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Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte faces a contentious trial in the Senate from Monday, a case that could end her political career or leave her as the top contender to succeed archrival Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as president.

Survey shows conflict is dragging down presidents approval ratings ahead of November midterms

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has written to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) seeking “guidance” on whether Geo News’ response to the recent suspension is adequate or requires further action, it emerged on Thursday.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made countrywide today as scores of mourners take out Muharram 10 processions in observance of Yaum-i-Ashura. Yaum-i-Ashura is observed every year with mourning processions and religious gatherings to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husain (RA) and his companions in the Battle of Karbala in 680AD. The central procession in Karachi departed from Nishtar Park at around 9:30am. It will conclude at Imambargah Hussainia Iranian after passing through its traditional routes. In Hyderabad, the central procession emerged from Qadam Gah Maula Ali off Station Road and will culimate at Karbala Dadan Shah. Meanwhile, 12 processions are planned for Peshawar. Among them, the first one departed Imambargah Agha Syed Ali Shah near Meena Bazaar at around 11am. The remaining are schedule to depart from various locations at varying times between 12pm and 3pm. No procession would be taken out in Islamabad, but the main procession in Rawalpindi was planned to be taken out from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain in Taili Mohallah and culminate at Imambargah Qadeemi. In Lahore, the central procession emerged from Nisar Haveli. Meanwhile, commuters in various cities have been advised to take alternative routes, in line with traffic plans devised in view of closure of roads while the processions are held. Elaborate security arrangements are also in place to ensure mourners security. Karachi Karachi police chief Azad Khan said on Thursday that mobile phone and internet services would likely be suspended along the route of the main procession today. He said around 6,500 policemen would be deployed to secure the main procession, while the overall deployment across the city would stand at 20,000 personnel. Earlier, traffic police shared a plan for alternative routes for commuters. Due to security reasons, M.A. Jinnah Road will be closed to traffic from Gurumandir to Tower, the traffic polices statement said. Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah joined a mourning procession on Friday, where he said while speaking to the media that 60,000 police and Rangers personnel had been deployed for the processions security in Sindh, where over 1,600 processions are taken out in Muharram. Rawalpindi Security arrangements have also been put in place in Rawalpindi, with the deployment of five Army companies, seven Rangers companies and thousands of police personnel. On the recommendation of intelligence agencies, the Punjab government has suspended the Metro Bus Service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad as officials said the mourning procession would pass along Murree Road from Bhabra Bazaar to Committee Chowk beneath the metro track, giving rise to security concerns. Two video monitoring control rooms, one at the Punjab Safe Cities Authority and another at the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation, will monitor the processions, gatherings and sensitive locations. Section 144 has also been imposed in the Rawalpindi district, and Rawalpindi police said more than 8,000 personnel would perform security duties during Muharram, including 5,500 deployed for the main Ashura procession. According to a police spokesman, roads and streets along procession routes have been sealed, snipers have been deployed on rooftops, and participants would undergo body searches before entering processions. More than 2,000 Safe City and other CCTV cameras are monitoring the city, with surveillance continuing from Safe City and the central control room. Special pickets have also been established at entry and exit points of the city. Police have also developed a mobile application for the identification and scanning of identity cards at pickets and bus terminals. A total of 475 processions and 2,201 majalis are scheduled to be held across the Rawalpindi district during Muharram. Punjab In Punjab, medical and emergency services, including Rescue 1122, Civil Defence personnel, mobile health units, field hospitals and volunteers, have been deployed to assist mourners, officials said, Sanitation workers have also been assigned to ensure cleanliness along procession routes and around religious sites. A three-tier security plan has been implemented province-wide, under which more than 125,000 police personnel have been deployed while 61 companies of the Pakistan Army and 76 companies of Rangers have been requisitioned to support security arrangements. In addition, over 30,000 trained volunteers are assisting law-enforcement agencies. The authorities are using modern surveillance technologies, including artificial intelligence-based monitoring systems, CCTV cameras, body-worn cameras and geo-tagged video monitoring. The Provincial Intelligence Centre is also conducting round-the-clock monitoring of processions and majalis through a digital surveillance wall. Over 5,600 CCTV cameras are operational for Muharram monitoring, while more than 1,000 4G event cameras have been installed at sensitive locations. A statement issued by the Punjab Home Department said mobile phone services would be partially suspended in 24 districts of Punjab, namely Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Sargodha, Khushab, Bhakkar, Hafizabad, Gujrat, Narowal, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Chiniot, Multan, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Kot Addu, Bahawalnagar and Rahimyar Khan. The service would remain suspended at the locations of religious gatherings until 10pm, the statement said. KP In Peshawar, police had chalked out a plan to deploy 12,000 personnel in the city for security during Muharram processions. A statement by police said that personnel from the city police, rapid response force, quick response force, ladies traffic police and bomb disposal units were to be deployed for security in Muharram. It added that three-layered security would be provided to all mourning processions, while marksmen would be set up at high-rise buildings along the procession routes. In addition to this, 1,000 traffic personnel were also to be deployed to ensure the smooth flow of traffic across the city. Similarly, bomb disposal units and sniffer dogs were to be deployed to sweep imambargahs, majalis and procession routes, the statement said, adding that personnel in plain clothes had also been deployed at sensitive locations and places of worship across the city. Last week, KP IG Zulfiqar Hameed directed police officials to enhance daily coordination with district administrations and peace committees at the district level to prevent any unpleasant incident during Muharram. Separately, a police statement said Muharram processions and religious gatherings on Ashura would be monitored through the Safe City camera network in Peshawar. It further stated that 43,317 police personnel would be deployed across the province to perform security duties during Muharram, and Section 144 had been enforced in various districts of KP. The statement said that out of 614 imambargahs across the province, 127 had been declared highly sensitive, 262 sensitive and 225 normal and that a total of 907 Muharram processions were expected to be taken out across the province, with 286 being highly sensitive, 190 sensitive and 431 normal. Balochistan The Balochistan government also finalised stringent security arrangements for Muharram 10, deploying more than 32,000 security personnel to ensure the safety of Ashura processions. The main procession routes are to be monitored continuously through aerial surveillance and a comprehensive network of CCTV cameras while all shops, markets, plazas, and commercial centres along the procession routes have been sealed. According to official sources, more than 17,000 personnel have been deployed exclusively in Quetta. These forces will guard the main procession routes, key public spaces, and all entry and exit points of the city. The deployment includes personnel from the District Police, Balochistan Constabulary, Rapid Response Force (RRF), Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF), Frontier Corps (FC), and the Anti-Riot Force. As part of the security protocol, mobile phone services and internet connectivity have been suspended across Quetta and other sensitive areas of Balochistan while the procession is taken out. Additional reporting by Mohammad Hussain Khan, Manzoor Ali, Imtiaz Ali and Asif Chaudhry

