Monday, May 18th, 2026
OGRA conducts public hearing on SSGCL petition
DNA ISLAMABAD, MAY 18: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) conducted public hearing on the SSGCL’s petition for Determination of its Estimated Revenue Requirement / prescribed price for FY 2026-27. The petitioner in its revised petition dated 28-04-2026 has projected aggregate Average Prescribed Price at Rs. 6,825.30 per MMBTU including interest on GDS receivable (Rs. 1,721.47/MMBTU) & previous year shortfall up to FY 2024-25 (Rs. 2,920.46/MMBTU) for indigenous natural gas business. The petitioner has also projected Rs. 199.03/MMBTU w.r.t RLNG cost of supply for FY 2026-27. The public hearingRead More
Centre lifts austerity-driven business-hour curbs until 31st
Cabinet Division issues notification allowing unrestricted business hours across Pakistan Faisal Sheikh ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday approved the exemption of business closure timings across the country until May 31, effectively allowing commercial centres to operate without the previously imposed restrictions. According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, all shops, departmental stores, bazaars, markets and shopping malls will remain open on all days of the week without restriction on closing hours. The exemption also applies to bakeries, tandoors, restaurants and grocery stores, which have been allowedRead More
ICCI hosts interactive session on Islamabad’s water challenges and future planning
ISLAMABAD, MAY 18: /DNA/ – Director General Water, Capital Development Authority (CDA), Sardar Khan Zimri, has said that CDA is implementing comprehensive short-term and long-term strategies to address Islamabad’s growing water challenges and ensure sustainable water supply. He said several mega projects have been initiated to bridge the widening gap between water demand and supply. He expressed these views during his visit to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry where he held an interactive session with members of the business community representing various sectors of trade and industry. SardarRead More
HEC welcomes Bangladeshi academic delegation for week-long engagement
ISLAMABAD, MAY 18 /DNA/ – The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan welcomed a high-level delegation of senior Bangladeshi academicians in Islamabad for a week-long academic engagement programme. The delegation is led by Chairman University Grants Commission (UGC) Bangladesh Prof. Dr. Mamun Ahmed and comprises 13 distinguished members, including eight Vice Chancellors from leading Bangladeshi universities. The visit aims to strengthen academic cooperation, enhance institutional linkages, and promote knowledge exchange between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the fields of higher education and academic leadership. The initiative is expected to foster future partnerships,Read More
Talks with US continue with Pakistani mediation: Iranian FM spokesperson
TEHRAN, MAY 18: Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that talks with the United States continue through Pakistan’s mediation, as per Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency on X. “They raised speculations regarding enrichment and uranium materials, which we stated have no basis.” In a separate post on X, the spokesperson has been quoted to say that Iran has “no enmity with any country in the region; the countries of the region must learn from the recent events.” “They saw that the presence of America does not bringRead More
After provinces, Centre lifts austerity-driven business-hour curbs until May 31
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday approved the exemption of business closure timings across the country until May 31, effectively allowing commercial centres to operate without the previously imposed restrictions. According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, all shops, departmental stores, bazaars, markets and shopping malls will remain open on all days of the week without restriction on closing hours. The exemption also applies to bakeries, tandoors, restaurants and grocery stores, which have been allowed to continue operations beyond the earlier fixed timings. The decision comes afterRead More