The Punjab government has moved to strengthen legal protections for forests by introducing key amendments to the Forest Act 1927, proposing tougher penalties, stricter enforcement mechanisms, and the establishment of new forest protection units. The Forest Amendment Bill 2025 was tabled in the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday, outlining a series of stringent measures to curb deforestation, timber smuggling, and encroachment. …

President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari met with His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, in Doha on Wednesday. The Amir welcomed the President and thanked him for his visit. He said Qatar was proud of Pakistan and its achievements, and deeply valued the contribution of the Pakistani community to Qatar’s development. His …

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has said that no province has the authority to restrict the movement of food and commodities to another province, stressing that inter-provincial trade is a constitutional right. He made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation of the Senate Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination, which called on him to congratulate him on …

Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, visited the Islamabad–Murree Expressway to inspect ongoing development works and review final preparations for the project’s completion. The Minister expressed satisfaction over the significant progress and commended the National Highway Authority (NHA) team for upgrading the Islamabad–Murree Expressway to international standards. He noted that the Expressway, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors …

President Asif Ali Zardari held a bilateral meeting with the Vice President of China, Han Zheng, on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha today. Recalling his recent visit to China, the President said that Pakistan and China are iron brothers and all-weather strategic cooperative partners. He thanked China for its consistent and unwavering support …

The Field Enforcement Unit (FEU), Rakhni, under the Collectorate of Customs (Enforcement), Quetta, has successfully foiled a major attempt to smuggle a large consignment of foreign-origin cigarettes concealed under a coal load. According to official statement, (FEU), Rakhni, acting on credible intelligence, a Hino truck, Reg. No. TTD-853, ostensibly carrying coal was intercepted near Rakhni. Upon thorough examination, 188 cartons …

A key accused in the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) mega corruption scandal has confessed to his role in the multi-billion-rupee fraud, the accountability court was informed on Wednesday. According to case proceedings, RDA stenographer Jahangir Ahmed reportedly admitted before the court that his share in the Rs2.5 billion corruption was Rs135 million. Following the approval of his plea bargain request, …

The Punjab government has extended for another 30 days the ban on the use of wheat in poultry feed across the province, in a bid to ensure uninterrupted supply of wheat and flour for human consumption. According to a notification issued by the Home Department, the decision has been taken to stabilise the supply of wheat, flour and bread for …

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday issued notices to the Punjab government, the Secretary of Local Government, and other respondents on a petition challenging multiple sections of the Punjab Local Government Act 2025. Justice Sultan Tanveer heard the petition filed by Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Moin Raza Qureshi and others, through Barrister Abu Zar Salman Khan Niazi. The petitioner …

Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, has expressed Pakistan’s strong desire to further enhance cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the fields of transport, logistics, and infrastructure development. During a meeting with the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Aljasser, on the sidelines of the Pakistan International …

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, visited the Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) today. During the visit, CEO PIDC briefed Haroon Akhtar Khan on the Corporation’s performance, ongoing projects, and future initiatives. The meeting also reviewed key developments including the Master Plan of Karachi Industrial Park, land lease policy of Bin Qasim Industrial …

Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA), Mohammed Ali Randhawa, called on Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at Aiwan-e-Sadr today. Randhawa briefed the Acting President on the ongoing development schemes in the federal capital and the progress of key infrastructure projects. The Acting President emphasized that befitting arrangements should be made for the upcoming Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC), scheduled to be …

Heavy rain and hailstorm last night lashed the upper districts of Dir and Swat, triggering a sharp drop in temperatures and causing widespread disruption to daily life. In Dir, intense hailstorm and rain reportedly plunged the area into darkness as flash floods in streams and nullahs led to the suspension of traffic on the GT Road. Soil erosion damaged roads …

