News Updates Pk

A local court extended on Friday the physical remand of six officials of the National Counter Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in a case registered against them for taking huge bribes and misuse of power. The Federal Investigation Agency was directed to produce the accused before the court on November 3. The case against them was registered on the complaint of Aroob Jatoi, wife of Saadur Rehman popularly known as Ducky Bhai. The FIA presented the accused before Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wattoo's court in handcuffs, after the expiry of their earlier three-day physical remand. The arrested officers include Additional Director Chaudhry Sarfraz, Assistant Director Shoaib Riaz, Ali Raza, Zawar, Yasir Gujjar and others. The FIA submitted its investigation report, stating that roughly Rs42.5 million has been recovered from the accused officials.  Read: Ducky Bhai bribery case: NCCIA officials remanded for three days Defense counsel advocate Munir ...

Multiple fires were reported across Karachi in the past five days, claiming at least two lives and injuring six children. The most furious blaze erupted in a warehouse in Baldia's Moach Goth on Thursday night, with the extinguishing operation continuing well into Friday. The flames were doused late on Friday afternoon in Baldia, leaving the warehouse completely destroyed. The fire was likely caused by human negligence, said Fire Officer Zafar Khan, adding that thankfully there were no casualties. It took five fire tenders, two water bowsers, and one Rescue 1122 fire truck to extinguish the blaze. Khan told The Express Tribune that the warehouse spanned over two acres of land and was surrounded by boundary walls. The firefighters had to break through the front wall to enter the premises and extinguish the flames, he said. Firefighters struggled given thick plumes of smoke and shortage of water. “If water supply resumes promptly, cooling could be completed soon. Otherwise, it may tak...

Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry reaffirmed the Pakistan Army’s commitment to the nation’s defence, warning that any external aggression would be met with a strong and decisive response. During an interactive session with teachers and students from various universities in Abbottabad, Lt Gen Chaudhry discussed Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions and the security situation in the country. He said Pakistan has taken effective measures against terrorism. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has been on the frontlines of Pakistan’s counterterrorism campaign for two decades. When terrorist incidents spiked again in 2021, security forces launched a fiirm and effective response, killing more Khawarij in recent months than in the previous nine years combined. Read: Field Marshal Asim Munir vows to rid K-P of terrorists, abettors There has been a growing terror-crime nexus that has allowed lawlessness to flourish, particularly in K-P and Baloch...

Pakistan has stressed that it does not wish to escalate tensions with Afghanistan and remains hopeful for a “positive outcome” from the next round of talks with the Afghan Taliban, scheduled to begin on November 6, the Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Friday at a press briefing. He recalled that the second round of talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime in the presence of mediators concluded in Istanbul yesterday evening. “Pakistan participated in the Istanbul talks, which started on October 25, in a good spirit and with a positive intention,” he added. The talks were scheduled to run for two days. "However, in an effort to reach an amicable agreement with the Taliban regime, the Pakistan side, in earnest, continued the talks for four days." He stressed that Pakistan does not intend to escalate hostilities further but “expects the Afghan Taliban regime to honour its commitment to the international community and address Pakistan’s legitimate ...

Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has assured the tribal elders that Pakistan, particularly Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, will be cleansed of the terrorists and their abettors, according to a statement issued by the military's media wing. During his visit to Peshawar, the army chief held an interactive session with a Jirga of tribal elders. Addressing the Jirga, COAS Munir appreciated the steadfast and unconditional support rendered by the tribal people to the security forces during the recent standoff between Pakistan and Afghan Taliban, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). He appreciated the steadfast and unconditional support rendered by the tribal people to the security forces during the recent standoff between Pakistan and Afghan Taliban. He also paid rich tribute to the resilience and sacrifices of the brave people of Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa in war against terrorism. Tribal elders reiterated their full support to the armed forces against terrorism and als...

The Queen’s Park in Sultanabad has been reconstructed for the third time by the Competitive and Livable City of Karachi (CLICK), a project financed by the World Bank in collaboration with the Sindh government. The World Bank has allocated roughly Rs58 million in funds for this park, located near Ziauddin Hospital Clifton.  "Though it is the [provincial] government's duty to provide facilities such as parks and playgrounds, their upkeep and continued benefits [from them] depend on community cooperation and the involvement of local representatives," underscored Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah at the inaugration ceremony on Thursday. "True ownership of development projects can only come through collaboration between elected officials, town administrations and citizens."  Echoing the sentiment, CLICK Project Director Ayesha Hameed told The Express Tribune, "Parks built without meaningful input from local residents are not owned by the communi...

