ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Türkiye have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic, trade, and strategic cooperation during the 16th Pakistan–Türkiye Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) held in Islamabad. The meeting was co-chaired by Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler. Both sides stressed the need to give new momentum to trade relations, calling Pakistan and Türkiye …

PAKPATTAN: Floods in the Sutlej River have devastated large parts of Pakpattan, submerging 23 villages completely and leaving 53 villages partially under water. According to the Flood Control Room, at least 64,663 people have been affected and over 66,913 acres of farmland has gone under water. More than 24,974 people have already been evacuated from flood-hit areas. The Provincial Disaster …

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Energy (Power Division), Government of Pakistan, has released an update on the restoration of electricity in flood-affected areas, reporting significant progress across multiple distribution companies. According to the Power Division, a total of 50 grid stations and 523 feeders were impacted nationwide. Out of these, 280 feeders have been fully restored while 237 have been partially …

PESHAWAR: The Auditor General’s report for 2021–22 has criticized the performance of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology (KP IT) Board, calling its progress on digitalization of government departments disappointing. According to the audit findings, the IT Board managed to digitize only 10 departments, including Higher Education and Local Government, within the given timeframe, despite receiving over Rs. 40 million in …

MUZAFFARGARH: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called for immediate relief measures for farmers in flood-affected areas, including a waiver of electricity bills and provision of seeds and fertilizers. Speaking to flood victims in Thatta Sial, Muzaffargarh, Bilawal said farmers already devastated by floods should not be further burdened with electricity bills. He stressed that ensuring access …

KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) has strengthened its commitment to Pakistan with the successful conclusion of a four-day B2B roadshow in Karachi and Islamabad. The event introduced new MICE opportunities and destination experiences, reinforcing ties between the two countries’ travel and business sectors. The roadshow brought together Saudi stakeholders such as leading hotels, destination management companies, destination marketing organizations, …

ISLAMABAD: The Power Division has released its latest report on Monday regarding electricity restoration in flood-hit areas, confirming that over 1.4 million consumers have had their supply restored while work continues for the remaining users. According to the report, Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) faced major damage with 27 grid stations and 80 feeders affected across Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, …

LAHORE: Police have identified the human skeleton found a few days ago in Kahna as that of a woman named Margret, who was murdered by her own two sons. According to police sources, Margret was strangled to death by her sons, Shafiq James and Nabeel James, after she refused to give them money. The body was later dumped near fields. …

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan’s economy is showing signs of recovery as inflation has eased, revenues have surged, and development spending has picked up pace. Speaking at the release of the Monthly Development report in Monday, the minister said inflation dropped sharply to 3.5% in the first two months of FY2026, down …

Chief Justice Yahya Afridi has said that judges are not required to seek permission during judicial vacations, but outside of public holidays they must inform before taking leave. Speaking at the Judicial Conference, the Chief Justice clarified that there is no restriction on judges traveling during vacations. He said a system has been put in place to regulate leave during …

India has released more water into the Sutlej River, raising fears of another major flood. The country continues its water aggression and violation of the Indus Waters Treaty. According to the Ministry of Water Resources, the Indian High Commission has warned of high-level flooding at two locations along the Sutlej. An extremely high flood is expected at Harike and Ferozepur. …

Incidents of solar panel theft from government schools in Punjab during 2022 and 2023 have come to light, ARY News reported on Sunday. According to details, following revelations of widespread thefts, the Punjab Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed police to investigate the matter. The report highlighted that in Rajanpur alone, solar panels were stolen from 50 schools during 2022–23. …

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has said that the provincial government is on high alert amid a looming flood threat, with flood monitoring cells already established across vulnerable areas. Chairing a high-level briefing with the administrations of Sukkur and Larkana, the chief minister said that preparations have been made to manage water flows of up to 800,000 cusecs. “We …

After the conclusion of judicial vacations, the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) is set to commence its new judicial year tomorrow, marking the return to full judicial activity. In this regard, the new roster for the upcoming week has also been issued. The day will begin with a Judicial Conference scheduled for 9:30 AM on September 8, where Chief Justice …

