Russia has suspended Pakistan Post services over unpaid dues amounting to Rs 55 million, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan informed the National Assembly in a written reply on Thursday. According to the reply, Russia imposed the ban in August 2025 because Pakistan Post had not cleared the outstanding payment, which has been pending since 2021. As of November …

Over 21,000 Pakistani citizens are currently imprisoned in foreign countries, according to a written reply submitted by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to the National Assembly. The breakdown shows that India holds 738 Pakistanis, though the government provided no details on the specific charges. Saudi Arabia has 10,745 Pakistanis in prison, some convicted and others awaiting trial, while the United Arab …

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has recommended closing 57 cases related to the May 9 unrest, sources in the provincial Law Department confirmed on Thursday. The Law Department has forwarded the recommendations to the provincial cabinet, which will take the final decision. Officials said that several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers are named in these cases, and convictions could have led to …

The Punjab government has stepped up emergency measures to tackle rising air pollution in Lahore as dropping temperatures and weak winds contribute to worsening conditions. Senior Punjab Minister Maryam Aurangzeb said the government has tasked the Anti-Smog Field Force with immediate action, deploying additional personnel to enforce pollution control measures. The Environment Department has increased inspections in industrial zones late …

Pakistan held its first private-sector Drone Technology Expo at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), showcasing the latest developments in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-UAS technologies. Organized in collaboration with Drone Tech X and NUST, the expo featured seminars on UAS and counter-UAS systems on December 3 and 4, supported by the Ministry of Defence Production and …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad has registered a case against 58 employees of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) over the use of fake documents for employment. According to FIA sources, the accused allegedly obtained jobs at CDA using forged educational certificates and other fraudulent documentation. The positions secured include security guards, lift operators, drivers, and tubewell operators. …

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has expressed solidarity with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, over the recent cyclone-induced floods that caused heavy loss of life and property. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim today. The Prime Minister, on behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan as well …

The Senate has passed the National Agri Trade and Food Safety Authority Bill 2025, paving the way for the creation of a new federal body to regulate agricultural trade standards and food safety across Pakistan. The bill was approved during a Senate session chaired by Presiding Officer Shahadat Awan, while Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar formally presented it before …

The Balochistan government has decided to pursue Interpol Red Notices and initiate international legal proceedings against the exiled heads and senior commanders of banned terrorist organisations, along with more than 300 wanted terrorist operatives. The decision was taken during an extraordinary high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, where officials briefed the leadership on the scope of evidence …

The government has decided to tighten its crackdown on individuals attempting to travel abroad using fake documents, as well as against the networks facilitating such activities. The decision came during a high-level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain, where officials reviewed loopholes in the current system and discussed measures to improve …

The Islamabad High Court has requested the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to obtain the law degree record of Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri from Karachi University, officials confirmed on Friday. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Azam Khan scheduled the next hearing in the case for December 9 and issued a written order to formally summon the …

Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has called on the public to stand with PTI, warning that the party is being targeted and urging decisive action against government pressure. Speaking to reporters outside the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore, Aleema Khan said Imran Khan is being kept in isolation and subjected to “torture,” asserting that the …

The Sindh Assembly has unanimously passed the Sindh Letters and Succession Certificate (Amendment) Bill, changing the procedure for issuing inheritance certificates in the province. The bill was presented in the assembly by Law Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjhar during a session chaired by Speaker Owais Qadir Shah. Previously, succession certificates were issued by the session judge; under the new law, the …

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, addressed a conference organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to commemorate 25 years of conservation efforts for the Indus River Dolphin. In his address, Dr. Musadik Malik warned that rising temperatures and accelerating glacier melt are direct consequences of unchecked pollution and climate change. He expressed …

It seems that the Japanese government is intentionally making erroneous statements about Taiwan and escalating tensions in the Asia Pacific region which has various socio-economic, geopolitical and geostrategic spillover ramifications for peace, stability and harmony. Additionally, its lifting the ban on collective self-defense, revising the “Three Non-Nuclear Principles,” and deploying of missiles on Yonaguni Island near the island of Taiwan …

