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Donald Trump says India trade deal remains intact after SC tariff ruling

In the wake of the US Supreme Court's decision on tariffs, President Donald Trump said there is no change in the trade deal with India and emphasised that the "India deal is on". "I think my relationship with India is fantastic and we're doing trade with India. India pulled out of Russia. India was getting its oil from Russia. And they pulled way back at my request, because we want to settle that horrible war where 25,000 people are dying every month," Trump said at a news conference Friday in the White House hours after the US Supreme Court verdict striking down his sweeping tariffs. He said his relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi "is, I would say, great." Trump then went on to repeat the claim that he stopped the war between India and Pakistan last summer using tariffs. "I also stopped the war between India and Pakistan. As you know, there were 10 planes were shot down. That war was going and probably going nuclear. And just yesterday, the Prime Minister of Pakistan said President Trump saved 35 million lives by getting them to stop," Trump said. "And I did it largely with tariffs. I said, 'Look, you're going to fight, that's fine, but you're not going to do business with the United States, and you're going to pay a 200 per cent tariff, each country'. And they called up and they said, 'we have made peace'," Trump said. Earlier this month, as the US and India announced they reached a framework for an Interim Agreement on trade, Trump issued an Executive Order removing the 25 per cent punitive tariffs imposed on India for its purchases of Russian oil, with the US President noting the "commitment" by New Delhi to stop directly or indirectly importing energy from Moscow and purchase American energy products. Under the trade deal, Washington will charge a reduced reciprocal tariff on New Delhi, lowering it from 25 per cent to 18 per cent. When asked about the deal with India, Trump said "nothing changes". "Nothing changes. They'll be paying tariffs, and we will not be paying tariffs. So deal with India is they pay tariffs. This is a reversal for what it used to be, as you know, India and I think Prime Minister Modi is a great gentleman, a great man, actually, but he was much smarter than the people that he was against in terms of the United States, he was ripping us off. So we made a deal with India. It's a fair deal now, and we are not paying tariffs to them, and they are paying tariffs. We did a little flip," Trump said. "The India deal is on all the deals are on, we're just going to do it" in a different way. Earlier, Trump said he used tariffs to end the war between India and Pakistan, as he lashed out at the Supreme Court for its decision to strike down his sweeping tariffs imposed on countries around the world. "Tariffs have likewise been used to end five of the eight wars that I settled. I settled eight wars, whether you like it or not, including India, Pakistan, big ones, nuclear, could have been nuclear," Trump said during a news conference Friday just hours after the Supreme Court verdict. "Prime Minister of Pakistan said yesterday at the great meeting that we had the peace board. He said yesterday that President Trump could have saved 35 million lives by getting us to stop fighting. They were getting ready to do some bad things. But they've given us great national security, these tariffs have," he said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

21 February,2026 10:16 AM IST | New York/Washington | PTI
Avtar Singh. Pic/By Special Arrangement

Sikh man Avtar Singh kidnapped from Tracy area in California

A Sikh man, Avtar Singh, 57, has been kidnapped from the Tracy area in California. Police  said Singh was picked up by three individuals dressed in dark clothing in a white SUV around 2.30 pm on Tuesday, and that he appeared to have entered the car against his will. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

21 February,2026 10:14 AM IST | New York | Agencies
Pic/iStock

Study finds genetic similarities in feline and human breast cancer mutations

Gene mutations that drive the development of breast cancer in cats are similar to those seen in people, and could pave the way for new treatments for the disease in both humans and animals, a study suggests.  Researchers in the UK, Canada, and Switzerland analysed different tumour samples and found the genetic changes. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

