ISLAMABAD: The District and Sessions Court of Islamabad has fixed September 20 as the date to formally indict Umar Hayat, the prime suspect in the murder case of TikToker Sana Yusuf. The hearing was conducted by Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka, who handed over copies of the case challan to the accused. The police later took back …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has approved the Foreigner (Long Term Residency) Order, 2025, a major step under the country’s investment visa policy aimed at attracting global investors and skilled professionals. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Long-Term Residency Policy, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, held a telephone conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed. During the call, both leaders strongly condemned Israel’s unprovoked and illegal strikes on Doha and expressed solidarity with the victims of the attacks. The two foreign ministers also discussed …

ISLAMABAD: The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) is continuing its emergency relief efforts in flood-hit areas of Punjab, reaching thousands of displaced families with food, hygiene kits, and medical care. According to TİKA, relief operations are ongoing in the districts of Kasur, Jhang, Bahawalnagar, and Muzaffargarh, where hot meals and Family Hygiene Kits are being distributed to families affected …

LASBELA: In a landmark development for the education sector of Balochistan, Lasbela has become the first district in the province to reactivate all of its previously closed government schools. According to officials, a total of 72 non-functional schools have been reopened, ensuring that no government school in the district remains closed. The initiative, led by MPA Zarain Khan Magsi with …

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) has released its latest report on electricity restoration efforts in flood-affected regions across Pakistan, showing significant progress in reconnecting millions of consumers to the national grid. According to the report, a total of 51 grid stations and 542 feeders were impacted nationwide. So far, 307 feeders have been fully restored and 227 partially …

Twelve soldiers embraced martyrdom while 35 Indian-sponsored terrorists were killed during two separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday. According to ISPR, the operations were conducted between September 10 and 13 based on intelligence reports. In the first operation in Bajaur, security forces launched an intelligence-based operation (IBO) on confirmed reports of terrorist presence. …

The federal government has decided to shift the headquarters of the Federal Constabulary (FC) from Peshawar to Islamabad in a major administrative reshuffle aimed at improving operational efficiency. According to a press release from the Interior Ministry, the decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at CDA Headquarters. The meeting was attended by …

Petroleum prices in Pakistan are expected to increase from September 16, as the oil industry has proposed a temporary hike for 15 days. The proposed adjustments cover petrol, high-speed diesel, kerosene, and light diesel. According to industry sources, the following price adjustments have been suggested: Petrol: Increase by Rs 1.54 per liter High-Speed Diesel (HSD): Increase by Rs 4.79 per …

Punjab’s devastating super flood has engulfed 28 districts, affecting over 4.5 million people and submerging thousands of villages, according to PDMA DG Irfan Ali Kathia. Speaking at a press conference in Bahawalpur on Saturday morning, Kathia said this was the largest rescue operation in the province’s history. Punjab flood: Millions displaced, hundreds of villages submerged Kathia confirmed that 4,744 villages …

In a landmark development for the education sector of Balochistan, Lasbela has become the first district in the province to reactivate all of its previously closed government schools. According to officials, a total of 72 non-functional schools have been reopened, ensuring that no government school in the district remains closed. The initiative, led by MPA Zarain Khan Magsi with the …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Ministry of Finance to initiate talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a possible complete waiver or some relief of electricity bills for one month in areas hit hard by recent floods. Relief for flood victims across cities, villages Official sources confirmed that the proposed relief will not be limited to rural …

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed strong solidarity with the people of South Punjab, who are among the hardest hit by the devastating floods. In a statement issued from the Presidency, the President conveyed his deep sympathy to families displaced from their homes and those whose livelihoods have been destroyed by the calamity. He assured that the government will …

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) has issued its latest report on electricity restoration in flood-hit regions, confirming that power supply has been restored for 1.45 million out of 1.75 million affected consumers across the country. According to the report on Friday, Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) areas including Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Jhang, Sargodha, Mianwali and Dera …