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued its downward trajectory on Thursday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index plunging 1,732 points, or 1.09%, to close at 156,733 — marking a new closing low and breaching the previous trough of 158,443 recorded on October 13, 2025. Investor sentiment remained fragile amid escalating regional tensions following the collapse of Islamabad–Kabul talks, which dampened hopes for cross-border trade and economic stability. “The diplomatic setback fueled risk aversion and triggered institutional selling across key sectors,” said Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd. Read: PSX extends bear run, dips 2,063 points The session initially opened on a positive note, with the index hitting an intraday high of 159,507 points (+1,042 points or +0.66%) on selective buying. However, the momentum fizzled out as broad-based profit-taking dragged the market deep into negative territory by the close. Heavyweight counters including Engro Corporation (ENGR...

Maulana Syed Abdul Khabeer Azad, Chairman of Pakistan’s Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and Khateeb of Lahore’s Badshahi Mosque, represented Pakistan at the International Interfaith Peace Conference held in Rome, organised by the Sant’Egidio Community. The conference, themed “Christian-Muslim Dialogue and Daring Peace,” gathered over 300 international delegates and more than 1,000 religious leaders from around the world to promote dialogue, coexistence, and global peace. The event coincided with the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate — the landmark Vatican declaration redefining the Church’s relationship with non-Christian faiths. The anniversary was marked by a solemn celebration at the Vatican on October 28–29, where His Holiness Pope Leo XIV presided as the Chief Guest and led a Peace Walk at Rome’s Colosseum. Read: Pope Leo XIV appeals to world leaders: ‘No more war’ in first Vatican address During his meeting with the Pope, Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad presented Pakistan’s grand narra...

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency arrested human rights lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha, husband of lawyer and activist Imaan Mazari, in Islamabad after a local court issued non-bailable arrest warrants against him for failing to appear at the hearing of a controversial tweet case. During the proceedings, Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka issued the warrants and directed law enforcement to arrest and present Chattha before the court, also ordering the cancellation of his bail bonds. The judge remarked that it appeared the accused had not submitted the required surety bonds, instructing the investigation officer to ensure Chattha’s immediate arrest and production before the court. Shortly after the order was issued, Chattha arrived in the courtroom, but the judge informed him that since the warrants had already been issued, he should appear the following day instead. My husband @AdvHadiali has been arrested because Judge Majoka is insistent on committing m...

Unidentified armed men attacked the Jaffar Express in Balochistan's Dera Murad Jamali, firing multiple shots and launching four rockets at the passenger train. However, security forces swiftly retaliated, foiling the assault and forcing the attackers to flee. In the attack, several train compartments sustained minor damage, but no casualties were reported. Officials said the prompt response from security personnel averted a major tragedy and ensured the safety of all passengers. Following the attack, the train was halted at Dera Murad Jamali Railway Station, while law enforcement agencies launched a large-scale search operation to track down the assailants. Railway authorities confirmed that the situation was brought under control and security was tightened along the route. This is not the first time the Jaffar Express has come under attack. Earlier this year, the passenger train was briefly hijacked in the mountainous Bolan Valley, and in September last year, it was also targeted ...

The Government of Pakistan has announced a major facility for its citizens, allowing all residents who have turned 18 to obtain their first Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) without a chip completely “free of charge”. According to the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), citizens who do not yet have a CNIC can visit any nearby NADRA centre, complete the application process, and receive their first card within 15 days without paying any fee. حکومتِ پاکستان کی عوام کے لئے بڑی سہولت پہلا شناختی کارڈ (بغیر سمارٹ چِپ) بالکل مفت آج ہی نادرا مرکز تشریف لائیں اور 15 دنوں میں بغیر کسی فیس کے پہلی مرتبہ بننے والا کارڈ حاصل کریں pic.twitter.com/QgzfKL86do — NADRA (@NadraPak) October 28, 2025 Under Pakistani law, citizens become eligible for a CNIC and the right to vote in general elections once they turn 18. Read: NADRA inaugurates online CNIC issuance, renewal facility A CNIC is essential for accessing services such as bank accounts, mobile connections, passports, and g...