21 February,2026 10:12 AM IST | Bern | Agencies
Donald Trump. Pic/AFP

US business groups hail Supreme Court ruling against Trump tariffs

US business groups, advocacy organisations and lawmakers welcomed a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated President Donald Trump's use of emergency powers to impose tariffs, calling the decision a reaffirmation of congressional authority and a relief for businesses.  In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court determined that the executive branch exceeded its authority by invoking emergency powers to levy import taxes on most trading partners, declaring many of the previous year's tariffs illegal. Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer at the US Chamber of Commerce, said on Friday that the decision was "welcome news for businesses and consumers," noting that companies had faced significant cost increases and supply-chain disruptions as a result of the tariffs. He urged the administration to move swiftly to refund unlawfully collected duties and to reset overall tariff policy to promote economic growth and lower costs for families. We Pay the Tariffs, a coalition advocating for small businesses, also called for "full, fast and automatic" refunds, saying many of its members had paid billions of dollars in duties that "never should have been imposed." US Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, also welcomed the ruling, Xinhua news agency reported. "The empty merits of sweeping trade wars with America's friends were evident long before today's decision," McConnell said in a statement. "The American people already know that when Washington throws up artificial barriers, building and buying here at home become more expensive." Edward Fishman, a former State Department and Treasury official now with the Council on Foreign Relations, said the decision could limit the use of tariffs as a rapid-response geoeconomic tool, though they could still be employed in trade negotiations through other legal channels. Some business groups cautioned that uncertainty remains, expressing concern that tariffs could be reimposed through alternative statutory mechanisms. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

21 February,2026 10:09 AM IST | New York | IANS
Neal Katyal. Pic/AFP

Meet Neal Katyal, Indian-American lawyer who stopped Trump's tariffs

The son of Indian immigrants who once served as America’s top courtroom advocate has emerged as the face of a landmark Supreme Court judgement that overthrew President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.  Neal Katyal, a former Acting Solicitor General of the United States, argued against Trump’s use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose what he described as “unjust, unconstitutional taxes” on imports from nearly every trading partner. Moments after the ruling, Katyal said: “Today, the United States Supreme Court stood up for the rule of law, and Americans everywhere. Its message was simple: Presidents are powerful, but our Constitution is more powerful still. In America, only Congress can impose taxes on the American people.” The case was brought by small businesses and supported by the Liberty Justice Center. Trump had defended the tariffs as vital to national security and economic leverage, citing trade deficits and fentanyl overdoses as national emergencies. Katyal framed the ruling as a constitutional milestone. "The US Supreme Court gave us everything we asked for in our legal case. Everything,” he said. “This case has always been about the presidency, not any one president. It has always been about the separation of powers, and not the politics of the moment. I'm gratified to see our Supreme Court, which has been the bedrock of our government for 250 years, protect our most fundamental values,” Katyal said. Born in Chicago to Indian immigrant parents — a doctor and an engineer — Katyal has built a career around high-stakes constitutional battles. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Yale Law School and clerked for Justice Stephen Breyer of the US Supreme Court. Appointed Acting Solicitor General by President Barack Obama in 2010, Katyal represented the federal government before the Supreme Court and the Courts of Appeals nationwide. He has argued more than 50 cases before the Supreme Court, breaking records for minority advocates. Currently a partner at Milbank LLP and the Paul Saunders Professor at Georgetown University Law Center, Katyal specialises in constitutional and complex appellate litigation. His past cases include defending the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, challenging Trump’s 2017 travel ban, and winning unanimous rulings in major environmental and national security disputes. He has also served as Special Prosecutor for the State of Minnesota in the murder case of George Floyd and is the author of the book Impeach: The Case Against Donald Trump. Katyal has received the US Justice Department’s highest civilian honour, the Edmund Randolph Award, and has been named Litigator of the Year by The American Lawyer in 2017 and 2023. Forbes listed him among the top 200 lawyers in the United States in 2024 and 2025. The Supreme Court’s decision on Trump’s tariff is expected to limit a president’s ability to use emergency economic powers to impose sweeping tariffs without explicit congressional authorization. “Just think about it like that. The son of immigrants was able to go to court and say on behalf of American small businesses, hey, this president is acting illegally. And I was able to present my case, have them ask really hard questions at me. It was a really intense oral argument. And at the end of it, they voted and we won,” he told MS Now in an interview. “That is something so extraordinary about this country, the idea that we have a system that self-corrects, that allows us to say you might be the most powerful man in the world, but you still can't break the Constitution. I mean, that to me is what today is about,” Katyal said.  “Today, the United States Supreme Court stood up for the rule of law, stood up for Americans everywhere. Its message was simple. Presidents are powerful, but our constitution is more powerful still,” he told MSNBC in another interview. “In America, only Congress, the chief justice writing for six justices said, only Congress can impose taxes on the American people. And that's what tariffs are. Tariffs are taxes,” he said, standing outside the Supreme Court. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

