BEIJING: China is firmly opposed to the U.S. arbitrary levy of tariffs to hold back Chinese industries groundlessly, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday at a regular press briefing. Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks after the U.S. side announced its intended imposition of tariffs on China’s semiconductor industry, which will take effect in 2027. “What the U.S. has …

BEIJING (Internews): The embassy of Pakistan in Beijing successfully hosted its 2nd Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Forum on Tuesday with a dedicated focus on fostering skills and talent cultivation for Pakistan’s agriculture sector. The event brought together senior Pakistani and Chinese officials, leading Chinese and Pakistani agricultural TVET institutions and enterprises to explore joint partnerships for sector-specific …

BEIJING (Internews): The Pakistan Study Centre at Shandong University was officially inaugurated on Monday by Pakistani ambassador Khalil Hashmi, in the presence of Executive Vice President Wu Zhen and faculty members. The Centre marks a new avenue for academic engagement between Pakistan and China, with a focus on deepening mutual understanding through research, dialogue, and educational exchanges, particularly in agriculture …

The scenic Kashmir valley known for its lush green mountains, dense forests, waterfalls, flowing rivers and historical sites continues to attract tourists from across the country and abroad. Every year, millions of domestic and foreign visitors travel to different parts of Azad Kashmir to witness its natural beauty. According to the Department of Tourism and Archaeology, more than 1.5 million …

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday reacted strongly to the suspension of a bill aimed at resolving long-pending property disputes within 90 days, saying the move would harm ordinary citizens and benefit land grabbers. In a statement on the suspension of the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Bill 2025, Maryam Nawaz said the legislation was introduced to …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) directly administered by the central government to better serve the overall work of the Party and the country and contribute more to 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 in …

Pakistan’s victorious Under-19 cricket team, fresh from their Asia Cup triumph over India, will depart for Zimbabwe tonight to participate in upcoming international competitions. The team will fly from Islamabad to Harare, where they will take part in a tri-nation series featuring Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. The opening match of the series, between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, is scheduled for December 25, …

Pakistan women’s cricket team’s prominent wicketkeeper-batter Sidra Nawaz has married Ghiyas Khan, embarking on a new journey in her personal life. The Nikah ceremony took place in Lahore, attended by close family members, relatives, and friends. Sources reported that the event was conducted in a simple yet joyful atmosphere, with family and relatives offering their heartfelt blessings to the couple. …

Global football legend Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez have purchased two luxury villas in Saudi Arabia, media reports confirmed. The properties are part of the Red Sea International project, located within the Nojouma Ritz-Carlton Reserve. These residences are built on private islands approximately 26 kilometers from the mainland, accessible only by boat or yacht. Nojouma features a total …

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced an investigation into allegations of excessive alcohol consumption by England players during the Ashes series in Australia. According to international media Reports suggest that the team spent four nights in Noosa, a coastal city in Queensland, between the second and third Test matches, where questions were raised about some players’ off-field …

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that Indian players provoked Pakistani players during the Under-19 Asia Cup final and that the matter would be reported to the International Cricket Council (ICC). Speaking to the media at a reception hosted by the Prime Minister to honor Pakistan’s victorious Under-19 team, Naqvi emphasized the importance of keeping politics separate from …

Pakistani rowers delivered an outstanding performance at the Thailand International Rowing Regatta, winning a total of 20 medals, including 14 golds, across various categories. The three-day event saw participation from over 200 rowers representing eight countries. Under the guidance of coach Asghar Ali, the Pakistani team showcased exceptional skill and competitiveness throughout the regatta. Fariid Muhammad Arif emerged as the …

Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have reached their highest level in history, reflecting renewed investor confidence and improving macroeconomic stability, according to officials and international agencies. Global rating agencies, including Gallup and D&B, have recognized the progress in Pakistan’s economy and confirmed a 19 percent increase in consumer confidence. Reports indicate that as of March 2022, Pakistan’s foreign reserves reached $21.1 …

Board Chairman of easypaisa Irfan Wahab Khan said Pakistan’s technology sector does not suffer from a lack of ideas but faces serious challenges in scaling businesses and accessing capital, as he spoke at the Paklaunch (PL) Islamabad Meetup held at the National Incubation Center (NIC) Islamabad. The Islamabad-based gathering, hosted in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), brought together startup …

