News Archives for Latest - 2025-12-26

Afghan Taliban say doors open for talks to resolve issues

Taliban government continues to adhere to commitments made in the Doha Agreement to not allow Afghanistan’s soil to be used against any country, says Haqqani.

Updated 27 Dec, 2025 07:10am

Nigeria signals more strikes likely in ‘joint’ US operations

The strikes hit multiple locations, including a town that residents said was not a militant stronghold.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 11:20pm

Middle East

At least 8 worshippers killed in deadly blast at mosque in Syria’s Homs

Attack during Friday prayers is the latest on the minority Alawite community; Several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan condemned the attack.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 10:06pm

PM Shehbaz will decide on talks once PTI clarifies its stance, says Rana Sanaullah

“We are hopeful that either the opposition as a whole will come to the table, or at least the 15pc who are open to talks will,” PM's aide says.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 09:50pm

PSL franchises guaranteed Rs850 million from central pool for next five editions

If a franchise’s share from the central pool in any of the five editions falls below the guaranteed amount, the PCB will cover the shortfall.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 09:49pm

KP & FATA

Police, armed locals kill 6 terrorists in KP’s Lakki Marwat

Several terrorists were injured in retaliatory action by police forces; clearance operation launched in area as situation remains tense.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 09:04pm

Pakistan U-19 captain Farhan vows to ‘respect every opposition’ ahead of Zimbabwe tri-series

The series will act as a warm-up for the teams ahead of the U-19 World Cup, which is set to be held from January 15 in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 07:24pm

ECP extends nomination paper deadline for Islamabad LG polls by three days

Following request by PTI, the new date for submission of nomination papers is December 30.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 06:24pm

Gen Z is stepping up to clean Karachi’s beaches

Over 3,000 volunteers showed up to clean Seaview Beach on Thursday as part of the Hammad Foundation's beach cleanup drive.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 06:06pm

Australia lead England by 46 after 20 wickets fall on crazy day at MCG

England skipper Ben Stokes won a key toss on a green track and his quicks feasted after sending in the hosts under overcast skies.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 05:32pm

This new audio series is digging into South Asia’s aural history

Sounding Board is bringing long-overlooked Urdu and English essays on music and Islamic sound arts back into conversation.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 04:33pm

14 injured in Japan after stabbing, liquid spray attack

At least six victims have been sent to hospital in a fleet of ambulances; the exact nature of the injuries is unclear.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 04:19pm

Artist Mashkoor Raza celebrated with posthumous exhibition at Karachi’s Mainframe Gallery

Alongside the painter's modernist works, a mockup of his studio was also on display.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 03:04pm

‘I think inclusivity matters’: Navin Waqar on playing a Hindu woman in drama Case No. 9

She thinks it's time we start normalising the portrayal on TV of religious minorities in Pakistan without caricatures or spectacles.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 02:37pm

Punjab

LHC CJ overturns DC-led committees’ decisions on property possession in 10 Punjab districts

Says commissioners and DCs have no authority to remove or restore possessions of properties on their own.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 09:23pm

Pakistan summons UK high commissioner after ‘provocative’ Bradford demonstration

Statements made against military and civilian leadership at protest in Bradford; State ministers say “head of armed forces was threatened” while referring to a video from protest.

Updated 27 Dec, 2025 03:36am

The Bridgerton season 4 trailer is out and Benedict Bridgerton is finally falling in love

The notorious Bridgerton brother's search for a mystery woman sets the tone for the show’s next chapter.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 01:14pm

From Erica Robin to Sunita Marshall, Pakistani stars are spreading the Christmas joy

Between parties, trips and social work, our celebrities marked the holiday in many different ways.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 01:05pm

Alarm among immigration advocates as Trump administration mulls ramping up denaturalising of citizens

US Representative Pramila Jayapal "outraged by Trump administration’s plan to denaturalise American citizens by the hundreds every single month."

