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  • Mali, Burkina Faso announce reciprocal travel curbs on U.S citizens

    Mali, Burkina Faso announce reciprocal travel curbs on U.S citizens

    Mali and Burkina Faso have announced reciprocal travel restrictions on US citizens after both countries were placed under a sweeping US travel ban imposed by the Trump administration.

    Both West African states were recently added to the list of countries facing full entry bans under an expanded policy introduced by US President Donald Trump.

    In separate statements, they said American nationals would now face the same restrictions.

    Burkina Faso’s Foreign Affairs Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré said the decision was taken on the basis of reciprocity, while Mali’s foreign ministry stressed the need for mutual respect and sovereign equality.

    Mali also said it regretted the US decision, noting that it had been taken without prior consultation.

    The move follows reports by Niger’s state news agency that the country has imposed a similar ban on US citizens, though Niger’s foreign ministry has not issued an official statement.


    Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are all governed by military juntas that took power in coups.

    The three countries have since formed their own regional bloc and shifted closer to Russia after ties with other West African states and Western countries deteriorated.

    Earlier this month, the White House announced full-entry restrictions on nationals from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, along with South Sudan, Syria and Palestinian authority passport holders.

    The measures are due to take effect on January 1 and were described by the administration as necessary to protect US (United States) security.

    The U.S also moved Laos and Sierra Leone from partial restrictions to the full ban list and imposed limited restrictions on 15 other countries, including Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

    According to the White House, the measures will remain in place until affected countries demonstrate credible improvements in identity management, information-sharing and cooperation with US immigration authorities.

    The restrictions include several exemptions and will not apply to lawful permanent residents, many existing visa holders, diplomats or athletes attending major sporting events.

    Officials said waivers may also be issued on a case-by-case basis when travel is deemed to be in the national interest.

  • PM Shehbaz stresses Ummah unity in call with Saudi crown prince

    PM Shehbaz stresses Ummah unity in call with Saudi crown prince

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stressed the need for unity within the Muslim Ummah during a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).


    Prime Minister Shehbaz greeted Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the conversation. According to the PMO, both leaders reiterated their commitment to deepening bilateral ties, and the prime minister thanked the crown prince for his support of Pakistan.

    “Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the long-standing fraternal bonds between both countries, that had attained new heights during recent months,” the statement said.

    The discussion also covered regional developments, during which the prime minister emphasised the need to maintain unity among Muslim countries amid ongoing challenges.

    “While expressing Pakistan’s complete solidarity with the kingdom, the prime minister said that it was imperative to maintain regional peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy,” the PMO added.

    The Saudi crown prince thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz for the call and reiterated Saudi Arabia’s desire to expand cooperation with Pakistan in areas of mutual interest. He also shared his intention to undertake an official visit to Pakistan in the coming year.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz later shared details of the conversation in a post on X, calling it a “warm and most cordial telephone conversation”.

    Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz met Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al-Malkiy at the Prime Minister’s House, where regional and global developments were discussed.

  • Govt rolls out Pakistan’s first skills impact bond

    Govt rolls out Pakistan’s first skills impact bond

    Pakistan on Tuesday launched its first private-capital-funded Pakistan Skills Impact Bond (PSIB), backed by a Ministry of Finance guarantee, to support technical skills training through a results-linked financing model.

    According to reports, the bond will operationalise a Rs1 billion pilot tranche under a three-year instrument aimed at funding a scalable Technical Skills Development Programme.

    The launch ceremony included the signing of financing documents, such as investor and issuer agreements, and was attended by senior government officials, development partners, private sector representatives and international organisations.

    According to officials, the PSIB introduces a shift in how skill development initiatives are financed in Pakistan by moving away from traditional public expenditure models toward a structure tied to outcomes.

    The bond is designed to link funding to measurable indicators, including certification, job placement and a minimum six-month employment retention period for trainees.

    Under the proposed framework, the model is expected to evolve over time. Subsequent tranches may connect repayment to a nominal share of trainee salaries, a mechanism intended to create a longer-term funding cycle while supporting workforce participation in domestic and overseas markets.

    Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, speaking at the event, said the launch marked “an important moment focused on education and training”. He linked the initiative to Pakistan’s economic reform agenda and broader human capital strategy.

    The minister said Pakistan’s demographic dividend could only be realised through large-scale efforts to upskill and reskill young people, adding that skills development required structured financing and accountability.

    He highlighted the role of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) in advancing this objective.

    Referring to global labour trends, the finance minister said the international shift toward digital skills, including blockchain-related work, had opened earning opportunities for Pakistani youth.

    He also noted that Pakistan already has one of the largest freelance workforces globally.

  • Tax evasion: FBR could soon be going after a top actress who got married this year

    Tax evasion: FBR could soon be going after a top actress who got married this year

    The Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) Lifestyle Monitoring Cell has detected suspected tax evasion involving a prominent Pakistani actress with around 10 million social media followers who got married early this year.

    According to preliminary findings, the Lahore-based film and television star spent approximately Rs67.7 million on her lavish wedding from allegedly undeclared funds, media reports have stated.

    The FBR discovered a significant mismatch between her declared income and her lifestyle.

    Reports added that the actress registered with the FBR nine years ago, but her income tax declarations show she does not have the declared financial health to afford a wedding costing Rs 67.7 million and frequent international travels, including a reported trip to Dubai for her birthday celebration.

    The FBR’s investigation revealed that open-source evidence from social media videos, reels, and posts documents expenditures on venues, catering, attire, jewelry, and production totaling around Rs 67.7 million. The actress did not declare any of these outlays on her tax returns.

    The Lifestyle Monitoring Cell found that the actress failed to disclose substantial wedding expenditures in her wealth statements or expense summaries. This suggests she paid these expenses from unreported income sources.

    The FBR declared that the evidence strongly supports that huge amounts of concealed income financed the wedding. The pattern observed across multiple years with consistent, high-value expenses suggests intentional avoidance of taxation rather than oversight.

    The tax authority has proposed several actions under the Income Tax Ordinance 2001. These include conducting a comprehensive audit of tax years 2020-2025 to scrutinize income sources, bank statements, credit card records, and expenditure patterns.

    The FBR also recommends issuing a notice under Section 111 for unexplained income or assets. If the actress cannot satisfactorily explain where the wedding and travel expenses came from, the amounts should be treated as concealed income and added to her taxable income.

    The board may amend assessments and recover tax under Section 122, impose penalties for concealment under Section 182, and consider prosecution under Section 192A for willful tax evasion if deemed appropriate.

    The actress has established herself as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry with roles in popular television dramas and films. 

    She has around 10 million followers on Instagram, over 30,000 subscribers on YouTube, around two million followers on Twitter, and over 2.54 million followers on Facebook, reports added.

    While there is no official confirmation as of yet, it is worth mentioning that actress Mawra Hocane is among the very few celebrities who got married earlier this year. She also has 9.9 million followers on Instagram, 31,000 subscribers on YouTube, 2.4 million followers on Facebook and 1.9 million followers on X.

  • Unable to verify your fingerprints with NADRA? Here’s how you can use facial recognition instead

    Unable to verify your fingerprints with NADRA? Here’s how you can use facial recognition instead

    National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced a new facial recognition based biometric verification system to help citizens who face difficulties with fingerprint verification due to old age or medical conditions.

    Despite facilitation policies by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), many people, especially senior citizens, struggle to verify their fingerprints when visiting banks, telecom franchises, housing societies or during property transfers.

    In several cases, poor quality fingerprint machines at service points also cause repeated verification failures. 

    To address this issue, the federal government has directed NADRA to introduce an alternative biometric solution, and amended the National Identity Card Rules to expand the definition of biometrics.

    Under new rules, facial recognition and iris scans now hold legal recognition as valid biometric identifiers.

