President Asif Ali Zardari has given assent to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Amendment Bill 2025, which revises the framework for compensation on acquired property. Under the amendment, compensation will not be restricted to cash payments and may also be provided in the form of land or other prescribed arrangements. In cases of delayed payment, an additional 8 per cent per annum will be payable. The legislation also introduces provisions relating to persons with disabilities, minors and individuals under legal constraints, along with clauses aimed at safeguarding the rights of…
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Cabinet clears new local system for Islamabad
A new local government system will be introduced in Islamabad following the federal cabinet’s endorsement of decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases (CCLC), including actions under the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. Addressing the first federal cabinet meeting of the year on Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated cabinet members on the new year and stated that the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines marked significant progress in the government’s commitment to privatise state-owned enterprises. The prime minister highlighted that the privatisation of state-owned enterprises…
Read MoreAdil Raja, six others handed double life sentences for ‘digital terrorism’
An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has handed down double life sentences to YouTuber Adil Raja, former army official Syed Akbar Hussain, and journalists Wajahat Saeed Khan, Sabir Shakir, Moeed Pirzada, Shaheen Sehbai, and Haider Mehdi. The sentences were announced by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra in cases regarding “digital terrorism” against state institutions during May 9, 2023. The prosecution, represented by Raja Naveed Hussain Kiani, presented 24 witnesses before the court. On request of the prosecution, the trial was concluded in the absence of the accused, who were represented…
Read MoreImran Khan has news access but remains frustrated in jail, says scholar Mirza
Religious scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza, who was recently imprisoned in Adiala Jail before being granted bail in a high-profile blasphemy case, has shared details about the conduct and daily routine of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan behind bars. Speaking to a private television channel, Mirza said Khan does not enjoy “palace-like” facilities in jail but does have access to news from the outside world. He said the former prime minister is provided with two newspapers and an LED television in his room, allowing him to stay updated. Mirza…
Read MoreDar heads to China for seventh foreign ministers’ strategic dialogue
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar departed for Beijing to co-chair, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the seventh Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue. The event is to be held on January 4. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stated that Dar is the first foreign dignitary to visit China in 2026, at Yi’s invitation. The post goes on to read that “the dialogue will review the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation, identify new areas of partnership, and further advance…
Read MoreVenezuela open to talks with US
CARACAS: President Nicolas Maduro Thursday dodged a question about an alleged US attack on a dock in Venezuela but said he was open to cooperation with Washington after weeks of American military pressure. “Wherever they want and whenever they want,” Maduro said of the idea of dialogue with the United States on drug trafficking, oil and migration in an interview on state TV. To date, Maduro has not confirmed a US land attack on a docking facility in his country that allegedly targeted drug boats, according to US President Donald…
Read MorePakistanis spend two-thirds of income on food, power as remittance reliance grows
ISLAMABAD: Pakistanis spent two out of every three rupees on just two basic needs — food and electricity — as reliance on foreign remittances and financial assistance increased to meet growing expenditures, a new government survey showed. The expenditures increased at a faster pace than the incomes due to current economic pressure and rising cost of living, according to the Household Integrated Economic Survey 2024-25, released by the Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday. The findings of the survey, conducted after a gap of over six years under pressure…
Read MoreDaily Capital Mail Epaper- 2 January 2026
Daily Capital Mail Epaper-31 December 2025
PSX maintains record-setting rally
KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) rallied to another record high on Tuesday and appeared well-positioned for a vibrant performance in 2026, underpinned by improving investor sentiment and ample liquidity. The market began the day’s proceedings on a strong footing, swiftly scaling to the intra-day peak of 174,805 in early trading. However, profit-taking triggered a mid-morning correction, which pulled the index down to the intra-day low of 174,121. Subsequently, investor confidence strengthened with the market moving in a narrow band and making a gradual recovery through the afternoon. The rally…
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