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Pakistan’s federal budget for the fiscal year 2025–26, presented by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, outlines a comprehensive plan focused on institutional reform, financial discipline, and inclusive economic development. The government has emphasized a shift from short-term responses to long-term strategies aimed at stability and sustainable growth.

Key economic indicators suggest a recovery, with a reported primary surplus of 2.4 percent of GDP and inflation dropping to a two-year low of 4.7 percent. The current account is expected to post a surplus of $1.5bn, reversing a previous deficit. Pakistan has also seen increased international confidence, as reflected in improved credit ratings and rising remittances.

Central to the budget is the transformation of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), including the use of AI audits, e-invoicing, and expanded tax compliance efforts. The government reports progress in identifying non-filers, blocking fake refunds, and broadening the tax base. Structural reforms span various sectors, including tariff simplification, energy cost reductions, and reorganization of state-owned enterprises. Debt management measures and pension reforms are also part of the broader fiscal strategy.

The budget introduces targeted tax relief for salaried individuals and mid-sized corporations, alongside incentives for agriculture, SMEs, IT exports, and green economy initiatives. Development spending has been allocated across federal and provincial programs, with a focus on health, education, and social protection. The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) has seen increased funding, and civil servant salaries and pensions have been adjusted.

Strategic investments have been outlined in agriculture, information technology, climate resilience, and mineral resources. Notably, the Reko Diq mining project is expected to generate substantial economic returns and employment.

At least 120 people are feared dead after an Air India flight carrying 242 passengers crashed near Ahmedabad Airport, Hindustan Times reported.

The plane, en-route to London, crashed in a residential area, five minutes after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport in Gujarat.

Air India Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after take-off on Thursday (June 12, 2025) afternoon from Ahmedabad, The Hindu reported.

The flight had 242 people on board. Reports from the state medical association noted that the aircraft crashed directly on the BJ Medical College UG hostel mess in Meghani Nagar.

The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) claimed students were present at the hostel mess at the time of the crash. Images shared by FAIMA show a part of the plane stuck in the building of the hostel, which could be seen to have suffered damages.

An official confirmation from the State Government is awaited with details about the medical and medical college staff injured in the accident, according to The Hindu.

Air India flight AI171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed minutes after take-off with 242 passengers onboard, The Hindustan Times reported.

Air India has confirmed that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, that crashed minutes after take-off this afternoon had 242 passengers and crew members on board. Of these, 169 were Indian nationals and 53 were British nationals. 

There were also seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian on board the Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad, according to The Hindustan Times.

“The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals,” Air India said in a statement.

“We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information,” the full-service carrier added.

There is an influence of westerly and local winds in the western and central regions of the country, while monsoon wind is affecting the Koshi Province, the Meteorological Forecasting Division said. 

There will be partial to generally cloudy weather across the country this afternoon. 

There is a chance of light to moderate rainfall along with thunder and lightning in some hilly areas, including Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini Province. 

According to the Division, heavy rainfall is likely to take place in one or two places in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini Provinces.

Also, there is a possibility of light rain and snowfall in one or two places in the high hilly and mountainous regions. 

Similarly, tonight, the hilly areas of the country, including Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces will have partially to generally cloudy weather, while the remaining areas will mostly be clear. 

There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning in some places of the hilly areas of the country, including Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini Provinces. 

Heavy rainfall is predicted to occur in one or two places of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki Provinces. There is also a possibility of light to moderate rain in some places of the high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki Provinces, the Division informed. 

Nepali Ambassador to the United States (US) Lokdarshan Regmi has presented a letter of credence to US President Donald Trump. 

Ambassador Regmi presented the letter at a ceremony organised at the President's Office, White House, on Wednesday, the Nepali Mission informed. 

On the occasion, Ambassador Regmi wished for the good health, happiness and successful tenure of President Trump on behalf of the President, Prime Minister and the Nepali people. 

Ambassador Regmi expressed his confidence that the bilateral and reciprocal relations between Nepal and the US would persistently grow and improve. 

He extended gratitude for the US assistance to the development priorities of Nepal, including social and economic ones. 

Welcoming Ambassador Regmi, President Trump congratulated him on assuming the new responsibility. 

President Trump expressed his commitment to further consolidate the friendly and reciprocal relations between the two countries through collaboration in keeping with collective interests. 

The Supreme Court has once again postponed the day to deliver verdict on the writ petitions filed against the appointments of 52 officials at constitutional commissions. The verdict will now be delivered on July 2.

The division bench of Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut, Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla, Manoj Kumar Sharma, Dr Kumar Chudal, and Dr Nahakul Subedi were supposed  to announce the verdict today.

Joint Spokesperson at Supreme Court, Niraja Pande, informed that the date to announce the verdict was scheduled for July 2.

Writ petitions were filed against the government's 52 appointments at constitutional commissions in two phases- in 2020 and 2022. 

The government's decision was challenged, arguing that the appointments were made through an ordinance. 

A total of 15 petitions were filed, reasoning the appointments were illegal. The hearing on the case was over on May 15.

The government has appointed Sabina Maskey as Officiating Managing Director of Nepal Telecom.

Maskey was appointed to the post after the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a  corruption case against erstwhile Managing Director Sangita Pahadi, according to Telecom spokesperson Rabindra Manandhar.

The CIAA filed the case in the Special Court on Friday against Pahadi and other officials as well as foreign nationals Long Yong and Hong Wei and Chinese company Asia Info Pvt. Ltd.