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Suhail Afridi has directed a zero-tolerance crackdown on illegal logging and the timber mafia, ordering strict legal action, including criminal cases, against those involved in cutting forests and exploiting wildlife. Chairing a high-level meeting of the Environment, Forest and Wildlife Department, the chief minister said that the province’s forests were a national trust and would not …

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Tuesday issued a seventh non-bailable arrest warrant for Aleema Khan after she once again failed to appear in court in a case linked to the November 26 protest. The ATC heard the case against 11 accused, including Aleema Khan, where the court was informed that neither she nor her lawyers attended the proceedings. …

The Ministry of Health organized a “Safety Medicine” event, where Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal delivered a keynote address, stressing the urgent need to reform Pakistan’s healthcare and medicines system. Speaking at the ceremony, the federal minister acknowledged that Pakistan’s medicines and healthcare system was far from ideal and required immediate improvement. “Pakistan does not have an ideal …

Punjab continues to reel under severe smog as polluted winds blowing from India have further deteriorated the air quality across the province, with Lahore emerging among the most polluted cities in the world. According to air quality monitoring data, Lahore ranked second on the global pollution index on Sunday, with its average Air Quality Index (AQI) surging to 479, placing …

The three-day celebrations of Guru Nanak’s 556th birth anniversary have officially commenced in Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of the founder of Sikhism, amid a large influx of pilgrims from around the world. Tens of thousands of Sikh devotees have gathered in the historic city, where more than 30,000 visitors from various countries including a significant number from India are expected …

The final results of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) for admissions to public medical and dental colleges in Sindh have been officially announced. According to the CEO of the Sindh Testing Service (STS), the provisional results issued earlier have now been declared final, as no errors were found during the review process. “The provisional results stand as …

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has drawn up a comprehensive agenda aimed at protecting Pakistan’s water resources, agriculture and energy security in the face of climate change. According to ADB, under the newly shaped “Glaciers to Farms Programme,” a detailed report will be prepared to assess the economic and environmental impacts of glacier melt. The programme will also include a …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding press freedom and ensuring a safe working environment for journalists, as the world marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. In a message issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, he said the day serves as a reminder that a free, informed, and responsible media is …

At the invitation of the Turkish Foreign Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar will undertake a one-day visit to Istanbul on November 3, 2025, to attend the Coordination Meeting of Arab-Islamic Foreign Ministers. It may be recalled that Pakistan, along with seven other Arab-Islamic countries, has remained engaged with the peace initiative that led to …

An explosion caused by old explosive material stored inside the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police station on University Road in Peshawar left one CTD official martyred and two others injured on Sunday, police confirmed. Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Mian Saeed said there was no evidence of a terrorist attack on the police station, adding that the surrounding area was sealed …

Unofficial results of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council elections for 28 seats have indicated a clear lead for the ANP-affiliated Malgari Wakeelan group, which has secured 13 seats across the province. Candidates from Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Swat and Karak also won under the Malgari Wakeelan banner, consolidating the group’s position in multiple districts. In Peshawar, where seven seats were contested, …

Three police personnel were injured on Sunday when a convoy carrying senior police officials was targeted in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in the Doaba area of Hangu, officials said. According to police, the convoy of SP Investigation Abdul Samad, DSP Tall Mujahid and Doaba Police Station SHO Imranuddin came under attack when an IED went off on their …

Saddar Beroni Police have arrested a two-member female gang allegedly involved in multiple thefts committed while posing as domestic workers. According to police, the women secured employment as household maids and allegedly stole valuables within days of starting work. The case was registered five months ago at the Saddar Beroni Police Station. Police said they recovered Rs 750,000 from the …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated the Pakistan cricket team on defeating South Africa in the T20 series, praising the players for their spirited performance. “Very well played, Boys in Green,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter) following Pakistan’s series-clinching victory in Lahore. Pakistan beat South Africa by four wickets in the third T20I at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday to …

