The reduction by IMF in tax will help the real estate, property, and construction industries grow. The government will implement the new tax change in April 2025, expecting it to boost the real estate market. However, the withholding tax for property sellers will stay the same.
TheInternational Monetary Fund (IMF)has given partial approval for a 2% cut in withholding tax on property purchases. This decision came after a request from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and also effective from April 2025.
FBR officials said that they have also agreed to reduce the Federal Excise Duty on property purchases. The government convinced the International Monetary Fund to lower the tax for buyers but will continue to collect it from sellers.
FBR officials believe this decision will help finalize the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies, leading to a final agreement. More progress is expected next week. Earlier Federal Board of Revenue(FBR) had asked the IMF to reduce withholding tax for both buyers and sellers. IMF also agree the principal to reduce the withholding tax (WHT) on property purchases by two percent.
In another update, the IMF has approved a PKR 1,250 billion loan from banks to help reduce circular debt in the power sector. Meanwhile, the IMF and the government are still discussing budget targets for the next financial year.
Experts have praised this decision, saying it will help the real estate, property, and construction industries grow.
More than 50,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza war since Israel’s war with Hamas began. According to the territory’s health ministry on Sunday. It marks a heartbreaking milestone in a conflict that shows no sign of ending. As Israel continues its attacks and warns that even harder days are ahead.
The Gaza’s health ministry said 41 more people died in Gaza war in the last 24 hours. Israeli attacks have killed at least 50,021 Palestinians.
Officials in Gaza do not separate civilians from Hamas fighters in their reports. The health ministry and the United Nations say most of the dead are women and children. Thousands of people remain trapped under the rubble, so the actual death toll could be even higher.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the Hamas-controlled ministry reports casualty figures that are “fraught with discrepancies and misleading conclusions” . The IDF also claimed that the ministry often includes deaths that are not related to the ongoing conflict. Such as deaths due to natural causes and entrenched values.
The number of deaths increased sharply as Israel restarted its Gaza war with Hamas this week, ending a two-month ceasefire in Gaza. On Tuesday, airstrikes made it one of the deadliest days for Palestinians since theGaza war began, with more than 400 people killed by Israeli attacks, according to the health ministry. By Wednesday, Israel had also restarted its ground operations in the area.
Israel started a war against Hamas in Gaza on October 7, 2023, after the group launched a surprise attack on southern Israel. The attack killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and 251 were taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.
Hamas called Israel’s new attacks a “serious and dangerous violation” of the ceasefire agreement. The group says it still follows the ceasefire deal it made with Israel in January, but on Thursday, it fired rockets at Israel for the first time since the truce ended.
People in Gaza have little hope that the violence will stop, as Israeli officials warn that even worse attacks are coming.
Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Hamas this week that Israel will stay in some parts of Gaza unless the hostages are released. On Friday, Katz said he told the Israeli military to take control of more areas in Gaza.
Almost all of Gaza’s more than 2 million people have been forced to leave their homes. The healthcare system is badly damaged, with hospitals often caught in the fighting. A humanitarian crisis is growing, with famine in some areas. Earlier this month, Israel blocked aid from entering Gaza, and its latest attacks are making it harder to deliver supplies.
Talks to extend the ceasefire have not made progress since it started on January 19.
Hamas wants to follow the original agreement made with Israel in January. Under this plan, both sides would have moved to the next phase on March 1. In this phase, Israel would have had to leave Gaza completely and agree to permanently end the war. In return, Hamas would free all the hostages who are still alive.
The second phase never happened, and Israel restarted the war. It said Hamas refused “two clear peace proposals” from the U.S. and also made “threats to attack Israeli soldiers and communities.” Because of this, Israel said it had reason to continue its attacks on Gaza.
Israel admits that many Palestinian civilians have died in the war but argues that the health ministry’s numbers are too high. It also says Hamas hides among civilians and uses them as “human shields.”
However, both the United Nations and the U.S. State Department have said they believe the health ministry’s numbers are correct. Some independent studies suggest the real number of deaths may be even higher.
Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, announced on Friday that Starlink, a satellite-based internet provider, has been granted temporary registration in Pakistan. Furthermore Elon Musk-owned Starlink granted temporary registration in Pakistan.