Positive outcomes of the government’s economic reforms have begun to emerge in Pakistan, with the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ranking among the world’s best-performing equity markets. By mid-December 2025, the benchmark KSE-100 Index crossed a historic level of 171,500 points, reflecting growing confidence among both domestic and foreign investors. Market analysts say the strong performance signals improved economic stability and …

Former federal minister Usman Dar has approached the Lahore High Court seeking removal of his name from the Exit Control List (ECL). A bench headed by Justice Sajid Mahmood Sethi issued notices to the Interior Secretary and the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), asking them to submit a response by tomorrow. Dar, represented by Advocate Abu Zar …

The Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology in Sargodha has been completed, marking a major milestone in healthcare infrastructure for the Sargodha division. The hospital, constructed at a cost of Rs 986 crore, was completed on schedule in December 2025. Spread over 97 kanals of land, the hospital is designed to provide comprehensive treatment for all cardiovascular diseases. According to officials, …

After passing through Punjab, a rain-bearing weather system has moved on, bringing the region back to dry and cold conditions. Dense fog continues to affect Lahore and other parts of Punjab during mornings and nights, prompting authorities to close stretches of motorways at various points for traffic safety. According to the Meteorological Department, another rain-bearing system is expected to enter …

The Lahore High Court on Tuesday has upheld the decision of the Punjab Ombudsman to terminate the employment of the Director of Management at a Vocational Institute for allegedly harassing a female teacher. The court dismissed the petitioner’s request for reinstatement. Justice Raheel Kamran issued a 17-page detailed judgment on the petition filed by Umar Shehzad, setting a new legal …

Politician and entertainment figures dominated Pakistani internet searches in 2025, according to Google’s annual report, Year in Search 2025. Wikipedia data shows that former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan was the most searched Pakistani personality, followed by former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and singer Atif Aslam. In the entertainment sector, actors Mahira Khan, Iqra Aziz, and Hania Aamir …

Five suspected drug dealers were killed in alleged police encounters in Lahore during operations by CCD Chohung and CCD Iqbal Town, police said on Tuesday. Authorities identified the deceased as Ashiq, Azeem, Khurram, Aslam, and Javed. Police said the suspects were being taken for drug recovery operations when their accomplices opened fire in an attempt to rescue them. Four of …

Doctors at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital have successfully restored the eyesight of a 101-year-old man after performing a complex and highly sensitive eye operation, hospital officials said on Tuesday. The patient, Reza Khan, a resident of Islamabad, had been suffering from severe cataracts along with other eye-related complications that had significantly impaired his vision. Following the procedure, doctors confirmed that …

The Punjab government has decided to formally include visually impaired individuals in the official list of persons with disabilities, aiming to extend legal recognition and access to state support. The Punjab Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Amendment) Bill 2025 was presented in the Punjab Assembly on Friday during the ongoing session. The proposed legislation seeks to amend existing laws by …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday summoned the Returning Officer (RO), District Returning Officer (DRO) and District Police Officer (DPO) in connection with a case alleging rigging in the NA-185 constituency, while also seeking a detailed report from the constituency’s RO. The hearing was held on a petition filed by NA-185 candidate Sardar Dost Khoso. His counsel, Latif …

Five police personnel were martyred after unidentified attackers opened fire on a police mobile in Karak district, police said on Tuesday. According to police officials, the incident took place within the limits of Gargarai police station, where a police van came under direct gunfire. Initial reports had confirmed four fatalities, but District Police Officer (DPO) Karak Saud Khan later confirmed …

BEIJING (Internews): Ambassador Khalil Hashmi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China today held individual meetings with Pakistan’s Honorary Investment Counsellors (HICs) in China to take stock of their work, strengthen coordination, and set priorities for the year ahead. The meeting was attended by Ms. Ma Xiaoli, representing Mr. Yuan Jianming, Mr. Zhang Baozhong, Mr. Wang Zihai and Mr. Jian Peng. Besides individual …

Pakistan Under-19 cricket team mentor and former national captain Sarfraz Ahmed broke his silence on Monday regarding India’s behavior during the Asia Cup 2025 final, describing it as unsportsmanlike and contrary to cricketing ethics. The remarks came after the Prime Minister hosted a reception to honor Pakistan’s victorious U19 team, with Shahbaz Sharif personally welcoming all players. Chairman of the …

