The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Robert-Jan Siegert, paid a courtesy call on the Federal Minister for Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar. The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration and exchanging views on ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting and protecting human rights in Pakistan. The Federal Minister welcomed the Ambassador and appreciated the Netherlands’ continued engagement and support …

Police in Kot Addu recovered the abducted father of a well-known TikToker after an intelligence-driven operation in the Thal desert, during which four kidnappers were killed in an exchange of fire, authorities said on Thursday. According to the District Police Officer (DPO) Kot Addu, the rescue mission was launched to recover Sadiq Hussain, father of TikToker Vela Manda, who had …

Police in Taxila have arrested a four-member gang, known locally as the Bali Gang, believed to be involved in multiple incidents of robbery and motorcycle theft across Rawalpindi and other districts. According to police officials in Friday, the operation led to the recovery of 12 stolen or snatched motorcycles, 22 mobile phones worth several hundred thousand rupees, Rs100,000 in cash, …

Lodhran police have arrested a most-wanted murder suspect, Zoalfqar Ali, from Dubai and transferred him to Lahore, more than a decade after he fled Pakistan following a 2013 murder in Chak 344 WB, Dunyapur. According to the Lodhran police spokesperson, the accused had disappeared abroad after killing a local resident named Altaaf. A Red Notice was issued for his arrest, …

The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has carried out a series of nationwide operations against drug smuggling, resulting in the seizure of 417.69 kilograms of narcotics and the arrest of four suspects, including a Nigerian national. The seized drugs have an estimated value of over Rs375 million. According to an ANF spokesperson, the operations took place in multiple cities across Pakistan, involving …

Karachi law enforcement agencies have arrested four extortionists, including the main suspect who made threatening phone calls, in a crackdown against the city’s extortion mafia. According to police sources, the suspects were involved in demanding money from a marble factory owner in Manghopir and a car showroom owner. Evidence, including call records, was recovered from the suspects’ mobile phones, revealing …

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has emphasized that ensuring the safety of individuals attending peace jirgas falls under the responsibility of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, while expressing strong concern over recent disappearances. During hearings on several petitions related to missing persons, Justice S.M. Atiq Shah questioned the circumstances under which attendees of a peace jirga went missing after participating …

At least seven people were killed and one injured when armed attackers opened fire on a peace committee office in Huwai, Bannu, late on Friday night. According to police officials, the assailants specifically targeted the office of the committee’s head, Qari Jaleel. The victims have been identified as Danish, Kamran, Waliullah, Sufyan, Muhammad Niaz, Nauman, and another individual named Sufyan. …

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi has written a formal letter to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, expressing strong concern over what he described as “obstructions” in meetings with former prime minister Imran Khan at Adiala Jail. In the letter, Afridi stated that blocking meetings with Imran Khan despite court orders is “unacceptable,” adding that such actions raise serious …

The federal government has carried out a major reshuffle in the Establishment Division, transferring and reassigning several key officers as part of a broad administrative overhaul. According to official sources, Secretary Establishment Division Barrister Nabeel Ahmed Awan has formed a new team after receiving approval from the Prime Minister. As part of the restructuring, Syeda Shafaq Hashmi, an officer of …

Pakistan is observing World Fisheries Day today, joining countries across the globe in highlighting the centuries-old profession that continues to sustain millions of people. In coastal regions such as Karachi, fishing remains one of the oldest and most vital sources of livelihood—yet one increasingly burdened by economic pressure, environmental threats, and uncertainty. Every year on 21 November, World Fisheries Day …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken action against two federal ministers for violating election rules, imposing a Rs50,000 fine on Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and issuing a formal notice to Federal Minister Owais Leghari. According to a letter sent by the District Monitoring Officer (DMO) Faisalabad to the ECP Secretary, Chaudhry repeatedly breached the election …

JOHANNESBURG: Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived here Thursday to attend the 20th Group of 20 (G20) Summit. The summit, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, is the first ever to be held on the African continent. China supports South Africa’s G20 presidency and stands ready to work with various parties under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” to build up consensus at …

