News from November 15, 2025

Health

AITAH for not telling my fiance why I am sterile?

So I'm late 20s F and my fiance early 30s M Let's call him Carlos are still fighting about this and it was already two weeks ago. When I was 21 I had a partial hysterectomy due to adenomyosis. It was very painful and my doctor spent two years fighting for the approval because many people were against the idea. I didn't mind losing my uterus because 1. It was very painful and 2. I was always childfree even as a kid I didn't like kids. I met Carlos three years ago. I told him on day one that I was childfree and completely sterile. He said he was childfree too so we went ahead with the relationship. He proposed in September and we started slowly planning the wedding. I never told him about the hysterectomy itself. I did not hide it on purpose It honestly just slip my mind because I already told him I could not get pregnant. My mom did not know about the engagement because she was out of the country taking care of her elderly sister and I wanted to tell her in person, she came back three weeks ago. After she rested for a week we invited her to lunch so we could tell her about it. Carlos is a prankster but mot the weird kind, while we were eating and before I could show my mom the ring he grabbed her hand and said I am sorry Mrs Mymom I impregnated your daughter my mom burst out laughing, looked at me and said either you are about to get rich or you grew a new uterus. I laughed too and said I hoped not because I had to talked to half the doctors in the country and their grandmas first time. Carlos stared at me and said What do you mean. My mom said The hysterectomy of course. Carlos said he had never heard about it. My mom laughed again and asked how he did not know. I said I guess I never brought it up because I do not think about it anymore. We were quiet for a second then I showed my mom the ring and we celebrated. After she left Carlos confronted me he asked why I never told him about the surgery I told him I had told him the important part which was that I was sterile. He said the issue was the principle and if I could keep something so big to myself for years what else could I hide. I feel like that is unfair for me I shared the relevant part at the moment and later I just didn't think about it, I was not trying to keep secrets I simply didn't think the medical details were relevant once we already agreed on being childfree. So now we want outside opinions. AITA for not telling him about the hysterectomy or is he overreacting. He has read this post and approved it so this is not only my point of view. I came back and there were soooo Many responses I'll make a quick edit to clarify some things How did you forget to tell him this: it was a very traumatic experience and everyone and their mother looked at my vagina (uterus actually) I felt embarrassed for a long time and pushed the experience deep enough till I forgot about it. Why didn't you tell him? At first because I wasn't about to trauma dump on a dude I known for 2 hours and I'm just a very quiet person in our first date I said maybe 50 words I'm more talkative now at least with him but I like my privacy and to keep things that feel deeply personal just to myself unless is relevant to something

Throwaway_ifuckup,u/throwaway_Ifuckup 16 hours ago

Technology

Scenes from immigration court in NYC

Swipe or click to see more REUTERSA priest prays for federal immigration officers as they wait outside immigration court in Manhattan for respondents to leave their hearings so they can conduct targeted detentions, in New York City, on Nov. 14. Swipe or click to see more REUTERSA priest prays for federal immigration officers as they wait outside immigration court in Manhattan for respondents to exit their hearings for targeted detentions, in New York City, on Nov. 14. Swipe or click to see more REUTERSA priest prays for federal immigration officers as they wait outside immigration court in Manhattan for respondents to depart hearings for targeted detentions, in New York City, on Nov. 14. Swipe or click to see more REUTERSA priest prays for federal immigration officers as they wait outside immigration court in Manhattan for respondents to finish their hearings before conducting targeted detentions, in New York City, on Nov. 14. Swipe or click to see more REUTERSA priest prays for federal immigration officers as they wait outside immigration court in Manhattan for respondents to leave hearings for targeted detentions, in New York City, on Nov. 14. Swipe or click to see more REUTERSA priest and other clergy members pray for respondents and detainees outside immigration court in Manhattan, in New York City, on Nov. 13. Swipe or click to see more REUTERSA priest and other clergy members pray for respondents and detainees outside immigration court in Manhattan, in New York City, on Nov. 13. Swipe or click to see more REUTERSFederal immigration officers wait for respondents to leave their hearings before conducting targeted detentions outside immigration court in Manhattan, in New York City, on Nov. 12.