Former England cricket captain Andrew Strauss has remarried, seven years after the death of his first wife, Ruth Strauss. The 48-year-old tied the knot with 30-year-old Antonia Linus-Pet in a private ceremony in the scenic town of Franschhoek, South Africa. The wedding was an intimate affair attended only by family members of both sides. Speaking about the ceremony, Strauss said …

The Pakistan Under-19 cricket team celebrated their Asia Cup 2025 triumph in style after defeating India by 191 runs in the final held in Dubai. Following the victory, the young players were seen dancing to the popular song “FA9LA” from the film Dharrindhar, capturing their joy and excitement. The Asia Cricket Council shared the celebration video on social media, where …

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has been awarded the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class, Saudi Arabia’s highest national honour, in recognition of his pivotal role in strengthening defence cooperation and strategic ties between Pakistan and the Kingdom. The medal was conferred on the Field Marshal by the Prince …

Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program (PMYP), Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to youth empowerment during the opening ceremony of the International MOIC Summit Pakistan 2025, held at HEC Islamabad. The event was attended by the President of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), HEC representatives, and youth leaders from across Pakistan. Rana Mashhood recalled his tenure …

The notification for the successful candidates of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) elections 2025 has been officially issued. Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan, acting as the returning officer, announced the results. From Balochistan, Munir Ahmed Khan Kakar was elected from Quetta. Islamabad elected Raja Rizwan Abbasi, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa constituencies Peshawar and Abbottabad returned Naveed Akhtar, Rehman Ullah, …

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and Pakistan Railways on Monday have agreed to enhance cooperation on rail development projects, including the construction of a new line from Kohaṭ to Kharlachi. The decision came during a high-level meeting chaired by KP Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi. Officials briefed the meeting that the proposed 192-kilometre Kohaṭ-Kharlachi railway project will cost $642 million and …

Wildlife rangers apprehended seven individuals for the illegal hunting of a blackbuck (Paṛha Hiran), pigeons, and partridges in various parts of the district. Official of District Forest and Wildlife Department said on Monday that in the suburban area of Mandi Ahmadabad, a rescued female blackbuck was taken for a medical examination and subsequently transferred to Head Suleman Wildlife Park for …

The Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court conducted a hearing in the case involving an alleged altercation and assault with Wajid Gilani, President of the Islamabad High Court Bar. The proceedings were overseen by Judge Abul Hasanat Muhammad Zulqarnain. The court extended the interim bail of accused Iman Mizari, Hadi Ali Chatha, and others. However, arguments on the anticipatory bail applications could not …

Two Pakistani citizens were executed in Saudi Arabia after being convicted of drug smuggling, authorities confirmed. According to media reports, Saudi officials had arrested the individuals on charges of involvement in narcotics trafficking. Following a trial, a Saudi court upheld the charges and sentenced both to death, with the punishment subsequently carried out. Saudi Arabia classifies drug smuggling as a …

The Islamabad High Court has imposed heavy fines on police officers involved in the abduction of a woman and her minor daughters from Lahore and Bahawalpur, ordering departmental action against those responsible. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani announced the reserved verdict, with the detailed judgment to be issued later. The case stemmed from a dispute involving former PIA CEO Musharraf Rasool, …

Pakistan Railways faced a challenging year in 2025 as accidents, derailments, and sabotage incidents disrupted services nationwide, leaving passengers waiting for hours despite upgraded and aesthetically improved stations. Official data reveals that from January 1 to December 20, a total of 95 accidents occurred involving passenger and freight trains. Over a dozen passengers lost their lives, while hundreds of passengers …

The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) has reported a notable increase in both revenue and tourist usage of the Lahore Double-Decker Bus Service during 2025. Official figures indicate that the service’s total revenue rose by approximately 20 percent, reaching nearly Rs3 crore. During the same period, around 40,000 tourists used the facility, marking a similar 20 percent growth compared …

The implementation of the e-Office system across federal ministries has resulted in annual savings of Rs9.5 billion for the government, while significantly reducing delays in official decision-making, according to official documents. Government data shows that the average processing time for summaries has dropped from 25 days to just four days, marking an overall reduction of 84 percent. Officials said the …