News Updates Pk

President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed solidarity with the people of Pakistan on Sunday over the loss of lives and financial damages caused by recent monsoon floods, assuring that his government and people stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Pakistan in this difficult time. More than 700 people have been killed and nearly 1,000 injured in monsoon-related incidents across the country since June 26, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). In Punjab, at least 38 people have died and 750,000 people have been displaced due to recent floods.. Of the total fatalities, at least 356 were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). In Karachi, at least 10 people lost their lives as heavy downpours inundated neighbourhoods, crippled traffic and caused widespread power outages, prompting the mayor to declare a rain emergency. Erdoğan’s remarks came during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Tian...

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah visited Guddu Barrage  on Sunday along with senior provincial ministers and security officials to review the flood situation, saying the provincial administration was preparing for the possibility of a “super flood” of up to 900,000 cusecs. The chief minister was accompanied by Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon, Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro and Commander Coast Rear Admiral Faisal. The delegation arrived at the barrage by helicopter and monitored the river flow and vulnerable areas with the help of maps during the aerial survey. Speaking to reporters at the barrage, Shah noted that water levels were currently rising at Ravi and Trimmu. “Although we hope such high volumes will not reach here, we are still preparing for a super flood, which means 900,000 cusecs,” he said. Read: Sindh braces for high flood in early September He warned that such a situation would submerge the entire katcha belt and said the provincial administ...

Lahore, Gujarat, and Sialkot – what do these cities have in common? They are all major urban centres in Punjab, and they were all drowned in unprecedented floods this week, with Sialkot reportedly experiencing the most intense recorded rainfall in half a century, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department. If this is the state of our major cities, one can only imagine the conditions in rural Punjab. One also wonders if departments like the PMD are only there to measure the loss, rather than prevent it. Weak coordination and unclear mandate Pakistan does not seem to have a clear and centralised disaster management system. First we have the “Pakistan Meteorological Department”(PMD) – they are responsible for weather forecasting. Then we have the “Federal Flood Commission” (FFC), responsible for policies around flood prevention systems such as barrages, followed by the “Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination”, “Rescue 1122”, and finally, the “National Disaste...

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has reported 16 deaths during the last two days, raising the toll to 831 over the past two months. The floods, triggered by torrential rains and excessive discharge of water from India, have wreaked havoc, leaving thousands of people marooned and displaced while causing severe damage to property, infrastructure and ready crops. Three transboundary rivers that cut through Punjab, which borders India, have swollen to exceptionally high levels, affecting more than 2,300 villages. Read More: Worst monsoon floods in decades leave millions displaced in Pakistan According to NDMA, the hardest-hit provinces are Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) with 480 deaths while Punjab reported 191 fatalities. Sindh recorded 58 deaths, Balochistan 24, and Gilgit-Baltistan 41. Azad Kashmir has reported 29 fatalities, while Islamabad reported eight deaths. Children have borne the brunt of the disaster, with 219 minors among the deceased. The floods have also claim...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reached Tianjin, China, to participate in a series of high-level events including the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State Summit and Commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance. At the Tianjin Airport, he was warmly welcomed by top officials including Minister and Secretary of the CPC Committee of the General Administration of Customs, Sun Meijun; Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Tianjin Municipal People’s Congress and Party Secretary, Yu Yunlin; China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong; and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi. براہِ راست: وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کا چین کے سرکاری دورے پر تیانجن پہنچنے پر استقبال https://t.co/ELZdKHRoTD — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 30, 2025 The prime minister is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqba...

The Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur will reopen for pilgrims once repair work is completed, likely within three to four days, subject to weather conditions and the Ravi River’s flow, government sources said. Cleaning and restoration are underway at the Sikh holy site after floodwaters receded, but the process has been slowed by power outages. Officials said heavy rainfall on Friday further hampered the efforts. Additional Secretary Shrines, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Saifullah Khokhar, said the gurdwara was inundated after embankments along the Ravi River and Nullah Bae breached. He noted that repair work on the embankments will only begin once water levels fall. Floodwater had submerged parts of the gurdwara up to 10 to 12 feet, which were later cleared with the help of rescue teams, the district administration, and army personnel. The main courtyard, inner sections, and Darshan Deori have since been cleaned, while special arrangements were made to protect the Guru ...

