On the joyous occasion of Christmas, President Asif Ali Zardari extended his warm greetings and sincere wishes to Christian citizens of Pakistan and to Christian communities around the world. “Christmas is a time of hope, peace and compassion. The message of love and service to humanity that this season brings reminds us of the deep bonds that unite all people,” …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) court has canceled the bail of Additional Director NCCA Choudhry Sarfraz in a bribery case on Wednesday. The case, heard by an FIA Central Court judge, involves allegations of accepting bribes by NCCA officials. While bail was granted to Deputy Directors Zawar and Usman, the court rejected Choudhry Sarfraz’s bail application. Lawyer Mian Ali Ashfaq, …

The provincial government has imposed a ban on heavy traffic entering Karachi during daytime hours for two months. According to the notification, heavy vehicles will not be allowed to enter the city from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Under the new rules, heavy traffic can only access the city via specific routes: from the Super Highway to New Karachi Industrial …

Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced that the provincial government has approved development projects worth a total of Rs 1,018 billion under the 2025-26 development strategy. Speaking about the plan, Memon said the government’s priorities include building resilient infrastructure against extreme weather, rehabilitating flood-affected areas, improving education and health, better coordination, and reducing poverty. Highlighting key projects, he said …

The Federal Constitutional Court has issued a stay on the local government elections in Quetta on Wednesday. The hearing was conducted by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Aminuddin, with Justices Amir Farooq and Ali Baqar also on the bench. During the proceedings, lawyer Kamran Murtaza, representing petitioner Abdul Qadir, argued that the constituencies in Quetta were based on …

Government employees who applied to serve as Khuddam-ul-Hajj (Hajj volunteers) for the next year have filed complaints alleging serious violations of merit in the selection process. The applicants raised their concerns on the Prime Minister’s Complaint Portal, claiming that merit lists were announced without conducting physical tests, depriving new candidates of their rightful opportunity. According to complainants, some candidates received …

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has referred 18 additional petitions challenging actions under the Punjab Property Ownership Act to a full bench, after the petitioners’ objections were addressed. The court also sought complete records of all committee proceedings and issued a stay order. The hearing was presided over by Chief Justice LHC Aalia Neelum, with petitioners including Abubakar represented by …

Peshawar: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has postponed the hearing of a case against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Shehnaz Omar Eyub regarding violations of the code of conduct until January 13. The hearing was conducted by a five-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja. Suhail Afridi’s lawyer, Ali Bukhari, submitted a written reply …

Adviser to the Privatization Commission, Muhammad Ali, along with Federal Minister for Information Ata Tarar, said at a press conference that the government prioritized transparency, national interest, and the improvement of the company in the recent process of privatizing Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). Muhammad Ali stated that the privatization will bring Rs 55 billion directly to the government. He explained …

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ataullah Tarar has said that digital media played an effective and important role during the recent tensions between Pakistan and India. Speaking at the CPEC Media Forum, Tarar emphasized that discouraging negative propaganda, fake news, and disinformation is a key priority. He called for greater cooperation in the media sector, especially in digital media, …

Islamabad Traffic Police have released their performance audit report for the year 2025. According to the report, traffic violations decreased by 45 percent, while the rate of traffic accidents dropped by 22 percent compared to the previous year. Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Hamza Humayun stated that during the year, 7,931 individuals were fined for using mobile phones while driving, and …

The scenic Kashmir valley known for its lush green mountains, dense forests, waterfalls, flowing rivers and historical sites continues to attract tourists from across the country and abroad. Every year, millions of domestic and foreign visitors travel to different parts of Azad Kashmir to witness its natural beauty. According to the Department of Tourism and Archaeology, more than 1.5 million …

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday reacted strongly to the suspension of a bill aimed at resolving long-pending property disputes within 90 days, saying the move would harm ordinary citizens and benefit land grabbers. In a statement on the suspension of the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Bill 2025, Maryam Nawaz said the legislation was introduced to …

Board Chairman of easypaisa Irfan Wahab Khan said Pakistan’s technology sector does not suffer from a lack of ideas but faces serious challenges in scaling businesses and accessing capital, as he spoke at the Paklaunch (PL) Islamabad Meetup held at the National Incubation Center (NIC) Islamabad. The Islamabad-based gathering, hosted in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), brought together startup …

