Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Suhail Afridi has directed a zero-tolerance crackdown on illegal logging and the timber mafia, ordering strict legal action, including criminal cases, against those involved in cutting forests and exploiting wildlife. Chairing a high-level meeting of the Environment, Forest and Wildlife Department, the chief minister said that the province’s forests were a national trust and would not …

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Tuesday issued a seventh non-bailable arrest warrant for Aleema Khan after she once again failed to appear in court in a case linked to the November 26 protest. The ATC heard the case against 11 accused, including Aleema Khan, where the court was informed that neither she nor her lawyers attended the proceedings. …

The Lyari Football Academy team has departed for Singapore to participate in the Singa Cup 2025, Asia’s largest international youth football tournament. The squad is being led by Academy President Sheikh Abdul Rahman. A total of 160 teams from 13 countries will be competing in the event across five age categories Under-8, Under-10, Under-12, Under-14, and Under-16. The tournament, which …

The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has imposed bans on several officials and athletes associated with the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation (PWF), following confirmed anti-doping rule violations determined under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) “Operation Jasmine” and the International Testing Agency (ITA). Those banned include athletes Sharjeel Butt, Abdul Rehman, Ghulam Mustafa, and Farhan Majeed, along with former PWF President Hafiz Imran …

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, and Norway have emerged as global frontrunners in the rapid adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), while Pakistan remains significantly behind, with less than 15% of its population using AI tools, according to a new report. The statistics were revealed in the “AI Diffusion Report 2025,” released by Microsoft’s AI Economy Institute. The report shows …

The Ministry of Health organized a “Safety Medicine” event, where Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal delivered a keynote address, stressing the urgent need to reform Pakistan’s healthcare and medicines system. Speaking at the ceremony, the federal minister acknowledged that Pakistan’s medicines and healthcare system was far from ideal and required immediate improvement. “Pakistan does not have an ideal …

Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan held a meeting with Türkiye’s Minister of Trade, Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, in Istanbul on the sidelines of the 41st Session of the Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC). During the meeting, both ministers discussed avenues to further strengthen trade and economic cooperation between the two brotherly nations. The Turkish Trade Minister, …

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Monday said that Port Qasim will undergo major modernization to help generate at least half of Pakistan’s $100 billion revenue target, highlighting its expanding role as a key industrial and trade hub. Speaking as chief guest at a ceremony marking Port Qasim’s recognition as the world’s ninth most improved container …

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has released a report titled “Competition Assessment Study of the Steel Sector in Pakistan,” highlighting key competition-related challenges faced by the industry. The study underscores the absence of a national steel policy and recommends the establishment of a dedicated Steel Ministry, citing successful models from China and India. Pakistan’s manufacturing sector has remained a …

The two-day Baniyan-ul-Marsous HEC Inter-University Women’s Table Tennis Championship concluded in Muzaffarabad, celebrating women’s sportsmanship and academic athletic talent from across Pakistan. Organised jointly by the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the Pakistan Army and the Higher Education Commission, the tournament featured female players from 18 universities nationwide. In a thrilling final match, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore, defeated …

Punjab continues to reel under severe smog as polluted winds blowing from India have further deteriorated the air quality across the province, with Lahore emerging among the most polluted cities in the world. According to air quality monitoring data, Lahore ranked second on the global pollution index on Sunday, with its average Air Quality Index (AQI) surging to 479, placing …

The three-day celebrations of Guru Nanak’s 556th birth anniversary have officially commenced in Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of the founder of Sikhism, amid a large influx of pilgrims from around the world. Tens of thousands of Sikh devotees have gathered in the historic city, where more than 30,000 visitors from various countries including a significant number from India are expected …

The final results of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) for admissions to public medical and dental colleges in Sindh have been officially announced. According to the CEO of the Sindh Testing Service (STS), the provisional results issued earlier have now been declared final, as no errors were found during the review process. “The provisional results stand as …

