Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar met with Ambassador Asyaka Abdul Qadir Imam, Secretary-General of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, to discuss enhanced collaboration, particularly in the media sector, combating fake news, and promoting cultural exchanges among member countries. During the meeting, Minister Tarar emphasized that fake news is one of the world’s biggest challenges, stressing the need for …

The twin city of the federal capital has activated its automated e-challan system from today, marking a major shift toward technology-driven traffic enforcement. According to officials, the system has been fully integrated with the Safe City Command and Control Centre, enabling traffic violations to be detected through high-resolution CCTV cameras installed across the city. Once a violation is recorded, an …

Pakistan’s unemployment rate is expected to climb to nearly 7 percent in the latest Labour Force Survey (LFS) 2024–25, rising from 6.3 percent recorded in the 2021–22 survey, according to preliminary findings shared by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The federal government is set to officially release the updated survey next week. According to media reports, the initial estimates …

Security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu region have killed 17 terrorists, including three key commanders, during a series of intelligence-driven operations over the past 48 hours, according to security officials. Local police, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), Quick Response Force and other security units jointly carried out operations in Sheeri Khel, Pakka Pahar Khel, Nusr Khel, Domel and nearby areas. Officials …

Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting on Pakistan Railways at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad, reviewing ongoing modernization, digitalization, and regional connectivity projects. Speaking at the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized that railways form the backbone of any country’s economy and transport system. He lauded the efforts being made to revive and upgrade the railway network …

The Federal Shariat Court has scheduled the hearing of an intra-court appeal filed by five judges of Islamabad High Court challenging their recent transfer. A six-member larger bench, headed by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan, will hear the appeal on November 24 at 11:30 a.m. Other members of the bench include Justice Hasan Rizvi, Justice Baqar Najfi, Justice K.K. Agha, Justice …

Pakistan has taken a major step toward enhancing its digital connectivity with the deployment of the SeaMeWe-6 (SMW-6) submarine cable, officials said on Saturday. The project underscores the government’s commitment to linking the country with the global digital economy. The SMW-6 cable, managed by Transworld, has reached the shores of Hawks Bay, Karachi. Stretching 21,700 kilometers, the cable connects Southeast …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a detailed code of conduct for Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces personnel assigned to duty during upcoming by-elections across various constituencies. According to the ECP, the guidelines have been issued under Article 220 of the Constitution and Section 233 of the Elections Act 2017, and will be applicable to both national …

Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif chaired the first review meeting of the committee formed by the private sector to promote industrial development in Pakistan. The meeting focused on policy recommendations aimed at boosting industrial growth, investment, and employment. Addressing the participants, the Prime Minister emphasized that national economic growth, job creation, and increased income are impossible without industrial progress. He …

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Suhail Afridi has filed a petition in the Peshawar High Court challenging his summons by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). In the petition, Afridi contended that the ECP summoned him without any valid reason or justification, citing various allegations. He described the commission’s action as illegal and a violation of constitutional provisions, including Articles 9, …

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Robert-Jan Siegert, paid a courtesy call on the Federal Minister for Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar. The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration and exchanging views on ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting and protecting human rights in Pakistan. The Federal Minister welcomed the Ambassador and appreciated the Netherlands’ continued engagement and support …

Police in Kot Addu recovered the abducted father of a well-known TikToker after an intelligence-driven operation in the Thal desert, during which four kidnappers were killed in an exchange of fire, authorities said on Thursday. According to the District Police Officer (DPO) Kot Addu, the rescue mission was launched to recover Sadiq Hussain, father of TikToker Vela Manda, who had …

Police in Taxila have arrested a four-member gang, known locally as the Bali Gang, believed to be involved in multiple incidents of robbery and motorcycle theft across Rawalpindi and other districts. According to police officials in Friday, the operation led to the recovery of 12 stolen or snatched motorcycles, 22 mobile phones worth several hundred thousand rupees, Rs100,000 in cash, …