PESHAWAR: As the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly on Wednesday passed an Rs2.17 trillion budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27), bulldozing the cut motions and approving grants of all the departments, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the coming fiscal year will be one of peace, prosperity and de

The PPP on Wednesday took exception to a sweeping statement by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif regarding the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). In an interview on a TV show, the minister had said that Rawalakot which has been in the grip of protests by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) is not Kashmir and that he did not consider people from there Kashmiris. Asif had subsequently taken to X to clarify that Kashmiriat is defined by the sacrifices and struggles waged over almost eight decades by Pakistanis, including Kashmiris and all others, not by birth certificates. Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, PPPs Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that such a sweeping statement should not be given under any circumstances, especially from such a senior official. He said that Asifs remarks had hurt the sentiments of several people, adding that Azad Kashmir was a sensitive area and care needed to be taken before making remarks about it. He said that water needed to be poured onto the fire to address the problems of the Kashmiris. He acknowledged that the government and establishment were trying their best to address the issues of the region. He said that giving such irresponsible remarks was detrimental to the Kashmir cause. He tendered an apology on Asifs behalf to the people of Rawalakot. However, the defence minister pointed to his post on X regarding the matter, saying that he had presented an argument that no one became a Kashmiri on the basis of a birth certificate, leading PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to comment on the situation. In his remarks, Bilawal said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wanted to bring the country out of difficult situations by positively engaging with the coalition partners and the opposition, but some ministers were creating problems in the process. Bilawal said that Pakistan and the region stood at a moment when things were happening geopolitically. I have voted for the prime minister twice. I acknowledge his work ethic, his efforts, his manners, his intention, the way he positively engages with the coalition partners and the opposition to bring the country out of difficulties, he said. However, some ministers create issues for him. They always create hurdles in the work of the prime minister rather than helping him, Bilawal said. Bilawal acknowledged that the present government and all political parties had tried to resolve the issues in AJK politically. The coalition parties, the opposition, and every Pakistani should ask why a minister is still part of the federal cabinet after saying, without backing off, that the Kashmiris of Rawalakot are not Kashmiris. How is it possible to tolerate these words when they are uttered by a defence minister, let alone a senior minister? Bilawal questioned. How do we justify that the minister is still in the position and has not agreed to tender an apology? he asked. Apart from Kashmirs endemic problems and political difficulties, is it not true that the ministers statement was similar to igniting the fire already burning in Kashmir, instead of extinguishing it? He argued that such statements had paved the way for the protestors to create the prevailing conditions in AJK. The former foreign minister accepted that the federal government and the PPP, since it has attained power in AJK, could be held responsible for the faults. However, he said that the time has come to extinguish the fire. Today, if Maulana Fazlur Rehman has taken an initiative and agreed to take the responsibility of the governments incapability in AJK, he should be given the space, Bilawal stressed. In the capacity of a coalition partner, I suggest that we all should give space to Maulana for the position he has been holding on the issue, to bring the conflict to a resolution by engaging with the federal and AJK government, he said. We should also engage the people who are protesting and should bring the issue to a kind of political resolution so that the Kashmiris do not have to protest time and again. The PPP chairman said that the prime minister should have the mandate and authority to control his team. If the prime minister cant direct his minister to follow his policy, and every minister is speaking in a different direction, it will create more difficulties for the government instead of helping the situation, he said. Meanwhile, Prime Ministers Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah also addressed the House, drawing attention to the recent unrest in AJK. He said that the JAACs recent protests were an attempt to stop the upcoming elections in July and held that only the AJK Legislative Assembly had the right to decide the status of the 12 refugee seats, as the issue cannot be decided through violent demonstrations. He recalled that an all-parties conference as well as the AJK Supreme Court had endorsed the position, stressing that the matter should be debated by the next AJK Legislative Assembly. Sanaullah said that at the moment, there were no demonstrations in AJK except in Rawalakot. He added that at present, the JAAC had eight demands, one of which included removing a clause from the oath in nomination papers which stated that Kashmir will join Pakistan after the success of its freedom movement. He continued: Besides this, the way they behaved with us during our meetings, I cannot explain. Their speeches on social media and the things they are saying. Is that not a crime and against the Kashmir freedom movement? The PML-N leader urged that JAAC should withdraw their demands and cancel protest plans and then whoever they wish to speak with whether Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif or AJK Prime Minister Faisal Rathore they can. Asif tells opposition to mend its ways Separately, the defence minister told the opposition to examine its own past before criticising the government and to sign a Charter of Democracy with the government. His remarks come a day after the oppositions bitter criticism of the government during a tumultuous day in the National Assembly. The opposition leader, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, launched into a harsh diatribe, criticising the government, the judiciary and the establishment. Speaking on the floor of the NA, Asif said, Whenever I issue instructions or make any demand, I refer to this maxim: If you seek equity, you should come up with clean hands. When these people demand equity, they also check whether their hands are clean, the defence minister said, pointing towards the opposition benches. What did not happen in this House during their time in power? he asked. You (the speaker) are a witness, I am a witness even the walls of this House know what happened. What did they not do to us when they were in government? the PML-N leader asked. Addressing the House, Asif told the opposition to correct its past and sign a Charter of Democracy with the government. We have also made mistakes sign the Charter of Democracy But us and them should not forget what we have done in the past. Referring to the political turmoil of the 1990s, the defence minister said that there was a lot of blame between the PPP and the PML-N now coalition partners in the federal government. There was a lot of blame between us, but later, both parties realised that we should take a break from these issues and sort things out among ourselves, he said. He said that both Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif decided that a proper code of conduct should be developed that maintains respect and dignity between the opposition and the ruling parties. Criticising the former PTI government, Asif said, Sitting in your chair (the speaker), 55 pieces of legislation were passed in just half an hour, after which they dissolved the assembly. It is a cardinal sin that, sitting in your chair, the former speaker takes such a step in favour of one party and dissolves the assembly, Asif said, again urging the opposition to look at their past. Our past may not have been something to be proud