The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has rejected the impression that Pakistan’s instant payment system, RAAST, has been identified as a money-laundering channel by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The clarification comes after references to RAAST appeared in FATF’s September 2026 report on professional money laundering, underground banking and hawala networks. The SBP said…
Pakistan has approached UNESCO to seek support for the inclusion of two historically significant archaeological sites, Rani Ghat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Port of Banbhore in Sindh, in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The request was discussed during a meeting between UNESCO Representative in Pakistan Fuad Pashayev and Federal Minister for National Heritage and…
Cocaine exports reportedly surpassed crude oil sales in Colombia in 2024, becoming the country’s largest single export by value, according to a study by Medellin-based EAFIT University. The report estimated that Colombia’s illegal cocaine exports were worth around $16.5 billion in 2024, compared with approximately $15 billion generated by the country’s petroleum industry. The figures…
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has proposed a major change in the way government hospitals in Pakistan hire and manage their employees, arguing that public-sector hospitals should move away from permanent staffing. His comments came days after a tragic fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where 14 newborn babies reportedly lost their lives.…
Cattle farmers and dairy owners in several rural areas of Jand tehsil are increasingly concerned over reports of lumpy skin disease affecting cows, calves and buffaloes. The reported cases have created anxiety among livestock owners, who fear that the disease could spread further if effective preventive measures are not taken promptly. Cases have reportedly been…
Nearly 30 million people in Pakistan are living with kidney disease, according to nephrologists, highlighting a major health challenge that is affecting millions of families across the country. Experts have identified diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney stones, genetic disorders and the unnecessary use of medicines among the major factors associated with kidney disease in Pakistan.…
Around 84,000 intending pilgrims have deposited the first installment of their Hajj 2027 expenses through the government’s digital Hajj system, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The ministry said Rs. 52.5 billion has so far been received from applicants through three payment methods introduced on the official Pak Hajj App and Hajj Portal. The…
More than 104,000 women entrepreneurs in Pakistan have received Rs. 29 billion in financing under the Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme, highlighting growing efforts to improve women’s access to formal financial services and business funding. According to a written reply submitted by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb to the National Assembly, a…
Nishat Mills Limited (PSX: NML) has approved a proposed move to exit the dairy business by selling its entire 49.10 percent stake in Nishat Sutas Dairy Limited to its Turkish joint venture partner, Sutas Sut Urunleri A.S. The decision comes as pressure across Pakistan’s dairy industry continues to affect business conditions and weigh on the…
Riyadh Air has officially launched its operations in Pakistan, marking a new development in air connectivity between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The Saudi airline’s inaugural flight arrived at Islamabad International Airport from Riyadh, according to the Pakistan Airports Authority. Riyadh Air flight RX-660 landed at Islamabad International Airport on Friday evening carrying 69 passengers. The…