Lodhran police have arrested a most-wanted murder suspect, Zoalfqar Ali, from Dubai and transferred him to Lahore, more than a decade after he fled Pakistan following a 2013 murder in Chak 344 WB, Dunyapur. According to the Lodhran police spokesperson, the accused had disappeared abroad after killing a local resident named Altaaf. A Red Notice was issued for his arrest, …

The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has carried out a series of nationwide operations against drug smuggling, resulting in the seizure of 417.69 kilograms of narcotics and the arrest of four suspects, including a Nigerian national. The seized drugs have an estimated value of over Rs375 million. According to an ANF spokesperson, the operations took place in multiple cities across Pakistan, involving …

Karachi law enforcement agencies have arrested four extortionists, including the main suspect who made threatening phone calls, in a crackdown against the city’s extortion mafia. According to police sources, the suspects were involved in demanding money from a marble factory owner in Manghopir and a car showroom owner. Evidence, including call records, was recovered from the suspects’ mobile phones, revealing …

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has emphasized that ensuring the safety of individuals attending peace jirgas falls under the responsibility of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, while expressing strong concern over recent disappearances. During hearings on several petitions related to missing persons, Justice S.M. Atiq Shah questioned the circumstances under which attendees of a peace jirga went missing after participating …

At least seven people were killed and one injured when armed attackers opened fire on a peace committee office in Huwai, Bannu, late on Friday night. According to police officials, the assailants specifically targeted the office of the committee’s head, Qari Jaleel. The victims have been identified as Danish, Kamran, Waliullah, Sufyan, Muhammad Niaz, Nauman, and another individual named Sufyan. …

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi has written a formal letter to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, expressing strong concern over what he described as “obstructions” in meetings with former prime minister Imran Khan at Adiala Jail. In the letter, Afridi stated that blocking meetings with Imran Khan despite court orders is “unacceptable,” adding that such actions raise serious …

The federal government has carried out a major reshuffle in the Establishment Division, transferring and reassigning several key officers as part of a broad administrative overhaul. According to official sources, Secretary Establishment Division Barrister Nabeel Ahmed Awan has formed a new team after receiving approval from the Prime Minister. As part of the restructuring, Syeda Shafaq Hashmi, an officer of …

Pakistan is observing World Fisheries Day today, joining countries across the globe in highlighting the centuries-old profession that continues to sustain millions of people. In coastal regions such as Karachi, fishing remains one of the oldest and most vital sources of livelihood—yet one increasingly burdened by economic pressure, environmental threats, and uncertainty. Every year on 21 November, World Fisheries Day …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken action against two federal ministers for violating election rules, imposing a Rs50,000 fine on Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and issuing a formal notice to Federal Minister Owais Leghari. According to a letter sent by the District Monitoring Officer (DMO) Faisalabad to the ECP Secretary, Chaudhry repeatedly breached the election …

A rare snow leopard has been spotted once again in the Manur Valley area of Garm Chashma in Chitral, officials confirmed. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department reported that the endangered big cat was seen near human settlements, prompting wildlife authorities to take immediate action. The department noted that snow leopard sightings in Chitral have been recorded in the past, but …

Two tragic incidents involving young women have been reported in Lahore, highlighting the severe consequences of domestic conflicts. In the first case, a 22-year-old woman, identified as Samina, was allegedly beaten to death by her father during a family dispute in the Kahna Sodh area. According to police and Edhi spokespersons, the argument escalated, prompting the father to attack Samina …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Karachi Zone has arrested a suspect involved in illegal currency exchange activities following a major operation. According to FIA officials, the operation was conducted under the guidance of the FIA Director General targeting unlicensed currency exchange networks. The suspect, identified as Muhammad Tanveer, was apprehended in the Clifton area of Karachi. Authorities recovered USD 18,000, …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a sharply critical 186-page report warning that corruption remains pervasive at every tier of governance in Pakistan, with the most damaging form driven by powerful political and business groups influencing key economic sectors, including state-owned and state-backed enterprises. According to the report, Pakistan lacks any credible mechanism to measure the true scale of …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration at Karachi Airport stopped an attempt by a Pakistani national to travel to Saudi Arabia using fake documents. Officials said the passenger, identified as Muhammad Rehan from Bannu, was scheduled to fly on G9547. He had obtained a visa for employment as a heavy truck driver using a forged HTV (Heavy Transport Vehicle) license, …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration wing foiled an attempt by an Afghan national to travel to Europe using a forged resident card. According to FIA officials, the passenger, identified as Jannat Gul Niazi, was scheduled to fly to France on PK749. He was found attempting to use a fake Greek resident card to board the flight. The suspect has …

