The annual Sindh Craft Festival celebrating the province’s culture, history, and heritage is set to begin tomorrow at Port Grand in Karachi. The three-day festival, organized by the Sindh government, will continue until November 30. The festival will feature stalls displaying traditional Sindhi crafts, including ajrak, ralli, leather goods, Hala pottery, cultural clothing, Hyderabadi bangles, palm-leaf products, blue clay pottery, …

A vibrant cultural concert was held at the Pakistan National Council of Arts in Islamabad during the 10th Pakistan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission meeting, showcasing the rich artistic heritage of both countries. The event was highlighted by the presence of Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, who praised the performances of Pakistani and Russian artists. Senior officials, including Russia’s Deputy Ministers for Science, …

Religious scholar Mufti Abdul Qavi recently appeared on a podcast where he made a surprising claim regarding Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai. He stated that within two to four months, he expects to receive a marriage proposal from the actress. During the discussion, Mufti Qavi said that after converting her to Islam, Aishwarya Rai would be given a new name, Ayesha …

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that Pakistan Television (PTV), Geo Super, and digital streaming platform Myco have secured broadcast and digital rights for all ICC events in Pakistan until 2027. Under the new agreement, Geo Super and Myco will share television broadcasting rights, while Myco will hold the digital streaming rights. The partnership covers a wide portfolio of …

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs, Senator Rana Sanaullah, has said that the government wants to provide relief to the public but is unable to do so due to the conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Speaking on a local TV programme, he said economic destruction began after what he described as the launch of the “Imran Khan …

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Haroon Akhtar Khan chaired a high-level meeting today, attended by Uzbekistan’s Ambassador Alisher Taktayev, Pakistan’s Commercial Attaché in Tashkent Zaheer Abbas, and the President and delegation of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI). The RCCI delegation briefed SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan on its recent 150-member business visit to Uzbekistan. The delegation …

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reviewing proposals to make the World Test Championship (WTC) more competitive and engaging, including the possibility of expanding it into a 12-team league. A working group, headed by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose, has been formed to assess the future structure of the WTC and the broader international cricket calendar. The group presented …

Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, representing Pakistan on the special nomination of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, delivered Pakistan’s statement at the 5th ECO Ministerial Meeting on Commerce and Foreign Trade, convened in Istanbul after a fourteen-year interval. The meeting gathered senior officials and ministers from ECO member states to advance regional trade, connectivity, and economic integration. In his …

Pakistan Customs Gadani has successfully thwarted a major narcotics smuggling attempt, recovering 188kg of hashish with an estimated market value of Rs. 552.44 million. The recovered narcotics were concealed inside oversized tyres when a container-mounted vehicle was intercepted at the Kurkhera Check Post. Acting on specific intelligence shared by the Collector Customs Enforcement Gadani, heightened vigilance was maintained at the …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has officially issued notifications for the successful candidates of the recent by-elections. A total of five National Assembly and seven Punjab Assembly winners were notified. For the National Assembly, the ECP confirmed the victories of Babar Nawaz Khan from NA-18 Haripur, Daniyal Ahmed from NA-104 Faisalabad, Muhammad Noman from NA-129 Lahore, Muhammad Tufail from …

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has announced that the government has abolished 54,000 vacant posts across various departments, a move that he said will save the national exchequer Rs56 billion annually. He added that the process of merging and restructuring several ministries and divisions is also under way as part of broader fiscal reforms. Speaking at an event organised by the …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has released official voter turnout figures for the recent by-elections held across the country. According to the data, the overall turnout stood at 28.58% for elections conducted on six National Assembly seats and seven Provincial Assembly seats. The highest turnout among the National Assembly constituencies was recorded in NA-18 Haripur, where 50.82% of registered …

Pakistan strengthened its commercial and investment engagement with Nigeria and the wider West African region, as the Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Commerce, Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, led a series of high-level trade and investment activities in Lagos. The day featured strategic meetings with Nigerian authorities, the inauguration of Pakistan’s Pavilion at Beauty West Africa (BWA) 2025, and a networking dinner …

The Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination has dismissed claims by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) that it will conduct its elections independently. According to officials, following directives from the standing committee on inter-provincial coordination, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has decided that PHF elections will be held under independent supervision. The elections will be overseen by a three-member independent election commission, …

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Secretary General and National Assembly member Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri has strongly condemned the arrest of JUI leader Farukh Khokhar. In a statement issued by JUI Pakistan’s central media cell, Haideri accused the Islamabad administration of using underhanded tactics to cover up its failures. He described Khokhar as a loyal Pakistani citizen who always prioritizes national security …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Goher said that despite extensive efforts, negotiations did not yield any results. He stated that the authority for negotiations now rests with PTI Chairman Imran Khan, who has appointed Mahmood Achakzai and Allama Nasser for the talks. Goher added that he would provide guidance if consulted regarding the negotiations. Speaking to reporters, Goher affirmed the …

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has demanded that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif answer how he allegedly won on the basis of 70,000 fake votes and who facilitated his entry into the National Assembly. Addressing a press conference in Mansoorah, Lahore, Naeemur Rehman said the current government is formed on the basis of Form 47, and Nawaz Sharif should …

ISLAMBADAD (Internews): Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong on Wednesday reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s industrialisation, agricultural modernisation and major connectivity upgrades under CPEC Phase II, describing these sectors as central to Pakistan’s long-term economic recovery. In a video address to senior policymakers, scholars and students at a policy dialogue in Islamabad titled “Redefining Regional Connectivity: Pakistan–China Friendship in …

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced that all major tax offices across the country will remain open on Saturday, November 29, 2025, to facilitate taxpayers and ensure smooth collection of duties and taxes. According to an official statement issued on Wednesday, the decision applies to all Large Taxpayer Offices (LTOs), Medium Taxpayer Offices (MTOs), Corporate Tax Offices (CTOs) …

Women Entrepreneurship Conference (WECON) Masawaat 2025 was held at the Pak-China Centre in Islamabad, organized through a collaboration between the British Council and Change Mechanics. The event brought together distinguished guests, partners, supporters of women’s economic inclusion, and an inspiring gathering of women entrepreneurs and aspiring leaders from across Pakistan. The Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), attending …

Pakistan has launched its first-ever public-private genomics joint venture, a major step toward building the country’s scientific and technological capacity. The initiative aims to boost agricultural innovation, strengthen national research institutions and support healthcare through locally developed genomic research and diagnostics. The venture is a collaboration between the National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB), PARC–Agro Tech Company (PATCO) …

Renowned Pakistani actress Mahira Khan has praised the humility of top actors Fawad Khan, Humayun Saeed, and Shah Rukh Khan, saying that despite their immense stardom, they remain grounded. Speaking on a private TV show, Mahira said her experience working in India was positive and she felt lucky to collaborate with a major actor. She added that most of what …

Significant progress has been made in the murder case of 17-year-old TikToker Sana Yusuf, who was shot dead in her Islamabad home on June 2, officials confirmed. During a hearing at the District and Sessions Court Islamabad, Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka recorded statements from three new prosecution witnesses, including the showroom owner, driver, and police officer …

The Lahore district court has issued the release order for YouTuber Sadd Rahman, popularly known as Ducky Bhai, officials confirmed. Judicial Magistrate Naeem Bhutto directed that Ducky Bhai should be released immediately if he is not wanted in any other cases. The court has formally notified the Superintendent of Camp Jail regarding the order. The development follows a Lahore High …

The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has restored the operating license of Serene Airline, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The airline’s license had been suspended earlier due to a shortage of aircraft. Following the license reinstatement, airline officials expect to resume domestic flights within two months and international operations within three months. Serene Airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Abdul Basit, thanked the …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has barred 10 officials, including two additional directors, from traveling abroad in connection with a corruption scandal at the National Counter Corruption and Intelligence Authority (NCCIA), sources confirmed. Authorities have also added three frontmen to the Prohibition from Leaving the Country (PNIL) list to prevent potential escape. Sources said the FIA has obtained bank records …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Composite Circle Gwadar has arrested 14 suspects attempting to illegally travel to Iran via sea, officials confirmed. According to an FIA spokesperson, the suspects hail from Gujranwala 4, Faisalabad 2, Hafizabad 2, Lower Dir 5, and other areas including Swabi, Mardan, and Malakand 3. The arrests took place near Jiwani, where the group was preparing …