    Based on this legal change, NADRA has rolled out technical upgrades that allow biometric verification through facial recognition and contactless fingerprints. The system already works at NADRA Registration Centres and on the Pak ID mobile application for services under NADRA’s control.

    While authorities are currently using it for Islamabad registered vehicle transfers and online passport applications, NADRA also plans to issue proof of life certificates for federal pensioners under this system in the near future.

    From January 20, NADRA will start issuing facial recognition based biometric verification certificates at all its registration centres for citizens whose fingerprints cannot be verified. Any citizen can obtain this certificate from a NADRA Registration Centre by paying a fee of Rs20.

    The process works in a simple way. If fingerprint verification fails at a bank or any other institution, the citizen will visit the nearest NADRA centre. NADRA staff will take a fresh photograph and match it with the photo already stored in NADRA’s database. Once verification is successful, NADRA will issue a certificate that includes the citizen’s recent photo, the photo on record, CNIC number, name, father’s name, purpose of verification, a unique tracking ID and a QR code. The certificate will remain valid for seven days.

    The citizen will submit this certificate to the institution concerned, which can verify it online through NADRA and keep it as part of its records. 

    In the future, NADRA will also offer this service through e-Sahulat franchises. After the formal launch of Digital ID, citizens will be able to access the facility directly through the Pak ID mobile application for all services.

    NADRA has confirmed that it is fully ready to implement the system. However, the authority has asked regulators, government departments and private institutions to upgrade their software and hardware to support facial recognition verification.

    In later stages, service points will need to install cameras or integrate them into existing biometric machines.

    If citizens face any issues with the availability of this service after January 20, they can file complaints with the relevant institution.

  • UAE to withdraw forces from Yemen as PM Shehbaz meets president Al Nahyan

    UAE to withdraw forces from Yemen as PM Shehbaz meets president Al Nahyan

    The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on Tuesday that it would withdraw its remaining forces from Yemen, describing the move as voluntary and aimed at ensuring the safety of its personnel. 

    The announcement followed Saudi Arabia’s backing of a call demanding the UAE exit the country within 24 hours.

    “In light of recent developments and their potential implications for the safety and effectiveness of counterterrorism missions, the Ministry of Defence announces the termination of the remaining counterterrorism personnel in Yemen of its own volition, in a manner that ensures the safety of its personnel and in coordination with the concerned partners,” the UAE Ministry of Defence said on X.


     

    On the same day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Rahim Yar Khan. The meeting was held at Sheikh Zayed Palace, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and other officials present.

    According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the leaders carried forward discussions from Al-Nahyan’s first official visit to Pakistan last Friday.

    They reviewed cooperation in trade, IT, energy, minerals, and defence. PM Shehbaz emphasized the need for a significant increase in bilateral trade and thanked the UAE for hosting 2.1 million Pakistanis, who contribute to relations between the two countries.

    Meanwhile, tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia intensified. The UAE rejected Saudi claims that it had supplied weapons to a Yemeni separatist group, stating, “The shipment in question did not contain any weapons, and the vehicles unloaded were not intended for any Yemeni party.” 

    Saudi Arabia described a UAE-backed separatist advance as a threat to its national security, calling Abu Dhabi’s actions “highly dangerous.”

    The Saudi-led coalition carried out airstrikes on what it described as a UAE weapons shipment for separatist forces in Yemen, targeting combat vehicles and equipment at the port of Al-Mukalla. 

    Following the strikes, Yemen’s presidential council declared a 90-day state of emergency and annulled a security pact with Abu Dhabi after forces of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) seized territory. 

    The STC opposed the decision, warning it could lead to “new confrontations.” Riyadh urged Abu Dhabi to cut off support for Yemeni groups. 

    Amid these regional developments, Pakistan continued its diplomatic engagement with the UAE. The two countries share close diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties, strengthened by historical connections and a large expatriate community. 

    This week, Pakistan and the UAE carried forward discussions from recent leadership-level meetings, including multiple memoranda of understanding signed this year.