A rare snow leopard has been spotted once again in the Manur Valley area of Garm Chashma in Chitral, officials confirmed. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department reported that the endangered big cat was seen near human settlements, prompting wildlife authorities to take immediate action. The department noted that snow leopard sightings in Chitral have been recorded in the past, but …

BEIJING: A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson reconfirmed on Thursday that Chinese Premier Li Qiang will not meet with the Japanese leader during the upcoming Group of 20 Leaders’ Summit. In response to a query about Japan’s repeated claims of being open to dialogue and engagement with China, spokesperson Mao Ning told a daily press briefing that Premier Li has no …

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, today met a 13-member delegation from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) of Nigeria, led by Barrister Imo Effiong Akpan, Federal Commissioner. Senior officials of the Finance and Revenue Division were also present during the meeting. The Finance Minister welcomed the delegation and expressed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding institutional …

After weeks of speculation, Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor has officially confirmed her second pregnancy. Rumors about the 40-year-old actress and her husband Anand Ahuja expecting a second child had circulated on social media for the past two months. The speculation intensified when Sonam attended a recent Karva Chauth celebration at her father Anil Kapoor’s residence but avoided photographers. Kapoor shared …

On the occasion of World Children’s Day, actress and UNICEF Pakistan’s National Ambassador for Child Rights, Saba Qamar, called on the nation to raise awareness and protect the rights of children across the country. In a video shared on social media, Qamar urged the public to “stand together” in support of children’s rights. She highlighted that every child has the …

Bollywood director and producer Karan Johar recently opened up about his efforts to modify his feminine mannerisms and voice during his teenage years. In a candid interview with host Sania Mirza, Johar reflected on his early life, single parenting, and various personal challenges. He revealed that at age 15, while his peers were engaged in sports, he pursued courses in …

Two tragic incidents involving young women have been reported in Lahore, highlighting the severe consequences of domestic conflicts. In the first case, a 22-year-old woman, identified as Samina, was allegedly beaten to death by her father during a family dispute in the Kahna Sodh area. According to police and Edhi spokespersons, the argument escalated, prompting the father to attack Samina …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Karachi Zone has arrested a suspect involved in illegal currency exchange activities following a major operation. According to FIA officials, the operation was conducted under the guidance of the FIA Director General targeting unlicensed currency exchange networks. The suspect, identified as Muhammad Tanveer, was apprehended in the Clifton area of Karachi. Authorities recovered USD 18,000, …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a sharply critical 186-page report warning that corruption remains pervasive at every tier of governance in Pakistan, with the most damaging form driven by powerful political and business groups influencing key economic sectors, including state-owned and state-backed enterprises. According to the report, Pakistan lacks any credible mechanism to measure the true scale of …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration at Karachi Airport stopped an attempt by a Pakistani national to travel to Saudi Arabia using fake documents. Officials said the passenger, identified as Muhammad Rehan from Bannu, was scheduled to fly on G9547. He had obtained a visa for employment as a heavy truck driver using a forged HTV (Heavy Transport Vehicle) license, …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration wing foiled an attempt by an Afghan national to travel to Europe using a forged resident card. According to FIA officials, the passenger, identified as Jannat Gul Niazi, was scheduled to fly to France on PK749. He was found attempting to use a fake Greek resident card to board the flight. The suspect has …

Aleema Khan appeared before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in connection with the November 26 protest case at Sadiqabad police station, following the issuance of her 11th arrest warrant. At the hearing, ten other accused and five witnesses were also present. Aleema Khan filed a petition challenging the inclusion of the terrorism clause, Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), in …

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif congratulated Pakistan’s javelin team for their outstanding performance at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh. The Prime Minister praised Arshad Nadeem for winning the gold medal and Muhammad Yasir for claiming silver, saying the athletes have made the nation proud through their talent and dedication. “Arshad Nadeem and Muhammad Yasir achieved success in the Islamic Solidarity …

Moroccan and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi was named African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards held in Rabat. Hakimi became the first defender in 52 years to win the award, finishing ahead of prominent players Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen. Hakimi had an exceptional 2025 season, scoring a total of 61 goals, including 27 for PSG, …