Five officials of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), booked on charges of bribery and misuse of powers, were produced in the court of the Judicial Magistrate in Lahore on Tuesday. The charges were levied against them by Aroob Jatoi, wife of Saad ur Rehman (Ducky Bhai). The officials, produced in the court, include NCCIA Additional Director Chaudhry Sarfraz, Assistant Director Shoaib Riaz, Sub-Inspector Ali Raza, Assistant Director Mujtaba Zafar, and Sub-Inspector Yasir Ramzan, who are in FIA custody. The request, put forward by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), states that the accused must be investigated to recover millions, and that their remand should be granted for this purpose. During the hearing, the magistrate questioned senior lawyer Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq, who represented the accused in court, “What investigation have you conducted so far to justify the arrests?” The lawyer answered, “The investigation is ongoing, physical remand is required to com...

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a sharp downturn on Tuesday as early gains were wiped out by heavy profit-taking and weak investor sentiment, pushing the benchmark index deep into the red. After opening on a positive note, the KSE-100 index climbed to an intra-day high of 163,380.67 points. However, momentum quickly reversed in the second half as investors booked profits from recent rallies. The index hit a low of 159,805.35 points before closing at 160,101.03, down 2,062.78 points or 1.27% from Monday’s close of 162,163.81. Tuesday’s slump marked the fifth consecutive session of losses, underscoring persistent investor unease. The benchmark briefly dipped below the 160,000-point mark amid sustained selling pressure and a lack of positive triggers. Read: Border clashes rattle stocks and PSX suffers major sell-off Market participants attributed the downturn to fading confidence, macroeconomic uncertainty, and caution ahead of corporate earnings, following recent policy a...

The Institute of Business Management (IoBM) reversed on Monday its decision to expell a student, who has accused the university's transport deparment of harassment and voiced complaints against two senior faculty members, after the student body rallied in support of said student.  The incident  Around a month ago the female student in question, enrolled in the varsity's BBA program, entered the Transport Office at IOBM to collect her ID card. Ten minutes later, she exited the room in panic, trembling and crying. She scrammed towards the HR department, where she recounted that misters S* and B* of the Transport Office had attempted to lock the door with her in it.  “[When I went to collect my card] They started staring weirdly at me, and kept looking me up and down. Then one of the men started to record me. The other man moved towards the door trying to lock it." The student only managed to escape because her peers outside the office responded...

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has written to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging his “immediate intervention” against what he termed “unconstitutional restrictions” on the inter-provincial movement of wheat to the province. Kundi said the restrictions “prima facie contravene Article 151 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which explicitly guarantees freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse among the provinces.” The Punjab government’s decision to restrict inter-provincial wheat movement has drawn sharp criticism from the K-P and Sindh governments, who accuse it of choking wheat supplies to their provinces. Read: Punjab seed supply halt threatens wheat crisis In a post on social media platform X today, Governor Kundi shared his letter to the prime minister, urging his “immediate intervention to lift the unconstitutional restrictions” and highlighting their impact on food security and cooperative federalism. Have written to Prime Minister of ...

A bomb targeting the convoy of Kech Deputy Commissioner Major (retd) Bashir Barech in Turbat, Balochistan, on Monday injured eight people, including Levies Force. Kech Senior Superintendent of Police Captain (retd) Zohaib Mohsin said a remote-controlled device, planted on a motorcycle, was detonated as the convoy passed Press Club Road. The deputy commissioner remained unharmed, though one vehicle in the convoy was severely damaged. Police and Frontier Corps personnel are investigating the attack. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital, and police confirmed that their condition is stable. Police authorities have said that the explosive had been planted on a motorcycle and detonated remotely. Security forces cordoned off the area and are collecting evidence. Balochistan has seen a rise in terrorist incidents, particularly against law enforcement and security forces, led by the group "Fitna al-Hindustan." ‘Fitna al-Hindustan’ is a term used by the state to refer to all te...

