Zainab

Pakistan urged restraint from both sides on Wednesday after a fresh round of hostilities between the United States and Iran threatened to undo weeks of efforts to achieve peace through the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The interim ceasefire agreement signed between Washington and Tehran — under the mediation of Pakistan — was intended to provide a 60-day window for negotiations on a permanent agreement, but indirect talks in Qatar ended last week with no sign of headway and the US military unleashed a new wave of strikes against Iran on Tuesday. Iran subsequently said it had targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait and that it had shot down a US MQ-9 drone attempting to interfere in the operation. Bahrain's army ​later said it had thwarted Iranian attacks. Trump has since threatened a new volley of attacks tonight. In a response issued today on the situation, the Foreign Office (FO) said: "Pakistan expresses its deep concern at the escalation in...

The Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) has initiated departmental action over the HIV outbreak among children at Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital, suspending two doctors, removing a dispenser and issuing show-cause notices to 37 doctors, nurses and other medical and administrative staff as investigations intensify into the incident that has left 78 children diagnosed with HIV. According to an official notification, Dr Amanullah Memon and Dr Huma Aman have been suspended with immediate effect and directed to report to the SESSI head office.  The inquiry committee has accused both doctors of negligence, maladministration and violations of medical protocols. Dispenser Basharat Khan has also been removed from his duties, while 37 employees have been served show-cause notices and directed to submit their replies within 14 days. Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital is the same facility where dozens of children were allegedly infected with HIV due to the use of reused or unsafe s...

Multiple users, a majority of whom appear to be PTI supporters, have been sharing an image on social media platforms TikTok and X since June 7, 2026, purportedly showing incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan being transported in a wheelchair by law enforcement personnel at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).  However, the photo is AI-generated. Imran has remained incarcerated in Adiala jail while facing multiple legal cases. In early 2026, concerns over his health intensified after his legal team reported that he had developed central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), resulting in significant vision loss in his right eye. The former prime minister was subsequently taken to Pims in Islamabad for an eye examination and follow-up treatment under government supervision. The hospital later stated that he was clinically stable. At the same time, PTI leaders and Imran’s legal team continued to demand treatment at a hospital of their choice and access for his personal physic...

The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the “first-ever” four-year Haj policy and plan, instructing authorities to complete digitisation of the operation to ensure “better” facilities for pilgrims, state-broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the meeting of the federal cabinet today, where the participants were given a detailed briefing on the latest long-term Haj policy. The cabinet members were told that the new policy was designed to improve operations and provide better facilities to pilgrims, and standard operating procedures and other regulatory frameworks would be developed for its implementation. Furthermore, amendments would be made to it, as needed, to keep it aligned with Saudi laws and regulations. To ensure affordability, the cabinet also approved the introduction of a Shariah-compliant savings scheme to enable aspiring pilgrims to benefit from a savings plan for performing Haj in the future. The meeting was apprised that under the ...

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said late on Tuesday night that a search and rescue operation was underway after an aircraft of K2 Airways with five crew members aboard was reported missing off the coast of Karachi. In a series of posts on X, the PAA said a K2 Airways Boeing 737 cargo flight was en route from Sharjah to Karachi at 2118 PST when it reported a navigational system issue and was promptly guided by the Karachi Area Control Centre. "However, at time 2121 PST, aircraft was observed on radar rapidly descending and with rapid heading change, subsequently radar contact and communication was lost approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi," the PAA said. It added that a rescue coordination centre was activated and a coordinated search and rescue operation was launched at sea through various agencies to locate the missing aircraft, which had five crew members on board. According to officials, the causes of the accident will be determined after the i...

