Key takeaways: This story has been edited for clarity and SEO.
The Punjab government has approved higher delivery charges for vehicle registration documents—including files, smart cards, and number plates—in response to rising inflation.
The new rates are part of a three-year agreement finalized after negotiations with the Pakistan Post Office.
as per officials, the Post Office had initially demanded an increase of more than 400% in delivery fees, which would have made their rates even higher than private courier services. This proposal, however, was turned down by the Director General of Excise and Taxation.
Under the revised structure, the following delivery charges will apply:
Files: Rs. 100 (previously Rs. 43)
Number Plates: Rs. 90 (previously Rs. 34)
Smart Cards: Rs. 48 (previously Rs. 27)
A summary of these updated charges has been forwarded to the provincial government for final approval.
Key takeaways: This story has been edited for clarity and SEO.
Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi noted on Friday that Pakistan Railways is moving forward despite limited resources, crediting the progress to strong commitment and careful planning. He expressed optimism that the public will soon see clear improvements in the sector.
While chairing a high-level meeting at the Railways Headquarters, the minister approved several key reforms and modernization measures.
One major step includes outsourcing passenger trains through open auctions, along with a review of existing contracts under this system. The meeting also agreed to revise annual revenue targets for trains, with a special committee set up to handle the process.
To improve safety, the Safety Department has been upgraded to the level of a Directorate, with new officers and staff posted to strengthen its role.
The minister also received a detailed update on the conditions of guards and drivers’ rest houses. Calling them the backbone of Railways, he ordered immediate upgrades to facilities at Rohri, Khanpur, and Khanewal, including air-conditioning, kitchens, and shared dining halls.
In freight operations, Abbasi expressed satisfaction with the Mechanical Department’s progress, confirming that 295 high-capacity freight wagons will be added to the system by March 30. He also revealed that freight booking will fully move to an online platform next week to ensure transparency and efficiency.
For passenger services, the Shalimar Express will soon get brand new AC Standard and AC Parlor coaches, while refurbished coaches for the Lahore–Rawalpindi railcars are set to roll out by November 11.
Key takeaways: This story has been edited for clarity and SEO.
Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital operator, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NADRA Technologies Limited (NTL), the commercial arm of the National Database and Registration Authority, to expand access to digital citizen services. The agreement marks a significant step toward leveraging technology to enhance convenience, inclusion, and trust throughout Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.
Through this collaboration, Jazz and NTL aim to simplify how citizens and businesses interact with essential services, enhancing financial inclusion and e-government facilitation. The partners will leverage their respective strengths to build secure, accessible, and reliable solutions, creating socio-economic opportunities, empowering more Pakistanis to join the digital economy, and reinforcing the country’s position as a regional leader in digital transformation.
Speaking at the signing, Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz, noted: “This partnership with NADRA Technologies Limited (NTL) reflects Jazz’s ServiceCo vision – moving beyond connectivity to enable platforms that improve lives and livelihoods. By bringing together Jazz’s digital infrastructure and NTL’s trusted identity services, we are creating a stronger foundation for inclusive access to essential services and digital financial tools for all Pakistanis.”
This strategic collaboration manifests the shared commitment of Jazz and NTL to advance the Government of Pakistan’s Digital Pakistan agenda. It will accelerate the nation’s digital transformation, foster economic resilience, and expand inclusive access to essential services for millions of citizens.
Key takeaways: This story has been edited for clarity and SEO.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken strong exception to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recording a meeting between match referee Andy Pycroft and Pakistan team officials ahead of their Asia Cup fixture against the UAE in Dubai on September 17, with the controversy stemming from the so-called “handshake-gate” incident involving India captain Suryakumar Yadav, the Press Trust of India reported on Friday.
as per the PTI news agency, ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta wrote a ‘strongly-worded email’ to the PCB on Thursday, terming the use of a mobile phone to film the conversation inside the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) a breach of protocol.
