PoliticsPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in Islamabad to discuss the federal budget, development projects and the regional situation. The meeting came amid PPP reservations over the 2026-27 budget.
The US has released the text of the Islamabad MoU with Iran, outlining steps on the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief and nuclear oversight. The 14-point framework opens a 60-day window for negotiating a final deal.
NATIONALA Pakistani delegation has reached Switzerland ahead of the formal signing of the US-Iran peace agreement on Friday. The ceremony is set to be held at the Bürgenstock Resort, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials are expected to attend.
BusinessSindh has presented a Rs3.562 trillion budget for FY2026-27 with no new taxes, a seven per cent increase in salaries and pensions, and a Rs720 billion development programme. The budget projects a deficit of about Rs36.9 billion.
NATIONALBalochistan has presented a Rs1.089 trillion surplus budget for 2026-27 with a seven per cent salary and pension increase, 5,000 new jobs and higher spending on health and education. The plan also includes agriculture support and digital governance measures.
NATIONALThe National Assembly budget debate turned stormy on Wednesday as PTI and PML-N lawmakers traded accusations and repeated disruptions forced intervention from the chair. The session also saw disputes involving PPP and MQM-P members.
CLIMATE CHANGESuparco has identified 130 potentially dangerous glacial lakes in northern Pakistan and said 24 of them are currently unfrozen and under close watch. The agency also warned that El Nino conditions could weaken the monsoon and intensify heatwaves and drought.
NATIONALThe Balochistan Employees’ Grand Alliance has announced an indefinite province-wide shutdown from Thursday after clashes with police in Quetta. The group rejected the seven per cent salary increase in the provincial budget and vowed to continue protests.
PoliticsOnly 117 nomination papers had been filed in 45 constituencies for the upcoming AJK general elections by Wednesday, according to the AJK Election Commission secretary. No decision has yet been taken on changing the filing process or extending the deadline.
NATIONALKP police have formalised rules to raise a 400-member Special Combat Unit for intelligence-based targeted operations against terrorists. The force will be drawn from the elite police and deployed in sensitive areas on rotational assignments.
NATIONALHeavy rain caused landslides and mudflows that closed the Karakoram Highway in Diamer and the Baltistan Road in Skardu on Wednesday. Authorities said clearance work was under way as many travellers remained stranded.
CITYACE has filed a third corruption case against former Gujrat Municipal Corporation chief officer Khaliq Daad Gara, who is already jailed in two earlier cases. The FIR alleges a Rs4.5 million loss in undercharged building design approval fees.