The military's top brass on Monday expressed a resolute commitment to undertake all necessary measures to ensure the availability of Pakistan’s "rightful share of water" amid tensions with India over the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). For more than six decades, India and Pakistan amicably managed the Indus River system through the IWT transboundary water-sharing agreement signed on September 19, 1960. In April last year, India suspended the treaty in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Last week, Pakistan held an IWT seminar at which the political leadership pledged a robust defence of Pakistan’s rights under the treaty through all available legal and diplomatic means, warning that any attempt to deprive the country of its share of water would have “profound consequences for regional peace and security”. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir presided over the 276th Corps Commanders’ Con...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied reports on Sunday that the US had restricted Israeli military operations in Lebanon. "I heard it was said in the media that President Trump asked not to act against terror tunnels in Lebanon. This is a legend, fake news. He didn't say anything to me about it, and I didn't ask him. We operate according to our considerations," Netanyahu said during a weekly Cabinet meeting. His remarks contradicted an earlier report by Israel's public broadcaster KAN late last month that Israel had provided US officials with detailed intelligence on alleged Hezbollah tunnels in the Ali al-Taher Heights in southern Lebanon in an effort to obtain US approval for military operations in the area. The report suggested Israel sought a US green light to continue its military activities in Lebanon, contrary to Netanyahu's assertion that Israeli military decisions are made independently. Turning to Gaza, Netanyahu said there would be n...

  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi directed authorities on Friday to identify and develop new tourist destinations in Kolai-Palas and Allai to unlock the immense tourism potential of Hazara Division. Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Chief Minister’s House, CM Afridi reviewed progress on development initiatives, law and order, governance, public service delivery, and grievance redressal across the division. He stressed that tourism promotion remains a top strategic priority of the provincial government. The meeting was informed that Rs500 million has been earmarked under the Khushhal Hazara Package specifically for tourism development projects. CM Afridi instructed concerned departments to ensure high-quality facilities and hospitality for both domestic and international tourists, noting that “tourists serve as ambassadors of the province’s positive image.” He also directed the formulation of dedicated traffic management plans to ensure smooth move...

  The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday laid down important legal principles for lower courts adjudicating disputed love marriage cases, ruling that a registered nikahnama or even a woman's earlier harassment petition cannot, by themselves, conclusively establish a valid marriage where allegations of abduction, coercion or forced marriage are raised. The court held that judges must go beyond documentary evidence and determine whether the woman's consent was free, voluntary and completely free from coercion. It directed trial courts to examine how the alleged relationship originated, whether the parties genuinely knew each other and whether the circumstances supported a claim of consensual marriage. The LHC further ruled that where the parties are strangers from different localities, courts are under a legal obligation to inquire into the genesis of the alleged love relationship before accepting a plea of consensual marriage. Justice Anwaar Hussain of the LHC's Bahawalpur Be...

  NATO leaders gather next week in Ankara, where Europeans aim to set aside strife with United States President Donald Trump over Iran and Greenland ​and show they are stepping up to defend the continent as Washington cuts back on its commitments to the alliance. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says ‌the gathering next Tuesday and Wednesday will show Europeans are honouring pledges to hike defence spending to deter Russia from any attack, with arms deals worth tens of billions of dollars to be signed. Leaders are also expected to vow to keep funding weapons for Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will attend a dinner hosted by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who will also hold bilateral talks with Trump. European ​officials say they hope Trump's strong relationships with Erdogan and Rutte will ensure a smooth summit but cannot be sure, given lingering transatlantic bitterness over the Iran ​war and the US president's fr...

  The federal government on Friday reduced the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs1.97 per litre for the next week, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum. Under the revised rates, the price of petrol has been fixed at Rs297.53 per litre, while HSD will now cost Rs309.50 per litre. The new prices came into effect at midnight and will remain applicable for the next week, the notification said.

  With a strong entrepreneurial spirit and competitive manufacturing capabilities, Pakistan can compete more effectively in international markets by simplifying export procedures, ensuring predictable taxation policies and improving the ease of doing business. In an exclusive interview, Shawn Yang, General Manager of Asia Pacific at Alibaba.com, said the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC 2.0) presents an opportunity to strengthen Pakistan's manufacturing and export ecosystem. Beyond infrastructure, the initiative could accelerate industrial collaboration, improve logistics and reduce trade costs, making Pakistani exporters more competitive in global markets. He said Pakistan's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have significant opportunities to expand globally if supported by a more enabling business environment and the adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. He noted that digital trade is rapidly reshaping global commerc...