21 February,2026 10:08 AM IST | Washington | IANS
Donald Trump. Pic/AFP

Countries with Trump trade deals to face temporary 10 per cent tariff

Countries that struck trade deals with President Donald Trump — including India, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Japan — will temporarily face a uniform 10 per cent tariff following the Supreme Court’s decision restricting the administration’s use of emergency tariff powers under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA), the White House said  “SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) ruled that the President cannot impose tariffs using the IEEPA legal authority,” a White House official said after President Trump signed a new order in this regard following the apex court striking down his IEEPA authority. The official added that countries that had negotiated trade arrangements with Trump “were being tariffed by the Administration using the IEEPA legal authority.” With that authority no longer applicable, “those countries will now be tariffed at the global 10 per cent tariff using the Section 122 legal authority.” The change is temporary, the White House said. “This is, however, only temporary as the Administration will be pursuing other legal authorities to implement more appropriate or pre-negotiated tariff rates,” the official stated. “Until then, we expect all countries to continue abiding by their trade deal commitments on reducing trade barriers and other concessions, which have not changed.” The clarification confirms that the newly announced 10 per cent global surcharge under Section 122 replaces the earlier IEEPA-based tariffs for now, but does not alter the substance of negotiated trade commitments. Earlier in the day, Trump reacted sharply to the Supreme Court ruling, calling it “deeply disappointing” and saying he was “ashamed of certain Members of the Court.” “I would like to thank and congratulate Justices Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh for your Strength, Wisdom, and Love of our Country,” Trump wrote, adding that dissenting opinions showed there was “no way that anyone can argue against them.” He accused the majority of being influenced by outside forces, writing: “It is my opinion that the Court has been swayed by Foreign Interests, and a Political Movement that is far smaller than people would think.” Trump argued that while the Court struck down his use of IEEPA tariffs, it left other trade authorities intact — and potentially stronger. “The Supreme Court did not overrule TARIFFS; they merely overruled a particular use of IEEPA TARIFFS,” he said. He added that alternative statutes “are even stronger than the IEEPA TARIFFS” and that “a President can actually charge more TARIFFS than I was charging in the past.” He announced that “effective immediately, all National Security TARIFFS, Section 232 and existing Section 301 TARIFFS, remain in place,” and confirmed he would impose “a 10 per cent GLOBAL TARIFF, under Section 122, over and above our normal TARIFFS already being charged.” In a statement, Ambassador Jamieson Greer said the Court’s decision “affects one element of the Administration’s successful work to reorient the global trading system to benefit American workers and businesses.” Greer said the President’s use of IEEPA had been “a necessary and appropriate tool” to address “the fentanyl, immigration, and trade deficit crises,” and argued that progress had been made. Between April 1 and December 31, 2025, “the trade deficit in goods has declined 17 per cent,” he said. The administration outlined a series of steps to maintain continuity, including: Immediately imposing a temporary 10 per cent surcharge under Section 122. Initiating several new Section 301 investigations into “unjustifiable, unreasonable, discriminatory, and burdensome acts.” Continuing ongoing Section 301 probes involving Brazil and China and maintaining existing Section 232 tariffs tied to national security. Greer noted that the Supreme Court ruling addresses “only President Trump’s Reciprocal and Fentanyl Tariffs,” and said “extensive tariffs” under other authorities remain in place. Existing Section 301 tariffs on China range from 7.5 per cent to 100 per cent, depending on the product, while Section 232 tariffs range from 10 per cent to 50 per cent and cover roughly 30 per cent of US imports. A White House fact sheet issued Friday said the temporary import duty would last 150 days and take effect February 24 at 12:01 a.m. The document said the measure is designed to address “fundamental international payment problems” and rebalance trade relationships. Certain goods will be exempt from the temporary duty, including critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, certain electronics, passenger vehicles, aerospace products, and informational materials, according to the fact sheet. The administration also reaffirmed that US trade partners are expected to honour their legally binding agreements despite the change in legal authority. “Our partners have been responsive and engaged in good-faith negotiations and agreements despite the pending litigation, and we are confident that all trade agreements negotiated by President Trump will remain in effect,” Greer said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

