The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in coordination with NCB Interpol has arrested a fugitive wanted in a murder case from Saudi Arabia and brought him to Pakistan, officials said. The accused, Khushnood Mushtaq, who had been on the run for the past two years, was transferred to Islamabad Airport following his arrest in Saudi Arabia. He was wanted in connection …

The Islamabad High Court has issued a temporary order preventing the deportation of Bakhti Jan to Afghanistan until the Ministry of Interior decides on his application regarding the cancellation of his Pakistan Origin Card (POR), officials said. During the hearing, the court directed the Ministry of Interior to decide on the POR cancellation request within one month. The petitioner’s lawyer …

Two people, including a police constable, were martyred after unknown assailants opened fire on a polio vaccination team in the Tangi area of Salarzai tehsil in Bajaur district, officials said. According to reports, the attackers targeted the polio campaign team during vaccination activities. A police constable, identified as Sajjad, who was deployed on security duty, and a civilian lost their …

The constitutional bench of the Sindh High Court has rejected an urgent request to suspend government action regarding the deportation of 28 Turkish nationals residing in Pakistan. The case was heard by a two-member constitutional bench comprising Justice Yousuf Ali Saeed and Justice Abdul Mubeen Lakho. The petition sought time and interim relief against the deportation of the Turkish citizens. …

The Sindh cabinet has approved the procurement of a wireless communication system for prisons across the province in a move aimed at strengthening security and improving administrative efficiency, officials said. The approval was granted on the recommendation of the Inspector General of Prisons, keeping national interest and security considerations in view. During the meeting, the cabinet noted that making procurement …

The Sindh cabinet has approved a revision of the wheat release policy for the fiscal year 2025–26, including a reduction in the official wheat release price, aimed at ensuring market stability and affordable flour prices, officials said. According to the spokesperson for the Chief Minister of Sindh, the decision was taken during a cabinet meeting in which the wheat issue …

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday paid a glowing tribute to the innocent martyrs of the Army Public School tragedy, saying he saluted the courage, resilience and great sacrifice of the brave students. The interior minister said the APS tragedy remains one of the most tragic and darkest chapters in Pakistan’s history, exposing the cruel and ruthless face of …

Customs Enforcement Quetta has seized smuggled goods worth approximately Rs240 million during a series of operations carried out on the basis of confirmed intelligence, officials said. According to Customs authorities, the confiscated items included skimmed milk powder, auto spare parts, flavoured pan masala, power banks and a Hino truck. The action was taken on the directives of the Collector Customs …

The Federal Board of Revenue has suspended the notification fixing new property valuation rates in Islamabad on the instructions of the prime minister, officials said. According to the FBR, the notification issued on December 8 setting revised valuation rates for properties in the federal capital has been put on hold with immediate effect. The suspension applies to SRO No 2392 …

The Federal Shariat Court has been shifted to the premises of the Islamabad High Court and will now operate from the IHC complex, officials confirmed on Monday. According to official sources, the relocation was approved by President Asif Ali Zardari, who gave formal consent for the transfer of both the Federal Shariat Court and the Constitutional Court to the Islamabad …

The Peshawar High Court has issued a detailed four-page written judgment on petitions filed by leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) seeking protective bail, recommending the formation of a larger bench to hear such cases. In its written decision, the court noted that the Federal Prosecutor General had raised serious objections, arguing that petitioners were repeatedly approaching the court for the …

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi has announced a significant increase in financial assistance for the families of security personnel martyred in what he described as India’s “cowardly attack” in May 2025. During a meeting with the families of martyrs from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the chief minister said the provincial government stood shoulder to shoulder with the heirs of those who …

On the special directives of the Federal Minister for Railways, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Pakistan Railways has successfully carried out a major anti-encroachment operation near Usman Khattar Railway Station on the Taxila–Havelian section. During the operation, all illegal constructions and shops established on railway land were completely demolished, resulting in the recovery of 56.62 marlas of valuable railway land worth millions …

The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (M/o NHSR&C), with support from the British High Commission and World Health Organization (WHO), organised a joint meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Health and Population Council and the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Country Platform. The meeting provided an opportunity for harmonising national, provincial and development partner investments, fostering evidence-informed strategic and programmatic …

The federal government has introduced a new mechanism for the disbursement of health allowances to doctors (medical and dental), allied specialists, pharmacists, nurses, paramedics, and other staff directly involved in patient care, officials said. According to a recent office memorandum issued by the Ministry of Finance, only employees providing hands-on medical services to patients will be eligible for the allowance. …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed the work to raise the intellectual and moral standards of minors, noting that it should be carried out as a strategic and fundamental task. He also called for joint efforts to create a sound social environment for minors’ healthy growth. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee …

Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal has confirmed his engagement to girlfriend Gabriella Demetriades after a six-year relationship. The couple made the announcement during a podcast with Rhea Chakraborty, where they spoke openly about their personal lives. Rampal, known for his roles in films such as Dharandar, Ra One, Raajneeti, and Om Shanti Om, revealed that this was the first public confirmation …

Renowned Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle Reiner were found dead in their Los Angeles home, according to U.S. media reports. The Los Angeles Police Department has classified the case as a suspected homicide and has launched an investigation. Authorities said a family member discovered the couple and alerted the police. 16 Rob Reiner is widely known for …

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) brought its excitement to New York’s Times Square, where the PSL trophy was displayed for fans to admire and photograph. Despite freezing temperatures, large crowds gathered to see the trophy, which was transported to Times Square on a special bus. Pakistan team players Shan Masood, Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Saem Ayub, Saud Shakeel, and …

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Syed Mohsin Naqvi announced the window for the 11th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL), set to be held from March 26 to May 3 next year across multiple cities. Preparations for the expanded PSL 11 have accelerated, as the league will feature eight teams instead of the previous six. The PCB will …

