ISLAMABAD, NOV 22: A coalition of six opposition parties, under the banner of Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), on Saturday demanded an investigation into alleged economic irregularities highlighted in a recent International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) report

Addressing a press conference along with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Taimur Khan Jhagra, former Sindh governor criticised the incumbent government for failing to issue any clarification more than 48 hours after the IMF’s report surfaced.

“The government representatives had not denied or responded to the IMF’s findings despite repeated calls,” he said, questioning why the administration “kept the IMF report hidden for three months” when, according to him, “the IMF had made the release of the report a condition for receiving the next tranche.”

The IMF, in its long-awaited Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment (GCDA), warned that persistent corruption and weak institutions continue to undermine the country’s economic development even as it stabilises under an Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

The report, publication of which is a precondition for the IMF executive board’s approval of a $1.2 billion disbursement next month, estimated that Pakistan could boost economic growth by about 5% to 6.5% over five years if it implements a package of governance reforms beginning within the next three to six months.

The GCDA seeks an end to special treatment for a few influential public sector entities in direct government contracts.

It also recommends tighter limits on the government’s financial powers without greater parliamentary oversight and streamlining of anti-corruption agencies. The government had been delaying the publication of the report since August.

Speaking to journalists today, Zubair — who left the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) — said the opposition was formally seeking a probe into the “irregularities documented in the report”, adding that the public was already suffering under the burden of inflation.

Zubair also reiterated his criticism of cases lodged against the PTI founder Imran Khan, terming them “false, fabricated and baseless”.

For his part, Jhagra said the IMF had explicitly raised concerns about corruption and political interference in Pakistan’s institutions.

“The IMF is saying there is corruption in Pakistan,” he remarked. “It [IMF] says institutional performance comes under political pressure.” He added that investors were hesitant because “judicial institutions are perceived as corrupt” and that such an environment discouraged investment.

Jhagra said the report, dated November 2025, pointed out that Pakistan’s “transfer culture” functioned as a form of punishment within the system. He emphasised that accountability for all was essential, noting that “no one in the world enjoys lifelong immunity.”

He further noted that the IMF did not directly comment on the SIFC but consistently demanded transparency in the country’s governance mechanisms.

“In such conditions, no investor will come to Pakistan,” he said, adding that the country needed a transparent system and broad accountability to restore trust.

New Delhi, NOV 22: The man who attacked New Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has given a bizarre reason for his actions. According to Indian media reports, the accused, Rajesh Khumji, told police in his statement that he had seen a dream in which a dog was sitting beside an idol of a deity and told him that dogs in Delhi were in distress.

The report added that Additional Sessions Judge Ekta Gopaman will hear the case on November 22 in the Tis Hazari Sessions Court, where police have already submitted their charge sheet.

The charge sheet states that Rajesh Khumji had watched several videos on Facebook in which people were protesting and blaming Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for issues related to stray dogs.

Police also revealed that in May this year, Khumji had held a hunger strike in Ayodhya over the issue of monkeys. Delhi Police submitted a 400-page charge sheet on October 18, 2025.

Delhi Police have charged Rajesh Khumji and co-accused Tahseen Syed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including attempted murder, obstruction of public duty, and criminal conspiracy.

According to the report, charges against Khumji were based on his anger over the Chief Minister’s stance on a Supreme Court ruling regarding stray dogs.

It is worth noting that on August 11, the Supreme Court ordered stray dogs to be moved to shelters, a decision supported by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

Police allege that Khumji was upset with her support for the ruling and attacked Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a public hearing on August 20.

BRUSSELS, NOV 22 /DNA/ – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met with Japan’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eri Arfiya, on the sidelines of the 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum on Friday.

During the informal interaction, the two officials discussed the longstanding bilateral relations between their countries. Senator Dar underscored Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Japan across diverse and mutually beneficial areas.

The meeting provided an opportunity to reinforce diplomatic ties and explore avenues for enhanced collaboration, reflecting the positive momentum in Pakistan-Japan relations.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 22: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday called for the engagement of legal and economic experts of international caliber, particularly for projects related to regional connectivity and Pakistan Railways’ international train routes.

During a high-level meeting at the PM House, he emphasised that a modern and efficient rail network is the backbone of any nation’s economy and communication system.

He highlighted the need for Pakistan to adopt global best practices to enhance its railway infrastructure and expand its role in regional transport corridors.

PM Shehbaz urged officials to accelerate reforms, improve operational efficiency, and ensure that upcoming mega projects are executed with professional oversight to meet international benchmarks.

He further stressed that a public-private partnership model should be adopted for matters related to railway property and land.

The prime minister also appreciated the steps taken towards the restoration of the railway system and commended Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi and his team for their work on the revival and upgradation of Pakistan Railways.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, and other senior government officials, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

The meeting was given a detailed briefing on the measures being taken to improve Pakistan Railways.

It was informed that seven digital portals under the ‘Rabta’ initiative were operational for the digitalisation of Pakistan Railways, 56 trains had been shifted onto it, and 54 railway stations had been digitised.

The participants were informed that a free Wi-Fi facility was provided at Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad railway stations, while an additional 48 stations would get free Wi-Fi service by 31 December this year.

It was further informed that an online freight booking system had been introduced. A pilot project for a digital weighing bridge was launched at Karachi City Railway Station, whereas in the next phase, this facility would be extended to Pipri, Karachi Cantonment, Port Qasim, Lahore, and Rawalpindi stations.

It was added that at Rawalpindi Railway Station, 148 AI-powered surveillance cameras had been installed. ATM machines of various banks were being installed at the railway stations.

To improve cleanliness standards, outsourcing was done while high-quality waiting areas were established at major railway stations for passengers, it was added.

The meeting was told that information desks at the railway stations had also been set up for passengers’ convenience.

“To improve the quality of food and beverages provided at railway stations, relevant food authorities from all four provinces had been given access and oversight. Forty luggage and brake vans had also been outsourced, which was expected to provide an additional revenue of Rs820 million. Outsourcing of two cargo express trains was also underway, expected to generate Rs6.3bn in additional revenue, the briefing added.

The meeting was informed that four trains had been outsourced, and advertisements were floated for outsourcing eleven more trains soon, which was expected to generate an additional revenue of Rs8.5 billion.

The meeting was apprised that work is underway on outsourcing railway hospitals in Lahore, Karachi, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, and Sukkur, while the outsourcing of railway schools, colleges, and rest houses is also continuing. The dry ports in Lahore, Islamabad, and Azakhail were also being outsourced. A total of 155 railway stations had been shifted to solar energy.

It was reported that Railway Constructions Pakistan Limited, Pakistan Railway Freight Transportation Company, and Pakistan Railway Advisory & Consultancy Services had been closed.

The participants were briefed that a plan is being formulated for the upgradation of the Karachi–Kotri section of Main Line-1-K and Main Line-3.

The meeting was briefed that work would be carried out with the Sindh government on the Thar Rail Connectivity project, and the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul train would also begin operations soon. Preliminary work is also underway on the Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan railroad project.