Israel said on Thursday it was preparing for the reopening of Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt to let Palestinians in and out, but set no date as it traded blame with Hamas over violations of the US-mediated ceasefire. A row over the return of bodies of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza retains the potential to upend the truce, along …

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the upgraded Geoscience Advanced Research Laboratories (GARL) of the Geological Survey of Pakistan on Friday. The event was attended by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), along with federal ministers and distinguished foreign dignitaries. The inauguration marked a significant enhancement of Pakistan’s mineral research capabilities, drawing high-level …

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in its weekly briefing on Friday, expressed deep concern over recent aggression by Afghan Taliban forces and their affiliated groups along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border. According to the official statement, Pakistan described the actions by “the Afghan Taliban, Fitna-al-Khawarij, and Fitna-al-Hindustan” as unprovoked attempts to destabilize the border region on the nights of 11–12 and 14–15 …

Security forces killed eight terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Sultan Khel area of Lakki Marwat district, according to security sources. The operation, carried out by the Pakistan Army on October 16, was launched following credible intelligence reports about the presence of terrorists linked to Afghan Taliban proxies in the area. Security sources said the forces initiated aerial …

Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, Ambassador of Pakistan to Iran, inaugurated the annual Food and Cultural Fiesta 2025–26 at the Pakistan Embassy International School and College, Tehran. The colorful event drew a large number of guests, parents, and students who enjoyed a variety of cuisines representing multiple nationalities. The vibrant gathering reflected diversity, creativity, and a strong sense of community spirit. In …

Justice Yahya Afridi, the Chief Justice of Pakistan and Chairman of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), chaired the 46th meeting of the LJCP held at the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday. During the meeting, the Commission emphasized the importance of legal reforms, particularly in the Code of Criminal Procedure and Family Laws, noting that such reforms …

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Senator Dr. Musadik Malik, held a meeting today with the International Advisory Board of the Samson Group of Companies, led by Lord Amir Sarfraz of Kensington, Member of the House of Lords (UK), and General Patrick Sander, former Chief of the British Army. The meeting focused on promoting eco-tourism in Pakistan, particularly …

A fresh firing incident occurred at Indian comedian Kapil Sharma’s café in Canada, with the Bishnoi gang claiming responsibility for the attack, Indian media reported. According to initial reports, unidentified assailants opened fire on the café building late last night. Fortunately, there were no casualties. This marks the third such incident in the past four months targeting the comedian’s establishment. …

Veteran Pakistani actor Ayaz Khan met legendary Indian comedian and actor Johnny Lever in Dubai, sharing a lighthearted and friendly moment that quickly went viral on social media. Ayaz Khan posted a video of their meeting on his Instagram account, where he was seen presenting a traditional Sindhi Ajrak to Johnny Lever. The Indian comedian accepted the cultural gift with …

The United Nations has appointed popular Pakistani actress Hania Aamir as its new National Goodwill Ambassador for Pakistan, recognizing her influence and advocacy for women’s rights and empowerment. According to the UN, Hania will play a key role in raising awareness about gender equality and women’s empowerment, encouraging young women to pursue their dreams and challenge social barriers. In her …

Pakistan has finalized its tactical approach for the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa, with the team management instructing curators not to prepare flat batting tracks, sources confirmed on Thursday. According to insiders, the Pakistan team think tank has directed that the pitches should offer balanced conditions, allowing both batters and bowlers particularly spinners a fair chance. The move aims …

Pakistan’s Noor Zaman and Ashab Irfan have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Vancouver Men’s Open Squash Championship, a PSA World Series Copper Event currently being played in Canada. In the round of 16, third seed Noor Zaman defeated Owain Taylor of Wales in a thrilling four-game contest lasting 53 minutes. Noor secured victory with game scores of 11-9, 11-9, …

After the success of T10, T20, and traditional Test cricket, a new format named “Test Twenty” has been officially launched, promising to bring a fresh twist to the game. According to organizers, the first two editions of the new format will be held in India, with the inaugural tournament scheduled for January 2026. The format was unveiled at a launch …