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi had a difficult start to his Big Bash League (BBL) career, being removed from bowling during his debut match for Melbourne Renegades against Brisbane Heat. Afridi bowled 2.4 overs, conceding 43 runs without taking a wicket. His spell included three no-balls and two wides. While he began his second over with three dot balls, …

The Punjab government has proposed strict measures to deal with violent protests, including penalties and compensation for damages, officials said on Monday. According to the proposed Police Order (Second Amendment) Act 2025, anyone involved in violent demonstrations or causing property damage will face legal action and be required to compensate for losses. The bill was presented in the Punjab Assembly …

The Sessions Court in Lahore on Monday approved interim bail for journalist Shakir Awan in a case registered by the National Counter-Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). The court directed Shakir Awan to appear for investigation and granted his interim bail until December 23. The hearing was presided over by Additional Sessions Judge Mansoor Ahmed Qureshi, with Awan’s lawyer, Mian Ali Ashfaq, …

Federal Finance and Revenue Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb said Pakistan has set an 11 percent tax-to-GDP target and plans to bring real estate, agriculture, and the retail sector into the tax net as part of a broader reform agenda. According to the Finance Ministry, in an interview with CNN Business Arabia, the minister highlighted that over the past 18 months, …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has taken a major step against human trafficking by securing Interpol-issued red notices for 30 Pakistani human smugglers operating internationally, officials said on Monday. According to FIA sources, the traffickers are currently running networks in Dubai, Libya, Egypt, and Qatar. The red notices were issued at the request of the FIA to help track and …

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday issued a bailable arrest warrant against the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority for failing to release pension payments to a retired officer despite court orders. The case was heard before a constitutional bench of the SHC, which took up a petition challenging the non-compliance with judicial directions. The retired officer’s counsel, …

Sindh Rangers and Customs Enforcement seized a large quantity of smuggled, non-custom-paid goods during a joint operation near Hub River Road, the 100-foot road, and the Yousuf Goth bus terminal, officials said on Monday. According to officials, the operation was carried out on the basis of intelligence reports. During the raid, teams recovered a significant cache of smuggled goods that …

Punjab has formally launched a modern, technology-driven shrimp farming initiative, marking the beginning of a new phase in the province’s blue economy, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced on Monday. According to the chief minister, the project focuses on advanced shrimp aquaculture, supported by scientific research and an integrated value chain aimed at boosting production and exports. The initiative follows …

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday has declared null and void 80 decisions issued by the provincial ombudsperson under the Women Property Rights Act, 2019, ruling that the law does not empower the ombudsperson to decide disputed property matters. In a detailed 90-page written judgment, Justice Muhammad Naeem Anwar held that the Women Property Rights Act does not authorize …

Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri on Monday raised objections to the bench headed by Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar, hearing a case related to a degree controversy involving him, and sought the transfer of the matter to another bench, citing a conflict of interest. The case was taken up by a division bench comprising …

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Monday dismissed a petition filed by Aleema Khan challenging the framing of charges against her in a case related to the November 26 protest. The case was heard by ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah. Aleema Khan appeared before the court along with her counsel, Faisal Malik, and argued that the indictment was not …

Five decades after the release of the iconic Bollywood film Sholay, director and producer Ramesh Sippy has revealed tense moments during filming that could have dramatically changed the movie’s history. Released in 1975, Sholay starred Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Amjad Khan, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, and Jaya Bachchan, and is widely regarded as one of Indian cinema’s most influential films. In …

The financial details of renowned Indian comedian and actor Kapil Sharma have emerged for the first time, with Indian media reporting his net worth at an estimated ₹300 crore, placing him among the wealthiest figures in the Indian entertainment industry. Originally from Punjab, Sharma assumed family responsibilities at a young age after his father’s death. In his early days, he …

Former Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has spoken candidly about the mental pressures and emotional challenges athletes face during their careers. In a recent podcast, Mirza said that every athlete experiences periods of stress and anxiety, emphasizing that it is wrong to treat players like robots because they are human and have emotions. She revealed that she herself faced bouts …

For the first time in recent years, the legal tool of “quo warranto,” previously used against parliamentarians, is being invoked against a sitting judge of a higher court. A division bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), headed by Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar, accepted a quo warranto petition against Justice Tariq Jahangiri over alleged possession of a fake degree and …

BEIJING: Chinese authorities on Sunday made public a circular urging stronger coordination between the commerce and financial sectors to step up support for consumption, a key driver of the country’s economic growth. The document, jointly released by the Ministry of Commerce, the People’s Bank of China, and the National Financial Regulatory Administration, outlines measures to guide financial institutions in focusing …

WWE legend John Cena officially retired from professional wrestling after his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington DC, officials and eyewitnesses confirmed. The 17-time world champion faced Austria’s star wrestler Gunther in a thrilling contest that kept the packed stadium on edge. Both wrestlers delivered an evenly matched performance, but Cena ultimately tapped out under Gunther’s sustained …

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to begin the search for a permanent head coach for the national Test team, officials said on Friday. Sources indicated that the board will soon start the process to identify a suitable candidate for the red-ball format, following the interim appointment of Azhar Mahmood during the home Test series against South Africa. The …

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has joined the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) as a mentor for the Dhaka Capitals, officials confirmed on Friday. Akhtar will guide the team in his role as mentor, providing expertise and support to players during the tournament. The 2025 edition of the BPL is set to begin on Friday, December 26. A number of …

Azhar Mahmood’s brief stint as head coach of Pakistan’s Test cricket team has come to an end, officials confirmed on Friday. Mahmood, who earned around Rs7.5 million per month, served only for a single series against South Africa. The British citizen and former all-rounder had a long-standing contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He had previously been promised the …