Two people, including a police constable, were martyred after unknown assailants opened fire on a polio vaccination team in the Tangi area of Salarzai tehsil in Bajaur district, officials said. According to reports, the attackers targeted the polio campaign team during vaccination activities. A police constable, identified as Sajjad, who was deployed on security duty, and a civilian lost their …

The constitutional bench of the Sindh High Court has rejected an urgent request to suspend government action regarding the deportation of 28 Turkish nationals residing in Pakistan. The case was heard by a two-member constitutional bench comprising Justice Yousuf Ali Saeed and Justice Abdul Mubeen Lakho. The petition sought time and interim relief against the deportation of the Turkish citizens. …

The Sindh cabinet has approved the procurement of a wireless communication system for prisons across the province in a move aimed at strengthening security and improving administrative efficiency, officials said. The approval was granted on the recommendation of the Inspector General of Prisons, keeping national interest and security considerations in view. During the meeting, the cabinet noted that making procurement …

The Sindh cabinet has approved a revision of the wheat release policy for the fiscal year 2025–26, including a reduction in the official wheat release price, aimed at ensuring market stability and affordable flour prices, officials said. According to the spokesperson for the Chief Minister of Sindh, the decision was taken during a cabinet meeting in which the wheat issue …

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday paid a glowing tribute to the innocent martyrs of the Army Public School tragedy, saying he saluted the courage, resilience and great sacrifice of the brave students. The interior minister said the APS tragedy remains one of the most tragic and darkest chapters in Pakistan’s history, exposing the cruel and ruthless face of …

Customs Enforcement Quetta has seized smuggled goods worth approximately Rs240 million during a series of operations carried out on the basis of confirmed intelligence, officials said. According to Customs authorities, the confiscated items included skimmed milk powder, auto spare parts, flavoured pan masala, power banks and a Hino truck. The action was taken on the directives of the Collector Customs …

The Federal Board of Revenue has suspended the notification fixing new property valuation rates in Islamabad on the instructions of the prime minister, officials said. According to the FBR, the notification issued on December 8 setting revised valuation rates for properties in the federal capital has been put on hold with immediate effect. The suspension applies to SRO No 2392 …

The Federal Shariat Court has been shifted to the premises of the Islamabad High Court and will now operate from the IHC complex, officials confirmed on Monday. According to official sources, the relocation was approved by President Asif Ali Zardari, who gave formal consent for the transfer of both the Federal Shariat Court and the Constitutional Court to the Islamabad …

The Peshawar High Court has issued a detailed four-page written judgment on petitions filed by leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) seeking protective bail, recommending the formation of a larger bench to hear such cases. In its written decision, the court noted that the Federal Prosecutor General had raised serious objections, arguing that petitioners were repeatedly approaching the court for the …

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi has announced a significant increase in financial assistance for the families of security personnel martyred in what he described as India’s “cowardly attack” in May 2025. During a meeting with the families of martyrs from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the chief minister said the provincial government stood shoulder to shoulder with the heirs of those who …

On the special directives of the Federal Minister for Railways, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Pakistan Railways has successfully carried out a major anti-encroachment operation near Usman Khattar Railway Station on the Taxila–Havelian section. During the operation, all illegal constructions and shops established on railway land were completely demolished, resulting in the recovery of 56.62 marlas of valuable railway land worth millions …

The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (M/o NHSR&C), with support from the British High Commission and World Health Organization (WHO), organised a joint meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Health and Population Council and the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Country Platform. The meeting provided an opportunity for harmonising national, provincial and development partner investments, fostering evidence-informed strategic and programmatic …

The federal government has introduced a new mechanism for the disbursement of health allowances to doctors (medical and dental), allied specialists, pharmacists, nurses, paramedics, and other staff directly involved in patient care, officials said. According to a recent office memorandum issued by the Ministry of Finance, only employees providing hands-on medical services to patients will be eligible for the allowance. …

The Punjab government has proposed strict measures to deal with violent protests, including penalties and compensation for damages, officials said on Monday. According to the proposed Police Order (Second Amendment) Act 2025, anyone involved in violent demonstrations or causing property damage will face legal action and be required to compensate for losses. The bill was presented in the Punjab Assembly …

The Sessions Court in Lahore on Monday approved interim bail for journalist Shakir Awan in a case registered by the National Counter-Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). The court directed Shakir Awan to appear for investigation and granted his interim bail until December 23. The hearing was presided over by Additional Sessions Judge Mansoor Ahmed Qureshi, with Awan’s lawyer, Mian Ali Ashfaq, …

Federal Finance and Revenue Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb said Pakistan has set an 11 percent tax-to-GDP target and plans to bring real estate, agriculture, and the retail sector into the tax net as part of a broader reform agenda. According to the Finance Ministry, in an interview with CNN Business Arabia, the minister highlighted that over the past 18 months, …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has taken a major step against human trafficking by securing Interpol-issued red notices for 30 Pakistani human smugglers operating internationally, officials said on Monday. According to FIA sources, the traffickers are currently running networks in Dubai, Libya, Egypt, and Qatar. The red notices were issued at the request of the FIA to help track and …

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday issued a bailable arrest warrant against the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority for failing to release pension payments to a retired officer despite court orders. The case was heard before a constitutional bench of the SHC, which took up a petition challenging the non-compliance with judicial directions. The retired officer’s counsel, …

Sindh Rangers and Customs Enforcement seized a large quantity of smuggled, non-custom-paid goods during a joint operation near Hub River Road, the 100-foot road, and the Yousuf Goth bus terminal, officials said on Monday. According to officials, the operation was carried out on the basis of intelligence reports. During the raid, teams recovered a significant cache of smuggled goods that …

