Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Pakistan, UAE sign deal for privatization of First Women Bank under G2G framework

  Under the G2G (government-to-government) framework, the United Arab Emirates’ International Holding Company (IHC) and the Government of Pakistan have signed an agreement for the privatization of the First Women Bank Limited (FWBL). According to the agreement, 82.64% of the bank’s shares will be sold for $14.6 million. The signing ceremony was attended by Prime … Read more

Astrik and Grant Thornton Partner with JS Bank to Automate IFRS 9 ECL & EIR Framework

Karachi, Pakistan — Astrik, in partnership with Grant Thornton, has officially signed an engagement letter with JS Bank to develop and implement a comprehensive IFRS 9–compliant Expected Credit Loss (ECL) and Effective Interest Rate (EIR) automation system. The signing ceremony took place at JS Bank’s head office in Karachi, marking a major milestone in Astrik’s … Read more

Shakeel Ahmed Durrani Appointed as Director General NAB Karachi

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has appointed Shakeel Ahmed Durrani, a Grade-21 officer of the Police Service of Pakistan, as Director General (DG) NAB Karachi. According to the official notification, the appointment has been made on deputation for an initial period of three years under standard terms and conditions, and he will assume charge on … Read more

BTC TO PKR – Today’s Bitcoin price in Pakistan on October 17, 2025

The rate of Bitcoin (BTC) in Pakistani Rupee (PKR) will Bitcoin (BTC) in Pakistani Rupee (PKR) is Rs 29920783.56 on 17 October 2025. Bitcoin to PKR (Bitcoin Price in Pakistan) 1 BTC = 29920783.56 Pakistani rupees. The price of Bitcoin fluctuates constantly due to various factors such as market demand, investor sentiment, regulatory changes, and … Read more

BTC TO USD – Today’s Bitcoin price in Dollar on October 17, 2025

As of 17 October 2025, the Bitcoin to USD exchange rate stood at $104,704.20. Bitcoin’s value in dollars reflects the dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency market. Investors and enthusiasts closely monitor these fluctuations to make informed decisions regarding buying, selling, or holding Bitcoin. Bitcoin price in Dollar Today Bitcoin to USD Rate: 104,704.20 Dollar The … Read more

Pakistan Rejects Afghan Allegations, Reaffirms Right to Self-Defence

Pakistan has the right to defend itself and does not need anyone’s permission to do so, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said, rejecting the allegations made by Afghanistan as baseless and misleading. Speaking at the weekly press briefing, he expressed deep concern over the aggression of Fitna-tul-Khawarij and Fitna-tul-Hind. The spokesperson said Pakistan exercised … Read more

PM Shehbaz Sharif chairs key meeting on Afghan repartiation

A high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif decided to review progress on the repatriation of Afghan refugees. The meeting, held to review progress on the repatriation process of Afghan refugees, was attended by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, chief ministers of AJK, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan, … Read more

Gold Hits New High in Pakistan

KARACHI: Gold prices in Pakistan witnessed a sharp and historic rise on Friday, hitting new record levels in the local bullion market. According to the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Association(APGJA), the price of per tola gold soared by Rs14,100, reaching an all-time high of Rs456,900. Similarly, the rate of 10 grams of gold increased … Read more

Security forces thwart Suicide attack in North Waziristan, kill four militants

RAWALPINDI: Security forces successfully foiled a coordinated suicide attack in the Mir Ali area on Friday, killing four militants. Officials said an assailant drove an explosive-laden vehicle into the outer wall of a security camp; the vehicle detonated on impact. Following the blast, three additional militants attempted to breach the camp on foot but were … Read more

Pakistan’s economy hit hard as flood damages exceed Rs822b

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s economy has suffered massive losses amounting to Rs822 billion as a result of the recent devastating floods, which have affected more than 6.5 million people across 70 districts of the country. According to official documents from the Ministry of Planning and the Economic Affairs Division, the agriculture and infrastructure sectors are among the … Read more

Abducted son of Ziarat AC rescued from Harnai after two months

Abducted son

QUETTA: The son of the Assistant Commissioner of Ziarat, who was abducted two months ago, has been safely recovered. According to police, the kidnapped son of the Assistant Commissioner reached the Zardalu area of Harnai and is now in the custody of the Deputy Commissioner Harnai. It may be recalled that the Assistant Commissioner of … Read more

Prominent Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti beaten unconscious by Israeli guards, family claims

Prominent Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti beaten unconscious by Israeli guards, family claims

Marwan Barghouti, one of the most prominent Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, was allegedly beaten unconscious by Israeli prison guards during a transfer between facilities last month, according to claims made by his family. Barghouti, 66, is serving multiple life sentences for orchestrating deadly attacks during the Second Intifada. His family alleges that on 14 … Read more