Reuters 17 hours ago

Technology

Wordle hint and answer today #1610 (November 15 2025)

Need a hint for today's Wordle answer? All you need is five letters, but although that doesn't sound like much, solving a Wordle riddle is surprisingly tough. Don't worry if you haven't discovered today's secret word so far; even if the solution feels miles away, this guide will bring you closer to the puzzle solution.Every day, Wordle presents its legions of players with a deviously simple quandary: can you guess the right five-letter word within just six guesses? All you have to help you in finding the Wordle answer are the contextual clues you gain from each guess - but often, that's not enough. Wordle can be tricky, you see, and it's not unusual to look for a little bit of help if you want to preserve your year-long winstreak.In this guide we'll offer up a selection of Wordle hints to help you figure out today's solution for Saturday November 15. Scroll down a bit further and we'll also reveal today's Wordle answer for 15/11, and a definition of the word if you need it. Read more

Marloes Valentina Stella 17 hours ago

Entertainment

Drop punt it like Daicos: The AFL’s impact on NFL stars ahead of MCG showdown

Los Angeles: When the Los Angeles Rams come to the MCG for the first regular-season NFL game in Australia, they could well be playing at the strange time of 10am, after a period of adjustment following a 14-hour flight. If this sounds less than convenient – the morning start, if it happens, would be for the benefit of a vast TV audience in the US – the Rams players don’t care about how long they travel, about the unusual size of the MCG, or the potential for a weird starting time. “[It] makes no difference to me,” said star LA running back Kyren Williams in one of a series of interviews this week organised for Australian media by the Rams, who have struck a deal with the Victorian government that will see the Rams play an as-yet-unnamed opponent in the week of the AFL semi-finals. “I’ll play wherever, wherever they tell us the ball’s going to be kicked off I’ll go play,” said Williams.

Jake Niall 17 hours ago

Politics

Documents show Epstein texted with House Democrat during 2019 hearing, report says – live updates

Person’s identity not revealed in transcripts, but Washington Post analysis suggests Stacey Plaskett, who represents US Virgin Islands

Robert Mackey and Coral Murphy Marcos (now); Shrai Popat, Lucy Campbell and Tom Ambrose (earlier) 17 hours ago

Politics

Trump says he will take legal action against BBC, despite its apology

US president tells reporters he will sue the corporation for ‘anywhere between a billion and $5bn’

Guardian staff and agencies 17 hours ago

World

UN Gaza resolution: US, Pakistan and several Arab states urge ‘swift adoption’

UNITED NATIONS: The United States and several Arab and Muslim-majority nations including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey called Friday for the UN Security Council to quickly adopt a US resolution endorsing Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. “The United States, Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Türkiye express our joint support for the Security Council Resolution currently under consideration,” the countries said in a joint statement, adding they were seeking the measure’s “swift adoption.” Last week the Americans officially launched negotiations within the 15-member Security Council on a text that would follow up on a ceasefire in the two-year war between Israel and Hamas and endorse Trump’s plan. “We emphasize that this is a sincere effort, and the Plan provides viable path towards peace and stability, not only between the Israelis and the Palestinians, but for the entire region. A draft of the resolution seen Thursday by AFP “welcomes the establishment of the Board of Peace,” a transitional governing body for Gaza — that Trump would theoretically chair — with a mandate running until the end of 2027.