More than 2.96 million regular licences were issued to motorcyclists across Punjab in a year, a spokesperson for the Punjab Traffic Police said on Saturday. The spokesperson added that, for the first time in the country’s history, such a large-scale facility had been provided to motorcyclists. Of the total, more than 2.945 million men, over 14,000 women, and above 100 transgender persons obtained motorcycle driving licences. DIG Traffic Punjab Muhammad Waqas Nazir said the facility of acquiring both learning and regular motorcycle licences on the same day, introduced last year, would continue across the province. “It is encouraging that more than 2.9 million motorcyclists are now driving with licences,” Nazir said. “The issuance of licences will lead to a significant reduction in accidents and is also creating employment opportunities.” He urged motorcyclists to obtain licences and “drive with dignity.” Read: Traffic woes worsen as crashes soar by 29% Earlier this year it was reported ...

Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian offered his condolences to the people of Pakistan over the loss of lives and properties amid ongoing floods across various parts of Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported. In a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, the Iranian president offered assistance to the brotherly people of Pakistan at this difficult time. He also conveyed his sympathy and support to the flood-affected families over the loss of precious lives and their worldly belongings. The PM thanked President Pezeshkian for his kind and thoughtful gesture and expression of solidarity at this hour of pain and suffering. He also requested that his profound regards and good wishes be conveyed to Supreme Leader Ayatullah Ali Khamenei. The two leaders look forward to their interaction at the upcoming SCO Summit in Tianjin, China. from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/aFpSs36

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has assured that all minority religious sites damaged during recent floods, including Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, will be restored to their original condition on priority, Radio Pakistan reported on Friday. During his visit to the flood-hit districts of Punjab, including Sialkot, Shakargarh, Narowal, and Kartarpur, the army chief met members of the Sikh community. He said it was the responsibility of the state and its institutions to protect religious sites of minorities, reaffirming that Pakistan would “leave no stone unturned” in fulfilling this duty. Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has assured that all religious sites affected during floods, including Durbar Sahib Kartarpur, will be completely revived to their original condition at priority@OfficialDGISPR #News #RadioPakistan https://t.co/G6YHIT1lJu pic.twitter.com/Zoi3qcyEUC — Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) August 29, 2025 The Sikh community expressed gratitude to t...

Pakistan Heritage Day was marked for the first time at Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the Mayor of New York City. The ceremony was attended by New York Mayor Eric Adams, senior city and state officials, diplomats, political leaders, and a large number of Pakistani-American community members. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, and Consul General of Pakistan in New York Aamer Ahmed Atozai represented Pakistan at the occasion. A moment of silence was observed for the victims of recent floods in Pakistan. Photo Courtesy: PTV News Read: US tariff relief: opportunity or illusion? Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Ahmad congratulated the community on Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day and lauded their role in strengthening Pakistan-US relations. He reiterated that Pakistan was fully capable of defending its sovereignty while continuing to work for peace, progress and international cooperation.   Pakistan Heritage Day Mark...

Over 3,300 FIRs have been registered in Rawalpindi and Murree for violations of dengue prevention guidelines, as authorities take legal measures to control the spread, it emerged on Thursday.  In Rawalpindi, nearly 129,000 teams inspected over 4.4 million houses and found larvae in 91,909 of them, In Murree, 167 teams surveyed 427,955 houses and detected larvae in 2,178. Overall, 1.17m sites were inspected, of which 106,062 tested positive for dengue larvae. As a result, 1,458 premises were also sealed, and 3,085 challans were issued, resulting in fines of over Rs 7.5m in Rawalpindi. Read: Dengue cases rise to 90 in K-P In murree, 983 premises were sealed and fines amounting to Rs844,000 were imposed. Officials said the crackdown on SOP violations, coupled with large-scale surveillance, would continue in the coming weeks as part of efforts to contain the outbreak. Rising cases A total of 176 confirmed dengue cases have been reported in Rawalpindi and Murree this season, with 2...