Security forces foiled a major infiltration attempt along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, killing 25 militants, including suicide bombers. The exchange of fire took place opposite the general areas of Ghaki in Kurram District and Spinwam in North Waziristan, the military’s media wing said on Sunday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces detected movements of two large groups of Khwarij attempting to infiltrate Pakistan from across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border opposite the general areas of Ghaki in Kurram District and Spinwam in North Waziristan District on the night of October 24–25, 2025. “Our troops effectively engaged these groups of Khwarij, and as a result of precise and skillful engagements, 15 Khwarij, including four suicide bombers belonging to the Indian proxy Fitna al-Khwarij, were sent to hell in Spinwam, North Waziristan District,” the ISPR said. Also Read: Ten dead in relentless terror purge In Ghaki, Kurram District, another group of...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced the opening of new gas connections for domestic consumers. He was addressing a ceremony related to the resumption of Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) connections to domestic consumers in Islamabad on Sunday. He said the government took the decision in response to long-standing public demand. The prime minister recalled that in 2022, there was immense public pressure for gas connections, but the government was facing challenges. He emphasised that with this landmark decision, the public will now be able to access affordable and quality fuel. In a video message played during the ceremony, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said the government is committed to providing maximum facilities to the public. He said Sui Northern Gas Company earned a profit of Rs29 billion during the last fiscal year. Read: Govt clears way for new RLNG connections Earlier, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik reviewed a comprehensive rollout pl...

The Supreme Court has outlined key family law reforms, including revising the Nikah Nama to include a column for dowry articles and proposing stricter penalties for unregistered marriages, as part of its broader judicial reform agenda detailed in its report Redefining Access to Justice 2025. Under the family law reforms, the apex court has recommended clearly defining key terms such as 'maintenance' and 'dower' in the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance (MFLO) of 1961 to eliminate ambiguities that often lead to inconsistent judgments in family courts. The reforms also propose enhanced penalties for unregistered marriages to strengthen women’s legal protections and ensure accountability in matrimonial matters. The report further suggests allowing the transfer of family law cases to the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) to streamline proceedings and improve case management across jurisdictions. The Redefining Access to Justice 2025 report highlights that the family law reforms a...

Pakistan has presented a firm stance on cross-border terrorism during talks in Istanbul, with discussions focusing on threats posed by terrorist groups operating in the region, including Fitna al Khwarij. The second round of talks between Pakistani and Afghanistan concluded in Türkiye on Saturday, however, discussions are expected to continue for another two days. The dialogue, seen as crucial given recent tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, was facilitated by the Turkish government. According to sources, Pakistan’s delegation comprised seven members, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and security agencies. The Afghan Taliban delegation included six officials. During the talks, Pakistan presented its ‘clear and firm stance’ on the threat posed by the terrorist group Fitna al Khwarij and other terrorist organisations operating in the region, sources added. The discussions focused on enhancing security coordination, improving border cooperation, an...

Tribal elders and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf members of the National Assembly on Saturday categorically opposed any new military operation in the tribal districts in the ‘Grand Aman Jirga’, calling instead for dialogue, justice, and development to ensure lasting peace in the region. The Aman Jirga (peace assembly), held in Peshawar on Saturday, brought together elders from Bajaur, Khyber, and Waziristan, alongside PTI workers and community leaders carrying white flags inscribed with the message 'Only Peace'. The jirga echoed a unified demand for stability through consultation and urged the federal government to respect the will of the people of the merged districts. Since 2001, Pakistan has been on the frontlines of the global war on terror, bearing a staggering human cost. More than 80,000 lives have been lost, including countless security personnel who laid down their lives defending the nation. Also Read: Pakistan, Afghanistan begin second round of talks in Istanbul After year...

The second round of peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan began in Istanbul on Saturday under the auspices of Türkiye, aimed at reviewing progress on the points agreed during earlier negotiations in Doha. According to sources, the discussions are taking place at a local hotel in Istanbul between delegations from both countries. The Afghan delegation is led by Deputy Interior Minister Rahmatullah Najib and includes Anas Haqqani, brother of the Afghan Interior Minister, Noor Ahmad Noor. Defence Ministry official Noorur Rahman Nusrat, the acting head of the Afghan Embassy in Qatar, and a spokesperson from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Pakistan is represented by a two-member delegation of security officials, who are expected to present proposals on cross-border attacks originating from Afghanistan, monitoring mechanisms, and frameworks to strengthen security cooperation. Diplomatic sources said the Istanbul dialogue aims to build on previous commitments made in Doha...

