Two killed in wedding shooting over long-standing feud in Gujar Khan

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Fri, 5 Dec 2025, 6:26 PM

RAWALPINDI, Dec 05 (APP): Rawalpindi has recorded its lowest dengue count in years with only 1,576 confirmed cases and zero deaths throughout the year.
A ceremony was held at the District Health Authority office to honour the teams behind the success.
MPA Asma Naz Abbasi, Parliamentary Secretary for Health, presided over the event and distributed shields and certificates to outstanding workers. Health Inspectors Maskeen Allah and Khubaib Satti received special awards for their exceptional performance.

CEO Health Dr Ehsan Ghani, District Health Officer Dr Hussain Shah Tirmizi and other senior officers attended the programme. Community leaders and businessmen were also present to support the campaign.

This year the district carried out more than 25,000 screenings and took the strictest enforcement action on record, sealing 1,945 premises, issuing 3,767 challans, collecting over Rs 11.4 million in fines and making 4,852 arrests for violations.

Dr Ghani said that measures and continuous field work by health teams prevented a major outbreak. However he urged the citizens to continue following dengue SOPs and monitoring any relevant situation.
The statistical information presented at the ceremony showed the 2025-case-curve stayed far below the levels as compared to those of previous two years’.

Pakistan, ADB sign $61.8 mln agreements for three development initiatives

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Fri, 5 Dec 2025, 6:20 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) here Friday signed agreements for three major development initiatives to support priority needs in connectivity, urban transport, and the water sector.

These included the Project Readiness Financing for Karachi-Rohri Section of Main Line-I, Project Readiness Financing (ML-I PRF) amounting to USD 10 Million, for the Quetta Bus Rapid Transit (Quetta BRT PRF) USD 3.8 Million, and Balochistan Water Resources Development Sector Project– Additional Financing amounting to USD 48 Million.

Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs expressed appreciation for ADB’s role as a trusted development partner, and its continued support to Pakistan to complement the development agenda of the country, said a press release issued by the ministry.

The Secretary appreciated ADB’s support to these critical projects, which would significantly contribute to Pakistan’s long-term and sustainable economic growth, address the vital urban infrastructure needs of Quetta city, and enhance agricultural productivity in Balochistan Province.

He acknowledged the efforts of the Ministry of Railways, and the government of Balochistan, and urged timely and effective utilization of the financing to ensure successful implementation.

Country Director ADB, Ms. Emma Fan expressed appreciation for the government of Pakistan’s strong commitment to these projects.

She highlighted the importance of the two projects for Balochistan and noted the Railways Improvement Project PRF as a key step toward railways modernization.

She also reaffirmed ADB’s continued commitment to working closely with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and other stakeholders to ensure its support remains aligned with Pakistan’s development priorities.

Tarar defends FBR’s authority to seek bank data as Senate sends issue to committee

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Fri, 5 Dec 2025, 6:19 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 05 (APP): Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar Friday robustly defended the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) legal authority to obtain and communicate bank information to taxpayers, telling the Senate that such inquiries were fully protected by law and consistent with global anti–money laundering regimes.

Responding to a calling-attention notice moved by Senator Asad Qasim regarding FBR text messages sent to filers revealing their bank balances and transaction amounts, Tarar said financial scrutiny was an integral part of tax regulation.

“You cannot say FBR should not ask questions,” he asserted. “Banks are legally bound to provide information, and worldwide, tax evasion is now treated as a predicate offence under AML frameworks.”

He said modern compliance mechanisms required transparency between taxpayers and regulators.

“If someone has five crore rupees in their account but has not declared it, and FBR sends a reminder, there should be no objection,” he maintained.

Earlier, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry confirmed that the FBR had issued messages to both filers and non-filers where discrepancies were detected between declared income and bank data.

He cited Section 165A of the Income Tax Ordinance, which authorises banks to share deposit information, along with provisions granting FBR access to data from FIA, the State Bank, National Database and Registration Authority and utilities.

Dismissing allegations of privacy breaches, he said: “If my account information is sent, it comes only to me. There is no broadcast of anyone’s data.”

Despite the government’s stance that the legal framework was clear, the House later decided to refer the matter to the concerned standing committee for further examination in view of the sensitivities surrounding data protection and taxpayer privacy.

PRA uncover major tax evasion by housing societies, builders

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Fri, 5 Dec 2025, 6:17 PM

LAHORE, Dec 05 (APP): A large number of housing societies, builders and farmhouses across Punjab have been found non-tax compliant. Significant manipulation in the sales records of several major hotels, food chains and restaurants was also uncovered.

This was disclosed in a meeting chaired by Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) Chairman Moazzam Iqbal Sipra here on Friday.

