On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, Ambassador Mumtaz Zahra Baloch participated in a panel discussion on “Free Flow of ideas and advancing Human Rights: Lessons and Perspectives at UN80”. The event was jointly organized by UNESCO and the European Union. Director-General UNESCO, Dr Khaled El-Enany, and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, headlined the …

The communication landscape between China and Pakistan is entering a new phase of media diplomacy. Over the decades, the two nations have primarily collaborated through traditional media to share their stories of bilateral relations, common development and prosperity, particularly in relation to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Today, digital media is reshaping this narrative. It offers journalists, academics, content …

Pakistan Super League (PSL) is expanding its outreach in the United States as its management prepares to stage a major road show in New York on December 13. The move comes soon after the league held a well-received promotional event in London last week, which drew investors and cricket followers from across the UK. According to the Pakistan Cricket Board …

Dr Sohail Saleem, former head of the PCB Medical Panel, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Pakistan Anti-Doping Board (PADB), a move aimed at strengthening the country’s anti-doping system. According to the official appointment notification, Dr Saleem will lead the national body responsible for ensuring clean and transparent sports. He said the government had entrusted him with an …

Preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 have entered the final stage, with full member teams locking in their last fixtures before the global event kicks off on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. With the tournament now weeks away, no full member side is expected to add any further bilateral series to its schedule. Pakistan will feature …

Pakistan’s senior tennis players Rashid Malik and Khurram Imtiaz clinched singles titles at the ITF World Masters Tour MT200 in Khao Lak, Thailand, underscoring their continued strength on the international circuit. The tournament was hosted at the Robinson Hotel courts and featured seasoned competitors from several countries. In the Men’s Singles 60+ final, Rashid Malik overpowered Switzerland’s Hannes Aeberhard with …

Pakistan’s young tennis talents are in Miami, Florida, representing the country at the Junior Orange Bowl International Championships, one of the world’s most prestigious junior tennis competitions, taking place from December 12 to 17. Shayan Afridi earned direct entry into the 12-and-under main draw, while Rashid Ali received a main-draw wildcard from the Asian Tennis Federation in recognition of his …

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a key meeting with European Union Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Berner, to discuss measures against illegal immigration, human smuggling, and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation. During the meeting, Commissioner Berner praised Pakistan for a 47 percent reduction in attempts to reach Europe via illegal routes over the past year, calling the …

Pakistan’s mountains and glaciers are facing growing threats from mining, drilling, and climate change, warned Senator Sheri Rahman, Vice President of the Pakistan Peoples Party, on the occasion of International Mountain Day. Speaking on Thursday, Rahman highlighted the environmental risks posed by unregulated human activities, including underground nuclear testing, which she said is hollowing rocks and contaminating groundwater. She also …

Federal Minister for National Heritage & Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, leading Pakistan’s delegation at the 34th General Assembly of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation & Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to global heritage protection. According to official statement, addressing the Assembly in Rome, the minister underscored the urgent need for collective action …

A high-level delegation from Meta called on the Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja to discuss strengthening cooperation on digital safety, responsible technology governance and user protection across Pakistan on Thursday in Islamabad. The delegation included Dania Mukhtar (Head of Public Policy Meta, Pakistan), Shi Ing Tay (Lead Counsel, Pakistan & South/Central Asia Meta), Noor Bano (Regulatory …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released $1.2 billion to Pakistan, confirmed by the State Bank of Pakistan. Officials said $1 billion of the tranche was provided under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), while $200 million came through climate financing. The IMF’s Executive Board approved the disbursement earlier this week under the EFF and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). …

The Sindh government has decided to introduce an e-challan system for the Sindh Food Authority (SFA), following the digitalization model used in traffic enforcement. During a meeting between Provincial Food Minister Makhdum Mehmood-ul-Zaman and PPP Women’s Central President Faryal Talpur, officials were briefed on the digitalization plan for the SFA. The new system will include online registration, a complaint management …