She said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed the approval, and all security and regulatory authorities agreed to it. It has also received a temporary No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Shaza Fatima Khawaja said that thePakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will make sure Starlink follows all rules, including paying fees and meeting licensing requirements. Therefore Starlink Granted Temporary NOC To Operate In Pakistan.
She added that satellite internet will help improveinternet access, especially in remote and underserved areas.
According to sources, this approval will help Elon Musk’s company, get a full license from the PTA.
Starlink Service Packages
The official launch date has not been announced yet, but early reports say that Starlink will offer three service packages in Pakistan with the following expected prices.
1. Residential Package: Rs 35,000 per month (Speed: 50-250 Mbps) + One-time installation fee of Rs 110,000.
2. Business Package: Rs 95,000 per month + One-time setup cost of Rs 220,000.
3. Mobility Package: Rs 50,000 per month + One-time hardware cost of Rs 120,000.
For satellite-based internet companies to work in Pakistan, they need clearance from the PSARB. Furthermore sources also said that the technical details like frequencies, power, and earth gateway stations, have been finalized.
Sources said that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is expected to issue a license to Starlink within four weeks.
After getting the PTA license, may take about a year to start its services in Pakistan, they added.
To provide high-speed internet, Starlink’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites will work at a height of 250 to 500 kilometers.
Sources also said that thegovernment has hired an international expert to help finalize the rules and regulations for satellite-based internet services.
According to SBP, commercial banks have already started giving new banknotes to the public for the holiday.
SBP also said that it is making sure people can easily get fresh notes. They can get from bank branches all over the country.
The State Bank of Pakistan has sent Rs27 billion in fresh notes to 17,000 bank branches during Ramadan.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said that ATMs across the country will give clean and new banknotes during Eidul Fitr. The SBP confirmed that commercial banks have already begun distributing new banknotes to the public in preparation for the holiday Special teams are making sure these notes are always available.
Commercial banks will also keep giving new currency notes at their branches so people can get them easily before Eid.
Pakistan will have a long holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr 2025, from March 29 to April 6. Furthermore for more info check this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZhcNBv78yw.
Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection, ends with Eidul Fitr, a special religious festival celebrated on the first day of Shawwal.
The exact date of Eid depends on seeing the Shawwal moon, as per Islamic tradition.
The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council says Eidul Fitr in 2025 will likely be on March 31. Experts believe the moon will be visible in most parts of Pakistan on the evening of March 30. It will be over 26 hours old, which means it can be seen easily.
People in Pakistan are hoping for a longer holiday this year.Eid will begin on Monday and continue through Wednesday, aligning with the weekend. Some believe the government might give a five-day holiday from March 29 to April 2.
If extra holidays are given on Thursday and Friday, the break could last for nine days, from March 29 to April 6. However, the final holiday dates will depend on the official moon sighting announcement
TheState Bank of Pakistan (SBP)has announced that new currency notes Pakistan will be available for Eid-ul-Fitr 2025. Every year, people in Pakistan exchange fresh notes as part of Eid celebrations. These notes are given as Eidi to children, family, and friends.
New Currency Notes Pakistan
The central bank has dismissed rumors about halting the issuance of fresh banknotes. It confirmed that it will continue providing new notes to banks for Eid-ul-Fitr 2025.
“The SBP is making sure people can easily get new currency notes by working with banks across the country,” the statement said. It also mentioned, “During Ramadan, the SBP has already given New Currency Notes Pakistan worth Rs 27 billion to more than 17,000 bank branches.”
To make sure new notes are available smoothly, the SBP has arranged for cash to be provided through ATMs during the festival. It has also sent cash monitoring teams to banks to ensure new notes are available for the public.
The central bank has denied rumors that new currency notes will not be issued. It confirmed that it will continue its tradition of giving new notes to banks for Eid-ul-Fitr 2025.
“The SBP is making sure people can easily get new currency notes by working with banks across the country,” the statement said. Furthermore, “During Ramadan, the SBP has already given new notes worth Rs 27 billion to more than 17,000 bank branches.”
To make sure new notes are available smoothly, the SBP has arranged for cash to be provided through ATMs during the festival. Moreover it has also sent cash monitoring teams to banks to ensure new notes are available for the public.
