The management of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans is expected to be led by former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja, with a coaching team including Abdul Razzaq, Mushtaq Ahmed, and Taufiq Umar. According to sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also reached out to two or three more players to confirm availability for the upcoming PSL season. Abdul …

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that Iran “has never sought a conflict” with the United States and is open to “genuine and serious” negotiations, despite escalating tensions in the region. Araghchi made the remarks on X a day after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran with a major military strike if it resumed its ballistic missile or nuclear …

China has decided to implement safeguard measures on imported beef from Jan. 1, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2028, the Ministry of Commerce announced Wednesday. The decision came after a final ruling of a safeguard investigation into imported meat of bovine animals, which was launched on Dec. 27, 2024. The measures will be implemented in the form of country-specific tariff rate …

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday said China is ready to work with all countries to advance world peace and development. In his 2026 New Year message, Xi said over the past year China continued to embrace the world with open arms. To better address climate change, China announced new Nationally Determined Contributions, Xi said, adding that after announcing the …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for solidly advancing rural revitalization across the board and promoting integrated urban-rural development, with a strong focus on agricultural and rural modernization. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in his instructions on work related to agriculture, …

ISLAMABAD (Internews): Deputy prime minister/ foreign minister senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and ambassador Jiang Zaidong of China exchanged new year’s greetings and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the all-weather strategic partnership between Pakistan and China. According to the details, senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar received ambassador Jiang Zaidong of the People’s Republic of China on Monday. Ambassador Jiang conveyed season’s greetings …

The pursuit of modernization is a common aspiration for all of humanity, yet historical experiences demonstrate that there is no singular, prescriptive path to achieving it. In the context of today’s increasingly multi-polar and diverse global landscape, Chinese modernization represents more than just the results of China’s own leapfrog development. It has emerged as a trans-formative paradigm for countries across …

Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) Pakistan has entered into a strategic partnership with Zindigi (owned by JS Bank) to enhance the digital banking experience for customers across Pakistan. Under this agreement, DIB Pakistan will provide a Current Account facility for Zindigi, enabling users to seamlessly operate the account directly through the Zindigi app. Committed to simplifying access, enhancing security, and creating …

Pakistani fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, representing Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League, has sustained a knee injury, the team confirmed. Brisbane Heat stated that Shaheen will undergo a medical re-evaluation upon the team’s return from Adelaide. The franchise emphasized that his condition will be closely monitored before resuming any competitive action. Sources indicate that ahead of the T20 …

The closing ceremony of the 50th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Polo and Tent Pegging Championship 2025 was held at Jinnah Polo Fields in Lahore, with Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as the chief guest. The event was attended by Federal Interior Minister, Chief Secretary Punjab, senior military and civil officials, …

Pakistan’s Rashid Naseem made history in 2025 by setting 25 new world records in just one year, reinforcing his position as the country’s top record-holder. According to official data from Guinness World Records, Naseem remains Pakistan’s leading record-breaker, with 25 of the 43 total global records set by Pakistani athletes in 2025 credited to him. Overall, Naseem and his family …

Afghanistan is expected to remain one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises in 2026, with an estimated 21.9 million people projected to require assistance, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Tuesday. “Years of conflict, economic fragility, underinvestment in basic services, and the rapid erosion of rights have left large segments of the …

Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday designated the Royal Canadian Navy a “terrorist organization” in response to Canada’s decision to label Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a “terrorist entity.” In a statement, the ministry said Ottawa’s “illegal” decision in June 2024 to blacklist the IRGC, which it described as “one of the pillars of Iran’s official armed forces,” was …

In a rare meteorological event, the coastal areas of Balochistan observed a landspout after six years, offering a spectacular sight to local residents. Landspouts and waterspouts are tornado-like columns of air that connect clouds to the ground or sea surface simultaneously. These phenomena form due to high humidity in the air and elevated sea surface temperatures. The diameter of a …

Preparations for the 2026 local government elections in Punjab have entered a decisive phase, with the provincial government issuing a fresh notification detailing the administrative structure of divisions, districts and tehsils across the province. According to the notification, Punjab now comprises 10 divisions, 41 districts and 156 tehsils. The move is being described as a key step toward holding local …

Karachi has recorded at least 27 deaths in incidents involving open manholes and uncovered drains during 2025, according to the data compiled by independent sources up to December. The fatalities include both children and adults once again highlighting the city’s long-standing infrastructure and civic safety failures. Officially compiled figures show that 11 people lost their lives after falling into open …

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has intensified its crackdown on misleading and deceptive advertising, imposing heavy fines across multiple sectors including real estate, automobiles, education, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. According to official details, the CCP has initiated inquiries in Islamabad into fake and misleading housing advertisements, while enforcement action against deceptive promotional campaigns by housing societies is also …

The federal government has decided to take strict action against fraud related to property files and plots, with the prime minister ordering the formation of a high-level committee to review the issue. According to a private TV channel report, the government has constituted a committee to conduct a comprehensive review of the legal status of buying and selling property files, …

Pakistan has rejected Israel’s announcement recognizing Somaliland, reaffirming its support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Speaking during an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Usman Jadoon, said Islamabad does not accept Israel’s decision to recognize the self-declared Somaliland region. He told the council that Pakistan stands firmly with Somalia and …

BEIJING: As 2025 draws to a close, a review of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s diplomatic engagements throughout the year reflects China’s firm and steady strides on the global stage. This year has been one of turbulence and transformation, marked by rising conflicts and escalating frictions. At a time when humanity once again stands at a crossroads, China’s diplomacy under Xi’s …