  • Russian man pays $68,000 to hunt Kashmiri markhor in Chitral

    Russian man pays $68,000 to hunt Kashmiri markhor in Chitral

    A Russian man has hunted a Kashmiri markhor in the Gahrait Gol area of Chitral, after purchasing a hunting license for a whopping $68,000.

    The Wildlife Department confirmed the markhor’s horns measured 41 inches in length, and the hunt was conducted under the Community-Based Trophy Hunting Program, which aims to balance wildlife conservation with local economic development.

    The department said that authorities will spend a major portion of the hunting programme’s revenue on the welfare and development of the local population.

    According to the Wildlife Department, the programme aims to protect wildlife and provide economic benefits to local communities.

    Earlier, in December 2024, an American hunter, Thomas Garrick, carried out the most expensive trophy hunt in Chitral’s history by paying Rs68 million ($243,000) to hunt a Kashmir markhor. Divisional Forest Officer Wildlife Chitral, Farooq Nabi, said the hunt took place in the Shasha Thoosi Game Reserve. The markhor had 55-inch-long horns and was approximately 13.5 years old. The hunter shot the animal from a distance of around 250 meters.

    In January this year, Spanish citizen Cristian Pablo Abilo Gamezo hunted a Kashmiri markhor in Gahiret Gol under the supervision of the Gahiret Conservatory Committee. The Spanish hunter paid $219,000 (PKR61.25 million) for the permit. The hunted markhor was nine years old with horns measuring 41.5 inches in length.

    In September 2024, an 80-year-old American hunter, Ronald Joe Whitton, successfully hunted an 11-year-old Kashmir markhor with 49.5-inch horns in the Toshi-Shasha community-managed game reserve. He obtained the hunting permit at a cost of $271,000.

    Wildlife officials confirmed that 80 percent of the revenue from trophy hunting goes toward local community development projects, while 20 percent is deposited into the government treasury. 

  • PCB in talks with England’s Joe Root for PSL 11: reports

    PCB in talks with England’s Joe Root for PSL 11: reports

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly negotiating with England’s star batter Joe Root to sign him for the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    According to reports, multiple franchises want to secure the prolific batter to strengthen their squads ahead of the expanded tournament, though officials have not finalised an agreement as of yet.

    The reports come as the league attracts growing interest from international players with English all-rounder Moeen Ali and South Africa’s Faf du Plessis already confirming their entry into the draft for the upcoming season, generating excitement among fans and teams.

    The PCB has also introduced discussions around direct player signings alongside the traditional draft system, which could allow franchises to secure up to two marquee players outside the draft pool, sources said.

    Root, 34, has enjoyed a stellar international career and continues to deliver consistent performances for England. He recently surpassed 22,000 international runs, cementing his status as one of modern cricket’s greats.

    The PCB has also received 12 bids from investors across five countries for two new franchise slots ahead of PSL 11, demonstrating the league’s growing commercial appeal.

    Bidders from the United States (US), Australia, Canada the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan have submitted proposals after the board conducted promotional roadshows in London and New York.

    The PCB has shortlisted 10 bidders for the auction scheduled for January 8 at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad. Successful bidders will select their franchise team names from six cities: Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Gilgit, Muzaffarabad and Sialkot.

    The 11th edition of PSL will be played from March 26 to May 3, 2026, featuring eight teams for the first time in the tournament’s history.

  • Yawar Siddiqui, an entrepreneur, elected as president of TIE Islamabad for 2026-28

    Yawar Siddiqui, an entrepreneur, elected as president of TIE Islamabad for 2026-28

    TIE Islamabad (The Indus Entrepreneurs) has announced the successful conclusion of its chapter elections, with Mr. Yawar Siddiqui elected as President for the term 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028.

    The announcement marks an important milestone for the organization as it enters a new phase of leadership focused on strengthening and scaling entrepreneurial impact across Pakistan.