Thailand’s Tak provincial office reported that 1,049 people crossed from Myanmar into Mae Sot district between Wednesday and Friday morning — up from 677 who had fled the KK Park scam compound by Thursday morning. "I was sleeping when I heard loud knocking and people shouting at us in Chinese," a Thai woman told the broadcaster. "They were carrying guns," she added. https://ift.tt/ROSqtnG Thailand's Immigration Bureau said most of the arrivals were Chinese men. Nationals from India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand and more than a dozen other countries were among them, the office said in a statement. Read: Treasure NFT: a look at the trading platform alleged to be a fraud Earlier on Monday, Myanmar's junta claimed it raided KK Park, located just across the border from Thailand, and seized Starlink satellite internet devices, which had been used widely for the scam operations. Later on Wednesday, SpaceX claimed to have disabled more than 2,500 Starlink In...

Lahore Traffic Police have intensified action against “one-wheelers,” with social media users posting videos of dangerous stunts now also facing legal consequences. According to CTO Lahore, Dr Athar Waheed, the Cyber Patrolling team of Lahore Traffic Police is keeping a 24-hour watch on one-wheelers across the city. He warned that videos promoting such stunts will not be tolerated and legal action may be taken against those who post or share them for publicity. Read: Face masks made mandatory for bikers as Punjab battles worsening smog The strict enforcement comes after a recent incident in Ichhra, where a video of a boy, a girl, and their group performing one-wheeling went viral on social media. An FIR was registered immediately under multiple legal provisions, including rash and negligent driving (Section 279 PPC), driving without a valid license (Section 99-A, Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965), obstruction of police duties (Sections 138 & 141, Police Order 2002), and public nuisanc...

Two explosions have occured near a police checkpoint in Hangu, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Superintendent of Police Operations Asad Zubair and two police officers were martyred in the blast, the police confirmed.  Photo: Express  According to sources, the first explosion took place near the checkpoint, and as the late SP Asad Zubair was heading to the scene, a second blast occured.  SP Asad Zubair Photo: Express The injured secuirty personnel has been shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital.  This is a developing story..... from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/GcbzEy5

Three Special Investigation Unit assistant sub-inspectors and four constables were suspended on Friday in connection with the death of a youngster in custody allegedly due to torture.  According to deceased Irfan's relatives, he was visiting from Bahawalpur and on Wednesday morning SIU officials detained him and his three friends while they were filming videos during breakfast. Their families were unable to reach them after the SIU officials allegedly confiscated their mobile phones.  The family staged a protest outside the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) Centre in Saddar, accusing the police of causing Irfan's death.  Read: One more citizen dies of police torture According to Saddar Police Station SHO Chaudhry Zahid, the police was alerted by Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) about an unidentified body brought in. When Zahid's team reached JPMC they found SIU personnel present on site as well as a magistrate. The victim's family had not contacted the p...

The Punjab government has sought the Centre's approval to ban Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) after days ofviolent clashes with law enforcement. TLP cheif Saad Rizvi's whereabouts remain uncertain. Some say he is on the run, others suspect he has been arrested, yet others believe he has fled to Kashmir. What we do know is that he was last tracked in Sialkot. But can a provincial government actually ban a political party with sitting MPAs?  Advocate Mirza Moiz Baig told The Express Tribune, “While Article 17 of the Constitution safeguards the right to political association, that right is not uninfected and certain restrictions can be imposed on that right. One such situation where restrictions may be imposed on the right to political association is where a political party is acting in a manner which is prejudicial to Pakistan sovereignty or integrity”. He went on to detail that under Section 212 of the Elections Act 2017 allows such restrictions, however governm...

The Ministry of Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, has announced the processing of refunds for 67,377 Hajj pilgrims, with a total of Rs3.45 billion to be credited directly to their bank accounts. The refunds will be completed by October 31, 2025, as part of the government’s efforts to ensure fairness and transparency in the Hajj process. According to the ministry, pilgrims will receive refunds based on their actual expenses. Specifically, 14% of pilgrims will be refunded between Rs12,286 and Rs12,000, while 16% will receive refunds ranging from Rs13,000 to Rs25,000. Additionally, 20,302 pilgrims will receive Rs75,000, and 408 pilgrims will be refunded Rs110,000. Read: Govt extends private Hajj booking deadline For those not eligible for refunds, it was noted that they had already received services in line with their payments. In terms of facilities, all pilgrims will be provided with a trolley bag, a handbag, and scarves for women. Additionally, a Saudi mobile SIM card will be ...

