Stories by Iftikhar A. Khan

Senate ends fuel conservation, austerity measures after fuel prices ease

Office hours will be 9am to 5pm on non-session days and until the conclusion of a session when it is in progress. Published 20 Jun, 2026 09:17pm

Country to fully shift to e-passports

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to phase out machine-readable passports and switch fully to e-passports,... Published 20 Jun, 2026 05:08am

Pakistan to fully shift to e-passports

No cutoff date announced for phasing out old passports. Published 19 Jun, 2026 12:30pm

FBR tells Senate panel tobacco tax theft is Rs40bn, not $1bn

The committee is briefed that Federal Board of Revenue has seized 16 tobacco factories on charges of tax fraud. Published 19 Jun, 2026 07:35am

Drones to keep watch over Muharram processions, majalis in Islamabad

l Safe City control room activated for real-time surveillance l Geo-tagging of imambargah and procession routes... Published 19 Jun, 2026 06:57am

BUDGET 2026-27: Pakistan missed growth target due to global, regional shocks: Aurangzeb

• Finance minister wraps up Senate debate on budget; says trade bodies’ proposals also considered • Small shopkeepers to be... Published 19 Jun, 2026 06:56am

FY2026-27 budget: Senate seeks increase of income tax exemption threshold, reduction in electricity tariffs

Also recommends increased taxes on luxury assets and reduction in GST on essential food items, medicines; finmin wraps up Senate budget debate. Updated 18 Jun, 2026 09:58pm

Muharram gatherings, processions to be digitally monitored through drones in Islamabad

App launched for citizens to report suspicious activity or individual or inadequate security arrangements. Updated 18 Jun, 2026 01:27pm

PPP lawmaker demands separate South Punjab province

• PPP’s Rana Mahmoodul Hassan calls for creation of Seraikistan during budget debate in upper house • Senator Abro claims IPPs Published 18 Jun, 2026 07:37am

PPP lawmaker calls for separate South Punjab province in Senate

Independent senator claims IPPs behind reversal of solar policy; PML-N senator criticises PTI's economic team. Published 17 Jun, 2026 09:19pm

Pakistan, UK agree to expand cooperation on counterterrorism, illegal migration

UK minister lauds Pakistan’s role in Iran-US talks. Published 17 Jun, 2026 01:19pm

PTI slams budget of ‘broken promises’

• Barrister Ali Zafar says it aims to stabilise ‘poverty, hardship and hopelessness’ • JUI-F opposes tobacco tax Published 17 Jun, 2026 06:57am

Naqvi vows crackdown on sectarian content online as Muharram Peace Committee meets in Islamabad

District-level committees to be activated; ulema pledge support for inter-sect harmony Published 16 Jun, 2026 09:18pm

PTI’s Ali Zafar rejects budget, says it achieves neither growth nor public welfare

PTI senator warns of public anger if economic hardship persists. Published 16 Jun, 2026 08:30pm

BUDGET 2026-27: Senators term rising debt a major risk for economic stability

• Sherry Rehman says almost half the budget consumed by debt repayment, calls for governance reforms • Senate opposition leader Published 16 Jun, 2026 06:43am

Senators raise alarm over rising debt amid lack of roadmap for economic stability

Opposition leader demands ‘people-first’ budget with relief, reforms. Published 15 Jun, 2026 08:45pm

Fafen calls for overhaul of KP Right to Information Act

ISLAMABAD: Twelve years after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa became Pakistan’s first province to enact a Right to Information... Published 15 Jun, 2026 05:58am

PPP links AJK election to peace in region

Bilawal urges protesters to call off sit-ins; Party’s AJK wing wants election schedule withdrawn as PML-N insists on elections without delay. Updated 15 Jun, 2026 07:29am

Tarar calls for end to differences over AJKLA refugee seats via democratic means

PPP-AJK urges election commission to withdraw polling schedule for 12 refugee seats amid recent unrest. Updated 14 Jun, 2026 09:42pm

FIA foils alleged attempt to travel abroad using fake NOC in Multan

Passenger handed over to Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Multan for legal action. Published 14 Jun, 2026 07:19pm