The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) and the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE) convened a high-level brainstorming session to deliberate on one of Pakistan’s most pressing educational challenges, the urgent need to reform the national curriculum to make it more inclusive, coherent, and relevant to learners’ needs. The session, attended by senior education experts, researchers, and policymakers, served as …

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Pakistan chapter has expressed deep concern over the prolonged detention of Kashmiri leaders and activists in Indian prisons, urging international bodies to intervene for their release. In a statement issued in Islamabad, APHC Convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi said that many Kashmiri political detainees have been imprisoned for decades …

More than 200 makeshift homes were destroyed when a fire broke out in a shanty settlement in Gulistan-e-Johar Block 12 late Saturday night, reducing household belongings, several motorcycles and livestock to ashes. According to fire brigade officials, the blaze did not result in any loss of human life. Initial findings suggest the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit, …

More than 5,200 Afghan nationals returned to Afghanistan through the Torkham Border on Saturday, according to official data. A total of 5,220 individuals crossed back into Afghanistan, including 401 documented and 2,314 undocumented nationals. The latest figures bring the overall number of Afghan returnees to over 828,000. Official statistics show that 19 Afghan nationals were repatriated from Islamabad, while 450 …

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has released Rs 25.4 million for the payment of honorarium to chairmen of Tehsil Municipal Administrations (TMAs) across the province. According to a notification issued by the Finance Department, the funds have been approved for the second quarter of the fiscal year 2024–25. The amount will cover honorarium payments for 106 TMA chairmen. The notification stated …

Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has been admitted to a hospital in Islamabad after experiencing chest pain, hospital sources said on Sunday. According to medical staff at Hospital, Abbasi was brought in after suffering a heart attack. Doctors said tests revealed blockages in two arteries, after which two stents were inserted. Hospital sources reported that his condition is now …

The Balochistan government has decided to construct a separate jail in Quetta for juvenile inmates to ensure their protection, rehabilitation and separation from adult prisoners. According to the Provincial Prisons Department, the dedicated facility will cost Rs 750 million and construction work is expected to begin soon. The model jail will include a school and a vocational training centre aimed …

The Punjab Environment Department has revised school timings across the province in an effort to curb rising smog levels, with strict penalties for non-compliance. According to Punjab’s Director General of Environment, Imran Hamid Sheikh, all public and private schools in the province will not be allowed to open before 8:45 am. He said that institutions violating the order will face …

A young man was arrested late Saturday night for allegedly assaulting traffic police officers in Islamabad’s I-8 sector while under the influence of alcohol. According to eyewitnesses, the suspect, identified as Aaqib Naeem, was reportedly intoxicated and involved in disorderly conduct. He allegedly abused and threatened traffic police personnel who stopped him, and is accused of slapping one of the …

Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri-Moghaddam held a detailed meeting to explore ways to strengthen bilateral trade, economic cooperation and cross-border connectivity between Pakistan and Iran. The discussion focused on existing trade initiatives, follow-up on recent agreements and new opportunities to expand economic ties between the two neighbouring countries. Jam Kamal congratulated …

A special train carrying Sikh pilgrims departed from Karachi on Saturday to participate in the religious ceremonies marking the 556th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak. The train, arranged by Pakistan Railways, left Karachi Cantt Station at 11:00 am and will reach Nankana Sahib on the morning of November 2 at around 8:30 am. The main celebrations will be held …

A local court in Lahore has issued its written order extending the physical remand of six officers of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), who were arrested on charges of bribery. The two-page order, released by Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wattoo, stated that the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) investigation officer sought further physical remand of the accused. The prosecution informed …

The Punjab government has drawn up a major plan to construct 1,000 Groundwater Recharge Wells across Lahore to help restore and maintain the city’s rapidly depleting groundwater levels. According to media reports, the initiative aims to introduce large-scale modern solutions to replenish underground water. Secretary Housing Punjab Noor-ul-Amin Mengal visited the Liberty Chowk Groundwater Recharge Well site, where WASA Managing …