- Govt likely to unveil tax-free budget for 2020-21 Final decision will be taken after consultations with IMF after Eidul Fitr, says an FBR official.
- Govt notifies reconstituted commission for minorities The commission will have six official and 12 non-official members including the chairman for a term of three years.
- Pakistan’s fiscal deficit to surge, tax revenue to miss target this year: Hafeez Sheikh Adviser says country’s economy is now projected to contract 1pc to 1.5pc in the ongoing fiscal year.
- Bilawal asks Qureshi to retract statement on PPP fanning provincialism or resign “Not everything is about politics, we should avoid playing up these debates during a global health crisis,” he says.
- Capital admin struggling to enforce virus prevention SOPs Calling city’s tally of Covid-19 cases ‘alarming’, DC says the virus spreading further will make for an unbearable.
- New bench to hear Chaudhrys’ pleas against NAB today Presence of judge who previously represented the brothers in court leads to reconstitution of bench.
- Army chief seeks Iran’s cooperation in dealing with militants Last Friday, six troops were martyred while on patrol in Buleda.
- 84pc of Covid-19 deaths reported in Peshawar hospitals About 1,126 patients have so far recovered in KP.
- IHC seeks help in plea demanding 3G/4G services in tribal areas Internet connectivity was suspended in erstwhile Fata a few years ago for security reasons.
- PTI seeks audit of funds released by Sindh govt to fight Covid-19 Khurram Sher Zaman demands reopening of OPDs at all hospitals in the province.
- Two traffic policemen among five injured in Peshawar blast Remote controlled explosive device planted near an electric pole.
- ‘Covid-19 has revealed PM’s ineptitude‘: Opposition criticises govt’s handling of crisis Prime Minister Imran is “not providing leadership, he’s providing confusion“, says PML-N’s Khawaja Asif.
- SBP to finance 100pc of payroll up to Rs500m Banks have approved Rs47bn under the scheme.
- Drug-makers warn against banning raw material import from India Say ban can weaken country’s capability to fight Covid-19.
- Medicines and vitamins imported from India, shows ministry’s document Pakistan suspended trade with India after Delhi annexed held Kashmir in August last year.
- $1.8bn debt servicing to G20 states under rescheduling process ECC has also asked ministry to negotiate suspension of bilateral debt.
- Newborns among 13 dead in Kabul hospital attack; 24 killed in funeral bombing No group has yet claimed responsibility for either attack while the Taliban have denied any involvement.
- Most Americans say Trump’s policies hurt Muslims: survey Forty-eight per cent of those interviewed say Trump administration has dealt with Muslims unfairly.
- Taliban attack on Afghan army checkpoint kills six Afghan Defence Ministry statement says Taliban also suffered casualties but without providing specific figures.
- US accuses China of hacking vaccine research FBI and Department of Homeland Security are planning to release a warning about the Chinese hacking, US media says.