Pakistan is set for a major digital upgrade this year as the government prepares to lay new submarine Internet cables to strengthen connectivity and support 5G technology rollout. Federal Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said on Thursday that the project would not only enhance internet speed but also improve reliability, reduce outages, and unlock broader economic opportunities, according to a statement published by state broadcaster Radio Pakistan.  “The new cables will expand bandwidth capacity, reduce dependence on older systems, and place Pakistan as a stronger participant in global digital networks,” said Fatima.  Read: Internet upgrade Earlier, Pakistan also actively participated in major global subsea projects, including the 2Africa cable, installed in Karachi in late 2024 and expected to go live by the end of 2025 with a capacity of 180 Tbps. Other projects such as Africa‑1, PEACE, and MGG‑1, are expected to collectively add over...

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore sent ousted premier Imran Khan's nephew Sher Shah Khan on 14-day judicial remand on Thursday, denying the investigation officer's (IO) request for extension in physical remand.  During the hearing, IO Muhammad Ashraf Javed sought a 30-day extension to the five-day physical remand granted earlier on August 23. The IO contended that further time was required to recover Shah's mobile phone and a mask allegedly used at the time of the incident - Shah was arrested in connection with May 9 riots - and to obtain details of his social media accounts.  The IO apprised the court that a photgrammetry test was conducted and a "wooden danda [stick]" was recovered from his possession.  The court observed that sufficient investigation had already been carried out and that tracing social media accounts does not require further custody of the accused in the “present era of technology and digital devices”. Read: Punjab police detain Aleema ...

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced on Wednesday that pink scooters will be distributed free of cost by the provincial government next month.  Addressing a press conference in Karachi, he said that the Sindh government would also be introducing double-decker buses and electric buses (EVs) as part of its transport initiatives. Tracks for cyclists and pedestrians are also being built, he added.  Regarding the Yellow Line BRT, Memon said that the corridor along Jam Sadiq Bridge will be completed ahead of schedule. The old bridge will subsequently be demolished and rebuilt to improve traffic flow, he added.  Read: BRT to be completed five months ahead of schedule According to Memon, the Red Line BRT remains a key focus and will be completed at the earliest, with the project moving forward under World Bank support. Established in 2020, TransKarachi is a public sector company owned by the Government of Sindh. It serves as ...

The police on Wednesday denied holding Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza in custody after an FIR was lodged against the religous scholar on blasphemy charges over a complaint filed prior to his so-called arrest.  Till Tuesday, Punjab Police had maintained that the cleric was not under arrest and had been taken into "preventative custody" in view of threats of secretarian violence under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance. The police had insisted that there were no criminal charges against the engineer.  However, later that same day, a blasphemy case was filed against Engineer Mirza under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Section 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. Section 295-C of the PPC states that any person, whether spoken or written, who makes derogatory remarks about the Holy Prophet (PBUH) shall be punished by death and will also be fined.  Section 11 of PECA pertains to the pr...

Pakistan now has access to Google's newly launched "AI Mode", which promises to offer users an advanced AI-powered search engine. The tool is a custom version of Gemini 2.5, which allows users to pose longer, more complex, questions that would have previously required several separate searches. Google, in an earlier statement, had said that early tests indicate that searches are already two to three times longer than traditional searches, highlighting the tool's value for exploratory activities like product comparisons, trip planning, or solving "how-to" queries. "It dives deep to answer multiple questions at once, with helpful links for further exploration," read the statement.  The AI Mode is now available in Pakistan and can be acessed through the Google App on Android and iOS, also on the mobile and desktop versions of Google Search According to Google, Pakistani users can use the AI tool for a multitude of things, such as "planning a trip...