The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has launched a nationwide crackdown against drug trafficking, seizing narcotics worth over Rs36.3 million and arresting five suspects, including a woman, during multiple operations across the country. According to an ANF spokesperson, the operations were conducted in various cities and around educational institutions to curb the supply of drugs to students. In total, authorities recovered 136.82 …

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has written a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) seeking permission to meet PTI founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, officials confirmed. The letter, sent through the Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, requests that the Chief Justice direct the Superintendent of Adiala Jail and the Ministry of Interior to allow the meeting …

Inflation in Pakistan continued its upward trend for the third consecutive week, with the prices of 24 essential commodities increasing, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). During the outgoing week, the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) recorded a 0.49% rise, pushing the year-on-year inflation rate to 4.57%. Officials said that the consistent surge reflects …

The Punjab Cabinet has approved a ban on the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) following violent protests in the province, Information Minister Azma Bokhari announced during a press conference in Lahore. Bokhari said the provincial government has sent a formal summary to the federal government recommending a complete ban on the hardline religious group under anti-extremism laws. She noted that while the …

Pakistan has suffered economic losses amounting to Rs822 billion due to the recent devastating floods that swept across the country, affecting more than 6.5 million people in 70 districts, according to official documents from the Planning and Economic Affairs Division. The report states that agriculture and infrastructure were the hardest-hit sectors, as torrential monsoon rains caused widespread destruction to homes, …

In a major relief measure for citizens affected by recent floods, the Government of Pakistan has waived electricity bills for the month of August in all flood-hit regions, according to sources in the Power Division. Officials said the decision applies to all categories of domestic consumers residing in the flood-affected areas. Those who have already paid their August bills will …

BEIJING: China will continuously optimize licensing procedures and decrease review time in the implementation of its latest rare earth export controls, and will actively consider facilitation measures to promote legitimate trade effectively, a Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said at a press conference on Thursday. The recent export control measures are a normal effort the Chinese government has made to improve …

By Rohail Riaz Pakistan, known as a democratic country since 1947, has remained an underdeveloped nation for many decades. Although a large number of graduates, including doctors, engineers, and social scientists, are produced every year. Only in 2023-24, 0.5million doctors are produced by Pakistan, likewise on average 2000 PhD scholars and 25000 engineers earn their degree every year. But many …

In an inspiring call to action at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women held in Beijing, President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s unwavering commitment to advancing the cause of women’s all-round development, not only within China but across the globe. His four comprehensive proposals outline a bold and practical roadmap to ensure that women are not only protected and empowered but …

Couples around the world can now legally marry in Abu Dhabi without ever setting foot in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), thanks to a new digital marriage service introduced by the Abu Dhabi government. The innovative initiative allows people of any nationality or religion to register and complete their marriage ceremonies entirely online through official government platforms — TAMM App …

The Levies Force in Pishin successfully rescued a 17-year-old boy, Fahad Ali, who had been kidnapped from Lahore, during a snap-checking operation on a passenger coach in Quetta. According to administrative sources, Fahad Ali was recovered safely on Wednesday night when Levies personnel intercepted a bus suspected of carrying abducted individuals. Initial investigation revealed that the abductors had planned to …

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, admired not only for his acting but also for his thoughtful views on life, has once again captured the internet’s attention, this time with an old video in which he talks about the traditional and spiritual value of eating on a dastarkhwan (cloth spread on the floor). The video, which has gone viral across social …

Renowned Pakistani actor Syed Jibran has spoken out about the growing use of weight-loss medications and the trend of hair transplants within the entertainment industry, urging people to prioritize their health over appearance. In a recent interview, Jibran — who holds a medical degree from Rawalpindi before entering showbiz — expressed concern over the rising obsession with quick-fix weight-loss injections …

