MCB Bank Limited, Askari Bank Limited, the Pakistani unit of Citigroup Incorporated, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan Limited and Habib Metropolitan Bank Limited are among other lenders that received similar relief in separate orders, the media outlet added. She said it was not feasible for banks to increase their lending to the private sector amid the current economic slowdown. Some of the banks have already recorded NPLs from the private sector in recent quarters, she said. However, banks' lending to the private sector is expected to increase from next year with the anticipated return of stability to the economy. This adjustment is expected to encourage increased credit to the private sector going forward.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has canceled the Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour in Skardu, Murree and Muzaffarabad after objections were raised by the Board of Cricket in India (BCCI). According to Indian media, this decision of ICC to cancel came after BCCI’s objections to the trophy tour schedule shared by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Read more: Indian media riled up for taking the ‘trophy’ of the event to Kashmir The PCB announced the schedule of the trophy tour from November 16 to 24. However, the ICC has decided not to make Skardu and Kashmir regions a part of the tour. Read more: ICC Champions Trophy reaches Islamabad from Dubai This move by the ICC has been taken at a time when the controversy over the Indian team not coming to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy continues, and the PCB has been told by the organization about India’s refusal to Pakistan.

Isalamabad: The government has decided not to make any change in the price of pedoleum products for the next 15 days and has also issued a notification. In a statement released by the Ministry of Finance, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has worked on the price of petroleum products for the next 15 days based on the price trend in the global market during the last two weeks. The statement said that it has been decided that there will be no change in the price of petrol and diesel for the next 15 days. According to the Ministry of Finance, the price of high speed diesel will remain at Rs 255 14 paise per liter and petrol price will remain at Rs 248 38 paise per liter for the next 15 days.

A large number of worshippers, including families and community leaders, attended the prayer, demonstrating a united front against the ongoing dry spell that has exacerbated environmental and health challenges, including smog. The special prayers were offered immediately after the weekly ‘Jummah,’ (Friday) prayers, with clerics urging people to seek forgiveness and turn towards righteous deeds as a means to invoke Allah’s mercy. “Rain is a blessing from Allah, withheld only when humanity strays from His path. We must correct our ways, mend our treatment of the environment, and earnestly seek His mercy,” he said. “This is not just a prayer for rain; it’s a reminder for all of us to improve our relationship with the Creator.

Severe smog and dense fog have wreaked havoc on flight schedules in Punjab, causing numerous delays, cancellations, and diversions. A total of 53 domestic and international flights faced significant delays. Cancellations included Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights PK 340 and 341 between Karachi and Faisalabad, PK 322 and 323 from Lahore to Quetta, and international flight V739 from Jeddah to Lahore. PIA flights PK 281 and 282 from Muscat to Sialkot and four Islamabad-Gilgit flights (PK 601, 602, 605, and 606) were also grounded. Similarly, the Jeddah-Lahore flight SV738 landed in Islamabad, while PK 244 from Dammam to Sialkot touched down in Lahore.

- Advertisement -ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP): Special prayers for rain (Salat-ul-Istisqa) were offered across the nation responding to an appeal by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday. Under the auspicious of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, the congregation was held in the Kohsar Block lawn which was led by Dr Shahid Rehman, Director of Research and References, who also delivered the sermon. The event was attended by Secretary for Religious Affairs, Zulfiqar Haider, along with officials and personnel from the Ministries of Maritime Affairs, National Health, Human Rights, and Inter-Provincial Coordination. - Advertisement -Following the prescribed prayer, Dr Shahid Rehman and the participants recited supplications and sought forgiveness for collective and individual shortcomings. Special prayers were made for the alleviation of drought, the eradication of diseases and smog, and for the blessings of rainfall to benefit the nation.

Pakistan Faces Backlash Over Champions Trophy Hosting And Trophy Tour Cricketing tension escalates as BCCI confirms India's non-participation amid geopolitical strifeCricket's political drama has taken center stage with Pakistan as the host of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. On November 14, 2024, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made headlines with their announcement about the ICC Champions Trophy trophy tour kicking off across Pakistan. Pakistan’s decision to include PoK within the trophy tour raised eyebrows not only within its borders but also with its neighbor to the east. Pakistan’s return as Champions Trophy hosts means consideration beyond matches, necessitating transparent and cordial dialogue among ICC, BCCI, and PCB. Time continues to tick away, and with the anticipated Champions Trophy just months away, stakeholders await clarity from the ICC.