Aleema Khan appeared before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in connection with the November 26 protest case at Sadiqabad police station, following the issuance of her 11th arrest warrant. At the hearing, ten other accused and five witnesses were also present. Aleema Khan filed a petition challenging the inclusion of the terrorism clause, Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), in …

Participants of the 27th National Security Workshop visited Gwadar to learn about the strategic importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), safe operations at Gwadar Port, and coastal monitoring systems. According to officials, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Gwadar provided a comprehensive briefing on the region’s security situation. A special session was also held at the China Business Center in …

Balochistan’s Irrigation Minister, Mir Sadiq Umarani, has warned that continuous water extraction through solar-powered tube wells is causing a sharp decline in the province’s groundwater levels. Umarani said the decision by WAPDA to shift agricultural tube wells to solar power was a mistake. He explained that previously, KESC supplied farmers with electricity for only four hours, prompting cautious usage. Now, …

The Punjab government has approved the cancellation of appointments of several special prosecutors assigned to the May 9 cases, following serious concerns over weak representation of the state’s position in court. During a provincial cabinet meeting, performance reports of the special prosecutors were presented, revealing widespread absenteeism and inadequate case follow-ups. Officials expressed strong dissatisfaction over what they described as …

The National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP) have shut down a major section of the M-1 Motorway after severe fog reduced visibility to zero, creating dangerous travel conditions. According to an NHMP spokesperson, the motorway has been completely closed in both directions from Peshawar Toll Plaza to Chach Interchange. The decision was taken to protect travellers and prevent any major …

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, addressed the COP30 side event titled “Upscaling the Green Pakistan Programme (UGPP): A Success Story” through a special video message on 20 November 2025. The event, organized by the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination, showcased Pakistan’s achievements in large-scale forest restoration, ecosystem revival, and community-driven conservation under …

Pakistan has fulfilled a major requirement of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by releasing the Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment ahead of the IMF Executive Board meeting. The Finance Ministry’s detailed report underscores that corruption remains one of the biggest impediments to the country’s economic and social development. The assessment highlights serious weaknesses in the tax system, public spending structure, …

The Punjab Home Department has constituted 12 Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) to probe cases against the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), officials said. According to a government notification, seven JITs will investigate cases in Lahore while five will operate in Sheikhupura. The teams will handle cases registered under terrorism and other serious charges. Representatives from the police, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and …

The Prosecutor General of Punjab has proposed that educational institutions verify potential and current employees against the sex offenders registry to ensure the safety of children. According to sources, the Prosecutor General sent a two-page memorandum to the Secretary Prosecution recommending that verification from the NADRA Sex Offenders Register be made mandatory for all school recruitments. The memorandum stated that …

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has announced cash rewards for citizens who report illegally residing Afghan and foreign nationals in the province. In an official statement, Bukhari said that operations against illegally residing Afghans and other foreigners are ongoing, and those providing information will be financially rewarded. She added that in the past three weeks, 6,220 Afghans have been repatriated …

The Lahore High Court has issued a written order halting all construction activities in city parks until further judicial instructions, officials said. The order was issued in the ongoing smog case and directs that no construction work will be allowed in Lahore’s parks until the court gives further guidance. The court also sought clarification on whether it is appropriate to …

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has instructed federal and provincial authorities to begin immediate preparations to prevent any loss of life or property from next year’s monsoon season. The directives came during a high-level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister in Islamabad, focused on government strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. The meeting emphasized coordinated planning between …