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 …

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has issued a warning to WhatsApp users, advising them to take immediate action in case of suspected hacking to avoid potential misuse of their accounts. In an advisory, the NCCIA said users who lose access to their WhatsApp account or believe it is being used by someone else should promptly re-register the account …

The district administration has fixed registration fees for kite and string manufacturers ahead of Basant celebrations in Lahore, following the Punjab government’s conditional approval to observe the festival. Officials said clear rules and regulations have been issued for kite makers, string manufacturers and kite flying associations to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. According to the notification, the registration fee for …

Several sections of major motorways across the country were closed on Sunday due to dense fog and severely reduced visibility, according to the Motorway Police. A spokesperson said the M-1 motorway from Peshawar to Rashakai was closed, while traffic was also suspended on the M-3 from Faizpur to Darkhana. The M-4 motorway from Pindi Bhattian to Multan and the M-5 …

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rain and snowfall in various parts of the country until December 18, prompting the National Emergency Operations Centre of the NDMA to issue a weather advisory. According to the advisory, Islamabad and surrounding areas are expected to remain cloudy from today, with chances of rain and snowfall in northern regions until December 18. Cloudy …

The Ministry of Finance has rejected claims that new or unexpected conditions have been imposed under the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF), saying the measures outlined in the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies are part of a pre-agreed reform agenda. In a statement, the ministry said no new elements had been introduced into the IMF’s core country …

The Punjab government has approved the province’s first surface water treatment plant for Lahore under the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, officials said on Friday. The project, to be constructed along the BRB Canal, was approved during the 52nd meeting of the Provincial Development Working Party. It will be implemented with financial support from the Asian Infrastructure Investment …

Pakistani TikTok stars Rabica Hussain and Hussain Tareen recently shared the cash gifts they received at their wedding with their fans. The couple opened the envelopes during a YouTube video, giving followers a glimpse of their wedding presents. In the video, Rabica and Hussain were seen opening envelopes from friends, family, and fellow social media influencers, including popular actor Danish …

The Indian film ‘Dhriender’ has been banned from release in six Gulf countries over content deemed offensive to Pakistan. Authorities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman have all blocked the film’s screening. Reports indicate that the ban was imposed due to the film containing material perceived as biased against Pakistan. Requests for the movie’s …

The District and Sessions Court in Islamabad has recorded the statements of two more prosecution witnesses in the murder case of TikToker Sana Yusuf. The hearing was presided over by Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka. Government counsel Raja Naveed Hussain appeared in court, while defense lawyers were unable to cross-examine the witnesses during the proceedings. In a …

Pakistani actress Yemeni Zeidi, known for her versatile acting in television and film, made a striking appearance at the 24th Lux Style Awards held in Karachi. Renowned for her roles in hit dramas such as Bakhtawar, Pari Zaad, Pyar Ke Sadqay, Raaz-e-Ulfat, Tere Bin, Gharzish, Thakan, Zara Yaad Kar, Ishq-e-La, and others, Yemeni continues to captivate audiences with her performances. …

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen a 20 percent drop in its commercial value in 2025, falling to $9.6 billion from $12 billion in 2024, according to reports by Brand Finance and The Economic Times. Analysts attribute the decline to regional geopolitical tensions and uncertainties surrounding the upcoming IPL auction. The reports noted that security concerns during the conflict …

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a one-week extension for the auction of two new teams for the 11th season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The auction is now scheduled to take place on December 22, 2025. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi shared the update on social media platform X, stating that the extension is in response to the …

Pakistan suffered a 7-3 defeat against the Netherlands in their third match of the Hockey Pro League in Santiago, Argentina. Pakistan’s goals came from Mohammad Sufyan Khan, who scored twice from penalty corners in the 39th and 59th minutes, and Rana Waheed Ashraf, who netted a goal in the 55th minute. For the Netherlands, Thierry and Gieus scored two goals …

Pakistan’s rising tennis star, Muhammad Shayan Afridi, opened his campaign at the prestigious Junior Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships with a thrilling first-round victory in the 12-and-under category. Shayan fought for 3 hours and 20 minutes against American opponent David Llovera, eventually winning the match 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. The win highlighted his stamina and competitive spirit on the international stage. …

The District and Sessions Court in Islamabad has formally charged a suspect in the murder of a student at the International Islamic University (IIU). The hearing for the case of 22-year-old student Iman Afroz was conducted by Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka. The accused, Feroz, pleaded not guilty, prompting the court to summon prosecution witnesses for the …

The Lahore High Court has dismissed a rape case against a husband over sexual relations that took place three days after he issued a divorce, citing provisions of the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance. Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh, in a 12-page written verdict on a petition filed by the husband, stated that under the ordinance, a divorce does not become legally …

The Punjab Education Department has announced winter holidays for all educational institutions across the province. According to the official notification, schools will remain closed from December 22 to January 11. Both government and private schools will observe the break, with January 11 falling on a weekly Sunday holiday. Educational authorities have confirmed that all schools will reopen on January 12, …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has imposed new conditions on Pakistan under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program, including mandatory asset declarations for top civil servants, deregulation of the sugar and wheat sectors, and reporting on money laundering and terrorism financing risks. The IMF has also requested a comprehensive report on incentives to boost remittances from abroad. Following …

Official figures have revealed that women account for a small fraction of Pakistan’s federal workforce, highlighting a significant gender gap in government employment. According to government documents, a total of 31,455 women are currently employed across federal ministries, divisions, attached departments, subordinate offices, and constitutional bodies. The data shows that 38 federal ministries and divisions together employ 581,581 staff members. …

