Lahore police said three suspected drug dealers were killed in alleged encounters with the Counter Crime Department (CCD) in Batta Pur and Iqbal Town on Friday. The deceased were identified as Nadeem, Hayat, and Ali. Police stated that two suspects opened fire on a CCD team near Saifon Bridge. During the exchange, the suspects were hit by bullets from their …

The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) has written a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging the government to immediately stop the privatisation process of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). According to media reports, the letter was sent by the ITF’s General Secretary, who expressed serious concerns over the ongoing privatisation plan. The federation said the process is being carried out …

Islamabad police have arrested the leader of an inter-provincial criminal gang after he was injured during a police encounter in the limits of Tarnol Police Station, officials said on Friday. According to police, three armed suspects opened indiscriminate fire on a police raiding team during an operation conducted on information about the presence of the Nedo gang. Police personnel remained …

Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, held a high-level consultative meeting with leaders, traders, and community representatives from Chaman District and the Chaman Chamber of Commerce & Industry to discuss issues related to cross-border trade. The meeting focused on the challenges arising from frequent and prolonged closures of the Pak–Afghan border crossing at Chaman. Stakeholders highlighted the severe socio-economic …

Work has begun on the Circular Rail Project aimed at connecting major cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the provincial capital through a modern rail network, according to official documents. The project plans to link four major cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Peshawar in two phases. Under the first phase, Mardan, Nowshera, and Charsadda will be connected to Peshawar through a …

LAHORE: Climate change is no longer just an environmental concern but a growing economic and governance challenge for Pakistan, speakers warned at the launch of a new policy report in Lahore. The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) hosted the unveiling of the 18th Annual Report of the Shahid Javed Burki Institute of Public Policy (BIPP), titled “The State …

Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Severe fog in parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has disrupted traffic, prompting authorities to close several motorway sections. According to officials, low visibility forced the closure of the following motorways: M-1 from Peshawar to Sawabi, M-4 from Sher Shah to Shum Kot, M-5 from Sher Shah to Rohri, and M-11 from Lahore to Sambahial. Motorway …

The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has recovered drugs worth over Rs77 million during a nationwide crackdown on smuggling, officials said. Two suspects, including a woman, were arrested in three separate operations, and a total of 33.62 kilograms of narcotics were seized. In the first operation at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, authorities recovered 14.912 kilograms of ice hidden in a passenger’s …

Police have begun a formal investigation into suspects arrested for violence, disorder and resistance against law enforcement during a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest outside Central Jail Adiala. According to police officials, Saddar Bairooni police station has started interrogating 16 arrested suspects who are currently in police custody on a three-day physical remand. The arrested individuals include Muhammad Hasnat, Muhammad Yar …

Sindh Police have introduced an online registration application for recording tenant information across the province as part of ongoing efforts to digitise policing and improve urban security. According to a police spokesperson, the initiative is part of a broader digitalisation drive within various departments of Sindh Police. The new facility allows landlords to register tenant details online without visiting police …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to further accelerate efforts aimed at promoting a cashless economy across the country. The prime minister issued the instructions during a meeting with members of the RAAST board, where he also congratulated newly appointed members on assuming their responsibilities. He expressed confidence that the institution of national importance would be managed more effectively …

The Lahore High Court has declared the business of running a snooker club as lawful and legitimate, ruling that it is a legal recreational activity not prohibited under any law. Justice Jawad Zafar issued a five-page written verdict while allowing an appeal filed by citizen Muhammad Rashid, setting aside a trial court order that had directed the closure of his …

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched the Host Programme under its home-stay initiative to promote tourism, generate employment for local communities and support economic self-reliance in tourist areas. Chief Minister Sohaib Afridi distributed cheques of interest-free loans to beneficiaries under the programme, aimed at enabling residents of tourist regions to offer quality accommodation to visitors in their private homes. Addressing …