21 February,2026 09:36 AM IST | Washington | IANS
Donald Trump. Pic/PTI

Trump signals new global tariff after Supreme Court setback at press conference

US President Donald Trump used an expansive and combative news conference to respond to a Supreme Court judgment that curtailed his use of a key tariff authority, turning what might have been a defensive moment into an aggressive reaffirmation of his trade doctrine. Over more than an hour inside the James S Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on Friday afternoon, Trump attacked the apex court, dismissed Congressional critics, signalled higher tariffs ahead, defended his economic record, accused unnamed "foreign interests" of influencing justices, and framed tariffs not merely as trade tools but as instruments of diplomacy, border security, and national power. His crowded news conference underscored how central tariffs remain to his presidency -- and how little the apex court's ruling appears to have moderated his approach. Here are the comprehensive takeaways from the press conference: 1. A new 10 per cent global tariff Trump announced he would sign an executive order imposing "a 10 per cent global tariff under Section 122", adding to existing measures. He emphasised that national security tariffs under Section 232 and existing Section 301 tariffs would "remain in place, fully in place and in full force and effect". The move signalled not retreat, but a shift in legal strategy. 2. Tariffs could go higher When asked whether tariff rates could ultimately increase beyond current levels, Trump replied: "Potentially higher... It depends whatever we want them to be." He added that under alternative statutes, "we can judge much more than I was charging," suggesting the Supreme Court's judgment might lead to broader tax duties. 3. Emphasis on embargo powers President Trump repeatedly stressed the scope of his authority beyond tariffs. "I can embargo," he said. "I can do anything I want." He elaborated: "I'm allowed to destroy the country, but I can't charge them a little fee." Though hyperbolic, the language highlighted President Trump's view that the court had affirmed sweeping executive power to restrict or halt trade entirely. 4. Sharp attack on the Supreme Court President Trump called the Apex court's judgment "deeply disappointing" and said he was "ashamed of certain members of the court". He praised Justices Thomas, Alito and Kavanaugh for dissenting, citing their "strength and wisdom and love of our country". Of other Supreme Court Justices, including some he appointed, President Trump said the decision was "an embarrassment to their families", though he declined to say whether he regretted nominating them. 5. Allegations of foreign influence In one of the most striking moments, President Trump asserted: "It's my opinion that the court has been swayed by foreign interests." Asked if he had evidence, he replied, "You're going to find out what?" but offered no specifics. He suggested outside forces had "undue influence" and that the Supreme Court Justices might be affected "through fear or respect or friendships". The allegation marked a significant rhetorical escalation against the Judiciary in the US. 6. Dismissal of Congress President Trump brushed aside suggestions that he should work with lawmakers to craft a new tariff framework. "You don't need to -- it's already been approved," he said. "I have the right to do tariffs. And I've always had the right to do tariffs." The comment reflected President Trump's longstanding view that existing statutes grant the executive broad trade authority. 7. Intraparty friction Addressing the Republican critics who opposed elements of his tariff policy, President Trump acknowledged losing "three votes" but said they were "not good Republicans". The US President emphasised party unity, noting that the vast majority of Republican lawmakers supported him. 8. Refund uncertainty The Supreme Court judgment left open the question of what happens to billions of dollars already collected under the challenged authority. "They don't even discuss that point," President Trump said of the opinion. He predicted the issue would "get litigated for the next two years", adding, "We'll end up being in court for the next five years." 9. Tariffs as economic engine Trump tied tariffs directly to economic performance, citing stock market milestones. "Our stock market has just recently broken 50,000 on the Dow... and... broken 7,000 on the S&P," he said. He pointed to jobs and inflation data, saying the January jobs report and consumer price numbers "beat expectations" and that "real wages are up". Recounting a visit to a Georgia steel plant, President Trump said an executive told him, "Sir, I want to kiss you," because tariffs had revived the business. 10. Tariffs funding farm aid Trump said tariff revenue had funded domestic support programmes. "Last week I gave them $12 billion out of tariff money," he said, referring to farmers. 11. Tariffs as diplomatic leverage President Trump again framed tariffs as foreign policy tools. "Tariffs have likewise been used to end five of the eight wars that I settled," he said. He described warning both sides of "a 200 per cent tariff," adding, "I did it largely with tariffs." 12. India trade framework Asked about a pending trade framework with India, President Trump said, "Nothing changes." He added that "they'll be paying tariffs and we will not be paying tariffs", describing it as a reversal from prior arrangements. 13. Fentanyl and China President Trump said he had imposed "a 20 per cent tariff" on China "as a penalty for sending fentanyl in," claiming that fentanyl inflows were down "more than 30 per cent". He credited tariffs alongside what he called a "strong border". 14. Criticism of Europe In a broader ideological pivot, President Trump said "Europe has gone woke" and warned that Europe was "getting killed" by energy and immigration policies. The comments reflected how he links trade disputes to larger cultural and geopolitical narratives. 15. Federal Reserve critique President Trump criticised the Federal Reserve Chair as "very incompetent" and said that interest rates "should come down very substantially", saying the United States should pay "the lowest interest rates on the planet". 16. Assertion of "Certainty" Despite the legal setback, President Trump repeatedly framed the Supreme Court judgment as clarifying rather than constraining executive power. "There will no longer be any doubt," he said. "Great certainty has been brought back to the economy of the United States and actually the economy of the world." The news conference illustrated the US President's instinct to convert institutional pushback into political momentum. Rather than tempering his tariff agenda after the apex court's decision, President Trump presented it as validation of a broader strategy -- one that blends economic nationalism, diplomatic pressure and expansive executive authority. The message from the White House was unmistakable: the tariff campaign is not winding down -- it may just be entering a new phase. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

