saira peter selected
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Saira Peter selected for Sitara-e-Imtiaz for services to music

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistani-British soprano and Sufi opera singer Saira Peter has been selected for the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in recognition of her outstanding contributions to music and performing arts.

President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the list of Pakistan’s Civil Awards for 2026. The names of the individuals selected for the national honours were announced by the government on the occasion of Independence Day.

Saira Peter is among the prominent personalities selected for a national honour for their services in their respective fields.

She is known for blending Western classical opera with South Asian and Sufi musical traditions. Through her work in Sufi opera, she has developed a distinctive artistic identity.

Her performances combine a powerful soprano voice with Pakistani poetry, Sufi thought and elements of Eastern music.

Peter has performed at various national and international platforms. Through her music, she has played a role in introducing Pakistan’s literary and cultural traditions to audiences around the world.

She has also represented Pakistan at several cultural, governmental, diplomatic and international events. She has performed at prestigious venues, including the President House in Islamabad.

Her artistic work focuses on bringing together Eastern musical traditions and cultural heritage with Western classical opera.

Peter has continued to promote Pakistani poetry and the message of Sufism internationally through a contemporary and distinctive musical style.

Her selection for the Sitara-e-Imtiaz is being seen as recognition of her long artistic career and efforts to promote Pakistan’s music, culture and national identity on international platforms.

The honour is also being described as a proud moment for the Pakistani diaspora. It highlights the contributions of Pakistani artists living abroad who continue to promote the country’s cultural heritage, music and performing arts around the world.

Pakistan announces its Civil Awards every year on Independence Day. The formal investiture ceremonies are held at a later date.

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    Maryam Aurangzeb rejects PPP’s rigging claim…

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      Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) leader and Senior Minister of Punjab, Maryam Aurangzeb, strongly rejected allegations of election rigging made by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), questioning the credibility of such claims by pointing to the PPP’s own government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Speaking to the media in Rawalpindi, Maryam Aurangzeb said that the PPP’s accusations of electoral fraud were baseless and contradictory. Referring to PPP leader Nayyar Bukhari’s remarks, she said it was unreasonable to claim widespread rigging on the basis of only two ballot papers when the election involved thousands of votes. According to her, isolated incidents cannot be used to undermine the credibility of an entire electoral process. She further argued that since the Pakistan Peoples Party is in power in Azad Kashmir, its allegations of election manipulation effectively amount to accusing its own administration of wrongdoing. “If you insist that rigging took place in Azad Kashmir, then you are accusing your own government of conducting fraudulent elections,” she remarked. Aurangzeb added that the people of both Punjab and Azad Kashmir had exercised their democratic right and chosen not to vote for the PPP, and that the party should accept the public verdict instead of making unfounded allegations. Maryam Aurangzeb also criticized the timing of the PPP’s accusations, noting that claims of rigging were being made as soon as polling began. She argued that elections are won through the support of voters, not through repeated allegations. “You do not win elections by making accusations; you win them by earning the trust and votes of the people,” she said. Addressing another issue, Aurangzeb questioned attempts to politicize a recent death, stating that the deceased had not died from gunfire. She asked whether political opponents now intended to use even such incidents for political gain, criticizing what she described as the exploitation of sensitive matters for electoral purposes. Turning her attention to governance, Aurangzeb said the Pakistan Peoples Party should focus on improving its performance in Sindh, where it has governed for years. She argued that better governance would provide meaningful relief to the people of the province. Drawing an analogy, she said that if a student fails to prepare for an examination, they cannot simply lock the examination hall. In the same way, she suggested that political parties cannot blame the electoral process when they fail to secure public support. Aurangzeb maintained that the Pakistan Muslim League (N) had earned the confidence of the electorate through its performance and public service. She expressed surprise that the PPP was repeatedly raising issues related to gunfire and election rigging, saying such rhetoric reflected an unwillingness to accept the democratic outcome. She also referred to a speech delivered by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari the previous day, questioning the tone and substance of his remarks. According to Aurangzeb, the PPP should respect the will of the voters rather than challenging the legitimacy of the election without sufficient evidence. Concluding her remarks, Maryam Aurangzeb emphasized that Pakistan’s electoral system provides legal mechanisms for addressing disputes. She said that if the PPP genuinely believes irregularities occurred, it should present its evidence before the Election Commission or the relevant election tribunals. Instead of complaining publicly, she urged the party to pursue the appropriate legal channels. She concluded by saying that the PPP’s own voters had rejected its narrative and that the party should contest elections through democratic means while respecting the mandate given by the people.