    TiE Islamabad is the local chapter of TIE Global, a leading international non-profit organization dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship through mentoring, education, networking, and access to capital. The chapter has played a pivotal role in supporting Pakistan’s startup ecosystem through initiatives such as the Pakistan StartUp Cup, enabling founders to gain global exposure and connect with a worldwide network of seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts.

    Commenting on the transition, Mr. Yawar Siddiqui, Co-Founder of RepStack, a rapidly growing HR services company ranked among the 66th fastest-growing HR companies in the United States and recognized by Inc. 5000, stated that the new office will carry forward TiE’s long-standing mission of empowering entrepreneurs.

    He emphasized continued focus on structured mentoring, high-quality educational programs, and ecosystem development, reaffirming TIE Islamabad’s commitment to fostering innovation, building sustainable businesses, and creating long-term economic value through globally competitive ventures.

  • Rajab Butt claims he earned over Rs9 crores from TikTok live during YouTube break

    Rajab Butt claims he earned over Rs9 crores from TikTok live during YouTube break

    YouTuber Rajab Butt has revealed he earned over Rs9 crores through TikTok live sessions during his extended absence from YouTube.

    In a recent podcast appearance, Butt disclosed he lost two to three crores during the two-and-a-half months he stayed away from vlogging while in the United Kingdom (UK).

    “I didn’t do YouTube for one and a half months. I didn’t appear in a single vlog. I was completely cut off,” Butt said. “In one and a half months, I did TikTok live heavily, and I made significant money from it.”

    The YouTuber explained his absence from vlogs stemmed from severe depression caused by UK weather conditions.

    “I was depressed as hell. I go outside, it’s raining. UK weather ruined my mental health. I said, I’m not vlogging,” he explained, adding that his family and friends continued creating content without him.

    Butt noted his viewership dropped dramatically during his absence, falling from three million to one million views. However, he claimed the numbers bounced back to four million immediately after his return to Pakistan.

    “The day I landed in Pakistan, it directly went back to four million, three million again, because Rajab family belongs to Rajab,” he stated. 

    Despite his minimal presence on TikTok, Butt claims he earned substantial amounts through live streaming on the platform.

    “I made over nine crores in one and a half months through TikTok live. I didn’t even come on TikTok much,” he claimed. 

    The British government expelled Butt in the second week of December after discovering he concealed criminal cases when applying for his visa approximately 18 months ago.

    His return to Pakistan brought fresh controversy when lawyers allegedly attacked him during a court appearance at Karachi City Court on Monday.

    Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq, Butt’s lawyer, filed an FIR against Advocate Riaz Ali Solangi and his associates. The charges include sections 147, 148, 382, 506 and 337 A(1) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

    The lawyers reportedly attacked Butt because he insulted their profession in a viral video where he mocked Karachi lawyers who claimed they got him placed on the Exit Control List and brought him back from the UK.

    Multiple cases currently hang over the YouTuber, including allegations related to cybercrime filed across various jurisdictions.

    The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency filed an FIR against Butt in September, accusing him of using his social media accounts to promote illegal gambling apps including Binomo, 1xBet, Bet365 and B9 Game. Investigators claim these platforms deceived users by collecting money without delivering promised returns.

    Butt had appeared in court to attend a hearing in a blasphemy case filed by Haideri Police Station. The court had already granted him interim bail in the matter.

    The YouTuber previously faced controversy over his “295 Perfume” launch, where critics accused him of making light of blasphemy laws by naming a product after Section 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deals with blasphemy offenses.

    In December 2024, police and the Wildlife Department arrested Butt for illegally keeping a lion cub he received as a wedding gift.  Authorities also recovered an illegal firearm from his residence in Lahore’s Chuhng area.

    The lion cub was presented to him in a gold-chained cage during his wedding celebrations, and videos of the gift went viral with nearly 10 million views. A Lahore court sentenced him to one year of community service, directing him to produce monthly vlogs on animal rights starting February 2025. 

    The court ordered the confiscated lion cub to be permanently housed at Lahore Safari Zoo.