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced a 25% discount on tickets for passengers travelling from Paris to Pakistan, with bookings open until August 31, 2025, for travel between August 25 and September 28. The discount also applies to connecting routes with Air France across Europe and the United Kingdom. The airline confirmed it will discontinue its Lahore–Paris service due to low demand, with the final flights scheduled for September 12 and 17. The Islamabad–Paris route will remain in operation. Earlier, PIA launched direct flights from Lahore to Baku, Azerbaijan, as part of its efforts to expand international routes and promote tourism. Flight PK-159 departed from Lahore with 152 passengers on board. A brief ceremony was held at the airport, attended by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov, and senior aviation officials. Asif said the route was part of PIA’s strategy to broaden its network and strengthen ties with...

Bani Gala police team apprehended two wanted members of a notorious bike lifter gang and recovered stolen valuables during a targeted operation in Islamabad. According to police, the team used technical and human resources to track down the suspects, identified as Danish and Sher Dil, who were involved in numerous bike lifting incidents. Police also recovered five stolen motorbikes and cash from their possession. Cases had already been registered against the accused. Further investigation is underway. Read: Man murdered for Rs30 Islamabad SSP Operations Muhammad Shoaib Khan directed officers to intensify crackdowns against criminal elements and ensure protection of citizens’ life and property. He added that no criminal would be allowed to disturb public peace and urged citizens to report any suspicious activity through the “Pucar-15” emergency helpline. from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/mlz4rPI

Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza was taken into 'preventative custody' from his academy in Jhelum, police said on Tuesday, a day after reports of his arrest surfaced.  According to Jhelum Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Meesam Abbas and District Police Officer Ahmed Mohiyuddin, Mirza’s was detained under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order ordinance. Under Section 3 of the MPO, the authorities have the power to arrest and detain suspects to prevent “any person from acting in any manner prejudicial to public safety” or to maintain public order. The police clarified that this so-called arrest stands as "preventative detention” and no criminal charge has been levied against him. According to Punjab Police, statements made by Mirza in a certain viral video could cause sectarian violence, making his detention under the MPO “inevitable”. He's being detained for 30 days on the orders of Jhelum Deputy Commissioner Syed Maysam Abbas, according to dis...

Heavy rains and flash floods in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa since August 15 have claimed at least 406 lives and injured over 245 others, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). The casualties include 305 men, 55 women and 46 children, while the injured comprise 179 men, 38 women, and 30 children. Moreover, torrential rains and floods have damaged 3,526 houses, with 2,945 partially destroyed and 577 completely demolished. Buner recorded the highest number of fatalities with 337 deaths, followed by Sawabi with a death toll of 46. Casualties were reported in Swat, Buner, Bajaur, Mansehra, Shangla, Lower Dir, Battagram, DI Khan and Sawabi. Authorities in affected districts have been instructed to speed up relief operations and provide immediate assistance to victims. PDMA and relevant agencies remain in contact and are closely monitoring the situation. The Emergency Operations Center remains fully operational. Residents can report eme...

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Jeddah on Tuesday to express appreciation for his chairmanship of the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Organisation Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers.  The two parties reaffirmed firm solidarity with the Palestinian people. Dar also stressed on “strengthening our [Pakistan and Turkey's] multifaceted cooperation”. Pleased to meet my brother, FM of Türkiye, H.E. Hakan Fidan @HakanFidan, today on sidelines of 21st extraordinary session of #OIC CFM. I expressed my deep appreciation to Türkiye for its leadership role in the capacity of the Chair of the 51st OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.… pic.twitter.com/43CUVX778E — Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) August 26, 2025 Read: Pursuit of 'Greater Israel' threatens region: Dar Earlier, Dar also held meetings with other officials, including Bangladeshi Advisor for Foreign Affairs Mohammad Touhid Hossain...

