Pakistan’s external debt rises by Rs1.24 trillio…

A Senate committee has directed Islamic banks not to force female employees to wear abayas and instructed all banks to adopt a modest dress policy without making any specific attire compulsory. The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, discussed complaints regarding dress code policies at banks, particularly those offering Islamic banking services. During the meeting, Senator Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur said some female employees had complained that they were being required to wear abayas while male staff were not subject to similar restrictions. Senator Sherry Rehman said no employee should be compelled to wear a particular dress. She said Pakistan already has a recognised national dress and a modest dress code should apply equally to everyone, regardless of gender. State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad informed the committee that similar guidelines had been issued previously and communicated to all banks. The committee clarified that it supported a decent and professional dress code but opposed making any specific clothing mandatory. It directed all banks to submit their dress code policies and instructed the SBP to issue fresh guidelines to ensure employees are not subjected to unnecessary restrictions. The committee also reviewed complaints about charges imposed on ATM withdrawals, Visa card transactions and SMS banking alerts. Members expressed concern over customers being charged for SMS alerts even when they did not request the service. Senator Abdul Qadir claimed that banks were collecting significant amounts through SMS charges. The SBP governor explained that SMS charges were collected by telecom operators rather than banks. However, committee members questioned the level of charges imposed on customers. The panel directed that SMS notifications should only be provided to customers who choose to receive them and unnecessary alerts should be discontinued. The committee also sought details about dollar-denominated charges on ATM and Visa card transactions and asked the relevant authorities to review the matter. Separately, lawmakers discussed taxes collected through electricity bills. Some members argued that electricity consumers were paying a heavy tax burden, making household bills increasingly difficult to afford. Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial said most of the tax collected through electricity bills consisted of sales tax, which is applied under the country’s taxation system. He added that several exemptions were already available for electricity consumers.

Police have arrested a female TikToker in connection with the murder case of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Abdullah Tahir. According to police, the suspect allegedly honey-trapped the driver of the slain political leader. She was arrested from Sialkot during an investigation into the case. Police sources said the woman is a resident of Faisalabad. She had allegedly gone into hiding after the murder. Investigators had been searching for her as they traced the people linked to the incident. Officials said the suspected honey-trap is an important part of the investigation. The driver of Abdullah Tahir was allegedly targeted through the woman before the murder. Investigators are also looking into the alleged use of a drone camera in the case. Police are trying to determine who operated the drone and how it may have been used during the planning or execution of the crime. Abdullah Tahir was shot dead in the Ghalib Market area a few days ago. The killing triggered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Police are now questioning the arrested TikToker and examining her alleged links with other suspects. Investigators are also working to establish the motive behind the killing. Authorities are expected to gather further evidence as the investigation continues. Police are also looking into the role of other individuals who may have been involved in the alleged honey-trap operation.

PESHAWAR: Two police personnel sustained minor injuries after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded near a police vehicle in Peshawar on Sunday, officials said. The blast occurred near Pir Zakorhi Bridge, close to the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway toll plaza, where a police van was travelling on routine duty. The explosion damaged the vehicle and left the driver and a police constable with minor injuries. Rescue teams and law enforcement officials quickly reached the site and shifted the injured officers to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Authorities said both policemen were in stable condition and suffered only minor wounds. The Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) launched a search operation in the surrounding area after the explosion. Initial findings suggested that the explosive device had been planted along the roadside in a green belt and was detonated as the police vehicle passed by. Security personnel thoroughly scanned the area to ensure no additional explosive devices were present. Police cordoned off the scene and began collecting evidence to determine those responsible for the attack. An investigation has been launched, while officials are examining the nature of the explosive and the method used in the incident. The latest attack comes amid a surge in militant violence across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In recent days, several security personnel have lost their lives in separate terrorist attacks and counterterrorism operations in different parts of the province.

PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan has voiced support for the creation of new provinces, saying administrative reforms are needed to improve governance, but stressed that any such move must be carried out strictly under the Constitution and with broad political consensus. Speaking during a television interview on Thursday, Gohar described the formation of new provinces as a national necessity. However, he emphasized that constitutional requirements must be fulfilled, including securing a two-thirds majority in the relevant provincial assemblies before any proposal could move forward. The PTI chairman also expressed skepticism about Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif completing his full five-year constitutional term, though he did not elaborate on the reasons behind his remarks. The debate over creating new provinces gained momentum after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi recently argued that Pakistan’s governance system had become ineffective and required major structural reforms, including the establishment of additional administrative units. Naqvi later clarified that his comments reflected concerns about the country’s governance over several decades rather than criticism of the current government. The proposal has drawn mixed political reactions. Murad Ali Shah firmly rejected any suggestion of dividing Sindh, stating that the provincial assembly has repeatedly passed unanimous resolutions opposing such a move. He maintained that any change would require constitutional approval through a two-thirds majority in the concerned assembly. Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah distanced the government from Naqvi’s remarks, describing them as the minister’s personal opinion. He said any discussion on creating new provinces should take place in parliament and follow the constitutional process. Sanaullah noted that establishing new provinces involves complex constitutional, financial and administrative considerations, including representation in parliament and resource distribution.