of, but we (PPP and PML-N) tried to learn from it. We signed a document, learned from our past, and implemented reforms based on it, as a result of which even constitutional amendments came forward, Asif said. The defence minister said that in his opinion, there was still a need for constitutional amendments, because they have not been implemented or worked as effectively as they should have. He said that yesterday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif walked over to the opposition and talked to them. This was not even conceivable when Imran Khan was the premier, he said. The defence minister said that when Imran was the prime minister, the PTI members didnt even talk to the opposition lest he be offended. He mentioned that, in the past, there was civility among the political parties and in political culture. However, the damage that the PTI founder had inflicted on our parliamentary system and political culture over the past years was unmatched, Asif said. No one else has caused such harm to our politics and democratic institutions, the minister said. Calling Achakzai his brother, Asif quipped that he seemed out of place sitting with the opposition. No political party can function on the whims of one man. There is no democracy in their party how can they delete their past? he asked. During the session, the NA also approved a supplementary budget of Rs593.64 billion for FY2024-2026 and of Rs482bn for the outgoing fiscal year. Additional input from Kalbe Ali

Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday called for a united front of Muslim nations, extending hands of friendship for a new regional security structure. Key developments Iranian president holds productive talks with PM Shehbaz as he and FM Araghchi visit Pakistan Pezeshkian appreciates Pakistans peace efforts, highlights age-old trust between two nations Prime minister clarifies Irans ballistic missile programme not part of MoU with US President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistans principled support for Irans peace CDF Munir, Pezeshkian discuss peace initiatives The Iranian president made the remarks during a one-day official visit to Pakistan, undertaken at PM Shehbazs invitation. The two leaders held a meeting at the Prime Minister House, which was followed by delegation-level talks. Addressing a joint press conference later with the prime minister, Pezeshkian said he held constructive meetings and discussions with PM Shehbaz, President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. In these discussions, we had many good points talks and discussed regarding the latest developments in the region and in the world and also regarding bilateral relations, he elaborated. Pezeshkian observed that the two neighbours were adamant to use the positive existing atmosphere to usher in a new era and open a new chapter in the bilateral relations between the two countries and draw new horizons and new opportunities of cooperation based on shared interests. He said Iran believed that peace, stability, sustainable security, development and the welfare of nations in the strategic region of West Asia and the Persian Gulf can only be ensured through straightforward and honest discussions, intra-regional cooperation, interactions and cooperation based on mutual respect for the countries in the region. Based on this fact, we stretch our hands of friendship to establish a common understanding and build a new security structure for the countries in the region, Pezeshkian added. He noted that PM Shehbazs mention of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt in his remarks alongside him was a very well-placed mentioning of the roles that these authorities and these leaders actually played in the discussions that led to the peace. I believe Muslims shall form a united front against their enemies, the Iranian president said. He went on to say that the tremendous potentials of Islamabad and Tehran, along with the political will of the leaders and support of their nations, can elevate the relations between Iran and Pakistan to a level that is befitting the two countries position in the Islamic world and can produce a successful model of cooperation in solidarity and brotherhood. Pezeshkian declared that the two countries share a strong resolve to promote and enhance interactions and relations, especially in the area of economy and trade. He observed that both countries ministers, within the framework of the MoUs and the agreements that have been made during last years visit, have tried to remove any technical existing hurdles and operationalise the decisions that have been made. President Pezeshkian began his address by reciting verses by renowned poet Allama Iqbal, which he said continued to inspire unity among Muslim nations. He said the two nations do not merely live next to each other, but they share a common destiny in the majority of their aspirations, concerns and hopes. Pakistan for us is not merely a neighbouring country; its a brotherly and friendly country and has been an amicable companion and has had deep historical, cultural, religious and popular bonds between the two nations and these bonds have brought our nations closer, he highlighted. Noting that the relations between Islamabad and Tehran have always been consolidated on the basis of mutual respect, goodwill and historical trust, Pezeshkian said the recent developments have once again showcased the consolidation of this valuable asset. The president stated: In a critical historical juncture that the region is facing a multitude of challenges, the responsible and visionary role played by Pakistan in supporting the discussions and negotiations in de-escalating and strengthening the regional stability is a manifestation of a brotherly and futuristic attitude and viewpoint by this country towards the developments in the region. He observed that Irans acceptance of Pakistans initiative was a reflection of the ancient and age-old trust that the Iranian nation has towards the nation, the government and the authorities of Pakistan. The visiting dignitary concluded his speech by thanking the Pakistani side for its hospitality and for accepting the invitation to the commemoration of the late Khamenei. Irans success is our success. Irans loss is our loss In his remarks at the joint press briefing, PM Shehbaz said he and President Pezeshkian held very productive discussions in a very cordial atmosphere. It was like a family reunion, and brothers were talking to each other with the fullest clarity and total commitment that we will do everything to strengthen our brotherly relations like never before, he remarked. He noted that Islamabad and Tehran have consistently stood by one another in difficult times, and recent events have once again demonstrated beyond any ray of doubt the enduring strength of this brotherhood, this friendship and this partnership. The premier began his speech by reciting an Iranian couplet on the themes of friendship during challenging times. PM Shehbaz described Pezeshkian as a visionary and sagacious leader of a great country, Iran. But youre a man of many talents and qualities you are calm, you are wise and you are patient, he added. Recalling the Iranian presidents past treatment of patients in hospitals, PM Shehbaz congratulated him on this very well-deserved conferment. He termed today a historic moment between Pakistan and Iran. Recalling the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed last week between the United States and Iran, the premier said it was a matter of great happiness that this war has come to an end, which could have engulfed the entire region and beyond. The prime minister hailed the sagacious leadership of Pezeshkian and his colleagues, and highlighted Pakistans role as an honest and sincere mediator in the US-Iran peace process. At the outset of his address, PM Shehbaz referred to the US-Iran technical talks held in Switzerland and said, My dear brother, we pray to Allah Almighty that God-willing, this arrangement will usher in a new era of peace, stability and prosperity for this entire region. The prime minister also appreciated the wisdom and sagacity of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei for guiding the Iranian nation through these very difficult and challenging times. Throughout this crisis, the entire Iranian nation, our Iranian brothers and sisters, have demonstrated their unity with honour and dignity, he observed, praising their courage as awe-inspiring. He went on to extend Pakistans deepest condolences on the loss of thousands of precious lives, including the late Khamenei, who was a great visionary leader and respected by all and sundry around the Muslim world. The premier affirmed that the people of Pakistan share the grief