Curacao, a small Caribbean island, has made history by becoming the world’s smallest country to qualify for the next FIFA World Cup. With a population of just 156,000, Curacao has set a new record, surpassing Iceland, which previously held the distinction with a population of 350,000. In the World Cup qualifiers, Curacao’s group-stage match against Jamaica ended in a goalless …

Rashid Nasim, Pakistan’s most prolific Guinness World Record holder, and his daughter Fatima Nasim have added three more world records to their achievements. Residents of Shah Faisal Colony in Karachi, the father-daughter duo recently took part in a new category introduced by Guinness World Records on its 70th anniversary. Fatima Nasim set a record by popping 76 balloons in 30 …

Participants of the 27th National Security Workshop visited Gwadar to learn about the strategic importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), safe operations at Gwadar Port, and coastal monitoring systems. According to officials, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Gwadar provided a comprehensive briefing on the region’s security situation. A special session was also held at the China Business Center in …

Balochistan’s Irrigation Minister, Mir Sadiq Umarani, has warned that continuous water extraction through solar-powered tube wells is causing a sharp decline in the province’s groundwater levels. Umarani said the decision by WAPDA to shift agricultural tube wells to solar power was a mistake. He explained that previously, KESC supplied farmers with electricity for only four hours, prompting cautious usage. Now, …

The Punjab government has approved the cancellation of appointments of several special prosecutors assigned to the May 9 cases, following serious concerns over weak representation of the state’s position in court. During a provincial cabinet meeting, performance reports of the special prosecutors were presented, revealing widespread absenteeism and inadequate case follow-ups. Officials expressed strong dissatisfaction over what they described as …

The National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP) have shut down a major section of the M-1 Motorway after severe fog reduced visibility to zero, creating dangerous travel conditions. According to an NHMP spokesperson, the motorway has been completely closed in both directions from Peshawar Toll Plaza to Chach Interchange. The decision was taken to protect travellers and prevent any major …

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a total loan of $330 million for Pakistan’s second Power Transmission Strengthening Project. According to ADB, the project is part of the Government of Pakistan’s priority investments, aimed at expanding the national transmission network and efficiently delivering low-cost hydro and renewable energy to major load centers across the country. Under the project, a …

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, addressed the COP30 side event titled “Upscaling the Green Pakistan Programme (UGPP): A Success Story” through a special video message on 20 November 2025. The event, organized by the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination, showcased Pakistan’s achievements in large-scale forest restoration, ecosystem revival, and community-driven conservation under …

Dubai International Airport (DXB) welcomed 3.2 million Pakistani passengers during the first nine months of 2025, according to new data released by Dubai Airports. Pakistan ranked fourth among all nationalities using DXB this year. Officials noted that Pakistani travellers continue to rely heavily on Dubai for tourism, business, family visits, employment opportunities and as a major transit hub for Europe, …

Pakistan has fulfilled a major requirement of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by releasing the Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment ahead of the IMF Executive Board meeting. The Finance Ministry’s detailed report underscores that corruption remains one of the biggest impediments to the country’s economic and social development. The assessment highlights serious weaknesses in the tax system, public spending structure, …

Pakistani superstar Mahira Khan dismissed rumors of a silent rivalry with fellow actress Saba Qamar, describing the speculations as unfounded. Speaking on a private TV show while promoting her upcoming film Nilofar alongside co-star Fawad Khan, Mahira responded to a fan’s question about her alleged feud with Saba. She said, “Absolutely not. I have been asked this question many times, …

The trailer for Ranveer Singh’s upcoming film Dhurandhar has drawn criticism in both Pakistan and India for its portrayal of Karachi’s Lyari area and historical figures. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film features Ranveer Singh as an Indian spy stationed in Lyari. The trailer also shows Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal, nicknamed the “Angel of Death,” and Akshay Khanna as …

Senior Pakistani actress Parveen Akbar revealed that a recent visit to an old age home left her mentally stressed after seeing the conditions of the women residing there. Speaking on a morning show, Akbar described how the elderly women were often waiting for their children, highlighting the emotional struggles faced by residents. “When I left, those women stayed on my …