In an era well defined by geopolitical uncertainty and rapidly evolving economic landscapes, one lesson from history remains constant that is openness fuels progress while isolation breeds stagnation. In the modern world, there are only a few examples of such phenomenon as the tremendous change in China that happened since the introduction of the policy of reform and opening up …

BEIJING: China and France should seize opportunities and expand the scope of cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping said while holding talks with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing on Thursday. As both independent, visionary and responsible major countries, China and France serve as constructive forces in advancing multipolarity and promoting solidarity and cooperation among humanity, Xi said. At present, …

Pakistan Customs Enforcement seized 564 smuggled mobile phones from a non-custom-paid Toyota Land Cruiser intercepted at the Karachi–Hyderabad Toll Plaza, officials confirmed on Thursday. The vehicle was stopped when officers asked the driver to produce its registration documents—requests he failed to meet. Officials said the SUV appeared tampered with, and its bodywork raised further suspicion. A detailed search led to …

The Islamabad Police have formally abolished their Cybercrime Wing, transferring all officers and constables from the unit to the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), officials familiar with the development said on Thursday. According to sources, ongoing cases and inquiries previously handled by the Cybercrime Wing have been shifted to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which will now oversee all …

The Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov Nurgozhoevich led their respective sides at a delegation-level meeting in the Prime Minister House today. During the talks, the Prime Minister was assisted by the Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, Federal …

Renowned Pakistan Television (PTV) actress Beena Masroor, known for her decades-long presence in Pakistani drama, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 67. Her son, actor Paras Masroor, confirmed the news through an Instagram story, a post that quickly drew an outpouring of condolences from fans, colleagues, and members of the entertainment fraternity. Beena Masroor built a respected career …

Indian actor Anupam Kher has reported a massive drop in his followers on the social media platform X, saying that more than 900,000 followers disappeared from his account in just 15 days. In a post on X, Kher said he had noticed the sharp decline and tagged the platform’s owner, Elon Musk, asking whether he or his team knew the …

Pyaari Maryam, a well-known social media influencer admired for her gentle tone and captivating content, has passed away unexpectedly, leaving her followers in deep shock. Her death was confirmed through a post shared on her official Instagram account, prompting an outpouring of grief from fans across social media platforms. Maryam had been living a happy married life with her husband, …

The Meteorological Department has forecast light rain and snowfall in northern areas of Pakistan starting December 5. According to the weather alert, a weak western disturbance will affect the northern regions from the night of December 4 to December 5. Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and upper areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are expected to experience light rain and snowfall. Areas including Dir, Chitral, …

Pakistan has formally requested the extradition of Shehzad Akbar and Adil Raja from the United Kingdom, stating that both individuals are “highly wanted” in Pakistan and should be handed over immediately. The demand was made during a key meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the British High Commissioner Jane Marriott. The discussions focused on Pakistan-UK relations, security cooperation, and …

In continuation of Pakistan’s support to the people of Sri Lanka following the widespread devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwa and in response to the Sri Lankan Government’s appeal for international assistance, NDMA, under the special directives of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, has dispatched further humanitarian relief to Colombo. NDMA today sent an additional 20 tons of relief items from …

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, held a detailed meeting on Thursday with a delegation of the auto industry to review key issues confronting the sector. Secretary Industries Saif Anjum and CEO Engineering Development Board Hammad Mansoor also attended the meeting. During the meeting, the participants discussed the challenges facing the auto sector, …

Nicolas Galey, Ambassador of France called on the Federal Minister for Human Rights Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar to discuss cooperation in promoting and strengthening human rights in Pakistan. The Minister highlighted recent improvements in the human rights landscape, noting a decline in rights-related violations and enhanced institutional responsiveness. The Ministry of Human Rights, in coordination with relevant departments, is actively …

Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Reza Amiri Moghaddam, called on Federal Minister for Railways, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, in Islamabad today. Iranian Commercial Counsellor, Ms. Kamali Moghaddam, also attended the meeting. The meeting focused on strengthening Pakistan–Iran bilateral relations, enhancing political, economic, and trade cooperation, and appreciating the sustained goodwill between the two countries. Both sides expressed gratitude over the positive …

Pakistan Railways has taken a major step toward modernizing its educational institutions by outsourcing three key railway schools under the Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model, officials confirmed Thursday. The signing ceremony was held under the supervision of Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, who said the initiative aimed to provide railway employees’ children with “a bright and promising future.” Under …

The 35th edition of Pakistan’s National Games officially began in Karachi on Thursday, starting with a netball tournament at the Pakistan Sports Board Coaching Center. The opening match featured traditional rivals, defending champions Pakistan Army and WAPDA, drawing attention from sports enthusiasts. Mohammad Khalid Mahmood, Secretary of the Pakistan Olympic Association, attended the event as a special guest. The formal …

Inspector Aram Khan of Rawalpindi Police secured an international triumph by defeating Indian weightlifter Sapna to claim gold at the World Powerlifting Championship 2025 held in Sri Lanka, officials said. Khan earned two gold medals in total, including a victory in the deadlift event, highlighting her dominance in the sport. Upon her return to Rawalpindi Police Lines, Aram Khan received …

Pakistan’s T20 captain Salman Ali Agha is expected to remain at the helm through the T20 World Cup 2026, following impressive performances and strong leadership that have won the confidence of tea management, officials said. Sources indicated that the team’s fighting spirit under Agha has particularly impressed selectors and officials, who noted that players are more unified and committed on …

Punjab Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb announced that the minimum driving age in the province has been reduced to 16 years as part of an intensified road safety campaign. She said the government is implementing new mechanisms to improve traffic discipline and enforce a zero-tolerance policy against violations. In a statement, Aurangzeb emphasized that traffic accidents will not decrease until individuals …

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the formation of a high-level steering committee aimed at eliminating forced child labour across the province, according to an official notification on Thursday. The newly formed 15-member committee will be chaired by Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, while former MNA Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha has been appointed as the co-chairman. The notification states …

In line with Punjab Chief Minister’s vision of a “Drug-Free Punjab,” Rawalpindi police have carried out a major crackdown across multiple police stations, arresting 32 alleged drug suppliers and seizing more than 41 kilograms of hashish, officials said. The operation was launched on the instructions of City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani, with coordinated raids conducted by various police …

Rising Pakistani actress Amna Yousuf has stepped into a new phase of her personal life, as images from her engagement ceremony went viral across social media platforms, drawing widespread congratulations and warm wishes from fans. Amna, who made her television debut alongside Hamza Sohail and Sehar Khan, received strong praise for her performance in her first drama. She has now …

Senior Pakistani actress Fazila Qazi has urged modern-day brides to shift their focus from excessive trend-following to the true purpose of marriage, cautioning that wedding hype created by the media is pushing young women toward unrealistic expectations. Speaking on a private TV programme, Qazi said her views on wedding preparations differ sharply from prevailing trends. “In my opinion, weddings don’t …

Pakistan’s leading javelin stars Arshad Nadeem and Mohammad Yasir Sultan are poised to headline the athletics contests at the upcoming National Games, with both athletes scheduled to compete in the javelin throw event on December 8, officials familiar with the preparations said. According to team sources, Arshad who clinched gold at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh is expected to …

Pakistan’s Saim Ayub has regained the No. 1 position in the ICC T20 all-rounder rankings, surpassing Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza as the International Cricket Council released updated rankings across all formats. West Indies’ Roston Chase holds the third position in the all-rounders’ list. In the T20 bowling rankings, India’s Varun Chakravarthy remains at the top. Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed climbed four places …