Air pollution in central Punjab has surged to hazardous levels due to polluted eastern winds blowing in from India, environmental authorities warned on Saturday. According to the Punjab Environment Department, toxic winds from India are severely affecting Lahore’s air quality, with the city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) expected to remain between 320 and 360. The department said Lahore currently …

Pakistan has reopened the Torkham border crossing after 20 days, solely to facilitate the deportation of undocumented Afghan nationals residing in the country. Hundreds of Afghan refugees reached the Torkham border to return to Afghanistan, but the crossing remains closed for trade and pedestrian movement, officials confirmed. According to Khyber Deputy Commissioner Bilal Shahid, the border has been opened exclusively …

Farmers in Sindh who lost their land and livelihoods in the devastating 2022 floods have announced their intention to file a lawsuit against German companies alleged to be among the world’s biggest industrial polluters. Farmers have issued formal legal notices to German energy giant RWE and cement manufacturer Heidelberg, warning that if compensation is not paid for their losses, a …

Students from Karachi secured the top positions in the MDCAT 2025 entrance test conducted by IBA Sukkur University, outperforming candidates from across Sindh. All top three positions in the MDCAT 2025 were clinched by Karachi students, while 41 of the 124 candidates placed in the Top 10 lists belonged to Karachi. According to the initial results, a majority of students …

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON, Engineer Ameer Muqam, extended heartfelt congratulations to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan on the occasion of GB Independence Day being observed on November 1. He said it was a unique honour for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan that they celebrate their independence twice on August 14 and again on November 1. Terming the day …

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has upheld the jurisdiction of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) to inquire into deceptive marketing and anti-competitive conduct in the telecom sector. The court dismissed the petitions filed by Pakistan’s leading telecom operators including Jazz, Telenor, Zong, Ufone, Warid, PTCL, and Wi-Tribe. Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas, in a detailed 19-page judgment, ruled that the …

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a high-level inter-ministerial committee meeting to review government efficiency, particularly the operations of Pakistan Missions abroad. The committee presented its findings, while the DPM/FM underscored the need to strengthen Pakistan’s diplomatic footprint, ensure Mission outputs are fully aligned with national strategic objectives, and elevate institutional performance abroad through enhanced synergy …

Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has reaffirmed his commitment to facilitating smoother cross-border movement of goods between Pakistan and Iran. He expressed his views in a meeting with the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, who called on him in Islamabad. During the meeting, Minister Abdul Aleem Khan conveyed his optimism that bilateral …

Pakistan is set to undertake a major restructuring of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) under a Strategic Reform and Cooperation Plan developed with technical support from China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, chaired a high-level meeting with Chairman …

The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) has taken a major step toward improving customer service and operational efficiency through the large-scale rollout of smart meters across electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) in Pakistan. A spokesperson of the Power Division stated that metering plays a vital role as the key interface between the customer and the service provider. In line with the …

The Punjab prisons department has introduced a mobile application to facilitate advance booking for meetings with inmates across jails in the province, including Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi. According to official details, the new app allows citizens to book appointments in advance for meeting prisoners and under-trial detainees. The application can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. The Inspectorate of Prisons …

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has issued a notice to police in a case filed against senior journalist Matiullah Jan, who faces charges of terrorism, narcotics possession and assaulting law enforcement personnel. The case was registered on 28 November last year at Margalla Police Station, alleging that the journalist snatched official weapons from police, rammed his vehicle into a …

Air pollution and smog levels across Punjab have reached alarming levels, with Faisalabad topping the global pollution index as the most polluted city of the day, followed by Gujranwala and Multan. According to global air quality monitoring organisation IQAir, Faisalabad recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 554, Gujranwala 546, Multan 478, Lahore 471, and Bahawalpur 389. Meanwhile, official provincial …

The federal government has approved an 85% increase in the house rent ceiling for government employees across the country to help them cope with rising accommodation costs. The increase was approved by the federal cabinet through circulation, following recommendations from the Ministry of Housing and Works. The revised house rent ceilings will come into effect from November 1, 2025. According …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has seized over Rs 15 million (US$55,000) worth of foreign currency during a crackdown against illegal hawala-hundi and unlicensed currency exchange operations in Karachi. According to an FIA spokesperson, the operation was conducted by the FIA State Bank Circle Karachi on the instructions of the Director General (DG) FIA. The FIA arrested suspect Bilal Saleem …

The five-day 19th International Symposium on Advanced Materials (ISAM-2025) concluded successfully at the National Centre for Physics (NCP) in Islamabad, drawing participation from leading scientists, engineers, and industry professionals from around the world. Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi attended the closing ceremony as the chief guest and underscored the importance of empowering young researchers and scientists …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, Special Assistant (State Minister, Ministry of Finance) to the Honorable Chief Adviser of Government of Bangladesh, paid a courtesy call on the Minister of State for Finance and Railways, Bilal Azhar Kayani, at the Ministry of Finance today. The two ministers engaged in highly productive discussions focused on the mutual goal of strengthening bilateral ties, exploring new avenues …

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved $250 million in financial assistance for Pakistan to support climate-resilient water and agriculture systems, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced on Tuesday. According to the ADB statement, the funding will be utilised for the “Glaciers to Farms” project, which aims to protect and enhance glacier-fed water systems threatened by climate change. The programme …

Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to bring major changes in its existing policy framework to ensure transparency, efficiency, and accountability in all development projects. He expressed concern over certain projects that lack visibility and tangible progress during a high-level meeting held on Tuesday, October 28. Chairing the meeting, the Minister directed …

As part of the Türkiye–Pakistan Cultural Week from28 to 31 October, being celebrated under the patronage of Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif to mark the 102nd anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, a Letter of Intent has been signed for the rehabilitation of the Javed Manzil / Allama Muhammad Iqbal Museum in Lahore. The agreement was concluded between the Turkish …

Building on nearly eight decades of strong partnership and Islamic solidarity, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have agreed to launch an Economic Cooperation Framework aimed at expanding trade, investment, and development collaboration between the two nations. The agreement was reached during a meeting in Riyadh between His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin …

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have agreed to explore joint cooperation in marine tourism, recognizing the immense potential of their vast coastlines and rich marine biodiversity to boost sustainable economic growth and regional connectivity. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry proposed enhanced marine tourism collaboration during a meeting with Sri Lankan Minister for Transport, Highways and Urban Development …

Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi met with the Secretary General of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), Jiang Yi, in Islamabad, where both sides discussed investment, technical cooperation, and regional connectivity. Jiang Yi was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising representatives of leading Chinese logistics, transport, and aviation companies. The meeting focused on investment opportunities, technical …