like poverty, limited education, social stigma and inadequate healthcare systems worsen these challenges. Reproductive justice also means having the right to raise children in safe environments. Governments and societies must prioritise improving healthcare, spreading awareness and protecting reproductive rights.

Pre-Scout: Is Macklin vs. McDavid the next great player rivalry? Hockey fans could talk about it the same way Oilers fans did in 2015 with McDavid vs Crosby. This is the third head-to-head between them (McDavid missed one of the games last year due to injury). McDavid has five assists in those games, while Celebrini had just one point in three tries. Regardless, hopes of Edmonton targeting a Sharks player in a trade, like Mario Ferraro , grow slimmer.

ISLAMABAD: European Union Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House on Thursday, assuring his efforts to strengthen bilateral ties across trade, investment, development, security, migration, and climate change. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Advisor to the Prime Minister Dr. Syed Tauqir Shah, SAPM Tariq Fatemi, and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch. During the meeting, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further deepen cooperation with the EU and highlighted the importance of the GSP Plus scheme in enhancing trade between the two sides. He emphasized that the government is focused on working closely with the EU on initiatives that expand trade and investment opportunities. The Prime Minister also welcomed the outcomes of the 7th round of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue held in Brussels in November 2025, led by the Deputy Prime Minister, noting it as a positive step toward stronger bilateral engagement.

The Lahore High Court has ordered the trial court to decide within 30 days in the defamation case filed by renowned singer Ali Zafar against Meesha Shafi. The Lahore High Court on Tuesday issued important instructions in the defamation case filed by singer Ali Zafar against actress and singer Meesha Shafi, ordering the trial court […]