Tue, 21-Oct-2025

PM unveils support package for industrial and agricultural sectors

PM unveils

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has announced a special relief package for industries and agriculture sectors. During a meeting with a delegation comprising experts from the industrial and agricultural sectors, as well as representatives of the business community, the Prime Minister unveiled the package aimed at supporting industrial growth and strengthening the agricultural sector. … Read more

Pakistan Army firmly countering khawarij threat, says DG ISPR

Pakistan Army

ISLAMABAD: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has stated that Pakistan has taken effective and targeted measures against the presence of Khawarij (militant elements) in Afghanistan and remains fully prepared to defend the country against any act of aggression. Speaking during an interactive session with students and faculty at … Read more

Internet cable fault yet to be fully fixed, admits IT Secretary

Internet cable

ISLAMABAD: Secretary Information Technology has acknowledged that the fault in Pakistan’s undersea internet cable has not yet been fully rectified, though restoration work is ongoing. Briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications, the IT Secretary said that efforts by the international consortium responsible for maintenance are continuing. In the meantime, Pakistan’s … Read more

Global health experts to gather in Karachi for Health Asia Exhibition

Global health

KARACHI: The 22nd Health Asia International Exhibition is being held to promote innovation, research, and global collaboration in Pakistan’s healthcare sector, marking a new chapter in the country’s medical advancement. Organized by E-Commerce Gateway Pakistan in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and supported by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the three-day event will … Read more

West Indies create unique world record in ODI cricket history

West Indies

The West Indies have made cricketing history by becoming the first team ever to bowl all 50 overs of a One Day International (ODI) entirely with spinners. The two-time world champions achieved this remarkable feat during the second ODI against Bangladesh in Mirpur, where they deployed five spin bowlers throughout the innings. The spin attack … Read more

Chaman border partially reopened after Doha peace accord

Chaman border

CHAMAN: In a significant development following the Pak-Afghan peace accord signed in Doha, the Pak-Afghan border at Chaman has been partially reopened. According to local sources, empty vehicles and trucks engaged in Afghan transit trade have been allowed to enter Pakistan from Afghanistan. However, pedestrian movement across the border remains suspended. Entry has been permitted … Read more

Misbah-ul-Haq set to rejoin PCB in senior management position

Misbah-ul-Haq

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly considering former captain Misbah-ul-Haq for a senior management position within the board. According to sources, the PCB had recently advertised the position of Director Cricket Operations (International), and Misbah-ul-Haq has emerged as the top contender for the post. Sources revealed that for the first time, the eligibility … Read more

New polio case reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

New polio case

ISLAMABAD: A new case of poliovirus has been reported from Torghar district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). With this latest case, the total number of polio cases reported in Pakistan in 2025 has risen to 30, the EOC confirmed. The National EOC urged parents to ensure that their children … Read more

Court issues non-bailable arrest warrants of Ali Amin Gandapur

Court issues

ISLAMABAD: A local court in Islamabad has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in a case pertaining to the recovery of liquor and weapons. The case was heard by Judicial Magistrate Mubashir Hassan at the Islamabad District and Sessions Court. Despite the case being called for hearing, Gandapur … Read more

Tomato prices spike due to weather impact, transport challenges

Tomato prices

ISLAMABAD: The Price Control Department stated that the recent rise in tomato prices stems from temporary supply interruptions linked to unfavorable weather conditions and transport delays. A department spokesperson said that heavy rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had damaged tomato crops, creating a temporary shortage in the market. The spokesperson added that delays in tomato imports … Read more

ECP decides to hold Punjab LG elections under new LG Act

ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to conduct local government elections in Punjab under the newly approved Local Government Act, instead of the 2022 version. According to sources, the elections will now be held in accordance with the new law recently passed by the Punjab Assembly. Under the new system, each Union … Read more

Pakistan, Afghanistan agree on urgent need to eliminate terrorism: Khawaja Asif

Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that following recent talks, Pakistan and Afghanistan have reached a consensus on the urgent need to eradicate terrorism. In an interview with Arab News Channel, the Khawaja Asif stated that the core objective of the agreement between the two neighbouring countries is to end terrorism, which has long … Read more

24 transgenders hospitalized after consuming poison in protest

24 transgenders

In a shocking incident from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, around two dozen transgender individuals attempted suicide by consuming poison in protest against alleged police beavhour. According to Indian media reports, a viral video shows approximately 24 members of the transgender community drinking a toxic cleaning chemical, reportedly phenyl, after authorities failed to take action against two … Read more

ECP issues schedule for by-elections in five constituencies

ECP

Lahore: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has released a new schedule for the upcoming by-elections, announcing polling dates and key deadlines for five constituencies across Punjab. The spokesperson for the Punjab Election Commissioner has announced that, under the Election Act 2017, the schedule for Punjab’s by-elections has been released. By-elections will be held in … Read more

