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ISLAMABAD : Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb has praised the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for achieving the highest tax collection in the country’s history in December 2025 and directed officials to further increase tax revenues. He described the performance as clear evidence of the success of the government’s fiscal reform agenda, improved tax compliance, effective enforcement, and digital reforms. Addressing FBR field formations via video link, the finance minister said significant progress had been made over the past 18 months, resulting in highly encouraging revenue figures for December 2025. He noted that the digitization of the economy, promotion…

LAHORE : Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has taken a major step toward promoting aquaculture in the province, particularly shrimp farming. Under the new plan, shrimp estates will be developed over a total area of 5,600 acres in Sargodha and Alipur. The project seeks to transform barren and saline lands into productive assets through modern shrimp farming practices, marking a significant milestone in Punjab’s agricultural and economic development. According to official updates, the 15th daily progress report of the Sargodha shrimp farming project has been released. So far, nine shrimp ponds have been completed on 20 acres, while 5,320…

Actress Aamina Sheikh has shared her candid views on beauty standards, cosmetic procedures, and self-acceptance during a recent appearance on a podcast During the interview, Aamina addressed frequent remarks about her prominent forehead, visible veins, and frown lines. She revealed that she has never opted for cosmetic treatments to alter these features, explaining that they naturally become more noticeable when she expresses certain emotions. The actress said she was pleasantly surprised when fans referred to her expressive forehead as her “signature feature,” describing the feedback as reassuring and uplifting. Commenting on the growing trend of cosmetic enhancements in the entertainment…

KARACHI :  Saba Qamar has long been celebrated as one of Pakistan’s most versatile and fearless performers, known for taking on complex roles and bringing them to life with striking conviction. Over the years, she has built an impressive body of work across television and film, earning critical acclaim and a devoted fan following. From emotionally layered dramas such as Baaghi, Cheekh, Digest Writer, Sangat and Sar-e-Raah to more recent projects like Fraud and Tumhare Husn Ke Naam, Saba has consistently pushed creative boundaries. Currently, fans are applauding her performances in the popular dramas Case No. 9 and Pamaal. She has also drawn attention for her role in the newly launched Hum TV…

SEOUL/BEIJING : Chinese President Xi Jinping will host South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on a state visit starting on Sunday, signalling Beijing’s intent to strengthen ties with Seoul amidst strained relations with Japan over Taiwan. The visit marks the second meeting between Xi and Lee in just two months, an unusually short interval that signals China’s keen interest in reinforcing ties with Seoul and boosting economic collaboration and tourism, analysts say. Relations between China and Japan hit the lowest point in years after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November that Tokyo could take military action if Beijing…

SYDNEY: Usman Khawaja said Friday he will retire from international cricket after the fifth and final Ashes clash against England, leaving a legacy as Australia’s first Muslim Test cricketer while lashing out at perceived “racial stereotyping” during his 15-year career. The 39-year-old will pad up for the last time, should he be selected, when the Test gets under way in Sydney on Sunday, ending months of speculation about his future. It would be an 88th Test for the classy left-hander, culminating a career where it began after making his debut at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2011, also against England. “The number…

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen said on Friday that Aidarus Al-Zubaidi, the leader of Yemen’s UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council, refused landing permission the previous day for a plane carrying a Saudi delegation to Aden. Zubaidi issued directives to close air traffic at Aden airport, the ambassador, Mohammed Al-Jaber, added in a posting on X. Flights were halted on Thursday at Yemen’s Aden international airport, the main international gateway for regions of the country outside Houthi control.

CRANS-MONTANA: Investigators on Friday set about the painful task of identifying the burned bodies of a blaze that engulfed a crowded bar and killed around 40 people at a New Year’s Eve party in the upscale Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana. So severe were the burns suffered by the mostly young crowd of revellers in the Le Constellation bar that Swiss officials said it could take days before they name all the victims of the fire that also injured 115, many of them seriously. Parents of missing youths anxiously issued pleas for news of their loved ones as foreign embassies…

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved the long-awaited Mobile Virtual Network Operator framework, which would help the government to shape a more efficient and targeted 5G spectrum auction. Official sources told Business Recorder that the approval was granted through the circulation of the summary, submitted by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication. Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja is expected to hold a media briefing regarding the new framework on Friday. MVNO is an operator that does not own any spectrum; instead, MVNOs have commercial arrangements with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) for the provision of Mobile Communication…

NEW DELHI: Canada’s transport regulator has asked Air India to investigate an incident of a pilot reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol and failing two breathalyzer tests, a person familiar with the matter said. The tests were conducted by Canadian police at Vancouver International Airport, after the pilot was asked to leave the aircraft, the person said. The incident was labelled as a “serious matter” by Transport Canada in a letter to Air India and authorities are likely to pursue enforcement action, the person added. The person requested anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media. Transport…