The Field General Court Martial has sentenced Faiz Hameed, the former Lieutenant General of the Pakistan Army, to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment for multiple charges, including engaging in political activities and violating the Official Secrets Act. According to a statement from the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan Army, the court’s decision, promulgated on December …

The Federal Ombudsman for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPA) has successfully resolved a Rs10 crore inheritance dispute in Sector I-8, Islamabad, awarding Huma Batool her legal share of the property. Huma Batool had filed a complaint to claim her portion of her late father’s estate, raising a legal dispute against her two brothers and mother. FOSPA coordinated with the Capital Development …

The Pakistan Passport Department has launched a new online verification system that allows passport applicants to verify their fingerprints digitally, resolving previous technical issues. Under the system, applicants can use NADRA’s Pak-ID app to authenticate their fingerprints quickly and securely. For those who face issues with fingerprint recognition, a face verification option is also available. Director General of Passports, Mustafa …

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said on Thursday that corrupt elements in federal government have pushed Pakistan’s economy to the brink of collapse, while unveiling initiatives to support students and enhance financial self-sufficiency at the University of Peshawar. Afridi made these remarks during an unannounced and informal visit to the university’s Economics Department, where he met students directly, listened …

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a February-to-May completion window for the first phase of the province-wide beautification plan, as officials briefed her on progress across districts during a special meeting in Lahore. According to government sources, the chief minister reviewed detailed presentations containing images and design outlines for beautification schemes in every district, tehsil and major city. …

Former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed has been handed a 14-year rigorous imprisonment sentence by a military court, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced on Thursday. According to the military’s media wing, the Field General Court Martial proceedings began on August 12, 2024 under the Pakistan Army Act and continued for 15 months. “The accused …

Pakistan and Tunisia convened the fourth round of Bilateral Political Consultations in Tunis, bringing renewed focus to strengthening ties across political, economic and security domains. The Pakistani delegation was led by the Additional Foreign Secretary (Africa), Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan, while the Tunisian side was headed by the Director General (Asia), Ambassador Slim Ghariani. Both sides reviewed the full spectrum …

Pakistan and Türkiye have moved toward deeper collaboration in aviation, defence manufacturing, and high-tech industries as a high-level Turkish delegation met Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan in Islamabad. A delegation from the Republic of Türkiye, led by Ahmet Khan, Group CEO and Honorary Investment Counselor of Pakistan in Türkiye, called on the Commerce Minister and included senior professionals …

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has carried out raids on the offices of three out-of-home advertising sector companies in Lahore as part of an investigation into alleged cartelisation and price fixing. According to CCP officials, the raids targeted two advertising associations and one advertising agency suspected of forming a cartel to fix commission rates, coordinate on bidding, and restrict …

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi has ordered the seizure of bail bonds for political activist Alima Khan after she failed to appear in court during the hearing of a case related to the November 26 protest. The court session covered Alima Khan and 11 other accused, but neither she nor her lawyers attended. Prosecutors requested the court to confiscate …

The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) hosted a seminar on “The Challenges of Low Savings in Pakistan,” chaired by PIDE Vice Chancellor Dr. Nadeem Javaid. The keynote address was delivered by Sohaib Jamali, Additional Director and Division Head at the State Bank of Pakistan, while Dr. Haider Ali, Director of PIDE’s Macro Policy Lab, served as discussant. The session …

The Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan, the Hon’ble Judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, and the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association joined employees and security staff from the Christian Community in marking the joyous occasion of Christmas by cutting a festive cake at a special ceremony held at the Supreme Court of Pakistan today. The event was …

The Government of Pakistan, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), has launched the National Roadmap for SME and Worker Formalization, a major initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s economy and protecting workers’ rights. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Haroon Akhtar Khan, said the roadmap reflects Prime Minister Shehbaz …