The meeting was attended by Pycroft, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, head coach Mike Hesson, team manager Naveed Akram Cheema, media manager Naeem Gillani, and ICC general manager cricket Wasim Khan.
Gillani was initially told by ICC officials that mobile phones were not permitted inside the PMOA under anti-corruption regulations.
However, the PCB insisted that the meeting be recorded, even threatening that Pakistan would not take the field against the UAE unless their demand was met. A compromise was reached under which the session was filmed without audio.
In his email, Gupta described the episode as “misconduct” and noted the PCB had committed “multiple violations” of the PMOA code. He also objected to a PCB press release which had claimed Pycroft had “apologised” to the Pakistan captain and manager.
Gupta clarified that the referee had only expressed “regret over the miscommunication” that led to Suryakumar not shaking hands with Salman before the India-Pakistan clash.
The controversy delayed the start of Pakistan’s game against the UAE by nearly an hour, with the PCB initially instructing its players to remain at the hotel after learning Pycroft would officiate.
The standoff was broken after the ICC agreed to the pre-match meeting between the referee and the Pakistan team management.
The PCB had earlier demanded Pycroft’s removal from the tournament, accusing him of violating the code of conduct and the MCC’s spirit of cricket by instructing Salman not to shake hands with Suryakumar.
The ICC, however, noted Pycroft was only relaying a message from the Asian Cricket Council’s venue manager and that an internal inquiry had cleared him of any wrongdoing.
Later on Friday, however, the PCB defended its decision to record the Dubai meeting, maintaining that its media manager had authorised access to the PMOA and acted within ICC protocols.
His presence there is not a violation,” the PTI quoted “a tournament source” as saying. “The team’s media manager is part of the squad and has authorised access to the PMOA. The board further argued that protocols allow media managers to use cameras inside the PMOA.
However, PTI claimed the matter was flagged by the ICC referee to Pakistan’s anti-corruption officer, who acknowledged the breach. Gupta, in his email, was categorical: “The ICC, in order to preserve the interest of the sport, the tournament and the stakeholders involved accepted PCB’s request although this demonstrated a complete disregard for the sanctity of the PMOA.”
Key takeaways: This story has been edited for clarity and SEO.
QUETTA: The repatriation of Afghan refugees through the Chaman border resumed on Friday after being suspended for a day following a deadly bomb blast.
Officials noted the process was halted on Thursday when a powerful explosion ripped through a crowded taxi stand near makeshift shops in the border town, killing six people.
At the time of the blast, large numbers of Afghan families had gathered at the Pak-Afghan border to return home. Authorities immediately suspended repatriation and evacuated families from the area for their safety.
The movement was allowed to resume on Friday after security forces cleared the site. Officials noted the entire area was swept before Afghan refugees were permitted to approach the crossing point again.
On Thursday evening, the blast claimed four lives on the spot, while two of the injured later succumbed to their wounds.
Assistant Commissioner Chaman Imtiaz Baloch confirmed the explosion took place near makeshift shops at the taxi stand.
Eyewitness Asghar Achakzai, a local reporter, told Dawn that the powerful explosion left bodies mangled and body parts scattered.
Police noted initial investigations indicated that explosives had been planted outside the shops.
The Balochistan Home Department confirmed the casualties and ordered an inquiry into the incident, urging citizens to cooperate with investigators. It vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
Pakistan rolled out a drive last year to repatriate undocumented Afghan nationals, citing security concerns and the need for strict border management.
as per government figures, more than one million Afghans without legal documents are living in Pakistan. Tens of thousands have already been repatriated through the Chaman and Torkham border crossings since the policy was enforced.
Officials say the campaign is aimed at ensuring that only those with valid visas and refugee cards remain in Pakistan.
Human rights groups, however, have slammed the policy as abrupt and harsh, warning that many returnees face uncertain futures in Afghanistan amid economic hardship and limited access to basic services.
Key takeaways: This story has been edited for clarity and SEO.
