The Punjab Environment Department has declared a ‘red alert’ for Lahore due to a significant increase in smog expected over the next few days. The Met Office has forecast a noticeable rise in smog levels from November 6 to 8, prompting urgent health warnings for residents. Lahore’s air quality index (AQI) stood at an alarming 293 around 1pm, with pollutant …

In its maiden session on Tuesday, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) — reconstituted under the 26th Amendment — appointed Justice Aminuddin Khan as head of the seven-judge constitutional bench by a majority vote of seven to five, with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi among the dissenting members. The seven-judge constitutional bench includes representatives from all four provinces: Justice Aminuddin …

The Faisalabad Electric Power Supply Company (FESCO) has discontinued the option of installment payments for electricity bills, aiming to enhance revenue stability. The decision comes as FESCO reported that allowing installment payments led to collection shortfalls. Previously, customers who faced challenges in paying their bills in full could make payments in two or three parts at FESCO offices, offering some …

Australia claimed a narrow victory over Pakistan in the first ODI of the series, winning by two wickets with 99 balls remaining in a tense, low-scoring encounter at Melbourne. Chasing a target of 204, Australia looked comfortable until Haris Rauf’s rapid triple-strike turned the game on its head. Score: Australia won by 2 wickets (with 99 balls remaining) Rauf’s spell rattled …

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced on Monday a significant reduction in the interest rate by 2.5 per cent, bringing it down from 17.5 per cent to 15 per cent. According to details, this was the fourth consecutive decrease, totalling a seven per cent reduction over this period. The decision was made during a meeting of the Monetary Policy …

The National Assembly (NA) approved on Monday the bills to amend the Army, Air Force and Navy Acts following the approval of the bill to increase the SC judges’ seats amid opposition protests. According to details, the NA session presided over by speaker Sardar Ayaz saw a surge in tensions, resulting in a physical altercation the members of the Pakistan …

Pakistan Navy conducted a successful flight test of an indigenously developed ship-launched ballistic missile. The weapon system with 350 KM range is capable of engaging land and sea targets with high precision. The system is equipped with a state-of-the art navigation system and manoeuvrability features. The flight test was witnessed by the Chief of the Naval Staff, senior officers from …

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman warned on Tuesday the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz against approving any legislation “undermining” the democratic principles. Speaking to media, Rehman said: We have differing opinions with other opposition groups, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), but there remain avenues for collaboration.” He criticized the government’s …

Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi on Saturday launched initiatives for comprehensive jail reforms for effective prison system to ensure a fair legal framework. A pivotal consultative meeting was held at Lahore presided over by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr Justice Yahya Afridi with participation from the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, Ms Aalia Neelum, Administrative Judge …

Despite lofty claims of bringing more people into the tax net through various schemes and measures, the government badly failed in its endeavor as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) demanded to bring a mini-budget. The global lender in a virtual meeting with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) authorities pointed out the shortfall in the tax collection targets promised by …

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has written a letter and submitted nominations from parliamentary parties to the Supreme Judicial Council on the issue of formation of a Judicial Commission for the appointment of judges to the superior judiciary. The nominations were made following consultations with Senate Chairman and parliamentary leaders. Sadiq’s nominations include members from both the National Assembly …

Private schools in Lahore have initiated a carpool program aimed at reducing air pollution and alleviating traffic congestion during school hours in a response to the worsening smog crisis in the Punjab capital. On the directions of the Environment Department, schools have started to inform parents about the initiative. Under this program, instead of individual students arriving at school in …

The Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice on Friday approved a bill to raise the number of Supreme Court judges from 17 to 25 despite oppositions from the PTI and JUI-F. Chaired by Farooq H. Naek, the committee debated the bill presented by Senator Abdul Qadir who argued that rising population and crime rates have significantly increased the case …