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    Punjab launches 1st overseas digital land registry

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    LAHORE: In a landmark move aimed at simplifying property transactions for overseas Pakistanis, the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA), in collaboration with the Board of Revenue Punjab, has successfully completed the province’s first fully digital land registration through the Pakistan High Commission in London. The initiative marks a significant step toward modernizing land services, allowing Pakistanis living abroad to buy, sell, and transfer property in Punjab without the need to travel back to the country. By introducing a secure digital process, the system is designed to make property transactions faster, more transparent, and better protected against fraud. The first transaction under the new framework involved a Pakistani citizen based in London who transferred ownership of land located in Dina, Punjab, to a buyer in Pakistan. The seller’s statement was recorded remotely through a secure digital link, while the entire legal registration process was completed electronically in accordance with official procedures. Director General of the Punjab Land Records Authority, Ikram-ul-Haq, described the successful registration as a major milestone in strengthening the confidence of overseas Pakistanis and improving transparency in land dealings. He said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to delivering international-standard public services through technology while promoting efficient and citizen-friendly governance. According to the PLRA, the service is currently available to Pakistanis residing in the United Kingdom. Authorities plan to expand the facility to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates within the next 30 days through continued collaboration between the Punjab Land Records Authority and Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Officials believe the digital registration system will make property ownership and transfers significantly more convenient for overseas Pakistanis while reinforcing trust in Pakistan’s land administration through secure and technology-driven services.

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    IMF-backed move to End EPZ local sales Quota sparks concerns over textile recycling, jobs

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    KARACHI: A proposed move to withdraw the permission allowing factories operating in Pakistan’s Export Processing Zones (EPZs) to sell up to 20% of their output in the domestic market has triggered concerns among exporters, investors and international textile-recycling organisations, who fear the policy could disrupt investment, employment and a wider global circular-economy supply chain. The controversy has emerged after Pakistan committed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that it would amend the existing rules governing EPZs and prohibit sales from these zones into the domestic tariff area. According to the IMF’s latest programme review, Pakistan has committed to introduce amendments aimed at ending domestic sales by EPZ-based manufacturers. The report states that the amendments were to be placed before the federal cabinet for approval by September 2026. However, exporters and industry representatives have challenged the move, arguing that the existing 80:20 arrangement was part of the investment and regulatory framework under which many businesses established operations in the zones. Under the existing system, EPZ manufacturers can export 80% of their production while selling up to 20% in Pakistan after payment of applicable duties and taxes. Industry stakeholders say the domestic-sale provision is particularly important for products that have limited commercial demand in overseas markets. The proposed abolition has also attracted attention in the United States because American companies supply raw materials and used textiles to Pakistani businesses operating in the EPZs. The US-based Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART) has approached IMF Mission Chief to Pakistan Iva Petrova, warning that eliminating the domestic-sales provision could have consequences extending beyond Pakistan’s industrial sector. The association has argued that Pakistan occupies an important position in the global textile circular economy, particularly in the sorting, grading, reuse and recycling of used textiles collected in North America and Europe. According to SMART, used clothing and textile materials collected in the United States, Canada and European countries are sent to Pakistan, where they are sorted and graded before being channelled into reuse, recycling, manufacturing and affordable consumer markets. The association has warned that ending the 80:20 mechanism could reduce demand for recovered textiles and place downward pressure on their prices. Such a development, it said, could weaken textile-collection programmes in North America and reduce the income generated by charitable organisations from donated clothing. Organisations including Goodwill, the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul depend partly on revenues generated from donated goods to finance a range of social programmes, including workforce training, employment assistance, food support, recovery services, youth programmes and housing assistance. SMART has therefore cautioned that a major disruption in Pakistan’s used-textile market could have financial consequences for charitable organisations in North America, with potential losses running into tens of millions of dollars. The association also warned that reduced demand for used textiles could ultimately result in a greater volume of reusable material being sent to landfills or incinerators rather than being recycled or reused. US exporters raise objections US exporters have also expressed concern over the proposed withdrawal of the 20% domestic-sale allowance. Their concerns are significant because American suppliers form part of the upstream supply chain that feeds Pakistani recycling and manufacturing units located in EPZs. Abid Iqbal, representing Nashmia Industries, said during Express News programme The Review that US exporters had communicated their concerns to Pakistani counterparts. According to Iqbal, US exporters had also been told informally that the IMF itself had not initiated the proposal to remove the 20% quota. The development has consequently raised questions within the industry about how the condition was incorporated into Pakistan’s commitments under the IMF programme and whether sufficient consultation took place with affected stakeholders. Industry representatives have also warned of possible legal and contractual disputes, maintaining that the 20% domestic-sales provision was part of the regulatory and investment framework under which businesses made their investment decisions. They argue that companies entered the zones with an understanding that they would be able to export the bulk of their production while disposing of a limited portion in the domestic market after meeting applicable tax and customs obligations. EPZ rules and proposed amendment The Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) operates under the legal framework established through the EPZ Act of 1980. The law enables the establishment of export processing zones with approval from the federal government. Under Rule 228(5) of the Customs Rules, EPZ-based factories have historically been allowed to sell up to 20% of their production in the domestic tariff area, subject to applicable duties and taxes. A higher limit of 30% had been applicable to the Resalpur area. EPZA has reportedly forwarded a proposal to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to eliminate the 20% quota from October 1 in line with the IMF-related commitment. The proposal, however, has exposed differences within the government over the scope and interpretation of the IMF condition. Proceedings of the Senate Standing Committee on Industries held last month indicate that the Ministry of Industries and Production maintained that abolition of the 20% domestic-sales quota was not included in the original IMF agreement. According to the ministry’s position, the initial IMF requirement was restricted to preventing the introduction of new fiscal incentives, including tax concessions and subsidies, rather than immediately eliminating the existing domestic-sales mechanism. The ministry has reportedly argued that the later addition of the quota-related condition requires further clarification. Assessment of EPZs The issue is also linked to an assessment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and EPZs that Pakistan was required to undertake under the IMF programme. The government engaged consultancy firm AT Kearney to assess the zones and determine whether their operations were creating distortions in the domestic market. According to records presented before the Senate Standing Committee on Industries, the assessment completed last year concluded that EPZs were not creating significant market distortions. The report, according to the parliamentary proceedings, did not recommend withdrawing existing fiscal incentives. The issue has therefore become a point of discussion between government officials and the IMF as authorities seek to reconcile the lender’s programme requirements with

