Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a thorough investigation to identify all institutions, companies, and individuals involved in a major sales tax fraud, directing the inquiry committee to submit its report within three weeks. He also instructed that strict legal action be taken against those found responsible. According to a report by state nedia, the prime minister issued these directives …

Pakistan’s rising tennis talent Mikaeel Ali Baig stormed into the boys’ singles final of the ITF Pakistan Ali Embroidery World Junior Tennis Championship J-30 (Leg-2), being played at the PTF-SDA Tennis Complex, Islamabad. Lithuania’s Kristijonas Milasausks also booked his place in the title clash after winning his semi-final encounter. According to details shared by the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), junior …

Pakistani actress Rabia Kulsoom has said she will no longer take up roles that do not contribute to her artistic identity or professional recognition, stressing that she has worked too hard to settle for projects that fail to acknowledge her talent. Speaking as a guest on a private TV channel’s entertainment show, Rabia shared that despite coming from an artistic …

South Africa women’s cricket team captain Laura Wolvaardt produced a record-breaking performance to steer her side into the ICC Women’s World Cup final for the first time in history, according to international sports media. In the first semi-final, South Africa defeated England, with Wolvaardt becoming the first South African captain to guide the women’s team into a World Cup final. …

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a high-level meeting to review the country’s economic diplomacy strategy and enhance trade. The meeting was attended by Ministers for Commerce and Law & Justice, SAPM Tariq Bajwa, Foreign Secretary, Secretary Commerce, and senior officers from concerned departments. The meeting reviewed progress since the last session of the Committee. …

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the men’s domestic cricket contracts for the 2025–26 season. According to a press release issued by the PCB, a total of 157 domestic cricketers have been awarded contracts for the upcoming season. The contracts will remain valid from August 2025 to July 2026. This year, the PCB has introduced four categories instead of …

Netflix has announced global fan celebrations and a worldwide premiere for the final season of the popular horror-adventure web series Stranger Things, international media reported on Thursday. According to foreign media reports, the global premiere of the show’s fifth and final season will take place on November 6, 2025, in Los Angeles — a date fans recognize as “Stranger Things …

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered emergency measures to tackle worsening smog across the province, directing immediate closure of all under-construction buildings, roads, and sites found violating environmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). According to official sources, polluted winds from India’s eastern states as Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh are drifting toward Lahore, Faisalabad, and central Punjab, pushing the …

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) Punjab has sealed two industrial units in Lahore for contributing to air pollution during late-night anti-smog operations, officials confirmed on Thursday. According to EPD sources, a special inspection team of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) visited M/s Bilal Foundry located at Mehmood Booti Ring Road, where the absence of an emission control system and visible …

The Air Cargo Control Unit (ACCU) of the Customs Collectorate at Karachi airport has foiled an attempt to smuggle narcotics through international mail by seizing 2.19 kilograms of marijuana concealed inside tin cans imported from Thailand. According to Pakistan Customs sources, the parcel, falsely declared and labelled as “Thai Red Tea”, was intercepted during routine profiling and screening of incoming …

Pakistan has expressed interest in studying Vietnam’s economic transformation to strengthen its own investment and export landscape, as part of its ongoing economic diplomacy drive. During a meeting with the Ambassador of Vietnam, Federal Minister for the Board of Investment (BOI) Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh emphasized that Pakistan can learn from Vietnam’s successful economic transformation, which has been driven by sustained …

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has blocked former prime minister Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan’s national identity card and passport in compliance with court orders. The decision was shared in a report submitted to the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, where Judge Amjad Ali Shah conducted the hearing of the case registered against Aleema Khan and …

Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has announced that a total of Rs6.39 billion has been distributed so far under the Chief Minister’s Flood Rehabilitation Programme to support flood-affected families across the province. Speaking to the media in Lahore, the minister said that the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) had completed 90% of the flood assessment survey, under which data of …

A delegation of 27th National Security Workshop visited National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) at NDMA Headquarters today. The delegation received a detailed briefing on Pakistan’s proactive and integrated approach to disaster management. NDMA officials elaborated on the Authority’s mandate, organizational structure, and its nationwide framework for disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and response. Participants were also briefed on NEOC’s round-the-clock monitoring …

Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries Haroon Akhtar Khan co-chaired a high-level meeting at the Ministry of Commerce to review policy measures for the automotive sector, regulation of used car imports, and facilitation for local manufacturers and genuine overseas Pakistanis. The meeting was attended by delegations from the Pakistan Automotive …

ISLAMABAD: The Russian Embassy has declared the viral social media video allegedly showing President Vladimir Putin threatening Pakistan as “100% fake.” The embassy clarified that President Putin made no remarks concerning Pakistan or Afghanistan. According to the spokesperson, the video actually comes from a media interaction following the meeting of the Russian Geographical Society’s Board of Trustees on October 23, …

BUSAN, South Korea: Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Thursday that China’s development and revitalization goes hand in hand with U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision to “Make America Great Again.” He made the remarks during a meeting with Trump after landing in Busan for the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, and a state visit to South Korea. Xi …

BUSAN, South Korea: Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Thursday that China and the United States should ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations. During a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Xi said that since Trump’s reelection, they have spoken on the phone three times, exchanged several letters and stayed in close contact. …

BUSAN, South Korea: Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Thursday that economic and trade teams of China and the United States held in-depth talks and reached consensus on solutions to problems. He made the remarks during a meeting with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, after landing in Busan for the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, and a state …

BUSAN, South Korea: Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Thursday that he is ready to continue working with U.S. President Donald Trump to build a solid foundation for bilateral ties, and create a sound atmosphere for the development of both countries. In a meeting with Trump, Xi said under their joint guidance, China-U.S. relations have remained stable on the whole. …