AFP 17 hours ago

Technology

Oil & gas sector facing cybersecurity threats: Kaspersky

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is facing cybersecurity threats (Advance Persistent Threats) in government organizations and corporate sector particularly oil and gas sector where attempts were made to steal vital information and 2.5 million web-based threats were witnessed in the country during January-September 2025. Addressing a press conference here on Friday, the global cybersecurity company Kaspersky presented statistics, unpacking Pakistan’s current cyberthreat landscape, and shared practical advice for staying cyber secure. During a media briefing session, Dmitry Berezin, Kaspersky’s Global Security Expert, focused on pressing cyberthreats facing the country, including exploits, ransomware and advanced targeted attacks. Understanding the growing and increasingly sophisticated cyberthreat landscape is crucial for organizations, while individuals should also stay aware and follow fundamental cyber hygiene principles, Kaspersky advices. Within the financial sector, if any bank’s data is compromised, the incidents are usually not reported by banks to retain banking clients, expert responded to a query. According to data from Kaspersky, over 5.3 million on-device attacks were detected in Pakistan in three quarters of 2025 (January-September): 27 percent of all users and 24 percent of corporate entities faced malware delivered via infected USB drives, CDs, DVDs, and hidden installers, including ransomware, worms, backdoors, trojans, password stealers, and spyware. In the same period, over 2.5 million web attacks were blocked by Kaspersky solutions: 16% of all users and 13% of corporate entities faced web-based threats that include phishing scams, exploits, botnets, Remote Desktop Protocol attacks, and network spoofing, such as fake Wi-Fi networks. More detailed statistic by malware types showed over 354,000 exploitation attempts stopped by Kaspersky solutions, 166,000 banking malware detections, 126,000 spyware attacks prevented, 113,000 backdoors and 107,000 password stealers blocked. Ransomware attacks, which are not characterized by mass distribution, but are more targeted on specific victims, were detected 42,000 times. Top exploited vulnerabilities in Pakistan included two from 2025 in 7-Zip and several from previous years in Microsoft Office, HTML, WinRar, VLC player and Notepad++. This underscores the importance of timely updates both by individuals and organizations. Furthermore, ransomware remains a leading reason of corporate cyber incidents globally and in Pakistan, with targeted groups selecting high-value victims across government and enterprise. Effective defence requires a combination of prevention and response actions. These include adopting rigorous patching, strong authentication, restricted remote access, deployment of endpoint detection and response (EDR) and extended detection and response (XDR) solutions such as those from the Kaspersky Next product line, regular backups, and continuous user awareness to mitigate phishing-driven initial access. Kaspersky shared that the Pakistan is a focus for seven Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups. These both established and emerging groups target telecoms and financial services, critical infrastructure and government entities, while also extending their reach into commercial and emerging industries, Dmitry said. APT groups quickly adapt their tactics, techniques, and procedures. One such example of significant shift in tactics is seen in the recent targeted campaign, monitored by Kaspersky, by the APT group called ‘Mysterious Elephant’ that primarily targets organizations across the Asia-Pacific region, including in Pakistan. It aims to steal highly sensitive information, including documents, images, and archived files, with WhatsApp data targeted for exfiltration. In their 2025 campaign the attackers use a combination of exploit kits, personalized spear-phishing emails, and malicious documents, tailoring each attack to specific victims to gain initial access. Once inside the network, the threat actor employs a variety of tools and techniques to escalate privileges, move laterally, and exfiltrate sensitive data. “Some threats are distributed widely, while others are highly focused. For example, exploitation of 0-day vulnerabilities is a tactic that is used by sophisticated cybercriminals in attacks such as ransomware and advanced persistent threats,” commented Dmitry Berezin, Kaspersky’s Global Security Expert. “Understanding the threat landscape becomes an operational necessity: when you know which threats are active in the region, you can fine-tune the security controls to be proactively protected against them.” Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Sohail Sarfraz 17 hours ago