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid rich tribute to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Air Force Day, acknowledging its historic sacrifices, professionalism, and decisive role in safeguarding the nation’s airspace. In his statement, President Zardari said the PAF played a crucial role in the “Marka e Haq,  Bunyan un Marsoos,” giving a befitting reply to the …

President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday gave his approval to the Anti-Dumping Duties Amendment Bill 2025, which provides legal clarity on the imposition of anti-dumping duties on Chinese-aided projects. Following presidential assent, the amended law will take effect retroactively from July 1, 2020. The measure ensures that duties imposed on projects under Chinese assistance carry a clear legal framework. Background …

The Power Division has released its latest report on the restoration of electricity in flood-affected regions, confirming that more than 1.36 million out of 1.64 million affected consumers have had their power supply restored. According to the report, Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) faced major disruptions as 27 grids and 80 feeders in Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Jhang, Sargodha, …

KARACHI: A five-member team from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has arrived in Pakistan for a crucial audit of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), raising hopes for the resumption of direct flights between Pakistan and the United States after several years. According to media reports, the US team landed in Karachi on a foreign airline flight from Dubai. The …

LAHORE: Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shehrbano Naqvi has earned a historic honor by being selected for the prestigious Asia 21 Next Generation Fellowship. She is the first female police officer from Pakistan to be chosen for this fellowship. According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, Shehrbano Naqvi was selected for the Class of 2025 in recognition of her dedicated efforts …

LAHORE: Senior Punjab Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has confirmed that the death toll from the devastating floods in Punjab has risen to 56. Briefing the media in Lahore, the minister said that the floods have destroyed crops on 1.496 million acres of land. She added that since August 22, over 2.2 million people have been moved to safe locations under one …

LAHORE: Director General of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab, Irfan Ali Kathia, has confirmed that 25 districts and 4,155 villages across Punjab have been affected by the recent floods. Speaking to the media in Lahore, the DG said that since August 26, floods have caused 56 deaths in Punjab due to different incidents. He noted that between 60,000 …

In response to the ongoing flood situation, the United States of America through Army Central Command (US ARCENT) has extended humanitarian assistance for the flood-affected population of Pakistan. According to ISPR, a total of six flights carrying relief consignments are scheduled to arrive in Pakistan, comprising essential items including tents, dewatering pumps and generators. The first flight arrived today. The …

The flood situation across Punjab has worsened, with rising water levels at major rivers and barrages causing devastation in dozens of districts. At Head Panjnad, the water flow, which had earlier decreased from 310,000 cusecs to 206,000 cusecs, rose again to 306,000 cusecs on Friday, raising fears of a massive flood wave. Rising water levels across dams and rivers According …

On Defence Day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pledged to modernize Pakistan’s defence capabilities and take decisive action against foreign-sponsored threats. In his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz said September 6 marked “a day of bravery, unity and determination” as the country commemorates six decades since its armed forces, with public support, repelled external aggression. “Our brave armed forces, with the full …

ISLAMABAD (Internews): Chinese Embassy Charge d’Affaires Shi Yuanqiang has said that the media’s role is significant in communicating bilateral relations and projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He expressed these views while addressing participants of the training titled “Capacity Building Workshop for Journalists and Social Media Influencers from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on CPEC Reporting and Media Ethics”, which …

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan in the weekly briefing on Friday, shared details of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State (CHS) Summit and the SCO CHS Plus meeting in Tianjin, China, held from August 31 to September 1, 2025. The SCO CHS Summit brought together Heads of …

ISLAMABAD: The National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) of the NDMA has issued a flash flood and urban flooding alert for parts of Punjab and Islamabad, warning of heavy rains between September 7 and 9. According to the alert, intense rainfall may trigger urban flooding in Murree, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Chiniot, Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, …