BEIJING: China is doubling down on technological innovation to fuel its high-quality development in the next five-year period. This transition is poised to generate significant positive spillovers for global prosperity. In contrast to the narrative of those who doubted China’s sustained growth, some Western voices now concede its momentum but claim its tech surge is “crowding out” their own countries’ …

SEOUL: Gyeongju, a historic city in South Korea, is about to welcome leaders from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the region’s highest-level, most extensive and most influential economic cooperation mechanism. At the invitation of President Lee Jae-myung of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju and pay a …

BEIJING: Amid mounting trade shocks and heightened geopolitical uncertainties, Chinese President Xi Jinping will join leaders from APEC economies in South Korea in the coming days, in a bid to build consensus for shared prosperity and reaffirm China’s commitment to open, inclusive economic globalization. The International Monetary Fund has projected that economic growth in the Asia-Pacific will slow from 4.5 …

BUSAN, South Korea: Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Thursday that the Chinese economy is like a vast ocean, big, resilient and promising, and that we have the confidence and capability to navigate all kinds of risks and challenges. He made the remarks during a meeting with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, after landing in Busan for the 32nd APEC …

Indian film icons Rajinikanth and Dhanush received bomb threat emails allegedly claiming explosives had been planted at their residences, prompting Chennai Police to launch an investigation, officials said. According to Tamil Nadu Police, two emails were sent to the State Director General of Police (DGP), warning that bombs had been placed at the homes of Rajinikanth and Dhanush. Following the …

Pakistan Super League (PSL) Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer has announced that an auction will be held for two new PSL franchises as the league prepares for expansion. Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Salman Naseer said that when the league was launched, interest was limited, but five parties placed their trust in the PCB and purchased teams. He …

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has blamed the captain, head coach and the selection committee for Pakistan’s heavy defeat to South Africa in the opening T20 International, saying the leadership “got it completely wrong”. South Africa defeated Pakistan by 55 runs in the first T20 of the three-match series to take a 1–0 lead. Chasing the Proteas’ target of 195, …

On the direction of the Prime Minister, Secretary Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R) Amir Muhyuddin chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad to address issues related to the inter-provincial movement of wheat seed. Secretaries of provincial agriculture and food departments, Director Generals Agriculture, and senior officers of MNFS&R attended the meeting. It was highlighted that the inter-provincial movement …

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved Petroleum Exploration Limited (PEL) to acquire additional shareholding in three oil and gas companies. According to the CCP PEL has been granted approval to purchase shares in PKP Kirthar, PKP Exploration II and PKP Kandhkot Limited. According to the CCP, the transaction does not pose any risk of creating a monopoly in …

Pakistan has completed preparations for the 556th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, as the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued visas to 2,100 Indian Sikh pilgrims for the annual religious festival. The group of Indian Sikh yatrees will arrive in Pakistan on November 4 via the Wagah border. The main ceremony will take place …

Oman has been included in the Junior Hockey World Cup after Pakistan refused to travel to India citing security concerns, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed. The mega junior hockey event will be held in Chennai from November 28, with the final scheduled for December 10. For the first time in the tournament’s history, both the men’s and women’s …

The High Commissioner of Canada to Pakistan, Tariq Ali Khan, called on the Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, in Islamabad today. The Federal Minister warmly welcomed the newly appointed High Commissioner and expressed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest were discussed …

Pakistan Railways has retrieved 2.1 acres of valuable land worth Rs91 million in Chaman following a major anti-encroachment operation conducted on the directives of Federal Minister for Railways Mohammad Hanif Abbasi, officials said on Wednesday. The operation was supervised by Divisional Superintendent (DS) Quetta, Imran Hayat, and targeted land that had been under illegal occupation for years despite a court …

Pakistan underscored its growing climate leadership on the global stage as the Minister of State delivered a keynote address at the opening session of Global Green Growth Week 2025 in Seoul. The session, titled Implementing International Carbon Markets: Country Experiences and Strategic Pathways to 2023, was attended by government officials from New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Senegal, Norway, Sweden, Zambia and …

Habib Bank Limited (HBL) has renewed its title sponsorship agreement with the Pakistan Super League (PSL), extending its partnership with the country’s premier T20 cricket tournament. The announcement was made during a joint press conference at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, where PSL CEO Salman Naseer and HBL’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Ali Habib shared details of the …

Customs authorities have foiled a major smuggling attempt of a dangerous narcotic medicine, methadone, at the Taftan border, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said on Wednesday. According to the FBR, officials recovered approximately 11.16 million methadone tablets from 620 cartons loaded in a container. The seized consignment is valued at Rs 446 million. An FBR spokesperson said the illegal …

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a request to stop the Senate election scheduled for Wednesday on the seat left vacant after the disqualification of former Senate opposition leader Shibli Faraz. A five-member constitutional bench headed by Justice Ameenuddin Khan heard the petition seeking to halt the election. During the hearing, Barrister Gohar requested the suspension of the election schedule …

Pakistan imported mobile phones worth $500 million during the first three months of the current fiscal year, reflecting a sharp rise in demand and import activity. According to official documents, mobile phone imports increased by 103% in the first quarter of FY2025-26 compared to the same period last year. On a monthly basis, imports rose 28.58% in September 2025. Data …

Pakistan has received its first-ever shipment of US crude oil under a new trade agreement between Islamabad and Washington, marking a significant milestone in bilateral energy cooperation. According to a statement issued by refinery officials, a fully loaded US crude oil tanker arrived at the Cinergico Oil Terminal in Hub carrying 1 million barrels of crude oil. The shipment is …