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said that crimes against children and women were her “red line” and pledged zero tolerance against harassment and violence across the province. Addressing a ceremony for the distribution of Honhaar Scholarships and laptops in Lodhran on Thursday, the chief minister said she considered herself a public servant rather than a ruler. She …

The federal government has announced winter vacations for all federal government educational institutions. According to a notification issued by the Federal Directorate of Education, winter holidays will be observed from December 26 to January 3. The notification states that all academic activities will remain suspended during this period, while classes and other educational activities will resume from January 5. Officials …

The Punjab government has announced additional facilities for beneficiaries of the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar programme, including rebates on early repayment of interest-free housing loans. The decision was discussed at a high-level meeting held on the directions of the Secretary Housing and chaired by Director General PHATA, Sikandar Zeeshan. Programme Director Mirza Waleed Baig and senior officials attended the meeting. …

The Islamabad High Court has declared the appointment of Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri illegal and ordered his removal from office, citing issues with his educational qualifications at the time of his appointment. A two-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice Sardar Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Azam Khan, held that Justice Jahangiri did not possess a valid LLB degree when he was appointed …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has rejected Pakistan’s request to immediately remove the 18 percent GST on contraceptives, officials said. According to sources, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had sought approval during a virtual meeting to exempt contraceptives from GST with immediate effect. The IMF, however, declined the request, stating that such matters can only be considered during the …

The Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Baber Sidhu, and Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf paid tribute to Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz, recipient of the Nishan-e-Haider, on the 54th anniversary of his martyrdom, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The ISPR statement described Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz as a symbol of extraordinary bravery, …

The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections have been postponed due to severe weather conditions affecting the region. According to the Election Commission, an all-parties conference was held to review the situation, during which a consensus emerged to defer the elections in view of the prevailing weather. The decision was formally announced after the meeting. Officials said that Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan …

Federal Minister for Board of Investment (BOI), Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, addressed the AI Summit at Bahria University Islamabad as the Chief Guest, emphasizing that education remains the foundation of national progress. The Federal Minister stated that the future of the world is closely linked with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and stressed that technological skill development for youth is an urgent national …

Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, held a meeting today with the World Bank Country Director for Pakistan, Ms. Bolormaa Amgaabazar, to discuss ongoing and future reforms in Pakistan’s energy sector, with a particular focus on gas sector sustainability. During the meeting, Ms. Bolormaa Amgaabazar appreciated the Petroleum Division for successfully resolving the long-standing LNG issue. She noted that …

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning about the likely increase in smog across several regions of Pakistan. According to an NDMA spokesperson, higher levels of smog are expected in Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Sialkot, Gujranwala, and Sheikhupura. The alert also includes Rawalpindi, Islamabad, several areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and upper regions of Sindh. The spokesperson added …

The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Rights, chaired by Aga Rafiullah, was briefed on the alarming trend of Pakistanis being deported from various countries for begging and illegal migration. Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) informed the committee that 51,000 Pakistanis were offloaded from foreign countries this year for begging. Saudi Arabia deported the …

The ongoing goods transport strike has disrupted the supply of raw materials to industries, raising concerns over potential shutdowns across the country. Hammad Ponawala, President of Iron Merchants, said that industries are at risk of closure due to non-availability of materials, causing losses worth billions to iron traders and other importers. He urged the Transporters Association to resolve the issue …

The Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) has proposed the introduction of two new educational groups at the matriculation level, focusing on technical and agriculture subjects. A consultative meeting of the IBCC has been convened to review the proposed subject groupings and explore alternative pathways to higher education. The meeting is scheduled to be held on December 23 in Islamabad. …

Federal Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, met with a delegation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) led by Leah Gutierrez, Director General of the Central and West Asia Department. The Minister welcomed the delegation and thanked them for their visit. Leah Gutierrez noted that this was her first visit to Pakistan in her current role and expressed …