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has drawn up a comprehensive agenda aimed at protecting Pakistan’s water resources, agriculture and energy security in the face of climate change. According to ADB, under the newly shaped “Glaciers to Farms Programme,” a detailed report will be prepared to assess the economic and environmental impacts of glacier melt. The programme will also include a …

It seems that China’s BRI has supported the formation of various Middle Corridors (MCs) in Central Asia, Asia, Africa, Latin America and around the globe, promoting greater trans-regional connectivity, qualitative industrial cooperation, quality development, modernization, digitalization, green transformation, AI and last but not least, hybrid agriculture. Thus geo-economics of the MCs is reshaping the nature, scope and utility of the …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding press freedom and ensuring a safe working environment for journalists, as the world marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. In a message issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, he said the day serves as a reminder that a free, informed, and responsible media is …

At the invitation of the Turkish Foreign Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar will undertake a one-day visit to Istanbul on November 3, 2025, to attend the Coordination Meeting of Arab-Islamic Foreign Ministers. It may be recalled that Pakistan, along with seven other Arab-Islamic countries, has remained engaged with the peace initiative that led to …

An explosion caused by old explosive material stored inside the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police station on University Road in Peshawar left one CTD official martyred and two others injured on Sunday, police confirmed. Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Mian Saeed said there was no evidence of a terrorist attack on the police station, adding that the surrounding area was sealed …

Sugar prices reportedly have surged to as high as Rs210 per kilogram in several cities across Pakistan, with Sargodha witnessing a sharp increase of Rs23 per kg within a week, according to official and market reports. Government documents earlier recorded a slight decline, stating that the average national retail price of sugar fell by Rs0.12 per kg last week, bringing …

Unofficial results of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council elections for 28 seats have indicated a clear lead for the ANP-affiliated Malgari Wakeelan group, which has secured 13 seats across the province. Candidates from Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Swat and Karak also won under the Malgari Wakeelan banner, consolidating the group’s position in multiple districts. In Peshawar, where seven seats were contested, …

Three police personnel were injured on Sunday when a convoy carrying senior police officials was targeted in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in the Doaba area of Hangu, officials said. According to police, the convoy of SP Investigation Abdul Samad, DSP Tall Mujahid and Doaba Police Station SHO Imranuddin came under attack when an IED went off on their …

Saddar Beroni Police have arrested a two-member female gang allegedly involved in multiple thefts committed while posing as domestic workers. According to police, the women secured employment as household maids and allegedly stole valuables within days of starting work. The case was registered five months ago at the Saddar Beroni Police Station. Police said they recovered Rs 750,000 from the …

Renowned Pakistani actor Nabeel Zafar has taken a witty swipe at the Sindh government over the newly-implemented e-challan system in Karachi, suggesting that motorists deserve awards rather than fines for driving on the city’s roads. Sharing a humorous note on Instagram, the Bulbulay star commented that navigating Karachi’s traffic and road conditions should be considered an achievement worthy of a …

Pakistani actress Javeria Saud has reacted strongly to recent remarks by fellow actors Saba Qamar and Iffat Omar, who labelled Karachi a “dirty city”. Javeria said the problem lies not with the city, but with the mindset of those criticising it. The controversy began after Saba Qamar commented during a podcast that she disliked Karachi, saying she visits only for …

Pakistani film actress Khushboo Khan has rejected widespread rumours regarding her alleged divorce from husband Arbaz Khan, clarifying that the couple has not separated. Speaking in a recent interview with a local media outlet, Khushboo distanced herself from earlier statements that triggered speculation about her marital status, insisting that her remarks had been misinterpreted by some media outlets. “Some media …

South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock has set an unwanted national record for the most ducks in T20 Internationals. The left-hander was dismissed for zero in the opening over of the third and final T20I against Pakistan at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Facing Shaheen Shah Afridi, de Kock edged a delivery to be removed without scoring, marking his eighth duck in …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated the Pakistan cricket team on defeating South Africa in the T20 series, praising the players for their spirited performance. “Very well played, Boys in Green,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter) following Pakistan’s series-clinching victory in Lahore. Pakistan beat South Africa by four wickets in the third T20I at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday to …