World

Over 500 economists, top experts call for G20 inequality panel

JOHANNESBURG: More than 500 economists and other leading experts, including a Nobel laureate and a former United States treasury secretary, on Friday urged G20 leaders to establish an international panel to tackle extreme wealth disparities. The panel was a key recommendation of a task force created by G20 host South Africa and led by Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz ahead of the leaders’ meeting next week. Modelled on the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it would analyse all aspects of inequality — from land ownership to tax avoidance — and seek to inform policymaking. In an open letter published on Friday, the experts — also including Nobel laureate Daron Acemoglu, France’s Thomas Piketty, and former US treasury secretary and former Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen — backed the idea. “We are profoundly concerned... that extreme concentrations of wealth translate into undemocratic concentrations of power, unravelling trust in our societies and polarising our politics,” they said. The Stiglitz report found that the world’s richest one percent captured 41 percent of all new wealth between 2000 and 2024. In contrast, just one percent went to the poorest 50 percent, according to data from the World Inequality Lab. “Inequality is not inevitable; it is a policy choice,” the letter said. “Clear and proven steps can be taken to reduce it and build more equal societies and economies,” they said, adding that experts stood ready to volunteer their time, as many do with the IPCC. South Africa, which will host the G20 leaders’ summit in Johannesburg on Nov 22-23 — the first ever held in Africa — has made tackling economic inequality a central theme of its presidency. It is unclear whether the resolution will be adopted, as the G20 is not a treaty-based organisation like the United Nations and has no legal charter or constitution, functioning instead as an informal forum that operates by consensus. Members are split over a range of policy issues, and the group’s richest member, the United States, has said it will boycott the Johannesburg summit, accusing South Africa’s agenda of being anti-American. Founded in 1999, the group brings together 19 countries plus the European Union and the African Union, representing about 85 percent of global GDP and roughly two-thirds of the world’s population.

AFP 17 hours ago

Politics

Modi’s alliance set to easily win Bihar vote

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling coalition is set to comfortably retain power in the poor and populous state of Bihar, a vote count showed on Friday, giving him a boost after a disappointing national vote last year. Winning Bihar is crucial because it is India’s third-most-populous state with nearly 130 million people and it sends the fifth-highest number of lawmakers to Parliament. Control of the eastern state strengthens any party’s power in the Hindi heartland and often helps to shape national political narratives. Modi’s National Democratic Alliance coalition could easily cross the majority mark of 122 seats, with data from the Election Commission of India showing it was leading in more than 170 seats. TV channel NDTV said it was ahead in 191 seats, a potential gain of 69 seats from the last election.

Reuters 17 hours ago

Technology

High-level Riyadh talks: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia advance defence cooperation

RIYADH: Lieutenant General Syed Aamer Raza, Chief of General Staff of the Pakistan Army, met General Fayyadh Bin Hameed Al-Rowaily, Chief of General Staff of the Royal Saudi Armed Forces, during a high-level visit to Riyadh. The discussions centred on mutual strategic interests, with particular emphasis on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation, strengthening interoperability and expanding collaboration under the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA). According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release Friday, both sides underlined their resolve to build on the long-standing military partnership between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reinforcing their shared commitment to regional peace, stability and greater self-reliance. The meeting highlighted the depth of the defence relationship, as officials reviewed ongoing collaborative efforts and discussed measures to broaden the scope of joint programmes. The two militaries reaffirmed their intent to further operational cooperation, strengthen coordination mechanisms and amplify the strategic value of their existing frameworks. A Special Meeting of the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Bilateral Defence Industrial Forum was also convened in Riyadh. The Pakistan tri-services delegation was led by Lieutenant General Syed Aamer Raza, while the Saudi side was headed by Khalid Al Biyari, Assistant Minister of Defence for Executive Affairs. The forum assessed the progress of ongoing defence industrial projects and considered new avenues for partnership in emerging technologies, aligning these initiatives with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives. Discussions included potential joint ventures that could elevate defence manufacturing capabilities on both sides. Pakistan reaffirmed its support for the capacity building of the Royal Saudi Defence Forces, reiterating its readiness to share expertise across training and operational domains. Saudi leadership acknowledged Pakistan’s sustained contributions to regional security and its achievements in counter-terrorism. The exchange further underscored the value both nations place on close defence collaboration as a pillar of stability within the wider region.