The Chairman directed the Commissioner Lahore Division to issue immediate notices for registration and tax payments to all defaulters. It was further informed that vigilance teams have compiled bill records, after which enforcement actions will be initiated. More than 100 farmhouses in the provincial capital alone were identified as non-compliant.

The Chairman instructed that the records of hotels, marquees, marriage halls and event management companies be thoroughly scrutinized. He added that strict action to follow warning notices for those involved in tax misreporting or fake invoicing. All Additional Deputy Commissioners have also been directed to conduct weekly reviews of revenue targets for the current month.

DG ISPR terms PTI’s narrative-driven campaign a national security threat

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Fri, 5 Dec 2025, 6:14 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): Director General, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General, Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry Friday strongly criticised Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) narrative-based campaign against the Pakistan Army, declaring it a direct threat to national security.He also accused the party of gaining support from media outlets of those countries whose forces, he said, had previously suffered defeat at the hands of the Pakistan Army.

Addressing a press conference, the DG ISPR presented some anti-army reports being repeatedly aired on Indian television channels. He stated that the party’s narrative relied heavily on sensationalism, disinformation and a systematic distortion of facts — elements that were further amplified by influencers allegedly aligned with PTI and boosted by Indian and Afghan social media ecosystems.“Under which law, rule, or constitutional provision can this be permitted? Lt Gen Chaudhry questioned.

He called it a “creeping national security threat” that the military considers imperative to counter.

He said that instead of prioritising matters of public interest — including governance challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where PTI has ruled for over a decade, as well as persistent issues in education, health, security and economic management — the party had centred its politics on attacking state institutions, particularly the armed forces.

He described one man in jail as “mentally sick” alleging that the individual continued to place personal agenda above broader national interests. “No one is above Pakistan,” he stressed, adding that no one would be allowed to undermine the country’s integrity.

The DG ISPR cautioned that coordinated attempts to create distrust between the armed forces and the Pakistani public through nefarious design would not be tolerated. He underlined that the military represents the entire nation, comprising citizens from every province, region, ethnicity and faith, and any attack on the institution was tantamount to attacking national unity.

The DG ISPR underscored the strategic role of Pakistan’s armed forces in defending the country against both external and internal threats, cautioning that attacks on the military directly weaken national security. “It is the armed forces,” he said, “that stand between the people of Pakistan and the Hindutva-driven hegemonic designs of India”.

“These same forces stand between the nation and the khawarij, terrorists, the Fitna al-Khawarij, and the Fitna al-Hindustan operating from Afghanistan,” he added.

He further elaborated on what he termed PTI’s “anti-state agenda,” linking its support networks in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to illegal activities, including narcotics trafficking, abductions, extortion and the widespread use of non-custom-paid vehicles.

Lieutenant General added that hostile foreign elements were exploiting PTI’s narrative to malign Pakistan internationally, warning that such collaboration — intentional or otherwise — served the interests of adversaries rather than the people of Pakistan.

He reiterated that the Pakistan Army remained committed to safeguarding the country and would continue to counter propaganda, misinformation and any attempts to destabilise the state.

Earlier, he congratulated everyone on the appointment of the Chief of Defense Forces. The Chief of Defense Forces has started working.In the current warfare situation, it is necessary to work in a coordinated manner across all sectors including land, air, naval and cyber.This step was a long-standing need, other countries also have such headquarters.This step on the instructions of the Parliament is an important milestone in the country’s defense.

Pakistan escalates relief efforts in cyclone-hit Sri Lanka

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Fri, 5 Dec 2025, 6:14 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 05 (APP): Pakistan has intensified relief operations in Sri Lanka following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, in response to Colombo’s urgent appeal.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Friday confirmed that support operations are underway to assist affected communities. Acting on the Prime Minister’s directive, a specialized Pakistan Army team dispatched by the NDMA has reached cyclone-stricken areas and is engaged in rescue and relief work.

Search operations for missing persons continue, while recovery teams are retrieving the bodies of those who lost their lives in the cyclone Ditwah. Pakistan’s Army search and rescue units are operating in Sri Lanka’s hilly regions, working tirelessly to locate survivors and provide assistance.

The NDMA stated that additional relief supplies would be sent using available space on commercial flights. A relief team was earlier dispatched aboard a Pakistan Air Force C-130 aircraft to bolster ongoing rescue efforts. In line with the Prime Minister’s directive, 200 tons of relief goods have also been shipped aboard a naval vessel to support communities impacted by the disaster.

Pakistan Navy ships and helicopters are actively engaged in relief operations, extending aid to areas hardest hit. The NDMA reaffirmed its commitment to tackling natural calamities at home and abroad, stressing its determination to mitigate damage and reduce the impact of disasters.