KARACHI: The Sindh government has announced that farmers across the province can submit their applications for subsidized solar panels to the Director General Agriculture Water Management office in Hyderabad by September 20, 2025. According to Sindh Agriculture Minister Sardar Muhammad Baksh Mahar, the initiative aims to promote water-efficient farming through drip irrigation systems. Under the scheme, farmers with 5 to …

ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) hosted ambassadors and senior diplomats from more than thirty foreign missions at the National Emergencies Operations Center on Thursday in Islamabad. The session aimed to brief the diplomatic community on the humanitarian and infrastructural impacts of the monsoon season and to highlight NDMA’s response and resource deployment. Ambassadors and representatives from countries including …

MULTAN: The swelling waters of River Chenab have surrounded Jalalpur Pirwala in Multan district. Strong flood waves have cut off the town from all sides and forced thousands of residents to leave their homes. On the Uch Sharif highway, an embankment breach has widened, creating further danger for nearby villages. Evacuation is taking place on emergency grounds. Following directions of …

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has extended the deadline for Hajj registration under the private scheme due to flood-related disruptions. Registration is continuing on the ministry’s online portal. Originally, private scheme applicants were allowed to register until September 8. According to ministry sources, more than 21,000 pilgrims have registered so far. Officials said that private Hajj operators will give …

Islamabad: The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) on Thursday hosted a seminar titled “Pakistan Governance Roadmap 2025: Civil Service Reform, Now or Never”. The session, moderated by Dr. Faheem Jehangir, Dean Policy at PIDE & PD RASTA, was led by Dr. Adnan Rafiq, Member (Governance) at the Planning Commission of Pakistan, and brought together policymakers, academics, and students to …

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) has released an update on electricity restoration efforts in flood-affected areas across the country, reporting that power supply has been restored to a majority of consumers while work continues in regions where floodwaters are still obstructing access. According to the Power Division, 51 grid stations and 537 feeders across multiple power distribution companies …

PESHAWAR: In a major crackdown against narcotics, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Excise Department has successfully foiled a smuggling attempt and seized a huge quantity of drugs worth millions of rupees. The operation was carried out near No Gazay Baba, Khyber district, under the ongoing anti-narcotics emergency announced by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. Acting on a tip-off, the Excise …

Indian actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has approached the Delhi High Court after her name, images, and voice were allegedly used in pornographic and sexually explicit content generated through artificial intelligence (AI). According to Indian media reports, Rai’s lawyer, senior advocate Sandeep Sethi, told the court that several online platforms had used the actor’s likeness without consent, in ways meant to …

Constipation, a common digestive problem affecting about one in seven adults, may be prevented through simple lifestyle habits, researchers have revealed. A new study suggests that middle-aged people who get enough sleep, eat well, exercise regularly, and avoid harmful substances can significantly reduce their risk. Five habits that protect against constipation According to researchers from the Chinese University of Hong …

Nepal’s army will resume talks on Thursday with “Gen Z” protesters to decide a new interim leader for the Himalayan nation, an army spokesperson said, after angry demonstrations that killed 30 and forced the prime minister to resign. Soldiers patrolled the quiet streets of Kathmandu, the capital, after its worst protests in years triggered by a social media ban that …

The 77th death anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah – the Father of the Nation –  is being observed across Pakistan today (Thursday) with deep respect and reverence. The day began with special prayers in mosques for the eternal peace of his soul, along with prayers for the country’s stability, peace, and prosperity. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, through his vision and …

Multan’s Tehsils Jalalpur and Alipur are reeling under devastating floods as the Chenab River’s flow surged to 668,000 cusecs at Head Panjnad, wiping out entire settlements and displacing millions. Authorities report that nearly 80% of Alipur Tehsil has been submerged, altering the map of the region and destroying crops across hundreds of acres. The rising floodwaters have devastated dozens of …

Security forces killed 19 Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists—also referred to as Khwarij—in three separate intelligence-based operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on September 9 and 10, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The ISPR said that acting on intelligence reports of terrorist presence, security forces launched an operation in the Guluno area of Mohmand District. Troops effectively engaged the …