SBP has declare that they will release new currency notes before Eid. Therefore this tradition helps make the festival more joyful, as people prefer giving new and also clean money instead of old notes.
SBP will soon share details on how to get the fresh notes. In previous years, the bank provided new notes through:
Selected bank branches across the country
An SMS service, where people could book their notes by sending a message. Furthermore, It is expected that a similar process will be followed in 2025. SBP will release more information about the exact procedure, dates, and locations in the coming weeks.
Why Are New Notes Popular on Eid
New currency notes are a big part of Eid celebrations in Pakistan. People prefer to give and receive Eidi in fresh notes as a symbol of love and blessings. It has become a tradition that adds happiness to the festival.
Sugar millers in Pakistan have warned that they will raise sugar price by five rupees per kilogram. They say this is because the government has decided to change the General Sales Tax (GST). This could cause them to lose money.
The Warning:
Sugar millers have said they will raise the sugar price by Rs 5 per kilogram if the government does not cancel its decision to change the GST. According to reports, the government and sugar millers could not agree on the price because the millers refused to sell sugar for Rs 140 per kilogram. Sources also say that sugar prices may go up even more before Eidul Fitr due to a shortage.
Sugar mill representatives have warned that if the Pakistan government tries to lower prices. Furthermore they may stop supplying sugar to the market.
They also pointed out that the government itself allowed sugar exports and should not complain about the resulting shortage.
Retail markets are selling sugar at Rs 170 to Rs 175 per kg. Despite the government’s efforts to stabilize prices, no significant reduction has been observed.
It is to be noted that Pakistan government allowed sugar millers to export sugar on the assurance of stability of the rate.
Sugar price in Pakistan city Karachi
Retailers are selling sugar at Rs150 per kg, while online grocery stores, marts, and supermarkets have set prices between Rs155-165 per kg.
According to the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), the national average price of sugar was Rs135-160 per kg last week. In early July, it was Rs125-140 per kg, and in January 2023, it was much lower at Rs87-100 per kg.
An Israeli airstrike on Beit Lahiya, a town in northern Gaza, killed at least nine Palestinians, including two local journalists, on Saturday. Gaza’s health ministry reported that the strike also injured several others. This attack happened while Hamas leaders were in Cairo for talks about a possible ceasefire with mediators.
Hamas’s unprecedented assault on Israel on 7 October 2023 saw about 1,200 people killed and 251 others taken to Gaza as hostages.
A strike hit a car, badly hurting several people. There were injuries both inside and outside the vehicle, health officials said.
Witnesses and other journalists said the people in the car were working for a charity called Al-Khair Foundationin Beit Lahiya. They were with journalists and photographers when the strike happened. Palestinian media reported that Israeli forces killed at least three local journalists.
The incident shows how weak the January 19 ceasefire is. This ceasefire stopped big fights in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian health officials say that several people have been killed by Israeli fire, even though the truce is in place.
Hamas blamed Israel for breaking the ceasefire agreement. In a statement, it said 150 Palestinians have been killed since January 19.
Hamas called on mediators to pressure Israel to follow the ceasefire deal. It also blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the deadlock.
Since the first phase of the ceasefire ended on March 2, Israel has refused to start the second phase of talks. This phase would include discussions on a permanent end to the conflict, which is Hamas’ main demand.
The incident happened at the same time as Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya visited Cairo for more ceasefire talks. These talks aim to solve issues with Israel and prevent fighting from starting again in Gaza.
On Friday, Hamas said it would release an American-Israeli prisoner if Israel starts the next phase of ceasefire talks to end the conflict. But Israel rejected this offer, calling it “psychological warfare.”
Deadly Strikes Target Media Workers as Violence Escalates in Gaza
Hamas said it was ready to free Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli soldier from New Jersey, after mediators suggested talks on the second phase of the ceasefire deal.
Israel, however, wants to extend the temporary first phase of the ceasefire. This idea is supported by US envoy Steve Witkoff. Hamas says it will only release more prisoners if the second phase begins.
During the first six weeks of the truce, fighters released 33 prisoners. Eight of them were already dead. In return, Israel freed about 1,800 Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas said the next move is up to Israel after it offered to release an Israeli-US prisoner and return the bodies of four others as part of the truce talks.
