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The federal government has allocated Rs8,205 billion for distribution among the provinces under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award for the new fiscal year, with Punjab and Sindh emerging as the biggest beneficiaries, budget documents revealed. According to official figures, Punjab is set to receive Rs4,760 billion from the divisible pool, maintaining its position as the largest recipient due to its population share. Sindh will be allocated Rs2,430 billion under the NFC Award. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been earmarked Rs1,342 billion, which includes an additional one percent share for its role in the war on terror. Meanwhile, Balochistan is expected to…

England suffered their first defeat in 22 meetings against Senegal as the West African side extended their unbeaten streak to 24 matches with a commanding 3-1 win in a friendly at the City Ground on Tuesday. Despite an early goal from captain Harry Kane, England — fielding a heavily rotated side — were second-best for much of the game. Goals from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra and Cheikh Sabaly ensured a memorable win for Aliou Cissé’s side and handed Thomas Tuchel his first defeat since taking charge of the Three Lions. The result brought England’s four-game unbeaten run under Tuchel to…

A day after Apple showcased its next-generation operating systems at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Google has launched Android 16 for its Pixel smartphones, accompanied by a host of new features, including artificial intelligence-powered tools and usability enhancements. The Android 16 rollout, which commenced on Tuesday, is being delivered to eligible Pixel phones as part of a wider June software update, also known as the company’s “Pixel Drop”. The latest version brings real-time lock screen notifications, enhanced privacy controls, and a more expressive design language. In a separate development, Google also announced improvements to its suite of apps and…

The United States suggested that President Donald Trump holds the potential to mediate the long-standing Kashmir conflict, as Pakistan and India remain at odds following a deadly attack in Pahalgam. Speaking at a weekly State Department briefing, spokesperson Tammy Bruce said, “President Trump has consistently shown that he is willing to take on generational disputes between nations—Kashmir is no exception.” She added, “It shouldn’t surprise anyone that he would want to manage something like that. He has brought to the table leaders who previously refused dialogue.” The comments come amid a diplomatic offensive by Pakistan to counter India’s allegations over…

The United States and China reached a tentative framework agreement on Tuesday aimed at averting a full-blown escalation in their ongoing trade dispute, with both sides agreeing to ease export restrictions and maintain a fragile tariff truce. The understanding, reached after two days of intensive negotiations in London, offers a temporary reprieve for global markets rattled by the tit-for-tat trade measures that had sent bilateral tariffs soaring to unprecedented levels. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, speaking to reporters after midnight London time, said the new framework added “meat on the bones” to an earlier agreement brokered in Geneva last month…

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, highlighted the deep cultural bond between Pakistan and China during a celebration of the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations at the Chinese Embassy. Emphasizing mutual appreciation for each other’s festivals such as Eid and the Spring Festival, he noted that China values Pakistan’s rich traditions. The ambassador reaffirmed China’s commitment to the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), endorsed by 82 UN member states, including Pakistan, to foster mutual respect and learning among civilizations. He praised initiatives like the Gandhara Arts Exhibition as symbols of cultural synergy and stressed the importance of upholding true multilateralism,…

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, while unveiling the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024–25, emphasized the transformative role of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in enhancing regional connectivity and economic development. He highlighted the completion of eight transport infrastructure projects worth \$6.7 billion, including major motorways like the Multan-Sukkur and Hakla-DI Khan routes. Projects in digital, urban, and air connectivity, such as the Orange Line Metro and Gwadar International Airport, were also noted. The Gwadar Port and its Free Zone have seen over \$250 million in investments, supported by tax incentives and Chinese assistance, including a desalination plant. The ML-1 railway and Karachi…

The federal government has proposed an increase of nearly 20% in the defence budget for the upcoming fiscal year, allocating a total of Rs2,550 billion, according to the 2025–26 budget presented in the National Assembly. According to details, this has marked a massive rise from the current year’s allocation of Rs2,122 billion, although actual defence expenditures were expected to reach Rs2,181 billion by the end of the fiscal year. For the Pakistan Army, the proposed allocation for the next fiscal year stands at over Rs1,165 billion, compared to Rs1,009 billion allocated in the current year. The revised expenditure estimate for…

From ancient Central Asia to today’s China and Central Asia cooperation, the pomegranate’s journey unites us all! The Forbidden City Chamber Choir drops a soul-stirring song – “The Pomegranates Turning Red” – bringing past & future with peace, unity, and harmonic bliss! Actually after the China-Central Asia Summit in 2023, six pomegranate trees were jointly planted by all the participating heads of state, symbolizing that the six countries are closely united like pomegranate seeds. Let’s enjoy this touching melody symbolizing unity and cooperation in the new era!

Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso sent congratulatory letters to the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on Wednesday.