ISLAMABAD – A total of Rs24 billion in financial irregularities has come to light in the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), where 140,488 government employees allegedly received money earmarked for deserving families.

According to documents submitted to the National Assembly by the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation, only Rs710 million has been recovered so far against the billions of rupees in irregularities.

The documents say that in the 2019-20 fiscal year, government employees and pensioners received Rs23.13 billion from BISP. Payments allegedly continued for six years despite the irregularities being identified in 2019, and Rs900 million was paid even after the employees were flagged.

The record shows that in 2020-21, more than 12,000 government employees received Rs146.7 million. The number of government employees found drawing BISP funds was 2,447 in 2021-22, 2,235 in 2022-23, 227 in 2023-24 and 12,078 in 2024-25.

The documents state that spouses of government employees were also involved in the irregularities. Among those who allegedly received funds meant for beneficiaries are 236 BISP’s own employees.

According to the documents, the FIA recovered Rs540 million from government employees involved in the irregularities, while other government departments recovered Rs145 million. BISP recovered Rs21.5 million from its own employees, bringing total recoveries to about Rs706.5 million, or roughly Rs710 million.

BISP has sent the record of the government employees involved to the relevant institutions, and it has decided to scrutinise the records of more than 600,000 government employees and pensioners for further investigation.

The documents submitted to the National Assembly say recovery and investigation are continuing. However, the wide gap between the alleged Rs24 billion in irregularities and the amount recovered so far has raised questions about government oversight and accountability systems.

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LAHORE – LPG prices in the country have skyrocketed, while the government has been unable to bring them down.

The rate set by OGRA is Rs280, while the rate proposed by the federal minister is Rs425. The market rate is Rs550 to Rs650 per kilogram.

Expensive LPG has made flour, pulses, chicken, meat and milk costlier, and the public is demanding that the government control prices.

Chicken meat has reached Rs600 to Rs700 per kg, while onions have climbed to Rs200 to Rs250 per kg.

Flour is most expensive in Karachi, where a 20kg bag now costs Rs3,540, while in Lahore the price has reached Rs3,133.

Annual inflation across the country has risen to nearly 12 percent, while weekly inflation recorded an increase of 6.5 percent.

According to the weekly report issued by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, LPG became about 22 percent costlier and chicken 12 percent costlier over the past week. Over the past year, the price of LPG has risen by 107 percent and that of onions by about 73 percent.

The report says electricity prices have risen by 58 percent and petrol by 44 percent over the past year, while chicken has become 39 percent costlier and flour 36 percent costlier.

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KARACHI – BankIslami, one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing Islamic banks, reported a profit after tax (PAT) of PKR 3.1 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2026. The Bank’s total deposits stood at PKR 630.7 billion, reflecting continued customer trust in its banking services.

BankIslami’s current accounts have grown by 9.7% since December 2025, raising the share of total deposits to 50%, up from 43.6% at year-end 2025. This improved deposit mix strengthened the Bank’s CASA ratio to 74.7%, compared to 71.2% in December 2025.

The Bank’s total income for the period stood at PKR 31.9 billion, while its Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) stood at 14.9%, well above regulatory requirements.

Earlier this year, the Bank was recognised as Pakistan’s Best Islamic Digital Bank by the Euromoney Islamic Finance Awards for its efforts to bring tech-enabled banking solutions closer to customers. BankIslami also won a Bronze award in the Creative Excellence category at the Dragons of Asia Awards 2026.

“As the country moves towards a Riba-free financial system, Islamic banks have a central role to play in making this transition possible. For us, that means making Islamic banking easy and accessible for everyone, and our efforts are a reflection of that,” said Imran H Shaikh, President & Chief Executive Officer of BankIslami. “Our financial results are a sign of the growing trust in Riba-free banking, and we will keep working to earn the trust of more customers as we carry forward our mission of Saving Humanity from Riba,” he added.

With a nationwide network of over 560 branches, the Bank continues to expand across retail, corporate, cash management, investment banking, trade, and home remittances, with a strong focus on enhancing customer experience and its mission of Saving Humanity from Riba.

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Actors Mawra Hocane and Ameer Gilani have welcomed their first child, a son named Syed Azmar Hussain Kamal Gilani.

The couple shared the news on Instagram, introducing their “littlest most precious treasure.” They said the name Azmar means “lion,” describing him as “the king of our jungle, our pride.”

The announcement video shows Gilani reciting the Azaan in his newborn son’s ears as he welcomes him into the world.

 

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A post shared by Ameer Gilani (@ameergilani)

The pair had kept the pregnancy private, though fans had spotted a baby bump during a recent drama and speculated that Mawra was expecting.

