BEIJING: People across the country marked the 76th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China on Wednesday with travel, shopping and family reunions as an eight-day holiday began. Hundreds of millions are on the move, foreign tourist arrivals are rising, and smart factories are running at full capacity to fill surging global orders. Beyond the bustle of activity, another task …

An Additional Sessions Court in Lahore has sentenced a man, Ghulam Muhammad, to death for the 2020 murder of mosque cleric Qari Usman. In a written verdict, Additional Sessions Judge Riaz Ahmed also imposed a fine of Rs1 million on the convict. The case was registered by Hudyara police in 2020. According to the prosecution, Qari Usman was leaving his …

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has allowed a 15-year-old girl, Madiha Bibi, to live with her husband despite ruling that child marriage is a punishable offense under the law. Justice Muhammad Azam Khan issued the detailed judgment in the underage marriage case, observing that while marriage after puberty is valid under Shariah, the Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025 criminalizes marriage …

The Power Division has issued a detailed update on electricity restoration efforts in flood-affected areas, confirming that out of 585 impacted feeders nationwide, 417 have been fully restored while 165 are partially operational. A total of 51 grid stations had also been affected. In Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) areas, 28 grids and 81 feeders were hit by the floods. …

The Islamabad Police have launched a citywide crackdown against traffic violations committed by motorcyclists, following the expiry of a three-day awareness campaign. According to the police spokesperson, starting today, strict action will be taken against motorcyclists driving without official number plates, using fancy or unauthorized plates, committing lane violations, performing one-wheeling stunts, or riding without helmets. The spokesperson said that …

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has been named the most prominent Indian actor of the past 25 years, according to a new report released by the Internet Movie Database (IMDb). The report, titled “25 Years of Indian Cinema,” highlights Khan’s enduring impact on audiences and his unmatched popularity across decades. It reveals that Shah Rukh Khan appeared in 20 of …

Bollywood’s style icon and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan turned heads at Paris Fashion Week as she walked the ramp in a diamond-studded sherwani designed by Manish Malhotra. The 51-year-old actress made a striking appearance in an indigo sherwani that blended traditional heritage with modern elegance. According to details shared by the designer, the outfit featured 10-inch diamond-encrusted cuffs, …

Veteran actress Saima Qureshi, known for her bold and often controversial statements, has once again sparked debate by holding mothers responsible for the collapse of their daughters’ marriages. Speaking as a guest on a recent podcast, Qureshi shared her views on family dynamics and marital challenges. She argued that once daughters are married, parents should step back instead of interfering …

BEIJING: President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on the nation to keep on working hard and forge ahead with determination in advancing Chinese modernization. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a reception held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing …

China has repeatedly proven its capacity to design and execute infrastructure projects that merge innovation with long-term vision. Among its recent achievements, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge has emerged as a landmark that redefines what is possible in civil engineering. Architectural and Technical Prowess Soaring nearly 625 meters (2,050 feet) above the canyon base and extending over 2,890 meters (9,481 …

Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani hosted a luncheon at Aiwan-e-Sadr today in honour of Senators belonging to various political parties. The meeting reviewed the overall political situation in the country and abroad and took stock of the relief and reconstruction efforts underway in flood-affected regions. Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry discussed …

Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) hosted high-level parliamentary delegations from the Republic of Uzbekistan and a state-level delegation from the Republic of Kazakhstan separately at the National Emergencies Operations Center (NEOC), NDMA Headquarters today. The Uzbek delegation was led by H.E. Mr. Nuriddin Ismoilov, Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, and included Mr. Maksudbek Kurbonboyev, Deputy …

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan has established its Sovereign Sustainable Finance Framework (“Framework”) to reinforce its commitment to sustainability and provide a structured approach for raising Sustainable Financing Instruments (including Green, Social, Sustainability). Through this initiative, Pakistan aims to enhance its participation in the global sustainable finance market while fostering the development of a robust sustainable financing ecosystem. Developed with …

The Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), in collaboration with national and international partner organizations, held an international seminar on The Future of Energy: Innovations in Renewable and Clean Energy Technologies. Federal Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, graced the inaugural ceremony as Chief Guest at COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI). Ambassadors and …

Pakistan has announced an 18-member squad for the two-match Test series against South Africa under the ICC World Test Championship. The series will be led by captain Shan Masood. Three new players Asif Afridi, Faisal Akram, and Rohail Nazir have been included in the squad. Alongside them, the squad features Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, …

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for foreign leagues, making future approvals conditional on players’ performance in international and domestic cricket. According to a notification issued by PCB Chief Operating Officer Sameer Ahmed, all previously granted NOCs for overseas leagues and tournaments have been suspended until further notice. The decision directly affects …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has nominated Moeen Riaz Qureshi as the new Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, filling a key position left vacant after the disqualification of Malik Ahmed Khan Bachhar. Bachhar, the former opposition leader, lost his seat following conviction and sentencing in the May 9 riots case. Since then, the Punjab Assembly had been without an …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan to pass legislation by December requiring all government officers from grade 17 to 22 to publicly declare their assets. According to media reports, the IMF delegation currently in Islamabad has also urged amendments to the Government Servants Conduct Rules to allow action against officials found involved in corruption. The demand is tied …

On the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a comprehensive flood survey has been launched across the province to assess losses and collect data on affected populations. According to official reports, commissioners, deputy commissioners, and assistant commissioners have been instructed to assist and monitor survey teams in their respective districts. A total of 1,629 teams have been mobilized …

The Power Division has issued a detailed report on electricity restoration efforts in flood-affected areas, highlighting substantial progress across multiple distribution companies. According to the report, a total of 51 grid stations and 585 feeders were impacted nationwide. Out of these, 396 feeders have been fully restored while 186 have been partially rehabilitated. In the Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) …

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, met with Vatican City’s Ambassador, Archbishop Germano Penemote, to discuss rising trends of religious intolerance, terrorism, and ways to strengthen interfaith harmony. During the meeting, the Minister emphasized that the government is committed to fostering an environment of inclusivity, tolerance, and mutual respect for every individual in society. He …

URUMQI: In the golden autumn of late September, the streets of Urumqi were adorned with bright banners and fresh flowers in celebration of the 70th founding anniversary of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Amid the festive atmosphere, Chinese leader Xi Jinping made a three-day trip to the regional capital last week. Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) …

          Passengers board a train at Jinhua Railway Station in Jinhua, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Sept. 29, 2025. China’s National Day holiday travel rush started on Sept. 29 and will last until Oct. 10. (Photo by Hu Xiaofei/Xinhua) Passengers are pictured at Harbin Railway Station in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 29, 2025. China’s National …

Renowned actress and morning show host Farah Sadia broke down in tears during a live talk show as she recalled memories of her first love. Appearing as a guest, ever Farah read the famous poem Mere Charah-gar by Imtiaz Islam Amjad, which reflects themes of unfulfilled love and heartbreak. While reciting the verses, she became visibly emotional and admitted that …

Showbiz personalities have joined fans in criticizing Pakistan’s poor performance in the Asia Cup final against India, pointing fingers at both the players’ attitude and team management’s decisions. Actress and television host Mishi Khan lashed out at the national team, calling them “product of favoritism.” She remarked that the players do not go to tournaments to compete but rather to …

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has taken notice of unverified reports circulating on various media platforms claiming that the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns for Tax Year 2025 will be extended. Some elements have also attempted to link this perceived extension to the recent floods. FBR categorically clarified that these reports are false, baseless, and misleading, as the …

Federal Minister for Health, Syed Mustafa Kamal, chaired an important meeting on the affairs of the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), attended by the Federal Health Secretary and Additional Secretary. During the session, the Ministry announced a landmark decision to fully digitalize the Pakistan Nursing Council to ensure efficiency, merit, and transparency in all of its operations. Speaking on the occasion …

