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KP CM Sohail Afridi. Photo: Screengrab PESHAWAR: In a rare show of cross-party unity during the pre-budget debate in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, both government and opposition members sharply criticized the provincial government for sidelining elected representatives in the budget-making process, accusing the bureaucracy of dominating fiscal planning while ignoring the input of assembly members. MPAs […]

Public schools lag as private admissions close early; 8th grade exams cause concern RAWALPINDI: All public and private schools across Rawalpindi Division have reopened after an extended 21-day break, restoring activity to previously suppressed educational institutions. On Wednesday, public schools released the pending annual exam results for classes from early years (pre-school) to class 7.

LAHORE: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at the latter’s residence amid speculation that he was seeking the Maulana’s support for another constitutional amendment and a possible alliance in the upcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. The JUI-F, however, dismissed these speculations, stating that the meeting had no specific agenda

ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, chaired by Saleem Mandviwalla, on Wednesday expressed concern over consumer complaints over high fees charged by banks for messaging services. During the meeting, Mandviwalla noted that consumers have expressed concern that banks are charging excessive fees for SMS alerts. Chairman of Pakistan Banks Association Zafar

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi addresses a jirga in Peshawar on Monday. SCREEN GRAB ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has sought a response from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi within ten days regarding the formation of PTI founder Imran Khan’s “release force”. A three-judge bench of the FCC, headed by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan,

Some medical schools charge an additional fee of 10 to 20 percent each year. PHOTO: PEXELS ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) announced a major revision of the Medical & Dental College Entry Test (MDCAT) schedule on Wednesday aimed at streamlining the medical admission process and reducing waiting times for students. As per

The government has accepted the need for a mini-budget if revenues do not meet expectations by the end of December 2025, according to the IMF. Photo: file ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has committed to the International Monetary Fund to raise fuel prices if no further savings can be identified to maintain current levels as inflation rose to

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the relevant authorities to formulate a comprehensive strategy to limit the economic impact on the public in the wake of the current regional situation. He emphasized that the strategy should not disrupt production or the balance between supply and demand across economic sectors. The Prime Minister further

ISLAMABAD: A trilateral meeting of officials from China, Pakistan and Afghanistan was held in Urumqi on Wednesday against the backdrop of ongoing hostilities between Islamabad and Kabul, with sources describing the engagement as an exploratory effort rather than a formal mediation initiative. There was no official word from Islamabad about the meeting. However, sources familiar