Positive outcomes of the government’s economic reforms have begun to emerge in Pakistan, with the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ranking among the world’s best-performing equity markets. By mid-December 2025, the benchmark KSE-100 Index crossed a historic level of 171,500 points, reflecting growing confidence among both domestic and foreign investors. Market analysts say the strong performance signals improved economic stability and …

Former federal minister Usman Dar has approached the Lahore High Court seeking removal of his name from the Exit Control List (ECL). A bench headed by Justice Sajid Mahmood Sethi issued notices to the Interior Secretary and the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), asking them to submit a response by tomorrow. Dar, represented by Advocate Abu Zar …

The Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology in Sargodha has been completed, marking a major milestone in healthcare infrastructure for the Sargodha division. The hospital, constructed at a cost of Rs 986 crore, was completed on schedule in December 2025. Spread over 97 kanals of land, the hospital is designed to provide comprehensive treatment for all cardiovascular diseases. According to officials, …

After passing through Punjab, a rain-bearing weather system has moved on, bringing the region back to dry and cold conditions. Dense fog continues to affect Lahore and other parts of Punjab during mornings and nights, prompting authorities to close stretches of motorways at various points for traffic safety. According to the Meteorological Department, another rain-bearing system is expected to enter …

The Lahore High Court on Tuesday has upheld the decision of the Punjab Ombudsman to terminate the employment of the Director of Management at a Vocational Institute for allegedly harassing a female teacher. The court dismissed the petitioner’s request for reinstatement. Justice Raheel Kamran issued a 17-page detailed judgment on the petition filed by Umar Shehzad, setting a new legal …

Five suspected drug dealers were killed in alleged police encounters in Lahore during operations by CCD Chohung and CCD Iqbal Town, police said on Tuesday. Authorities identified the deceased as Ashiq, Azeem, Khurram, Aslam, and Javed. Police said the suspects were being taken for drug recovery operations when their accomplices opened fire in an attempt to rescue them. Four of …

The Punjab government has decided to formally include visually impaired individuals in the official list of persons with disabilities, aiming to extend legal recognition and access to state support. The Punjab Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Amendment) Bill 2025 was presented in the Punjab Assembly on Friday during the ongoing session. The proposed legislation seeks to amend existing laws by …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday summoned the Returning Officer (RO), District Returning Officer (DRO) and District Police Officer (DPO) in connection with a case alleging rigging in the NA-185 constituency, while also seeking a detailed report from the constituency’s RO. The hearing was held on a petition filed by NA-185 candidate Sardar Dost Khoso. His counsel, Latif …

Five police personnel were martyred after unidentified attackers opened fire on a police mobile in Karak district, police said on Tuesday. According to police officials, the incident took place within the limits of Gargarai police station, where a police van came under direct gunfire. Initial reports had confirmed four fatalities, but District Police Officer (DPO) Karak Saud Khan later confirmed …

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has been awarded the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class, Saudi Arabia’s highest national honour, in recognition of his pivotal role in strengthening defence cooperation and strategic ties between Pakistan and the Kingdom. The medal was conferred on the Field Marshal by the Prince …

Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program (PMYP), Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to youth empowerment during the opening ceremony of the International MOIC Summit Pakistan 2025, held at HEC Islamabad. The event was attended by the President of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), HEC representatives, and youth leaders from across Pakistan. Rana Mashhood recalled his tenure …

The notification for the successful candidates of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) elections 2025 has been officially issued. Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan, acting as the returning officer, announced the results. From Balochistan, Munir Ahmed Khan Kakar was elected from Quetta. Islamabad elected Raja Rizwan Abbasi, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa constituencies Peshawar and Abbottabad returned Naveed Akhtar, Rehman Ullah, …

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and Pakistan Railways on Monday have agreed to enhance cooperation on rail development projects, including the construction of a new line from Kohaṭ to Kharlachi. The decision came during a high-level meeting chaired by KP Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi. Officials briefed the meeting that the proposed 192-kilometre Kohaṭ-Kharlachi railway project will cost $642 million and …