Pakistan’s former captain Babar Azam has shattered two major Indian batting records within just two days, further cementing his status as one of the modern era’s most prolific T20 international batters. Making his comeback in the T20I series against South Africa, Babar was dismissed for a duck in the opening match. However, he bounced back in the second game to …

The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) and the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE) convened a high-level brainstorming session to deliberate on one of Pakistan’s most pressing educational challenges, the urgent need to reform the national curriculum to make it more inclusive, coherent, and relevant to learners’ needs. The session, attended by senior education experts, researchers, and policymakers, served as …

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Pakistan chapter has expressed deep concern over the prolonged detention of Kashmiri leaders and activists in Indian prisons, urging international bodies to intervene for their release. In a statement issued in Islamabad, APHC Convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi said that many Kashmiri political detainees have been imprisoned for decades …

More than 200 makeshift homes were destroyed when a fire broke out in a shanty settlement in Gulistan-e-Johar Block 12 late Saturday night, reducing household belongings, several motorcycles and livestock to ashes. According to fire brigade officials, the blaze did not result in any loss of human life. Initial findings suggest the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit, …

More than 5,200 Afghan nationals returned to Afghanistan through the Torkham Border on Saturday, according to official data. A total of 5,220 individuals crossed back into Afghanistan, including 401 documented and 2,314 undocumented nationals. The latest figures bring the overall number of Afghan returnees to over 828,000. Official statistics show that 19 Afghan nationals were repatriated from Islamabad, while 450 …

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has released Rs 25.4 million for the payment of honorarium to chairmen of Tehsil Municipal Administrations (TMAs) across the province. According to a notification issued by the Finance Department, the funds have been approved for the second quarter of the fiscal year 2024–25. The amount will cover honorarium payments for 106 TMA chairmen. The notification stated …

Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has been admitted to a hospital in Islamabad after experiencing chest pain, hospital sources said on Sunday. According to medical staff at Hospital, Abbasi was brought in after suffering a heart attack. Doctors said tests revealed blockages in two arteries, after which two stents were inserted. Hospital sources reported that his condition is now …

The Balochistan government has decided to construct a separate jail in Quetta for juvenile inmates to ensure their protection, rehabilitation and separation from adult prisoners. According to the Provincial Prisons Department, the dedicated facility will cost Rs 750 million and construction work is expected to begin soon. The model jail will include a school and a vocational training centre aimed …

The Punjab Environment Department has revised school timings across the province in an effort to curb rising smog levels, with strict penalties for non-compliance. According to Punjab’s Director General of Environment, Imran Hamid Sheikh, all public and private schools in the province will not be allowed to open before 8:45 am. He said that institutions violating the order will face …

A young man was arrested late Saturday night for allegedly assaulting traffic police officers in Islamabad’s I-8 sector while under the influence of alcohol. According to eyewitnesses, the suspect, identified as Aaqib Naeem, was reportedly intoxicated and involved in disorderly conduct. He allegedly abused and threatened traffic police personnel who stopped him, and is accused of slapping one of the …

Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri-Moghaddam held a detailed meeting to explore ways to strengthen bilateral trade, economic cooperation and cross-border connectivity between Pakistan and Iran. The discussion focused on existing trade initiatives, follow-up on recent agreements and new opportunities to expand economic ties between the two neighbouring countries. Jam Kamal congratulated …

A special train carrying Sikh pilgrims departed from Karachi on Saturday to participate in the religious ceremonies marking the 556th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak. The train, arranged by Pakistan Railways, left Karachi Cantt Station at 11:00 am and will reach Nankana Sahib on the morning of November 2 at around 8:30 am. The main celebrations will be held …

Renowned Pakistani theatre actress Rubi Anum has urged women, particularly those in showbiz, not to promote divorce or discourage marriage, calling it a worrying trend on social media that goes against cultural and religious values. Speaking on a private TV podcast, Rubi Anum shared her personal experiences and reflected on the growing rate of divorces in society. “I’m not a …