Published 26 Dec, 2025 12:55pm

Tajikistan says 5 killed in armed clash on border with Afghanistan

Two Tajik border officers among those killed, according to state media; Afghanistan yet to comment on incident.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 12:29pm

Top Featured

Paradise lost: Kashmir, orientalism, and the politics of belonging

Colonial travelogues and Hindu nationalist narratives have long cast Kashmiri Muslims as perpetual outsiders in their own land.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 12:57pm

India’s water crunch brews risks for beverage giants

Challenges for brewers mirror a wider crisis across India, which holds 17pc of the world‘s population but just 4pc of its freshwater.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 11:50am

Hope we can avoid unnecessary politicisation: Ahsan Iqbal on speculation about disruption of his ARY News interview

During the interview, which was broadcast live, a man was suddenly heard saying, "Shut this", following which Iqbal's video call was disconnected.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 11:49am

PFUJ condemns violence, arson, vandalism targeting media houses in Bangladesh during recent protests

“Silencing the press through physical intimidation is a direct violation of the constitutional right to freedom of expression and the rule of law,” PFUJ statement says.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 11:25am

Formulation of effective policies in GB has the potential to mitigate looming crises in the region

The region’s key decisions rest with the centre and its powerful bureaucracy.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 10:32am

Punjab

UHS issues first MBBS selection list for private medical colleges

4,350 MBBS seats available at 33 private medical colleges across Punjab, says UHS official.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 10:32am

Pakistan, UAE hold ‘substantive talks’ during President Al Nahyan’s first official visit to Pakistan

Two leaders reiterate their determination to continue to work together to advance the shared objective of peace, stability, and sustainable development, according to a statement.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 11:50pm

As we close 2025, key determinants of national development are all in visible decline

It is time to take a hard and honest look at the lay of the land of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 09:55am

Balochistan

Protesters continue sit-in over ‘enforced disappearances’ in Balochistan’s Kech for third day, blocking CPEC Highway

Family members and protesters refuse to open the highway until the recovery of the four missing people, who they claim were forcibly taken away from their homes.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 09:41am

US launches Christmas Day strikes on IS targets in Nigeria

US Department of Defence's US Africa Command says “multiple ISIS terrorists” killed in attack in Sokoto state, conducted at Nigerian authorities' request.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 06:21pm

Editorial: Perhaps the key reason behind Delhi-Dhaka rupture is India’s patronising attitude towards its neighbours

Delhi should cooperate with Dhaka to trace Hadi’s killers, and should refrain from meddling in Bangladesh’s internal affairs and fanning communal fires.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 09:10am

Editorial: A fresh counter-terrorism approach is needed to permanently clear areas where militants are active

As per statistics, 2025 is said to be the bloodiest year as far as casualties in terrorist incidents are concerned since 2015.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 08:54am

Punjab

PTI to launch fresh street movement from Lahore today

KP CM Afridi to be welcomed in city, says PTI Punjab chief organiser.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 08:34am

Political instability is holding us back, says Ahsan Iqbal at ‘Year of Quaid-i-Azam’ celebrations

Celebrations kick off with ceremony at Convention Centre.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 07:51am

Balochistan

11 terrorists, including high-value target, eliminated in DI Khan, Balochistan operations: ISPR

Nine children injured in drone strike on KP's Tank.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 07:21am

KP & FATA

Tourists throng frozen Andarab lake in KP’s Kalam

Environmentalists argue ease of access posing threat to lake's natural environment.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 09:36am

KP & FATA

Polio vaccination refusals decline in KP but challenges remain

KP reports most cases of the virus in the country this year.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 09:27am

KP & FATA

KP CM Afridi promises street movement with ‘full force’

Says PTI will accept all of opposition alliance’s decisions.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 09:22am

Islamabad

AJK High Court orders strict enforcement of policy regulating allied health institutes

Justice Sardar Mohammad Ejaz issues directions while deciding petitions challenging private paramedical institutes in Muzaffarabad.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 10:02am

Islamabad

CDA’s one-window facility in G-9 nears completion

A new one-window facility, Assan Khidmat Markaz, where the public will have access to “hundreds of services” under one roof, is almost complete.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 05:54am

Islamabad

Land owners hold protest, reject CDA’s built-up awards for C-16 & H-16

Say civic agency acquired their land against peanuts and earned billions; therefore, compensation should be paid at current.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 09:54am

Punjab

Two labourers buried alive during digging of foundations in Sahiwal

Medical reports confirm both suffered severe chest injuries.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 10:37am

Punjab

National Games winners demand better facilities

Punjab athletes demand better training, coaching, and financial support after National Games success.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 10:40am

Punjab

No compromise on minority rights: Punjab CM

Punjab CM pledges full protection of minority rights, increased welfare support; promotes interfaith unity.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 10:27am

Punjab

Punjab govt plans to impose Rs100m fine to curb manhole cover theft

Govt plans to impose fines up to Rs100 million to curb organised theft and illegal trade of manhole covers in Punjab.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 10:21am

