Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, has said that Pakistan takes great pride in Azerbaijan’s leadership in hosting the landmark OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week – 2025, describing the event as a powerful platform for cultural, creative, and intellectual exchange within the Islamic world. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Khichi said Baku had emerged …

Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam said on Tuesday that Pakistan is pushing ahead with plans to establish a structured and transparent carbon market framework, underscoring the country’s intention to tap emerging global climate-finance opportunities. Speaking at a workshop organised by Transparency International Pakistan in Islamabad, Romina Khurshid Alam said the government was steadily moving …

The Punjab government has decided to introduce special cards for cancer and cardiac patients, officials said. The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, aimed at enhancing access to healthcare for critical patients. Under the Chief Minister’s special initiative, cancer patients will receive full financial support for treatment, with expenses of up to PKR …

Federal Minister for Information, Atta Tarar, has said that following any violation of the law, there is zero possibility of anyone meeting former Prime Minister Imran Khan. He made the remarks while speaking in talk show of local TV. Addressing governance and transparency issues, Tarar cited a Transparency International survey in which 66 percent of respondents reported that they had …

Chief of Army Staff and Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, has warned that any aggression against Pakistan will be met with a faster and stronger response. Addressing armed forces officers, Field Marshal Munir highlighted the importance of the newly established Defence Forces Headquarters as a historic step to enhance multi-domain operations under a …

A ceremony of Guard of Honour was held at General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi to honour Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, following his appointment as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). During the event, Field Marshal Munir, who also holds the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Hilal-e-Jurat, was presented with a tri-service guard of honour by personnel from the Army, Navy, and …

President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has been largely inactive for the past 11 years due to India’s non-participation, which he described as a major obstacle to effective regional cooperation. Marking the 40th SAARC Charter Day, President Zardari extended greetings to the people and governments of the region, emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment …

Abid Sher Ali, senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has been elected senator unopposed in the Punjab by-election. The vacant Senate seat was left open following the passing of Irfan Siddiqui, and the nomination process saw three candidates submit papers: Abid Sher Ali, Ahsan Afzal Khan, and Abdul Jabbar. Ahsan Afzal and Abdul Jabbar later withdrew their nominations, leaving …

Punjab authorities have ramped up enforcement against traffic violations, focusing on illegal number plates and dark-tinted windows across the province. An official report obtained by Internews shows that in the first ten months of 2025, authorities identified more than 794,000 vehicles with illegal number plates, imposing fines exceeding PKR 202 million. At the same time, over 202,000 challans were issued …

Punjab’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has foiled a major terror plot, arresting 12 suspected militants allegedly linked to India’s intelligence agency, RAW, in raids across Lahore, Faisalabad, and Bahawalpur. Officials said the operation led to the seizure of weapons, explosives, detonators, IED devices, safety fuses, mobile phones, and cash. Investigators also recovered images, videos, and location data of sensitive sites, …

Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has once again called for the creation of multiple new provinces across Pakistan, arguing that smaller administrative units would improve governance and public service delivery. Speaking at a workers’ convention in Faisalabad, the minister said both Sindh and Punjab should be divided into three new provinces each, adding that this restructuring would directly benefit citizens. …

Federal Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, met with Frederic Ribieras, CEO of GE Vernova’s Hydro Power, to discuss Pakistan’s clean energy transition, private-sector investment, and collaboration in hydropower and energy storage. The Minister reiterated the Government’s shift toward a market-driven power sector, noting that future power generation will be led by the private sector as the Government …

The World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) has extended profound appreciation to Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Investment, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh for his impactful participation and keynote contributions during the 29th World Investment Conference held in Sharjah in October. In a special letter addressed to the Federal Minister, WAIPA CEO Ismail Ersahin highlighted that Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh’s insightful interventions, …

Federal Minister for Health, Mustafa Kamal, held a high-level meeting with a Sudanese delegation led by the Federal Secretary of Health of Sudan. The meeting was also attended by Pakistan’s Federal Secretary Health, Hamid Yaqoob, along with senior officials from the Ministry of National Health Services. During the meeting, the Federal Minister reaffirmed that Pakistan attaches great importance to its …

Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, today addressed the Conference on Sustainable Development and Climate Resilience in Balochistan, organized by the Government of Balochistan at the Marriott Hotel, Islamabad. In her keynote remarks, Romina highlighted Pakistan’s disproportionate vulnerability to climate change despite contributing less than one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. …

Punjab Assembly member Shoaib Siddiqui of the Istehkam Pakistan Party has submitted a congratulatory resolution honoring Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The resolution lauded Munir’s appointment as a historic milestone in Pakistan’s military history, emphasizing that the leadership has enhanced Pakistan’s prestige at the international level. It also highlighted that the new position strengthens the …

At the invitation of the Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto will undertake an official visit to Islamabad from 8-9 December 2025. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising key ministers and senior officials. This will be President Prabowo’s first visit to Pakistan. The last presidential visit from …

Pakistan has categorically rejected and condemned the recent comments made by India’s External Affairs Minister, describing them as “highly inflammatory, baseless and irresponsible.” On media queries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stated that Pakistan is a responsible state, with all institutions, including its armed forces, serving as pillars of national security. He emphasized that these institutions are dedicated …

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has handed over a fresh consignment of medical supplies to the Frontier Foundation Peshawar to strengthen treatment services for thalassemia patients across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The medical consumables were provided under TİKA’s Medical Support for Thalassemia Patients Project. The handover ceremony was attended by TİKA Islamabad Program Coordinator Saliha Tuna, Frontier Foundation Chairman Sahibzada …

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed authorities to speed up development work in Ravi City, emphasizing the timely completion of ongoing projects. The Chief Minister visited the RUDA Package 16 and M2 Ravi Toll Plaza River Training Works, where she reviewed progress on the projects. During the site visit, officials from the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA), including …

The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has released a new gas load-shedding schedule for consumers in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the winter months from December to February. According to SNGPL officials, residential consumers will receive gas in three separate time slots each day. The morning supply will be available from 5:30 am to 8:30 am, the midday supply …

Transporters in Rawalpindi have escalated protests against the amended Transport Ordinance and the imposition of hefty fines, threatening a city-wide strike next week. The Goods Transport Association Rawalpindi announced full support for the strike called by the Pakistan United Transporters Action Committee on December 8. Shakil Qureshi, president of the association, said all transport hubs in the city will remain …

An Israeli company’s spyware has been reportedly used to target Pakistani citizens, raising serious concerns over privacy and surveillance, according to a report by Amnesty International. The spyware, known as Predator, was developed by the Israeli firm Intellexa and is capable of monitoring mobile devices, enabling access to sensitive data from journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society members. Amnesty …

The Customs Enforcement in Peshawar has foiled multiple smuggling attempts, seizing goods worth Rs74.4 million across the division, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) reported. In Dera Ismail Khan, customs officials recovered 12,200 kilograms of raisins, 4,021 packs of foreign cigarettes, and 170 tires from three trucks. They also seized non-duty-paid cosmetics worth Rs2.4 million from passenger vehicles in the …

Punjab has designated 80 hunting zones for partridges this season, marking the first time the province has allowed such regulated hunting. The legal hunting season runs from December 1 to February 15, and hunters can only operate on Sundays, in notified areas, and with official permits or licenses. According to Chief Wildlife Ranger Punjab, Mobeen Ilahi, 80% of the revenue …

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a pre-alert advisory warning of an intensifying drought across several districts of Balochistan, following a significant reduction in rainfall over the past six months. According to the advisory, western and south-western Balochistan have recorded a sharp decline in precipitation between May and November 2025, leading to a prolonged stretch of dry days. Officials …

A severe cold wave has tightened its grip on Balochistan, with temperatures plunging to freezing levels in several districts. According to the Meteorological Department, Quetta recorded 0°C, while Kalat dropped to –2°C early Sunday morning, marking one of the season’s coldest spells so far. In its 24-hour weather forecast, the Met Office said most districts of Balochistan will continue to …

The National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) has issued a comprehensive travel advisory as dense fog continues to blanket several regions of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh, significantly reducing visibility on major highways. According to an NHMP spokesperson, the thick fog has sharply lowered visibility, increasing the risk of road accidents on national highways and motorways. Officials warned that, in …

