Wednesday, July 1st, 2026
Indian defence minister’s resignation sought for concealing military deaths in May conflict
NEW DELHI, JUL 1: India’s main opposition Congress party has demanded the resignation of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accusing him of misleading parliament over military casualties during May 2025 conflict with Pakistan, Indian media reported on Wednesday. The party also called on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise over the deaths of six military personnel during the May 2025 operation. The demands came days after the Indian government, on June 26, officially disclosed the names of six armed forces personnel who died during the conflict. The names were addedRead More
Seven drown, two rescued after tourist boat overturns in Swat’s Saifullah Lake
SWAT, JUL 1: A boat carrying tourists capsized at Saifullah Lake on the Swat River, leaving seven people dead, while two others were rescued, rescue officials said on Wednesday. Rescue 1122 Swat said seven bodies were recovered from the lake following the accident and shifted by ambulance to Kalam Hospital. Emergency response teams and ambulances were dispatched to the site immediately after the control room received reports of the incident. Earlier, the district administration had confirmed the recovery of five bodies and said a search and rescue operation was underwayRead More
Lebanon, Syria join CENTCOM-led Middle East security dialogue for first time
WASHINGTON, JUL 1: The US military headed a regional security dialogue in the Middle East on Tuesday, marking the first time Lebanon and Syria have participated in such a defense conference led by Washington. Senior military officials from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE, and Yemen participated in the dialogue, which examined ways to enhance defense collaboration across the region, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM). Participants all underscored their shared commitment to the free flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz,Read More
FBR achieves revised revenue target for fiscal year 2025-26
ISLAMABAD, JUL 1 /DNA/ – Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, on Wednesday commended the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for successfully achieving the revised annual revenue collection target for FY2025-26, describing it as a landmark accomplishment made possible through teamwork, sustained reforms, and the unwavering commitment of the entire FBR leadership and field formations. Addressing a meeting at FBR Headquarters attended virtually by Chairman FBR Rashid Mahmood Langrial, Members of the FBR Board, senior officers, and Chief Commissioners and Chief Collectors joining virtually from across theRead More
The Digital Path to Transparency
Uzair Razzaq In Pakistan’s governance landscape, reform is often measured in reports, committees, and promises. Yet true transformation lies not in the rhetoric of reform but in the lived experience of citizens. Just as courts must move beyond pendency statistics, our public institutions must move beyond paperwork and opacity. The real test of reform is whether ordinary people feel empowered, informed, and included. For decades, governance has been trapped in dusty files and bureaucratic silos. Citizens seeking information encounter endless delays, misplaced records, and contradictory responses. The Right to InformationRead More
Cashless transactions now operational at all passport offices across country
ISLAMABAD: In order to facilitate citizens, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday announced that cashless transactions are now operational at all passport offices across the country. Taking to his X handle, the interior minister said: “Applicants no longer need to stand in long queues or wait for hours to make payments.” He maintained that this reform was initiated on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, adding that his team has successfully delivered it. “This is another step towards making public services faster, more transparent, and more convenient for ourRead More