Mawra and Ameer, who have co-starred in several projects, married in February 2025 after years of speculation about their relationship. Their on-screen chemistry in the dramas Sabaat (2020) and Neem (2023) had long fuelled talk that they were more than friends.

A few notes on the rewrite: I removed the “Discover more / Learn Hindi / Follow Politics / Learn Arabic” lines, since they are website widget text rather than part of the story. I also corrected “Marwa” to “Mawra” and reordered the dramas chronologically. I described the baby as the couple’s “first child” on the assumption that it is, since the original doesn’t say so explicitly, so please confirm before publishing.

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PORT QASIM – Two ships carrying imported LPG have arrived at Port Qasim.

According to Port Qasim authorities, more than 7,603 metric tons of LPG has been imported through the two vessels.

The authorities said the two ships have berthed at Port Qasim with imported LPG for Sui Southern Gas.

The vessel Alisa One has arrived with 3,083 metric tons of imported LPG, while PGC Yanias is carrying 4,520 metric tons.

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LAHORE – A Sessions Court has extended the interim bail of suspect Tanveer until October 27 in the rape case involving foreign national Diana, but police arrested him from outside the court premises despite the extension. Reports say several others, including Tanveer’s brother, were also arrested.

Advocate Safdar Shaheen Pirzada appeared in court for Tanveer. He argued that police were deployed on all four sides of the Sessions Court to arrest his client, and expressed fear that Tanveer was being arrested after being implicated in a new case.

Meanwhile, Diana’s lawyer filed an application seeking to record the complainant’s statement via video link. The lawyer argued that she was not being granted a visa for Pakistan, and asked the court to order a video-link statement. The court sought arguments on the application.

During the hearing, the court summoned the Sessions Court’s security in-charge and directed him to escort the suspect safely to his vehicle. The court remarked that security could be provided up to the vehicle, and that beyond that it was between the suspect and the police.

A petition has also been filed against Tanveer’s arrest. It states that he was on interim bail until October 27, but that CCD and plainclothes personnel abducted him and moved him to an unknown location.

The petition expresses fear that the suspect could be killed in a staged police encounter while in illegal custody. It asks the court to have Tanveer recovered immediately and produced in court, and to issue orders for his security.

Tanveer had also obtained protective bail from the Sindh High Court to avoid arrest. Two other suspects in the case, Mohsin and Zain, have already been arrested. Defence C police registered the case on Diana’s report.

Separately, Diana released a video statement in which she declared the suspect, Ahmed Tanveer, innocent. She said Ahmed Tanveer had not assaulted her and had returned her phone and belongings, and she appealed for the case to be closed.

In the Azerbaijan case, police have two suspects in custody. Ahmed Tanveer obtained pre-arrest bail and appeared in court today. According to police, the suspect escaped with the help of associates, while Ahmed Tanveer’s associates say investigators arrested him.

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ISLAMABAD – Four key suspects have been arrested in a gang that blackmailed innocent children, sexually abused them, made obscene videos of them and sold these in Pakistan and internationally. Indecent videos of 50 to 60 children were recovered from the suspects.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Friday, NCCIA Additional Director Muhammad Shoaib Khan said the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency had exposed an international gang during a countrywide crackdown on elements involved in child pornography, online financial fraud and cyber harassment. The suspects sold the children’s videos internationally.

Shoaib Khan said the agency arrested four members of the child pornography gang after investigating around 60 videos found on a child’s mobile phone. The suspects befriended children aged 6 to 14 on Instagram and other social media platforms, lured them with money, made indecent videos of them, and sold these through WhatsApp groups and internationally. Two Chinese nationals have previously been convicted in connection with this crime, he added.

The additional director said 473 foreign nationals, who posed as bank representatives to commit fraud in Malaysia, China and India, have been arrested in raids on call centres across the country. In the past week, 22 suspects in cyber harassment cases have also been taken into custody, and their entire inquiry and investigation has been assigned exclusively to women officers.

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ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has decided to set the proposed wheat price for 2027 at Rs4,500 per maund, in a key move to promote the country’s agriculture sector, protect farmers’ economic interests and boost wheat production next year.

According to the prime minister, the main aim of the decision is to give farmers relief from rising production costs, higher petroleum prices and inflationary pressure, to provide effective incentives for wheat cultivation, and to stabilise the national agricultural economy.

The consultative process for the decision was guided by President Asif Ali Zardari and Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, with the advice and cooperation of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

Shehbaz Sharif offered special thanks to Maryam Nawaz for her valuable proposals and cooperation in the consultative process, and praised her role. He also expressed gratitude to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah for his cooperation.