Wildlife rangers apprehended seven individuals for the illegal hunting of a blackbuck (Paṛha Hiran), pigeons, and partridges in various parts of the district. Official of District Forest and Wildlife Department said on Monday that in the suburban area of Mandi Ahmadabad, a rescued female blackbuck was taken for a medical examination and subsequently transferred to Head Suleman Wildlife Park for …

The Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court conducted a hearing in the case involving an alleged altercation and assault with Wajid Gilani, President of the Islamabad High Court Bar. The proceedings were overseen by Judge Abul Hasanat Muhammad Zulqarnain. The court extended the interim bail of accused Iman Mizari, Hadi Ali Chatha, and others. However, arguments on the anticipatory bail applications could not …

Two Pakistani citizens were executed in Saudi Arabia after being convicted of drug smuggling, authorities confirmed. According to media reports, Saudi officials had arrested the individuals on charges of involvement in narcotics trafficking. Following a trial, a Saudi court upheld the charges and sentenced both to death, with the punishment subsequently carried out. Saudi Arabia classifies drug smuggling as a …

The Islamabad High Court has imposed heavy fines on police officers involved in the abduction of a woman and her minor daughters from Lahore and Bahawalpur, ordering departmental action against those responsible. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani announced the reserved verdict, with the detailed judgment to be issued later. The case stemmed from a dispute involving former PIA CEO Musharraf Rasool, …

Pakistan Railways faced a challenging year in 2025 as accidents, derailments, and sabotage incidents disrupted services nationwide, leaving passengers waiting for hours despite upgraded and aesthetically improved stations. Official data reveals that from January 1 to December 20, a total of 95 accidents occurred involving passenger and freight trains. Over a dozen passengers lost their lives, while hundreds of passengers …

The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) has reported a notable increase in both revenue and tourist usage of the Lahore Double-Decker Bus Service during 2025. Official figures indicate that the service’s total revenue rose by approximately 20 percent, reaching nearly Rs3 crore. During the same period, around 40,000 tourists used the facility, marking a similar 20 percent growth compared …

The implementation of the e-Office system across federal ministries has resulted in annual savings of Rs9.5 billion for the government, while significantly reducing delays in official decision-making, according to official documents. Government data shows that the average processing time for summaries has dropped from 25 days to just four days, marking an overall reduction of 84 percent. Officials said the …

The Directorate General of Passports has introduced a new digital system to monitor passport applications, printing and service delivery, aiming to improve transparency, efficiency and response time across the country and abroad, official said. On the directives of the Director General of Passports, a dedicated 24/7 monitoring room has been established at the department’s headquarters. Officials said the facility will …

The Lahore High Court on Monday directed the Advocate General of Punjab to submit a reply by Thursday during the hearing of petitions challenging the Local Government Act 2025. The hearing was conducted by Justice Sultan Tanvir, who took up multiple petitions filed against the new local government law. Petitioners included Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamaat-e-Islami and others. Advocates Azhar Siddique and …

The Punjab government has replaced the British-era Forest Act with a modern, technology-driven system aimed at eliminating corruption and improving transparency in forest and environmental governance. Under the new framework, all departments linked to forests and environmental protection will operate through a fully digital mechanism, making the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) the first provincial government department to completely abolish paper-based …

A fresh spell of rain and snowfall across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Azad Kashmir has intensified cold weather, affecting daily life and travel in several areas. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain was reported in Peshawar, Hangu and Charsadda, leading to a noticeable drop in temperature. Upper regions including Chitral, Kalam, Mahodand and Malam Jabba received snowfall, covering roads, rooftops and trees …

The Punjab government informed the Lahore High Court on Monday that the upcoming local government elections in the province will be held on a party-based system, allowing political parties to issue tickets to their candidates. The statement was made during hearings on multiple petitions challenging the Punjab Local Government Act 2025. Punjab Assistant Advocate General appeared before Justice Sultan Tanveer …

Investigations have been launched by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) into a massive fraud involving over Rs40 billion in illegal leases and land grabs across Pakistan Railways’ properties in all four provinces, officials said. The fraud reportedly involved railway officials and private companies. Initial inquiries could not be completed, prompting the cases to be formally referred to NAB by the …