The opening ceremony of the Pak–Tajik Cultural Festival is scheduled to be held tomorrow (Thursday) at the Convention Centre Islamabad, as Pakistan and Tajikistan prepare to launch their first-ever joint cultural celebration. In this regard, Federal Minister for the National Heritage and Culture Division, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, on Wednesday received a high-level cultural delegation at Islamabad International Airport, led by …

Punjab government has prepared a comprehensive and practical five-year strategy aimed at preventing violent extremism across the province. The strategy was developed under the Punjab Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism (CoE-CVE) during a two-day strategic planning workshop held in Lahore. The workshop was chaired by Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan and attended by policymakers from across …

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday reviewed compliance reports submitted by relevant authorities in a case concerning the elimination of drugs from educational institutions. The hearing was conducted by Justice Raja Inam Amin Minhas. During the proceedings, Director Legal of the Inspector General of Police Office Tahir Kazim, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Prosecutor Rana Zulfiqar, and DSP Legal Sajid Cheema …

On the instructions of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday dispatched another consignment of humanitarian aid for Palestine. The latest shipment, weighing 100 tons, is the 27th relief consignment sent in collaboration with the Alkhidmat Foundation. The aid was transported through a special flight from Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore. According to officials, …

A new era of public shopping has begun in Punjab with the introduction of modern fruit and vegetable markets across the province, aimed at improving facilities for consumers and traders while ensuring transparency in pricing and supply. Under the “Modern Punjab” initiative, modern fruit and vegetable markets have been introduced in Punjab’s sabzi mandis. All water filtration plants have been …

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has reserved its verdict in the drugs and terrorism case against senior journalist Matiullah Jan after hearing arguments from both sides. The case was heard by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, who reserved the decision following the completion of arguments by the prosecution and the defence. During the hearing, defence counsel Barrister Mian Ali …

An Islamabad court has declared Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Soheil Afridi and four other members of the provincial assembly as proclaimed offenders in two cases registered by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Islamabad. According to judicial notices, the proclaimed offenders include Soheil Afridi, Meena Khan, Amjad Ali, Shafiullah Jan, and Iqbal Afridi. The court has directed all five accused to …

Pakistan has extended its ban on Indian flights, keeping its airspace closed to India for another month. The Pakistan Airport Authority, with government approval, issued a new NOTAM stating that Indian aircraft will not be allowed to enter Pakistani airspace until January 23, 2026. Pakistan initially closed its airspace to Indian flights on April 24, 2025, and the restrictions have …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed the government’s zero tolerance policy against terrorism, saying decisive action would continue until the complete elimination of militants. In a message on the 11th anniversary of the Army Public School (APS) tragedy in Peshawar, the prime minister paid tribute to the martyrs, stating that they laid down their lives for the future of …

The Public Action Committee has launched a shutter-down strike across all four districts of the Poonch division in protest against prolonged electricity load shedding. According to the Department of Electricity, the prolonged power outages are linked to the destruction of a WAPDA grid station tower in Bagh during recent floods. The absence of the tower has prevented full-capacity electricity distribution, …

The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on IT and Telecom raised questions about the performance of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) during a recent session, officials said. The agenda included discussion on the Prevention of Obscenity and Immorality through Digital Media Bill 2025, which was presented to the committee by Member of National Assembly Shaheeda Rehman. Federal Minister Shiza …

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in coordination with NCB Interpol has arrested a fugitive wanted in a murder case from Saudi Arabia and brought him to Pakistan, officials said. The accused, Khushnood Mushtaq, who had been on the run for the past two years, was transferred to Islamabad Airport following his arrest in Saudi Arabia. He was wanted in connection …

The Islamabad High Court has issued a temporary order preventing the deportation of Bakhti Jan to Afghanistan until the Ministry of Interior decides on his application regarding the cancellation of his Pakistan Origin Card (POR), officials said. During the hearing, the court directed the Ministry of Interior to decide on the POR cancellation request within one month. The petitioner’s lawyer …