Thirty rupees worth of bananas have led to the deaths of two young men from Kot Radha Kishan, where their funerals were flooded with shocked villagers over the weekend. Wajid and his brother Rashid, both in their twenties, had traveled to Raiwind, Lahore by bus before planning to head home to their village. They headed to a cluster of fruit sellers to buy bananas near Rohi Nala. Bananas are Rs130 a dozen but the brothers had only a one-hundred-rupee note and a five-thousand-rupee note. They asked the fruit seller to give them change for the larger note. But when he said he did not have it, the brothers asked him to reduce their number of bananas. A fight broke out. Wajid and Rashid were badly beaten and the fruit seller called for back-up from some friends, who were playing cricket nearby. A video of the fight shows Rashid cradling his brother in his lap on the ground, blood streaming down his head, when a young man charges at him and hits him over the head with a cricket bat. Waji...

After a historic visit to Bangladesh, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Jeddah on Monday to take part in the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) council of foreign ministers. The foreign ministers and senior officials of member states are to assemble to consider the issue of Israel's assault on Gaza. The Foreign Office detailed the agenda - “to deliberate on coordinated responses to the escalating developments in Palestine, arising from the ongoing Israeli military aggression, proposed plans for full military control over Gaza, and the continuing egregious violations of Palestinian rights”. Dar arrived at the King Abdulaziz International Airport Jeddah and was received by the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to OIC Ambassador Fawad Sher, Ambassador of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia Ahmad Farooq and Consul General of Pakistan in Jeddah Khalid Majid. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad ...

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar, is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia from August 25 to 26 to participate in the Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), which will be held in Jeddah. The DPM will proceed directly from Dhaka—following the conclusion of his two-day visit to Bangladesh—to attend the high-level meeting, according to a press release from the Foreign Office. “The high-level meeting will bring together foreign ministers and senior officials from OIC member states to deliberate upon coordinated responses to the escalating developments in Palestine,” the Foreign Office spokesperson said. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar will undertake an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 25–26 August to participate in the Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Jeddah. More Details:… pic.twitter.com/aWjmVybGZu — APP (@appcsocialmedia) August 24, 2025 It i...

China’s Foreign Ministry has applauded the leadership of Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, describing the Pakistan Army as a stabilising force in the country and a steadfast guardian of the enduring China–Pakistan friendship, PTV World reported on Sunday. This acknowledgment followed a high-level meeting between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and COAS Munir in Islamabad on August 21. In its statement, the Foreign Ministry said Wang Yi praised the Pakistan Army as a pillar of national stability and a steadfast guardian of the China–Pakistan friendship, noting the military’s role in advancing consensus reached by the leadership of both countries. Read: Dar, Yunus discuss revival of old ties, boosting trade and economic cooperation Highlighting the strength of bilateral ties, Wang Yi emphasised that fostering stronger China–Pakistan relations contributes to regional peace and stability, while reaffirming Beijing’s unwavering support for Pakistan’s territorial integrity and national sec...

Over 120 people have died in Punjab during the past six weeks as torrential rains and flash floods swept through rural and urban settlements, according to official figures. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said the ongoing monsoon spell is expected to continue intermittently until August 27, bringing risks of riverine floods, urban flooding and waterlogging in low-lying areas. Nationwide, more than 700 people have lost their lives and nearly 1,000 others have been injured in rain-related incidents since the start of the season, including women and children. In Punjab alone, 54 fatalities were reported in the first half of July, with the toll rising steadily in recent days. Read: Sutlej River on flood alert as water levels rise The floods have caused severe damage to housing infrastructure. At least 123 houses have been destroyed in Punjab, while dozens more have been partially damaged. More than 2,000 families have been displaced and are being sheltered in tempor...

Flood-like conditions have developed in Mailsi after water flow in the Sutlej River surged, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said. At Head Ganda Singh, inflow and outflow were recorded at 118,652 cusecs, while Head Sulemanki saw inflows of 89,267 cusecs with 82,008 cusecs outflow. Head Islam reported an inflow of 42,195 cusecs and an outflow of 40,295 cusecs, and at Head Syphon, both inflow and outflow stood at 36,682 cusecs. Authorities imposed Section 144 at Head Syphon, banning swimming, recreational visits and boating. The assistant commissioner confirmed strict enforcement of restrictions. Local administration said all departments remain on high alert, with Rescue 1122 and the Livestock Department setting up relief camps. In Alipur, Muzaffargarh district, the Chenab River rose to 70,000 cusecs at Head Panjnad, breaching protective embankments. The break at Basti Manghar Khan submerged several settlements and damaged crops over dozens of acres. Residents said water surr...