Pakistan is schedule to host the ICC Champions Trophy in February-March. Photo: AFPThe upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, slated to be hosted by Pakistan, has sparked fresh controversy after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to visit their neighbours for the tournament. This proposal has ignited a strong response from Pakistani cricket fans, who have taken to social media to express their frustration. Calling on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reject any hybrid model and insist on hosting the tournament fully within Pakistan, many fans have suggested a boycott of the Champions Trophy if Pakistan’s hosting rights are compromised. “Pakistan should not accept a hybrid option, even if it means withdrawing from the tournament,” one fan commented, echoing widespread sentiments.

Event marks significant advancement in ongoing efforts to improve TTS compliance and enhance FBR’s regulatory approach. ISLAMABAD - A critical roundtable discussion on the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) Track and Trace System (TTS) compliance was held in Islamabad. Efforts to implement the track and trace system in the tobacco sector kickstarted in 2021 along with three other sectors - cement, fertilizer and sugar. However, since the deadline, track and trace compliance remains a distant dream. The outcomes from this session represent a strategic step forward in enhancing regulatory compliance, supporting FBR’s tax collection objectives, and reinforcing public health initiatives.

ISLAMABAD - The repair work of head race tunnel (HRT) of 969MW Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHPP) will cost approximately Rs23 billion and it will be completed in approximately eight months. The experts have recommended the concrete work of the damaged part of the tunnel, and as per the initial estimates it will cost approximately Rs23 billion. The panel has recommended adit of approximately 16km to reach to the fault line of the tunnel and undertake the repair work of the tunnel, the source informed. Now, the Ministry of Water Resources has been tasked to bring an implementation plan for the repair work of the tunnel, the source said. The committee is headed by Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal as chairman, while Minister for Water Resources, Secretary, Water Resources Chairman WAPDA and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) NJHPP are its members.

- Advertisement -ISLAMABAD, Nov 14 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday appealed to the nation to perform Namaz-e-Istisqa (prayers for rain) and pray to Allah Almighty for His mercy in the form of rain. The prime minister said that the federal and provincial governments should arrange Namaz-e-Istisqa in the mosques across the country. - Advertisement -In a statement issued by the PM Office Press Wing, the prime minister emphasized that rainfall will improve the environment and can significantly help in mitigating the diseases. The prime minister stressed that in the current situation, there is an urgent need for Baran-e-Rehmat (rain). He called for seeking special prayers from Allah Almighty so that the human life may be relieved from the hardships.

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, CanadaZip Code

The importance of this statement cannot be overstated, especially considering the recent targeting of Chinese nationals in Pakistan by terrorist groups. Recognizing this, both sides are now looking to ensure that security measures around Chinese nationals and projects are robust enough to prevent future tragedies. Nonetheless, Beijing’s concerns over security remain valid, and reports indicate that China has proposed a joint security arrangement with Pakistan. This proposal may include deploying Chinese security personnel on Pakistani soil — a suggestion that has reportedly made officials in Islamabad and Rawalpindi uneasy. In the long run, ensuring the security of Chinese nationals and assets is essential for maintaining the confidence of a key partner.

In its recent report, The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change pointed out that people in every country today face threats to their health and existence as climate death escalates. One more foremost effect of climate change on health is the growing risk of water-borne, vector-borne, food-borne, and air-borne disease transmission. The yearly climate change talks saw a decrease in efforts to safeguard national and regional economic interests and delayed action. Hence, the way out is to cultivate climate-resilient health systems. The World Health Organization in a report released ahead of COP29 pointed out that focusing on cities is compulsory to lessen climate change effects on health.

Listen to articleThe fate of six individuals, including three children and women, remains unknown amid escalating communal violence between tribal Christians and Meitei Hindus in India’s northeastern state of Manipur. On November 12, Kuki-Zo tribal Christians were accused of abducting 11 Meitei Hindus in Jiribam district. While five of the victims were rescued by security forces, six others, including women and children, are still in captivity. The violence dates back to May 2023, when Meitei Hindus campaigned for tribal status to receive benefits under India’s affirmative action policy. This was followed by the deaths of 11 Kuki-Zo members in a police operation on November 11.