He expressed hope that the increase in the proposed wheat price would help growers cover their production costs and earn a reasonable profit. Encouraging farmers to grow wheat is among the government’s key objectives, so that maximum sowing and higher national output can be achieved in the coming season.

The prime minister pointed out that in recent years, inflation and rising agricultural expenses have left farmers facing financial difficulties, while Pakistan has also had to import wheat over the past two years. In such circumstances, he said, raising the proposed wheat price could prove an important step toward encouraging local production and improving the country’s ability to meet its food needs.

The government expects the new proposed price to make farmers more interested in cultivating wheat, improving prospects for a larger sown area and higher overall production in the coming season. The move is being described as an important part of efforts to improve farmers’ economic well-being, stabilise the agriculture sector and promote food security.

Shehbaz Sharif said that increasing domestic wheat production would not only help protect farmers’ economic interests but also strengthen efforts to make the country more self-sufficient in food. The government expects the decision to yield positive results in 2027 in the form of benefits for agriculture, wheat availability and farmers’ prosperity.

It should be noted that the Rs4,500 per maund price has so far been described only as a proposed or indicative price. Therefore, before treating it as a finally implemented official procurement price, confirmation through the relevant official announcement and procedure will be necessary.

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LAHORE – Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has urged women not to share their photographs under any circumstances, saying suspects use photos and videos to blackmail them.

Speaking to the media in Lahore, Naqvi said he was at the NCCIA office to understand the public’s problems.

He appealed to mothers and sisters not to share their pictures with anyone, saying that suspects blackmail women using their photos and videos. He said the cybercrime wing receives the highest number of harassment cases involving girls, and that an awareness campaign for girls and the general public is about to be launched.

He also advised the public not to transfer money if someone asks for it online, including if a person poses as ill and seeks funds.

The interior minister said the NCCIA has only 61 personnel across Punjab, and efforts are under way to bring staffing up to strength so that complainants’ problems can be resolved. He said the NCCIA has arrested suspects in several important cases, and that the cyber police will be strengthened in every way. Whether a government employee or anyone else, anyone found involved in cybercrime will be arrested, he added.

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RAWALPINDI – Indian-sponsored terrorist attempt foiled at Gabd border crossing and in Gwadar city.

According to the ISPR, security forces killed 10 terrorists, including a female terrorist, in a clearance operation in Gwadar city and its surrounding areas.

The ISPR said one civilian was martyred in the terrorists’ attack and a few vehicles were damaged. There were no casualties among the security forces during the operations.

The ISPR said the terrorists’ aim was to obstruct Balochistan’s development and prosperity.

According to the ISPR, the attempt by the terrorists to challenge the writ of the state was foiled, and law and order and the writ of the state were restored after the operations in Gwadar were completed.

In a statement, the ISPR said that forcibly using a woman in the attack violates the sanctity of Baloch women, and that the terrorists are using Baloch women to spread propaganda and incite public sentiment. It added that the people of Balochistan have consistently rejected those who shed blood in their name.

The statement further said that the counter-terrorism campaign under Azm-e-Istehkam will continue at full speed, and that the military is committed to eradicating foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

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LAHORE – A CCD (Crime Control Department) police official in the Kahna area has been accused of raping a young woman and filming her in a state of undress. A case has been registered.

According to the FIR, the woman, a resident of Kot Lakhpat, went to Kahna Bazaar on October 1, where her mobile phone went missing from her purse. She went to Kahna police station to report the loss, where she met a CCD police official named Shabbir.

The case states that CCD official Muhammad Shabbir took her phone number and sent her away. He later called her, claiming her phone had been traced, and summoned her to Ahlu Road.

The FIR further states that when the woman reached Ahlu Road, Shabbir took her to the house of a woman named Humaira Bibi. There, he pulled out a weapon, raped her, and filmed her in a state of undress.

On October 10, Shabbir again summoned the woman to Humaira Bibi’s house on Ahlu Road. Fearing for her honor, she went, and Shabbir raped her again.

Meanwhile, the woman went to Kahna police station to file a case, but the police there stalled instead of registering it. She then appeared at the open court (khuli kachehri) of DIG Operations Faisal Kamran, where her grievance was heard.

Subsequently, a case was registered at Kahna police station on the woman’s complaint against CCD official Muhammad Shabbir, and an investigation has begun.

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LASBELA – At least twelve people were killed when a van collided with a passenger coach in Lasbela.

According to police, the tragic incident occurred at Zero Point in Uthal, Lasbela, where the van and passenger coach collided.

Police said the ill-fated coach was travelling from Gwadar to Karachi. As soon as the incident was reported, police and rescue teams rushed to the scene and immediately shifted the bodies and injured to a hospital.

According to police, 12 people, including women, lost their lives in the accident.

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