Countries across the globe marked Human Rights Day on Wednesday, with Pakistan using the occasion to stress dignity, equality and justice for all citizens. The day is observed every year on 10 December, commemorating the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The declaration remains one of the most translated …

BEIJING: China will continue opening up its mega-market to the world, sharing development opportunities with other countries, and enhancing dialogue and communication to properly addressing economic and trade frictions and achieve win-win outcomes, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Beijing on Tuesday. Li made the remarks during separate meetings with President of the World Bank Ajay Banga, Managing Director of …

Pakistani YouTuber Rajab Butt has been deported from the United Kingdom and returned to Pakistan on a morning flight, officials confirmed. The deportation follows the cancellation of his UK visa after he reportedly failed to disclose ongoing legal cases against him in his visa application. The UK Home Department officially revoked his visa due to these omissions. Rajab Butt had …

Renowned Pakistani actor Behroze Sabzwari, celebrated for his honest persona and exceptional acting, shared his candid views on second marriages during a recent appearance on Wasi Shah’s program. Sabzwari, who has won hearts with memorable performances in dramas such as Khuda Ki Basti, Tanhaiyan, Yun Hi, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Humsafar, and Khumaar, emphasized the importance of a first wife in …

A Lahore District Court has rejected the post-arrest bail plea of Aamna Urooj, the accused in a case involving playwright Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar, The hearing took place at the Lahore District Court, where Advocate Mudassir Chaudhry represented the complainant, Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar. Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wato announced the court’s decision, dismissing Aamna Urooj’s bail application in the National Counter Cybercrime Investigation Agency …

Popular morning show host Nida Yasir has come under criticism after making remarks about food delivery riders that sparked widespread debate. Yasir had commented that “food delivery riders often deliberately do not carry change to get higher tips,” suggesting that customers either keep exact change ready or ask riders to bring extra money. Her statement triggered strong reactions from both …

The Lahore District Court heard a case concerning the custody of social media accounts, electronic devices, and ATM cards belonging to content creator Ducky Bhai. The court, on the prosecution’s request, granted the National Counter Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) an additional three days to respond and adjourned the hearing on Ducky Bhai’s custody petition until December 12. Prosecution officials stated …

The film The Voice of Hind Rajab, depicting the tragic story of a young Palestinian girl, has been nominated in the Best Film category at the Golden Globe Awards, sources said. The film tells the harrowing last moments of five-year-old Hind Rajab, who on January 29, 2024, was attempting to relocate with her family in Gaza when Israeli forces attacked …

Defending champions Pakistan Army continued their dominance at the 35th National Games in Karachi, securing victories across multiple events, officials said. In the women’s squash team event, Pakistan Army defeated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 2-1 in the final to claim the gold medal. Army’s Faiza Zafar defeated Saharish Ali 3-0, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Mahnoor Ali beat Sana Bahadur 3-0. Army’s Zainab Khan …

The media rights for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup are under threat, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) now seeking a new broadcaster, sources said. Reliance Industries’ JioStar, which holds India’s media rights for ICC events, informed the ICC that it will not be able to fulfil the remaining two years of its four-year agreement. The company cited …

WAPDA athletes Samiullah Khan and Faiqa Riaz have been declared Pakistan’s fastest man and woman, respectively, after an intense 100-meter race at the National Games on Tuesday. In the men’s 100-meter final, Samiullah Khan crossed the finish line in 10.30 seconds, clinching the title of Pakistan’s fastest male athlete. Army’s Usman and Rashid Riaz took the silver and bronze medals. …

A reconnaissance team from Cricket Australia has arrived in Lahore to assess arrangements ahead of the Australian team’s upcoming tour of Pakistan, sources said. The team will review key venues, including Qaddafi Stadium, the National Cricket Academy (NCA), and the LCCA Ground. During their visit, the PCB and security officials will provide briefings on facilities and safety measures. The Australian …

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced plans to hold Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The announcement was made by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi during a PSL roadshow at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Naqvi said that the Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium would be upgraded to host PSL matches in top-notch conditions. He …