21 February,2026 09:35 AM IST | Washington | IANS
Officers wrestle the man to the ground. Pic Courtesy/Royal Thai police

Thailand cops dress as lion dancers to nab serial burglar

Thai police came up with a creative plan to nab an elusive serial burglar. Officers of the Bangkok police department hid beneath a red-and-gold lion costume and danced toward the suspect on Wednesday as he wandered through a Lunar New Year fair at a temple in Nonthaburi, in neighbouring Bangkok. Moments later, the officer who was holding the lion’s head, lunged at the suspect and pinned the man to the ground. Police say the suspect, a 33-year-old man, is accused of breaking into the home of a local police commander in Bangkok three times earlier this month, making off with valuables worth about 2 million baht (Rs 58.2 lakh). This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

21 February,2026 08:10 AM IST | Bangkok | Agencies
The gold bars weighed 21 kg in total. Representational pic/iStock

Osaka receives gold bar donation to repair ageing water pipes

Osaka has received a hefty gift of gold bars worth 560 million yen (Rs 32.75 crore) from an anonymous donor who asked to fix the Japanese city’s dilapidated water pipes. The bars weighing 21 kg in total were given to Osaka City Waterworks Bureau. Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama said his city will respect the donor’s wishes and improve water projects. Concern over Osaka’s waterworks systems has grown recently. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

21 February,2026 08:10 AM IST | Tokyo | Agencies
Trump says he's 'absolutely ashamed' of US Supreme Court justices who issued 'deeply disappointing' tariff decision. PIC/@WhiteHouse (Twitter/X)

Trump says US Supreme Court tariff ruling 'deeply disappointing'