of Iranians and stand in complete solidarity with the people of Iran. Your happiness is our happiness. Your sorrow is our sorrow, PM Shehbaz remarked. Irans success is our success. Irans loss is our loss, he added, inserting another Persian phrase in his speech. This sentiment reflects deeply the feeling of the people of Pakistan. He highlighted that the two were far more than just neighbours and bound together by shared history, faith and culture. The premier extended his countrys gratitude to the Iranian leadership for reposing their abiding trust in Pakistan to initiate and mediate this peace process. We have done this act of mediation with fullest honesty of purpose and complete sincerity, he declared. He commended both the Iranian and US delegations for their serious and constructive participation in the Lake Lucerne Summit held in Switzerland. Mentioning the support and encouragement of many brotherly and friendly countries, PM Shehbaz thanked the Qatari emirs pivotal role and the steadfast support and encouragement of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egypts President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. The prime minister hailed the untiring efforts and unwavering commitment of CDF Munir. Even during the dark days, he never wavered and, as a result, was instrumental in helping build the consensus that made this historic breakthrough possible by the grace of god, he emphasised. The premier went on to praise the dedicated efforts of Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his team at the Foreign Office (FO), as well as the valuable contributions of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. PM Shehbaz also announced he would be undertaking a visit to Tehran next week to pay respects to late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and to reaffirm and reassure Pakistans solidarity with our brotherly people of Iran. Zindabad dosti Pakistan o Iran, he concluded. Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was at the direct talks held between the US and Iran in Switzerland over the weekend, also accompanied Pezeshkian during the visit. Irans state media IRNA reported that FM Araghchi held talks with President Zardari and PM Shehbaz only hours before Pezeshkian landed in Pakistan. Irans ballistic missile programme not part of Islamabad MoU In his remarks at the delegation-level talks, PM Shehbaz the mediator signatory of the memorandum between the US and Iran clarified that the matter of any restrictions on Irans ballistic missile programme was never a part of the peace accord. I would say at the fullest command of my domain, that this MoU does not mention ballistic missiles, he said. It was never on the table, it was never on the agenda, and the Iranian side never even wanted to discuss it. This is not an impression, but a fact of the matter, the prime minister affirmed. I wanted to make it very clear that the MoU, which has been signed by me as a mediator, does not mention ballistic missiles at all. So there should be no confusion about it, he reiterated. The premier asserted there should be no second thought about it, it must not be misconstrued, because there are spoilers all over the world to scuttle this peace deal. They do not want the Iranian nation to come out of the ashes of war and touch the zenith of glory, he observed. PM Shehbaz added, So I want to make it abundantly clear that, of course, there cannot be double standards, that some countries can have ballistic missiles and Iran should not have. You cannot digest this kind of duplicity. Later, while responding to a query during the joint briefing, President Pezeshkian also asserted that the missile programme was not part of the MoU and should not be included in it. I would like to say that if it were not for Irans missile capabilities, our country would have been plundered, destroyed and ploughed by the US regime and the Zionist regime (Israel), like what Israelis did in Gaza, he remarked. Pezeshkian emphasised that Tehran will never compromise on our missile programme and capabilities and this shall never be part of any agreement between Iran and any other party. Asked if he was satisfied with Pakistans role as a mediator, Pezeshkian replied, Yes, of course. I told my brother, Mr Shehbaz Sharif. There are instances where you do not understand the words, but you understand the actions that are taken, he added. Pezeshkian added that his delegation appreciated Pakistans efforts and support since the beginning of the war, adding that Islamabad has shown with might and strength their support for the Iranian nation and they have been adamant and honest in their endeavours. Most definitely, if it wasnt for the efforts made by your excellency and your team, we wouldnt have been here, Pezeshkian told PM Shehbaz. We will never let you down Addressing a delegation-level meeting between the two sides earlier, PM Shehbaz said it was a great pleasure once again to welcome Pezeshkian to Pakistan, as it was his second visit to Islamabad in his capacity as the president of Iran. He said Pezeshkians acceptance of his invitation after the Islamabad MoU was a matter of great happiness and satisfaction for all of us. The premier requested Pezeshkian to convey his warm regards to Irans supreme leader for his sagacious leadership that Iran has been able to achieve this MoU and as a result, a ceasefire with dignity and honour. He also offered his deepest condolences on the killings of innocent Iranian brothers and sisters, children, which run into thousands of people. PM Shehbaz said: Yet, under your sagacious and very calm, visionary leadership, today, thanks to God, we are sitting here to peep into a very bright future, and I am very grateful to you and the Iranian leadership for having abiding trust in Pakistans ability to mediate with honesty and sincerity. I want to assure you that as brothers, we will never let you down, he affirmed. As they say, true brotherhood doesnt have any questions to answer. And here we are, the prime minister said. He further assured the Iranian leader that Pakistan will carry on this important role until we have everlasting peace in place, on terms and conditions which are dictated by dignity and honour. He also hailed the courage of Iranians. Highlighting CDF Munirs outstanding contribution, he remarked: He has toiled and worked untiringly through the nights, through those dark days with one mission: come what may, we will do everything humanly possible to stop this war, which can burn vast swathes of land and devastate everything. The premier also appreciated the efforts of Dar and Naqvi for their fine shuttle diplomacy. In that, brother Abbas Araghchi has played a pivotal role, he added. PM Shehbaz also mentioned the support of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt for Pakistans peace efforts in the Middle East conflict. Describing the Iranian people as courageous, brave and very knowledgeable, with their country having fertile lands, mines and minerals, oil, gas, PM Shehbaz expressed the hope that Iran will transform into one of the fastest-growing economies one day. At PM House, the Iranian president engaged in a bilateral meeting with PM Shehbaz, according to the Prime Ministers Office (PMO). CDF Munir and Deputy PM were also present on the occasion. This was followed by delegation-level talks between the two sides, which PM Shehbaz addressed. The Iranian president was welcomed at the Prime Ministers House with a guard of honour. He also planting a sapling in the lawn there. During the visit, PM Shehbaz conferred the honorary fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan regarding cardiac surgery to President Pezeshkian in Islamabad. Principled support for Irans peace Prior to Pezeshkians arrival at the PM House, he met with President Asif Ali Zardari, who reaffirmed Pakistans principled support for Irans peace. In their meeting at Aiwan-i-Sadr, President Zardari welcomed his Iranian counterpart on his first state visit to Pakistan since the US-Iran war, the presidency said. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, mainly regional peace and security, bilateral and regional connectivity, economic cooperation and other issues of mutual interest, the statement said. President Zardari noted that the visit reflected the longstanding brotherly relations between the two countries and a desire to stay together in good and bad times. He stressed that Pakistan has consistently opposed one-sided initiatives and has supported dialogue and diplomacy as the means to achieve a durable and sustainable solution to regional and global challenges. He also underscored Pakistans commitment to preserving the unity of the Muslim Ummah while maintaining strong fraternal relations with the countries of the Gulf region, the presidency said. President Zardari congratulated Pezeshkian on the signing of the Islamabad MoU between the US and Iran and expressed the hope that the ongoing technical-level negotiations would culminate in permanent peace in the region. He reaffirmed Pakistans principled support for Irans peace, stability, national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The president again expressed his condolences on the martyrdom of His Eminence Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who was assassinated in US-Israeli strikes on Iran, and said that Pakistan would participate in his funeral. Meanwhile, President Pezeshkian thanked Pakistan for its positive and constructive efforts in support of peace and dialogue and appreciated the support extended by Pakistan during the recent challenging circumstances, the presidency said. The Iranian president said his country attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan and looks forward to further expanding cooperation in political, economic, security and regional matters President Zardari requested President Pezeshkian to convey his warm regards to Irans supreme leader. The Iranian president was accompanied by FM Araghchi, Chief of the Presidents Office Mohsen Haji Mirzaei, Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, Chief of Political Affairs of Presidents Office Saeed Abbas Mousavi and Irans Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghaddam. From the Pakistani side, Deputy PM Dar, PPP Chairman and former FM Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Naqvi, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, Senate Chief Whip Saleem Mandviwala and ex-senator Dr Asim Hussain were present during the meeting. CDF Munir, Pezeshkian discuss peace initiatives Earlier in the day, CDF Munir called on the Iranian president and the two exchanged views on regional developments and peace initiatives, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. CDF Munir, along with PM Shehbaz, had participated in the US-Iran talks in Switzerland. Both leaders have been involved in efforts to secure peace in the Middle East after the US-Iran war erupted on February 28 as US-Israeli strikes hit Tehran. During his meeting with the army chief, Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistans constructive and responsible role in promoting dialogue, de-escalation, and regional stability, ISPR said. It added that he acknowledged Pakistans consistent efforts to encourage peaceful resolution of disputes and foster understanding among regional stakeholders at a time of heightened geopolitical challenges. On his part, CDF Munir reiterated Pakistans unwavering commitment to peace and stability in the region, the statement noted. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-Iran relations and maintaining close consultations on issues of mutual interest, with the shared objective of advancing peace, prosperity and stability across the region, it read. Iran president, FM arrive Pezeshkian and Araghchi arrived in Pakistan on separate flights earlier in the day. The Iranian president flew to the federal capital from Iran, while the foreign ministers last engagement was in Oman. President Pezeshkian, upon his arrival at the Nur Khan airbase, was received by President Zardari, PM Shehbaz, Deputy PM Dar, Naqvi, Bilawal and Ambassador Moghaddam. FM Araghchi, who had already landed in Pakistan, was also present to welcome his president. Pezeshkian was accorded a 21-gun salute, while fighter jets conducted a flypast in his honour, state-run APP reported. The president waved in response to the childrens welcoming slogans, it added. Upon his arrival at Rawalpindis Nur Khan airbase earlier in the day, Araghchi was welcomed by Dar, Naqvi and Bilawal. The leadership and people of Pakistan extend a warm welcome to Foreign Minister Araghchi and the Iranian delegation to Islamabad, the FO said. In an earlier statement, the FO noted Pezeshkians visit was his second to Pakistan in his capacity as the president of Iran. It said the visit would provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore avenues for enhanced cooperation in trade, energy, border security, people-to-people exchanges and regional connectivity. It also termed the visit an important opportunity to discuss ongoing diplomatic engagements following the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, as well as regional and international developments of mutual interest. The forthcoming visit reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Iran to further deepen their historic and cultural ties and underscores their common aspiration for peace, stability, and sustainable progress in the region, the FO added. IHC, FCC cancel judicial work; govt tells Red Zone employees to work from home The Islamabad High Court (IHC) also cancelled judicial work for Tuesday, due to the closure of the Red Zone for the Iranian presidents visit. A notification issued by the IHC said that Tuesdays cause list had been cancelled, adding that officials were directed to work from home. However, it added that district courts would function as per routine. Similarly, the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) also announced the suspension of judicial work at its principal seat in Islamabad due to the closure of the Red Zone in Islamabad. Consequently, the cause list of the Court stands cancelled. However, all officers and staff shall work from home and shall not leave the station. Besides, all four branch registries of the court shall remain open for judicial and administrative work, the notification said. Separately, the federal government issued a notification implementing a one-day work from home directive for various ministries. According to a notification issued by Cabinet Division Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal, employees of ministries, divisions, and government offices located inside Islamabads Red Zone will work remotely. Furthermore, autonomous bodies and attached departments operating within the Red Zone will observe a full holiday. However, essential federal institutions and banks were exempted from this order. These included the Prime Ministers Office, the Senate, the National Assembly, the Cabinet Division, the Ministry of Finance and Revenue, the Federal Board of Revenue, and the ministries of foreign affairs, interior, commerce, industries, law, parliamentary affairs, and planning division, alongside all federal banking institutions. Bus stands closed All bus terminals operating in the capital were closed on Monday night as a security measure in view of the arrival of the Iranian president. Officials of the capital administration and police said that the capital police, under directives from the capital administration, approached the managements of bus terminals in the capital, including those at Faizabad and Chongi No 26, and asked them to shut down their operations before midnight. The managers were further asked to suspend their operations on Tuesday. The terminals will remain closed until the departure of the Iranian president. Besides, the Islamabad Red Zone has also been sealed as a security measure. Entry will be allowed only to concerned officials. Further, Islamabad District Magistrate Irfan Nawaz Memon ordered the immediate closure of all popular hiking routes in the city. The restriction applies to Trail 2, Trail 3, Trail 4, Trail 5, and the hiking tracks located behind Saidpur Village, remaining effective from Tuesday until further notice. US-Iran talks in Switzerland Pezeshkians visit follows key direct talks dubbed the Lake Lucerne Summit held between the United States and Iran in Switzerland, kicking off negotiations under the Islamabad MoU signed on June 18. Under the 14-point accord, Washington and Tehran agreed on a framework to end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and negotiate on key issues within 60 days of the signing. The US-Iran talks in the Swiss resort of Burgenstock were mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir representing Pakistan. The Lake Lucerne Summit created a mechanism for further technical talks, which will continue this week, and also set up communication lines to end the fighting in Lebanon and to keep the vital Strait of Hormuz open. Encouraging progress has been made, the mediators said in their joint statement, including a contact channel set up to avoid incidents and miscommunication in the Strait of Hormuz. A de-confliction cell between the parties and the Lebanese authorities has also been agreed upon to prevent fighting from erupting again. Additional input from APP