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has launched an inquiry into renowned fashion designer Maria B, following a complaint that her social media posts amounted to hate speech targeting the transgender community. The complaint, filed by Naeem Butt (also known as Seema Butt), alleges that Maria B spread harmful anti-trans rhetoric, emotionally hurting the community. She has been summoned to appear before the NCCIA on August 26, with authorities warning that non-compliance will be treated as forfeiture of her right to a defence. The inquiry stems from a video post by Maria B in which she condemned a private transgender gathering in Lahore as “un-Islamic,” urging provincial authorities to take action. Earlier, Lahore police had arrested transgender individuals over what they termed an “objectionable” gathering and charged them under obscenity clauses. The arrests were later dismissed by a magistrate, who cited lack of evidence, no eyewitness testimonies, missing raid permi...

A 7-km (4-mile) lake in northern Pakistan, created by a mountain mudslide, is threatening to burst and unleash potentially "catastrophic" floods downstream, officials warned on Saturday. The mud flow descended into the main Ghizer River channel and blocked it completely on Friday, creating the lake in Gilgit Baltistan province, the National Disaster Management Authority said. The blockage created a "dam-like structure" that poses a significant threat of bursting, it said in a situation report by its provincial office. Read More: Shepherd's alert saves entire village in G-B The new lake "can cause a catastrophic flood", said Zakir Hussain, director general of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority. Four downstream districts - Ghizer, Gilgit, Astore and Diamer - face a serious threat, he told Reuters. Ghizer is north of the mountain districts in northwest Pakistan where floods triggered by the worst of this year's monsoon rains and cloudbursts ...

Sindh’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and federal intelligence agencies on Saturday dismantled a network of Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), allegedly involved in the killing of social activist Abdul Rehman in Badin. Additional IG CTD Azaad Khan, along with DIG Ghulam Azfar Mahesar and SSP Irfan Ali Bahadur, briefed reporters on the case. Six suspects have been arrested and confessed to planning terror plots in Karachi, CTD officials said at a press conference at the Central Police Office. According to officials, Abdul Rehman, 45, known locally for welfare work, was shot dead in Badin district’s Matli police station jurisdiction in May. The assailants fled after the attack. Investigators said CCTV footage and witnesses identified three suspects. Two were arrested, and the murder weapon and motorcycle used were recovered. CTD stated that RAW had set up a safe house in Karachi and that the plot was masterminded by an agent named Sanjay Sanjeev Ku...

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir visited Turbat to review the security situation, assess development projects, and strengthen civil-military coordination for Balochistan’s stability and prosperity, the military's media wing said on Saturday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the COAS was received by the Balochistan Corps Commander Lt Gen Rahat Naseem Ahmed Khan. It was also attended by Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti and Balochistan Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan. During the visit, the COAS received a comprehensive briefing on the region’s security dynamics, including the threat perspective, successful operations against Fitna al-Hindustan, ongoing development projects, and efforts to improve socio-economic conditions in southern Balochistan. Courtesy: Radio Pakistan While interacting with the CM and civil administration representatives, Field Marshal Munir highlighted the importance of good governance, infrastructure...

At least five people were confirmed dead on Friday after a fireworks warehouse on Karachi's MA Jinnah Road caught fire on Thursday evening leaving 32 injured.  Two of the injured succumbed to their injuries during medical treatment while three more bodies were retrieved from the rubble. The remaing 30 are undergoing treatment. One person, however, might still be trapped under the debris, said Rescue 1122 officials.  South SSP Mahzar Ali, who visited the site on Thursday along with the Bomb Disposal Squad, told reporters that three more deceased had been pulled from the rubble and two critically injured victims had died during treatment at hospital. “This has brought the death toll to five,” he confirmed. Read More: Blast at fireworks warehouse rocks MA Jinnah Road Officials confirmed that the blast caused serious damage to the Government Girls Higher Secondary School nearby in Jacob Lines No 1. Two of the school’s buildings, the staff room...