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof Ahsan Iqbal chaired a high-level review meeting on Monday to assess the progress of critical Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects under the Power and Water Resources Divisions. During the meeting, the Joint Chief Economist (Ops.) highlighted a massive financial throw-forward exceeding Rs1 trillion, contrasted against a total allocation of Rs122 …

The relevant military actions by the PLA serve as a stern warning to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and external interference forces, and as a necessary and just move to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, when commenting on the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army …

Legendary French actress Brigitte Bardot has passed away at the age of 91. Bardot, affectionately known in France simply as “BB,” was a prominent figure in French cinema between 1952 and 1973. During her career, she openly advocated for women’s freedom and autonomy, becoming an emblem of a changing era in French society. Bardot retired from acting at the age …

Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan has expressed his hope to visit Pakistan one day, specifically Peshawar, along with his children, highlighting his family roots in the city. A video featuring former Foreign Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party leader Hina Rabbani Khar has resurfaced on social media, showing her inviting Shah Rukh Khan to visit Pakistan. During the event, she remarked …

Popular actor Rushna Khan, known for her role as ‘Kiran’ in a hit drama Case Number 9, revealed in a recent Podcast that she worked as a cabin crew member before entering the acting industry. Rushna, wife of renowned anchor Shahzeb Khanzada, shared that she grew up in Canada and later joined the airline cabin crew, which took her to …

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Japan, as a defeated nation in World War II, should have engaged in deep reflection on the grave crimes committed by militarism. Yet some individuals and forces in Japan continue to intensify efforts to distort historical …

Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has been named Middle East Best Footballer of the Year for the third consecutive year, receiving the honor at the Globe Soccer Awards ceremony held in Dubai. Ronaldo outshone notable players including Karim Benzema, Salem Al-Dawsari, and Riyad Mahrez to claim the prestigious award. During 2025, he scored a total of 40 goals across all …

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) players continued their impressive performance at the National Junior Badminton Championship, advancing to the semifinals across multiple age categories. The championship is being held under the auspices of the Pakistan Badminton Federation. In the Under-15 category, KP’s Hasnain Khan defeated fellow provincial player Ikram Allah 2-0. In the Under-17 quarterfinals, Abdul Haseeb Khan overcame WAPDA’s Khuzema Shehzad …

Sania Ashfaq, wife of former national cricketer Imad Wasim, has publicly addressed her marital issues, revealing the emotional toll on her and their children following their separation. In a social media post, Sania stated that her home has been disrupted, her children have been deprived of their father, and their five-month-old infant has yet to be held by him. She …

Pakistan’s Olympic javelin throw champion Arshad Nadeem was awarded the prestigious Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Award during the 17th Dubai Sports World Summit, in the presence of renowned figures from the global sports community. The award was presented by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, son of the Ruler of Dubai, in recognition of Arshad Nadeem’s historic achievement …

Following a decision by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the government has granted permission for citizens of Lahore to celebrate Basant safely, under strict regulations. Deputy Commissioner Lahore Syed Musa Raza issued a formal notification for the three-day festival in February 2026, setting forth strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure public safety. According to the notification, Basant celebrations …

The National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) announced significant achievements in combating cybercrime in 2025. According to the agency’s annual report, investigations into 2,196 major cybercrime cases were completed, resulting in the arrest of 2,902 suspects and convictions in 774 cases. The report stated that online fraud and financial crime victims recovered a total of Rs 461 million. Over 46,000 …

During the hearing of a constitutional petition challenging the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance, 2025, Justice Faisal Zaman Khan of the Lahore High Court raised concerns over the political angle of the case. The court directed that the petition be listed before the relevant bench after the upcoming holidays. Justice Faisal Zaman Khan remarked that despite extensive …

The Supreme Court (SC) has suspended the Lahore High Court’s decision that had overturned a Sessions Judge’s order to transfer a case. According to court proceedings, the Supreme Court observed that the High Court had not properly considered the relevant law before annulling the Sessions Judge’s decision. Justice Jamal Mandokhail remarked on the difficulty of defending such a judgment. The …

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have filed appeals against their convictions in the Toshakhana-II case, challenging the decision in the Islamabad High Court on Monday. The appeals were submitted through lawyer Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry. The Islamabad High Court assigned diary number 24560 to Imran Khan’s appeal and 24561 to Bushra Bibi’s. In the filed appeals, …

Three people were killed and at least 15 others injured in separate traffic accidents caused by dense fog in different parts of Punjab on Monday, rescue officials said. According to Rescue authorities, a bus collided with a rickshaw near Shahkot Road in Nankana Sahib after visibility dropped sharply due to thick fog. As a result of the crash, three people …

Justice Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, newly appointed judge of the Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), took oath on Monday, completing the court’s sanctioned strength of judges. The oath was administered by Chief Justice of the AJK Supreme Court, Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan, during a ceremony held at the Supreme Court building in Muzaffarabad. The oath-taking ceremony was …

Pakistan on Monday expressed serious concern over incidents of vandalism during Christmas and continued violence against Muslims in India, calling the persecution of minorities a matter of deep alarm. Responding to media queries, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tahir Andrabi, said that recent condemnable incidents, including vandalism during Christmas and state-sponsored campaigns targeting Muslims, have further …

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Monday issued a weather advisory in view of an approaching westerly wave expected to affect various parts of the country over the next few days. According to forecasts, a westerly wave is likely to enter the western parts of the country from the night of 29th December 2025 and is expected to intensify …