A three-member delegation from the US Embassy visited Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. According to reports, the US Embassy delegation was granted consular access to three detained individuals. The delegation met American citizens detained under the Foreign Act. The meeting, held in the office of the Additional Superintendent, lasted for one hour. The delegation was given access to American citizens Abid …

Legendary cricketer Zaheer Abbas, the pride of Pakistan cricket, has joined the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Governing Board. According to a PCB spokesperson, the “Asian Bradman” was nominated to the board by the State Bank. Zaheer Abbas replaces the current member, Meraj Mahmood, and no additional members were added to the board, which comprises 12 members, including the PCB chairman. …

The threat of smog looms in the country as the worst air quality persisted in Peshawar. According to details, due to the fewer rainfalls, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s provincial capital had been blanketed with smog. The medical experts had also sounded the alarm, saying, “The environmental pollution can lead to asthma.” The air quality index (AQI) reached 123 in Peshawar, which …

WhatsApp is set to elevate user experience with the introduction of a new automatic text formatting tool, according to reports from WEBetaInfo. This innovative feature aims to enhance how users interact with links and group messages within chats. Previously, WhatsApp rolled out a feature that allows users to verify the authenticity of links shared in chats by searching for additional …

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Friday that Qatar was ready to invest $3billion in Pakistan. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Tarar declared Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar as “greatly successful.” “The premier’s meetings with the Saudi leadership had turned out to be quite beneficial,” he said. “Pakistan’s economy is on the verge …

Pakistan Navy Ship Zulfiquar while deployed on a regional maritime security patrol rescued an Iranian fishing dhow with 23 fishermen onboard, a statement from the Pakistan Navy said on Thursday. According to a statement from the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) Pakistan Navy, PNS Zulfiquar responded to the distress call from Fishing Dhow AL Muhammadi, which was stranded in the …

For the first time in Pakistan’s history, a passenger aircraft was transported by road, making for an unusual sight on Thursday. A retired Boeing 737 was moved from Karachi, Pakistan’s commercial hub, to Hyderabad on a specially designed truck and trailer. The overland journey covered 154 kilometres in approximately two and a half hours. The rare event reminded Pakistanis of a similar …

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced that it will hold rallies and protests across the country by forging alliances with other political parties at both national and provincial levels. Talking the media outside Adiala jail, PTI leader Asad Qaiser criticized the government, calling it “fascist” and questioning its democratic claims. “What else should elected representatives discuss with their leader besides …

DOHA: Pakistan and Qatar have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening strategic ties, underscoring the importance of shared economic goals and regional stability. This resolve was expressed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s delegation-level talks with Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, followed by a one-on-one meeting to discuss a wide array of bilateral interests in Doha on Thursday, …

President Asif Ali Zardari fractured his foot while disembarking a plane at Dubai International Airport last night, according to a spokesperson for the President Office. The spokesperson said that the president was immediately taken to a hospital for preliminary medical care, where doctors examined and plastered the injured foot. “The plaster cast will remain on for four weeks, and doctors …

The Immigration & Passports Office has amended its rules to remove the requirement of having the address on the identity card match the city where the passport is applied for. The change allows Pakistani citizens to obtain a passport from any city regardless of their residential permanent address on the CNIC. The revised policy has been formally communicated to regional …

In a significant move for the journalist community, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed immediate action to commence Journalist Colony Phase-II in Lahore, ensuring the provision of residential plots to journalists. The announcement was made during a meeting with Provincial Information Minister Azma Zahid Bokhari at the Chief Minister’s House, where Maryam Nawaz underscored the essential partnership between …

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the resignations of Pakistan Super League (PSL) Director Sohaib Sheikh and Head of Women’s Cricket Tania Mallick on Wednesday. The PCB stated that the two resigned in order to “pursue new career opportunities.” The PSL Director Sohaib Sheikh resignation was announced on Wednesday. He had a stint in the PCB from 2016 to …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Shoaib Shaheen said , that party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan has rubished reports of a possible deal with the (military) establishment. After a meeting with the Imran Khan in Adiala jail, Shaheen said that Imran Khan has said that he will go to the Supreme Court against the government for curbing his fundamental …

Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel has jumped into the top ten of the ICC Test batting rankings, moving up 20 places to secure the 7th position. Joining him in the top ten is New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra, who also made significant strides, rising 8 ranks to claim the 10th spot. England’s Joe Root continues to hold the top position among Test batsmen, …

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced plans to write a letter to her counterpart in Indian Punjab, emphasizing the need for joint efforts to combat this environmental challenge. Speaking at a ceremony in Lahore, she stated, “Today, there is a problem of smog in Lahore, and unless both Punjabs take joint action, we cannot effectively fight against it.” During her …

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced to block the identity cards and cancel the passports of the attackers who attacked the vehicle of former Chief Justice Qazi Faizaisa and the Pakistani High Commission in London. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the attack on the vehicle of former Chief Justice Qazi Faizisa and Pakistan High Commission in London and …

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) elections concluded with Rauf Atta from the Asma Jahangir Group (AJG) winning the presidential seat by a narrow margin. Rauf Atta claimed victory with 350 votes, edging out his rival, Hamid Khan Group’s (HKG) candidate Munir Kakar, who received 331 votes. Out of 769 registered voters, 682 Supreme Court lawyers cast their ballots at …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday met with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman on the sidelines of the 8th Future Investment Initiative Forum. During the meeting, held in Riyadh, PM Sharif extended his best wishes to King Salman bin Abdulaziz, praying for the monarch’s health and well-being. He expressed gratitude to Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman for Saudi Arabia’s …

The annual elections for the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) have begun, with polling taking place across high court and circuit benches nationwide. Key candidates from the Asma Jahangir and Hamid Khan groups are contesting for prominent positions, including president, secretary, and vice president. Apart from the central cabinet, there will be competition for the vice president from all four …

According to Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Lahore, Amara Athar, the crackdown against smoke-emitting vehicles is underway and they have collected over Rs55 million in the ongoing year of 2024. Traffic authorities penalized 26,128 smoke-emitting vehicles with fines totaling over 50 million rupees. Additionally, 11,000 vehicles transporting sand, dirt, and other pollutants without proper coverings were fined Rs5.4 million. Six joint …

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has granted a 14-day protective bail to Bushra Bibi, the wife of former prime minister Imran Khan. The two-member bench, led by Justice Shakeel Ahmed, issued directives to the federal government and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to submit a report on the matter within two weeks. The bench was hearing Bushra Bibi’s petition regarding …

An attack by unknown assailants on a dam under construction in Prome area in Panjgur district. As per Balochistan levies — a paramilitary gendarmerie — five people were killed in the firing incident while attackers managed to escape from the under-construction site. “Forces have cordoned off the area and started searching for the assailants,” it said. In August, territories stopped …

LAHORE – The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment has made it mandatory for Pakistani citizens travelling to foreign countries to get their foreign employment agreement protected from the Protectorate of Emigrants (PE) office. The department imposed a protector stamp on the passport of the applicant after receiving OPF, registration, life insurance and OEC fees, and scrutiny of the required documents. …

Lahore: Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a meeting with the Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif at the latter’s residence in Model Town. According to sources, the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal discussed the 27th constitutional amendment with the Prime Minister. Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan was also accompanying Bilawal Bhutto. National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz …

Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan appointed on Sunday the captain of the national team in white-ball format. According to details, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi made the announcement. He was flanked by Mohammad Rizwan, Aaqib Javed and Salman Ali Agha. On this occasion, Naqvi said: “Salman Ali Agha will be the vice- captain of the national …

The skyrocketing prices of foreign second-hand winter clothing have left many low-income families in Rawalpindi struggling to afford essential winter wear, as costs have surged by up to 60 per cent compared to last year. The price hike of jackets, coats, and shawls has significantly impacted the ability of many families to purchase these vital items. In response to the …