NNI 17 hours ago

Politics

PPP, PML-N file no-confidence motion against AJK PM

MUZAFFARABAD: A major political shift unfolded in Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Friday as Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmakers formally submitted a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq in the AJK Legislative Assembly. With more members arriving to endorse the move, the opposition bloc has moved decisively to form a new government in AJK. PPP members reached the AJK Legislative Assembly Secretariat early to initiate the process, submitting the no-confidence motion to the special secretary due to the Assembly Secretary’s absence. A total of 17 members from the PPP and PML-N have signed the motion so far. The signatories include major political figures such as PML-N President Shah Ghulam Qadir and former prime minister Raja Farooq Haider, underscoring the seriousness of the challenge to the current government.

NNI 17 hours ago

Business

Fortnightly change tomorrow: Petrol may become cheaper by Rs1.96/litre

ISLAMABAD: Fuel prices are expected to change, with a possible increase of up to Rs 9.60 per litre for the next fortnight starting November 16, sources said. Petrol prices have been prepared in light of global market price fluctuation. Sources said petrol may become cheaper by Rs1.96 per litre, while the price of high-speed diesel could rise by Rs 9.60 per litre. Kerosene is likely to increase by Rs 8.82 per litre, and light diesel oil by Rs 7.15 per litre. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) will forward its working paper to the Petroleum Division on November 15. The Petroleum Division and the Ministry of Finance will then prepare a joint summary for submission to the Prime Minister. Following the Prime Minister’s approval, the Ministry of Finance will announce the revised prices, which will remain effective for the next 15 days. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Recorder Report 17 hours ago

Business

Resignations of two SC judges accepted

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday accepted the resignations of Supreme Court judges Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah. According to official confirmation, the President has approved the resignations of both Supreme Court judges. Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah had submitted their resignations to President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday. Their departure comes at a time of significant transition within Pakistan’s judiciary, following major constitutional changes and the recent oath-taking of Justice Aminuddin Khan as the first Chief Justice of the newly established Federal Constitutional Court. In his resignation letter, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah sharply criticised the 27th Constitutional Amendment, describing it as a “severe blow” to the Supreme Court and an “attack on the Constitution.” Justice Athar Minallah also issued a strongly worded resignation, asserting that the amendment had effectively abolished the very Constitution he had sworn to protect. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Naveed Butt 17 hours ago

World

‘A New Global Order, Yet Again”: IBA Karachi organises fifth annual international conference

KARACHI: IBA hosted the Fifth Annual International Conference on “A New Global Order, Yet Again”, which was organized in collaboration with IBA’s School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS) and the IBA’s Centre for Business & Economic Research (CBER). Dr. S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director, IBA Karachi, in his opening remarks, expressed gratitude, acknowledged the support of the World Bank Group and Asian Development Bank, and welcomed the participants to the conference. He reflected on the uncertainties of the emerging global order and stressed the importance of strong institutions, climate resilience, and historical perspective in shaping future development pathways. Hina Rabbani Khar, Chair of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee and former Foreign Minister, highlighted the unraveling of the post-1945 global order, noting how unchecked UNSC vetoes continue to block global accountability. She pointed to China’s rise—from under 5 percent of global manufacturing in 1995 to over 33 percent today, and from 8 percent to 22 percent of US imports—as a key shift redefining global power. She warned that selective sanctions and fractured blocs are pushing the world toward a 2.6–3.6°C climate overshoot. For Pakistan, she stressed acute climate vulnerability, the importance of strategic non-alignment, and emerging technological opportunities. She called for a foreign policy rooted in national interest and a stronger Global South voice. Prominent attendees included Bolorma Amgaabazar, Country Director for Pakistan, World Bank; Mahir Binici, Resident Representative for Pakistan, International Monetary Fund; Farzana Noshab, Lead Economist, Asian Development Bank, and Professor Adnan Qadir Khan, Professor, School of Public Policy, LSE, and former Chief Economist, UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. The Conference featured thought-provoking panel discussions, beginning with Pakistan’s Poverty, Equity and Resilience Assessment, followed by New Order, Old Debts—Can Pakistan Trade Its Way to Stability?, which brought together experts from the IMF, ADB, OPM and LUMS. The final session, What is New in the New World Order?, moderated by Dr Zaidi, explored shifting geopolitical dynamics, rising multipolarity and the implications for Pakistan’s future development. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Press Release 17 hours ago