Pakistan and Indonesia have signed seven agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering sectors including higher education, health, trade, and anti-drug measures on Tuesday. The agreements were exchanged during a ceremony at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad, attended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. According to the officials, the MoUs include cooperation for the …

Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, represented Pakistan at the High-Level Pledging Moment for Polio Eradication held today in Abu Dhabi, hosted by the Government of the United Arab Emirates in collaboration with the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). The Minister conveyed Pakistan’s profound gratitude to Sheikh …

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry underscored the pressing need for enhanced regional cooperation to confront worsening climate-driven challenges during a media briefing in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The minister, who is on a two-day visit to convey Pakistan’s solidarity in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to support Sri Lanka’s recovery efforts. Conveying sentiments on …

Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab has inaugurated a series of development projects in Surjani Town’s Union Councils 38 and 39, including the restoration of the sewerage system and installation of paver blocks. Speaking at an inauguration ceremony in the Manghopir area of District West, Wahab said the projects demonstrate the Pakistan Peoples Party’s commitment to delivering on its promises. He …

The Punjab Assembly has approved the Punjab Emergency Service (Amendment) Act 2025 with a majority vote, bringing a key shift to the leadership structure of the provincial Emergency Services Council. The amendment designates the provincial minister for emergency services as the new vice chairman of the council, replacing the law minister in this role. The change has been introduced through …

The Election Commission of Pakistan has announced that local government elections in the federal capital will take place on 15 February. Polling is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the commission. The Election Commission stated that returning officers will issue public notices for nomination papers on 19 December. Candidates will be able to submit their …

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, has said that Pakistan takes great pride in Azerbaijan’s leadership in hosting the landmark OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week – 2025, describing the event as a powerful platform for cultural, creative, and intellectual exchange within the Islamic world. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Khichi said Baku had emerged …

Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam said on Tuesday that Pakistan is pushing ahead with plans to establish a structured and transparent carbon market framework, underscoring the country’s intention to tap emerging global climate-finance opportunities. Speaking at a workshop organised by Transparency International Pakistan in Islamabad, Romina Khurshid Alam said the government was steadily moving …

The Punjab government has decided to introduce special cards for cancer and cardiac patients, officials said. The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, aimed at enhancing access to healthcare for critical patients. Under the Chief Minister’s special initiative, cancer patients will receive full financial support for treatment, with expenses of up to PKR …

Federal Minister for Information, Atta Tarar, has said that following any violation of the law, there is zero possibility of anyone meeting former Prime Minister Imran Khan. He made the remarks while speaking in talk show of local TV. Addressing governance and transparency issues, Tarar cited a Transparency International survey in which 66 percent of respondents reported that they had …

The State Bank of Pakistan has released figures showing workers’ remittances for November 2025 at $3.18 billion, officials said. The November inflows were 7 percent lower than October 2025 but 9 percent higher compared to November 2024. According to the central bank, Saudi Arabia remained the top source of remittances in November, sending $753 million, followed by the United Arab …

Legendary qawwal and Pakistan’s musical ambassador, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, is celebrating his 51st birthday today. Renowned worldwide for his soulful voice and Sufi-inspired music, Rahat has carried forward the rich musical legacy of his illustrious family. Born on December 9, 1974, in Faisalabad into the prominent qawwal family, Rahat is the son of Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan and the …

Gorav Khanna emerged victorious in Bigg Boss 19, claiming the trophy after 15 weeks of intense competition. The grand finale, held on Sunday night, was hosted by Salman Khan, who awarded Gorav the trophy, a cash prize of 5 million rupees, and a brand-new car. Farhana Bhatt finished as the runner-up. The final five contestants included Gorav Khanna, Farhana Bhatt, …

Chief of Army Staff and Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, has warned that any aggression against Pakistan will be met with a faster and stronger response. Addressing armed forces officers, Field Marshal Munir highlighted the importance of the newly established Defence Forces Headquarters as a historic step to enhance multi-domain operations under a …