President Asif Ali Zardari has termed the maritime sector the backbone of Pakistan’s trade, connectivity, and economic resilience, while stressing that the country stands at a defining moment in its maritime journey. In his message on the occasion of the International Day of Maritime Trade, the President said Pakistan’s seas are not only gateways for trade but also pillars of …

Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik has said that the Oil and Gas Development Company’s (OGDC) five new oil and gas discoveries during the fiscal year 2024-25 are a testament to Pakistan’s vast hydrocarbon potential. The Minister made the remarks during a meeting with the Managing Director and senior executives of OGDC at the company’s head office on Monday. …

Dengue cases are on the rise in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as seasonal changes set in, with 95 new infections confirmed in the past 24 hours, according to the provincial health department. According to health department, the total number of dengue patients reported this month has reached 1,273, while health authorities have identified Charsadda, Mansehra, Haripur, Peshawar, Kohat, Swabi, and Mardan as …

The Punjab government has approved a major conservation and restoration plan for the ancient archaeological site of Harappa, one of the key centres of the Indus Valley Civilization. The project, which carries an estimated cost of Rs1.42 billion, will run until June 2028 under the supervision of the Punjab Department of Archaeology. According to official documents, the restoration plan aims …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan to submit a concrete plan to curb energy sector losses and tackle widespread electricity theft as part of ongoing economic review talks. During the second round of review discussions, the IMF urged Islamabad to accelerate reforms aimed at improving governance in electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) and to reduce capacity charges that have …

The Ministry of Energy’s Power Division has released its latest update on electricity restoration efforts in flood-affected areas, reporting that a total of 51 grid stations and 588 feeders were impacted across the country. According to the report of today, 396 feeders have been fully restored while 189 are partially functional. Restoration work continues in coordination with local administrations, with …

In cash-strapped Pakistan, a senior government officer’s daughter’s extravagant wedding costing an estimated Rs248 million has sparked outrage over the lavish lifestyles of the wealthy and their minimal tax contributions. According to official sources, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has flagged the high-profile event, which featured six grand functions. Despite the opulent spending, neither the officer nor his daughter …

Pakistani boxer Sameer Khan made history on Saturday by defeating India’s Bunty Singh to clinch the UBO Youth World Bantamweight title. With this victory, Pakistan secured its first-ever title in this championship category. The match took place at the World Siam Stadium in Bangkok, where Khan displayed dominant performance throughout the bout. The judges awarded him a unanimous decision, officially …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration Circle deported five Afghan nationals, including a woman, at the Torkham border after they were caught attempting to enter Pakistan illegally. According to an FIA spokesperson, three of the passengers, including the woman, had tried to enter Pakistan using passports belonging to their lookalikes. The fourth passenger was found carrying a passport with a …

Alarmed by the increasing number of heart attacks and cardiac-related deaths among young people, the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has launched its World Heart Day campaign, “Heart Over Habit,” urging immediate lifestyle changes. The campaign encourages individuals to abandon harmful habits and adopt healthier routines for long-term heart health. Once considered illnesses of old age, cardiovascular diseases are now …

Pakistan’s trade with Central Asian states, Afghanistan, and Azerbaijan grew significantly in the fiscal year 2024–25, reaching $2.41 billion compared to $1.92 billion in the previous year. The surge reflects a renewed momentum in regional economic ties, with both exports and imports showing upward trends. According to official data, Pakistan’s exports to these countries rose to $1.77 billion in FY2025, …

The People’s Republic of China has once again reaffirmed its role as Pakistan’s steadfast friend by extending Monsoon Relief Assistance for the flood-affected people in Pakistan through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The aid will augment NDMA’s relief support for flood-hit areas in Punjab. Two Chinese relief flights carrying 300 tents and 9,000 blankets landed at Nur Khan Air …

Serious questions of transparency have emerged over the Sindh Solar Energy Project, a flagship initiative of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), after reports of alleged irregularities in contracts and imports. Funded by the World Bank with an estimated cost of Rs. 28 billion, the first phase of the project aimed to distribute 200,000 solar home systems, with plans to expand …