Ahtisham Rai

US Centcom chief lauds ‘phenomenal partner’ Pakistan in counter-terrorism efforts

United States Central Command (Centcom) commander Army General Michael Kurilla on Wednesday praised Pakistan as a “phenomenal partner in the world of counter-terrorism”, citing the nation’s struggle against terrorism in Balochistan and against terrorist groups like the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K). Pakistan and the US reaffirmed the continuation of counter-terrorism cooperation during a dialogue in Washington on May…

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PM Shehbaz set to embark on UAE visit tomorrow, discuss global issues: FO

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to the United Arab Emirates tomorrow (Thursday) to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest during some high-level meetings. Over the last few months, UAE expressed the country’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing partnership with Pakistan and announced a $2 billion debt rollover soon after. In…

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Road to stardom

FOR an icon of women’s cricket — in fact, women’s sports — in Pakistan, Sana Mir’s induction into the International Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame is a testament to her unwavering spirit and relentless drive to pursue excellence. Sana is Pakistan’s first female cricketer to find a place in ICC’s esteemed Hall of Fame, being inducted alongside…

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Trump willing to work on Kashmir issue, confirms US State Dept

US Department of State on Wednesday reiterated US President Donald Trump’s resolve to work on the Kashmir dispute, saying each step that he takes “is made to solve generational differences between countries”. Donald Trump had offered to work on the Kashmir issue after he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after the two nations’ most intense military confrontation in decades….

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After expanding the net, new budget will focus on increasing tax rates

• Many goods, services will now be taxed at higher rates• Lower rates for digital payments versus cash transactions set to replace distinction between filers, non-filers• Some relief expected for salaried persons earning around Rs100,000 per month ISLAMABAD: Facing limited room for fresh tax measures, the Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government has resorted to rebranding taxation…

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Budget FY26: Pakistan targets 4.2pc growth, slashes overall spending

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday unveiled Pakistan’s annual federal budget in a charged National Assembly session, outlining ambitious proposals to drive 4.2 per cent economic growth in the coming fiscal year while cutting back on overall spending and tightening tax measures.As the session — chaired by NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq — commenced, opposition…

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Income tax calculator 2025-26: How does the new budget affect your salary

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presented the budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026 in the National Assembly on Tuesday. Under the watchful eye of the International Monetary Fund, the government projected growth of 4.2 per cent and set an ambitious tax collection target at Rs14,131 billion, an 8.95pc increase from last year’s goal. The government had earlier promised…

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Pakistan becoming regional IT hub

ISLAMABAD: IT & ITeS export receipts rose by $541 million to $2.82 billion, showing a trade surplus of $2.42bn, during July-March, according to Economic Survey 2024-25 released on Monday. The ICT exports included a contribution of $400 million by the freelancers, and the survey highlighted that the tech-savvy and professional youth are set to become a regional hub…

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