  Oil prices edged up on Friday before a long holiday weekend in the US, as wary optimism held ​over efforts to secure peace in the Middle East between the United States and Iran. Brent ‌futures climbed 46 cents, or 0.64%, to $72.26 a barrel as of 0407 GMT. West Texas Intermediate was up 32 cents, or 0.47%, to $69.01 a barrel. US markets will be closed on Friday ahead of the US Independence Day holiday ​on Saturday. During the prior session, the two benchmarks hit their lowest levels since before the US-Israeli ​war on Iran began in late February. Brent for the week was up 0.35% ⁠and WTI up 0.43%, the smallest weekly movements for both in months. “It's a case of guarded ​optimism, with the market wanting to believe the peace efforts will hold, but it’s still hedging its ​bets until it sees real evidence on the water,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade. Shipping has partially resumed through the Strait of Hormuz, as called for under the initial deal between Iran an...

At least 40 people were killed and eight others injured when a New Mekhtar passenger coach travelling from Quetta to Peshawar plunged into a deep ravine in the Danasar area on the Sherani–Zhob highway, near the border between Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), on Friday. According to the Medical Emergency Response Centre (MERC), 40 bodies have been recovered from the crash site, while eight injured passengers have been shifted to the Trauma Centre in Zhob. Six ambulances, 12 emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and 10 light transport vehicle (LTV) drivers were deployed as part of the rescue operation. Following reports of the crash, the district administration in Sherani, rescue teams, and ambulances were immediately dispatched to the scene. Rescue personnel from K-P also joined the operation. Sherani Deputy Commissioner Hazrat Wali Kakar said, "the injured were being rescued and shifted to nearby hospitals, while efforts to recover and transport the bodies of those killed...

  The government has missed the export target by a wide margin of $5.2 billion, as receipts during the last fiscal year plunged to $30.1 billion, causing a double-digit increase in the trade deficit and exposing underlying economic vulnerabilities. The annual trade deficit shot up by $7 billion to $39.5 billion in FY2025-26 due to a dip in exports and a jump in imports – a sum equal to the size of the three-year International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package. The target was missed in the middle of a recommendation by the Planning Commission last month to the National Economic Council (NEC) to "shift (economic) incentives from protection and rent-seeking to productivity and export performance". However, the government did not implement the recommendation and again gave general export subsidies. "Exports are targeted at $35.3 billion for FY 2025-26, aligned with the National Economic Transformation Plan 2024-29," reads the Annual Plan for the last fiscal year that ...

  The body of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes, arrived at Tehran's Grand Mosalla religious complex ahead of his funeral, state media reported on Friday. "The body of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution has arrived at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla," IRNA wrote on Telegram, using the complex's official name. Senate chairman arrives in Tehran to attend Khamenei's funeral Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has arrived in Tehran with a high-level delegation to attend the funeral prayers and burial of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, according to PTV, which shared the update on X. Iranian officials welcomed the Pakistani delegation upon its arrival in Tehran. Speaking to the media, Gilani described Ayatollah Khamenei as an influential and respected figure in the Islamic world. He said Pakistan and Iran share longstanding historical, religious, cultural and brotherly ties. Gilani added that Pakistan would reit...

  The federal government has disclosed that the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project has been removed from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework and will now seek financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other international financial institutions. The revelation came before the Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, which also sought explanations regarding the project's financing, an inquiry into the Power Division and the Economic Affairs Division's (EAD) decision to seek legal advice from the Ministry of Law. The committee, which met under the chairmanship of Senator Saifullah Abro, reviewed matters relating to foreign borrowing by the federal and provincial governments, foreign-funded development projects in Sindh, and the role of the Economic Affairs Division. Proceedings were dominated by a heated exchange over a letter written by a section officer suggesting that certain matters raised by the committee did not fall within its jurisdiction....