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir met the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in islamabad on Friday morning, with regional secruity and counter-terrorism on the agenda, according to a statement released by the militarys media wing. FM Wang Yi is in islamabad on an official visit to attend the sixth Pakistan-Chin Strategic Dialogue on Thursday. The dialogue concluded with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and FM Wang Yi laying the foundation on issues like China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2.0 and reaffirming commitment to strong bilateral ties.  The Chinese FM also met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari. "I reiterated Pakistna's firm resolve to further strengthen our All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and underlined the central role of CPEC in driving our socio-economic progress and enhancing regional connectivity," wrote PM Shehbaz on X (formerly Twitter) after their meeting....

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that providing relief and rehabilitation to those affected by rains and floods is our collective responsibility. Addressing the media after the federal cabinet meeting, PM Shehbaz said that compensation is being paid to the families of those who lost their lives during the rains. More than 700 people have been killed and nearly 1,000 injured in monsoon-related incidents across the country since June 26, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Read: Heavy rains hit daily wage earners hard Of the total fatalities, at least 356 were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In Karachi, at least seven people lost their lives as heavy downpours inundated neighbourhoods, crippled traffic and caused widespread power outages, prompting the mayor to declare a rain emergency. He said that under the supervision of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Pakistan Army is actively participating in relief operations. ...

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore on Thursday handed over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s nephew, Shahrez Khan, to police for eight days physical remand in connection with a May 9 riots case, more than two years after his name surfaced in the investigation. Shahrez was arrested on the evening of August 21 from his residence, According to PTI leaders, the arrest occurred late on Wednesday night when a group of unidentified individuals entered Aleema Khan's home by force. Party officials claimed that household staff were assaulted, family members harassed, and Shahrez taken from his bedroom in front of his children. Police later implicated him in the Jinnah House attack case through two supplementary statements filed on September 23, 2023. He was produced before ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gill, where police sought a 30-day physical remand for further investigation and recovery of material allegedly in his possession. The defence, led by senior lawyer Salman A...

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a sharp reversal on Thursday as early gains were wiped out by intensive selling, triggered by renewed political uncertainty. The benchmark KSE-100 index, which had climbed to the intra-day high of 151,250 points, tumbled later, hitting the low of 148,273. It closed the day at 149,235, down 1,356 points, or 0.90%. The sell-off emerged after the Supreme Court granted bail to former prime minister Imran Khan in May 9 cases, which sparked uncertainty about the political outlook. Major pressure came from index-heavy sectors such as commercial banks, cement and fertiliser, which endured broad-based selling. AKD Securities Director Research Mohammed Awais Ashraf told The Express Tribune that investor sentiment turned cautious amid political uncertainty following the Supreme Court’s acceptance of Imran Khan’s bail plea in May 9 cases. “Nevertheless, we expect falling interest rates amid the improving macroeconomic backdrop and stability in exchange r...

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said on Thursday that storm drains had been cleared in advance and credited his party's provincial govenrment for its handling of the monsoon rains.  Addressing a press conference in Karachi, he accused certain media houses of running a pre-planned campaign against the Pakistan Peoples Party-led Sindh government while referring to a report published in Dawn Newspaper that acknowledged improved drainage.  Memon said storm drains had been cleared in advance and heavy machinery was deployed for drainage. But lapses might have occurred, he conceded. Earlier, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab had said that the city was dealing with record rainfall at over 200mm while its drainage system has a capacity of only 40mm.   "Citizens faced difficulties, and for that we apologise," he remarked, adding that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had personally monitored relief efforts. The press conference began with prayers for...