Pakistan

Five people were killed in an armed clash on the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, Tajik state media said on Thursday. Citing a statement by the Border Troops of the Tajik State Committee for National Security, state news agency Khovar reported that three people crossed into the country late on Tuesday in the Shamsiddin Shohin district of the country’s southwestern Khatlon region, and were later located on Wednesday. “The terrorists refused to obey orders from Tajik border guards to surrender and offered armed resistance. They intended to carry out an armed attack on one of the border posts of the Border Troops of the State Committee for National Security of the Republic of Tajikistan,” the statement said. “As a result of the combat operation, all three terrorists were neutralised,” the statement said, adding that two Tajik border officers were killed during the clashes. According to the statement, this was the third “armed attack, terrorist act, and border crossing” from Afghanistan in the past mont...

The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has announced a temporary traffic diversion plan from 11:00am to 3:00pm on Friday on the Expressway and Murree Road/Club Road in connection with a special programme.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) disposed of a total of 15,805 cases during 2025, according to its annual performance report, reflecting efficient case management across various bench categories.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal reacted to the speculation surrounding the brief disruption of his interview with ARY News’ Waseem Badami the previous night, saying, “I hope we can avoid unnecessary politicisation of this”. On Thursday night, the minister joined ARY News programme ‘11th Hour’, which was being broadcast live, via a video link. As the minister discussed the matter of talks between the government and the opposition, the conversation was disrupted when a person — not seen in the video — yelled in an aggressive tone, “Shut this”. Following that, Iqbal’s call was disconnected. It prompted the host to wonder aloud if Iqbal was alright. “I hope everything is well. I don’t know what just happened,” he said. Later, the minister rejoined the programme, confirming that “all was well”. The incident sparked widespread speculation across social media, with many people suggesting that it was political in nature. The planning minister, however, clarified on X early today morning that “a brief disruption occurre...

President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will arrive in Islamabad today on a day-long official visit to Pakistan.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the recent surge of violence, vandalism, and arson targeting media houses in Bangladesh. A joint statement issued by PFUJ President Afzal Butt, and Secretary General Arshad Ansari on Friday said, “Silencing the press through physical intimidation is a direct violation of the constitutional right to freedom of expression and the rule of law.” The statement comes days after Bangladesh saw violent protests following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure in last year’s student-led uprising that toppled longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. was shot in the head by masked assailants in Dhaka on December 16 while launching his campaign for an election due in February. He died in Singapore on December 18. Following his death, violent protests broke out and several buildings, including those housing leading newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, were set on fire and vandalised. Protesters accused the newspapers of enabling Hadi’s killing, calli...

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) offices in Islamabad will remain closed on Friday, December 26, due to a public holiday.

WASHINGTON: China continues to strengthen its position as a major global arms supplier, with Pakistan emerging as its most significant and trusted partner in the air combat domain, according to a Pentagon report sent to the US Congress this week. The report states that as of December 2024, China remained the world’s fourth-largest arms exporter, relying primarily on state-owned defence companies such as the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and North Industries Corporation (Norinco). It notes that China’s arms exports are closely linked to its broader foreign policy and development outreach, including initiatives associated with the Belt and Road framework, and are particularly attractive to developing countries due to affordability and flexible terms. According to this report, Pakistan figures prominently in China’s aviation exports. Beijing currently offers three fixed-wing combat aircraft for export: the fifth-generation FC-31 stealth fighter, the fourth-generation J-10C multirole combat aircra...

LAHORE - Former Prime Minister and President of Pakistan Peoples Party Central Punjab Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has said that dialogue, dialogue, dialogue, negotiations are the solution to every problem.

KARACHI: The government’s borrowing from banks in the first half of FY26 has marked a sharp reversal from last year’s pattern, with Rs672 billion raised against net debt retirement during the same period of FY25. Latest data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) showed that, as the first half of FY26 draws to a close, the government borrowing remains limited to Rs672bn, compared with debt retirement of Rs1.7 trillion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. Bankers expect heavy borrowing in the second half of the current fiscal year as the government faces liquidity constraints due to revenue shortfalls, which they say remain below target. Financial market sources said the government continues to rely on banks to stay within its targeted fiscal space. Bankers noted that dividend payouts to the federal government surged sharply in FY25, with around Rs2.7tr transferred to the national exchequer, providing significant fiscal relief. Another SBP report shows that banks’ investments stood at Rs36.7...

• Also curbs powers to place names on passport control list for five years or more • Authority deemed beyond scope of parent law; Centre gets 30 days to revise rules LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has set aside the federal government’s power to inactivate a citizen’s passport and imp­ose a travel ban of five years or more by placing a person on the Passport Control List (PCL) — adjudicating that this authority was beyond the scope of the parent law. However, Justice Asim Hafeez upheld the government’s powers to cancel, impound, or confiscate passports, subject to the fulfilment of statutory requirements. The judgement was delivered at the Multan bench while allowing a petition filed by citizen Farhan Ali, who took up two grievances before the court. First, he sought the setting aside of an order that dismissed his representation against the placement of his name on the PCL as premature. Second, he questioned the legality and constitutionality of the power to inactivate a passport under Rule 23 of the Pas...

• Insiders say Judicial Commission of Pakistan will convene series of meetings next month • Transfers have already been discussed informally among high court chief justices on sidelines of NJPMC moot ISLAMABAD: The transfer of high court judges is expected in the coming weeks under the 27th Amendment, with sources in the judicial bureaucracy indicating that the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) may soon take up the matter formally. The move will come in light of the 27th Amendment that significantly altered the constitutional scheme governing the transfer of judges of the superior judiciary by empowering the JCP to recommend transfers of judges from one court to another without requiring their consent. According to sources, the issue of judges’ transfers was discussed informally during a recent interaction among the chief justices of the high courts. The chief justices had assembled earlier this month to attend the 56th meeting of the National Judicial Policy-Making Committee (NJPMC). Following the meetin...

ISLAMABAD: The Pakis­tan Telecommunication Aut­ho­rity (PTA) on Thurs­day issued a warning to Sim owners to be responsible users and that all Sims must be registered in the user’s name. In a statement, the telecom regulator has said that the use of Sims registered in another individual’s name is considered a violation of applicable regulations, and any misuse of a SIM shall be the sole responsibility of the registered user. PTA further emphasised that consumers must ensure responsible use of their SIMs and telecommunications connections. Users shall be individually accountable for all calls, messages, and data usage made through their SIMs or devices. Consumers are required to comply with all relevant rules and regulations, and failure to do so may result in necessary enforcement action in case of any violation. The PTA has asked all telecom consumers to adopt responsible conduct and play an active and effective role in safeguarding the security, stability, and reliability of Pakistan’s telecommunications sys...

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has postponed the local bodies elections in Quetta that were scheduled to take place on December 28, citing legal developments.

Liverpool manager is grappling with striker crisis after Alexander Isak fractured his leg

Gujar khan - On the occasion of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s birth anniversary, Minister of State for Finance and Railways, Bilal Azhar Kayani, addressed celebratory gatherings in Jhelum, emphasizing Pakistan’s recent accomplishments and the country’s rising stature on the global stage.

KARACHI - An impressive change of guard ceremony was held at the Mazar of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Thursday to mark the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation.

ISLAMABAD - Major General Yousef Ahmed A.

ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Thursday said that Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s relentless struggle for an independent Pakistan and unwavering commitment to his principles are a beacon of light for the youth.

ISLAMABAD - In its landmark judgment, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has decried “institutionalised manipulation” within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and directed its chairman to take “necessary action” against officials found obstructing tax collection by misusing legal statutes.