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Newly appointed Finance Minister Asad Umar told the Senate on Friday that the federal government requires $9 billion to run Pakistan. "The number that we need to borrow, according to the budget, is $9 billion," said the finance minister. "But we are trying to address the root cause that compels us to borrow these $9bn. Of course, we know any measures [we take] will take time — maybe even two or three years — to bear fruit. "In the meantime, whatever gap there is, we are calculating. As soon as our plan gets finalised, which it should within one to two weeks, we will present in before the parliament, and then we will also seek suggestions from the National Assembly and Senate to improve it further." Umar said that the decision to approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for loans will be taken after consultations and taking the parliament into confidence. Earlier this month, while speaking to the media after he was given his first briefing as the minis

Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary on Friday termed the cancellation of an anti-Islam contest involving blasphemous caricatures in the premises of the Dutch parliament as an "achievement" for Islamabad. However, he made it clear that the government still believes that a strategy needs to be devised on an international level against any such attempt in the future. He also said that while a small group of people in the west may try to provoke Muslims, the majority could not be held responsible for the acts of that small group. The minister recalled that the Government of The Netherlands had not been in favour of the contest and petitions had also been filed in the United Kingdom against blasphemy. "After the prime minister's speech, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had contacted the government of Holland," he said, adding that Qureshi had told the Dutch that the global community will hold their government responsible if the contest was held. PM

ISLAMABAD: As the international price on petroleum products has lowered, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has put forth a proposal to reduce prices of all the major POL products in the country. In the view of declining petroleum prices globally, the recommendation was put forward to pass on the benefit of lower prices to Pakistani consumers with relative stability in exchange rate. A summary for petroleum price revision for the month of September has been sent to the Ministry of Finance and after the Prime Minister’s approval, the adjusted price will be announced for the public, a senior government official said. In accordance with the existing rate of general sales tax and petroleum levy, Ogra has suggested the new ex-depot high-speed diesel (HSD) price at about Rs106 per litre, down by about Rs6.50 per litre. Similarly, the ex-depot petrol price has been proposed at about Rs93 per litre, down by Rs2.23 while kerosene price is likely to recede by about 70-paisa per uni

With such fast lifestyles many a time we overlook our health that later comes with great consequences. The right eating habits can change a great deal of your overall well being. Paying attention to what you eat and when you eat it can make a big impact on your everyday health. Some Good Habits to add to your lifestyle today Seasonal fruits Nature has blessed us with fruit choices that are best for their respective season. Natural foods are nutritionally richest when they are picked. For instance, Mangoes are the fruit of the summer season whereas strawberries benefit your health the most in the winter season. Do not drink water while standing When it comes to healthy habits, this one is perhaps one of the most important ones. You should avoid drinking and eating food while standing as it greatly affects your kidneys. Do not eat right after a full meal It is best to go for intermittent fasting between meals as it gives your digestion enough time to digest the food within a

KARACHI: An anti-terrosim court (ATC) on Friday announced death sentence for two MQM members involved in PTI leader Zahra Shahid murder case. While announcing its verdict in the case, the ATC awarded death sentences to Rashid alias ‘Tailor’ and Zahid Abbas Zaidi for the killing of the PTI leader. Other two suspects in the case, Irfan and Kaleem, were acquitted owing to the lack of evidence, as per court’s verdict. The prosecutor of Rangers told the court that the penalized accused were affiliated with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and they accepted of being guilty in Zahra Shahid’s killing during the investigation. Ms Shahid was shot dead outside her residence in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority Phase-IV in May 2013, ostensibly in an attempted robbery incident. She had formerly served as the president of women’s wing of the party in Sindh, and was a member of the central executive committee of the party as well. Zahra Shahid Hussain’s murder was committed on the eve of an impo

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ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has fixed the last date for receipt of applications for postal ballot papers for By-Election to the National/Provincial Assemblies constituencies as 27th September, 2018. “The persons who are detained in prison or held in custody are also entitled to vote by postal ballot,” said the ECP. According to a notification issued by the ECP on Thursday, this facility, under the law, has been extended to the persons in government service, members of armed forces, holders of public offices, their wives and such of their children as are registered voters and ordinary reside with them provided they are stationed at a place other than the place in which their constituency is situated. The persons with any physical disability who are unable to travel and hold a National Identity Card with logo for physical disability issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) are entitled. However, the last date in this behalf for such