Politics

Asif assails former SC judges Shah, Minallah

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday strongly criticised the resignations of two Supreme Court judges, describing the move as a “desperate manoeuvre” in response to the loss of their ‘judicial monopoly’ following the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The resignations of Justices Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah came mere hours after President Asif Ali Zardari signed the amendment into law on Thursday, an act now officially recognised by the president. Speaking in a heated National Assembly session, Asif accused the judiciary of suffering from “selective amnesia,” suggesting that the two justices had conveniently forgotten their past actions while now attempting to position themselves as protectors of democracy. He argued that their sudden concern for judicial independence was merely a reaction to the reduction of their powers. The minister traced the judiciary’s involvement in the political crisis that led to the removal of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, reminding lawmakers of the Supreme Court’s role in orchestrating his ousting. “Four to five years ago – in fact, eight to 10 years ago – when the process to remove Nawaz Sharif began, I want to remind you of the role our Supreme Court judges played,” Asif said, adding that the judiciary had effectively turned a political conspiracy against Sharif into a reality. As the opposition chanted slogans, Asif continued his accusations, recalling the landmark Panama Papers case. He highlighted the formation of two benches under then-Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, which ultimately declared Sharif ineligible to hold office, leading to his removal from politics. Asif pointed to Justices Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, Ejaz Afzal, Gulzar Ahmed, and Ijazul Ahsan as part of the bench that made this ruling, emphasising that their role in disqualifying a democratically elected leader should not be overlooked. “As Nawaz Sharif was declared ineligible, another bench was formed to decide the duration of his ineligibility,” Asif noted, criticising the judiciary’s practice of dismissing elected prime ministers with a single stroke of the pen. He also referenced a bench that ruled Sharif’s disqualification would be permanent, with a subsequent decision declaring that an ineligible person could not lead a political party. “These ‘kangaroo courts’ victimised Nawaz Sharif, with an agenda to ensure he would be permanently ousted from politics,” Asif added, pointing to the resignations of Justices Shah and Minallah after the 27th Amendment’s passage. Asif also mocked Justice Shah for including a poem by renowned poet Ahmad Faraz in his resignation letter. “Now they’re writing poetry and issuing political statements after their time in the courts,” he said, deriding the judges for their post-resignation conduct. The minister further claimed that their actions, cloaked in the guise of upholding judicial independence, were nothing more than a bid to reclaim the monopoly they had once enjoyed in the country’s highest court. “The amendment seeks to establish the supremacy of the constitution,” Asif stressed, arguing that the judges’ claims of the amendment undermining the judiciary’s independence were without merit. In accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of prioritising the interests of ‘an individual’ over the constitution. He also lambasted the opposition for failing to denounce recent terrorist attacks in Wana and Islamabad, accusing them of aligning themselves with “protectors of terrorists.” Meanwhile, the National Assembly referred four bills to the relevant standing committees for further deliberation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Unknown 17 hours ago