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    Who is Epstein’s potential heir?

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    Attention has shifted to Karyna Shuliak, the longtime girlfriend of convicted sex offender and disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein. The development comes years after Epstein died in a federal prison in 2019. His death brought an end to his criminal case but left behind a complicated estate and several legal disputes. Shuliak is now being described as a potential major beneficiary of Epstein’s remaining wealth. According to court documents, Epstein signed a new will just two days before his death. The document created a private trust known as the 1953 Trust. Recent court records reportedly show that Shuliak was included among the important beneficiaries of the trust. However, the exact amount she could receive remains uncertain. US Department of Justice records reportedly indicate that Shuliak was the last person Epstein spoke to outside prison before his death. Reports also say that Epstein made some of his final telephone calls to her while he was in custody. At the time of his death, Epstein’s estate was estimated to be worth around $600 million. A significant portion of that wealth has since been used to compensate people who accused Epstein of sexual abuse. More than $170 million was reportedly paid to over 200 victims through compensation arrangements. The estate has also faced several legal claims and settlements with government authorities. These matters have complicated the distribution of Epstein’s remaining assets. After a recent tax refund, the value of the estate’s remaining assets is estimated at between $120 million and $150 million. Despite being named as a potential beneficiary, Shuliak has not yet secured the inheritance. Payments connected to the trust remain suspended while legal proceedings continue. Richard Kahn, the executor of Epstein’s estate, has reportedly raised concerns about the wording of the trust agreement. He described the document as unclear and poorly prepared. The uncertainty has made it difficult to determine exactly how Epstein intended his remaining fortune to be divided. Legal experts say Shuliak’s potential inheritance cannot be confirmed until outstanding claims and court proceedings are resolved.

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    Flood defences shield Gujrat from monsoon

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    The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has credited pre-monsoon flood protection measures with preventing urban flooding in Gujrat during the recent spell of heavy rains. Managing Director WASA, Kashan Hafeez, said the city remained safe from potential flooding because of advance planning and the timely completion of key drainage projects before the arrival of the monsoon season. He said a three-kilometre-long protective drain constructed along Mehsam Mor and Fatehpur Road proved highly effective in managing the flow of rainwater. According to him, the project successfully diverted excess water away from residential and commercial areas, significantly reducing the risk of flooding. Kashan Hafeez said rainwater was redirected toward the Halsey Nullah through the newly developed drainage network. By channeling water into natural waterways, authorities were able to prevent water from accumulating in densely populated neighborhoods and major roads. He added that the drainage system functioned as planned despite heavy rainfall, allowing rainwater to flow smoothly without causing widespread disruption to daily life or damage to infrastructure. The WASA chief said the protective drainage network was developed under a Rs2 billion infrastructure project aimed at strengthening Gujrat’s flood management system. As part of the initiative, four major protective drains were constructed to improve stormwater disposal and enhance the city’s resilience against seasonal flooding. He said the successful performance of the project demonstrates the importance of proactive planning and investment in urban infrastructure. According to WASA, the newly built drainage system will continue to play a vital role in protecting Gujrat from future monsoon-related flooding and ensuring the safety of residents during periods of heavy rainfall.

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    Russian missile strike kills 15 in Kyiv

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    At least 15 people were killed and 27 others injured after Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, officials said. The attack triggered more than 30 explosions across the city, with air raid sirens sounding throughout Kyiv and surrounding areas as residents sought shelter. The strikes caused widespread damage, and a major fire broke out in one part of the capital following the bombardment. According to Ukrainian authorities, search and rescue teams are continuing operations at the site of a destroyed warehouse, where several people are feared trapped beneath the rubble. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 28 high-speed missiles, including ballistic missiles, along with 115 drones during the overnight assault. Officials stated that none of the missiles were intercepted by Ukraine’s air defence systems, making it one of the most significant attacks on the capital in recent months. The missile and drone barrage targeted multiple locations in Kyiv, causing extensive destruction to buildings and infrastructure. Emergency responders remained at affected sites to extinguish fires, search for survivors and assist the injured. The latest strike comes as fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues to intensify after more than four years of war. Both sides have increased the frequency and scale of long-range attacks in recent months. Just days earlier, a separate exchange of strikes between the two countries left at least 14 people dead, including nine in Russia and five in Ukraine, highlighting the continued escalation of the conflict despite ongoing international efforts to reduce hostilities.

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