The Authority assured that Pakistan would continue to provide all possible assistance to the disaster-stricken people of Sri Lanka.

Netherlands to expand trade, investment cooperation: ambassador

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Fri, 5 Dec 2025, 6:10 PM

LAHORE, Dec 05 (APP): Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Robert-Jan Siegert, has said that while the bilateral trade relations between Pakistan and the Netherlands are strong and continue to grow, there is still a “little bit of catching up to do” to further enhance cooperation, particularly in areas of trade and investment.

He emphasized, both sides should work together to make the business environment easier and more attractive for foreign investors by addressing existing challenges.

He was talking to business community during his visit to Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) here Friday. He was accompanied by Honorary Consul Asma Hamid, Deputy Head of Mission, Hajo Provo Kluit and First Secretary Alexander Akerboom. LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol accorded a warm welcome to the Ambassador, while members of LCCI Executive Committee including Amir Ali, Karamat Ali Awan, Waqas Aslam, and Malik Ahmad Amin were also present.

LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol said that Pakistan considers the Netherlands as an important economy and a key trading partner in Europe. According to the ITC World Trade Map, global imports of the Netherlands exceed 635 billion dollars while exports are above 722 billion dollars. The Netherlands is the third largest export destination for Pakistan in Europe after the UK and Germany, and stands fourth among the top European import markets for Pakistan.

He informed that overall bilateral trade during 2024-25 stood around 1.9 billion dollars. Pakistan’s exports to the Netherlands amounted to 1.49 billion dollars whereas imports were recorded at 420 million dollars in the same period. Pakistan mainly exports home textiles, hosiery, rice, and woven fabrics, while its key imports from the Netherlands include petroleum oils, malt extracts, iron & steel scrap, medical appliances, and dairy products. He stressed the need to diversify product lines and explore new avenues of cooperation including information technology, tourism, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, processed food, and automotive production. He also highlighted that the Netherlands could help modernize Pakistan’s agriculture through advanced techniques and technology transfer.

First Secretary Alexander Akerboom said that more than 50 Dutch companies are already active in the Pakistani market and are looking to further expand. He cited successful joint ventures as models of future cooperation, especially in livestock, agri-food technology, and halal-based exports. He mentioned that Dutch expertise in high-tech agriculture and greenhouse farming can greatly help Pakistan increase crop yields and reduce production costs. He said the Netherlands, despite its small size, is the second largest exporter of agri-food globally due to its innovative farming methods.

He shared examples such as the potato project in Punjab that successfully reduced fertilizer costs by 30 percent and increased yield by the same proportion. He also referred to recent initiatives like the International Cotton Accelerator, launched in Lahore, which aims to promote organic cotton and strengthen Pakistan’s textile-based economy. He stressed that Pakistan needs climate-resilient seeds and advanced water management solutions to cope with growing challenges like floods and drought.

The Ambassador said that Pakistan offers a great market, but foreign investors also compare opportunities globally. Therefore, simplification of regulatory procedures, improved ease of doing business, and reforms beyond special economic zones are crucial to attract more Dutch investment. He said both sides should join hands to advocate business-friendly reforms.

He invited LCCI and its members to actively participate in the EU–Pakistan Business Forum scheduled for April 28-29 in Islamabad, where companies and institutions from all EU states will explore avenues for deeper trade cooperation.

LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol reiterated LCCI’s commitment to working closely with the Netherlands Embassy to identify new tradable goods, enhance B2B linkages, encourage exchange of business delegations, and strengthen the already cordial relations between the two nations. He assured full support from the platform of LCCI for all initiatives aimed at promoting bilateral trade and investment.

Martyred Constable Sajjad Hussain Shah honored at memorial ceremony

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Fri, 5 Dec 2025, 6:00 PM

RAWALPINDI, Dec 05 (APP): A ceremony was held at Wah Saddar Police Station on Friday to pay tribute to Constable Syed Sajjad Hussain Shah, who was martyred in the line of duty.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SP) Potohar Talha Wali laid flowers at a memorial built in the constable’s honour and offered prayers for his elevation in the hereafter and for the safety of the country and its citizens.

Constable Syed Sajjad Hussain Shah was shot in the chest during an encounter with armed robbers on June 12, 2025.

SP Talha Wali said police martyrs were the nation’s benefactors and their sacrifices a source of pride. “The courage and dedication of our martyrs ensure the protection and continuity of the nation. Their legacy will always be remembered,” he added.

Balochistan Cabinet landmark decisions on green bus, climate fund, establishing ‘Bank of Balochistan

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Fri, 5 Dec 2025, 5:58 PM