A statement from the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said, “This terrible crime is part of the ongoing attacks on Palestinian journalists. They risk their lives to show the truth and reveal the crimes of the occupation to the world.”
“These violent attacks on journalists are a war crime and clearly break international laws, especially the Geneva Convention, which protects journalists during conflicts.”
Ismail Thawabteh, the director of Hamas-affiliated media in Gaza, said local photojournalists were killed while using a drone to film a Ramzan dining table in Beit Lahia.
He said they were “directly targeted by Israeli forces in two airstrikes, even though their work was clear.”
The US Hamas talks are happening while Israel is still blocking humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. This comes after the first phase of the ceasefire ended. Moreover the United States is engaging in direct talks with Hamas.
The United States is holding direct talks with Hamas while ceasefire negotiations between the Palestinian armed group and Israel remain uncertain.
US confirms direct talks with Hamas over Gaza captives.
“These talks are ongoing, but I will not share details because American lives are at stake.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday. Confirming a report by Axios media outlet that talks between the two sides were taking place.
The Trump administration has been holding direct talks with Hamas . White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that talking to people around the world is important to protect American interests. She explained that President Biden believes in open discussions to do what is best for the American people.
Hamas says talks with US focused on release of American hostage in Gaza.
Former President Trump chose Adam Boehler as the special envoy for hostage affairs, and Boehler joined the direct talks with Hamas.
A Hamas official told AFP news agencythat negotiations are happening over Israeli and American captives held in Gaza.
Since 1997, the US has considered Hamas a “terrorist” group and had previously refused to speak to them directly.
Israel said the US talked to them before having direct talks with Hamas.
Israeli officials say that about 24 captives are still alive in Gaza, including Edan Alexander, an American citizen. They also believe the bodies of at least 35 others are still there. Furthermore reporter Hamdah Salhut , speaking from Jordan, said the discussions were about the captives.
The goal of the talks is to bring back the bodies of Israeli-American captives and to secure the release of one Israeli captive with US citizenship who is believed to be alive.
The US says its envoys can talk to anyone. Furthermore they are not only negotiating for American captives but also trying to help end the war.
Aid blocked: keypoints of US Hamas Talks
After the first phase of the ceasefire ended, Israel stopped sending humanitarian aid, including fuel, food, and medicine, into Gaza on Sunday. According to US Hamas talks the Israeli government wants to pressure Hamas to agree to new terms. Therefore, Hamas criticized this move, saying it broke the original agreement.
On Wednesday, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany warned Israel not to use aid as a “political tool.” They urged Israel to allow humanitarian
France, the UK, and Germany said that blocking aid to Gaza could break international humanitarian law. They stressed that humanitarian aid should not depend on a ceasefire and also not be used for political reasons.
The three countries also called the situation in Gaza “catastrophic.”
US-designated terror group accuses Trump, Netanyahuof trying to back out of talks to secure second phase of ceasefire in Gaza.
Yesterday was an emotional day for car lovers in Pakistan. Especially for those who like the Suzuki Alto and Wagon R. Pakistan Suzuki Motor Company (PSMC) announced that it will permanently stop taking bookings for the Wagon R. This news shocked many people in the automotive community.
The Wagon R has been a popular car for years because it is affordable and fuel-efficient, making it a top choice for the middle class. However, this was not the only surprise of the day.
Soon after, people started spreading rumors on social media that PSMC had discontinued the Suzuki Alto, its best-selling car.
Therefore, people started spreading rumors on social media that PSMC had discontinued the Suzuki Alto, its best selling car.
Soon after, people started spreading rumors on social media that PSMC had discontinued the Suzuki Alto, its best-selling car.
Soon after, people started spreading rumors on social media that PSMC had discontinued the Suzuki Alto, its best-selling car. Another rumor also spread, saying that the National Highway Authority (NHA) had banned the Alto from motorways.
This second rumor became more popular after a terrible accident. In the accident, a fully loaded 12-wheeler truck crushed an Alto, leaving the small car completely destroyed. The shocking images of the crash raised concerns about the safety of all small cars on highways.
PSMC Clears the Confusion
To find out the truth, we contacted PSMC officials, who quickly denied both rumors. First, they confirmed that Suzuki has not discontinued the Alto. However, the company might stop making the Alto VX variant because it does not have important safety features like airbags and ABS. This news did not surprise us since we had already written about it before.
