Sunday, May 31st, 2026
Govt rejects reports of ending electricity subsidy for protected consumers
ISLAMABAD, MAY 31: Federal Minister for Power Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Sunday rejected reports that the government was planning to withdraw electricity subsidies for protected consumers, saying eligible users would continue to receive financial support through a new QR code-based system. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Leghari said: “[The] government is not ending electricity subsidies for protected consumers,” adding that reports suggesting otherwise were “contrary to the facts”. He said consumers using less than 200 units of electricity continued to receive subsidies and that the number of suchRead More
Sri Lanka raise fuel prices after IMF loan instalment
COLOMBO, 31 MAY (DNA) — Sri Lanka raised fuel prices by up to six percent on Sunday, in line with IMF plans to recover energy costs and phase out subsidies to stabilise the economy. Petrol was raised to 434 rupees ($1.33), up from 410, while diesel increased to 407 rupees a litre from 392, the state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation said. The price hike came days after the International Monetary Fund released a $695 million instalment of a $2.9 billion bailout loan, agreed in early 2023 to stabilise the cash-strapped South AsianRead More
FIFA, AFC push for urgent PFF constitutional reforms
By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have called for urgent revisions to the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Constitution, stressing that the federation must align its statutes with international governance standards while warning that any third-party interference in football affairs will not be tolerated. This outcome emerged on the first day of the Governance and Statutes Revision Workshop organized by the Pakistan Football Federation, where FIFA’s Head of Member Associations Governance, Rolf Tanner, and AFC Senior Manager of the South Asia Unit, Sonam Jigmi, addressed membersRead More
Trump claims Iran agreed to no nuclear weapons
WASHINGTON, 31 MAY (DNA) — United States President Donald Trump said he had secured guarantees from Iran that it would not develop nuclear weapons, as reports emerged he had sent a tougher peace proposal back to Tehran. Any tweaks to the proposal could prolong even further an agreement to formally end the Middle East war and open the Strait of Hormuz maritime route after weeks of efforts to secure a deal despite fractious rhetoric and the occasional flare-up of armed conflict. The New York Times and Axios media outlets reported onRead More
Turkey eyes post-Iran Middle East as regional order shifts – analysis
A new article in The Telegraph in the UK argues that Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is the real winner of the Iran war. The argument is that Turkey’s leader has been cracking down on opposition while the world is focused on the war in Iran. This is an interesting argument. However, Turkey’s benefit from the conflict and how it may reshape Ankara’s policy are more complex than the issue of the domestic political opposition. Turkey has sought to remain outside the Iran conflict. It’s not clear whether Ankara isRead More
Murree’s progress eclipsed by selective rule violations
MURREE, 31 MAY (DNA) — Murree, the picturesque hill station often referred to as the “Queen of Hills,” has witnessed remarkable improvements in recent years due to the efforts of the Punjab government. Better roads, improved cleanliness, enhanced tourist facilities, and stricter traffic management have significantly upgraded the overall environment of the city. Visitors arriving in Murree today can immediately notice the positive transformation compared to previous years. However, one disturbing issue continues to undermine these achievements , the selective violation of rules on the famous Mall Road. Mall Road remainsRead More