Wednesday, June 17th, 2026
US, Iran could sign ceasefire deal as soon as tonight to open Strait of Hormuz – Axios
WASHINGTON, JUN 17: The US, Iran, and mediating parties are discussing bumping up the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as early as Wednesday, according to an Axios report. The parties are set to sign the MoU into effect on Friday. However, one mediating diplomat and a second source familiar with the talks told Axios that the deal could be signed electronically by Wednesday evening. If the deal is signed, it would mean the US would release the full text of the agreement, and the parts of the dealRead More
‘Good news’: Govt hints at reducing petroleum prices following US-Iran deal
ISLAMABAD, JUN 17: Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik has said that the government is expected to announce “good news” regarding a possible reduction in petroleum product prices. “We will bring good news regarding a reduction in petroleum prices,” the minister said while speaking with Geo News, acknowledging that the public had already faced difficulties due to regional tensions following the US-Iran conflict. The minister’s statement comes days after US and Iranian officials agreed on a framework to end their war, which began when US and Israeli forces attackedRead More
‘9,000 people hold Rs 750 billion deposits’
ISLAMABAD, 17 JUN (DNA) — Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) informed the National Assembly’s Standing Committee for Finance about startling disclosures after FBR’s access to the databases. FBR Chief Rashid Langarial was testifying on the Pakistan’s new tax operating model, before the finance standing committee of the lower house chaired by Syed Naveed Qamar. Rashid Langarial while informing the session about increasing use of the technology in the FBR disclosed that “the 9,000 people in the country hold Rs. 750 billion bank deposits and they had paid zero income tax”. FBR chairmanRead More
Sindh CM presents Rs3.56tr budget, seeks 7% hike in salaries
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah presented the provincial budget for the financial year 2026-27 in the Sindh Assembly on Wednesday, proposing a 7% increase in salaries and pensions for provincial government employees. Delivering his budget speech, CM Murad expressed gratitude for presenting Sindh’s budget for the 12th time. During the budget session, opposition lawmakers staged a protest in the assembly, raising slogans of “rejected, rejected” as the chief minister continued his address. The Sindh CM presented a budget worth Rs3.562 trillion for the new financial year, saying theRead More
Bilawal meets PM; greets on ME diplomacy
Saifullah Ansar ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Islamabad. Accompanying the PPP Chairman were Senator Sherry Rehman and Member of the National Assembly Syed Naveed Qamar. During the meeting, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari praised the Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in promoting global peace, particularly in the context of the Middle East situation. The two leaders also discussed political and national matters of mutual interest, reviewing theRead More
IHC disposes of petition after PTI founder Signs Power of Attorney
ISLAMABAD, JUN 17: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday disposed of a petition seeking signatures of PTI founder Imran Khan on a power of attorney required for filing an appeal before the Supreme Court, after the signed document was provided to the petitioner. During the hearing before Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, the petitioner withdrew the case on the grounds that the relief sought had already been granted. Advocate General Islamabad Naveed Hayat Malik informed the court that the order had been complied with and submitted a report confirming thatRead More