Pakistan has been re-elected to the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for the 2026–2028 term, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday. The election took place during the 30th session of the OPCW Conference held from November 24 to 28 in The Hague. The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), with 193 member states, …

Islamabad’s Anti-Terrorism Court has declared former opposition leader Omar Ayub an absconder in connection with the October 4 protest case, court officials confirmed. During the hearing, Judge Tahir Abbas Supra directed authorities to block Omar Ayub’s passport and national ID card. The court also requested details of his properties as part of ongoing proceedings. Omar Ayub faces charges under anti-terrorism …

The Sindh government has appealed to the World Bank for support on two major transport projects the Karachi Circular Railway and the Karachi-Sukkur High-Speed Train describing them as key priorities for the province. Senior Provincial Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon met with a World Bank delegation in Karachi to discuss ways to enhance urban mobility, strengthen the transport system, and explore …

Pakistan marked World Sustainable Transport Day by reiterating its commitment to building a cleaner, smarter and more resilient transport system that supports economic growth while safeguarding the environment for future generations. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the government noted that as a key regional corridor, Pakistan views its road and highway network not just as transport channels but as …

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an additional $48 million in financing for Pakistan to support a major water resource project in Balochistan, the bank said in a statement. According to ADB, the funds will be used to expand and modernize water infrastructure in the province, introducing an upgraded piped water supply system designed to significantly reduce water losses. …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has not yet decided whether it will pursue its cases before the newly established Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), formed under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, even as dozens of the party’s petitions have already been transferred from the Supreme Court to the new judicial forum. A member of the PTI legal team said internal discussions are ongoing over …

Pakistan has proposed the creation of a permanent Regional Maritime Dialogue bringing together countries from the GCC, Central Asia and Africa to coordinate on shared maritime challenges and strengthen collective influence at global forums. The proposal was presented by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry during a high-level breakfast reception hosted by Pakistan at the International Maritime …

Pakistan Railways has decided to outsource an additional 11 passenger trains under its public–private partnership initiative, aiming to improve travel facilities and upgrade services across the network, officials said. According to the Railways administration, an open auction for the outsourcing of these trains will be held on December 3 at the Pakistan Railways headquarters in Lahore. Companies interested in bidding …

The Dubai Airshow 2025 has set a new global aviation record by securing deals worth more than US $202 billion, nearly double the volume recorded in 2023. According to the UAE news agency, the Airshow regarded as one of the world’s largest aviation events that drew around 248,000 attendees, including aviation professionals, industry experts and tourists. More than 1,500 exhibitors …

The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Sindh is preparing to introduce amendments to the province’s local government law, officials said. Experts from the Sindh Local Government and Law Departments are drafting proposed changes to the Sindh Local Governments Act 2013, which will be presented to the Sindh Cabinet for approval before being submitted to the provincial assembly for ratification. …

BEIJING: The northern Chinese city of Ordos, once thriving on the “black gold” of its vast coal reserves, is now emerging as an unlikely forerunner in China’s green transition, betting its future not on carbon but on green technology. At the heart of this shift lies a sprawling zero-carbon industrial park, where wind turbines and solar panels feed a smart …

Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held an important meeting with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, in Riyadh, where both sides discussed strengthening security cooperation between the two countries. According to official details, the meeting focused on enhancing collaboration between the interior ministries of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The two leaders also discussed the longstanding issue …

The Punjab Home Department has issued an extraordinary circular urging citizens and institutions across the province to become “Partners in Peace” to support the implementation of the Safe Punjab Vision. The initiative emphasizes unity, responsibility, and public participation as key to maintaining law and order. The circular clearly states that no individual or organization will be allowed to engage in …