Sindh

Families seek govt help for release of 11 fishermen from Indian jails

Fishermen reportedly intercepted on Dec 10 while fishing in Arabian Sea.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 09:16am

Sindh

Quaid-i-Azam paid rich tributes across Sindh on 149th birth anniversary

An impressive change of guard ceremony was held at Mazar-i-Quaid to mark the birth anniversary.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 09:13am

Sindh

18th International Urdu Conference begins in Karachi

The International Urdu Conference opened, focusing on literature’s power amid AI and global challenges.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 09:31am

International

Israeli settler attack injures Palestinian baby, five arrested

UN says settler-related violence in the West Bank has sharply escalated.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 08:20am

International

Three killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon

Lebanon’s health ministry said an Israeli strike on a vehicle near the Syrian border killed two people.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 08:16am

International

Pacific archipelago Palau agrees to take migrants from US

Will allow selected third-country nationals to live and work on the archipelago in exchange for US funding.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 08:50am

International

Immigration debate dividing UK, says new Anglican leader

Mullally warns that Britain’s immigration debate is fracturing society.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 08:15am

International

China’s one-child policy czar Peng Peiyun dies

Peng’s death reignites online anger over policy blamed for forced abortions and China’s looming demographic crisis.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 08:48am

Sport

Arshad ‘honoured’ to attend inaugural World Sports Summit

The Olympic javelin champion has been selected as an honouree for the Mohammad bin Rashid Al Makhtoum Global Sports Award.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 05:53am

Sport

A football factory powering Pakistan’s dreams

In the last 24 months alone, POPO FC has produced a staggering 36 international players for Pakistan across all age groups.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 07:33pm

Business

Stakeholders back PIA sale, call for divestment of other SOEs

OICCI expects foreign interest once new management stabilises operations; privatisation debate ignores what passengers actually need, says ex-PBC CEO.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 08:01am

Business

Sim owners responsible for illegal use, warns PTA

Telecom regulator says using a SIM registered to someone else is a violation, and misuse is the registered user's responsibility.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 05:53am

Business

Russia delays LNG output target due to sanctions

100m-tonne goal to be pushed back by several years, says Russian PM Alexander Novak.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 08:20am

Business

Government borrowing reverses course

Govt’s borrowing from banks in first half of FY26 marks sharp reversal from last year’s pattern, with Rs672bn raised against net debt retirement during same period of FY25.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 07:47am

Business

FBR cracks down on healthcare tax evasion

A senior tax official says the FBR is deploying IRS officers to private hospitals and clinics to strengthen monitoring.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 07:28am

National

Jamaat-i-Islami eyes return to its populist heyday

Hafiz Naeem declares that the Jamaat had no fixed constituency or candidate.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 08:53am

National

Kashmiri rights group decries India’s seizure of properties

Coercive domestic laws violate UN Charter obligations, says Dr Syed Nazir Gilani, president of the Jammu Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR).

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 09:07am

National

42-foot tall Christmas tree captivates Lahoris

With ‘Merry Christmas’ emblazoned in prominent neon letters on either side, the tree captures the imaginations of Lahoris.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 08:59am

Balochistan

CM Bugti vows to realise Jinnah’s vision for Pakistan

Says conspiracies to destabilise Balochistan will be defeated.

Published 26 Dec, 2025 05:53am

Back Page

Pakistan emerges as main recipient of Chinese combat aircraft

Pentagon report says Beijing has strengthened its position as major arms supplier.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 08:48am

Back Page

Two million Afghans still living in Pakistan: UNHCR

All 54 refugee villages in KP, Balochistan and Punjab de-notified.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 08:35am

Front Page

‘Protest or parley?’: PTI grows weary of mixed signals

Punjab leadership says situation would have been different had "mature politicians" met Imran in jail; opposition alliance urges govt to create ‘favourable environment’ for talks, pins hopes on Nawaz.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 07:33pm

Punjab

LHC sets aside govt’s authority to render passports ‘inactive’

Also curbs powers to place names on passport control list for five years or more; Centre gets 30 days to revise rules.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 07:45am

Front Page

High court judges likely to be reshuffled soon

Insiders say JCP will convene series of meetings next month; transfers have already been discussed informally among high court chief justices on sidelines of NJPMC moot.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 07:35am

Front Page

Over 100 ‘IS men’ held in Turkiye over holiday attack plot

Operation launched after police received intelligence that ISIL members were “planning attacks in Turkiye against non-Muslims in particular”, says prosecutor's office.

Updated 26 Dec, 2025 08:03am

Friday, December 26, 2025