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar have reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of Palestine during a meeting with a high-level Palestinian delegation on Friday in Islamabad. The delegation was led by Advisor to the President and Supreme Judge, H.E. Mahmoud Alhabash. In the meeting, Dar said Pakistan stood firmly with the Palestinian people …

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar told the National Assembly on Friday that the recent spell of torrential rains and floods has claimed 884 lives and destroyed over 9,200 homes across Pakistan. Winding up a debate on the flood situation, the minister revealed that 1,180 people have been injured, while 6,180 livestock perished in the disaster. …

ISLAMABAD: The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has paid glowing tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces and people on the occasion of Defence Day of Pakistan 6 September, terming the 1965 war as a symbol of faith, resilience, and unity not only for Pakistan but also for the people of Kashmir. In his media statement, APHC’s Secretary Information, Mushtaq Ahmad Butt, …

ISLAMABAD: The Power Division has released its latest report on the restoration of electricity in flood-affected regions, confirmed that more than 1.3 million out of 1.63 million affected consumers have had their power supply restored. According to the report, the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) areas including Swat, Buner, Shangla, Swabi, and D.I. Khan were among the hardest hit with …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bangladesh have agreed to enhance cooperation in the field of religious affairs with a focus on interfaith harmony, scholarly exchanges, and joint initiatives. Bangladeshi President’s Adviser on Religious Affairs, A.F.M. Khalid Hussain met Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf in Islamabad along with a delegation. The Bangladeshi side expressed deep sorrow over the loss of …

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has dismissed the bail petition of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) official Tahir Hassan, who was arrested on charges of facilitating drug smuggling. A two-member bench comprising Justice Hassan Rizvi and Justice Shehzad Malik heard the case. During proceedings, Justice Rizvi remarked that Saudi authorities had intercepted a woman at Jeddah Airport with 35,000 narcotic …

LAHORE: The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an alert ahead of the 10th spell of monsoon rains, warning of heavy downpours across the province from September 6 to 9. According to the PDMA spokesperson, strong thunderstorms and heavy rains are expected in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Lahore, Gujrat, and Sialkot. Showers are also forecast …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has identified nine major shortcomings in Pakistan’s public financial management system, warning that weak budget monitoring and governance gaps are undermining fiscal discipline. The government, however, assured the lender that it is taking concrete steps to improve transparency and curb corruption. IMF report highlights major concerns According to the IMF’s Corruption and Diagnostic Assessment Report, …

LAHORE: Director General of Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Irfan Ali Kathia, has revealed that the devastating floods have inundated nearly 4,000 villages and submerged around 1.3 million acres of agricultural land across the province. Speaking to a private TV channel, Kathia said the situation in Gujrat remains particularly challenging due to relentless rainfall. “Unexpected downpours in Gujrat are …

A dramatic scene unfolded in the Supreme Court as a drug trafficking suspect, Mazhar Iqbal, was arrested inside the courtroom after withdrawing his bail application. His lawyer claimed the suspect feared being killed in a staged police encounter if taken into custody outside. Lawyer raises fear of fake encounter During the hearing, the defense lawyer argued that his client faced …

Pakistan is facing a worsening flood threat after India released large volumes of water into the Sutlej, Tawi, and Chenab rivers, triggering emergency alerts across Punjab. Authorities have warned that a large volume of water is likely to flow into the Sutlej and Tawi rivers today also. They warn that water levels continue to rise dangerously, putting lives and property at …

Islamabad: Political turbulence inside the National Assembly deepened on Monday as 28 more lawmakers from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) resigned from the membership of various standing committees. With the latest move, the total number of PTI members quitting committee work has risen to 47. According to parliamentary sources, the resignations were formally submitted to the Speaker’s Office. The lawmakers cited lack …

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Ombudsman, Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, has summoned the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, SSP Traffic, and Director General Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on September 4 over unsatisfactory reporting on vehicle environmental clearance at D-Chowk. Registrar Muhammad Saqib Khan has issued notices to the concerned officials after the Ombudsman expressed displeasure at their failure to submit a satisfactory report during the …