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ISLAMABAD: In a split verdict on Wednesday, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to consult with President Arif Alvi for polls in Punjab and Governor Ghulam Ali for elections in KP, so that elections could be held within the stipulated timeframe of 90 days. The verdict of three to two cautioned Governor Ali that he was in breach of his constitutional responsibility since he did not announce the date for elections after the provincial assembly was disbanded. As it set aside the Feb 20 decision of…

LAHORE / ISLAMABAD: As he finally appeared before a two-member bench after a day-long drama and multiple sessions of the court, the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday granted interim protective bail to PTI Chairman Imran Khan till March 3 in a case pertaining to an ‘attack’ on the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) building. After an ultimatum by the high court to appear before the bench by 5pm, the PTI chairman left his Zaman Park residence and took at least one hour to reach LHC. Accompanied by hundreds of supporters gathered…

KARACHI: Citizens continued to complain of the unavailability of fuel at pumps across the country on Wednesday, even as a cabinet minister warned hoarders of “dire consequences”, and the regulator sought strict action against such practices, Dawn.com reported. The fuel situation is particularly troubling in some major cities, including Lahore, Guj­ranwala, Faisalabad, Khane­wal, Sialkot and Peshawar. Citizens took to social media to complain about petrol pumps that have either meagre or no supply of petrol for the last several days, allegedly due to a supply squeeze from oil marketing companies…

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police chief Moazzam Jah Ansari on Thursday vowed to avenge the death of more than a hundred people in the Police Lines bombing, saying that law enforcement agencies were closing in on the militant network behind the attack. Speaking at a press briefing here to share developments from the probe into the suicide bombing that ripped through a mosque located within the police compound on Monday, he said that the bomber — clad in police uniform — had been identified. At least 101 people, including one…

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chair­man Imran Khan on Monday expressed distrust in his ally Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi, saying allegations of corruption worth billions against the PML-Q leader were apparently affecting his popularity. “I cannot stand such allegations against my coalition government in Punjab,” Mr Khan said in a meeting with the party’s senior leaders. The former premier asserted that all PTI legislators in the Punjab Assembly should persuade Mr Elahi to take a vote of confidence and dissolve the assembly. The remarks made by the PTI chairman prompted…

PESHAWAR: Four terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in Bannu on Saturday, a military statement said. During the intense ex­­change of fire, Sepoy Mohammad Wasim, 25, having fought gallantly, embrac­­ed martyrdom, said the statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). He was a resident of Khairpur, Sindh. According to the ISPR, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in general area Jani Khel of Bannu district. During the operation, troops effectively engaged the terrorists after the latter opened fire. In the ensuing fight, four terrorists were…

• Federal budget with outlay of Rs9.5tr presented • Govt employees’ salaries up 15pc, no tax on those earning up to Rs100,000/month • Subsidies on sugar, wheat flour proposed • Taxes on cars over 1,600cc to be increased • Pensioner tax reduced to 5pc from 10pc • Advance withholding tax to be collected from those sending remittances abroad • Tax on banking sector increases to 42pc • Families with income below Rs40,000 to be given Rs2,000 • Households using fewer than 200 units of electricity to be offered loans on…