The Government of Pakistan has announced that one crore beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) will start receiving payments directly at home through digital wallets from March 2026. The move is expected to reduce corruption and save recipients, particularly women, from standing in long queues. Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation, Imran Ahmed Shah, made the announcement during a …

A high-level delegation from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Farmers Board met with Chairman Pakistan Tobacco Board, Musaddiq Hussain Tahir Khilji, at the Board’s headquarters today to discuss the severe challenges facing tobacco farmers in the province. During the meeting, the delegation highlighted the devastating impact of natural disasters, low purchase prices, and company refusals to buy low-grade crops, which have caused …

Karachi has witnessed 806 fatalities in traffic accidents so far this year, according to rescue sources. Of those killed, 632 were men, 81 women, 71 boys, and 22 girls. The sources also reported that a total of 11,596 people were injured, including 9,081 men, 1,815 women, 536 boys, and 164 girls. Heavy vehicles were responsible for 244 of the deaths, …

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued new property valuations for Islamabad, leading to a significant increase in prices across the city’s upscale and newly developed areas. According to the FBR notification, new rates have been set for 68 residential, commercial, and rural locations. Sectors such as E-7, F-6, F-7, and F-8 have seen notable hikes in property values, …

The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has introduced a new Personalized Registration Mark (PRM) system, under which vehicle number plates will now be linked to the owner rather than the vehicle. The system was officially inaugurated by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. Under the new system, vehicle owners can retain their number plates even after selling their cars, while buyers will need …

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to nine national cricketers for participation in the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The updated NOC list allows these players to compete in the tournament until 23 January 2026. The players cleared for the league include prominent names such as Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, and Sahibzada Farhan. Other cricketers …

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) hosted a highly successful roadshow at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, attracting cricket fans, business leaders, investors, and media representatives from around the world. Officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) briefed attendees on the league’s achievements, future plans, and efforts to expand the PSL globally. The roadshow also highlighted the league’s digital streaming, sponsorships, …

The Pakistan Women’s Football Team has been officially included in the FIFA Women’s Series for the first time, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) announced on Wednesday. According to the PFF, FIFA’s approval recognizes the growing development of women’s football in Pakistan and marks the beginning of a new era for the national team. The inclusion will allow Pakistani players to …

Pakistan and the United Kingdom have finalised a new cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening joint action on climate change. The pact was signed in Islamabad by Federal Minister Musadik Malik and the UK’s Minister for Development, Andrew Mitchell. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Musadik Malik said Pakistan and the UK had been working together on climate-related issues for many years …

A district and sessions court in Islamabad has issued arrest warrants for former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur in two cases linked to the Haqiqi Azadi March. Senior Civil Judge Mubashir Hassan Chishti conducted the hearing. The written order, released a day after the proceedings, stated that Gandapur had failed to appear before the court despite being summoned …

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday rejected a request seeking the immediate suspension of compensation payments to landowners in newly developed sectors of the capital. The Capital Development Authority (CDA), meanwhile, informed the court that it has decided to provide developed plots to landowners within the same sectors under its land-sharing policy. Justice Azam Khan heard the petition filed …

The Institute of International Finance (IIF) has warned that the world is witnessing a fresh surge in debt levels, driven by rapid investment in artificial intelligence and clean energy technologies. In its latest report, the IIF stated that global debt increased by 26 trillion dollars during the first nine months of 2025. This pushed the world’s total debt to an …

The Punjab government has allowed the celebration of Basant, the traditional kite-flying festival, after 25 years of restrictions. The festival will be observed on February 6, 7, and 8, 2026, according to government sources. Officials said that while the festival is permitted, strict rules will be enforced. Special QR codes will be issued for kites and threads, and activities like …

Police dispersed a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) sit-in near the Adiala Jail checkpoint on Tuesday after tensions rose between security personnel and party workers protesting against the refusal of a meeting with former prime minister Imran Khan. The demonstration began when PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and the former party founder’s sisters were not allowed to meet Imran Khan inside …