Business

IHC rules all tax reference pleas to be sent to ATIR as pending appeals

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has held that all tax reference applications filed directly before it against orders of the Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals) CIR(A) are to be remitted to the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR), where such cases will be treated as pending appeals before the ATIR. Historically, Pakistan’s tax appellate framework was straightforward: a taxpayer aggrieved by a tax authority’s assessment order would file a first appeal with the CIR (A). A further appeal lay before the ATIR, and questions of law arising from the ATIR’s decision could be taken to the High Court through a tax reference application. This long-standing scheme was disrupted by the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act, 2024, which restructured the appellate hierarchy. Under that new regime, depending on the monetary impact of a tax assessment order, the first appeal could lie either before the CIR (A) or the ATIR, and thereafter a reference would lie before the High Court against the decision of either forum. The Finance Act, 2024, maintained this approach. However, these changes triggered confusion, procedural complexity, and litigation. The Finance Act, 2025; therefore, reversed course. Under the currently applicable law, a taxpayer may appeal to the CIR (A) and, thereafter, to the ATIR, or file an appeal directly before the ATIR against a tax assessment order. A further challenge to an ATIR order lies with the High Court by way of a reference. As a result, reference applications can no longer be filed against CIR (A) orders. Against this legislative backdrop, the IHC confronted the status of reference applications already pending before it that had been filed against CIR (A) orders under the now-defunct 2024 regime. The Court held that the amendments introduced through the Finance Act, 2025- being procedural in nature and restoring an additional forum of appeal—must be applied retrospectively to all pending cases. Relying on long-standing jurisprudence from the Supreme Court, the Court reaffirmed that procedural changes, particularly those that confer a beneficial right such as an additional appeal, operate retrospectively unless they disturb vested rights or reopen past and closed matters. Since no party would suffer prejudice from being granted an additional level of adjudication, the IHC ordered that all such pending references be transmitted to the ATIR to be heard as appeals. The Court also endorsed the Lahore High Court’s earlier view in Harris Hasan Syed v. CIR that court fees paid for filing these references should be refunded to the applicants. The taxpayers were represented by several eminent tax practitioners from Islamabad, whereas the Federal Board of Revenue was represented by its legal counsel, Osama Shahid. Both parties concurred that the references should be forwarded to the ATIR. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Sohail Sarfraz 17 hours ago

Politics

Four TTP members arrested over Islamabad bombing

ISLAMABAD: The security agencies have arrested four members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan/Fitna al-Khawarij (TTP/FAK) for their involvement in a suicide attack at the Islamabad District Judicial Complex, G-11, on November 11, the government said on Friday. According to an official statement, issued on X, a joint operation was carried out by the Intelligence Bureau Division and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) that led to the arrest of the four suspects. During the interrogation, Sajidullah alias Sheena, the handler of the suicide bomber, confessed that the TTP/FAK commander Saeed-ur-Rehman alias Daadullah (resident of Charmang, Bajaur, currently in Afghanistan, and serving as TTP’s Intelligence Chief for Nawagai, Bajaur) contacted him via the Telegram application and assigned him the task of carrying out a suicide attack in Islamabad aimed at causing maximum casualties among law-enforcement agencies (LAEs). The statement noted that Daadullah sent photographs of the suicide bomber (SB) Usman alias Qari to Sajidullah alias Sheena for receiving him. SB Usman Qari belonged to the Shinwari tribe and was a resident of Achin, Nangarhar, Afghanistan. When he reached Pakistan from Afghanistan, Sajidullah alias Sheena arranged his stay in a residence near Islamabad. The government further said that on the directions of Afghanistan-based TTP/FAK Commander Daadullah, Sajidullah alias Sheena collected a suicide jacket from Akhun Baba graveyard in Peshawar and brought it to Islamabad. On the day of the blast at Judicial Complex G-11, Sajidullah Sheena set the suicide jacket on SB Usman alias Qari. The network was handled and guided at every step by the Fitna al-Khawarij/TTP high command based in Afghanistan. The entire cell involved in the incident, including its commander and three other members, has been arrested. Investigations are continuing, and more revelations and arrests are expected. At least 12 people were killed and 20 were injured as a bomb blast ripped through the district and sessions court building in Islamabad’s G-11 area. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Recorder Report 17 hours ago

