Author: capital

Art and culture open new doors for Pakistan–Tajikistan ties

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Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, during a meeting with Tajikistan’s Culture Minister Sattoriyon Matlubakhon Amonzoda, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Tajikistan in digital media. Amonzoda is in Islamabad for the two-day Pakistan-Tajik Cultural Festival at Lok Virsa from December 19 to 20. Tarar said digital media was an important tool for public engagement and cultural outreach. Both sides stressed the need to further promote cultural and media cooperation and to strengthen people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. They also agreed to work on formal cultural cooperation…

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LHC orders PHA to submit parks restoration policy

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LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday directed the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) to submit a comprehensive policy report on the restoration and rehabilitation of parks at the next hearing while taking up petitions related to smog mitigation. Justice Shahid Karim was hearing petitions filed by citizen Haroon Farooq and others, seeking effective measures to curb air pollution in the provincial capital. During the proceedings, a member of the Judicial Commission informed the court that the EPD had launched a crackdown on heavy vehicles contributing to air pollution.

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Pakistan accuses India of violating Indus Waters Treaty

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday accused India of deliberately manipulating river flows in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), warning that New Delhi’s actions threaten regional stability, international law and the livelihoods of millions of people downstream. Addressing diplomatic corps in Islamabad, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar said India’s decision earlier this year to hold the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance amounted to a “gross contravention” of international law, including the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. He said Pakistan was now witnessing “material…

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Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi sentenced to 17 years in Toshakhana 2.0

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Former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have been sentenced in the Toshakhana-II case, after a court issued a written verdict on Saturday finding both guilty of criminal breach of trust. Khan was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment under Section 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code and a further seven years under the Anti-Corruption Act, while Bushra Bibi was sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment. Both were fined Rs16,425,650 each, with an additional six months’ imprisonment in case of non-payment. The implementation of the Toshakhana-II verdict began on…

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Gold prices rise continuously, further increases today

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The price of gold climbed again on Thursday, with both global bullion rates and local market values pushing the yellow metal to higher levels amid continued demand and broader trends in international markets. In the international bullion market, the price of gold per ounce rose by $22 to reach $4,334, prompting gains in local bullion markets as well. As a result, the price of 24‑carat gold in Pakistan increased by Rs2,200 to settle at Rs455,762 per tola, according to the All‑Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association. Likewise, the price of…

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US crypto industry cheers 2025 wins

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WASHINGTON, DC: After celebrating Donald Trump’s second presidential term by swilling cocktails and partying to Snoop Dogg at a pre-inauguration event in January, the crypto industry went on to notch major legislative and regulatory victories this year. But the party may not continue into 2026. Among the industry’s biggest wins under Trump’s crypto-friendly second administration were the Securities and Exchange Commission’s swift move to rescind stringent crypto accounting guidance and dismiss Biden-era lawsuits against Coinbase, Binance and others, as well as the passage of a landmark law creating federal rules…

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Pakistan’s foreign reserves reach $21.09b, boosted by IMF inflows

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KARACHI: Pakistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves increased to $21.09 billion as of December 12, 2025, lifting the country’s import cover to 2.62 months, supported primarily by fresh inflows from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). According to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), foreign currency reserves held by the central bank rose by $1.30 billion week-on-week to $15.89 billion, while net foreign reserves with commercial banks stood at $5.20 billion, taking total liquid reserves to $21.09 billion. The SBP said the weekly increase in its reserves was…

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Remittances drive Pakistan’s current account $100m surplus

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KARACHI: Pakistan recorded a current account surplus of $100 million in November 2025, reversing a deficit of $291 million in October, but the modest improvement came despite a sharp decline in goods exports and was driven almost entirely by remittances sent by overseas Pakistani labourers who continue to receive little to no institutional support from the state. Rather than reflecting a strengthening of export competitiveness or productive capacity, the surplus underscores Pakistan’s growing dependence on remittance inflows generated by migrant workers, many of whom face systemic hurdles, harassment, and mistreatment…

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