News Editor at Pakistan Today
Finance Minister Aurangzeb says Pakistan’s Rs18.9tn FY27 budget aims to accelerate export-led growth, back economic recovery, and strengthen fiscal discipline. It also highlights FBR reforms, tax base expansion, current account stability, and higher remittances.
US and Iran will hold technical-level talks in Switzerland Sunday, with Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif and CDF Asim Munir expected to attend. The talks come as Iran reimposes the Strait of Hormuz blockade amid rising pressure from Lebanon strikes.
Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov lauds Pakistan’s mediation and “constructive contribution” to regional stability in a phone call with Ishaq Dar, ahead of Dar’s Cairo meeting.
On World Refugee Day, PM Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s compassion-led refugee approach, emphasizing dignified returns, reintegration, safety as a human right, and calls for global burden-sharing as 2.4m Afghan nationals return since 2023.
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz announced Rs80 billion saved via e-tendering under the Punjab Development Programme and set June 30 as the deadline to finish province-wide sewerage and drainage projects, including safety nets on manholes and a ban on leaving dug roads open.
KP CM Sohail Afridi presented the Rs2.122tr “Khushhal Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” budget for 2026-27, proposing 7% salary and pension hikes, a Rs45,000 minimum wage, Rs524bn ADP and no new taxes despite a Rs48bn deficit.
Pakistan’s FM Mohammad Ishaq Dar will visit Egypt to attend the 4th R-4 foreign ministers’ meeting in Cairo, focusing on Middle East peace, security and coordinated diplomacy.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, agreeing to finalise a comprehensive economic package and stressing diplomacy to keep Iran–US negotiations on track.
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz approved major expansions under the Nawaz Sharif Medical District, including seven hospitals totaling 1,519 beds. She also directed immediate pass-through of fuel relief through lower transport and freight fares.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the Iran-US “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” as Pakistan’s diplomatic triumph, citing regional peace benefits and expected economic relief from lower oil prices.
Iran says it has not taken a final decision on a proposed US agreement, as Pakistan signals electronic signing preparations. The talks face fresh pressure after Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut.
Punjab Police will deploy over 124,000 personnel to secure Muharram observances across Punjab, covering 47,280 majalis and processions with CTD, Safe City cameras, Section 144 enforcement, and pillion bans on Ashura days.