Lawmakers slam interior ministry for poor performance over law and order disruptions Opp moves 587 cut motions over two days, all rejected ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Monday wrapped up the approval process for the budgetary allocations of federal ministries and allied departments, approving 135 demands for grants for the next fiscal year 2026-27. This approval procedure was spread over two days, during which the opposition moved 587 cut motions, including 380 on Monday. All of them were rejected with a majority vote. The house is now expected to take up the finance bill and related fiscal measures before the budget is passed. As the house debated the allocations, the National Assembly TV and its social media channels continued airing the oppositions speeches, though in a censored manner. The sentences related to Imran Khan and criticism of the state institutions were muted. Interior ministry under fire A total of 123 cut motions were submitted regarding the interior ministry, which was slammed by the opposition lawmakers for the performance of its attached departments, including the Federal Investigation Agency, the Anti-Narcotics Force, the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency, and other law enforcement agencies. The opposition lawmakers said they moved the highest number of cut motions regarding the interior ministry because they wanted to highlight the problems faced by the general public. PTI MNA Shandana Gulzar said Pakistan lacked investments due to the law and order situation, while online hate speech continued to polarise society along ethnic and religious lines. The failure of just one ministry has not only destroyed the economy of the country but also divided the society, she said, adding that citizens were being killed by terrorists, criminals, and even the law enforcers. She also criticised the registration of cybercrime cases over political criticism, saying that NCCIA was charging people over criticism of politicians. Mr Speaker, we acknowledge that criticising the state is not correct, but Maryam Nawaz is not the state; she is the political head of a province, she added. Hameed Hussain, MNA from Parachinar belonging to the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen, said that the law and order situation was grave in his area. He added that the road leading to Parachinar was opened only for two hours a day. Food ministry cut motions Besides the interior ministry, the opposition lawmakers submitted 112 cut motions regarding the food ministry. The speakers called for measures to reduce fertiliser rates, introduce crop insurance schemes and other input costs in the agriculture sector. PTI Chief Whip Amir Dogar said the market mechanism was exploitative in nature. A strange part of the story is that farmers decry low rates of their produce, while the buyers, mainly the urban consumers, complain about high prices of agricultural products. During the session, some speakers lauded the role of civil and military leadership for facilitating the end of the US-led war on Iran and demanded that the long-delayed Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project be revived to take advantage of the situation. Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2026

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday expressed Pakistans continued commitment to play an honest and sinere role in advancing dialogue in what were his first remarks after the conclusion of a high-level meeting between the United States and Iran under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending the Middle East conflict. In a post on X, PM Shehbaz expressed satisfaction at the successful conclusion of the meeting held in Switzerlands Burgenstock. The premier stated that the discussions were held in a positive and constructive atmosphere and yielded encouraging progress, which included a roadmap towards the final deal within 60 days, the establishment of a high-level committee for political oversight and the commencement of further technical talks. PM Shehbaz commended the leadership of both the US and Iran for continued commitment to constructive engagement. He also expressed thanks for all brotherly and friendly countries for their valuable support in advancing this historic process, particularly Qatar. The premier thanked Qatar for its critical support in creating the necessary conditions for the negotiations to move forward. A word of thanks to the Swiss Government for their facilitation in hosting these talks, PM Shehbaz said. He also paid a special tribute to Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. PM Shehbaz said that CDF Munirs unitiring efforts ensured the success of the talks. His dedication, commitment and perseverance are indeed commendable without which there would have been no progress, the premier remarked. He further thanked Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar as well as Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Pakistan will continue to play its honest and sincere role in advancing dialogue and diplomacy towards a peaceful and lasting resolution, PM Shehbaz concluded. Meanwhile, DPM Dar warmly welcomed the substantial progress achieved at the talks. He also congratulated PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir for their visionary leadership and tireless efforts in achieving this milestone. I would also like to express my deep appreciation for the constructive spirit shown by the United States of America as well as the Islamic Republic of Iran towards the implementation of the Islamabad MoU and commend their continued commitment to dialogue and diplomacy. My deep gratitude also to the State of Qatar for its important role in the mediation process along with Pakistan, he said. A team from our Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to remain engaged with the parties for technical-level talks for the remainder of the week at Burgenstock, Switzerland, he said. Pakistan has been and will continue to play its role for achieving the goal of lasting peace and stability in the region and beyond, Dar said. Irans senior envoys left talks in Switzerland on Monday after a marathon negotiating session with the United States, state media reported, as mediators claimed progress towards a definitive US-Iran deal. The host nation said conditions were set for technical talks to immediately follow, with the sides at the beginning of a 60-day period to secure a long-term settlement. The negotiators aim to tackle some of the most intractable issues that have dogged US-Iranian relations for decades, including Tehrans nuclear programme and enriched uranium. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday that a very brief discussion took place regarding the nuclear issue, but there was no discussion of details and that nuclear talks had not begun. All the while, the war in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah has threatened to collapse the ceasefire, though the country has been relatively calm since Sunday. Tehran and Washington, meanwhile, have set up communication lines to end the fighting in Lebanon and to keep the vital Strait of Hormuz open, mediators Pakistan and Qatar said, after the first round of talks. Additional input from AFP

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Saturday asserted that the proposed budget for the next fiscal year (FY27) would set the foundation for accelerating the sustainable growth recorded in the past two years. He made the remarks on the floor of the National Assembly as he wound up the debate on the budget FY27, which was presented on June 12. The finance czar recalled that MNAs presented their opinions on the proposed budget during the debate, adding that reservations were also voiced in some proposals. But, we have gotten very clear feedback from within and outside the House that this is overall a positive and pro-growth budget, which sets the foundation to accelerate the sustainable growth witnessed over the last two years, he declared. Speaking on the budget proposals, Aurangzeb stated that a sustainable and inclusive export-led growth that increases productivity was the fundamental objective of the government and the budget. We often hear and see that the documented corporate sector and salaried class have to bear most of the tax burden. The government has changed this trend and thinking in the budget, and focused on deepening and broadening rather than burdening, he contended. We had initiated this change in the last budget and clarified our direction. In this budget, we have taken additional and concrete initiatives regarding it, the finance czar affirmed. He added that the burden of existing taxpayers particularly the salaried class, small businesses, exporters and industrialists would be reduced under the FY27 budget, keeping in mind the principles of equity and fairness. We have ensured the