Pakistan win toss, elect to bat in Rawalpindi Test

Aiden Markram

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first in the second and final Test against South Africa being played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Captain Shan Masood, after winning the toss, confirmed one change in the playing XI, with Asif Afridi coming into the side in place of Hasan Ali, who has been … Read more

Lahore tops list of world’s most polluted cities

Lahore

LAHORE: Lahore has once again topped the list of the world’s most polluted cities, as air quality levels in the provincial capital reached hazardous levels on Monday morning. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to 332, placing it in the “hazardous” category. Faisalabad followed closely with an AQI … Read more

FBR detects over 20 tax dodgers living lavish lifestyles on social media

FBR detects

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) Lifestyle Monitoring Cell has identified more than 20 individuals who own luxury assets worth millions of rupees, frequently travel abroad, and showcase lavish lifestyles on social media — yet declare little to no income or assets in their tax returns. According to official details, one of the flagged … Read more

Mustafa Kamal urges teachers to prioritize ethical training

Mustafa Kamal

HYDERABAD: Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal has emphasized that teachers must not confine themselves merely to imparting knowledge but should also play an active role in shaping students’ character and moral values. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Iqra University Hyderabad, the minister said education is a fundamental pillar of every society, yet the … Read more

Private Hajj booking deadline extended by five day

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has extended the deadline for private Hajj bookings by five days, allowing intending pilgrims to complete their reservations through approved Hajj organizers until October 22, 2025. According to a spokesperson for the ministry, all approved Hajj companies have been instructed to finalize bookings strictly in line with the Hajj … Read more

Security forces foil suicide attack in N Waziristan, four terrorists killed

Security forces

PESHAWAR: A  terror attempt was thwarted in North Waziristan’s Mir Ali area on October 17, when militants from the fitna-e-khawarij group carried out a suicide attack on the Khadi check post, claiming the lives of five civilians, including women and children. According to security sources, security forces successfully foiled the suicide attack and eliminated four … Read more

President, Bilawal pay tribute to Benazir Bhutto on Karsaz anniversary

President

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari paid tribute to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and the martyrs of democracy on the 18th anniversary of Karsaz tragedy. He said that from that day until her martyrdom, her life and sacrifice remained a source of guidance and strength for all … Read more

Traffic accidents reach alarming levels in Karachi

Traffic accidents

KARACHI: The road accidents in Pakistan’s largest city have reached dangerous proportions, with more than 10,000 traffic crashes reported during the first 290 days of this year, according to rescue and police officials. Data reveals that at least 680 people, including women and children, have lost their lives in these tragic incidents, while the number … Read more

AI-generated Islamophobic imagery fuels digital hate in India

AI-generated

A new report by the Centre for the Study of Organised Hate (CSOH) has revealed an alarming surge in the use of AI-generated imagery to spread Islamophobic narratives across India’s digital platforms. Authored by Nabiya Khan, Aishik Saha, and Zenith Khan, the report examines how artificial intelligence tools are being exploited to craft and circulate … Read more

French PM survives two no-confidence votes

French PM

PARIS French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has survived two no-confidence votes in parliament after opposition parties lodged separate motions against him, underscoring the deepening political instability in France. Both motions required 289 votes in favour to pass. The first, initiated by the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI), narrowly failed by just 18 votes, reflecting growing … Read more

Trump says ending Pakistan–Afghanistan war would be “very easy”

Trump

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that stopping the war between Pakistan and Afghanistan would be “very easy” for him and repeated that he is “good at solving conflicts.” He said he prefers to stop conflicts and claimed credit for having helped defuse previous crises. Speaking to journalists, Trump referenced … Read more

Armed forces proved their Mettle in ‘Marka e Haq’: COAS

Armed forces

KAKUL: Field Marshal, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Syed Asim Munir on Saturday said that Pakistan had proven its military and defensive capabilities in the “Marka e Haq” and issued a stern warning to India’s military leadership. Speaking at the Pakistan Military Academy’s passing-out parade, the Army Chief cautioned that there is no room for … Read more

Abducted son of Ziarat AC rescued from Harnai after two months

Abducted son

QUETTA: The son of the Assistant Commissioner of Ziarat, who was abducted two months ago, has been safely recovered. According to police, the kidnapped son of the Assistant Commissioner reached the Zardalu area of Harnai and is now in the custody of the Deputy Commissioner Harnai. It may be recalled that the Assistant Commissioner of … Read more

Weekly inflation rises in Pakistan; annual rate reaches 4.57%

Weekly inflation

ISLAMABAD: The weekly inflation rate in Pakistan increased by 0.49%, according to the latest report released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). As per the PBS data, the overall annual inflation rate now stands at 4.57%. During the week under review, prices of 24 essential commodities increased, 8 items became cheaper, while rates of … Read more