Pakistan is presenting “profitable opportunities” for U.S. entrepreneurs, particularly in IT, energy, and minerals sectors, said Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Pakistan’s envoy to the United States. He emphasized that both countries are committed to anchoring bilateral relations in economic cooperation and creating an investor-friendly environment. According to official statement, speaking during a meeting with a 35-member student delegation from Yale …

Pakistan security forces killed 12 India-backed terrorists in a targeted operation in Qalat district, Balochistan, officials confirmed. The operation was based on intelligence about the presence of terrorists affiliated with the group Fitna-e-Hindustan. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), forces located the terrorists’ hideout and engaged in a heavy firefight, successfully neutralizing all 12 suspects. Weapons, ammunition, and explosives …

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has revised its earlier decision regarding the recovery of 60 billion PKR from RLNG (Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas) consumers, offering significant relief to the sector. According to OGRA, the adjustment covers the period from April 2015 to June 2022, during which temporary RLNG prices had previously led to disputes over actual charges. Under …

The Punjab government has announced a strict crackdown across the province to enforce the one-dish rule at weddings and other events, while curbing the unnecessary use of loudspeakers, officials confirmed on Saturday. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif issued directives to all commissioners and deputy commissioners, instructing them to ensure compliance with the one-dish policy at all ceremonies. She also ordered …

Federal Minister for Power Sardar Owais Ahmed Khan Laghari has announced ambitious plans to make Pakistan’s power sector fully digital, transparent, and consumer-friendly, while emphasizing the country’s transition to clean energy. Speaking at the Asia Energy Summit organized by LUMS University, Laghari said Pakistan aims to generate 90% of its electricity from clean and green energy by 2035. “Pakistan’s solar …

The Federal Ombudsman has ordered an investigation into the alleged unlawful offloading of 25 passengers at Karachi Airport who were scheduled to travel to Turkey for employment, officials confirmed on Friday. The complaint, filed by Overseas Employment Promoter, stated that on November 5, the passengers were prevented from boarding their flight despite having complete travel documents. The passengers were to …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has prevented a passenger from traveling to Europe using fraudulent documents, officials confirmed on Friday. According to an FIA spokesperson, Ahmad Raza was scheduled to fly to France on flight PK749 when immigration authorities at Islamabad Airport flagged his documents as suspicious during clearance procedures. Further investigation revealed that the Polish residence card presented by …

Five Pakistani nationals were deported from Sharjah after attempting to travel to the United Kingdom on fraudulent visas, authorities confirmed on Saturday. The deportees have been identified as Waqar, Tayyab, Ali Shan, Zaheer, and Zeeshan were taken into custody immediately upon arrival at Lahore Airport. Officials said the men had originally traveled to Malaysia on visit visas earlier this year, …

ISLAMABAD (Internews Pakistan): Pakistan-China Institute (PCI), under its flagship initiative “Friends of Silk Road,” organized a conference titled “The Five-Year Plan and China-Pakistan Future: Innovation, Youth Development, and Shared Opportunities” in Islamabad today. The event brought together young influencers, journalists, researchers, and diplomats to discuss how China’s new Five-Year Plan, green development and self-reliance agenda can translate into opportunities for …

The federal government has announced plans to construct a new four-lane highway, N-15, connecting Mansehra to the China border, offering an alternative to the Karakoram Highway. The decision was taken at a National Highway Authority (NHA) meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan. According to the minister, the N-15 highway will serve commercial, tourism, and defense purposes, …

Russia has suspended Pakistan Post services over unpaid dues amounting to Rs 55 million, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan informed the National Assembly in a written reply on Thursday. According to the reply, Russia imposed the ban in August 2025 because Pakistan Post had not cleared the outstanding payment, which has been pending since 2021. As of November …

Over 21,000 Pakistani citizens are currently imprisoned in foreign countries, according to a written reply submitted by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to the National Assembly. The breakdown shows that India holds 738 Pakistanis, though the government provided no details on the specific charges. Saudi Arabia has 10,745 Pakistanis in prison, some convicted and others awaiting trial, while the United Arab …