Punjab has formally launched a modern, technology-driven shrimp farming initiative, marking the beginning of a new phase in the province’s blue economy, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced on Monday. According to the chief minister, the project focuses on advanced shrimp aquaculture, supported by scientific research and an integrated value chain aimed at boosting production and exports. The initiative follows …

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday has declared null and void 80 decisions issued by the provincial ombudsperson under the Women Property Rights Act, 2019, ruling that the law does not empower the ombudsperson to decide disputed property matters. In a detailed 90-page written judgment, Justice Muhammad Naeem Anwar held that the Women Property Rights Act does not authorize …

Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri on Monday raised objections to the bench headed by Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar, hearing a case related to a degree controversy involving him, and sought the transfer of the matter to another bench, citing a conflict of interest. The case was taken up by a division bench comprising …

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Monday dismissed a petition filed by Aleema Khan challenging the framing of charges against her in a case related to the November 26 protest. The case was heard by ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah. Aleema Khan appeared before the court along with her counsel, Faisal Malik, and argued that the indictment was not …

For the first time in recent years, the legal tool of “quo warranto,” previously used against parliamentarians, is being invoked against a sitting judge of a higher court. A division bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), headed by Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar, accepted a quo warranto petition against Justice Tariq Jahangiri over alleged possession of a fake degree and …

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has issued a warning to WhatsApp users, advising them to take immediate action in case of suspected hacking to avoid potential misuse of their accounts. In an advisory, the NCCIA said users who lose access to their WhatsApp account or believe it is being used by someone else should promptly re-register the account …

The district administration has fixed registration fees for kite and string manufacturers ahead of Basant celebrations in Lahore, following the Punjab government’s conditional approval to observe the festival. Officials said clear rules and regulations have been issued for kite makers, string manufacturers and kite flying associations to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. According to the notification, the registration fee for …

Several sections of major motorways across the country were closed on Sunday due to dense fog and severely reduced visibility, according to the Motorway Police. A spokesperson said the M-1 motorway from Peshawar to Rashakai was closed, while traffic was also suspended on the M-3 from Faizpur to Darkhana. The M-4 motorway from Pindi Bhattian to Multan and the M-5 …

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rain and snowfall in various parts of the country until December 18, prompting the National Emergency Operations Centre of the NDMA to issue a weather advisory. According to the advisory, Islamabad and surrounding areas are expected to remain cloudy from today, with chances of rain and snowfall in northern regions until December 18. Cloudy …

The Ministry of Finance has rejected claims that new or unexpected conditions have been imposed under the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF), saying the measures outlined in the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies are part of a pre-agreed reform agenda. In a statement, the ministry said no new elements had been introduced into the IMF’s core country …

The Punjab government has approved the province’s first surface water treatment plant for Lahore under the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, officials said on Friday. The project, to be constructed along the BRB Canal, was approved during the 52nd meeting of the Provincial Development Working Party. It will be implemented with financial support from the Asian Infrastructure Investment …

The District and Sessions Court in Islamabad has formally charged a suspect in the murder of a student at the International Islamic University (IIU). The hearing for the case of 22-year-old student Iman Afroz was conducted by Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka. The accused, Feroz, pleaded not guilty, prompting the court to summon prosecution witnesses for the …

The Lahore High Court has dismissed a rape case against a husband over sexual relations that took place three days after he issued a divorce, citing provisions of the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance. Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh, in a 12-page written verdict on a petition filed by the husband, stated that under the ordinance, a divorce does not become legally …

The Punjab Education Department has announced winter holidays for all educational institutions across the province. According to the official notification, schools will remain closed from December 22 to January 11. Both government and private schools will observe the break, with January 11 falling on a weekly Sunday holiday. Educational authorities have confirmed that all schools will reopen on January 12, …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has imposed new conditions on Pakistan under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program, including mandatory asset declarations for top civil servants, deregulation of the sugar and wheat sectors, and reporting on money laundering and terrorism financing risks. The IMF has also requested a comprehensive report on incentives to boost remittances from abroad. Following …

Official figures have revealed that women account for a small fraction of Pakistan’s federal workforce, highlighting a significant gender gap in government employment. According to government documents, a total of 31,455 women are currently employed across federal ministries, divisions, attached departments, subordinate offices, and constitutional bodies. The data shows that 38 federal ministries and divisions together employ 581,581 staff members. …

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik participated in a high-level Leadership Dialogue on the sidelines of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), focusing on the link between environmental degradation and global financial stability. The dialogue, titled “The Bottom Line: Why Tackling Environmental Degradation Is Critical to the Future of the Global Financial System,” brought together …

The process of deporting illegally residing foreign nationals is continuing across Punjab, with more than 31,000 individuals already sent back, according to the Punjab Police. Inspector General of Police Punjab said that so far 31,377 illegal foreign residents, including Afghan nationals, have been deported from Lahore and other districts of the province. He added that 203 individuals are currently present …

On the directions of Chief Minister Punjab, the Punjab Wildlife Department has launched the province’s first-ever Wildlife Informer Campaign, aimed at cracking down on illegal hunting and poaching with the help of citizens. Under the new initiative, members of the public can receive cash rewards for providing accurate and verifiable information about illegal hunting, trapping through nets, and covert poaching …

Frontier Corps North Balochistan and Quetta Customs carried out a major joint anti-smuggling operation in Quetta, seizing large consignments of smuggled cigarettes, betel nut and tea, officials said on Saturday. As part of the operation, 10 trucks loaded with smuggled goods were confiscated and shifted to a customs warehouse. Authorities said the estimated value of the seized items is around …

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Türkiye, today, on the sidelines of the International Forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust in Ashgabat. According to official statement, during their warm and cordial meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed the significance of the historic and deep fraternal bonds between the two …