provision of concessional loans for importers and the agriculture sector, Aurangzeb said, emphasising that the Fixed Asaan Tax Scheme has been introduced to broaden the tax net. Elaborating on reforms brought in the tax sector in the past two years, he said: We have detached tax policy from tax administration. We are introducing a new tax operating modelin continuation of these reforms, under which the interaction between a taxpayer and a tax officer will be removed. The process of audit, identification and implementation will be conducted through an automatic system, the minister said, adding that these reforms aimed to end discretionary powers and prevent harassment through digitisation and promote transparency. Responding to remarks made by some lawmakers on the Federal Board of Revenues (FBR) performance, Aurangzeb said that the government welcomed constructive criticism but stressed the need to consider the context. Presenting a comparative analysis, the minister noted that an additional 14bn was collected in revenue from 1988 to 2011. Similarly, additional revenues of 14bn were collected in the next 13 years from 2011 to 2024. Compared to this, in the brief period of the past two years, our government has secured additional revenues of 14bn, he stated. On the discussions held about the agricultural sector during the budget debate, Aurangzeb affirmed that the sector was the backbone of Pakistans economy and the government had announced satisfactory relief and developmental packages for farmers. He noted that the Zarkhez scheme had been initiated, under which interest-free and collateral-free loans were being provided to 750,000 small-scale farmers. He further said that Rs9.5bn have been allocated in the FY27 budget for subsidies in the Prime Ministers Youth Business Agriculture Loan Scheme (PMYBALS), under which loans worth more than Rs109bn will be given. To keep fertiliser prices within control, a package of Rs15.8bn has been announced in the budget, which includes a Rs10bn subsidy on urea fertiliser, according to the minister. The finmin went on to mention the Rs4.2bn earmarked for development programmes in the agriculture and livestock sectors. He added that an import duty relief worth Rs2bn was being given to abolish duties on tractors, combined harvesters and other equipment to modernise agriculture. I specifically want to mention that we are expanding agricultural cooperation with China, Aurangzeb said, noting that Pakistani students and experts were being trained on the subject. We are going to construct an agricultural cold storage in collaboration with the private sector, which will cost Rs7.1bn, because investing in this value-chain is extremely important to get the value-added agriculture moving, he stressed. The finance czar highlighted that in the budget, the government has given tax relief to the salaried class, increased the pay and pensions of government employees, introduced measures to facilitate the process of obtaining pensions, abolished taxes on sanitary pads and contraceptives, and reduced taxes on life-saving medicines. The minister said that the NA had saved Rs5bn by taking austerity measures, while the Senate saved Rs1bn. Aurangzeb thanked the lawmakers for participating in the budget debate, specifically Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, as well as Saleem Mandviwala and Naveed Qamar, who head the standing committees on finance for the Senate and NA, respectively. The minister said both committees reviewed the budget recommendations with sincerity and gave their recommendations for improvement, some of which are intended to be included in the Finance Bill 2026. He also thanked the leaders of the parties in the ruling coalition by name, describing their leadership as very important in preparing the budget. Concluding his speech, Aurangzeb stressed that national consensus was extremely important in the economic and financial recovery. He requested all stakeholders to continue their cooperation for the countrys economic development. No changes made to methodology for economic indicators The minister recalled that the government had stated its direction of travel in the previous budget, adding that progress has been made over the past year on many fronts and economic indicators have been improved. The finmin pointed out that the 6.6pc growth in the large-scale manufacturing sector was the highest level in the past four years. Our external account is also stable, he said, adding that the current account recorded a surplus in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year (11MFY26). Aurangzeb also mentioned the record 4.25 billion remittances received in May, expressing hope that the country would meet its target of 41bn remittances in FY26. The exports sector is showing improvements. There is a prominent increase in the value-added exports, especially garments, home textiles and IT sectors, he said, recalling that IT exports had witnessed a 20 per cent increase in the outgoing year. Our youth freelancers have also made a new record of exports earnings and have secured record earnings of 1.6bn so far, he said. At the outset of his speech, Aurangzeb noted that a privilege motion had been moved by Khawaja Sheraz Mehmood and Azimuddin Zahid, which contended that the budget document had discrepancies. He added that questions were raised on the GDP growth for FY26, the per capita income and their methodology. I want to clarify that no changes at all have been made to the methodology used for reporting the economic indicators, the finance czar said. He remarked that the economic indicators for FY18 would also be presented before the MNAs who raised the concerns, so that it is apparent that there is consistency of measurement from administration to administration. The minister explained that the real GDP growth was calculated after adjusting for changes in economic activities and their impact on prices. This is why the 3.7pc GDP growth reported by PBS (Pakistan Bureau of Statistics) has been calculated on the constant prices of base year FY15-26, he said, adding that it was an international standard from a methodology perspective. The finance czar then elaborated that the nominal GDP, which is calculated on current market prices, differed from the real GDP in both concept and measurement. As per international practices, the per capita income is also determined based on current prices and is calculated on the gross national income (GNI) and estimated population, he said, noting that the population estimates from 2023 and predictions were used. Auranzgeb noted that GNI is a sum of the nominal GDP and net factor income received from abroad, and includes workers remittances. He stated that the size of the economy (nominal GDP) rose from408.2bn in FY25 to 452.1bn in FY26. During his speech, the finance minister highlighted Pakistans role as mediator between the United States and Iran, which led to the peace memorandum signed this week. Terming it a golden chapter of Pakistans diplomatic and political history, he praised the national leadership and congratulated the parliament. The first dividend of this peace agreement has already been announced by the prime minister in terms of the significant reduction in the petroleum prices, he said, referring to the Rs74 reduction in petrol price and Rs67 cut in diesel rate. NA debates Senate recommendations Earlier in the day, the NA debated the 140 recommendations made by the Senate on the budget. The Senate was given the responsibility to submit budget recommendations under the 18th Amendment in 2010. Under the Constitution, the Senate has no power to vote on a money bill; this power exclusively lies with the NA, which is the directly elected House. As lawmakers debated over the recommendations, some even contradicted their own positions of the past. PTI leader Asad Qaiser and other lawmakers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa demanded higher taxes on cigarettes but not on the tobacco crop, which they said should be considered as an agricultural product. PTI-backed Muhammad Atif criticised sales tax relief for Pakistan International Airlines, arguing that it should be across the board for all. He questioned why relief was proposed for business and first class passengers only, but not for those travelling in economy. PTIs Amir Dogar demanded that the finance minister explain the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Act 2026, which he termed draconian. Notably, when the bill was approved by the NA on June 11 by a majority vote, there was no objection even by the PTI members at that time. On Tuesday, the Senate Standing Committee on IT extensively deliberated the bill, which seeks to amend the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act of 1996.