ISLAMABAD: Police on Friday booked outspoken rights activist Advocate Imaan Mazari-Hazir, her spouse, and several PTI-linked lawyers under anti-terror laws, following a clash with the president of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA).
The bar leadership alleged that a group of lawyers assaulted its president, harassed him, and raised slogans against state institutions.
The FIR was registered against Imaan Mazari, Hadi Ali Chattha, Zainab Janjua, PTI-affiliated lawyers Naeem Panjhuta, Fatehullah Barki and others under various sections of Pakistan Penal Code and Anti-Terrorism Act.
The lawyers had staged a protest on the premises of the IHC to oppose the suspension of Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri from judicial work.
The demonstrators carried placards and raised slogans in support of judicial independence. Islamabad Bar Council member Aleem Abbasi, ex-president of the IHCBA Riasat Ali, and Advocate Mazari were prominent among the lawyers who attended the rally.
FIR includes terror charges; case filed over altercation following lawyers’ protest at IHC
However, tensions flared when — after the demonstration — PTI-affiliated lawyers, including Intizar Hussain Panjotha, Naeem Panjotha, and Fatehullah Barki, confronted IHCBA President Wajid Ali Gilani. Witnesses reported the PTI lawyers pushed Mr Gilani, leading to an altercation, before IHCBA Secretary Manzoor Ahmed Jaja and other lawyers intervened.
The IHCBA president, accompanied by the secretary and bar council vice chairman Naseer Ahmed Kayani, later condemned the incident and revealed that a reference would be sent to the bar council seeking registration of a terrorism case against the accused lawyers as well as cancellation of their licences.
Mr Gilani alleged that a group of lawyers, including Imaan Mazari and Zainab Janjua, physically assaulted him, dragged him, and branded him a traitor.
“We have no personal or political agenda. We are neither aligned with any party nor any judge. He noted they were armed and pressured him to support demands for filing cases against PTI founder Imran Khan, which he refused. Our role is to serve the lawyers, and my press conference should not be politicised,” he stated.
Mr Jaja claimed the protest had been held without a formal requisition to the bar, in violation of procedure. “We are not touts of any judge, [and] those acting as such will be exposed,” he remarked. He emphasised that a terrorism case would be pursued against those involved and a formal request made for cancellation of their licences.
Vice Chairman Naseer Kayani cautioned against exploiting the case of Justice Jahangiri for personal motives. He revealed that lawyers responsible for the attack would be barred from entering the IHC premises, and their licences suspended upon receipt of formal complaints.
The IHCBA leadership reaffirmed its commitment to uphold the constitution and the rule of law, vowing not to yield to pressure or intimidation.
Key takeaways: This story has been edited for clarity and SEO.
US President Donald Trump on Friday ordered an annual $100,000 fee be added to H-1B skilled worker visas, creating potentially major repercussions for the tech industry where such permits are prolific.
The new measure, which could likely face legal challenges, was revealed alongside the introduction of a $1 million “gold card“ residency programme that Trump had previewed months earlier.
“The main thing is, we’re going to have great people coming in, and they’re going to be paying,” Trump told reporters as he signed the orders in the Oval Office.
H-1B visas allow companies to sponsor foreign workers with specialised skills — such as scientists, engineers, and computer programmers — to work in the United States, initially for three years, but extendable to six years.
The United States awards 85,000 H-1B visas per year on a lottery system, with India accounting for around three-quarters of the recipients.
Large technology firms rely on Indian workers who either relocate to the United States or come and go between the two countries.
Tech entrepreneurs — including Trump’s former ally Elon Musk — have warned against targeting H-1B visas, saying that the United States does not have enough homegrown talent to fill important tech sector job vacancies.
“All the big companies are on board,” noted Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who joined Trump in the Oval Office.