In the future, customers will only be able to buy upgraded versions of the Alto with better safety features like dual airbags, ABS, and ISOFIX child seat anchors. This rules follows the global car industry trends, where safety is now a top priority.
Debunking the Rumors: The Reality of Suzuki Alto’s Future in Pakistan
The second rumor about the Alto being banned from motorways is not true. The National Highway Authority (NHA) has not placed any ban on the Alto. A spokesperson from the National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP) confirmed this by saying, “There is no news yet.”
The truth is, the Alto is still a favorite because it is affordable and cheap to run, but its safety issues cannot be ignored. Furthemore, the recent safety upgrades are a good step forward, but also they also remind us that safety should never be compromised on to save money.
For now, the Alto is still on the roads, but its future depends on how well it meets the growing demand for safer cars. People are becoming more aware of the importance of safety, and car companies like Suzuki will have to find the right balance between the cost and quality to stay in the market.
The rumors may have been false, but they started important conversations. The Alto’s journey is not over, but the road ahead will not be easy.
The rumor started after the tragic accident, which showed how weak the Alto’s body is. Even though the ban was fake, it raised new concerns about the car’s safety. Many videos of Alto accidents have gone viral by showing how even small crashes can destroy the car completely, sometimes with tragic results.
Social media was full of discussions where some people saying that the Alto was no longer allowed on high-speed motorways. But what is the truth behind that.
European nations are working on Europe security guarantees to protect Ukraine from Russia. But former U.S. President Donald Trump has made it clear that the U.S. will not help. The big question is: Can Europe do it alone?
Over the weekend, European leaders met in London to discuss a plan to end the war in Ukraine. They also promised to find ways to guarantee Ukraine’s security, as the country has been fighting a full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022.
This meeting happened shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s difficult visit to the White House. During his visit, U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized him for not accepting their plan for peace with Russia, which had no conditions to protect Ukraine.
Trump has made it clear that the U.S. will not guarantee Ukraine’s security. Instead, he wants Europe’s military to take the lead.
Last week, in meetings with Trump in Washington, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said they are open to sending troops to Ukraine as peacekeepers—but only if a deal is made to end the war with Russia.
But can Europe really protect Ukraine without U.S. support? How strong is Europe’s military? How much does it depend on the U.S.? And how big is the threat from Russia? The U.S. has played a major role in Europe’s security since the end of World War II.
It helped create NATO and sent hundreds of thousands of soldiers to Europe security to counter Soviet influence. Over the years, the U.S. has remained the main security leader while also growing as a global superpower.
As of July 2024, the U.S. had around 65,000 soldiers permanently stationed in Europe, along with important weapons, defense systems, and other military equipment needed for NATO.
This includes six weapons stockpiles with tanks and armored vehicles, eight air force units, four navy destroyers, and about 100 nuclear bombs. The U.S. also has around 10,000 troops rotating in Poland, a key NATO area near Russia.
The U.S. spends a huge amount of money on its military. In 2024, its defense budget was $860 billion. This is more than double the total defense spending of all other NATO countries combined. NATO members have an agreement to protect each other if any one of them is attacked.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the U.S. has given the most military aid to Ukraine. According to the U.S. Department of State, it has sent about $65 billion in weapons and other military help.
Europe Security at a Crossroads: Can It Protect Ukraine Without America?
In total, when including all types of aid, the U.S. had given around $183 billion to Ukraine by September 30, 2024, according to a U.S. government website that tracks this support.
The European Union has also helped Ukraine, providing a total of $141 billion in aid. This includes $51 billion in military support, according to the European Commission.
Trump has said that the U.S. should step back from military involvement in Europe and that European countries should take on more responsibility. For more detail visit “ Donald Trump and Bitcoin“.
On February 12, Trump’s Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, told NATO allies that the U.S. can no longer focus mainly on Europe’s security. He said, “European allies must lead from the front.”
Russia has a large military, with at least 1.32 million active soldiers. Hundreds of thousands of them are fighting in Ukraine.
Before the war, Russia had about 12,000 soldiers in Kaliningrad, a small area between Poland and Lithuania, both NATO countries. However, most of these troops were later sent to fight in Ukraine.