Pakistan have climbed to second place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 standings after their impressive victory over defending champions South Africa in their opening match of the new cycle. With the win, Pakistan secured 12 points and hold a 100 percent win percentage, making a strong start to their Test campaign. Current leaders Australia remain at the …

Australian swimming sensation Ariarne Titmus, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, has announced her immediate retirement from competitive swimming, leaving fans and the sporting world in shock. According to Australian media reports, the 25-year-old champion made the announcement through a heartfelt post on social media, describing the decision as “difficult but right.” “I’ve spent 18 years in the pool, 10 of …

Nepal and Oman have officially secured their places in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 after impressive performances in the Asia East Pacific Qualifiers, marking a major achievement for both teams. According to tournament updates, a third team from the same qualifying region will also advance to next year’s mega event. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) currently stands in third …

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan, expressing concern that several influential suspects involved in money laundering and fake bank accounts cases may flee the country following a Sindh High Court (SHC) decision ordering their removal from the Exit Control List (ECL). In its petition, NAB warned that if the SHC decision is not immediately …

The Punjab government has decided to recommend a federal ban on an extremist group involved in hate speech, incitement, and violent activities, as part of a broader crackdown on extremism and lawlessness across the province. The decision was taken during a high-level law and order meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, according to an official statement issued after the …

Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi chaired a detailed briefing on the overall performance of the Pakistan Railways Multan Division, where officials reported significant improvements in efficiency, punctuality, and revenue during the current fiscal year. According to the briefing, the punctuality rate of trains has reached 88 percent, compared to 86 percent during the same period last year. Despite recent …

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday to review progress on the Pakistan–Italy agreement aimed at enhancing collaboration in the marble and granite sector. During the meeting, discussions focused on expanding cooperation between Pakistan and Italy to strengthen Pakistan’s marble and granite industry. Haroon Akhtar Khan emphasized that …

The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has arrested an international drug smuggler at Islamabad International Airport who was allegedly supplying narcotics to students in educational institutions. According to ANF officials, the suspect arrived from Thailand and was taken into custody upon landing. A search of his luggage led to the recovery of 11.182 kilograms of weed and 3.616 kilograms of cannabis, with …

The Punjab government has decided to bring Afghan nationals into the provincial tax network and tighten monitoring of illegal foreign residents, as part of new administrative and security measures. The decision was made during a high-level meeting on law and order chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, according to an official statement issued by the provincial government. The meeting also …

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has ordered an immediate suspension of Afghan Transit Trade transportation from Karachi ports, citing severe congestion and a lack of storage capacity at customs stations in Quetta and Peshawar. According to officials, the decision was made during a high-level meeting at the Directorate of Transit Trade Headquarters, Customs House Karachi, chaired by the Director …

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has reported significant progress in the ongoing flood damage assessment survey across Punjab, with detailed data collected from 368,000 flood-affected individuals so far. According to a PDMA spokesperson, more than 2,200 survey teams comprising over 11,000 personnel are conducting field operations in flood-hit districts. The official said that 58 percent of the survey has …

As Pakistan finalizes a $7 billion staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), policymakers have been alarmed by an unresolved $6 billion annual discrepancy in the country’s trade data, which reportedly remains unaddressed despite repeated reminders from the Fund. According to official documents, the issue of inconsistent trade figures was once again raised by the IMF mission during its …

The ongoing Jubail Cricket League T12 (JCL T12) Tournament has entered its final stage in the Saudi industrial city of Jubail, with two much-anticipated final matches scheduled for Friday. According to the organizers, players from the finalist teams are fully charged and engaged in intensive practice sessions ahead of the big day. The Premier Division final will feature Naqi XI …

ISLAMABAD (Internews):  The Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Nurlan Yermekbayev, underscored China’s pivotal role in advancing global governance and multilateral diplomacy within the SCO framework during a webinar titled “Post-Tianjin SCO Summit: Achievements and Prospects for Multipolar Regional Cooperation.” organised by Centre for SCO Studies– Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS) and Pakistan SCO Friendship Forum. …