Israel, Hamas trade blame over truce violations amid delay in return of dead hostages

Israel, Hamas trade blame over truce violations amid delay in return of dead hostages

CAIRO/TEL AVIV: Israel said on Thursday it was preparing for the reopening of Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt to let Palestinians in and out, but set no date as it traded blame with Hamas over violations of a U.S.-mediated ceasefire. A dispute over the return of hostages’ bodies held by Hamas threatens to derail the … Read more

French Prime Minister survives two no-confidence

French Prime Minister survives two no-confidence

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has narrowly survived two no-confidence votes in the National Assembly, highlighting the deep divisions within the country’s parliament and casting uncertainty over the future of Emmanuel Macron’s minority government. The first no-confidence motion, initiated by the left-wing France Unbowed (La France Insoumise), came just 18 votes short of the 289 … Read more

Weekly inflation rises in Pakistan; annual rate reaches 4.57%

Weekly inflation

ISLAMABAD: The weekly inflation rate in Pakistan increased by 0.49%, according to the latest report released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). As per the PBS data, the overall annual inflation rate now stands at 4.57%. During the week under review, prices of 24 essential commodities increased, 8 items became cheaper, while rates of … Read more

Qatar mediates talks between Pakistan and Afghan Taliban in Doha today

Qatar mediates talks between Pakistan and Afghan Taliban in Doha today

Islamabad: Talks between the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan are set to take place today in Doha, the capital of Qatar. According to a report by the British broadcaster, details released from the Taliban’s official social media accounts confirm that a delegation from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, led by Defense Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, … Read more

2025 MAMA Awards: Hong Kong tickets available starting Friday

2025 MAMA Awards: Hong Kong tickets available starting friday

Tickets for the 2025 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), one of K-pop’s biggest annual events, will go on sale this Friday, with early access for Visa cardholders and general sales beginning Monday. Returning to Hong Kong for the first time in seven years, the star-studded two-day ceremony will take place at the 50,000-seat Kai Tak … Read more

Saudi Arabia in talks with U.S. over defense pact Amid Regional Tensions

Saudi Arabia in talks with U.S. over defense pact Amid Regional Tensions

Saudi Arabia is in advanced negotiations with the United States over a landmark defense pact, with hopes of finalizing the deal during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s expected visit to the White House next month, the Financial Times reported Friday, citing sources familiar with the matter. The potential agreement would mirror the recent U.S.–Qatar defense … Read more

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warns of AI investment bubble despite industry’s explosive growth

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warns of AI investment bubble despite industry's explosive growth

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has warned that the artificial intelligence market may be entering a bubble, likening the current frenzy around AI to the dot-com boom of the late 1990s. In comments reported by The Verge on Friday, Altman said, “Are we in a phase where investors as a whole are overexcited about AI? My … Read more

Ace Frehley, founding KISS Guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, dies at 74

Ace Frehley, founding KISS Guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, dies at 74

New York: Ace Frehley, the legendary lead guitarist and co-founder of the rock band KISS, has died at the age of 74 following complications from a fall last month, his family announced today. Frehley, affectionately known as “Space Ace” for his cosmic on-stage persona, played a defining role in creating KISS’s bombastic sound and theatrical … Read more

Punjab moves to ban TLP over violent protests

violent protests

LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet has approved a ban on the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) following violent protests that resulted in property damage and public unrest. Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Punjab Minister for Information Azma Bokhari said that while the world recognizes Pakistan’s constructive role in the Gaza ceasefire efforts, a certain religious group announced … Read more

Karachi weather to remain hot and dry today

KARACHI: The weather in the metropolis is expected to remain hot and dry throughout the day, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). The minimum temperature recorded this morning was 21°C, while the maximum temperature is likely to range between 35°C and 37°C. Humidity in the air was measured at 57%, with northeasterly winds blowing … Read more

Asma Jahangir group wins Supreme Court Bar elections

ISLAMABAD: The Asma Jahangir-led Independent Group has secured victory in the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) elections. The group achieved success across major centers including Lahore, Karachi, Multan, Peshawar, and Swat, leading to the election of Haroon-ur-Rasheed as the new President of the Supreme Court Bar. The opposing Professional Group candidate, Tofiq Asif, was defeated … Read more

Hania Aamir appointed as UN National Goodwill Ambassador

KARACHI: The United Nations in Pakistan has appointed renowned actress Hania Aamir as its new National Goodwill Ambassador. According to the organization, Hania will play a key role in promoting awareness on women’s rights, gender equality, and empowerment across the country. In an announcement shared on Instagram, the UN stated that through her new role, … Read more