US President Donald Trump said Friday that the Supreme Court decision declaring his sweeping global tariffs illegal was "deeply disappointing." Trump also told reporters he was "absolutely ashamed" of "certain members" of the conservative-dominated court who ruled against him. Trump said, "To show you how ridiculous the opinion is, the Court said that I'm not allowed to charge even one dollar. I can't charge one dollar — not even a dollar. I would have used one penny, but we don’t make pennies anymore... Not one dollar, I assume, to protect other countries. This must have been done to protect those other countries, certainly not the United States of America, which they should be protecting. That’s what they’re supposed to protect. But I am allowed to cut off any and all trade or business with that same country. In other words, I can destroy the trade. I can destroy the country..."  The Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump's far-reaching global tariffs on Friday, handing him a significant loss on an issue crucial to his economic agenda. The 6-3 decision centres on tariffs imposed under an emergency powers law, including the sweeping "reciprocal" tariffs he levied on nearly every other country. Trump said he will impose a global 10 per cent tariff as an alternative while pressing his trade policies by other means. The new tariffs would come under a law that restricts them to 150 days. He made that announcement after lashing out at the Supreme Court for striking down much of his sweeping tariff infrastructure as an illegal use of emergency power. "Their decision is incorrect," he said. "But it doesn't matter because we have very powerful alternatives." "Tariffs have likewise been used to end five of the eight wars that I settled. I settled eight wars, whether you like it or not, including India, Pakistan, big ones, nuclear, could have been nuclear," Trump said during a news conference just hours after the Supreme Court verdict.India has consistently denied any third-party intervention in resolving the conflict with Pakistan."Prime Minister of Pakistan said yesterday at the great meeting that we had the peace board. He said yesterday that President Trump could have saved 35 million lives by getting us to stop fighting. They were getting ready to do some bad things. But they've given us great national security, these tariffs have," he said. President Trump Delivers Remarks, Feb 20, 2026 https://t.co/GXRBUFyThY — The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 20, 2026

21 February,2026 01:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Agencies
Welfare organisations step up amid rising rrices and utility store shutdown. Pic/AFP

Pakistan's Ramadan relief under scrutiny as poor struggle amid store closures

Following the shutdown of the Utility Stores Corporation network, financially vulnerable households across Punjab are grappling with mounting difficulties in securing subsidised food items ahead of Ramazan. As prices of essential commodities continue to rise, concerns over managing Sehri and Iftar expenses have deepened, particularly among daily wage earners and widows, as reported by The Express Tribune. According to The Express Tribune, many residents claim they have been unable to access the provincial government's promised assistance package. Naila Begum, a widow residing in Lahore's Garhi Shahu area, said she repeatedly sought help under the relief scheme announced by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz but was unsuccessful.  Living in rented accommodation with her daughter, she alleged that without political references or influence, her name was not added to the beneficiaries' list. Similar complaints have surfaced in multiple districts. Citizens also pointed out the absence of traditional Ramazan bazaars that were previously established to stabilise prices during the holy month. In earlier years, fair price markets and government-backed subsidy arrangements with retailers provided measurable relief.  However, locals stated that such visible arrangements initially appeared missing this year, raising questions about administrative preparedness. Provincial authorities maintain that a targeted Ramazan package is being finalised using existing welfare databases, particularly data from the Benazir Income Support Programme.  Officials stated that assistance will be delivered either through digital wallets or designated centres to avoid overcrowding and mismanagement. The government has identified over four million individuals under its "Nigehban Card" initiative, issuing ATM cards to enable cash withdrawals for essential purchases. Special facilitation bazaars have also been introduced, offering selected goods at reduced prices, as cited by The Express Tribune. Despite these measures, critics argue that lower-middle-class families not registered in official databases risk exclusion. Welfare organisations, including Alkhidmat Foundation, Saylani Welfare International Trust, and the Edhi Foundation, continue to organise ration drives and Iftar meals, though inflation has constrained their outreach capacity, as reported by The Express Tribune. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

20 February,2026 06:50 PM IST | Lahore (Pakistan) | ANI
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