Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan has nominated Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai as Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said on Wednesday. Salman Akram Raj confirmed that Khan had finalized the nomination of Achackzai — who also heads the multi-party opposition alliance, Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz — for the key …

Intermittent light and heavy rainfall continued in different parts of Karachi Monday, turning roads into ponds after continuous downpour. Heavy rains wreaked havoc in the city, leading to electrocution incidents and house collapses that claimed 7 lives on Monday. In Gulistan-e-Jauhar, a house wall collapsed, killing a woman and her two children along with another person. In Orangi Town, an …

            People wade through a flooded street after heavy monsoon rain in Karachi, Pakistan, on Aug. 19, 2025. (Str/Xinhua) People wade through a flooded street after heavy monsoon rain in Karachi, Pakistan, on Aug. 19, 2025. (Str/Xinhua) Vehicles are immersed in water after heavy monsoon rain in Karachi, Pakistan, on Aug. 19, 2025. (Str/Xinhua) Vehicles …

BEIJING (Internews): Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning has said that China has taken note of the heavy rainfall that have hit multiple regions in Pakistan and caused fatalities and economic loss. While responding to a question on Monday, spokesperson said that “We deeply mourn for the lives lost and extend heartfelt sympathies to those who have lost their loved ones …

The 2025 SCO Summit will be held in Tianjin, China, on August 31 and September 1. The summit will mark the largest gathering in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s history, with leaders from over 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations coming together to discuss pressing regional and global issues. How will the “Shanghai Spirit” be brought to life at …

BEIJING: From August 20 to 22, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister, will visit Pakistan and hold the Sixth Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue with Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced here Tuesday.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives has launched a national innovation competition aimed at mobilizing the country’s top talent to craft artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions for high-priority sectors. Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said Monday that AI is no longer the future, but the present as sectors such as …

ISLAMABAD: Over 20 people were killed and six others injured Monday after a cloudburst struck a village in Swabi district of northwest Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a local official told Xinhua. Deputy Commissioner of Swabi Nasrullah Khan said that the cloudburst hit Glori village, destroying at least 15 houses. “A number of people were buried under the debris or swept …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has confirmed two new cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), bringing the total number of infections in the country this year to 21, health authorities said Monday. According to the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health in Islamabad, the new cases were detected in Kohistan District, northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, …

            This photo taken with mobile phone shows people gathering outside damaged houses following flash floods in Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northwest Pakistan, Aug. 16, 2025. At least 313 people have died and over 150 others are still missing in northwest Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in the past three days after flash floods triggered by …

PML-N senior leader and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Inter-Provincial Coordination, Rana Sanaullah, will contest the Senate by-election for the vacant general seat from Punjab. In a statement, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said: “(PML-N Supremo) Nawaz Sharif has awarded the Senate general seat ticket from the Punjab Assembly to Sanaullah.” Election for the vacant Senate seat from Punjab …

ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) on Monday decided that any judge facing external interference in judicial matters must lodge a complaint within 24 hours. The session, chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi, was attended by all chief justices of the high courts along with the Attorney General of Pakistan. Standard Operating …

ISLAMABAD: The death toll from devastating floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains has climbed to 660 across the country, with reports of casualties and widespread destruction pouring in from all provinces and regions. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP registered the highest fatalities at 392, followed by Punjab with 164, Gilgit Baltistan (GB) with 32, Sindh with 29, Balochistan with 20, Azad Jammu …

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said her government is working tirelessly to raise the province’s infrastructure to the standard of Japan and is already seeing improvements in various public sector departments, particularly in health and sanitation. Speaking to the Pakistani community in Tokyo, Maryam, who is currently on a five-day visit to Japan, said the province’s health infrastructure has …

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday telephoned the Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber-Pakhtoonkhawa (KPK) government and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives due to the floods. He said the Sindh government stands with the brothers of Gilgit-Baltistan and KPK in this situation. The PPP government will provide whatever help they need, he said. Murad …

Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir has ruled out any change in the country’s leadership, describing circulating rumours as completely false and against both the government and the establishment. Speaking to senior journalist Sohail Waraich in Brussels, the army chief said, “God made me this country’s guardian”, adding that he has no desire for any other position. He …

ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Friday unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming the nation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty, upholding democratic values, and building a prosperous, united future for coming generations. The resolution moved by Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar in connection with Independence Day, pledged national unity, sustainable development, and economic empowerment while honouring the vision of Quaid-e-Azam …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States on Friday agreed to make exchange of information more effective in the fields of counterterrorism and counter-narcotics in yet another sign of deepening security cooperation between the two sides. The development came during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and US Coordinator for Counterterrorism Gregory LoGerfo at the Ministry of Interior. Minister of …

The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a monsoon flood fact sheet, warning of heavy rains and possible flash floods across the province in the next 24 hours. Rainfall was recorded in Murree, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, and Bahawalpur over the past day, while upper Punjab districts face risks of torrential rains and cloudbursts, PDMA officials said. PDMA Director General Irfan …

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has called for transformative reforms that integrate technological innovation, administrative restructuring and disciplined case management to ensure the expeditious disposal of cases. In a four-page judgment authored by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, delivered while hearing a case challenging the auction of an immovable property, the apex court stressed that the judiciary must draw upon the …

At least 307 people have died and 23 sustained injuries across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) during the past 48 hours of heavy rains and flash floods, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said Saturday. Buner was the worst-hit district with 184 fatalities, followed by Shangla with 36, Bajaur 21, Mansehra 23, Swat 22, Battagram 15, Lower Dir five, and Abbottabad one, according …