Trump has had the H-1B programme in his sights since his first term in office, but faced court challenges to his earlier approach, which targeted the types of jobs that qualify. The current iteration has become the latest move in the major immigration crackdown of his second term.
as per Trump’s order, the fee will be required for those seeking to enter the country beginning Sunday, with the Homeland Security secretary able to exempt individuals, entire companies, or entire industries.
The order expires in a year, though Trump can extend it.
The number of H-1B visa applications has risen sharply in recent years, with a peak in approvals in 2022 under then-president Joe Biden.
In contrast, the peak in rejections was recorded in 2018, during Trump’s first term in the White House.
The United States approved approximately 400,000 H-1B visas in 2024, two-thirds of which were renewals.
Trump also signed an order creating a new expedited pathway to US residency for people who pay $1 million, or for corporate sponsors to pay $2 million.
“I think it’s going to be tremendously successful,” Trump added.
The Punjab government has approved higher delivery charges for vehicle registration documents—including files, smart cards, and number plates—in response to rising inflation.
The new rates are part of a three-year agreement finalized after negotiations with the Pakistan Post Office.
According to officials, the Post Office had initially demanded an increase of more than 400% in delivery fees, which would have made their rates even higher than private courier services. This proposal, however, was turned down by the Director General of Excise and Taxation.
Under the revised structure, the following delivery charges will apply:
Files: Rs. 100 (previously Rs. 43)
Number Plates: Rs. 90 (previously Rs. 34)
Smart Cards: Rs. 48 (previously Rs. 27)
A summary of these updated charges has been forwarded to the provincial government for final approval.
Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said on Friday that Pakistan Railways is moving forward despite limited resources, crediting the progress to strong commitment and careful planning. He expressed optimism that the public will soon see clear improvements in the sector.
While chairing a high-level meeting at the Railways Headquarters, the minister approved several key reforms and modernization measures.
One major step includes outsourcing passenger trains through open auctions, along with a review of existing contracts under this system. The meeting also agreed to revise annual revenue targets for trains, with a special committee set up to handle the process.
To improve safety, the Safety Department has been upgraded to the level of a Directorate, with new officers and staff posted to strengthen its role.
The minister also received a detailed update on the conditions of guards and drivers’ rest houses. Calling them the backbone of Railways, he ordered immediate upgrades to facilities at Rohri, Khanpur, and Khanewal, including air-conditioning, kitchens, and shared dining halls.
In freight operations, Abbasi expressed satisfaction with the Mechanical Department’s progress, confirming that 295 high-capacity freight wagons will be added to the system by March 30. He also announced that freight booking will fully move to an online platform next week to ensure transparency and efficiency.
For passenger services, the Shalimar Express will soon get brand new AC Standard and AC Parlor coaches, while refurbished coaches for the Lahore–Rawalpindi railcars are set to roll out by November 11.
Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital operator, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NADRA Technologies Limited (NTL), the commercial arm of the National Database and Registration Authority, to expand access to digital citizen services. The agreement marks a significant step toward leveraging technology to enhance convenience, inclusion, and trust throughout Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.
Through this collaboration, Jazz and NTL aim to simplify how citizens and businesses interact with essential services, enhancing financial inclusion and e-government facilitation. The partners will leverage their respective strengths to build secure, accessible, and reliable solutions, creating socio-economic opportunities, empowering more Pakistanis to join the digital economy, and reinforcing the country’s position as a regional leader in digital transformation.
Speaking at the signing, Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz, said: “This partnership with NADRA Technologies Limited (NTL) reflects Jazz’s ServiceCo vision – moving beyond connectivity to enable platforms that improve lives and livelihoods. By bringing together Jazz’s digital infrastructure and NTL’s trusted identity services, we are creating a stronger foundation for inclusive access to essential services and digital financial tools for all Pakistanis.”
This strategic collaboration manifests the shared commitment of Jazz and NTL to advance the Government of Pakistan’s Digital Pakistan agenda. It will accelerate the nation’s digital transformation, foster economic resilience, and expand inclusive access to essential services for millions of citizens.