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik participated in a high-level Leadership Dialogue on the sidelines of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), focusing on the link between environmental degradation and global financial stability. The dialogue, titled “The Bottom Line: Why Tackling Environmental Degradation Is Critical to the Future of the Global Financial System,” brought together …

The process of deporting illegally residing foreign nationals is continuing across Punjab, with more than 31,000 individuals already sent back, according to the Punjab Police. Inspector General of Police Punjab said that so far 31,377 illegal foreign residents, including Afghan nationals, have been deported from Lahore and other districts of the province. He added that 203 individuals are currently present …

On the directions of Chief Minister Punjab, the Punjab Wildlife Department has launched the province’s first-ever Wildlife Informer Campaign, aimed at cracking down on illegal hunting and poaching with the help of citizens. Under the new initiative, members of the public can receive cash rewards for providing accurate and verifiable information about illegal hunting, trapping through nets, and covert poaching …

Frontier Corps North Balochistan and Quetta Customs carried out a major joint anti-smuggling operation in Quetta, seizing large consignments of smuggled cigarettes, betel nut and tea, officials said on Saturday. As part of the operation, 10 trucks loaded with smuggled goods were confiscated and shifted to a customs warehouse. Authorities said the estimated value of the seized items is around …

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has revealed that he has not gone out for dinner in the past 25 years, citing his hectic work schedule and constant travel. Speaking during the Red Sea Festival in Jeddah two days ago, Salman Khan said, “My life has been entirely focused on my work and travel. From home to shooting, shooting to home, home …

Pakistan’s hockey team suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat against host Argentina in their second match of the ongoing Pro Hockey League in Argentina. In a thrilling encounter, Pakistan opened the scoring in the 36th minute through captain Imad Butt, followed by a goal from Rana Waleed in the 45th minute. Argentina responded with goals from Tomas, Nicolas, and Maika, ultimately …

Pakistan launched their U19 Asia Cup campaign with a commanding victory, defeating Malaysia by 297 runs in a one-sided Group A match in Dubai. Chasing a daunting target of 346, the Malaysian batting lineup crumbled for just 48 runs, with no player reaching double figures. Captain Diaz Petro and Muhammad Akram top-scored with 9 runs each. For Pakistan, Ali Raza …

Defending champions Pakistan Army dominated the boxing competitions at the 35th National Games, securing a total of 12 gold medals across men’s and women’s categories. The Army’s stellar performance earned them the overall trophy. In the men’s events, Pakistan Army claimed five golds and four silvers, while the women’s team won seven golds and one silver, placing the Army firmly …

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Türkiye, today, on the sidelines of the International Forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust in Ashgabat. According to official statement, during their warm and cordial meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed the significance of the historic and deep fraternal bonds between the two …

The Punjab Local Government Department has launched a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) e-Registration App in collaboration with NADRA, enabling citizens to register births, deaths, marriages, and divorces online. Provincial Minister for Local Government, Zeeshan Rafiq, formally inaugurated the app, saying it will allow residents to complete registrations from the comfort of their homes. The system is linked with NADRA’s data …

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan held a key meeting with representatives of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) clusters from Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Wazirabad. The meeting focused on sectoral challenges, the role of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA), and ways to promote growth and exports in the SME sector. SME …

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan held an important meeting today with a high-level Turkish business delegation. The meeting was attended by the CEO Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), CEO SMEDA, CEO Engineering Development Board (EDB), along with senior public and private-sector representatives. The agenda focused on Pakistan–Turkey joint ventures, investment opportunities, and …

A new Gallup–Gallani Research survey has revealed a major decline in Pakistan’s online shopping activity, with 91 percent of respondents saying they did not make a single online purchase in the past six months. The findings point to weakening consumer confidence in e-commerce amid inflation, delivery delays and trust issues. Among those who did shop online, 60 percent paid through …

The World Bank has approved a 400 million dollar loan for Pakistan, days after the IMF released its latest tranche for the country. In its statement, the World Bank said the programme focuses on providing clean drinking water and sanitation, which it called essential for the well-being of Pakistan’s children. The funds will also help urban centres in Punjab withstand …

In a major push to curb rising street crime, Peshawar police have made registration compulsory for all motorcycle riders who transport passengers. The initiative is being rolled out through a newly introduced mobile application named SafeRide, officials said on Friday. City Police Chief Dr. Mian Saeed told reporters that the SafeRide system is designed to help police identify riders quickly …

Progress has been made in the case concerning well-known YouTuber Saad-ur-Rehman, also known as Ducky Bhai, regarding the handover of his social media accounts and ATM cards. The hearing was held at the Lahore District Court before Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wato, where Ducky Bhai’s legal team filed the application for the handover of his accounts and banking cards. The lawyer …

Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan addressed a ceremony in Islamabad highlighting the government’s commitment to providing equal opportunities for the development of youth across the country. He stated that empowering young people is the top priority of the government. Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan emphasized that overseas Pakistanis are keen to invest in Pakistan, which will not …

The Government of Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) today signed two programs: i) the Responsive, Ready, and Resilient Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Secondary Education in Punjab Program amounting to USD 107 Million (including USD 7 Million grant of ADF) and ii) Punjab Nursing and Health Workforce Reform Program amounting to USD 150 Million. Mr. Muhammad Humair Karim, …

Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan met with H.E. Mohammed Motahar Alashabi today in Islamabad for a constructive discussion on enhancing Pakistan–Yemen trade and economic cooperation. During the meeting, H.E. Alashabi highlighted the historically warm relations between the two countries and stressed Yemen’s desire to expand commercial engagement with Pakistan. He noted that despite logistical and regional challenges in …

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, attended the Seventh Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) held in Nairobi, Kenya. The high-level global forum, convened under the theme “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet,” brought together representatives from all 193 UN Member States, along with civil society, scientific experts, development partners, and the …