ISLAMABAD: The friendship between Pakistan and China is a model of political trust and enduring cooperation, said Mushahid Hussain Syed, former chairman of the Pakistani senate’s defense committee, calling for joint efforts to build a closer Pakistan-China community with a shared future in the new era. Syed, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI), said in a …

BEIJING (Internews): The Pakistan Embassy organized a dignified flag hoisting ceremony to commemorate the 79th Independence Day of Pakistan. The event also celebrated the historic victory in Marka-e-Haq during Operation Bunyan al-Marsous. The ceremony commenced with the hoisting of the national flag by Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Bilal Mahmood Chaudhary. Messages of felicitations from the President, Prime Minister, and …

          BEIJING (Internews) — The Pakistan Embassy in China’s capital of Beijing, in collaboration with Ms. Hao Yuejiao of Asia-Africa Trade Promotion Office of China-Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Council，organized a mango festival here on Wednesday. The festival titled “Golden Silk Road Mangoes: A True Oriental Treasure” to showcase a wide variety of premium Pakistani mangoes …

Moody’s Ratings on Wednesday upgraded Pakistan’s credit rating with a stable outlook from Caa2 to Caa1, citing the country’s improved financial position supported by a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Upgrade was secured after similar moves by S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings in the past four months following repeated pledges by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government to stay …

National Assembly Tuesday passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2024 by a majority vote amid strong opposition protests. The session, chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, saw opposition lawmakers opposing the bill, raising slogans, and staging protests during its passage. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said such laws effectively treat every citizen as a criminal from birth, allowing institutions to arrest anyone, …

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Tuesday that an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation will visit Pakistan at the end of September, with the country expecting to receive the third tranche of $1 billion upon completion of the next review. Speaking informally to SAMAA, Aurangzeb said preparations for the upcoming economic review were complete. Pakistan has so far received $2.1 billion …

The United States has hailed its role in helping Pakistan and India reach a ceasefire during a recent conflict, calling it a “proud moment” for American diplomacy. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said quick engagement by top US leaders helped prevent a potentially “horrible” escalation. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Bruce recalled how Washington acted immediately when tensions …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that Pakistan would give befitting response to India if it stops water flow to Pakistan. Addressing an event in connection with the World Youth Day, the premier said: “Enemy is talking about stopping the water flow to Pakistan. The enemy got drubbed at the hands of Pakistan on May 10.” He reiterated the …

Pakistan on Tuesday welcomed the US move to designate Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Majeed Brigade as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, and also adding the latter as an alias to BLA. This decision came after the US Department of State designated the same militant group — BLA — a specially designated global terrorist (SDGT) in 2019. In a statement issued, the …

The Punjab government has decided to introduce uniforms for the Crime Control Department (CCD) to improve discipline. Officials said the force was initially exempted from wearing uniforms, but complaints of corruption and abuse of authority during operations without identification prompted the move. According to CCD sources, a special uniform design has been proposed, featuring a sky-blue shirt and dark-blue trousers. The …

The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has acquitted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi in two major cases related to the violent incidents of May 9 — the Rahat Bakery arson and the Shadman police station burning and siege. However, the court sentenced former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, former provincial minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, former provincial …

The sugar industry owes sugarcane farmers more than Rs3 billion, according to the Punjab Cane Commissioner’s audit report for 2024-25. The findings expose that during the 2023-24 fiscal year, mill owners failed to pay Rs3.0469 billion to growers, despite legal requirements mandating payment within 15 days of purchase. The report also shows that mill owners bought sugarcane at rates lower than …

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the landmark peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, hailing the development as a historic turning point for the South Caucasus and a gateway to regional prosperity. The prime minister received a telephone call from President Aliyev in which the two leaders discussed the peace accord, bilateral relations, …

The National Assembly Secretariat on Friday declared the post of opposition leader vacant after removing Omar Ayub from the position. The move is part of a broader reshuffle that sees Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) losing multiple influential roles in the assembly. According to the official notification issued by the Secretariat, three major positions held by PTI have been vacated. Besides Omar …

The Crime Control Department (CCD) has requested 290 kanals of land, funding of Rs11 billion and the recruitment of 10,000 personnel to expand its operations across Punjab. According to official sources, the CCD has submitted a formal demand to the provincial government for the construction of police lines on the proposed land. The requested funds are earmarked for the development …

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has introduced a major policy shift, announcing that companies providing satellite internet services will no longer be required to obtain multiple Local Loop (LL) licences. According to details surfaced on Friday, under the new framework, a single license will suffice for satellite internet operations across the country. The sources divulged that the move aligns with …

Security forces killed 33 terrorists linked to the Indian-sponsored group Fitna-ul-Khawarij during a major operation near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Balochistan’s Zhob district. According to the military’s media wing, the terrorists were attempting to infiltrate into Pakistan on the night of August 7–8 when their movement was detected in the Sambaza area. Terrorist infiltration attempt foiled ISPR said Pakistani troops …

With Independence Day celebrations nearing, the Islamabad district administration has imposed a citywide ban on the sale and use of horns (bajas or vuvuzelas). According to officials, the move aims to curb public nuisance and maintain order in the federal capital in the lead-up to August 14. Daily operations ordered against baja stalls The Islamabad deputy commissioner has instructed all …

An explosion occurred near the railway track in Sibi, Balochistan, on Thursday, shortly before the arrival of the Jaffar Express from Peshawar to Quetta. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, and train operations have resumed following a swift clearance operation. Blast close to track as train approached According to railway officials, the explosion took place just two to two-and-a-half feet from …