A ceremony of Guard of Honour was held at General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi to honour Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, following his appointment as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). During the event, Field Marshal Munir, who also holds the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Hilal-e-Jurat, was presented with a tri-service guard of honour by personnel from the Army, Navy, and …

President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has been largely inactive for the past 11 years due to India’s non-participation, which he described as a major obstacle to effective regional cooperation. Marking the 40th SAARC Charter Day, President Zardari extended greetings to the people and governments of the region, emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment …

Abid Sher Ali, senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has been elected senator unopposed in the Punjab by-election. The vacant Senate seat was left open following the passing of Irfan Siddiqui, and the nomination process saw three candidates submit papers: Abid Sher Ali, Ahsan Afzal Khan, and Abdul Jabbar. Ahsan Afzal and Abdul Jabbar later withdrew their nominations, leaving …

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) hosted a roadshow at the historic Lord’s cricket ground in London to promote the league and attract new investment. The event highlighted the PSL’s vision, commercial model, and future strategies, aiming to expand its global presence. Recognized as one of the most searched sports events on Google, the PSL has also gained significant popularity in …

Australia defeated England by 8 wickets in the second Ashes Test at Brisbane, taking a 2-0 lead in the series. The victory also keeps Australia undefeated in the 2025–27 World Test Championship, having won all five matches of the new cycle so far. England, after suffering consecutive defeats, has dropped to seventh position in the championship standings. The third Ashes …

Pakistan WAPDA’s Noreen Fatima claimed gold in the women’s high jump at the 35th National Games, clearing a height of 1.53 meters. In the same event, Amtal from HEC took silver, while Urooj from Pakistan Army secured the bronze medal. In the men’s 5,000-meter race, Muhammad Akhtar of Pakistan Army won gold with a timing of 14 minutes 36.41 seconds. …

Olympic record-holder and gold medalist Arshad Nadeem continued his dominance in javelin throw by winning gold at the 35th National Games in Karachi. Representing Pakistan WAPDA, Arshad threw a distance of 81.81 meters, securing a clear lead over his competitors. His closest rival, Yasir Sultan, also from Pakistan WAPDA and silver medalist at the Islamic Solidarity Games, claimed silver with …

Punjab authorities have ramped up enforcement against traffic violations, focusing on illegal number plates and dark-tinted windows across the province. An official report obtained by Internews shows that in the first ten months of 2025, authorities identified more than 794,000 vehicles with illegal number plates, imposing fines exceeding PKR 202 million. At the same time, over 202,000 challans were issued …

Punjab’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has foiled a major terror plot, arresting 12 suspected militants allegedly linked to India’s intelligence agency, RAW, in raids across Lahore, Faisalabad, and Bahawalpur. Officials said the operation led to the seizure of weapons, explosives, detonators, IED devices, safety fuses, mobile phones, and cash. Investigators also recovered images, videos, and location data of sensitive sites, …

Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has once again called for the creation of multiple new provinces across Pakistan, arguing that smaller administrative units would improve governance and public service delivery. Speaking at a workers’ convention in Faisalabad, the minister said both Sindh and Punjab should be divided into three new provinces each, adding that this restructuring would directly benefit citizens. …

Federal Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, met with Frederic Ribieras, CEO of GE Vernova’s Hydro Power, to discuss Pakistan’s clean energy transition, private-sector investment, and collaboration in hydropower and energy storage. The Minister reiterated the Government’s shift toward a market-driven power sector, noting that future power generation will be led by the private sector as the Government …

The World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) has extended profound appreciation to Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Investment, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh for his impactful participation and keynote contributions during the 29th World Investment Conference held in Sharjah in October. In a special letter addressed to the Federal Minister, WAIPA CEO Ismail Ersahin highlighted that Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh’s insightful interventions, …

Federal Minister for Health, Mustafa Kamal, held a high-level meeting with a Sudanese delegation led by the Federal Secretary of Health of Sudan. The meeting was also attended by Pakistan’s Federal Secretary Health, Hamid Yaqoob, along with senior officials from the Ministry of National Health Services. During the meeting, the Federal Minister reaffirmed that Pakistan attaches great importance to its …