Author: Saima Altaf
Islamabad averted a third fuel-sector standoff in as many weeks on Monday, forming a high-level committee to settle a freight-rate dispute with oil tanker contractors just days after talks defused a threatened wheel-jam strike. What triggered the standoff The Oil Tanker Contractors Association had given the government a 72-hour ultimatum, warning that unchanged freight rates — frozen for three years even as motorway and highway toll taxes rose by roughly 180 percent — had made operations unsustainable. Contractors also demanded a shrunken quota for the White Oil Pipeline, an end to unauthorized commercial loading, and a freight formula tied to…
Mahira Khan walked into a London charity event dressed for the cameras. She walked out facing a familiar question for celebrities who mix advocacy with endorsements: can you do both without one undercutting the other? What happened Khan appeared as the celebrity guest at a Gaza relief fundraiser organized by Luxe Events UK, taking part in a Q&A and mingling with attendees in a Saniya Maskatiya outfit. Clips from the event went viral, and reaction split fast. Some praised her warmth with the British-Pakistani community; others accused her of turning a humanitarian event into self-promotion, pointing to her dancing and…
PARIS / LAHORE: For years, Mehmood Bhatti presented himself as a self-made success story — an immigrant who rose from obscurity to the heights of Paris fashion through claims of talent, grit, and business brilliance. That narrative has now collapsed under the weight of a criminal conviction. According to reporting by Le Monde journalists Laura Motet and Clément Guillou, Bhatti appeared before the Paris Court of Appeals and pleaded guilty to tax fraud and aggravated money laundering linked to activities between 2009 and 2014. He was handed a two-year suspended prison sentence, fined €150,000, banned from managing companies for 10…
British-Pakistani entrepreneur and educationist Prof. Dr. Sarwar Muhammad Khawaja has been conferred the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, one of the highest civilian honours of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan by the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, at a prestigious investiture ceremony held at the President House. Dr. Sarwar Muhammad Khawaja is launching Pakistan’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Lahore, which will be called the University of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Sciences (UAIES). The ceremony was graced by the Chairman Senate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, alongside members of the federal and provincial cabinets,…
Public welfare initiatives are often discussed in terms of intent. Far less frequently are they assessed through measurable economic outcomes. In Punjab, however, the Sahulat Bazaar system has begun to generate a data trail that allows for a more grounded evaluation. At the centre of this system is Naveed Rafaqat Ahmad, Director General of the Punjab Sahulat Bazaars Authority, whose administrative work has focused on building a market-based welfare structure rather than a subsidy-driven one. The distinction is important. Traditional welfare models rely heavily on fiscal transfers. The Sahulat Bazaar framework, by contrast, attempts to reduce prices through controlled supply…
LONDON/LAHORE: Businessman and Pakistan’s Ambassador at Large on Economic Diplomacy Umar Farooq Zahoor has filed a criminal complaint in a Lahore court after a Norwegian tabloid ran a defamatory campaign against him in association with Indian media about his recent meeting with US Vice President JD Vance in Islamabad related to Iran-US peace dialogue facilitated by Pakistan. The complaint, filed under Section 500 of the Pakistan Penal Code, names right-wing Norway tabloid Verdens Gang (VG), its reporter Rolf J. Wideroe, and prosecutor Carl Graff Hartmann for repeatedly attacking the Dubai-based Pakistani-origin businessman who has been twice honored with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz…
On Sunday night at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, fans witnessed a moment that quickly sparked retirement rumors. The date marked a major talking point in wrestling, but one key question remains unanswered. A Moment That Felt Like Goodbye After losing his match to Oba Femi, Brock Lesnar did something unexpected. He stayed in the ring, calm and silent. Then, he slowly removed his gloves and boots. In professional wrestling, leaving boots in the ring often signals retirement. Many legends have done this before stepping away for good. That single act changed the mood in the stadium instantly. Fans Reacted…
April 2026: Authorities in Islamabad have announced a reduction in public transport fares after a major drop in diesel prices. The price of diesel has been cut by Rs 32 per liter, bringing relief to commuters. Officials confirmed that a 5% reduction in inter-city and inter-provincial bus fares has been implemented immediately across the country. From Lahore, fares to several major cities have been reduced. The fare to Karachi has dropped from Rs 5,390 to Rs 5,120, while the fare to Hyderabad has decreased from Rs 5,020 to Rs 4,770. Travel to Moro is now cheaper, with fares reduced from…
April 20, 2026: Traffic restrictions have been imposed in Islamabad due to high-level security arrangements linked to possible talks involving the United States and Iran. Authorities have announced a detailed traffic management plan to control movement in the city. Several key roads are closed, and diversions are now in place until further notice. The Islamabad Expressway from Korral to Zero Point is completely closed. Traffic on Srinagar Highway may also face temporary suspensions. The Red Zone and nearby areas are fully sealed for all vehicles. This includes important government and diplomatic locations. Residents of sectors G-5, G-6, G-7, F-6, and…
National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has released a new schedule for its mobile van services. These services will provide ID card facilities to citizens near their homes. The schedule includes different dates in April 2026. People can visit nearby locations instead of going to NADRA offices. This makes the process easier and faster. In Islamabad, the mobile vans will operate from April 20 to April 25, 2026. Citizens can apply for new ID cards, update their details, and use other registration services during this period. In Rawalpindi and Kashmir, the service will also run from April 20 to April…