Lawmakers fear access to such data could be misused Body okays proposed tax rates for salaried class, calls for more relief Finance minister says no room for more concessions this year Panel rejects stricter penalties for filers, non-filers in certain cases Luxury vehicles above 3,000cc to face 41pc levy IT, related services to remain taxed at 4pc; professionals, independent software developers to face 15pc rate ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on Friday questioned the governments claim of providing relief to the middle-income salaried class, while rejecting a proposal to grant tax authorities access to taxpayers bank account data and opposing stricter penalties for taxpayers in certain cases. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, chaired by MNA Naveed Qamar, approved higher surcharges for late filing of tax returns as well as the imposition of a special excise duty on imported luxury vehicles. Following extensive deliberations, the committee finalised its recommendations on the matters considered during the meeting and directed the secretariat to incorporate the approved recommendations into the committees report on the Finance Bill, 2026, for presentation before the National Assembly. The Senate committee has already finalised its recommendations and transmitted them to the National Assembly. The committee approved proposals to impose a special excise duty on imported luxury vehicles. It supported the proposal that cars with engine capacity between 2,000cc and 3,000cc would attract a 40pc excise duty, while vehicles above 3,000cc would face a 41pc levy. Salaried class The committee approved the proposed tax rates for salaried individuals amid calls for greater relief for the middle-income group. PPP lawmaker Sharmila Faruqui said the 11pc tax on monthly salaries between Rs100,000 and Rs200,000 was excessive. This is the middle class, and the rate should be reduced, she said, while welcoming the governments overall move to provide relief to salaried taxpayers. She pointed out that Rs600bn had been collected from salaried taxpayers this year, while the relief amounted to only Rs50bn. Ms Faruqui termed the relief insufficient and urged greater concessions for the Shahida Akhtar Ali stressed that the middle class was directly affected by the current tax burden, noting that most complaints received were from salaried individuals. Mr Aurangzeb said the reduction in super tax would also benefit salaried taxpayers, adding that public feedback had been positive. MNA Javed Hanif also criticised the relief measures, saying the middle class had been given very nominal relief. He suggested that super tax should be increased to offset concessions for salaried individuals. PPP MNA Hina Rabbani Khar defended the governments economic direction but questioned whether imposing 18pc sales tax on food items was appropriate in a country like Pakistan. FBR access to bank accounts The committee took up the governments proposal to access taxpayers account data in scheduled banks. Committee members voiced strong reservations, warning of potential misuse. I can say with certainty this data will be misused, remarked PPP lawmaker Sharmila Faruqi. FBR member Hamid Atiq Sarwar told the committee that the data already resided with the State Bank of Pakistan and would only be examined against income tax returns. He added that the move would allow the tax authority to monitor bank transactions. MNA Javed Hanif countered that the matter had already been settled with the State Bank and insisted that the FBR could not directly obtain account-holder data from scheduled banks. Director General Tax Policy Office Dr Najib Memon explained that details would only be sought if a large sum entered an account. Despite FBRs assurance that the amendment would be routed through the State Bank, the committee rejected the proposal and barred the tax authority from acquiring account-holder data directly. FBR officials informed the committee that Rs37tr was currently held in 1.8m accounts, of which only one million were registered with the FBR. It was further pointed out that while transaction details of large companies were already available, the FBR wanted direct access to scheduled banks to expand oversight. The committee also rejected FBR proposals in the Finance Bill, 2026, to tighten penalties for filers and non-filers under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, and directed the FBR to redraft the amendments. Members argued that taxpayers facing illness or any other genuine excuse would be unfairly penalised. Imposing fines in such circumstances is unjust, lawmakers observed. Fines and surcharges The committee approved proposals to increase fines for taxpayers failing to comply with audit requirements or concealing taxable assets. It agreed to raise the penalty for not undergoing audit from Rs25,000 to Rs100,000, and for providing false information from Rs25,000 to Rs100,000. The fine for hiding taxable assets was increased from Rs100,000 to Rs500,000. FBR officials clarified that penalties would apply only where concealment was proven, with fines set at either Rs500,000 or 100pc of the tax shortfall. Concealing taxable income is a crime harsher than murder, remarked Director General Tax Policy Office Dr Najeeb Ahmad Memon, prompting laughter from committee members. How can this be harsher than murder? asked lawmaker Javed Hanif Khan. Dr Najeeb explained that literature describes it as a crime against the nation. He added that it was the FBRs responsibility to prove concealment, both administratively and in courts. The committee ultimately approved the proposal to impose a Rs500,000 penalty for hiding taxable income or assets. It also endorsed proposals to impose heavier surcharges on taxpayers filing returns late or making false claims. The committee approved penalties on individuals claiming excess tax credits, requiring them to pay fines equal to the wrongly claimed amount. Tax officials also proposed that taxpayers submitting returns on time should not automatically be included in the Active Taxpayers List. The surcharge for companies filing returns late was raised from Rs25,000 to Rs100,000. For associations of persons, the surcharge was increased from Rs10,000 to Rs50,000, while for individual taxpayers it was raised from Rs1,000 to Rs25,000. Uniform rate on goods, services The committee approved FBR proposals to revise and unify tax rates on goods and services, raising the levy on most sectors to 7pc. Tax officials briefed the committee that payments for goods or services would now attract 7pc tax, up from 6pc. Previously, some sectors were taxed at lower rates while others faced higher rates. We are now standardising the regime, an FBR official explained. Transport, courier, security, hotel, advertising, engineering, warehousing, telecommunications, oil-field and travel services will all be taxed at 7pc. The same rate will apply to services provided by the stock exchange, mercantile exchange, data services, tower infrastructure and car rentals. IT and IT-enabled services will continue to be taxed at 4pc, while professionals such as doctors, lawyers, architects and accountants will face a 15pc rate. Independent software engineers and developers will also be taxed at 15pc. The committee approved the FBRs proposal to implement the revised tax structure. Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday told Irans President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian that the recently signed Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Washington and Tehran would go a long way towards rebuilding Iran. According to the Prime Ministers Office (PMO), the premier made the remarks during a phone call with the Iranian president that lasted over 30 minutes. This was the first contact between the two leaders since the signing of the historic Islamabad MoU today, after the 14-point agreement was reached earlier on Monday. Under the deal, the two sides have agreed on a framework to end the war, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a 60-day timeline for further talks. The prime minister congratulated Pezeshkian, the Iranian leadership and the brotherly people of Iran on the signing of the historic peace deal, said the PMO in an official press release. The landmark deal, he said, would not only help restore peace in the region, but also go a long way in rebuilding the Iranian nation and further strengthening Pakistan-Iran ties, across all areas of mutual interest. While lauding Irans decision to sign the peace deal, PM Shehbaz wished the Iranian side success in the next phase of negotiations and assured President Pezeshkian of Pakistans continued support for Iran as a brotherly and neighbouring country in all spheres. He also conveyed his regards to Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to the PMO, President Pezeshkian thanked PM Shehbaz and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for their extremely critical roles in steering the mediation process with great skill and sincerity, which had ensured its success. Pezeshkian said Tehran would always remember Pakistans positive and constructive efforts and its support for Iran during these difficult times, the PMO said. While conveying his best wishes for the people of Pakistan, the Iranian president said Iran was keen to enhance and expand its bilateral ties with Pakistan across all areas of mutual interest, the statement added. Both leaders agreed to visit the capitals of each others countries at the earliest possible opportunity to carry forward the excellent cooperation between the two sides in bilateral as well as regional matters. They also agreed to remain in touch in the coming days. The phone call comes after the two leaders along with US President Donald Trump signed the Islamabad MoU, with PM Shehbaz signing as a mediator. The deal ending more than 100 days of war between the US and Iran has been widely welcomed by the international community, after the conflict sent shockwaves across the globe as energy prices skyrocketed due to the Hormuz crisis. Under the deal, the US will lift its blockade of Iranian ports and Iran will reopen the Strait of Hormuz for international commercial shipping. Washington also committed to immediately waiving oil sanctions crippling Irans economy. And once a final agreement is reached on Irans nuclear ambitions, the US will also facilitate the release of a 300 billion reconstruction fund supported by regional nations, the deal says.