The federal government has announced plans to launch a comprehensive National Action Plan to conserve shark species in Pakistan’s coastal waters. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry stated that the plan is being prepared in collaboration with the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan, alongside marine and environmental experts, to address the growing threat of shark overexploitation in the Arabian Sea. The minister emphasised that the continued capture of prohibited shark species, including requiem, hammerhead, thresher, mackerel, and whale sharks, poses a severe threat to marine biodiversity. He warned that such practices also undermine Pakistan’s international commitments to marine conservation. Among the most at-risk species is the Basking Shark, listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Due to its slow growth, low reproduction rate, and frequent entanglement in fishing nets, the species faces a high risk of exti...

Garden Police have seized local and foreign currency, along with forged PIA and ANF joining letters, fake cheques, counterfeit property documents, and materials used to produce fake US dollars, including black paper and chemicals. According to details, police arrested a suspect identified as Behzad, allegedly involved in producing counterfeit currency. A District City Police spokesperson said the suspect was found in possession of fake Pakistani banknotes and US dollars. Officers also recovered forged PIA and ANF employment letters, fake cheques, counterfeit property papers, and equipment used to print fake notes. The suspect, along with his accomplices, is accused of defrauding unsuspecting citizens by promising them jobs and issuing fake appointment letters. Police said the suspect had been involved in counterfeiting for around four years and had produced dies to replicate the exact size of currency notes. His accomplices reportedly work as medical representatives and call centre emp...

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has announced a major Rs55 billion relief package for farmers, setting the wheat support price at Rs3,500 per 40kg and offering subsidised fertilizer to small growers to ease the burden of rising cultivation costs. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, he said the provincial government planned to procure between 0.8 and 1.2 million tonnes of wheat during the 2025–26 harvest season. Under the new package, small farmers will receive one bag of DAP and two bags of urea per acre at subsidised rates. The CM said the initiative aims to ensure timely fertilizer supply, promote transparent wheat procurement, and guarantee prompt payments to growers to sustain their interest in cultivation and strengthen food security. Shah said the government was committed to fair compensation for farmers, emphasising that the support price protects them from exploitative middlemen and market fluctuations. Read More: Farmers to get Rs3,500 per maund as govt ap...

Security forces conducted a successful operation in Dalbandin, Balochistan, eliminating six terrorists belonging to the group “Fitna al-Hindustan,” according to security sources. The operation, part of ongoing efforts to eradicate terrorism and restore peace in the province, was carried out following precise intelligence reports. Security officials confirmed that the terrorists had been hiding in a mountainous cave, where they were placed under constant aerial surveillance before being targeted in a decisive strike. All six terrorists associated with the group were killed during the operation, which security officials described as a “highly coordinated and precise action.” Read More: COAS vows to purge Balochistan of 'Indian proxies' ‘Fitna al-Hindustan’ is a term used by the state to refer to all terrorist groups operating in Balochistan — a designation meant to reflect the “true nature and ideology” of these India-sponsored elements and their “nefarious designs.” Security sou...

The Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) has raised an alarm over a potential fuel import crisis following the Sindh government’s demand for mandatory bank guarantees. In an urgent letter to the Ministry of Energy and the Petroleum Division, the OCAC cautioned that if the issue remains unresolved, the import of petroleum products could come to a halt in the coming months. The clearance of petroleum consignments at Karachi Port had been delayed due to the provincial government’s enforcement of a 1.8% Sindh Infrastructure Development Cess on Monday, prompting fears of a nationwide fuel shortage. The 1.8% cess is expected to increase the cost of petroleum products by more than Rs3 per litre. Although fuel prices are regulated, the levy’s imposition will have a direct impact on consumers. The threat of a shortage of petroleum products was temporarily averted after the Sindh government cleared a Pakistan State Oil (PSO) vessel on a 15-day undertaking. The Sindh Excise Department later issu...