Politics

Justice Aminuddin takes oath as first CJ of FCC

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday administered the oath of office to Justice Aminuddin Khan as the Chief Justice of the newly established Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) after the enactment of the 27th Constitutional Amendment into law just a day earlier. The oath-taking ceremony was held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad, attended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani, PPP’s Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari and members of the federal cabinet. Supreme Court Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sat alongside Justice Aminuddin on the stage. During the ceremony, Justice Aminuddin pledged to perform his duties in accordance with the Constitution and the law, and to adhere to the code of conduct prescribed by the Supreme Judicial Council. “That I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions. That I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and that in all circumstances, I will do right to all manner of people according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill will,” he said, before shaking hands with the president. His appointment was formally made by President Zardari a day earlier under Clause 3 of Article 175A, read with Article 175C of the Constitution. The appointment took effect upon his oath-taking. The establishment of the FCC is a key component of the judicial reforms introduced under the 27th Constitutional Amendment. President Zardari also appointed six other judges to the FCC. According to a notification issued by the law ministry, the appointments were made under Clause 3 of Article 175A, read with Article 175C of the Constitution. The judges appointed to the FCC include Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Aamer Farooq, and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi of the Supreme Court; Justice Muhammad Karim Khan Agha of the Sindh High Court; Justice Rozi Khan Barrech, former Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court; and retired Justice Arshad Hussain Shah. The initial strength of the FCC has been set through a presidential order, while any future increase in the number of judges will require approval from Parliament through legislation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Naveed Butt 17 hours ago

Technology

SC Full Court unanimously approves updated Rules 2025

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan, in a Full Court meeting, on Friday unanimously updated the Supreme Court Rules, 2025, on the recommendation of the Judges’ Committee. After the objections raised by four senior judges of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi constituted the Judges’ Committee on September 8, 2025. The committee, which comprises Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, works under Rule 1(4) of Order I of the Supreme Court Rules, 2025, for the removal of difficulties arising in giving effect to its provisions. Justice Yahya Afridi postponed the meeting and decided that the Committee would consider the suggestions from the judges. The Full Court extended sincere appreciation to each member of the Committee individually for undertaking such a massive task of meticulously reviewing the Supreme Court Rules, 1980, drafting the Supreme Court Rules, 2025, and addressing the suggestions thereon for the removal of difficulties. The updated Supreme Court Rules, 2025, are to improve service delivery and ensure inexpensive and expeditious administration of justice. The Full Court also unanimously approved the grant of the status of Senior Advocate Supreme Court to Muhammad Munir Paracha, Advocate, Supreme Court of Pakistan, in terms of Rule 5 of Order IV of the Supreme Court Rules, 2025. The 156th Full Court of the Supreme Court on September 8 unanimously decided to postpone the implementation of amendments to the Supreme Court Rules, 2025, as Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah, who resigned a day ago, and Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Ayesha Malik did not attend the meeting. Before the September 8 meeting, they wrote a letter to CJP and said that unless the Full Court itself had expressly resolved to adopt circulation for this purpose, the Chief Justice alone could not unilaterally resort to it. “The present Rules; therefore, suffer from both substantive and procedural illegality,” said their letter. They had criticized the procedure, saying, “A Full Court at this stage is not only puzzling but fallacious in purpose. They pointed out that on 9th August 2025, the Rules were already notified as ‘approved’.” Yet, within three days after; i.e., 12th August 2025, the Chief Justice sought suggestions for amendment in the same Rules and has now convened the Full Court to discuss them. The four judges’ letter maintained that after notifying the Rules, the exercise reduces the Full Court to a cosmetic role. In effect, the meeting is being used to give a veneer of legitimacy to an otherwise invalid process. They also demanded that the constitutionally consistent and institutionally honest course would be to place the Rules, in their entirety, before the Full Court, permit genuine discussion and deliberation, and only thereafter seek formal approval. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Terence J Sigamony 17 hours ago