ISLAMABAD: Energy experts and policy analysts have said that Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can revolutionize Pakistan’s energy sector by stabilizing the national grid, reducing load-shedding and ensuring better integration of renewable energy. They shared these views at a seminar organized by the Pakistan-German Climate and Energy Partnership (PGCEP) in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) under the …

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik met with Luke Mayers, Chargé d’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission, to discuss Pakistan’s ongoing flood crisis and areas of bilateral cooperation. According to the press statement of the Ministry on Wednesday, Luke Mayers, Chargé d’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission expressed deep empathy and solidarity with the …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has termed toxic propaganda against Pakistan’s armed forces as “intolerable,” warning that those ridiculing national institutions on social media will be identified and held accountable. Speaking at a federal cabinet meeting on Wednesday, PM Sharif said that certain elements are spreading toxic propaganda against the armed forces and targeting institutions online. He stressed that those who …

PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi held a meeting with the newly appointed US Consul General in Peshawar, Thomas Eckert, at the Governor House on Wednesday. Governor Kundi congratulated Eckert on his new assignment and expressed hope that his posting would further strengthen Pak-US relations. The two discussed matters of mutual interest, people-to-people contacts, and cooperation in various sectors. …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman has called for urgent agricultural reforms to protect farmers devastated by this year’s destructive floods. She stressed the need for a national crop insurance policy along with emergency subsidies on seed and fertilizer to help farmers replant their fields. In her media statement, Sherry Rehman said that floods have destroyed crops …

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) has reported on Wednesday that floods across the country disrupted electricity for 1,713,786 consumers, but restoration work has already reconnected the majority, with 1,429,415 consumers back on supply. According to the latest report, 51 grids and 526 feeders were affected nationwide. Out of these, 286 feeders are now fully restored while 233 are …

ISLAMABAD: On the special directives of the Prime Minister, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has stepped up its relief operations in Punjab’s flood-affected areas. According to the NDMA’s Media Wing on Wednesday, 20 trucks loaded with relief goods were dispatched today from the authority’s Islamabad warehouse. The supplies will be handed over to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as engines of sustainable growth during the 8th Meeting of the D-8 Governmental Bodies on SMEs, held virtually. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, participated in the session, alongside Secretary of Industries and Production, Saif Anjum, and CEO of SMEDA, …

Intermittent heavy rains over the past two days have plunged Karachi into crisis, with Malir and Lyari rivers overflowing, low-lying neighborhoods submerged, and hundreds of residents rescued by the army, Rangers, and Rescue 1122 teams. The rains caused Karachi’s dams to overflow, inundating residential areas in Scheme 33, including Saadi Town. Major arteries such as the M-9 Motorway, Sohrab Goth, …

The Auditor General of Pakistan has uncovered financial irregularities exceeding Rs243 billion in the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), pointing to large-scale mismanagement, embezzlement, and defaults during the 2022-23 audit. The report raised serious questions over SBP’s performance as a regulator, stating the central bank failed multiple times to safeguard the national exchequer and the interests of consumers. According to …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Israeli airstrikes on Doha during a telephone conversation with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The prime minister conveyed condolences to the emir, the royal family and the people of Qatar. He described the Israeli strikes as a brutal act that reflected the mindset of the Israeli leadership. He said the aggression …

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik ON Tuesday met with Ireland’s first Ambassador to Pakistan Mary O’Neill, to discuss climate cooperation and explore new areas of collaboration. The meeting comes after Ireland opened its embassy in Islamabad last year. According to Ministry’s official statement, Both sides exchanged views on the global climate situation and …

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Energy, Sardar Owais Ahmad Khan Leghari, has announced that Pakistan aims to generate 60 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2030, calling it a cornerstone of the country’s energy strategy. Speaking virtually at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Governors of the ECO Clean Energy Center (CECECO) on Tuesday, the minister highlighted Pakistan’s …