DNA News
Govt to pay around Rs48bn to OMCs under fuel price differential claims
ISLAMABAD: The government is set to pay oil marketing companies (OMCs) up to Rs176 per litre under price differential claims (PDCs) in the wake of the decision against fuel price hike in the country, read the Ministry of Energy’s (Petroleum Division) letter addressed to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra). The letter, dated March 20, says that the government will pay PDCs to the OMCS from March 21 (today) till March 27, which amounts to around Rs48 billion, with the payment set to be made by the Finance DivisionRead More
Terrorists operating from Afghan sanctuaries will not be allowed to undermine Pakistan’s security: CDF
ISLAMABAD, MAR 21: Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir has stressed that terrorists operating from sanctuaries across the border in Afghanistan will not be allowed to undermine Pakistan’s security. Pakistani troops were — before a ceasefire was announced due to Eid ul Fitr — responding to the Afghan Taliban’s unprovoked attacks, resulting in the killing of more than 450 Taliban operatives and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants and the destruction of several important Afghan infrastructure. The Pakistani government’s longstanding demand has remained that the Taliban honour the DohaRead More
Australian mosque protesters heckle PM Albanese over Israel stance
CAMMBERA, MAR 20: Protesters heckled and booed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday during a visit to Australia’s largest mosque for Eid ul Fitr prayers, voicing anger over his stance on ally Israel’s offensive in Gaza. Video images showed protesters interrupting proceedings about 15 minutes after Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke joined worshippers at Lakemba Mosque in western Sydney to mark the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Demonstrators booed, told Albanese and Burke to “Get out!” and called them “genocide supporters”, referring to Israel’s killingRead More
Eid-ul-Fitr to be celebrated on Saturday with religious fervor
FAISALABAD, MAR 20: Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 would be celebrated across Faisalabad on Saturday with full religious zeal and enthusiasm as the people have started final preparations for the festival across the city. A spokesman of local administration said here on Friday that Eid-ul-Fitr is a time of gratitude, compassion and social harmony and the residents of Faisalabad are set to celebrate the festival in a spirit of unity, brotherhood and festivity. He said that the faithful are expected to offer Eid prayers at major mosques, Eidgahs and open grounds in theRead More
Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Uzbekistan call for restraint, diplomacy to ease Middle East tensions
ISLAMABAD, MAR 20: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with leaders from Azerbaijan, Malaysia and Uzbekistan on Friday, calling for urgent de-escalation and a diplomatic path to resolve Middle East tensions. The prime minister held separate telephone conversations with Ilham Aliyev, Anwar Ibrahim and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, during which the leaders exchanged Eid ul Fitr greetings and discussed the evolving situation in the Middle East. In his call with President Aliyev, the prime minister conveyed warm Eid wishes to the Azerbaijani leadership and people, which were reciprocated. Both leaders prayed for unityRead More
Experts call for Pakistan food system overhaul
ISLAMABAD, MAR 20 /DNA/ – Pakistan’s food system transformation is elusive sans a comprehensive national food system framework amid emerging challenges, including rapid urbanization, population growth, declining agricultural productivity, inefficient agricultural value chain, and shrinking cultivable land that are key barriers hindering the agrarian nation’s progress to achieving food security. These views were expressed by the experts at a wide-ranging consultation on the “Integrated Roadmap for Sustainable Food Systems Transformation in Pakistan”, a Joint UN Sustainable Development Goal Fund Programme. The consultation was organized by the Sustainable Development Policy InstituteRead More